Protective case for collectible cards

Abstract

The present invention is a protective case for collectible cards and other items, which provides a solution to the problem of protecting collectable items while shipping and displaying. The core components of the invention are a case with an indent configured to secure a collectable card or other item and a flat base configured to act as a base so the protective case is able to stand on end and display the collectable card or other item, and connective hinges configured to secure the connective hinges to other protective cases or other protective devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective case system comprising:
 a first protective element wherein the first protective element includes a base with a front face with an indent configured to secure a first item, and a first connector; and   a second protective element including a second connector configured to removably connect to the first connector, wherein the first connector and the second connector are connected such that the first protective element is able to rotate relative to the second protective element to a closed position where the indent is on a bottom component of the first protective element wherein the indent is covered by a top component of the first protective element.   
     
     
         2 . The protective case system of  claim 1 , wherein the top component and the bottom component are connected by one or more removable fasteners. 
     
     
         3 . The protective case system of  claim 1 , wherein the second protective element includes a second base with a second front face with a second indent configured to secure a second item. 
     
     
         4 . The protective case system of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective element includes a third connector and the base includes a back face, wherein the back face is opposite the front face, wherein the first connector is connected at an edge of the front face and the third connector is connected at an edge of the back face. 
     
     
         5 . The protective case system of  claim 1 , wherein the second protective element is thinner than the first protective element. 
     
     
         6 . The protective case system of  claim 1 , wherein the second protective element does not have the indent. 
     
     
         7 . A protective case system comprising:
 a first protective element wherein the first protective element includes a base with a front face with an indent configured to secure a first card or card case, and a first connecting element on a first side.   
     
     
         8 . The protective case system of  claim 7 , wherein the first connecting element is at or near a left edge. 
     
     
         9 . The protective case system of  claim 8 , wherein the first side is on a front of the protective case system. 
     
     
         10 . The protective case system of  claim 9 : further comprising a second connecting element at a second side. 
     
     
         11 . The protective case system of  claim 10 , wherein the second connecting element is at or near a right edge. 
     
     
         12 . The protective case system of  claim 11 , wherein the second side is opposite of the first side. 
     
     
         13 . The protective case system of  claim 7 , wherein the indent has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The protective case system of  claim 7 , wherein the indent has a rectangular shaped bottom component and a hemispherical top component. 
     
     
         15 . The protective case system of  claim 7 , wherein a pressure plate with one or more springs is positioned inside of the indent. 
     
     
         16 . The protective case system of  claim 7 , wherein one or more friction members are positioned in the indent. 
     
     
         17 . The protective case system of  claim 7 , wherein the first connecting element is one component of a hinge connection including two receiving prongs and shank and a ball connector. 
     
     
         18 . A protective case system comprising:
 a first protective element wherein the first protective element includes a base with a front face with a first indent configured to secure a first item, and a first connector; and   a second protective element wherein the second protective element includes a second base with a second front face with a second indent configured to secure a second item, and a second connector, wherein the first connector and the second connector are connectable such that the first protective element is able to rotate relative to the second protective element to a closed position where the indent is on a bottom component of the first protective element wherein the indent is covered by a top component of the first protective element that is removably connected to the bottom component.   
     
     
         19 . The protective case system of  claim 18 , wherein the first protective element is removably connected to the bottom component by one or more snap fit connections. 
     
     
         20 . The protective case system of  claim 19 , wherein the first indent and the second indent has a pressure plate with one or more springs or one or more friction members are positioned in the first indent and the second indent to further secure the first item and the second item.