Lid-actuated card-dispensing box

Abstract

A lid-actuated card-dispensing box is disclosed. An outer box having a lid receives an inner sleeve having a platform and at least one standoff coupled to the lid by means of a linkage. The linkage includes a plate secured to a front flap of the lid and pivotally connected to the standoff. A retention system resists movement of the plate relative to the standoff when the lid is in a closed position.

1 . A card-collecting box comprising: 
 an outer box comprising bottom, anterior, posterior, first lateral, and second lateral sides;    a lid hingedly attached to the posterior side;    an inner sleeve having at least bottom and a first lateral side; and    at least one lifting member secured to the lid spaced apart from a point of hinged securement to the posterior side, the lifting member securing to the inner sleeve.    
   
   
       2 . The card-collecting box of  claim 1 , further comprising a retention member selectively engaging the lifting member and the inner sleeve to resist relative motion between the lifting member and the inner sleeve, wherein the lid and inner sleeve have an open position and a closed position, the retaining member engaging the lifting member and inner sleeve when the lid and inner sleeve are in the closed position.  
   
   
       3 . The card-collecting box of  claim 2 , wherein the lifting member comprises a plate extending from an interior surface of the lid.  
   
   
       4 . The card-collecting box of  claim 3 , wherein the plate is pivotally attached to the inner sleeve.  
   
   
       5 . The card collecting box of  claim 3 , wherein the retention member comprises a raised portion secured to the plate and wherein the inner sleeve comprises a depression positioned to receive the raised portion when the lid is in the closed position.  
   
   
       6 . The card collecting box of  claim 3 , wherein the retention member comprises a raised portion secured to the inner sleeve and wherein the plate comprises a depression positioned to receive the raised portion when the lid is in the closed position.  
   
   
       7 . The card collecting box of  claim 6 , wherein the depression comprises a rivet.  
   
   
       8 . The card collecting box of  claim 7 , wherein the raised portion comprises a rivet head and wherein the depression further comprises a crimped shaft of a rivet.  
   
   
       9 . The card collecting box of  claim 8 , wherein the lid comprises a top flap and a front flap, the top flap hingedly securing to the posterior side and the front flap hingedly securing to a free end of the top flap.  
   
   
       10 . The card collecting box of  claim 9 , wherein the plate secures to the front flap.  
   
   
       11 . The card collecting box of  claim 10 , further comprising a tongue secured to the anterior side and extending upwardly therefrom.  
   
   
       12 . The card collecting box of  claim 11 , wherein the tongue is substantially coextensive with the front flap when the lid is in the closed position.  
   
   
       13 . A box for storing cards, the box comprising: 
 an outer case having an upper and a lower end, the upper end defining an opening;    a lid sized to occupy a substantial portion of the opening and hingedly secured to the upper end of the outer case;    an inner platform having a lower portion conforming to a portion of the outer case proximate the lower end thereof and at least one vertical standoff extending upwardly from the lower portion; and    a linkage coupling the lid to the at least one vertical standoff to cause movement of the standoff in correspondence with the lid.    
   
   
       15 . The box of  claim 13 , wherein the linkage comprises a plate extending from the lid and pivotally coupling to the vertical standoff.  
   
   
       16 . The box of  claim 15 , wherein the linkage comprises a front flap hingedly secured to a free end of the lid, the plate securing to the front flap.  
   
   
       17 . The box of  claim 16 , further comprising a retention mechanism selectively preventing relative motion between the lid and vertical standoff.  
   
   
       18 . The box of  claim 17 , wherein the retention mechanism is a raised portion secured to the vertical standoff and a depression secured to the linkage and positioned to receive the raised portion in at least one orientation of the linkage.  
   
   
       19 . The box of  claim 13 , wherein the vertical standoff is a first vertical standoff, the box further comprising a second vertical standoff spaced apart laterally from the first vertical standoff, the linkage coupling the second vertical standoff to the lid.  
   
   
       20 . A box for storing cards, the box comprising: 
 an outer case having an upper and a lower end, the upper end defining an opening;    a lid sized to occupy a substantial portion of the opening and hingedly secured to the upper end of the outer case;    an inner platform having a lower portion conforming to a portion of the outer case proximate the lower end thereof and at least one vertical standoff extending upwardly from the lower portion; and    a means for raising the inner platform upon opening of the lid.