Collector card autograph case

Abstract

A protective card case is described. The case includes a front cover including a transparent viewing area. The case also includes a rear cover including a transparent viewing area. Further, the case includes a coupling mechanism configured for coupling the front cover with the rear cover. Further still the case includes a latching mechanism configured to selectively latch the front cover with the rear cover. The rear cover includes a planar recessed area for holding a card in place when the front cover and rear cover are coupled together by the coupling mechanism and latched with the latching mechanism. The front cover includes an aperture providing access to a portion of the card when front cover and rear cover are coupled together by the coupling mechanism and latched with the latching mechanism and the aperture is at least large enough for a person to apply an autograph to a portion of the front of the card.

1 . A protective card case, comprising:
 a front cover including a transparent viewing area;   a rear cover including a transparent viewing area; and   a coupling mechanism configured for coupling the front cover with the rear cover;   a latching mechanism configured to selectively latch the front cover with the rear cover,   wherein the rear cover includes a planar recessed area for holding a card in place when the front cover and rear cover are coupled together by the coupling mechanism and latched with the latching mechanism, and   wherein the front cover includes an aperture providing access to a portion of the card when front cover and rear cover are coupled together by the coupling mechanism and latched with the latching mechanism and the aperture is at least large enough for a person to apply an autograph to a portion of the front of the card.   
     
     
         2 . The protective card case of  claim 1 , wherein the front cover and rear cover are formed of a substantially rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The protective card case of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The protective card case of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a tab and receiver. 
     
     
         5 . The protective card case of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises interlocking portions of the front and rear cover. 
     
     
         6 . The protective card case of  claim 1 , wherein the latching mechanism comprises a magnetic latch. 
     
     
         7 . The protective card case of  claim 1 , wherein the latching mechanism comprises a screw and threaded aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The protective card case of  claim 1 , wherein the rear cover includes an aperture providing access to a portion of the back of the card when front cover and rear cover are coupled together by the coupling mechanism and latched with the latching mechanism and the aperture is at least large enough for a person to apply an autograph to a portion of the back of the card. 
     
     
         9 . The protective card case of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises an elongated oval. 
     
     
         10 . A protective card case, comprising:
 a front cover including a transparent viewing area and including tabs protruding from the bottom of the front cover;   a rear cover including a transparent viewing area and including two tab receivers configured to mate with the two tabs of the front cover and couple the front cover with the rear cover; and   a magnetic catch configured to selectively latch the front cover with the rear cover,   wherein the front cover includes an aperture providing access to a portion of the front of a card when front cover and rear cover are coupled together by the tabs and tab receiver and latched with the magnetic catch and the aperture is at least large enough for a person to apply an autograph to a portion of the front of the card.   
     
     
         11 . The protective card case of  claim 10 , wherein the front cover and rear cover are formed of a substantially rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The protective card case of  claim 10 , wherein the front cover and rear cover are formed of a substantially elastic plastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The protective card case of  claim 10 , wherein the tab and tab receivers form a hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The protective card case of  claim 10 , wherein the tab and tab receivers comprise interlocking portions of the front and rear cover. 
     
     
         15 . The protective card case of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetic latch comprises at least one magnet. 
     
     
         16 . The protective card case of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetic latch includes at least one rare earth magnet. 
     
     
         17 . The protective card case of  claim 10 , wherein the rear cover includes an aperture providing access to a portion of the back of the card when the front cover and the rear cover are coupled together by the tab and tab receivers and latched with the magnetic latch and the aperture is at least large enough for a person to apply an autograph to a portion of the back of the card. 
     
     
         18 . The protective card case of  claim 10 , wherein the aperture comprises an elongated oval. 
     
     
         19 . The protective card case of  claim 10 , wherein the aperture comprises a multilateral shape. 
     
     
         20 . A method of obtaining an autograph on a collector card comprising:
 placing a card in a protective card case, the protective case comprising:
 a front cover including a transparent viewing area and including tabs protruding from the bottom of the front cover; 
 a rear cover including a transparent viewing area and including two tab receivers configured to mate with the two tabs of the front cover and couple the front cover with the rear cover; and 
 a magnetic catch configured to selectively latch the front cover with the rear cover, 
 wherein the front cover includes an aperture providing access to a portion of the front of a card when front cover and rear cover ar coupled together by the tabs and tab receiver and latched with the magnetic catch and the aperture is at least large enough for a person to apply an autograph to a portion of the front of the card; 
   handing the protective case to an autographer;   receiving from the autographer the card in the protective case having been signed by the autographer through the aperture without having removed the card from the case.