Handheld Tool for Scraping Scratch-Off Tickets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handheld scratching device for scratch-off tickets. The device/tool is used for scraping opaque or film coatings of the scratch-off tickets such as a lottery tickets, to reveal hidden printed material thereunder. The device includes a base that includes a keyhole and a thumb grip indentation for securely and comfortably gripping the device during scraping. The device also includes a scratching edge for scraping the opaque or film coatings easily and securely. The keyhole is used for attaching the base to a key ring, keychain or keepsake holder. The device can come in multiple shapes, colors and designs, and can have messages or quotations printed or engraved in the base. The device obviates the use of a coin or any conventional sharp object to scrape a scratch-off ticket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scratch-off ticket scratching tool comprising:
 a one-piece tool including a base, wherein said base includes a trailing edge, a pair of side edges, and a pair of arcuate edges extending from said pair of side edges;   a keyhole in said base for enabling attachment of said tool to a keychain;   a neck extending from said arcuate edges of said base at a first end and connecting a semi-circular portion at another end;   said semi-circular portion including a scratching terminal edge, wherein said terminal edge includes a plurality of scratching teeth; and   said scratching teeth are serrated for scratching off a selected area of film coverings on the ticket protecting printed numerals and text thereunder.   
     
     
         2 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a thumb grip indentation for gripping of said tool. 
     
     
         3 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a nail nick for securing a finger of a user against said tool. 
     
     
         4 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a fingerhold indentation for gripping of said tool. 
     
     
         5 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 1 , wherein said scratching teeth are semi-rigid. 
     
     
         6 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool is illuminated. 
     
     
         7 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool is of a material selected from a group consisting of a plastic and a polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 1 , wherein said keyhole includes a diameter from about 0.2 inches to about 0.8 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 8 , wherein said serrated teeth include a length from about 0.100 inches to about 0.150 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 9 , wherein said base includes an area generally about 2 inches by 2 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 10 , wherein said neck includes a longitudinal length from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 11 , wherein said semi-circular portion includes an area generally about 0.75 inches by 2 inches. 
     
     
         13 . A scratch-off ticket scratching tool comprising:
 a one-piece tool including a base, wherein said base includes a trailing edge, a pair of side edges, and a pair of arcuate edges extending from said pair of side edges;   a keyhole in said base for enabling attachment of said tool to a keychain;   a neck extending from said arcuate edges of said base at a first end and connecting a semi-circular portion at another end;   said semi-circular portion including a scratching terminal edge;   said base includes a fingerhold indentation for gripping of said tool for scratching off a selected area of film coverings on the ticket protecting printed numerals and text thereunder; and   said tool is of a material selected from a group consisting of a plastic and a polymer.   
     
     
         14 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 13 , wherein said terminal edge includes a plurality of scratching teeth. 
     
     
         15 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 14 , wherein said scratching teeth are serrated. 
     
     
         16 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 15 , wherein said fingerhold indentation includes a nail nick for securing a finger of a user against said tool. 
     
     
         17 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 16 , wherein said fingerhold indentation is a thumb grip. 
     
     
         18 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 17 , wherein said scratching teeth are semi-rigid. 
     
     
         19 . A scratch-off ticket scratching tool comprising:
 a one-piece tool including a base, wherein said base includes a trailing edge and a pair of side edges;   a keyhole in said base for enabling attachment of said tool to a keychain;   a neck extending from said base at a first end and connecting a scraping portion at another end;   said scraping portion including a scratching terminal edge;   said terminal edge includes a plurality of scratching teeth, wherein said scratching teeth are serrated;   said keyhole includes a diameter from about 0.2 inches to about 0.8 inches;   said scratching teeth include a length from about 0.100 inches to about 0.150 inches;   said base includes an area generally about 2 inches by 2 inches; and   said base includes a fingerhold indentation for gripping of said tool for scratching off a selected area of film coverings on the ticket protecting printed numerals and text thereunder.   
     
     
         20 . The scratch-off ticket scratching tool of  claim 19 , wherein said scratching teeth include an arrangement from about 4 teeth per inch to about 12 teeth per inch.