US5236200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card-like structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-05-20
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2012-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A card-like structure facilitating the setup and playing of a treasure hunt-like game is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the structure takes the form of a pre-printed, multi-folded greeting card including a sheet portion having easily detachable elements. Each element is pre-printed on one side in large print with task-setting messages, or locational clues, for the intended gift recipient, and on the other side in smaller print with instructional messages, or placement instructions, for the gift giver. The clues and instructions are related in a predefined way so that elements properly placed by the gift giver in accordance with the instructions may be found by and will lead the recipient to a gift properly placed by the gift giver. Preferably, a first task-setting message, or clue, and an enticing greeting are printed on the portion of the greeting card that remains after the plural elements are dispensed from the game card system or structure. A preferred method of laying out a blank for printing and perforation, and the structure resulting therefrom, also are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis L. McGregor
- 👤 Marcie L. McGregor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:54
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00145; B; B42; B42D; B42D15/00; B42D15/02; A63F9/00; A63F9/001; A63F2009/0044; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A card-like structure comprising: a first sheet portion containing a first task-setting message, and a second sheet portion connected with said first sheet portion, said second sheet portion having plural detachable subsheet elements, plural ones of said elements containing second task-setting messages, at least one of said elements further containing an instructional message that is related to one of said second task-setting messages contained on another of said elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A card-like structure comprising: a first sheet portion containing a first task-setting message, and a second sheet portion connected with said first sheet portion, said second sheet portion having plural detachable subsheet elements, plural ones of said elements containing second task-setting messages, at least one of said elements further containing an instructional message that is related to one of said second task-setting messages contained on another of said elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein at least two of said plural elements are related to one another such that a first one of said second task-setting messages contained on a first one of said plural elements indicates a physical location where a second one of said plural elements is intended to be placed upon its detachment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 2, wherein said second one of said plural elements contains said instructional message and wherein said instructional message indicates such physical location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 3, wherein a second one of said second task-setting messages is contained on a first side of said second one of said plural elements and wherein one of said instructional messages is contained on a second side thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein substantially all of said elements contain one of said task-setting messages and one of said instructional messages, and wherein each of said task-setting messages contained on a given element is related to a corresponding one of said instructional messages contained on another element such that corresponding messages indicate a physical location where said given element is intended to be placed upon its detachment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The structure of claim 5, wherein said task-setting messages are in the nature of clues regarding the whereabouts of a gift for a seeker, and wherein said instructional message indicates a physical location where said element containing said instruction message is intended to be placed by a hider.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A combined treasure hunt and greeting card structure comprising: a two-sided pre-printed blank; said blank including two or more separable parts, a first one of which contains a greeting and a first locational clue, and a second one of which contains on one side thereof a second clue, and on another side thereof an instruction regarding locational placement thereof that corresponds with said first clue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A combined treasure hunt and greeting card structure comprising: a two-sided pre-printed blank; said blank including two or more separable parts, a first one of which contains a greeting and a first locational clue, and a second one of which contains on one side thereof a second clue, and on another side thereof an instruction regarding locational placement thereof that corresponds with said first clue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The structure of claim 7, wherein said second one of said parts includes plural separable sub-parts each of which contains on one side thereof a clue, and on another side thereof an instruction regarding locational placement thereof that corresponds with a corresponding clue contained on one side of another one of said separable sub-parts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure of claim 8, wherein said separable sub-parts further contain sequence indicia and wherein, as between any two successively sequenced sub-parts, said other side of the later sequenced sub-part contains an instruction regarding placement thereof that corresponds with a corresponding clue contained on said one side of the earlier sequenced sub-part.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
98 words
A game card structure comprising: a greeting card containing a printed first clue regarding the location of a subsequent clue, said card having removably connectedly appended thereto plural substructure elements substantially all of which contain one of a succession of printed clues regarding the whereabouts of a gift, each element containing one of a succession of instructional messages corresponding to the succession of printed clues, wherein, as between any two successive clues, the element bearing the succeeding clue contains an instruction regarding placement thereof that corresponds with a corresponding clue contained on the element bearing the preceding clue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
A game card structure comprising: a greeting card containing a printed first clue regarding the location of a subsequent clue, said card having removably connectedly appended thereto plural substructure elements substantially all of which contain one of a succession of printed clues regarding the whereabouts of a gift, each element containing one of a succession of instructional messages corresponding to the succession of printed clues, wherein, as between any two successive clues, the element bearing the succeeding clue contains an instruction regarding placement thereof that corresponds with a corresponding clue contained on the element bearing the preceding clue.
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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) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |