U.S. patent application number 11/680491 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for gaming apparatus support base.
Invention is credited to John J. Beirne, Vito M. Caporusso, Peter Dorn, James T. O'Keefe.
Application Number | 20080203863 11/680491 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39715067 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080203863 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beirne; John J. ; et
al. |
August 28, 2008 |
Gaming Apparatus Support Base
Abstract
A gaming support base includes a support cabinet configured to
support a gaming apparatus. The support cabinet having a back
panel, a first side panel coupled substantially perpendicular to
the back panel, and a second side panel coupled substantially
perpendicular to the back panel and positioned away from the first
side panel. The support base further including a cabinet deck
configured to cooperate with the support cabinet to define a
cavity. The support base may further include an interface plate
configured to cooperate with gaming apparatus. The support base may
further include a light source.
Inventors: |
Beirne; John J.; (St.
Charles, IL) ; O'Keefe; James T.; (West Chicago,
IL) ; Dorn; Peter; (Wood Dale, IL) ;
Caporusso; Vito M.; (Downers Grove, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
39715067 |
Appl. No.: |
11/680491 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/223.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 91/005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/223.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00 |
Claims
1. A gaming support base comprising: a support cabinet configured
to support a gaming apparatus, the support cabinet comprising: a
back panel; a first side panel coupled substantially perpendicular
to the back panel, wherein the first side panel cooperates with a
first inner panel; and a second side panel coupled substantially
perpendicular to the back panel and positioned away from the first
side panel, wherein the second side panel cooperates with a second
side panel arranged substantially parallel to the first side panel;
and a cabinet deck carried by the support cabinet and configured to
cooperate with the support cabinet to define a cavity.
2. The base of claim 1 further comprising a door panel coupled to
the support cabinet and configured to divide and enclose at least a
portion of the cavity, wherein the divided cavity defines an
enclosed interior portion and an accessible exterior portion.
3. The base of claim 1, wherein the support cabinet is configured
to cooperate with a second support cabinet to define a cabinet
bank.
4. The base of claim 1, wherein the cavity defines an ergonomic
portion sized to accept a seated player's appendages.
5. The base of claim 1, wherein the cabinet deck further comprises
a top surface configured to removably carry an interface plate
configured to cooperate with a gaming apparatus.
6. The base of claim 1, wherein the cabinet deck supports a light
source.
7. The base of claim 6, wherein the light source is disposed
adjacent to the cavity.
8. The base of claim 6 further comprising a light source grill
disposed substantially adjacent to the light source.
9. The base of claim 1 further comprising an access port.
10. A support base comprising: a support cabinet, the support
cabinet comprising: a support frame configured to define an
interior; a first side panel coupled to the support frame; and a
second side panel coupled to the support frame; a cabinet deck
carried by the support frame and configured to cooperate with the
first and second side panels to substantially enclose the interior;
and a light source configured to illuminate the substantially
enclosed interior.
11. The base of claim 10 further comprising a door panel coupled to
the support cabinet and configured to divide the interior into an
enclosed interior portion and an accessible interior portion.
12. The base of claim 10, wherein the support cabinet is configured
to cooperate with a second support cabinet such that the first side
panel of the support cabinet substantially abuts a second side
panel of the second support cabinet.
13. The base of claim 10, wherein the support frame is configured
to cooperate with a second support frame of a second support
cabinet in an abutting manner.
14. The base of claim 10, wherein the cabinet deck further
comprises a top surface configured to removably carry an interface
plate.
15. A support base comprising: a support cabinet, the support
cabinet comprising: a support frame configured to define an
interior; a first side panel coupled to the support frame; and a
second side panel coupled to the support frame; and a cabinet deck
having an interface plate, the cabinet deck coupled to the support
frame and configured to cooperate with the first and second side
panels to substantially enclose the interior.
16. The base of claim 14 further comprising a door panel coupled to
the support cabinet and configured to divide the interior into an
enclosed interior portion and an accessible cavity portion.
17. The base of claim 14, wherein the cabinet deck supports a light
source.
18. The base of claim 16, wherein the light source is disposed
adjacent to the accessible cavity portion.
19. The base of claim 16 further comprising a light source grill
disposed substantially adjacent to the light source.
20. The base of claim 14, wherein the support cabinet is configured
to cooperate with a second support cabinet such that the first side
panel of the support cabinet substantially abuts a second side
panel of the second support cabinet.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Gaming apparatuses or machines such as slot machines, video
slot machines, video gaming terminals and the like are common
fixtures within gambling casinos. Each gaming machine represents
both a significant capital investment and a long term source of
revenue for the gambling casino. In order to maximize potential
revenue, gaming machines are often arranged in tightly spaced banks
or groups in an effort to efficiently utilize the gambling casinos
floor space. The configuration or arrangement of the gaming
machines is influenced by many factors such as, for example: fire
and safety regulations that dictate the crowd and aisle
limitations; traffic and access patterns between the different
portions or elements within the gambling casino; and accessibility
of power, communications and networking access points for
connecting and operating the gaming machines.
[0002] Another factor that influences or limits the configuration
or arrangement of the gaming machines is the physical size of the
devices themselves. Ideally gaming machines are placed close enough
together to maximize available floor space, but far enough apart to
allow a player to comfortably interact with the gaming machine's
buttons, controls, or interface. For example, gaming cabinets or
bases are often utilized to position the gaming machines at a
comfortable height to allow both seated and standing players to
interact with the machine's controls. Gaming cabinets or bases may
further be utilized to conceal, route and otherwise organize the
various power and communications cables and accessories that
connect the gaming machine to the casino's infrastructure.
[0003] These different, and often competing, factors can make it
difficult for gambling casino operators to balance the player's
comfort against the requisite safety regulations while maximizing
the available floor space. It would be desirable to provide a
gaming cabinet or base that could address or alleviate some of
these issues.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure generally provides for a gaming
cabinet support stand or slot base cabinet configured to support,
for example, a video display or mechanical reel gaming machine. The
exemplary cabinet support stand or base cabinet is further
configured to provide an ergonomic sitting position for a player
interacting with the gaming machine. In particular, the cabinet
support stand or base cabinet can be configured or formed to
include a recessed area in a front portion, e.g., the portion
facing or adjacent to the player, of the base. The recessed area
may be sized to allow the player to place their legs and/or feet
therein. For example, as a player interacts with a gaming machine
supported by one of the exemplary bases or cabinets, the player may
slide or position their legs substantially under the gaming
machine. Generally, the extra space available to create or define
the recessed area is derived from the elimination or removal of
coin and currency handling equipment. For example, cashless or
coin-less gaming machines may simply rely on debit cards, credit
cards to track the payments and winnings of players. Because, in
this configuration, the gaming machine is not required to
immediately store or payout currency to the player, the coin and
currency handling equipment which was typically stored in the
cabinet base can be eliminated thereby creating more available
space for the above-discussed ergonomic concerns.
[0005] The exemplary cabinet support stand or base cabinet may
further include a mounting or interface plate. The mounting or
interface plate can be configured to cooperate with a wide variety
of manufacturer-specific gaming machines. Thus, by selecting an
appropriate interface plate style or configuration, the cabinet
support stand or base cabinet can be customized to support a wide
variety of gaming machines and equipment.
[0006] The exemplary cabinet support stand or base cabinet may
further include accent lighting disposed within and configured to
illuminate or highlight the recessed area. Moreover, additional
accent lighting can be provided within or around the base to
coincide with a color or decorating scheme, to attract players or
otherwise highlight the gaming machines.
[0007] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed
Description and the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary gaming
cabinet support base;
[0009] FIG. 1a illustrates an exploded perspective view of a
support cabinet portion of the gaming cabinet support base shown in
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 1b illustrates an assembled perspective view of the
support cabinet portion of the gaming cabinet support base shown in
FIG. 1a;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a support
deck portion of the gaming cabinet support base shown in FIG. 1;
and
[0012] FIG. 2b illustrates an assembled perspective view of the
support deck portion of the gaming cabinet support base shown in
FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the support deck and
interface plate; and
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the support deck and
accent lighting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present disclosure generally provides for a gaming
cabinet support stand or slot base cabinet configured to support a
cashless, e.g., a ticket in, ticket out (TITO), gaming apparatus or
machine. Cashless or TITO gaming machines are typically smaller
than traditional coin-operated gaming devices because cash storage
and handling equipment is no longer a necessary component of the
device. The eliminated equipment can free space within the gaming
cabinet support stand or slot base cabinet and/or the apparatus
housing itself. The additional or free space may allow the gaming
cabinet support to be configured to provide a more comfortable
and/or ergonomic gaming experience for the player.
[0016] FIGS. 1, 1a and 1b illustrate an embodiment of a gaming
apparatus support base 100. The support base 100 includes a support
cabinet 102 configured to carry a support deck 104. The support
cabinet 102, in this exemplary embodiment, is configured and
arranged to define a player recess or cavity 120. The support
cabinet 102 provides the main structural element of the support
base 100. The support deck 104, in this exemplary embodiment, is
carried by the support cabinet 102. The support deck 104 includes
an interface plate 118 configured to cooperate with and carry a
gaming apparatus or machine (not shown) and transfer the weight or
load to the support cabinet 102.
[0017] The support cabinet 102 includes a support frame 106. The
support frame 106 provides the structural integrity and/or load
bearing capability to the support cabinet 102. As shown in FIG. 1a,
the support frame 106 of this exemplary embodiment includes a
vertically oriented back panel 112 and a pair of vertically
oriented side panels 108 and 110. Generally, during assembly of
manufacture of the support frame 106, the side panel 108 may be
aligned substantially parallel to the side panel 110. The mutually
aligned side panels 108, 110, in turn, align in a substantially
perpendicular manner to the back panel 112. For example, the back
panel 112 can be arranged in a substantially vertical orientation
allowing the vertically oriented edge 112' to be secured to a
complimentary vertically aligned edge 108' of the side panel 108.
Similarly, the vertically oriented edge 112'', e.g., the edge 112''
is distal from the edge 112' when viewed relative to the surface of
the back panel 112, can be secured to a substantially vertically
oriented edge 110' of the side panel 110. In this configuration,
the support frame 106 defines a substantially open box-like
structure having an interior 114. The load bearing capabilities of
the support frame 106 can be designed and augmented based on the
material utilized in the manufacture of the individual components
such as: steel or aluminum sheet metal, wood, powder coat paint
finish, decorative laminate finish, wet paint finish, vinyl-clad
sheet metal. Moreover, trusses stiffeners and flanges may be
incorporated into the design of the support frame 106 to enhance
and affect the overall load bearing capability of the support base
100.
[0018] The support frame 106 may further cooperate with a pair of
inner decorative panels 126, 128. The inner panels 126, 128, may be
attached to the side panels 108, 110, respectively. The inner
panels 126,128, may further aid or augment the load bearing
capabilities of the support cabinet 102. For example, the inner
panels 126,128 may provide support to the bottom side of the
support deck 104 while also increasing the rigidity of the overall
cabinet 102. The inner panels 126, 128, in the illustrated
embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 1a, are disposed parallel to and away
from the side panels 108, 110. In this arrangement, the inner
panels 126, 128 are positioned within the interior 114 of the
support frame 106. The inner panels 126, 128 may further include
access ports 134 positioned to align with the access ports 116
provided within the side panels 108, 110.
[0019] Each of the inner panels 126, 128 may further include a
curvilinear portion 130 (individually identified as portions 130,
130'). The curvilinear portions 130, 130' of the inner panels 126,
128, respectively, provide a smooth, ergonomic transition to couple
or join the inner panels 126, 128 to the outer decorative panels
122, 124. An interior panel 132 can cooperate with the inner panels
126, 128 to subdivide the interior 114 and form the player recess
or cavity 120. The interior panel 132 may operate as a secure
barrier to conceal and limit unauthorized access to the cables,
etc. routed through the access ports 116 and the interior 114. The
interior panel 132 may further include a lock-able access door 134
positioned to allow access to the interior 114, cables, etc.
[0020] A plurality of access ports or holes 116 can be provided
within the back panel 112 and the side panels 108 and 110 to allow
cable access and routing within the open area of the interior 114.
For example, cables connected to a gambling casino's infrastructure
can be routed through the access ports 116, the interior 114 and
the interface plate 118 (see FIG. 1b for details) and coupled to a
gaming apparatus (not shown) to provide power, communications, and
other necessary or desirable services.
[0021] The support base 100 may further include outer decorative
panels 122, 124. The decorative panels 122, 124 can be affixed or
hung from the side panels 108, 110, respectively. The decorative
panels 122, 124 may be formed sheet metal or plastic panels
decorated with figures, symbols, logos, graphics or other artwork.
Alternatively, the decorative panels 122, 124 may be translucent
panels that are back lit or illuminated by a light source disposed
within the interior 114 or in the space between the side panel 108,
110 and the decorative panel 122, 124. The decorative panels also
may be largely opaque and have a translucent artwork area that can
be back lit. For example, a fluorescent light assembly (not shown)
could be attached to the decorative panels122, 124 to light a
portion of the panels where translucent artwork is located. Power
cables for the lights can be routed through access ports 116 to the
interior 114 of the cabinet 102. In an alternate embodiment, one or
more of the decorative panels 122, 124 can be omitted. The exposed
side panel(s) 108, 110, in turn, may be coupled to complimentary
exposed side panels of adjacent support base(s) 100. These joined
or coupled support base(s) 100, in turn, define a cabinet bank (not
shown) that may be utilized within a gambling casino. The support
base(s) 100 can also be fastened together about adjacent back walls
creating a back-to-back configuration. In this configuration, an
alternate embodiment (not shown) of the decorative panel can span
the co-planar sides of the back-to-back cabinet with a single
extended panel instead of two individual panels.
[0022] FIG. 1b illustrates an assembled view of the support cabinet
102. In particular, the exploded components shown in FIG. 1a are
shown aligned and assembled into the support cabinet 102. The
decorative panels 122, 124 cooperate with the inner panels 126, 128
to enclose the support frame 106 (see FIG. 1a). The curvilinear
portions 130, 130' of the inner panels 126, 128 and the rounded
portions 146, 148 of the side panels 122, 124, respectively, afford
the support cabinet 102 a smooth exterior that can be aesthetically
and ergonomically pleasing.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the support deck 104
that may be mounted upon or coupled to the support cabinet 102. The
support deck 104, in this exemplary embodiment, includes a cut-out
or recess 136 sized to accept the interface plate 118. The
interface plate 118 may include one or more mounting holes 138a,
138b, and 138c to 138n. The mounting holes 138 can be arranged and
positioned to correspond with the mounting points (not shown) of a
gaming machine (not shown). For example, each type or style of
gaming machine provided by various manufacturers may include unique
mounting points. Interface plates 118 can be designed and
manufactured for each brand or style of gaming machine. Thus,
different types of gaming machines (not shown) may be quickly and
easily mounted and secured to the support base 100 by utilizing an
appropriately configured interface plate 118 mounted within the
support deck 106. The interface plate 118 may further include
access ports 140a and 140b. These access ports 140a and 140b allow
the cables, cord, etc. routed thought the support cabinet 102 to be
connected to the gaming machine (not shown).
[0024] The support deck 104 may further include a light source (not
shown). The light source may be mounted within support deck 104 and
positioned substantially above the cavity 120. In other words, the
light source, in one exemplary embodiment, may be mounted under the
support deck 104 and arranged to illuminate the cavity 120. In
operation, the light source (not shown) may illuminate the cavity
120 thereby allowing a player seated before the support base 100,
and a gaming machine (not shown) carried thereon, to clearly see
where to position their legs for comfortable game player and
interaction with the gaming machine. The light source (not shown)
may be covered or protected by a translucent cover or grill 142.
The light source can be a cold cathode fluorescent, a fluorescent
lamp, or an AC or DC incandescent. The support deck 104 may further
include a rounded or rail portion 144 that can be arranged to
cooperate with the rounded portions 146, 148 of the side panels
122, 124. The smooth alignment and cooperation of these rounded
portions 146, 148 and 144 can cooperate to afford the support base
100 with pleasing design or style.
[0025] FIG. 2b illustrates an assembled view of the support deck
104. In this arrangement, the interface plate 118 is carried within
the recess 136. The support deck 104 may be aligned above the
assembled support cabinet 102 and lowered in the direction
indicated by the arrow A in order to assemble the support base 100.
Upon assembly, the two components may be bolted, welded, riveted or
otherwise joined together to form the single unit shown in FIG.
1.
[0026] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate top and bottom views, respectively,
of the support deck 104. FIG. 3 depicts a plan or top view of the
support deck 104 into, or upon, which one embodiment of the
interface plate 118 may be coupled. For example, as the interface
plate 118 may be flushly mounted adjacent to the surface 150 of the
support deck 104. FIG. 4 depicts a bottom plan view of the support
deck 104 in which the light source (not shown) and the covering or
protective the grill 142 may be mounted.
[0027] Areas of the cabinet that would be viewable to casino
patrons can receive a decorative finish. This could be powder coat
finish, wet paint, decorative laminate, or plating. The individual
components that make up the overall stand 100 can receive this
finish prior to being assembled. The trim or decorative pieces such
as, for example, the rounded portions 122, 124 and/or 144 may be
molded or otherwise formed to compliment the style and finish of
the support base 100.
[0028] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended
advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *