BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to magic and illusion accessories and, more particularly, to a deck of playing cards with a marking system to allow a magician or user to easily and quickly identify each of the playing, cards within the deck of playing cards.
(2) Description of Related Art
Card tricks are often employed by magicians to provide the illusion of magic or mentalism. Over the years, a number of card tricks have been developed. By way of example, a magician may ask a participant to select a card from a deck of playing cards. The participant is asked to remember the suit and value of the card and return the card to the deck. Through a sleight of hand or other technique, the magician attempts to guess or otherwise identify the participant's card.
As can be appreciated, there are a number of tricks and techniques that can be employed by a magician when performing such tricks. In some cases, sleight of hand may be used. In other cases, the cards may be marked such that the magician can guess the selected card based on the markings. While marked cards currently exist, existing marked cards can be difficult to memorize and use.
Thus, a continuing need exists for an improved deck of playing cards with a marking system to allow a magician or user to easily and quickly identify each of the playing cards within the deck.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
This disclosure is directed to a deck of playing cards with a marking system to allow a magician or user to easily and quickly identify each of the playing cards within the deck of playing cards. The deck of playing cards includes a plurality of playing cards, each playing card having a front side a back side. The front side of each playing card depicts a value and suit, while the back side of each playing card includes a pattern having one or more markings therein. The one or more markings represent both the value and suit of the playing card and are formed near an edge of the playing card such that when the deck of playing cards is beveled, the one or more markings are visible.
In another aspect, each playing card includes two long edges and two short edges, and the one or more markings include value markings formed along both long edges that represent the value of the playing card.
In yet another aspect, the value markings along each, long edge are separated, by one or more separator markings. For example, five separator markings form six sections, with the value markings being formed throughout the six sections.
In another aspect, the one or more markings on each card further comprise a second set of value markings that represent the value of the playing card.
In another aspect, the second set of value markings are formed along a single long edge.
In yet another aspect, the second set of value markings include four markings formed as binary markings to collectively represent the value of the playing card.
In another aspect, the one or more markings further comprise suit markings formed collectively in the deck of playing cards, the suit markings including an upper suit mark and a lower suit mark, such that each individual playing card within the deck of playing cards includes only an upper suit mark, only a lower suit mark, both an upper suit mark and a lower suit mark, or neither an upper suit mark nor a lower suit mark.
In yet another aspect, only an upper suit mark represents a spade suit, only a lower suit mark represents a heart suit, both an upper suit mark and a lower suit mark represents a diamond suit, and if an individual card has neither an upper suit mark nor a lower suit mark, the card is designated as a club suit.
Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:
FIG. 1A is an illustration of a front side of a marked playing card according to various embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 1B is an illustration of a back side of the marked playing card according to various embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 1C is an illustration of a deck of playing cards that is beveled to illustrate markings along a first long edge of the playing cards;
FIG. 2 is an illustration of the deck of playing cards that is beveled to illustrate markings along a second long edge of the playing cards;
FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the long edge as being divided into sections with separators;
FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate a first section of the long edge as having markings for four aces;
FIG. 5 is an, illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate a second section of the long edge as having markings for four twos;
FIG. 6 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the second section of the long edge as having markings for four threes;
FIG. 7 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the second section of the long edge as having markings for four fours:
FIG. 8 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate a third section of the long edge as having markings for four fives;
FIG. 9 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the third section of the long edge as having markings for four sixes;
FIG. 10 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the third section of the long edge as having markings for four sevens;
FIG. 11 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate a fourth section of the long edge as having markings for four eights:
FIG. 12 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the fourth section of the long edge as having markings for four nines;
FIG. 13 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the fourth section of the long edge as having markings for four tens;
FIG. 14 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate a fifth section of the long edge as having markings for four jacks;
FIG. 15 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the fifth section, of the long edge as having markings for four queens;
FIG. 16 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the fifth section of the long edge as having markings for four kings;
FIG. 17 is an illustration depicting the long edge of the playing cards when, beveled to illustrate the fifth section of the long edge as having markings for two jokers;
FIG. 18 is an illustration depicting the first long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate a designated section along the long edge having markings for both value and suit;
FIG. 19A is an illustration depicting the second long edge of the playing cards when beveled to illustrate the designated section as having no markings;
FIG. 19B is an illustration a backside of the playing card to illustrate one side as having value and suit markings while an opposite side, includes no value or suit markings;
FIG. 20 is an illustration depicting the second long edge of the playing cards when beveled, with one card within the deck reversed to illustrate its first long edge and markings along the first long edge:
FIG. 21 is an illustration depicting the second long edge of the playing cards, when beveled, with three cards within the deck reversed to illustrate their first long edges and markings along the first long edges of the three reversed cards;
FIG. 22 is an illustration of a portion of a playing card, depicting value markings on the playing card;
FIG. 23 is an illustration off portion of a playing card, depicting value markings on the playing card;
FIG. 24 is an illustration of a portion of a playing card, depicting suit, markings on the playing card as used to indicate a spade;
FIG. 25 is an illustration of a portion of a playing card, depicting suit markings on the, playing card as used to indicate a heart;
FIG. 26 is an illustration of a portion of a playing card, depicting suit markings on the playing card as used to indicate a diamond;
FIG. 27 is an illustration of a portion of a playing card, depicting suit, markings on the playing card as used to indicate a club;
FIG. 28 is an illustration depicting a key to understanding the suit markings;
FIG. 29 is an illustration of a portion of, a playing card, depicting, a locator that can be used to assist a magician in identifying the suit markings on a reversed card;
FIG. 30 is an illustration depicting the second long edge of the playing cards when beveled, with all four sixes within the deck reversed to illustrate their first long edges and the suit markings along the first long edges of the four sixes;
FIG. 31 is an illustration depicting the second long edge of the playing cards when beveled, with the king of diamonds reversed to illustrate its first long edge and the suit and value markings along the first long edge of the reversed king of diamonds; and
FIG. 32 is an illustration of an uncut sheet of the playing cards;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to magic and illusion accessories and, more particularly, to a deck of playing cards with a marking system to allow a magician or user to easily and quickly identify each of the playing cards within the deck of playing cards. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.
Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.
(1) Description
This disclosure provides a deck of playing cards with a marking system to allow a magician or user to easily and quickly identify each of the individual playing cards within the deck of playing cards. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, playing cards 100 typically have a front side 101 and a back side 103, respectively. As depicted in FIG. 1A, the front side 101 of each card 100 includes the numerical value and suit of the respective playing card. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 1A depicts a king of diamonds. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a traditional deck of playing cards includes 52 cards, including values two through ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, in each of the four suits of a diamond, spade, club, and heart. Also included are typically two jokers. Such values and suits are printed or otherwise provided for on the front side 101 of the playing cards 100. The back side 103 of the playing cards 100, as shown in FIG. 1B, includes any suitable ornamental design that incorporates an incognito or not otherwise easily discernable marking system. It should be noted that although butterflies and a floral pattern are depicted, the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto or any other ornamental design as any suitable ornamental pattern can be used provided that the design or pattern includes the marking system described herein. Thus, this disclosure is not directed to the ornamental design of the cards and, instead, is directed to the marking system that can be included into any ornamental design. In various embodiments, the ornamental design is desirably an intricate, complex and irregular design that misdirects participant's attention from the markings that may be visible by looking at the of the deck and makes the markings of the marking system less noticeable than if the same marking system would be used in, a design with a repetitive pattern. Further details regarding the marking system are provided below.
As noted above, the back sides of the playing cards include a design or pattern that incorporates the marking system. The marking system is incorporated into the design of each playing card such that each playing card is slightly different to allow the magician or user to easily identify, the value and suit of the respective card. Any location on the back side of the playing cards can incorporate the marking system. Desirably, the marking system is designed toward the edges of the back side so that the marking system can be seen when the cards are beveled and seen from above.
In various embodiments, the markings are formed on the back side of each card as part of the back design, very close to the edge. The markings are formed on the back side of the card using any suitable technique. As a non-limiting example, the markings are printed on the back side of each card or, alternatively, are formed by voids in the printing that forms the ornamental design or pattern surrounding or otherwise around or adjacent the void. For example, the markings are not formed directly on the lateral edge so that they can hardly be seen if the deck is squared. Instead, the markings appear and can be read when the deck is beveled and seen from above. A beveled deck is a deck of cards that are not stacked directly vertically on one another and, instead, are offset a little with respect to one another to, create a bevel shape with the deck. FIG. 1C, for example, illustrates a beveled deck 102 to depict a stacked beveled edge 104 of the beveled deck 102. In other words and in various embodiments, when the cards are beveled, the beveled edge 104 illustrates a desired edge or surface of the playing cards to expose or reveal the marking system.
It should be noted that the marking system described herein can be incorporated near any edge of the playing cards. Desirably and as described herein, the marking system is incorporated near the long edges of the playing cards; however, the invention is not intended to be limited thereto as any portion of the marking system can be incorporated into the short, edges or any combination of short and long edges.
As a non-limiting example and as shown in FIG. 1B, each playing card 100 has two long edges, a first long edge 106 and a second long edge 108 that are separated by two short edges 110. In various embodiments, both long edges have a first set of value markings for each card. While FIG. 1C illustrates the beveled deck 102 offset such that beveled edge 104 depicts the first long edge 106, FIG. 2 depicts the beveled deck 102 offset such that beveled edge 104 depicts the second long edge 108.
As noted above, the back sides of the playing cards include markings such that they are visible along both the first long edge and second long edge (or any other desired edge) when the cards are beveled. FIGS. 3 through 17 depict two-way bevel edge markings that are formed along both long edges of the cards to allow a magician to see where in the deck any card is located just by looking at the beveled edges that includes the markings.
As shown in FIG. 3, the back sides 103 of the cards include markings 300 that can be seen along the beveled edge 104 to provide for a plurality of sections 302 that are divided or otherwise formed by separator markings 304. As a non-limiting example and as depicted, the long edge is divided into six sections 302 by five separator markings 304. The pattern and its corresponding markings 300 on the back side 103 of the cards can be formed such that various markings 300 (e.g., printing or voids in printing (as shown), etc.) reach the long edge to designate various values or suits that would be known to the magician or user. As a non-limiting example and as shown in the circles depicted in the figures to highlight the markings, the sections include markings 300 to designate the values and/or suits. As noted above, although depicted on a single long edge, the separator markings 304 and various markings 300 depicted in FIGS. 3 through 17 can be formed along both long edges (or any other desired edge) so that they are visible on both sides of the cards when beveled in either direction, thereby forming the two-way beveled edge. Also note that the circles depicted in the figures are not part of the marking system and, instead, are used to highlight the respective markings to assist the reader in viewing the figures in conjunction with this disclosure. For example and as shown in FIG. 4, a first section contains value markings for the four aces 400. The second section and as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, respectively, contains value markings for the four twos 500, the four threes 600 and the four fours 700. These are further distinguished by being lined up in three columns. The top column for the four twos 500 is shown in FIG. 5, the middle column for the four threes 600 is shown in FIG. 6, while the lower column for the four fours 700 is shown in FIG. 7.
The third section and as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, respectively, contains value markings for the four fives 800, the four sixes 900 and the four sevens 1000. These are further distinguished by being lined up in three columns. The top column for the four fives 800 is shown in FIG. 8, the middle column for the four sixes 900 is shown in FIG. 9, while the lower column for the four sevens 1000 is shown in FIG. 10.
The fourth Section and, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, respectively, contains value markings for the four eights 1100, the four nines 1200 and the four tens 1300. These are further distinguished by being lined up in three columns. The top column for the four eights 1100 is shown in FIG. 11, the middle column for the four nines 1200 is shown in FIG. 12, while the lower column for the four tens 1300 is shown in FIG. 13.
The fifth section and as shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, respectively, contains value markings for the four jacks 1400, the four queens 1500 and the four kings 1600. These are also further distinguished by being lined up in three columns. The top column for the four jacks 1400 is shown in FIG. 14, the middle column for the four queens 1500 is shown in FIG. 15, while the lower column for the four kings 1600 is shown in FIG. 16. It should be noted that in FIGS. 15 and 16 the value markings are increasingly closer to one another, resulting in only three circle highlights being used in the figures to identify the respective value markings. More specifically, the central circle highlight in each of FIGS. 15 and 16 actually encompasses two separate card value markings instead of a single card value marking as shown within the circle highlights of the other figures. Finally, the sixth section contains value markings for two jokers 1700 as shown in FIG. 17.
While not limited to the specific sections and locations described above, the use of sections enable a magician to identify markings of a specific value faster and with greater certainty than with bevel-edge marked playing cards without markings divided into less than four or more than six sections.
In addition to the two-way bevel edge markings described above, the marking system also includes one-way bevel edge markings that are formed along only one of the long edges. For example and as shown in FIG. 18, one of the edges of the cards (e.g., the first long edge and/or any other edge) can be formed to include a second or second set of value marking 1800 at any desired location (e.g., in its upper section), in addition to suit markings 1802. In various embodiments and as shown in FIG. 19A, the opposite side of the playing cards have no markings 1900 in the corresponding section. This is clearly illustrated in FIG. 19B which depicts the complete backside of a playing card 100. As shown, the second value 1800 and suit 1802 markings are on one side while the opposite side includes no markings 1900 in the corresponding section. As shown in FIG. 20, an advantage to having the value and suit markings in a desipated section while the opposing side has no similar markings is that if any card is reversed end-for-end in the deck, its value 1800 and suit 1802 markings will be the only one showing at the opposite side of the beveled deck 102 (FIG. 20). Thus and as shown in FIG. 21, a magician can easily identify both value and a suit (via the value 1800 and suit 1802 markings) of any small number of cards reversed end-for-end anywhere in the beveled deck 102.
The second set of value markings 1800 can be formed in any suitable manner to allow the magician to easily, identify the value of any given card. As a non-limiting example, the second set of value markings 1800 provide a binary marking system for the value that includes four marks on the back design of each card. For example and as shown in FIG. 22, the second set of value markings 1800 include four graphics (e.g., grapes, etc.) above each other in the design close to the edge of the card. As a non-limiting example, the first graphic represents number one, the second graphic represents number two, the third graphic represents number four, the fourth graphic represents number eight (or any combination thereof). These graphics (e.g., grapes, etc.) appear in the back design in two colors or designators that mean “yes” and “no”. For example, one color or designator means “yes” and the other color or designator means “no”. In the non-limiting example as depicted in FIG. 23, the graphics (e.g., grapes) that are white mean “yes”, while the graphics that are filled or partially filed (e.g., grapes with lines therethrough) mean “no”. The value of the card equals the sum of the numbers represented by all the graphics (e.g., grapes, etc.) in the color or designator that means “yes”.
As noted above, the graphics have a value of 1, 2, 4, and 8, respectively. As a non-limiting example, if the graphic is colored in, then it is given a “yes” or the value represented by that particular graphic. As a non-limiting example, the value of the card can be determined using the following equations:
1=Ace
2=2
1+2=3
4=4
1+4=5
2+4=6
1+2+4=7
8=8
1+8=9
2+8=10
1+2+8=Jack
4+8=Queen
2+4+8=King
0+0+0+0 (all “no”)=joker (e.g., black joker)
1+2+4+8=color joker (e.g., red or blue joker)
As noted above, the cards also include suit markings to allow a magician to identify the suit of the cards. Both the two-way bevel edge markings and the one-way bevel edge markings use markings to allow a magician to easily distinguish between the four suits. As a non-limiting example, both the two-way bevel edge markings and the one-way bevel edge markings use two marks and the following principle to distinguish between the four suits. The four possible combinations are depicted in FIGS. 24 through 27. FIG. 24 illustrates the backside of a playing card showing the upper suit mark 2400. Alternatively, FIG. 24 illustrates the backside of a playing card showing the lower suit mark 2500. FIG. 25 illustrates the backside of a playing card showing both the upper suit mark 2400 and the lower suit mark 2500, while FIG. 27 illustrates a playing card with neither of the two marks in the designated location (no suit marks 2700).
An example of a key providing meaning to the marks is depicted in FIG. 28. As a non-limiting example: (1) The upper suit mark (as shown in FIG. 24) represents spades (as the symbol for spades appears to be pointing upward); (2) The lower suit mark (as shown in FIG. 25) represents hearts (as the symbol for hearts appears to be pointing downward); (3) If both suit marks are present (as shown in FIG. 26), then both marks represent diamonds (as the symbol for diamond appears to be pointing in both directions (up and down)); and (4) finally, if neither of the two marks are present (as shown in FIG. 27), then the lack of suit marks represents clubs (as the three leaves of the symbol for club are round and therefore not pointing to any direction).
In various embodiments and as shown in FIG. 29, there is a marking referred to as a locator marking 2900 that is a part of the one-way bevel edge mark that helps the magician to find the location of the reversed card faster. The use of the locator marking is, especially helpful in the case of clubs which has neither of the two marks for the suit in the one-way bevel ledge mark.
For further illustration, FIG. 30 depicts a beveled deck 102 in which all four sixes 3000 are reversed in the deck. Also shown are the suits for the four reversed sixes 3000. Specifically, shown are the club 3002, diamond 3004, heart 3006 and spade 3008.
As yet another example, FIG. 31 depicts the king of diamonds 3100 reversed within the deck. As the sole reversed card, one can easily identify the value and suit of the reversed card. Finally, FIG. 32 depicts an uncut sheet of cards of all values and suits. Thus, the binary one-way bevel edge-mark streamlines the process of identifying a reversed card in the deck as the information of the value and the suit, are compressed in a small space. That way the magician can always look in one place, and immediately know where the reversed card in the deck is, along with its value and suit.
It is possible to include the two-way bevel edge marking in the design because the one-way bevel edge marking has been compressed in such a small space. Thus, the combination of the one-way bevel-edge mark and the two-way bevel edge mark enables magicians to perform several unique feats not possible with any other deck of playing cards in existence. It should be noted that although the deck of playing cards is desirably described as having all of the features herein on each card, in other embodiments, the deck of playing cards can be formed such that each card has only one or any combination of the features described herein (such as only the binary marking system, etc).
Finally, while this invention has been described in terms of several, embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention may have other applications in other environments. It should be, noted that many embodiments and implementations are possible. Further, the following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. In addition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if the claim otherwise includes the word “means”. Further, while particular method steps have been recited in a particular order, the method steps, may occur in any desired order and fall within the scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20180154245
