# US 5,701,696 A · Card holder > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,701,696 A - Document ID: US5701696A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/476,107 - Filed: 1995-06-07 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1995-06-07 - Inventors: Richard C. Clontz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5701696A ## CPC - G09F 3/20: for adjustable, removable, or interchangeable labels - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS ## Abstract A card holder having a pair of plates movably coupled together by a series a straps for displaying and playing with cards. The plates include openings into which the cards are received. The straps overlie one face of each of the plates so as to cover selected portions of the cards. The set of straps on one plate are vertically staggered with respect to the set of straps on the other plate. The straps and plates are uniquely interconnected to effect a reversal of the straps upon manipulation of the plates. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A card device for receiving one or more cards, comprising: at least two plates, each of said plates having a front face and a rear face, at least one of said plates having a mounting structure for receiving and supporting one of the cards, and means for permitting both faces of one of the cards to be viewed, said permitting means located on said at least one of said plates: and said card device having at least three straps interconnecting said plates, each of said straps having a pair of opposite ends attached to said plates and an unattached medial portion, said medial portion of at least one of said straps overlying one of said plates, and said medial portion of at least another said straps overlying the other of said plates, said plates being manipulable such that the medial portions of said straps can be reoriented to overlie the opposite plate; and wherein said means for permitting viewing of both faces of one of said cards includes an opening which extends through said front and rear faces. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A card device in accordance with claim 1, in which said opening is enclosed by a transparent sheet along each side of the card device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A card device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said transparent sheet is provided with a colored pattern which is for obscuring indicia on the one or more cards, and wherein said straps are composed of a colored transparent material which absorbs the colored pattern and is for permitting the indicia on the one or more cards to be read. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A card device in accordance with claim 1, in which the at least three strays are spaced apart and are arranged to overlie each said plate, wherein said straps overlying one plate are offset relative to said straps overlying said other plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A card device in accordance with claim 1, in which at least two said straps are oriented in a non-parallel manner or crossed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A card device in accordance with claim 1, in which at least one said plate has a means for holding only one of the one or more cards. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A card device in accordance with claim 1, in which at least one said plate has a means for loading and removal of the one or more cards through the front or rear face of said at least one plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A card device in accordance with claim 1, in which said mounting structure includes a slot which extends through said at least two plates. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A card device in accordance with claim 1, in which said mounting structure includes a opening with an inwardly extending shoulder. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A card device in accordance with claim 1, in which said mounting structure is sealed to prevent movement of the received card. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A card device in accordance with claim 10, in which said seal is fixed said seal cannot be opened without visible signs of tampering. ### Claim 12 A card device including a card, said card having a front face and a rear face, said card device has means for receiving more than one card, said card with said front face having indicia, and said rear face having indicia, said card device comprising: at least two plates, each of said plates having a front face and a rear face, at least one of said plates having a mounting structure receiving and supporting said card, and means for permitting both faces of the card to be viewed said permitting means located on said at least one of said plates; and having at least three straps interconnecting said plates, each of said straps having a pair of opposite ends attached to said plates and an unattached medial portion, said medial portion of at least one of said straps overlying one of said plates, and said medial portion of at least another of said straps overlying the other of said plates, said plates being manipulable such that the medial portions of said straps can be reoriented to overlie the opposite plate; and wherein said means for permitting viewing of both faces of the received card includes an opening which extends through said front and rear faces. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A card device including a card, in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least one said face of said card has an illustration that facilitates playing with the card. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A card device including a card, in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least one said face of said card has indicia that facilitates playing with the card. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A card device including a card, in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least one face of said card has indicia defining at least one question and at least one answer to the question. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) A card device including a card, in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least one face of said card has indicia defining at least one question and another card having at least one answer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A card device including a card, in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least one face of the card is provided with a colored pattern which obscures the indicia, and wherein said straps are composed of a colored transparent material which absorbs the colored pattern and permits the indicia on the card to be read. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A card device including a card, in accordance with claim 12, in which said opening is enclosed by a transparent sheet along at least one side of the card. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A card device including a card, in accordance with claim 18, wherein at least one face of the card is provided with a colored pattern which obscures the indicia, and wherein said transparent sheet is provided with a color and wherein said straps are composed of a colored transparent material, both said transparent sheet with a color and said straps of colored transparent material and said absorbs the colored pattern, on said card, and is for permitting the indicia on said card to be read. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) A card device including a card, in accordance with claim 12, said plates being manipulable such that said straps can be reoriented to overlie the opposite plates and thereby reveal and cover portions on said card.