U.S. patent application number 10/876818 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-29 for automatic roulette wheel.
Invention is credited to Cammegh, Frank Reginald, Cammegh, Richard William.
Application Number | 20050288089 10/876818 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35506654 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050288089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cammegh, Richard William ;
et al. |
December 29, 2005 |
Automatic roulette wheel
Abstract
An automatic roulette wheel in which at the end of a turn the
wheel is accelerated and the ball is ejected from the pocket under
centrifugal force and moves to the top of the ball track and the
direction of rotation of the wheel reversed. The ball is held
against the edge of the ball track by air jets after a
predetermined time the ball spirals down the slope into a pocket on
the wheel.
Inventors: |
Cammegh, Richard William;
(Kent, GB) ; Cammegh, Frank Reginald; (Kent,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTHONY R. BARKUME
20 GATEWAY LANE
MANORVILLE
NY
11949
US
|
Family ID: |
35506654 |
Appl. No.: |
10/876818 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 5/00 20130101; A63F
5/0076 20130101; A63F 5/0005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/017 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming apparatus which comprises: (i) a stationary base; (ii)
a wheel having a rotor rotatably mounted on a vertical axis with
respect to the base, the rotor being able to be rotated in either
direction; (iii) pockets in the periphery of the rotor for
receiving a ball , each pocket being associated with a number; (iv)
a peripheral inclined surface concentric with the rotor for
receiving a ball rollably thereon from the pocket when the rotor is
rotated above a pre-set speed and from which the ball will roll
into one of the pockets when the rotor slows, the said surface
comprising a circular, inclined ball track, disposed above, and
radially outwardly of the pockets of rotor; (v) means for
propelling the ball along the ball track; and (vi) a motor for
rotating the rotor; wherein the means for propelling the ball along
the ball track comprises at least one air jet positioned at the
outer edge of the ball track which can direct a jet of air at the
ball thus impelling the ball along the ball track.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of air jets positioned around the edge of the ball
track.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two or
more air jets at least one air jet directed to propel a ball in one
direction around the ball track and at least one air jet directed
to propel the ball in the opposite direction.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a rim fixed to the
outer edge of the ball track and, in use, when the ball reaches the
outside edge of the ball track the ball is held against the rim by
the action of centrifugal force and there are control means which
operate the air jets to give an impulse or impulses of compressed
gas to the ball and, after a predetermined time, the air jets can
be turned off so the ball then spirals down the ball track to the
contra rotating wheel.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a transparent
cover over the apparatus which fits into the apparatus in the rim
above the at least one air jet.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rotor is mounted
so that it fits beneath the sheet and above the sheet is a static
turret in line with the rotor which turret has a smooth reflective
surface.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are a
plurality of ball stops uniformly located around the peripheral
inclined surface.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a computer for
controlling the operations.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the wheel is an
automatic wheel which is spun automatically and in which bets are
placed via slots or other similar mechanism using coins, notes or
tokens or the like.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle of the
ball track to the horizontal is from ten to thirty degrees and the
angle of the outermost section is from zero to ten degrees to the
horizontal, with the angle of the outermost section being smaller
than the angle of the rest of the ball track.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a
releasable holding means whereby the rotor and the ball track can
be held together so they rotate at the same velocity, and when the
ball has been ejected from the pocket onto the ball track, the
holding means released and the direction of rotation of the rotor
is reversed.
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which is a roulette
wheel.
13. A gaming apparatus which comprises: (vii) a stationary base;
(viii) a wheel having a rotor rotatably mounted on a vertical axis
with respect to the base, the rotor being able to be rotated in
either direction; (ix) pockets in the periphery of the rotor for
receiving a ball, each pocket being associated with a number; (x) a
peripheral inclined surface concentric with the rotor for receiving
a ball rollably thereon from the pocket when the rotor is rotated
above a pre-set speed and from which the ball will roll into one of
the pockets when the rotor slows, the said surface comprising a
circular, inclined ball track, disposed above, and radially
outwardly of the pockets of rotor; (xi) means for propelling the
ball along the ball track; and (xii) a motor for rotating the
rotor; wherein the means for propelling the ball along the ball
track comprises two or more air jets at least one air jet directed
to propel a ball in one direction around the ball track and at
least one air jet directed to propel the ball in the opposite
direction, said apparatus further comprising a rim fixed to the
outer edge of the ball track and, in use, when the ball reaches the
outside edge of the ball track the ball is held against the rim by
the action of centrifugal force and there are control means which
operate the air jets to give an impulse or impulses of compressed
gas to the ball and, after a predetermined time, the air jets can
be turned off so the ball then spirals down the ball track to the
contra rotating wheel.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, including a transparent
cover over the apparatus which fits into the apparatus in the rim
above the at least one air jet.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the rotor is
mounted so that it fits beneath the sheet and above the sheet is a
static turret in line with the rotor which turret has a smooth
reflective surface.
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein there are a
plurality of ball stops uniformly located around the peripheral
inclined surface.
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, including a computer for
controlling the operations.
18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the wheel is an
automatic wheel which is spun automatically and in which bets are
placed via slots or other similar mechanism using coins, notes or
tokens or the like.
19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the angle of the
ball track to the horizontal is preferably from ten to thirty
degrees and the angle of the outermost section is preferably from
zero to ten degrees to the horizontal, with the angle of the
outermost section being smaller than the angle of the rest of the
ball track.
20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein there is a
releasable holding means whereby the rotor and the ball track can
be held together so they rotate at the same velocity, and when the
ball has been ejected from the pocket onto the ball track, the
holding means released and the direction of rotation of the rotor
is reversed.
21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, which is a roulette
wheel.
22. A method of maintaining a ball in motion around a wheel in a
gaining device which comprises: (i) a stationary base; (ii) a wheel
having a rotor rotatably mounted on a vertical axis with respect to
the base, the rotor being able to be rotated in either direction;
(iii) pockets in the periphery of the rotor for receiving a ball,
each pocket being associated with a number; (iv) a peripheral
inclined surface concentric with the rotor for receiving a ball
rollably thereon from the pocket when the rotor is rotated above a
pre-set speed and from which the ball will roll into one of the
pockets when the rotor slows, the said surface comprising a
circular, inclined ball track, disposed above, and radially
outwardly of the pockets of the rotor; and (v) a motor for rotating
the rotor; said method comprising the step of maintaining said ball
in motion by directing air jets at the ball.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to gaming wheels, more
particularly it relates to roulette wheels in which the ball is
automatically put in play.
[0002] Roulette is a well-known casino game which has been played
for many years. A typical conventional roulette game includes a
table bearing a felt covering upon which indicia forming a betting
layout has been silk-screened or otherwise imprinted. A typical
roulette wheel includes a number ring bearing a circular array of
numbered segments bearing numbers 1 through 36. In addition, the
number ring typically includes the numbers 0 and 00 disposed at
diametrically opposite locations on the number ring. The numbers 1
through 36 are not disposed in numerical order, but are typically
disposed in a predetermined arrangement, such that roulette wheels
located in different casinos will have the same standard
predetermined number ring arrangement. The numbers disposed in a
circular array in the number ring region of the wheel bear the
alternating colours of red and black, with the exception of the 0
and 00 numbers, which are typically coloured green. A ring of
pockets corresponding in number to the plurality of numbers of the
circular number ring lies adjacent, but radially inward of the
number ring, on the typical roulette wheel. In addition, a typical
roulette wheel includes a circular, inclined ball track, disposed
above, and radially outwardly of the number ring.
[0003] In operation of a typical roulette game, players place chips
or tokens on the betting layout located on the roulette table, and
then the croupier or dealer spins the roulette wheel to place the
ball in motion about the circular ball track. As the wheel slows,
the ball moves radially inwardly and comes to rest in one of the
pockets associated with a particular one of the numbers of the
number ring. After the ball comes to rest in one of the pockets,
the croupier or dealer settles the various wagers placed on the
table layout in accordance with predetermined rules and wager odds
and the process repeated.
[0004] In order to reduce costs, automatic roulette wheels have
been devised in which the process of putting the ball in play is
done automatically, these machines can be made like slot machines
with the bets being placed and winnings paid out using a machine
rather than a croupier. This reduces the costs associated with
security, chips, dealers etc.
[0005] In a known system, in order to recover the ball after each
spin, a trap door opens beneath the pockets and the ball drops
through this trap door and passes through a series of channels and
returned back up to its staring position. The ball can then be put
in play by a solenoid firing the ball onto the ball track.
[0006] Another system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,416 in
which the wheel is displaced relative to a rim and the ball falls
into the gap formed and into a return channel under the wheel for
returning to its start position.
[0007] Such systems involve the ball disappearing from view and
involves complicated machinery to recover the ball and to fire it
into play. Such complication requires a great deal maintenance and
servicing, particularly to maintain the accuracy of the wheel and
the randomness of the winning numbers.
[0008] We have now devised an automatic roulette wheel which
reduces these problems.
[0009] According to the invention there is provided a gaming
apparatus which comprises a stationary base; a roulette wheel
having a rotor rotatably mounted on a vertical axis with respect to
the base; the rotor having pockets on its periphery into which a
ball can be received with each pocket being associated with a
number; a peripheral inclined surface concentric with the rotor for
receiving a ball rollably thereon in which the ball will roll into
one of the pockets when the ball slows, the said surface comprising
a circular, inclined ball track, disposed above, and radially
outwardly of the rotor there being means for propelling the ball
along the ball track.
[0010] The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in playing
roulette but it can be used for any other game which is played on a
roulette wheel or roulette type wheel and can include games in
which more than one ball is in play during the game.
[0011] The roulette wheel or rotor is able to be rotated in both
directions.
[0012] The means for propelling the ball along the said ball track
can be a means which can rotate the ball track about a vertical
axis in relation to the base. In this case the rotation of the ball
track will cause the ball to be rotated as it is located on the
ball track.
[0013] Alternatively there can be means which give an impulse to
the ball as it is positioned on the ball track, this means can
comprise, for example air jets positioned at the edge of the ball
track which can direct a jet of air at the ball thus impelling the
ball along the ball track. The speed of the ball will cause
centrifugal force to cause the ball to move to the outer edge of
the ball track where preferably there is a rim to prevent the ball
leaving the ball track.
[0014] In use, with a rotatable ball track, at the end of a turn
the ball is resting in a pocket and the rotor is rotating slowly or
is stationary, the ball track is then rotated until its speed of
rotation is the same as that of the rotor, the wheel and the ball
track are then rotated together and the ball is ejected from its
pocket onto the ball track by the action of centrifugal force and
the ball moves onto the ball track and moves to the outside of the
ball track. As soon as the ball has left the rotor, the rotor
decelerates and is made to turn in the opposite direction. The ball
track is then decelerated and the ball then carries on moving by
its own momentum and rolls spirally down the ball track towards the
rotating rotor as in conventional roulette wheels. The ball then
comes to rest in a pocket on the rotor and the rotor slows and can
stop and, after settling the bets the process can be repeated.
[0015] In one embodiment preferably there is a releasable holding
means whereby the rotor and the ball track can be held together and
so they rotate at the same velocity and, when the ball has been
ejected from the pocket onto the ball track, the holding means
released and the direction of rotation of the rotor reversed.
[0016] The rotor and the ball track can be rotated by means of one
or more motors with a timing mechanism so that the successive
operational steps can be taken at the appropriate time. There can
be a ball stop at the top of the ball track so the ball can be held
in position relative to the ball track.
[0017] When there are means which give an impulse to the ball as it
is positioned on the ball track, such as air jets positioned at the
edge of the ball track the ball track does not rotate and, in use,
at the end of a turn the ball is resting in a pocket and the rotor
is rotating slowly or is stationary. The wheel is then accelerated
to a speed sufficient to eject the ball from its pocket onto the
ball track by the action of centrifugal force and the ball moves
onto the ball track and moves to the outside of the ball track. The
rotor is then stopped and rotated in the opposite direction. When
the ball reaches the outside edge of the ball track it will be held
against the rim by the action of centrifugal force and, in order to
give an impulse or impulses to the ball jets of compressed gas,
such as air, are projected against the ball to keep the ball in
position. After a predetermined time the air jets are turned off
and the ball then spirals down the ball track to the
contra-rotating wheel thus simulating the action of a croupier.
[0018] Preferably there are a plurality of jets positioned around
the periphery of the rim of the ball track so that the ball can be
propelled along the rim for the required period of time, normally a
few seconds and then the jets can be turned off so that the ball
will spiral down simulating the action of the croupier.
[0019] Preferably there are air jets positioned to propel a ball in
either direction, clockwise or counter clockwise, as croupiers can
spin the wheel in either direction and the ball can then circulate
around the ball track in the opposite direction to the direction
the wheel is rotating. The jets are preferably angled
downwardly.
[0020] Without the air jets or other means to propel the ball the
ball tends to bounce off the rim and is then thrown back against it
in a manner which is unsatisfactory and gives an unrealistic
effect.
[0021] Preferably there is a transparent cover such as a glass or
transparent plastics cover over the apparatus such as a transparent
sheet which fits into the apparatus in the rim above the air jets.
This has the effect of improving the action and control of the air
jets. The central rotor is then mounted so that it fits beneath the
sheet. Above the sheet is preferably a static turret in line with
the rotor. This turret preferably has a smooth reflective surface
and can be for example in the shape of a cylinder or has a circular
cross section of varying diameter along its length i.e. it has a
curvilinear shape. In use the numbers or the wheel are reflected in
the turret and, as the wheel rotates, the turret has the appearance
of movement.
[0022] Preferably there are a plurality of ball stops uniformly
located around the peripheral inclined surface; in a typical wheel
there can be eight ball stops. In use preferably the operation of
the wheel is computer controlled and, by controlling the speed of
and the acceleration of the wheel, the ball can be projected up the
peripheral surface between any pair of ball stops. This can be
chosen at random by the computer.
[0023] In addition to incorporate further random effects the
duration of the time the air jets are on and the time to reverse
the direction of rotation of the wheel can be random so the is no
predictability about the operation of the apparatus.
[0024] The motor is preferably a stepper motor which enable there
to be accurate control of its operation and preferably the motor is
coupled directly to the rotor e.g. by friction with a step down
gearing to give high torque drive to the rotor and wheel which
improves control.
[0025] Optionally the outermost section of the ball track adjacent
to the rim is at an angle to the horizontal which is less than that
of the rest of the ball track. This means that, in use, less
centrifugal force is required to hold the ball against the rim than
is required to propel the ball up to the rim. In use, when the ball
reaches this outermost section, it will tend to stay against the
rim as the ball track slows down or the air jets are turned off and
when it leaves this section it will then rapidly spiral down to the
wheel and to a pocket.
[0026] Preferred angles of the ball track to the horizontal are ten
to thirty degrees and preferred angles of the outer most section is
from one to ten degrees to the horizontal with the angle of the
outermost section being smaller than the angle of the rest of the
ball track.
[0027] A typical angle of the ball track to the horizontal is
twenty degrees and a typical angle for this outermost section is
five degrees. The width of this outermost section of the ball track
is preferably about the diameter of the ball.
[0028] Alternatively the slope of the ball track can change from a
greater angle to the horizontal adjacent the wheel to a smaller
angle at the outer rim e.g. by the ball track having a curved
profile rather than a straight one. The rate of change in angle can
be uniform or non uniform. Typically the angle to the horizontal
can change form twenty degrees adjacent the wheel to five degrees
adjacent the rim.
[0029] There can be a fixed outer rim peripherally outward and at
the top of the ball track which can incorporate a ball reader so
that the position of the ball in a pocket is automatically noted
and recorded. A suitable reader is described in patent application
Ser. No. WO 01/32278.
[0030] It is a feature of the present invention that there is no
need to affect the structure or operation of the roulette wheel by
means of trap doors beneath the pockets or moveable rims in order
to recover the ball so that it is easier to maintain the randomness
of the wheel and the ball is in sight of the players at all
times.
[0031] The invention is useful in conjunction with automatic
roulette wheels in which bets are placed via slots or other similar
mechanism using coins, notes or tokens and the roulette wheel is
spun automatically using the present invention. A payout mechanism
can be provided to calculate the winnings and to pay them out in
coins, tokens etc. The payout mechanism can include a
microprocessor to calculate the amount of winnings on different
types of bets, thus enabling completely automatic gaming to take
place.
[0032] The invention is described in the accompanying drawing in
which:
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a side view of part of a roulette wheel
incorporating an embodiment of the invention
[0034] FIGS. 2 and 3 show side views of other embodiment of the
invention
[0035] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a plan view the embodiment of FIG. 2
[0036] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a section of the ball
track
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1 a roulette wheel has a rotor (1) mounted
on an axle (2) on which is bearing (7). There are pockets (3) on
the periphery of the rotor and each pocket is numbered and
coloured. Surrounding the rotor (1) is ball track (4) at the top
end of which is ball retaining means. The ball track can rotate
independently of rotor (1) about axle (2). There is a fixed top rim
(5) around the ball track (4) in which there is a number recording
device which detects which pocket a ball is in and enables this
number to be displayed and recorded. The rotation of the rotor (1)
is controlled by motor (9); the rotation of ball track (4) is
controlled by motor (10) and the sequence of events controlled by
timer (11).
[0038] In use, at the start the ball (6) is in position (a) in
pocket (3) the rotor (1) and ball track (4) are spun together and
when the rotation of the rotor (1) reaches a certain speed the ball
is ejected from pocket by centrifugal force and moves outward until
it is in position (b). The ball can then be held there by a ball
stop. When the ball leaves the pocket (a) the rotation of rotor (1)
is decelerated and reversed.
[0039] Bets can now be made, if not made before, and the ball track
(4) slowed down, as the ball track slows down the ball is released
from position (b) and spirals down the slope until it lands in a
pocket (3) in counter rotating rotor (1). The pocket is noted by
detection means (5) as the rotor comes to rest and the bets
settled. This process can then be repeated.
[0040] The operation of motors (9) and (10) and the duration of
each stage is controlled by a computer/timer (11) so that the
operation is completely automatic.
[0041] In sequence the steps are:
[0042] 1. Ball is sitting in a pocket in the rotating rotor as
previous game has closed Payouts from previous game have been made
and people are now placing bets.
[0043] 2. The computer instructs the ball track to accelerate until
its rotational speed has caught up with the rotating rotor.
[0044] 3. When the ball track and rotor are rotating together, they
are both accelerated until the ball is thrown outwards from the
pocket and on to the ball track by centrifugal force, the ball then
moves to the outside of the ball track. There are ball stops
positioned in such a way as to push the ball to the outside of the
ball track where it meets the top rim.
[0045] 4. Once the ball is on the edge of the ball track it becomes
stationary relative to the ball track and, as such, rotates
precisely with the ball track.
[0046] 5. As soon as the ball has left the rotor, the rotor
decelerates and is made to turn in the opposite direction at a
speed at which a casino croupier would generally keep the wheel
turning.
[0047] 6. Suddenly the ball track is decelerated and the ball will
carry on and will then spin as if it had been fired by the
croupier; the ball spirals down in the same way as when fired by a
croupier and comes to rest in a pocket in the rotor when payouts
etc. can be made and the sequence can be restarted.
[0048] The invention recreates what a croupier does, except that no
dealer has had a hand in the procedure. In particular, in play the
ball spins one way and the ball the other way and the ball comes to
rest in a pocket as in manually operated games.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 a roulette wheel has a rotor (11)
mounted on an axle (12). There are pockets (13) on the periphery of
the rotor and each pocket is numbered and coloured. Surrounding the
rotor (11) is ball track (14). The ball track can rotate
independently of rotor (11) about axle (12). There is a fixed top
rim (15) around the ball track (14) in which there is a number
recording device which detects which pocket a ball is in and
enables this number to be displayed and recorded. There are air
jets (30) in top rim (5) located as shown in FIG. 3 and transparent
rigid plastics cover (31) over the wheel. The axle (12) stops
beneath the cover (31) and there is reflective turret (32) mounted
over (12). The rotation of the rotor (11) is controlled by motor
and the rotation of ball track is controlled by a motor and the
sequence of events controlled by computer. There are ball stops
(33) which divide the wheel into sections.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 there are air jets positioned on
the rim (15) with one set of air jets A directed in one direction
and one set of air jets B directed in the opposite direction. The
air jets are controlled automatically by a computer. In FIG. 4 a
possible control system is shown schematically with the air jets
operated by solenoids controlled by a computer so the system is
automatic and each spin of the rotor is in the opposite direction
to the preceding spin.
[0051] In u, at the start the ball (22) is in position `a` in a
pocket (13), the rotor (11) is spun and, when the rotation of the
rotor (11) reaches a certain speed, the ball is ejected from the
pocket by centrifugal force and moves outward until it is in
position `b`. After the ball leaves the pocket (13) the rotation of
rotor (11) is decelerated and reversed. The air jets, directed in
the same direction as ball is moving due to the rotation of the
rotor which ejected the ball from a pocket, are started and the
they impart a force to the ball which causes the ball to continue
to move around the ball track on or near the rim. The speed of
rotation of the wheel is controlled by computer and this speed will
determine when the ball is ejected from its pocket and where it
hits the rim.
[0052] Bets can now be made, if not made before, the air jets are
turned off and the ball releases from the position shown and
spirals down the slope until it lands in a pocket (13) in counter
rotating rotor (11). The pocket is noted by the detection means as
the rotor comes to rest and the bets settled. This process can then
be repeated.
[0053] If the rotor is rotated in the opposite direction then the
air jets B are operated to cause the ball to circulate on the ball
track in the opposite direction.
[0054] In sequence the steps are:
[0055] 1. Ball is sitting in a pocket in the rotating rotor as
previous game has closed. Payouts from previous game have been made
and people are now placing bets.
[0056] 2. The timer instructs the rotor to rotate and accelerate
until the ball is thrown outwards from the pocket and on to the
ball track by centrifugal force, the ball then moves to the outside
if the ball track.
[0057] 3. One set of air jets are turned on and the ball circulates
along the rim of the ball track.
[0058] 4. As soon as the ball has left the rotor, the rotor
decelerates and is made to turn in the opposite direction at a
speed at which a casino croupier would generally keep the wheel
turning.
[0059] 5. Suddenly the air jets are turned off and the ball will
carry on and will then spin as if it had been fired by the dealer;
the ball spirals down in the same way as when fired by a croupier
and comes to rest in a pocket in the rotor when payouts etc. can be
made and the sequence can be restarted, with the opposite or same
direction of spin of the rotor.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 6 there is an outermost section (18) of
ball track (19), the rim (16) and edge (18) are made of a metal,
e.g. aluminium, or plastics material. There is an air inlet (20)
through which compressed air can be jetted out.
[0061] In use the ball (17) is ejected from the pocket as described
above and moves under centrifugal force to the outer edged of ball
track (19) and rests against rim (16). When the wheel slows down
the air jet is operated to maintain the ball against rim (16) by
centrifugal force, when the air jet is turned off the ball spirals
down to a pocket as described above.
* * * * *