Dynamic gaming machine table

Abstract

An electronic gaming machine is incorporated into a table, having a rotatable top, such that multiple players sitting around the table can each individually play the gaming machine. A base member of the table supports a table top having a cut-out for receiving the external gaming features, including a display, selection buttons, coin and bill insert, coin hopper, etc. A receptacle secured to an under-side of said table top supports the internal components of the gaming machine within the base member. In this arrangement, the gaming machine may be rotated along with the table top to properly orient the external features of the machine for any of a plurality of individual players sitting around the table. A door in the base provides access to said internal components of the machine such that it may be serviced and monies may be collected.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic gaming machines. More particularly, an electronic gaming machine incorporated into a rotatable gaming table. The rotatable gaming table provides means for a plurality of players to play the same electronic gaming machine while in a group setting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Electronic gaming machines proliferate casinos and similar establishments which allow gaming. In fact, with their expanding popularity, electronic gaming machines now account for a large majority of the revenue generated by all wagering games. By way of example, in Las Vegas, electronic gaming machines are located in casinos, bars, restaurants, car washes and almost every public place imaginable.

[0003] Electronic gaming machines now allow players to play poker, craps, blackjack, roulette, keno, bingo, slots and various other wagering games. The gaming machines are typically either stand alone or countertop models. Multiple stand alone models are strategically placed on the floor of gaming establishments in groups termed "banks." Counter top models are generally located along bar or restaurant counter tops. Such gaming machines are intermittently spaced along, and integrated into, the counter top such that the machine's display is projecting in an upward direction. Moreover, the internal components of the gaming machine are contained within the bar counter top.

[0004] The present invention relates to gaming machines of the counter top variety. Bar and/or restaurant patrons can normally locate significant numbers of gaming machines along a bar countertop in the manner described above. However, the typical bar counter top is long and not conducive to socializing among a group of individuals spaced along the bar. Therefore, on too many occasions, the group of individuals may select to sit at a table or booth so as to optimize the social environment. Unfortunately, tables and booths eliminate gaming revenue attributable to the gaming machines integrated into the bar counter top.

[0005] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned dilemma by implementing a gaming machine into a table having a rotating means. Said rotating means allows a gaming machine display, selection buttons, coin hopper, and related items to be oriented in any direction about 360.degree. of motion. In this manner, any individual seated at, or adjacent to, the table may play the gaming machine by rotating the table-top such that the display is oriented towards said individual. Heretofore, no gaming machine has been incorporated into such a rotating apparatus for providing access to a plurality of individuals congregated therearound.

[0006] Although several patents, including U.S. Des. Pat. Nos. 237,727, 243,114, 249,729, 275,114 and 411,259, disclose ornamental designs fortable top games, none disclose the design of the present invention or its functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a more versatile electronic gaming machine.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic gaming machine easily played by a plurality of individuals.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to incorporate an electronic gaming machine into a rotatable table top.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to increase the number of possible electronic gaming machines implementable throughout a gaming machine establishment.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for a plurality of individuals to easily socialize around a common electronic gaming machine.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide gaming establishments with additional means for generating revenue.

[0013] The above objectives are achieved through the present invention by providing a video gaming machine integrated into a table having a rotatable upper section for allowing the display and control means to be oriented towards any of a plurality of individuals assembled therearound. The present invention provides multiple players with the opportunity to play a single video gaming machine in a social setting which heretofore was not realistically possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the internal portion of a table of the present invention with a gaming machine removed;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the internal portion of the table with the gaming machine incorporated therein;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a first side view of the internal portion of the table with the gaming machine incorporated therein;

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a second side view of the internal portion of the table with the gaming machine incorporated therein; and

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a rotatable power cord device used to implement the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] The present invention incorporates an electronic gaming machine into a table having a rotatable upper section. Although the description herein focuses on wagering style gaming machines, any gaming machine, including non-wagering video machines, can be implemented with the present invention. As with current gaming machines implemented within bar counter tops, a display of the present invention faces in a generally upward direction providing players with a convenient view of each game outcome. Contrary to the previous counter top models, the current design allows the single gaming machine to be rotated so that any player can view a gaming display in the proper orientation. While any electronic wagering game, including video slots and blackjack, can be implemented with the present invention, video poker is described throughout.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming machine table, generally designated as numeral 10, having a circular base member 15 that supports a circular table top 20 including a cut-out out 25 for receiving necessary player features of an electronic gaming machine, generally designated as numeral 30. Said features include a display 31, coin hopper 32, coin slot 33, hold/discard buttons 34, bet max coins button 35, bet single coin button 36, deal/draw button 37 and any additional gaming machine controls desired. The display 31 is slightly angled to provide a advantageous view for players when the table top 30 is properly oriented. Access means in the form of a door 40 provide technicians, operators or service personnel with access to the internal components (not shown in FIG. 1) of the gaming machine 30 enclosed within the base member 15. A door lock 45 secures the internal components of the gaming machine 30 within the base member 15.

[0022] The circular table top 20 comprises an inner planar section 21 adjacent the cutout 25 and an outer planar section 22 extending beyond the parameters of the base member 15 such that players may rotate said table top 20, and therefore the incorporated gaming machine 30, by grasping the outer section 22 and moving it along with the inner planar section 21 in a desired rotational direction.

[0023] While the base member 15 of the present invention is shown as a series of interconnected vertical rectangular units 16, it should be understood that the base member 15 can take any shape and design provided it is large enough to support, and at least partially contain, the gaming machine 30.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a transparent rendering of the gaming machine table 10, without the gaming machine 30 installed, illustrating the internal design thereof. The cut-out 25 is now clearly visible in the table top 20. Three rigid, vertical and elongated members 50 each support a wheel 55 rotationally secured between two vertically extending arms 56 atop members 50. Preferably the members 50 are equally spaced around an inner-wall of the circular base member 15. In this position, the wheels 55 communicate with an under-side of the table top 20, namely an under-side of the inner planar section 21. The elongated members 50 rest on an upper surface of a rigid shelf 60 that divides internal space of the base member 15 into two sections and are further secured to the inner walls of the base member 15. The elongated members 50 and wheels 55 thereon provide means for the table top 20 to rotate about the base member 15. While a preferred rotating means has been described, it should be understood that alternative designs could be implemented without departing from the scope of spirit of the present invention. For example, the gaming machine 30 could rest on a rotating device (e.g. a "lazy Susan") attached to said shelf 60 such that the table top 20 and the gaming machine 30 are supported by the rotating device. In this embodiment, the elongated members 50 and the wheels 55 are replaced by the supportive rotating device but provide the desired function. In any possible embodiment, the table top 20 is free to rotate about the base member 15.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a transparent rendering of the gaming machine table 10 with the gaming machine 30 installed. A U-shaped receptacle 70 rigidly attached to the inner planar section 21 of the table top 20 supports the gaming machine 30 within the base member 15. The receptacle 70 is attached to an under-side of the table top adjacent the cut-out 25 and includes a floor 71 for supporting the gaming machine 30. The attachment may be accomplished by use of any conventional fastener types, including screws, rivets, nails, clips, spacers, etc. Two vertical sections 72 of the receptacle 70 extend in parallel from the cut-out 25 to the floor 71 that runs parallel to the shelf 60 in a position just above the shelf 60 such that the receptacle 70 only makes contact with the table top 20 thereby allowing it to freely rotate with the table top 20. The U-shaped receptacle 70 permits access to the internal components of the gaming machine 30 when necessary and also provides open space for heat generated by the gaming machine 30 to be expelled. It should be understood that the receptacle 70 can take any shape as long as it includes access means to the internal components of the machine 30. Alternatively, the internal components of the gaming machine 30 may be completely enclosed within a box-like receptacle having access means, such as a hinged door.

[0026] A male second end 84 of a power cord device 85 for providing power to the gaming machine 30 exits from the receptacle 70 either through an aperture in the floor 71, an aperture in one of the vertical sections 72 or through the inherent openings in the U-shaped receptacle 70. At some point, the second end 84 of the power cord device 85 is plugged into a first female end of a power cord extension (not shown). The second male end of the power cord extension exits the base member 15 and plugs into a power source. Now referring to FIG. 6, to prevent tangling of the power cord device 85 and the power cord extension during rotation of the gaming machine 30, the male electrical conductors 86 of the second end 84 of the power cord device 85 are rotatable. Such rotatable power cord devices are known in the art and sold by retail outlets, including Radio Shack.RTM.. Therefore, the precise details of its operation is not described herein. To facilitate the operation of the rotatable power cord device 85, the second end 84 of the power cord device 85 may be secured to an under-side of the floor 71 of the receptacle or an under-side of the shelf 60 such that only the rotatable portion 87 of the power cord device is able to move. In the alternative, the rotatable power cord device could be plugged directly into a power source beneath the base member 15.

[0027] FIGS. 4 and 5 show different transparent side views of the present invention. Both figures illustrate the internal components of the gaming machine 30, including the display 31, PC boards 38 and means for supporting said display 39 on the floor 71 of the receptacle 70. The arrangement of the internal components of the gaming machine 30 are similar to the arrangement found in a conventional counter top gaming machine 30. Therefore, a detailed description of the internal component arrangement is not set forth herein. The side view illustrated in FIG. 5 further shows the door 40 in an opened position thereby providing access to the internal components of the gaming machine 30.

[0028] While not shown, the present invention can be joined to a gaming machine network by running the proper wiring between the remote table location and the central computer or computers controlling the network or to other gaming machines. In this fashion, the gaming machine of the present invention can participate in player tracking, multi-property jack pots and progressive jack pots. It is also possible to join each remote table gaming machine to a gaming machine network via a wireless network.

[0029] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A gaming machine apparatus including: a) an upper surface having a cut-out; b) a base member supporting said upper surface; c) means for supporting a gaming machine within said base member, said means for supporting said gaming machine attached to said upper surface; d) means for rotating said upper surface about said base member; and e) a gaming machine display being received by said cut-out.

2. The gaming machine apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said gaming machine is a U-shaped receptacle.

3. The gaming machine apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said gaming machine is an enclosed receptacle.

4. The gaming machine apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said gaming machine is attached to an underside of said upper surface.

5. The gaming machine apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said upper surface about said base member includes a plurality of elongated vertical members, each said vertical member supporting a wheel in communication with an underside of said upper surface.

6. The gaming machine apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said elongated vertical members rest atop a shelf within said base member and are secured to inner walls of said base member.

7. The gaming machine apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said upper surface about said base member comprises a rotatable surface sub-adjacent a receptacle supporting said gaming machine.

8. The gaming machine apparatus according to claim 1 further including a door in said base member for providing access to internal components of said gaming machine.

9. The gaming machine apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said display is angled for providing a user with an advantageous view thereof.

10. The gaming machine apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface extends beyond parameters of the base member such that the upper surface can be rotated by grasping the extended portion of the upper surface and moving it in either rotational direction.

11. A table incorporating a gaming machine including: a) a table top having an opening therein for receipt of at least a gaming machine display; b) a base unit for supporting said table top; c) a support member for supporting said gaming machine within the base unit; and d) means for rotating said gaming machine.

12. The table according to claim 11 wherein said means for rotating said gaming machine includes a plurality of elongated vertical members, each said member supporting a wheel in communication with an underside of said table top.

13. The table according to claim 12 wherein said elongated vertical members rest atop a shelf within said base unit and are secured to inner walls of said base unit.

14. The table according to claim 11 further including a door in said base unit for providing access to internal components of said gaming machine.

15. The table according to claim 11 wherein said display is angled for providing a user with an advantageous view thereof.

16. In combination a table and a gaming machine comprising: a. a table having a cut-out for receipt of a gaming machine display, said table top supported by an base; b. a support member for supporting a gaming machine within said base; and c. means for rotating said table top and gaming machine.

17. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said means for rotating said gaming machine includes a plurality of elongated vertical members, each said vertical member supporting a wheel in communication with an underside of said table top.

18. The combination according to claim 17 wherein said elongated vertical members rest atop a shelf within said base and are secured to inner walls of said base.

19. The combination according to claim 16 further including a door in said base unit for providing access to internal components of said gaming machine.

20. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said display is angled for providing a user with an advantageous view thereof.