US4073493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bridge bid recording device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-07-30
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Granted: 1978-02-14
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Expires: 1996-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A device for recording and retaining the bids of a player in a bridge auction comprising a block having a plurality of holes formed in a rectangular row and column array therein, each row and column being respectively associated with a particular level and type of bid, and a plurality of tokens selectively insertable into the holes for indicating the type and level of a player's bid during each bidding round.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen T. Moreland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:12
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F1/00; A63F1/06; A63F1/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A device in the form of a kit for recording and retaining the bids of a player in a game of bridge comprising a block having a seven row and six column rectangular array of holes formed therein and including means associating each said column with one of the bid types: pass, clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades and no-trump, and means associating each said row with one of the bid levels: one through seven; and a plurality of tokens selectively insertable into each said hole for indicating the type and level of a player's bid during each round of bidding including means integral with each said token identifying each said token with a selected bid type, said plurality of tokens including six pass, six club, six diamond, six heart, six spade, six no-trump, three double and three redouble tokens.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A device in the form of a kit for recording and retaining the bids of a player in a game of bridge comprising a block having a seven row and six column rectangular array of holes formed therein and including means associating each said column with one of the bid types: pass, clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades and no-trump, and means associating each said row with one of the bid levels: one through seven; and a plurality of tokens selectively insertable into each said hole for indicating the type and level of a player's bid during each round of bidding including means integral with each said token identifying each said token with a selected bid type, said plurality of tokens including six pass, six club, six diamond, six heart, six spade, six no-trump, three double and three redouble tokens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said kit further comprises a rack having 42 holes formed therein for holding said tokens when said tokens are not in use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device set forth in claim 2 wherein said rack is formed as an inverted cup having an opening to telescopically receive said block and a shelf portion in which said forty-two holes are formed, each of said forty-two holes being aligned with a corresponding hole in said block when said block is received within said rack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device set forth in claim 3 wherein each said token comprises a shank received in aligned holes in said block and said rack, and a head extending above said rack for identifying said token with a selected bid type, and wherein said kit further comprises a cover adapted to rest upon said shelf portion to enclose said token head and retain said tokens in said rack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device set forth in claim 4 wherein said kit further comprises means for preventing said cover from sliding with respect to said shelf portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device set forth in claim 4 wherein said kit further comprises means encompassing said cover, said rack and said block for holding said block beneath said rack and said cover on said shelf portion of said rack.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for recording and retaining the bids in a game of bridge comprising a block member having a seven row and six column rectangular array of holes formed therein and including means associating each said column with one of the bid types: pass, clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades and no-trump and means associating each said row with one of the bid levels: one through seven; and a plurality of tokens selectively insertable into each said hole for indicating the type and level of a player's bid during each round of bidding including means integral with each said token identifying each said token with a selected bid type, said plurality of tokens including six pass, six club, six diamond, six heart, six spade, six no-trump, three double and three redouble tokens.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for recording and retaining the bids in a game of bridge comprising a block member having a seven row and six column rectangular array of holes formed therein and including means associating each said column with one of the bid types: pass, clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades and no-trump and means associating each said row with one of the bid levels: one through seven; and a plurality of tokens selectively insertable into each said hole for indicating the type and level of a player's bid during each round of bidding including means integral with each said token identifying each said token with a selected bid type, said plurality of tokens including six pass, six club, six diamond, six heart, six spade, six no-trump, three double and three redouble tokens.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for recording and retaining the bids of a single player in a game of bridge comprising means providing a plurality of holes formed in a rectangular array of seven rows and six columns; first means identifying each said column with one of the bid types: pass, clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades, and no-trump; second means identifying each said row with the one of the bid levels: one through seven; and a plurality of tokens selectively insertable into each said hole for indicating the type and level of a player's bid during each round of bidding, said tokens including means associating respective ones of said tokens with the bid types: pass, clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades, no-trump, double and redouble.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for recording and retaining the bids of a single player in a game of bridge comprising means providing a plurality of holes formed in a rectangular array of seven rows and six columns; first means identifying each said column with one of the bid types: pass, clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades, and no-trump; second means identifying each said row with the one of the bid levels: one through seven; and a plurality of tokens selectively insertable into each said hole for indicating the type and level of a player's bid during each round of bidding, said tokens including means associating respective ones of said tokens with the bid types: pass, clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades, no-trump, double and redouble.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device set forth in claim 8 wherein said first and second identifying means are positioned along mutually orthogonal side edges of said array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device set forth in claim 9 wherein said hole-providing means comprises a block having a plane surface through which said plurality of holes is formed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device set forth in claim 10 wherein said block is generally rectangular having successively perpendicular side edges, said first and second identifying means being respectively formed adjacent at least two of said side edges orthogonal to each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-13 | 1981-08-15 | 1982-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-13 | 1985-08-15 | 1986-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-13 | 1989-08-15 | 1990-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |