U.S. patent application number 17/064359 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-04 for credit card dispenser.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Minson. Invention is credited to Amol Deshmukh, Dan Loveridge, John Minson.
Application Number | 20210032009 17/064359 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005150346 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210032009 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minson; John ; et
al. |
February 4, 2021 |
CREDIT CARD DISPENSER
Abstract
A card dispenser can include a planar sleeve, an actuator, and a
lifter assembly. More specifically, the planar sleeve can be shaped
to receive a plurality of cards within a card chamber. A dispense
opening within the planar sleeve can be shaped to pass the
plurality of cards edgewise. The actuator can extend along an edge
of the planar sleeve. The actuator can be pivotable about an
actuator pivot located between a retaining end and an actuation end
of the actuator. The actuator pivots from a retaining position to a
dispense position. The retaining position orients a card contact
surface of the retaining end against the plurality of cards to
prevent removal of the plurality of cards. The lifter assembly can
be associated with the actuation end and can be oriented adjacent a
bottom edge of the card chamber. The lifter assembly can be adapted
to apply force to at least one of the plurality of cards, upon
movement of the actuator to the dispense position, sufficient to
dispense at least one of the plurality of cards from the dispense
opening.
Inventors: |
Minson; John; (Sandy,
UT) ; Loveridge; Dan; (Sandy, UT) ; Deshmukh;
Amol; (Sandy, UT) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Minson; John |
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|
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005150346 |
Appl. No.: |
17/064359 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13943397 |
Jul 16, 2013 |
10793342 |
|
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17064359 |
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61672193 |
Jul 16, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0829 20130101;
A45C 11/182 20130101; A45C 2011/186 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/08 20060101
B65D083/08; A45C 11/18 20060101 A45C011/18 |
Claims
1. A card dispenser, comprising: a planar sleeve shaped to receive
a plurality of cards within a card chamber and having a dispense
opening shaped to pass the plurality of cards edgewise; an actuator
extending along an edge of the planar sleeve, said actuator
pivotable about an actuator pivot located between a retaining end
and an actuation end of the actuator such that the actuator pivots
from a retaining position to a dispense position, said retaining
position orienting a card contact surface of the retaining end
against the plurality of cards to prevent removal of the plurality
of cards; and a lifter assembly associated with the actuation end
oriented adjacent a bottom edge of the card chamber, and adapted to
apply force to at least one of the plurality of cards, upon
movement of the actuator to the dispense position, sufficient to
dispense at least one of the plurality of cards from the dispense
opening.
2. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the card contact surface
prevents removal of the plurality of cards in the retaining
position via a mechanical interference with the plurality of
cards.
3. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the card contact surface
prevents removal of the plurality of cards in the retaining
position via a frictional interface with the plurality of
cards.
4. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the card chamber has a
width from 4.5 cm to 6 cm, a depth from 3 mm to 10 mm, and a length
from 7.5 cm to 11 cm.
5. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an
elongate member having a non-planar inner surface which faces the
card chamber such that the inner surface only contacts the
plurality of cards in the retaining position at the card contact
surface.
6. The card dispenser of claim 5, wherein the card contact surface
is formed of a rubber, plastic, or metal material.
7. The card dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a biasing
member which is operative to move the actuator into the retaining
position.
8. The card dispenser of claim 7, wherein the biasing member
comprises a spring loaded pin which is in contact with the
actuation end of the actuator.
9. The card dispenser of claim 7, wherein the biasing member
comprises at least one of a cantilever spring and a torsional
spring.
10. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuator further
includes a finger loop proximate the retaining end opposite the
card contact surface.
11. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lifter assembly
includes an elongate lifter arm which rotates about a lifter pivot
from a rest position to a lift position, said lifter arm extending
substantially along the bottom edge of the card chamber and
oriented substantially parallel to the bottom edge in the rest
position.
12. The card dispenser of claim 11, wherein the lifter pivot is
proximate the actuation end of the actuator and fixed relative to
the card chamber, and the lifter arm includes an engagement notch
which engages the actuation end to rotate the lifter arm about the
lifter pivot.
13. The card dispenser of claim 11, wherein the lifter arm is
pivotally associated with the actuator end of the actuator to form
the lifter pivot, and the bottom edge of the card chamber includes
a fixed surface against which the lifter arm slides to cause
pivoting about the lifter pivot.
14. The card dispenser of claim 11, wherein the lifter arm includes
at least one staged taper longitudinally oriented along the lifter
arm spaced so as to dispense the plurality of cards at multiple
distances from the card chamber.
15. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuator is
pivotally coupled to the lifter arm.
16. The card dispenser of claim 15, further comprising a linkage
arm pivotally coupled to the actuator and the lifter arm.
17. The card dispenser of claim 16, wherein the actuator is
slidable relative to the linkage arm to facilitate release of the
plurality of cards prior to movement of the actuator to the
dispense position.
18. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuator and the
lifter arm are configured to facilitate release of the plurality of
cards prior to movement of the actuator to the dispense
position.
19. The card dispenser of claim 1, actuator is configured to be in
sliding-rotating contact with the lifter arm to cause motion of the
lifter arm.
20. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the
planar sleeve and the actuator are fabricated with a multi-ply
construction.
21. The card dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a money
clip.
22. The card dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cards
include at least one of credit card, debit card, bank card, drivers
license card, discount card, group membership card, medical card
and business card.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/943,397, filed Jul. 16, 2013, which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/672,193, filed Jul. 16, 2012,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Despite the growth of electronic communication and commerce,
individuals continue to carry a large variety of cards which allow
for business transaction, purchases, identification, membership
confirmation, medical treatment, and a host of other important
activities. Organization and transport of such cards is typically
accomplished using a wallet or purse with various sleeves and
pockets in which such cards are placed. These options often provide
limited durability, relatively large profiles, slow retrieval times
and lack security against RFID (radio frequency identification)
theft. As such, additional options and improvements continue to be
sought to tailor card transport solutions to various individual
preferences and practical benefits.
SUMMARY
[0003] A card dispenser can include a planar sleeve, an actuator,
and a lifter assembly. More specifically, the planar sleeve can be
shaped to receive a plurality of cards within a card chamber. A
dispense opening within the planar sleeve can be shaped to pass the
plurality of cards edgewise. The actuator can extend along an edge
of the planar sleeve. The actuator can be pivotable about an
actuator pivot located between a retaining end and an actuation end
of the actuator. In this manner, the actuator pivots from a
retaining position to a dispense position. The retaining position
orients a card contact surface of the retaining end against the
plurality of cards to prevent removal of the plurality of cards.
The lifter assembly can be associated with the actuation end and
can be oriented adjacent a bottom edge of the card chamber. The
lifter assembly can be adapted to apply force to at least one of
the plurality of cards, upon movement of the actuator to the
dispense position, sufficient to dispense at least one of the
plurality of cards from the dispense opening.
[0004] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention so that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and so
that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
Other features of the present invention will become clearer from
the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the
accompanying drawings and claims, or may be learned by the practice
of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a card dispenser and
cards with an actuator in a retaining position in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 1B is a back perspective view of the card dispenser and
cards of FIG. 1A with the actuator in a dispense position.
[0007] FIG. 2A is a partial cut-away view of the card dispenser and
cards of FIG. 1A showing a lifter assembly and actuator in the
retaining position.
[0008] FIG. 2B is a partial cut-away view of the card dispenser of
FIG. 1A with the cards omitted and showing the lifter assembly and
actuator in the retaining position.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away view of the card dispenser and
cards of FIG. 1A showing the actuator when initially moved toward
the dispense position.
[0010] FIG. 4A is a partial cut-away view of the card dispenser and
cards of FIG. 1A showing the lifter assembly and actuator in the
dispense position.
