US5503434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Credit/service card with expanded surface area
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-08-12
•
Granted: 1996-04-02
•
Expires: 2014-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A credit/service card with expanded surface area comprises a first card member, a second card member and a hinge connecting the two card members. The credit/service card also comprises a fastener for holding the first and second card member together when the credit/service card is in the closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert T. Gunn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:11
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/30; B42D25/36; B42D25/369; B42D15/00; B42D15/02; B42D15/04; B42D15/042; B42D25/20; B42D25/23; B42D25/305; B42D25/309; B42D2033/40; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/90; Y10S283/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of using a credit/service card comprising: a) providing a credit/service card with increased surface area which comprises a first card member and a second card member; b) hinging the first card member to the second card member wherein in a closed position the first card member is releasably fastened to the second card member; and c) using the credit/service card in a machine which reads conventional credit/service cards so as to read information from the card.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of using a credit/service card comprising: a) providing a credit/service card with increased surface area which comprises a first card member and a second card member; b) hinging the first card member to the second card member wherein in a closed position the first card member is releasably fastened to the second card member; and c) using the credit/service card in a machine which reads conventional credit/service cards so as to read information from the card.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of using a credit/service card of claim 1 in which the card is used in a machine by scanning and reading magnetic information on the card.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A credit/service card comprising: a first card member; a second card member; and a self-closing and self-securing hinge means connecting the first card member to the second card member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A credit/service card comprising: a first card member; a second card member; and a self-closing and self-securing hinge means connecting the first card member to the second card member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The credit/service card of claim 3 wherein the first card member and second card member have a combined thickness in a closed position approximately equal to that of a conventional credit/service card.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The credit/service card of claim 3 wherein the self-closing and self-securing hinge means is formed from a shape memory plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The credit/service card of claim 3 wherein the first card member, the second card member, and the self-closing and self-securing hinge means are all formed from a single piece of shape memory plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The credit/service card of claim 3 wherein the first card member and the second card member have different thicknesses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The credit/service card of claim 7 wherein the first card member has a thickness of about 20 mm and the second card member has a thickness of about 10 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The credit/service card of claim 3 further comprising at least one additional card member attached at the hinge of the first card member to the second card member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The credit/service card of claim 3 further comprising at least one additional card member attached to the first card member or the second card member or to an additional card member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The credit/service card of claim 3 further comprising a means for housing and securing a photograph or identification means within a card member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The credit/service card of claim 3 further comprising an identification means which includes a voice chip, a photograph chip, a finger- or other digit-print chip, or an eye or retina information chip for scanning.
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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) | 1999-04-02 | 1999-10-02 | 2000-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-10-02 | 2004-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-02 | 2007-10-02 | 2008-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |