U.S. patent application number 11/153471 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for gaming machine with a coin collector.
Invention is credited to Ferdinand P. JR. Lychock, Chester Lawrence Mallory.
Application Number | 20060287112 11/153471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37574117 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060287112 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mallory; Chester Lawrence ;
et al. |
December 21, 2006 |
Gaming machine with a coin collector
Abstract
A gaming machine includes a housing having side walls, a top
wall, a bottom wall to define an interior space. Several doors and
a collector cabinet are pivotably connected to the side walls and
are pivoted away from the housing between an opened position and a
closed position. A coin circulation device for circulating coins is
disposed in the collector cabinet. A dish is disposed in the
collector cabinet to receive the coins from the coin circulation
device.
Inventors: |
Mallory; Chester Lawrence;
(Reno, NV) ; Lychock; Ferdinand P. JR.; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWARD & HOWARD ATTORNEYS, P.C.
THE PINEHURST OFFICE CENTER, SUITE #101
39400 WOODWARD AVENUE
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-5151
US
|
Family ID: |
37574117 |
Appl. No.: |
11/153471 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3216 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/046 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A collector cabinet for processing coins in a gaming machine,
said cabinet comprising: a back wall having a lower back edge; a
pair of spaced side walls extending forwardly from said back wall;
a front wall defining a coin retrieving opening with said front
wall extending into a hemmed portion presenting a distal edge
spaced from said front wall and extending transversely to said side
walls; a dish for receiving the coins and having an outer edge
disposed between said front wall and said distal edge of said
hemmed portion with said dish extending rearwardly from said distal
edge to said back wall; and said dish having an offset defining a
shoulder engaging said distal edge of said hemmed portion.
2. A collector cabinet as set forth in claim 1 wherein said offset
of said shoulder is further defined by a pair of ninety degree
reversed bends to define said shoulder therebetween.
3. A collector cabinet as set forth in claim 2 wherein a first of
said bends extends around said distal edge and into said shoulder
and said shoulder extends to the second of said bends which extends
into said dish sloping downwardly therefrom.
4. A collector cabinet as set forth in claim 3 wherein said
shoulder extends outwardly from said distal edge to space said
downward slope of said dish inwardly of said coin retrieving
opening.
5. A collector cabinet as set forth in claim 4 wherein said hemmed
portion and said wall adjacent thereto present a U-shape
configuration.
6. A collector cabinet as set forth in claim 5 including a hinge at
said lower back edge for hingedly supporting said collector cabinet
in the gaming machine.
7. A collector cabinet as set forth in claim 5 wherein said distal
edge presents an abutting engagement with said shoulder between
said pair of bends.
8. A collector cabinet as set forth in claim 7 wherein said dish
and said front wall are fabricated from a metal.
9. A housing for a gaming machine for circulating coins comprising:
a pair of side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall coupled to said
side walls to define an interior space; a collector cabinet for
processing the coins with said collector cabinet presenting back
wall having a lower back edge, a pair of spaced side walls
extending forwardly from said back wall, and a front wall defining
a coin retrieving opening; a hemmed portion of said front wall
presenting a distal edge extending transversely to said side walls;
a dish for receiving the coins and having an outer edge disposed in
said hemmed portion and extending rearwardly to said back wall; and
said dish having an offset defining a shoulder engaging said distal
edge of said hemmed portion.
10. A housing as set forth in claim 9 including at least one door
adjacent said collector cabinet, said at least one door being
pivotably connected to said side walls of said housing and movable
between an opened position and a closed position, said at least one
door being adaptable for receiving a display device.
11. A housing as set forth in claim 10 wherein said offset of said
shoulder is further defined by a pair of ninety degree reversed
bends to define said shoulder therebetween with one of said
reversed bends extending away from and beyond said distal edge
sloping downwardly therefrom.
12. A housing as set forth in claim 11 wherein said collector
cabinet is pivotably connected to said side walls of said housing
and movable between an opened position and a closed position.
13. A housing as set forth in claim 12 wherein said hemmed portion
presents a U-shape configuration.
14. A gaming machine comprising: a housing having side walls, a top
wall, a bottom wall to define an interior space; a top door
pivotably connected to said side walls and pivoted away from said
collector and vertically relative to said side walls between opened
and closed positions with said top door presenting a display area
adaptable for conveying information to a player; at least one
lifting device interconnecting said top door with one of said side
walls to exert an upward force on said top door; a display door
positioned below said top door and pivotably connected to said side
walls and movable between an opened position and a closed position,
said display door being adaptable for receiving a display device;
at least one of said lifting devices interconnecting said display
door with said side walls of said housing; a game controller
disposed in said housing and presenting electronic communication
with said display area; a collector cabinet for processing the
coins including a back wall having a lower back edge, a pair of
spaced side walls extending forwardly from said back wall, and a
front wall; a coin retrieving opening defined in said front wall
with said front wall having a hemmed portion presenting a distal
edge extending transversely to said side walls; a dish for
receiving the coins and having an outer edge disposed in said
hemmed portion and extending rearwardly to said back wall, said
hemmed portion presents a U-shape configuration; said dish having
an offset defining a shoulder engaging said distal edge of said
hemmed portion, said offset of said shoulder is further defined by
a pair of ninety degree reversed bends to define said shoulder
therebetween wherein the other of said reversed bends extends away
from and beyond to said distal edge and sloping downwardly
therefrom; said distal edge presenting an abutting engagement with
said shoulder between said pair of bends; and a hinge defined at
said back edge for hingedly supporting said collector cabinet in
said gaming machine and for moving said collector cabinet between
an opened position and a closed position.
Description
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject invention relates to gaming machines, and more
particularly to a configuration of an arcade type gaming machine
having a coin hopper.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Modern gaming industry is replete with different gaming
machines to allow players an opportunity to win money by placing a
certain amount of money at risk. These gaming machines typically
pay back to the players an overall percentage of the money
deposited therein. Typically, manufactures of the aforementioned
gaming machines desire these machines to be attractive, amusing,
and comfortable for the players. Various configurations of the
gaming machines are currently known in the gaming industry.
[0003] One common gaming machine configuration is referred to as
the "upright" or "arcade" configuration. The upright gaming machine
is generally configured to set upon a stand or cabinet. Extending
upwardly, this type of gaming machine is generally tall and narrow.
The front of the upright gaming machine generally comprises at
least two doors or decks, such as a display door and an operational
door having a coin hopper assembly. Two such upright or arcade
configurations are shown in United States Patent Application
Publication Nos. 2004/0224776 to Nagano and 2005/0026702 to
Cole.
[0004] Another configuration of the gaming machine configuration is
referred to as a "slant top" as taught, for example, by the U.S.
Pat. No. 6,201,532 to Tode et al. Typically, this gaming machine is
free standing and presents a lower supporting portion and a top
display portion, which has a sloping or slanted section where
player input buttons and reels or video display are located. The
coin collector cabinet for both types of the gaming machines
includes a coin hopper and a coin saucer or dish for receiving
coins or tokens paid out and discharged from the coin hopper. The
coins inserted into the gaming machine for starting a game are
collected in the coin hopper through a chute communicating with a
coin slot.
[0005] There is a constant need in the area of gaming machines for
improvements in design of a coin collector cabinet to aesthetical
pleasant exterior and to be safe to use by a player while handling
coins, making the gaming machine more comfortable to play and
use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a collector cabinet
for processing coins in a gaming machine includes a back wall
having a lower back edge, a pair of spaced side walls extending
forwardly from the back wall, and a front wall defining a coin
retrieving opening with the front wall extending into a hemmed
portion presenting a distal edge extending transversely to the side
walls. A dish for receiving the coins has an outer edge disposed
between the front wall and the distal edge of the hemmed portion.
