US 4,087,021 AGranted

Game chip dispenser with marker

OwnerJulia Cotugnoinventor

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Abstract

The invention, in the embodiment depicted by way of example only, comprises an elongate rod which serves as a cartridge or carrier for a plurality of game-play chips. The chips are centrally apertured and are slidably engaged with the outer surface of the rod. A detent arrangement, fixed within the dispensing end of the rod selectively allows single chips, in turn, to be dispensed upon the supply of chips being slidably urged against the detent arrangement. In addition, the rod is hollow; the same defines a storage chamber or carrier for a marking pen. The hollow interior of the rod opens onto the end thereof which is opposite the dispensing end, and a marking pen frictionally engaged within the rod has the marker end projecting therefrom. A closure cap is received on the opposite end of the rod to protect the marker end of the pen when the latter is not in use. Too, the cap has an annular flange extending therefrom which serves as a retainer for the game-play chips.

Claims3

Dependent claims

Dispenser means, for game-play chips and the like, comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of game-play chips in slidable engagement therewith;
said receiving means comprising an elongate element having a termination at one end thereof which defines a dispensing end;
and
first means coupled to said one end of said element, and second means coupled to the opposite end of said element, for retaining game-play chips in engagement with said element;
wherein
at least one of said first and second means has means yieldably responsive to pressure applied thereto for releasing game-play chips from engagement with said element;
said element has an external, elongate surface disposed for defining therealong a relatively slidable interface with game-play chips;
said first and second means each comprises means projecting from said surface for obstructing thereat game-play chips slidably-interfaced movement relative to said surface;
one of said first and second means further comprises an end cap;
said cap having means effecting a releasable interference fit of said cap with said opposite end of said element;
said cap further has an annular flange which defines said projecting means thereof;
and
said element is hollow, having a storage chamber formed therewithin in which slidably to carry a marking means;
further including
marking means slidably and replaceably carried within said chamber;
wherein
said chamber opens onto said opposite end of said element;
said marking means includes a marker on one end thereof;
said marker projects from said opposite end of said element;
said cap comprises a cup-shaped element for shieldably protecting said marker therewithin;
and
said marking means and said chamber have mutually engaging surfaces which define therebetween a frictionally-releasable engagement.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.