Patent US4790435A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4790435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card dispenser
Assignee: CARDMATIC Inc PO BOX 84103 SIOUX FALLS SOUTH DAKOTA 57118
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Filing: 1987-10-20
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Granted: 1988-12-13
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Expires: 2007-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A cardholder for containing and dispensing business cards has a housing containing a flat spring, a cover plate for the spring for supporting the cards, and a backing plate. The cover plate, spring and backing plate are fitted into the housing, and the cards are inserted into the housing on top of the cover plate. The cards may be dispensed singly by pressure through a window opening in the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Trusty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:18
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B3/00; G07B3/04; A; A44; A44B; A44B11/00; A44B11/005; A45; A45C; A45C11/00; A45C11/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A cardholder for containing a plurality of business cards or the like, comprising: covering means for supporting business cards, flat spring means for supporting the covering means, said flat spring meas comprising a flat spring having upturned flange portions for retaining the covering means in position; backing means for supporting the spring means; and housing means for supporting the backing means, spring means and covering means; wherein the backing means, spring means and covering means are engaged in the housing means, and business cards are dispensed through an opening between the housing means and a flange on the backing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A cardholder for containing a plurality of business cards or the like, comprising: covering means for supporting business cards, flat spring means for supporting the covering means, said flat spring meas comprising a flat spring having upturned flange portions for retaining the covering means in position; backing means for supporting the spring means; and housing means for supporting the backing means, spring means and covering means; wherein the backing means, spring means and covering means are engaged in the housing means, and business cards are dispensed through an opening between the housing means and a flange on the backing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cardholder of claim 1 wherein the flat spring means further comprises at least one spring portion extending upwardly for supporting the covering means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cardholder of claim 2 wherein the flat spring means comprises two spring portions for supporting the covering means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cardholder of claim 2 wherein the flat spring means comprises three spring portions for supporting the covering means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cardholder of claim 1 wherein the covering means comprises flange means for engaging with the spring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cardholder of claim 1 wherein the backing means comprises means for attaching to a belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cardholder of claim 1 wherein the backing means, spring means and covering means are slidingly engaged in the housing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cardholder of claim 1 wherein business cards are dispensed singly through the opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
A cardholder comprising: a housing having a window opening for displaying a card, a backing plate supported by flanges extending from the housing and spaced from the window opening, said backing plate comprising a flange at one end cooperating with said housing to form a slot, a flat spring supported by the backing plate and comprising oppositely extending flat spring portions and a flange extending upwardly from each end of the flat spring, and a cover plate mounted on the flat spring in contact with at least one of said flat spring portions and portioned between the upwardly extending flanges, wherein a business card may be carried by the cover plate aligned with said window opening and said slot to permit the user to contact the card through the window opening and dispense the card through the slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
A cardholder comprising: a housing having a window opening for displaying a card, a backing plate supported by flanges extending from the housing and spaced from the window opening, said backing plate comprising a flange at one end cooperating with said housing to form a slot, a flat spring supported by the backing plate and comprising oppositely extending flat spring portions and a flange extending upwardly from each end of the flat spring, and a cover plate mounted on the flat spring in contact with at least one of said flat spring portions and portioned between the upwardly extending flanges, wherein a business card may be carried by the cover plate aligned with said window opening and said slot to permit the user to contact the card through the window opening and dispense the card through the slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cardholder of claim 9 wherein the cover plate comprises a flange extending along one end thereof for engaging with the flat spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cardholder of claim 9 wherein the flat spring further comprises a spring portion extending upwardly from at least one of said oppositely extending flat spring portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cardholder of claim 11 wherein the cover plate is in contact with said spring portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cardholder of claim 9 further comprising locking means for engaging said backing plate with said housing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-13 | 1992-06-13 | 1992-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-13 | 1996-06-13 | 1996-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-13 | 2000-06-13 | 2000-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |