GB1599884A - Pack of record cards - Google Patents

Description

(54) A PACK OF RECORD CARDS (71) 1, EDGAR GEORGE BULL, a British subject of 26 Coldblow Crescent, Bexley, Kent, DA5 2DS do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement.

This invention relates to a pack of cards which can be used for data storage, memory stimulation, reference/revision purposes, indexing and other uses.

Accordingly, this invention provides a pack of cards, each card of which is imperforate, is made an opaque material and has a first and a second face, the first face of all the cards in the pack being identical and the second face of all the cards in the pack being identical and different from the first face of all the cards in the pack whereby the first and second faces of each card are visually distinguishable, the first and the second faces each having at least one continuous blank portion which is sufficiently large to enable a user of the cards to insert data therein, the first and the second faces each having position indicator means for enabling the user of the cards to indicate where the user is in the pack of cards at any one instance, the first and/or the second faces each having a coding area in two opposing corners for enabling a user of the cards to code the cards, and the or each continuous blank portion being positioned inwardly of the position indicator means and the coding areas.

Preferably, the first and the second faces have at least 90% of their area constituted by the continuous blank portion or portions.

It is to be appreciated, however, that more or less of the first and second faces can be constituted by the continuous blank portion or portions enabling a user to insert data therein.

Preferably, the pack of cards is one in which the cards have top and bottom edges which are shorter than side edges of the cards, and in which the coding areas on each face are in the top left-hand corner of the card as viewed from the front and in the bottom right-hand corner of the card as viewed from the front. Such positioning of the coding areas makes the cards especially useful for right-handed persons. If the cards are produced specifically for left-handed persons, then the coding areas are advantageously reversed so that they are in the top right-hand corner of the card as viewed from the front and in the bottom left-hand corner of the card as viewed from the front.

Preferably, the first and second faces of the cards are differently coloured. Each face of each card may have first and second coloured strips, the first coloured strip extending along part of the top of the card and part of the right-hand side of the card when viewed from the front, and the second coloured strip extending along part of the bottom of the card and part af the left-hand side of the card when viewed from the front, the first and second coloured strips on one face of each card being a different colour to the colour of the first and second coloured strips on the other face of each card. The different colours may be blue and red but it is to be appreciated that other colours can be employed.Indeed other ways of marking the faces of the card to make them visually distinguishable can be employed such for example as employing different types of hatching lines.

Each card may include a centre line marker for dividing the cards into top and bottom halves, whereby each card can have data inserted by the user in the top and bottom halves, so that the cards can be used either way up in a filing system.

Each card may also include a defined blank reference area on two opposed sides of each face of the card for enabling insertion of the source of the information on the card face.

The position indicator means may be a single mark in one half of each face of each card. As indicated above, the position indicator means enables the user of the cards to indicate where the user is in the pack of cards at any one instance. For example, if the user is thumbing through a pack of the cards in a filing system and he gets to a certain point along the pack of cards, then he can turn all the inspected cards upsidedown so that the position indicator means will no longer be viewable. Thus, when the user wishes to return to the pack of cards, he merely has to thumb through the cards until he sees the first card bearing the position indicator means on its upper edge to know the previous position he was at in the pack of cards.

Preferably, each card is rectangular in shape. However, if desired, other shapes can be employed, for example a square shape.

The cards of the present invention will usually be made from stiff paper or thin card. As used herein, the term 'Card' is not intended to restrict the material from which the pack of cards is made and examples of other materials that can be used are plastics materials providing they are opaque and they can be written on. Indeed, some cards can be produced with plastics wipe-clean surfaces, data then being written on them with an appropriate pen, such as for example a felt-tip pen.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a card forming part of a pack of cards in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 shows a pack of cards in accordance with the invention in a storage box/filing tray.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an imperforate card 2 having a first face 4, the second face of the card 2 obviously being opposite the face 4. The face 4 is provided with a a first coloured strip 6 which extends along part of the top qf the card and part of the right-hand side of the card as shown in Figure 1, and a second coloured strip 8 extending along part of the bottom of the card and part of the left-hand side of the card as shown in Figure 1.

The card 2 is provided with a pair of coding areas for enabling a user of the card to code the card. The first coding area 10 is in the top left-hand corner of the card 2 and the second coding area 12 is in the bottom right-hand corner of the card 2. Such coding areas are most suitable for right-handed persons and, for left-handed persons, the positions of the coding areas 10, 12 are reversed. It will be seen that the coding areas are defined by the edges of the cards and by the ends of the coloured coding strips 6, 8.

The card 2 has its major area 14 blank and this area is effectively defined by the inner boundary of the coloured coding strips 6,8.

The blank area 14 enables a user of the card to insert data therein.

The card 2 includes a centre line marker constituted by a pair of marks 15, 16 which enables the card to be divided into two halves. The cards can then have the same data inserted by the user in the top and bottom half so that the card 2 can be used either way up in a filing system. If desired, different data can be written in each half of the card 2.

The card 2 further includes a pair of blank reference areas 18, 20 which are refined as shown by virtue of the fact that they are positioned in the colour coding coloured strips 6, 8 as shown. These defined blank reference areas 18, 20 are positioned on the two longest opposed sides of the card and they enable insertion of the source of information written in the blank spaces 14 on the card face 4.

The card 2 still further includes a single marking 22 on the face 4 of the card, there being a similar single marking on the reverse face of the card 2. The marking 22 constitutes a position indicator means which enables the user of the card to indicate where he or she is in a pack of the. cards at any one instance. As was mentioned above, cards previously inspected in a filing system can be turned upside-down so that the single marking (or spot) 22 will no longer be visible on those cards inspected, thereby easily enabling the user of the cards to find out on a second and subsequent use of the pack of cards exactly the previous position they were at.

Previously inspected cards can be in a block or dispersed throughout a pack. It will be seen from Figure 1 that the blank space 14 is positioned inwardly of the coding areas 10, 12 and the position indicator means 22.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a pack 24 of cards. The pack 24 of cards can be composed of cards which are the same on both faces as the face 4 shown in Figure 1, or which are slightly different. For simplicity of illustration the first card 2 in the pack 24 has been shown without a position indicator means 22 but a position indicator means is in fact employed. The card shown in Figure 1 is illustrated with areas 26, 28 for advertising material and this material has been omitted from the card 2 illustrated in the pack 24 to show alternative designs for the cards. When the cards 2 in the pack 24 are the same on both faces as the face 4 shown in Figure 1, then the first and second coloured strips 6, 8 will be of one colour on one face of each card in the pack 24 and another colour on the other face of each card so that the two faces are visually distinguishable.

In Figure 2 it will be seen that the pack of cards 24 is positioned in a container having a bottom portion 30, and a similarly constructed top portion 32. The pack of cards 24 is positioned between foam rubber inserts 34, 36. These inserts 34, 36 keep the pack of cards 24 upstanding and away from the edges of the bottom portion 30 of the container so that the cards can easily be indexed, the bottom portions of the container thus effectively forming a filing tray.

The top portion 32 of the container is formed similarly to the bottom portion 30 so that a person can buy another pack of cards 24 without the container and they can then insert the second pack of cards in the upturned container portion 32 to form a second filing tray. This second filing tray will also preferably have the inserts 34, 36.

The pack of cards can be employed for various uses, such for example as information retrieval, memory stimulation, personal directory, a diary, constant reminders, indexing collation, and reference/revision. In order to give a user of the cards some indication of their scope, the packs of cards can be sold with instructions, these instructions easily taking the form of additional cards.

By way of example it is mentioned that a first instructional card could have its first side reading as follows:- PREPARATION The data is entered as a question and hidden answer. Exploiting the principle that only one side can be seen at a time. A fine felt tip pen is excellent and does not produce indentation. If a blue side is used for the question, a standard is set and interchange facilitated but most answers can be arranged as a reversed question.