The dish extends rearwardly from the distal edge to the back wall.
The dish presents an offset defining a shoulder that engages the
distal edge of the hemmed portion.
[0007] Of course, an important utility for the collector cabinet is
its connection with a gaming machine for circulating coins includes
a pair of side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall coupled to the side
walls to define an interior space. A collector cabinet for
processing the coins presents back wall having a lower back edge, a
pair of spaced side walls extending forwardly from the back wall,
and a front wall defining a coin retrieving opening. A hemmed
portion of the front wall presents a distal edge extending
transversely to the spaced side walls. A dish for receiving the
coins has an outer edge disposed in the hemmed portion. The outer
edge extends rearwardly to the back wall. The dish presents an
offset defining a shoulder that engages the distal edge of the
hemmed portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the gaming machine
shown in FIG. 1 with a plurality of decks or doors shown in an
opened position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective and cross sectional view of
a collector cabinet of the gaming machine of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the collector
cabinet; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective partial view of the collector
cabinet of the gaming machine of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic gaming machine,
according to one embodiment of the present invention, is generally
shown at 10. The gaming machine 10 has a housing, generally
indicated at 12, has a pair of side walls 16 and 18, a back walls
19, a bottom walls 20, and a top walls 22 defining an interior
surface 24. The side walls 16 and 18, the back wall 19, the bottom
wall 20, and the top wall 22 are exposed to an open front. A
support base 26 is positioned below the housing 12 to support the
housing 12.
[0015] The housing 12 is separated into at least three sections. A
top door, generally indicated at 30, is pivotably connected to the
side walls 16 and 18 by a hinged device 32. In the illustrated
embodiment, the top door 30 is pivoted away from the housing 12
vertically relative to the side walls 16, 18 between an opened
position, as shown in FIG. 2, and a closed position, as shown in
FIG. 1. The top door 30 presents a display area, generally
indicated at 34, adaptable for conveying information to a player
(not shown). This information may include the title of the gaming
machine 10, the minimum cost to operate the gaming machine 10, the
potential money that could be won by playing the gaming machine 10,
or the like. The top door 30 is connected to the housing 12, with
any suitable lifting device, such as, for example, air or hydraulic
cylinder 38, gas springs, or the like. The lifting device
interconnects the top door 30 with one of the side walls 16 and 18
to exert an upward force on said top door 30.
[0016] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display door, generally
indicated at 40, is positioned below the top door 30 and is
pivotably connected to the side walls 16 and 18. The display door
40 is pivoted away from the housing 12 vertically relative to the
side walls 16 and 18 between an opened position, as shown in FIG.
2, and a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1. A display device,
generally indicated at 42, is operably connected to the display
door 40 and is disposed therewithin. The display device 42 is
movable with the display door 40 between the opened position and
the closed position. The display device 42 has a display screen 44
that can display text, graphics or a combination thereof. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that various suitable devices
may be used for display device 42. These suitable devices may
include and are not limited to cathode ray tube displays, liquid
crystal displays, plasma displays, and any other displays, known to
those skilled in the display art, which are capable of visually
displaying necessary information to the player.
[0017] Alternatively, the display device 42 may be equipped with a
touch screen (not shown). The touch screen is also equipped with a
cable to communicate with a game controller, generally indicated at
46. The game controller 46 is positioned within the housing 12 and
is used to supply the display device 42 with the images, text, and
any other information, necessary for the gaming application. In the
alternative embodiment of the present invention, the game
controller 46 may also be connected and moved with the display door
40. The game controller 46 controls the text or graphics displayed
on the display device 42. When the player presses a certain area of
the touch screen corresponding to an area of the display device 42,
that information is electronically communicated to the game
controller 46. The game controller 46 uses this information to
continue the game being played.
[0018] The display door 40 is connected to the housing 12 through
the aforementioned lifting device, which interconnects the display
door 40 with one of the side walls 16 and 18 to exert an upward
force on the top door 30, making it easier to pivot the display
door 40 upwardly away from the housing 12. When the display door 40
is pivoted upwardly, maintenance personnel and others are allowed
access to the interior of the gaming machine 10, which is necessary
to perform various maintenance tasks, such as, for example, to
service the display device 42. A coin acceptor 50, a credit card
receiver 52, a ticket injector and receiver 54, and the like may
also be disposed on the display door 40.
[0019] A collector cabinet or a bottom door, generally indicated at
60, is pivotably connected to the side walls 16, 18 of the housing
12. The bottom door 60 is pivoted away from the housing 12
vertically relative to the side walls 16, 18 between an opened
position, as shown in FIG. 2, and a closed position, as shown in
FIG. 1. The bottom door 60 includes a front wall 62 and a rear wall
or a back wall 64 interconnected by spaced side walls 66, 68. The
back wall 64 has a lower back edge 69. The front wall 62 defines a
coin retrieving opening 70 for the player to collect the coins. A
coin circulation device 72 for circulating coins is connected to
the bottom door 60 and is pivoted away from the housing 12 between
the opened position and the closed position. The coin circulating
device 72 includes a coin hopper (not shown) for storing the coins
and a coin dispenser 74, as shown in FIG. 5, operatively connected
to the coin hopper for selectively dispensing the coins from the
coin hopper. An auxiliary bowl assembly (not shown) for storing the
coins includes a coin transporter unit (not shown) for removing the
coins from the auxiliary bowl assembly and transporting the coins
to the coin hopper. The coin hopper can deliver overflow coins to
the auxiliary bowl assembly.
[0020] As best shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, a hemmed portion,
generally indicated at 80, of the front wall 62 presents a U-shaped
configuration and extends into a distal edge 82. The distal edge 82
extends transversely to the spaced side walls 66, 68. A dish 84 for
receiving the coins has an outer edge 86 disposed in the hemmed
portion 80. The outer edge 86 extends rearwardly to the back wall
64. The dish 84 presents an offset defining a shoulder 88 that
engages the distal edge 82 of the hemmed portion 80. The outer edge
86 is disposed into the hemmed portion 80. Alternatively, the outer
edge 86 may be connected to the hemmed portion 80 by various
methods known to those skilled in a mechanical art.
[0021] The shoulder 88 includes a pair of bends 92, 94 having a
S-shape configuration, as viewed in a cross section. In the
illustrated embodiment, each bend forms an angle of approximately
ninety degrees. One of the reversed bends 92 extends to the outer
edge 86 sandwiched in the hemmed portion 80. The other of the
reversed bends 94 projects away from and extends substantially
perpendicular to the front wall 62 and then slops downwardly
therefrom. In other words, one of the bends extends around distal
edge 82 and into shoulder 88 and then the shoulder 88 extends to
the second of bends which extends into dish 84 sloping downwardly
therefrom. The distal edge 82 of the hemmed portion 80 presents an
abutting engagement with the shoulder 88 between the reversed bends
92, 94. This mechanical connection between the back wall 64 and the
dish presents aesthetical pleasant exterior, as shown in FIGS. 3
and 5, and is safe for the player to use while handling the coins
without possibility of being hurt.
[0022] The bottom door 60 is pivotally mounted to the side walls 16
and 18 of the housing 12, and, as best seen in FIG. 2, may be
pivoted in a direction different than the pivoting direction of the
top door 30 and the display door 40. Alternatively, as shown in
phantom in FIG. 2, the bottom door 60 is opened upwardly, similar
to the top and display door 40, as described above. When the bottom
door 60 is pivoted away from the housing 12, the maintenance
personnel is allowed access to the interior of the gaming machine
10 to perform various maintenance tasks, such as, for example, to
clear jams, to restock the coin hopper, and the like.
[0023] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *