Patent Application
20150174475
“Not Applicable”
“Not Applicable”
“Not Applicable”
The present invention relates to a new combination keychain and ticket scratcher for conveniently removing latex or similar film covering from a game ticket while protecting the user's hands, fingers or skin from dust, shavings, or ink.
The use of a coin or any semi-circular device to scratch off game tickets is known in the prior art. There are many known prior art scratch off apparatuses. These include U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,2322 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,574B1. These devices are very common and are often purchased at grocery stores and convenience stores. Scratch-off coating materials are used to conceal numbers on a ticket. These coatings can contain a variety of materials including silicone, wax, ink, and acrylic resin. Aluminum foil is also used as a component of some multilayered tickets. Though many ticket purchasers have numerous convenient ways to scrape the protective film from game tickets, these devices do not provide protection for the hands, fingers or skin. The scratched off dust or particles can leave the hands, fingers or skin discolored and dirty.
In these respects, the keychain ticket scratcher according to the present invention, departs from the concepts and designs of prior art and therefore provides a device primarily developed for the purpose of removing latex or the like from game tickets while protecting the user's hand, fingers or skin from discoloration or dust. The keychain function of the ticket scratcher makes it accessible and easier to locate. The user would therefore avoid using fingernails or other objects to remove the film from a ticket.
This device will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices by safeguarding the user from dust or similar residue. The dust or residue from a scratched off game ticket can get into contact with the skin, clothing or other surface areas. In some cases, the fingers or skin might become covered with a colored dust layer and some residue might become hidden beneath the fingernails. The dust or residue is later transferred onto other surface areas if the hands or clothing are not washed immediately. Depending on the composition or coverings of the game ticket, allergy sufferers would have a continued exposure to the dust or residue. The presence of dust or residue is even more pronounced in multiple ticket scratches. This device is novel in that it protects the user from dust or residue after use. Once the device is engaged, the receptacles on the device prevent dust or residue from rubbing onto the skin and subsequently onto other surface areas.
Therefore, a general objective of the invention is to provide a keychain ticket scratcher that can be used to scratch game tickets and protect the hand, fingers, and skin while it is being used.
Another objects of the invention are to create a device that can be easily stored or carried around by attaching a keychain ring into the device and to create a device that is economical in cost to manufacture.
Further benefits of the invention will appear as the description proceeds, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the preferred embodiments of the invention, without placing limitations thereon.
a is a side view of the keychain scratcher showing the slider member and the receptacles in a closed position.
a is a side view of the keychain ticket scratcher showing the slider member and receptacles in an open position.
A keychain ticket scratcher device 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
The keychain ticket scratcher device 10 includes a housing 12, which generally has a rectangular shape. The device 10 has a front side 14, a back side 16, a top side 18, a bottom side 21, a right side 22 and a left side 24. The sides are connectable and form an interior space 26. The device 10 is constructed of a durable plastic material although a lightweight metal would also be acceptable. The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 are releasably attached to the interior space 26 by a plurality of support structures 48. The support structures 48 are releasably attached to the interior space 26 of the housing 12. The support structures 48 are made of a durable plastic material.
The various parts for the device 10 may be made of any color and made in different sizes and capacities. The device 10 is portable and can be used as a keychain.
The bottom side 21 has a first elongated slot 28 extending between the front side 14 and back side 16. The right side 22 of the device 10 has a second elongated slot adapted to receive the slider member 54. The first elongated slot 28 is further positioned in the center of the front side 14 and the back side 16. The first elongated slot 28 is adapted to receive the scraping edge 32 of the scratching member 51 after the slider member 54 is moved down the farthest point 56 along the right side 22 of the device 10. The front side 14 has a front side opening 34, which is adapted to accommodate the height and width of the front side receptacle 41. The back side 16 has a back side opening 36, which is adapted to accommodate the height and width of the back side receptacle 42. Moving slider member 54 to its farthest point 58 along the second elongated slot 44 opens the receptacles. The front side receptacle 41 is movable between open and closed positions about a front side hinged member 46. The back side receptacle 42 is movable between open and closed positions about a back side hinged member 48. The front side hinged member 46 and the back side hinged member 48 are adapted to spring back and thereby enable the front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 to close. The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 have a plurality of support structures 48 that enable the front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 to be releasably attached to said device 10.
The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 have a vertical distance sufficient to allow separation by the slider member 54 as the slider member 54 is moved to the farthest point 58 along the second elongated slot 44. The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 are arranged in a parallel relation to each other. The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 have a generally concave interior.
The scratching member 51 has a top portion 52 and a scratching edge 32. The scratching member 51 is constructed of a semi-rigid plastic, which gives it a spring like quality and is adapted to engage the game ticket. The scratching edge 32 of the scratching member is substantially semi-circular and is beveled. The scratching member 51 is attached to the back surface 56 of the slider member 54. The width and length of the top portion 52 of the scratching member 51 allows it to open the front side receptacle 41 and said back side receptacle 42 at a 45 degree angle.
The slider member 54 is substantially rectangular in shape and is movable in the second elongated slot 44. The slider member 54 has a front surface 55 and a back surface 56. The back surface 56 extends into the housing and is adapted to engage the scratching member 51 in a manner such that when the slider member 54 is in contact with the scratching member 51, the scratching member 51 can be moved down to the farthest point 58 and engage the front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42. The width of said second elongated slot 44 is at least as large as the diameter of said back portion 55 of the slider member 54, whereby the slider member 54 can be moved.
The top side 18 has a loop 61 in the outer surface thereof that can be aligned to permit insertion of a keychain therein. The loop 61 is adapted to fit a keychain or similar device. The loop will provide a suitable way of retaining the keychain ticket scratcher in a convenient location and it can be easily located when needed to scratch game tickets.
Still in reference to the drawings, the inventive ticket scratcher device 10 may also include a gripping portion 62 on the front side 14 of the device 10. A user of the device 10 may place a thumb on the front side 14 of the device 10 and firmly hold the gripping portion 62.
While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, I do not wish to limit the same to the exact and precise details of the structure, and I reserve the right to make all modifications and changes so long as they remain within the scope of the invention and the following claims.