One card-one fact makes the card an independent entity, easier to memorise and avoiding filing difficulties, include details but don't overcomplicate. Economy is better effected by selection of data. Keep a small note-book handy for record purposes and prepare cards for what is considered important. Careful preparation is well worth the effort, being in itself a memory stimulant and a neat card becomes a permanent and accessible record. A centre line may be ruled in using the marks provided and the data duplicated both ways up, allowing the cards to be viewed either way and introducing a degree of repetition.

The reverse side of the first card can then be marked as follows:- FEEDBACK The system is extremely adaptable and suggestions rather than instructions are given. The following method may be used as a starting point and entertaining and educational games involving others are easily formulated. Take enough prepared cards to form a working pack and place this in front of you on a flat surface with the blue sides up. Attempt to answer the question displayed by the top card, think about it, then place this card beside the pack as the start for a second pile, still blue side up and without looking at the answer. Work through the pack, shuffle and turn it over.

Repeat red side up and vary by mixing the red and blue sides. Continue for as long as you wish, looking at the answers on the final run. Reject the memorised cards and maintain the working pack with new and revision material. Make use of odd moments; often interruptions consolidate work done. Rejected cards form the basis of a reference/revision system.

A second instructional card could have its first side reading as follows.

REFERENCE/REVISION Devise your own reference abbreviations and enter these into the corner spaces. This coding may be simple or elaborate-a single letter or a composite group, according to personal preference. It then becomes a simple matter to arrange and file the cards in any order. The file may be divided into subject headings and these as well as the data 'within them arranged in any way you wish.

Start with all the corner spots uppermost and add a few cards at a time back into the working pack for revision. Return subsequent cards with the file spots down to indicate recent use. In this way the filing arrangement need not be disturbed. When all the spots are down then reverse the procedure or turn the file over. If the source material remains available, as in the case of textbooks include a reference with page number etc. in areas 18, 20 on the card. The value of this in creating a personal index will be readily appreciated.

The reverse side of the second card can then be as follows:- EXPLOITATION Apart from memory training the potential uses of the cards are manifold.

Following are a few examples; Personal Directory Names, addresses on one side extra details on the other. Corner code with name abbreviation. The resulting directory can easily be kept up to date and in full alphabetical order. A card in use is isolated and ideal for quick reference and can be carried in a wallet or handbag.

Diary Use as above for appointments, etc., but corner code with appropriate dates. When dealt with put the card at the back of the pack, thus exposing the next one in order.

Constant Reminders Use a card, e.g. 'Who did I lend that to?' Indexing Records, tapes, cassettes, freezer contents etc.

Correlation All types of data can be arranged and rearranged to try out and compare the different possibilities.

NOTE: Spelling is automatically covered by vocabulary since the word itself is hidden when the definition side is viewed.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above has been given by way of example only, and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, different designs for the coloured coding strips 6, 8 can be employed and the continuous blank area 14 can be smaller or larger than indicated. As an alternative to employing the coloured coding strips 6, 8, the whole or a part of each card face can be coloured.

One face of the card can be plain or white if desired.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A pack of cards, each card of which is imperforate, is made of an opaque material and has a first and a second face, the first face of all the cards in the pack being identical and the second face of all the cards in the pack being identical and different from the first face of all the cards in the pack whereby the first and second faces of each card are visually distinguishable, the first and the second faces each having at least one continuous blank portion which is sufficiently large to enable a user of the cards to insert data therein, the first and the second faces each having position indicator means for enabling the user of the cards to indicate where the user is in the pack of cards at any one instance, the first and/or the second faces each having a coding area in two opposing corners for enabling a user of the cards to code the cards, and the or each continuous blank portion being positioned inwardly of the position indicator means and the coding areas.

2. A pack of cards according to claim I in which both the first and the second faces have at least 90% of their area constituted by the continuous blank portion or portions.

3. A pack of cards according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the cards have top and bottom edges which are shorter than side edges of the cards, and in which the coding areas on each face are in the top left-hand corner of the card as viewed from the front and in the bottom right-hand corner of the card as viewed from the front.

4. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and second faces of the cards are differently coloured.

5. A pack of cards according to claim 4 in which each face of each card has first and second coloured strips, the first coloured strip extending along part of the top of the card and part of the right-hand side of the card when viewed from the front, and the second coloured strip extending along part of the bottom of the card and part of the left-hand side of the card when viewed from the front, the first and second coloured strips on one face of each card being a different colour to the colour of the first and second coloured strips on the other face of each card.

6. A pack of cards according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the colours blue and red are used.

7. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which each card includes a centre line marker for dividing the card into top and bottom halves whereby the cards can have the same data inserted by the user in the top and bottom half so that the card can be used either way up in a filing system.

8. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which each card includes a defined blank reference area on two opposed sides of each face of the card for enabling insertion of the source of the information on the card.

9. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which the position indicator means is a single mark in one half of each face of each card.

10. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which each card is rectangular in shape.

11. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims together with instruction cards.

12. A pack of cards substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (12)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Constant Reminders Use a card, e.g. 'Who did I lend that to?' Indexing Records, tapes, cassettes, freezer contents etc. Correlation All types of data can be arranged and rearranged to try out and compare the different possibilities. NOTE: Spelling is automatically covered by vocabulary since the word itself is hidden when the definition side is viewed. It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above has been given by way of example only, and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, different designs for the coloured coding strips 6, 8 can be employed and the continuous blank area 14 can be smaller or larger than indicated. As an alternative to employing the coloured coding strips 6, 8, the whole or a part of each card face can be coloured. One face of the card can be plain or white if desired. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A pack of cards, each card of which is imperforate, is made of an opaque material and has a first and a second face, the first face of all the cards in the pack being identical and the second face of all the cards in the pack being identical and different from the first face of all the cards in the pack whereby the first and second faces of each card are visually distinguishable, the first and the second faces each having at least one continuous blank portion which is sufficiently large to enable a user of the cards to insert data therein, the first and the second faces each having position indicator means for enabling the user of the cards to indicate where the user is in the pack of cards at any one instance, the first and/or the second faces each having a coding area in two opposing corners for enabling a user of the cards to code the cards, and the or each continuous blank portion being positioned inwardly of the position indicator means and the coding areas.

2. A pack of cards according to claim I in which both the first and the second faces have at least 90% of their area constituted by the continuous blank portion or portions.

3. A pack of cards according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the cards have top and bottom edges which are shorter than side edges of the cards, and in which the coding areas on each face are in the top left-hand corner of the card as viewed from the front and in the bottom right-hand corner of the card as viewed from the front.

4. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and second faces of the cards are differently coloured.

5. A pack of cards according to claim 4 in which each face of each card has first and second coloured strips, the first coloured strip extending along part of the top of the card and part of the right-hand side of the card when viewed from the front, and the second coloured strip extending along part of the bottom of the card and part of the left-hand side of the card when viewed from the front, the first and second coloured strips on one face of each card being a different colour to the colour of the first and second coloured strips on the other face of each card.

6. A pack of cards according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the colours blue and red are used.

7. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which each card includes a centre line marker for dividing the card into top and bottom halves whereby the cards can have the same data inserted by the user in the top and bottom half so that the card can be used either way up in a filing system.

8. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which each card includes a defined blank reference area on two opposed sides of each face of the card for enabling insertion of the source of the information on the card.

9. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which the position indicator means is a single mark in one half of each face of each card.

10. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims in which each card is rectangular in shape.

11. A pack of cards according to any one of the preceding claims together with instruction cards.

12. A pack of cards substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.