[0011] FIG. 4B is a partial cut-away view of the card dispenser of
FIG. 1A with the cards omitted and showing the lifter assembly and
actuator in the dispense position.
[0012] FIG. 5A is a partial cut-away view of a card dispenser with
an actuator in a retaining position in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5B is a partial cut-away view of the card dispenser of
FIG. 5A with the cards omitted and showing the lifter assembly and
actuator in the dispense position.
[0014] FIG. 6A is a partial cut-away view of a card dispenser with
an actuator in a retaining position in accordance with yet another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6B is a partial cut-away view of the card dispenser of
FIG. 6A with the cards omitted and showing the lifter assembly and
actuator in the dispense position.
[0016] FIG. 7A is a partial cut-away view of a card dispenser with
an actuator in a retaining position in accordance with still
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7B is a partial cut-away view of the card dispenser of
FIG. 7A with the cards omitted and showing the lifter assembly and
actuator in the dispense position.
[0018] These drawings are provided to illustrate various aspects of
the invention and are not intended to be limiting of the scope in
terms of dimensions, materials, configurations, arrangements or
proportions unless otherwise limited by the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] While these exemplary embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may
be realized and that various changes to the invention may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Thus, the following more detailed description of the
embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the
scope of the invention, as claimed, but is presented for purposes
of illustration only and not limitation to describe the features
and characteristics of the present invention, to set forth the best
mode of operation of the invention, and to sufficiently enable one
skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the
scope of the present invention is to be defined solely by the
appended claims.
Definitions
[0020] In describing and claiming the present invention, the
following terminology will be used.
[0021] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural
referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, reference to "a spring" includes reference to one or more
of such features and reference to "actuating" refers to one or more
such steps.
[0022] As used herein with respect to an identified property or
circumstance, "substantially" refers to a degree of deviation that
is sufficiently small so as to not measurably detract from the
identified property or circumstance. The exact degree of deviation
allowable may in some cases depend on the specific context.
[0023] As used herein, "adjacent" refers to the proximity of two
structures or elements. Particularly, elements that are identified
as being "adjacent" may be either abutting or connected. Such
elements may also be near or close to each other without
necessarily contacting each other. The exact degree of proximity
may in some cases depend on the specific context.
[0024] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements,
compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a
common list for convenience. However, these lists should be
construed as though each member of the list is individually
identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual
member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of
any other member of the same list solely based on their
presentation in a common group without indications to the
contrary.
[0025] Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be
presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that
such range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and
should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical
values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to
include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges
encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and
sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, a numerical range of
about 1 to about 4.5 should be interpreted to include not only the
explicitly recited limits of 1 to about 4.5, but also to include
individual numerals such as 2, 3, 4, and sub-ranges such as 1 to 3,
2 to 4, etc. The same principle applies to ranges reciting only one
numerical value, such as "less than about 4.5," which should be
interpreted to include all of the above-recited values and ranges.
Further, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the
breadth of the range or the characteristic being described.
[0026] Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be
executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in
the claims. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations
will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of
the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) "means
for" or "step for" is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding
function is expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that
support the means-plus function are expressly recited in the
description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given
herein.
[0027] Card Dispenser
[0028] Referring generally to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a card dispenser 100
is illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure. The card dispenser can include a planar sleeve 110,
which can be shaped to receive a plurality of cards 101a-f. The
card dispenser can be configured and used for a wide variety of
cards. Non-limiting examples of cards that can be held and
dispensed include credit card, debit card, bank card, driver's
license card, discount card, group membership card, medical card,
permit identification, and business card. A pivotable actuator 120
can be used to engage and release the cards. Specifically, the
actuator can extend along an edge 111a of the planar sleeve and the
actuator can be pivotable about an actuator pivot 121 to cause the
cards to extend from the planar sleeve where the cards can be
accessible by a user to retrieve the cards from the card dispenser,
as shown in FIG. 1B. The card dispenser can optionally include
additional features such as, but not limited to, a money clip 102
attached to the planar sleeve, a releasable latch, a magnetic
surface on a side panel of the card dispenser, and the like.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 2A-4B and continued reference to
FIGS. 1A and 1B, internal structures and operation of the card
dispenser 100 are discussed. For example, FIG. 2A illustrates the
card dispenser 100 with a side panel of the planar sleeve omitted
to reveal an interior of the card dispenser when the cards are
stored within the card dispenser. FIG. 2B is similar to FIG. 2A but
omits the cards to reveal additional features of the card dispenser
when in a storage configuration for the cards. FIG. 3 illustrates
the card dispenser with a side panel of the planar sleeve omitted
to reveal an interior of the card dispenser when the actuator is
initially moved to dispense the cards. In addition, FIG. 4A
illustrates the card dispenser 100 with a side panel of the planar
sleeve omitted to reveal an interior of the card dispenser when
dispensing cards. FIG. 4B is similar to FIG. 4A but omits the cards
to reveal additional features of the card dispenser while
dispensing cards.
[0030] Although illustrated in several figures, FIGS. 1A and 1B in
particular show the planar sleeve 110 can be shaped to receive the
plurality of cards 101a-f within a card chamber 112 (shown in FIG.
2B). The planar sleeve can often be externally shaped to provide a
slim profile for carrying within a pants pocket. In one aspect, the
external profile can be generally planar with narrow outer edges
111a, 111b. The card chamber can be similarly shaped. For example,
as shown in FIG. 2B, the card chamber 112 can have a width 103 from
4.5 cm to 6 cm, a depth 104 from 3 mm to 10 mm, and a length 105
from 7.5 cm to 11 cm. Most often, the card chamber has a single
dispense opening 113 through which the cards can be removed from
the card chamber. A dispense opening within the planar sleeve can
be shaped to pass the plurality of cards edgewise. In one aspect,
the card chamber can be formed of a metal which isolates cards from
RFID signals. Non-limiting examples of such metals can include
aluminum, stainless steel, copper, nickel, titanium, alloys
thereof, and the like. Other non-metal materials can be layered
with such metals in order to provide variations in weight, cost,
aesthetic design options, and other factors. Alternatively, the
card chamber can also be formed of a non-metal and/or
non-conductive base material (e.g. carbon fiber, plastic,
composite, etc) with a metal mesh or perforated metal sheet layer
which maintains RFID shielding.
[0031] The pivotable actuator 120 can be used to facilitate
engagement and release the cards 101a-f. In one aspect, the cards
can be retained within the card chamber 112 by a mechanical
interference provided by the actuator that blocks or prevents cards
from exiting the chamber 112 through the dispense opening 113.
Specifically, the pivotable actuator can extend along the edge 111a
of the planar sleeve 110 and can be pivotable about the actuator
pivot 121 located between a retaining end 106 and an actuation end
107 of the actuator. In this manner, the actuator pivots between a
retaining position (FIGS. 2A and 2B) and a dispense position (FIGS.
4A and 4B). The retaining position orients a card contact surface
122 of the retaining end against edges 108 at ends of the cards to
prevent removal of the cards via a mechanical interference with the
cards. The dispense position orients the card contact surface such
that no structural interference from the card contact surface
prevents removal of the cards from the chamber. In one aspect, the
pivotable actuator can include a protrusion 123 that positions the
card contact surface to physically interfere with removal of the
cards from the chamber 112 via the opening 113. For example, the
actuator can include an elongate member having a protrusion with a
non-planar inner card contact surface, which faces the card chamber
such that the inner card contact surface only contacts the cards in
the retaining position. A mechanical stop 124, such as a pin, can
be configured to limit movement of the actuator, such as movement
of the protrusion into the chamber, and can establish the retaining
position of the actuator. The card contact surface can comprise any
suitable material, such as a rubber, plastic, and/or a metal
material.
[0032] The card dispenser 100 can further include a lifter assembly
140 to facilitate removal of the cards 101a-f from the chamber 112.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the actuator 120 physically engages
with the lifter assembly to force one or more cards out of the card
chamber. The lifter assembly can be associated with the actuation
end 107 of the actuator and can be located at or near an interior
end of the card chamber opposite the dispense opening 113, such as
at a bottom edge of the chamber or planar sleeve. The lifter
assembly can be adapted to apply force to at least one of the
cards, upon movement of the actuator, to the dispense position
sufficient to dispense at least one of the plurality of cards from
the dispense opening.
[0033] Generally, the lifter assembly 140 includes an elongate
lifter arm 141 which rotates about a lifter pivot 142 from a rest
position (FIGS. 2A and 2B) to a lift position (FIGS. 4A and 4B).
Typically, the rest position and the lift position correspond to
the retaining position and the dispense position of the actuator,
respectively. The lifter arm can extend substantially along the
interior end of the card chamber and can be oriented substantially
parallel to the bottom edge 114 of the planar sleeve 110 when in
the rest position. For example, the pivot 142 and a rest 143 can
support the lifter arm when in the rest position. The lifter pivot
can be proximate the actuation end 107 of the actuator 120 and
fixed relative to the card chamber 112. Shown particularly in FIG.
2A, the lifter arm can include an engagement notch 145 to
facilitate engagement with the actuation end of the actuator, such
as an extension 137, to rotate the lifter arm about the lifter
pivot. In one aspect, the actuator and lifter arm can be configured
to be in sliding-rotating contact with one another, such as via the
engagement notch and the actuation end of the actuator, as the
actuator acts on the lifter arm to cause rotation of the lifter arm
about the lifter pivot.
[0034] With particular reference to FIGS. 2A and 3, the card
dispenser 100 can be configured to facilitate at least a partial
release of the cards 101a-f by the actuator 120 prior to actuation
of lifter arm 140 or movement of the actuator to the dispense
position. For example, the actuator 120 can be pivoted about the
actuator pivot 121 to bring the card contact surface 122 of the
protrusion 123 out of contact with the cards before the actuator
acts on the lifter arm to cause motion of the lifter arm about the
lifter pivot 142. This can be made possible by a gap 108 that
exists between the actuator and the lifter arm when the actuator is
in the retaining position, as shown in FIG. 2A. Thus, the card
dispenser can be configured for two-stage operation in order to
dispense a card. For example, the actuator can first be moved from
the retaining position through the gap to release the actuator from
the cards and at least partially vacate the opening to remove the
mechanical interference from the opening. The actuator can
therefore move, at least initially, independent of the lifter arm
to release the cards from contact and/or mechanical interference.
The actuator can then be further pivoted to cause the lifter arm to
force the cards through the opening, which was previously vacated
by the actuator protrusion.
[0035] With particular reference to FIGS. 2B and 4B, the lifter arm
141 can include at least one staged taper 144a-e longitudinally
oriented along the lifter arm and spaced so as to dispense the
cards at multiple distances from the card chamber, as shown in
FIGS. 1B and 4A. The spacing and width of staged tapers results in
distribution of cards as the lifter arm is moved to the dispense
position. In one aspect, the staged tapers can be located on a
single side or on two opposite sides (shown) of the lifter arm.
Each stage can support one or several cards. For example, stage
144a is configured to support a single card 101a and stage 144c is
configured to support two cards 101c and 101d. FIG. 4A shows the
lifter arm in the dispense position and the cards distributed at
three heights.
[0036] Although the actuator 120 can be free moving, the actuator
can be biased to ensure positioning of the actuator in the
retaining position. As such, a biasing component 130 can be
operative to move the actuator into the retaining position. In one
alternative, the biasing member comprises a cantilever spring, as
shown in FIGS. 2A-4B. In this case, the cantilever spring can be
configured to act against the actuator and the lifter assembly 140,
although it should be recognized that any suitable configuration
may be employed. Similarly, the lifter arm 141 can be biased to the
rest position to prevent the lifter assembly from tending to force
the cards 101a-f from the chamber 112 unless acted upon by the
actuator. In one aspect, a biasing component 132, such as a spring,
can be coupled between the lifter arm 141 and an inner portion of
the planar sleeve to bias the lifter arm toward the rest position
of the lifter arm. In another aspect, the biasing component can
comprise a torsional spring that can be disposed about the lifter
pivot 142 and configured to act on the lifter arm and the planar
sleeve 110 to bias the lifter arm to the rest position. In
addition, a finger loop 134 can be optionally oriented proximate
the retaining end opposite the card contact surface. This can
provide additional security for handling the dispenser. In one
aspect, one or more components of the card dispenser 100 can be
fabricated with a multi-ply construction, although it should be
recognized that any suitable type of construction may be
utilized.
[0037] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a card dispenser 200 in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The
card dispenser 200 is similar to the card dispenser 100 of FIGS.
1A-4B in many respects, such as having a planar sleeve 210 (an
outer panel of which is omitted to reveal an interior of the card
dispenser), an actuator 220, and a lifter assembly 240 with a
lifter arm 241. In addition, the actuator has a protrusion 223 with
a card contact surface 222 to retain cards within a chamber 212 by
a mechanical interference. The actuator can also be configured to
move independent of the lifter arm, at least initially, to release
cards from contact and/or mechanical interference with the actuator
prior to moving the lifter arm to dispense the cards or moving to a
dispense position (FIG. 5B). The lifter arm can be maintained in a
rest position by a lifter pivot 242 and a rest 243. In this case a
biasing component 232 can be coupled to the lifter arm and the rest
in order to bias the lifter arm toward the rest position.
Additionally, the card dispenser can include a biasing component
230 to move the actuator toward a retaining position (FIG. 5A). The
biasing component 230 can comprise a pin 234 or plunger which is in
contact with an actuation end 207 of the actuator, such as a land
236 configured to interface with the pin. In one aspect, the pin
can be spring loaded by a spring 235 associated with the planar
sleeve to apply a force to the actuator tending to move the
actuator toward the retaining position.
[0038] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a card dispenser 300 in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.
The card dispenser 300 is similar to other card dispensers
disclosed herein in many respects, such as having a planar sleeve
310 (an outer panel of which is omitted to reveal an interior of
the card dispenser), an actuator 320, and a lifter assembly 340
with a lifter arm 341. In this case, however, the actuator includes
a card contact surface 322 configured to retain cards within a
chamber 312 by friction, rather than a mechanical interference as
in previously discussed embodiments. In other words, cards can be
retained within the card chamber by applying a bias pressure
against edges of the cards. The retaining position orients the card
contact surface of a retaining end 306 against the edges of the
cards to prevent removal of the cards via friction resistance, such
as a frictional interface with the cards. A biasing member can be
used in a similar fashion as described previously with respect to
FIG. 2A.
[0039] In addition, the lifter arm 341 can be pivotally associated
with the actuation end 307 of the actuator 320 to form a lifter
pivot 325. For example, the actuator and the lifter arm can be
configured to move with one another via the pivot coupling 325 in
which an end 346 of the lifter arm is configured to rotatably
interface with a socket 326 of the actuator. In this embodiment,
the actuator is not movable independent of the lifter arm to
provide an initial release of the cards from contact. This is
possible because there is no mechanical interference with the
actuator to prevent dispensing of the cards. Once the card contact
surface 322 has been withdrawn or removed from the cards
eliminating the frictional resistance, the cards can be immediately
dispensed by the lifter arm.
[0040] The planar sleeve can also include a shoulder 314 that can
serve as a lifter pivot fulcrum 342 for the lifter arm 341 to pivot
about as a surface 347 the lifter arm is caused to slide across the
shoulder by the actuator to dispense the cards. In other words, the
bottom edge of the card chamber can include a fixed surface against
which the lifter arm slides to cause pivoting about the lifter
pivot. The lifter arm can therefore be in sliding-rotating contact
with the fulcrum provided by the shoulder to cause rotation of the
lifter arm. The shoulder can also contact the lifter arm, such as
by interlocking between the surface 347 and a tab 348 of the lifter
arm, to establish the rest position of the lifter arm.
Additionally, the lifter arm 341 can include staged tapers 344a-e
longitudinally oriented along a single side of the lifter arm and
spaced so as to dispense the cards at multiple distances from the
card chamber.
[0041] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a card dispenser 400 in
accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure.
The card dispenser 400 is similar to the card dispenser 300 of
FIGS. 6A and 6B in many respects, such as having a planar sleeve
410 (an outer panel of which is omitted to reveal an interior of
the card dispenser), an actuator 420, and a lifter assembly 440
with a lifter arm 441. In addition, the actuator includes a card
contact surface 422a configured to retain cards within a chamber
412 by friction, rather than a mechanical interference as in some
other embodiments. Thus, the cards can be retained within the card
chamber by applying a bias pressure against edges of the cards. The
retaining position orients the card contact surface of a retaining
end 406 against the edges of the cards to prevent removal of the
cards via friction resistance, such as a frictional interface with
the cards. In one aspect, the card contact surface is formed of a
rubber material to provide friction or grip on the cards. It should
be recognized that any suitable friction-enhancing feature and/or
material may be utilized.
[0042] In this embodiment, the card dispenser 400 comprises a
linkage mechanism to dispense the cards. For example, the planar
sleeve 410, the actuator 420 and the linkage assembly 440 can be
configured to form a multi-bar linkage mechanism, such as a
four-bar mechanism shown in the figures. Specifically, the actuator
can be pivotally coupled to the planar sleeve about actuator pivot
421. The lifter arm 441 can be pivotally coupled to the planar
sleeve about lifter pivot 442. A linkage arm 427 can be pivotally
coupled to the lifter arm about a pivot 428a and pivotally coupled
to the actuator about a pivot 428b. In one aspect, the lifter pivot
442 can be located remote from the actuator along the bottom of the
planar sleeve. The linkage arm 427 can be associated with the
actuation end 407 of the actuator and a distal end of the lifter
arm 441 such that the lifter arm is coupled to the actuator via a
double joint formed by pivots 428a, 428b and the linkage arm. This
configuration can facilitate a compact arrangement of the lifter
arm and linkage arm when in the rest position shown in FIG. 7A.
[0043] In one aspect, the linkage arm 427 and the actuator 420 can
also be configured to slide relative to one another, such as with a
channel 429 associated with the pivot 428b. These features can
facilitate two-stage operation in order to dispense a card. For
example, the actuator can be moved from a retaining position (shown
in FIG. 7A) through a gap or space between an end of the channel
and the pivot in order to release the actuator or, more
specifically, the card contact surface 422a, from the card. The
actuator can therefore move, at least initially, substantially
independent of the linkage arm and the lifter arm to release the
cards from contact with the actuator prior actuation or movement of
the lifter arm to dispense the cards. The actuator can then be
further pivoted to cause the lifter arm to force the cards through
the opening 413. A lower card contact surface 422b of the actuator
can be configured to contact the cards as the actuator moves into
the dispense position (shown in FIG. 7B) to stabilize the cards
when extending from the chamber 412 and prevent unwanted separation
of the cards from the card dispenser 400. In one aspect, the lower
card contact surface is formed of a rubber material to provide
friction or grip on the cards. It should be recognized that any
suitable friction-enhancing feature and/or material may be
utilized.
[0044] The foregoing detailed description describes the invention
with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, it will
be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention as set
forth in the appended claims. The detailed description and
accompanying drawings are to be regarded as merely illustrative,
rather than as restrictive, and all such modifications or changes,
if any, are intended to fall within the scope of the present
invention as described and set forth herein.
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