U.S. patent application number 12/387224 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for locking table placard & drop cover.
Invention is credited to Thomas J. DiVito.
Application Number | 20100276421 12/387224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43029641 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100276421 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DiVito; Thomas J. |
November 4, 2010 |
Locking table placard & drop cover
Abstract
This is a casino table mounted device with the dual purpose of
identifying the table and controlling access to the cash drop. The
placard displays the table id number for security and floor
personnel. The opening in the device is lockable in either the open
or closed position to control access to the cash vault below the
table during play and when the table is closed.
Inventors: |
DiVito; Thomas J.;
(Southongton, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas J. DiVito
126 Roaring Brook Drive
Southington
CT
06489
US
|
Family ID: |
43029641 |
Appl. No.: |
12/387224 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/24 20060101
B65D051/24 |
Claims
1. A device that secures the cash drop opening in a gaming table
with a surface mounted lockable device with blocking means.
2. A locking device as in claim 1 that also includes the table
identification.
3. A locking device as in claim 1 that uses a center moveable
component that is controlled by the cam of a cam lock.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1) Field of Invention
[0002] Dealers at gaming tables typically allow patrons to exchange
cash for poker chips while they are seated at their table. The most
common method of securing the cash after the exchange is for the
dealer to lay it across an opening in the table and push it through
the top and into a secure vault (drop box) under the table directly
beneath the opening.
[0003] Additionally the tables are uniquely marked with placards by
the casino to identify each table. This marking is used to identify
the table for casino personnel and security cameras.
[0004] The present invention provides a method to secure the table
opening with a simple locking system that also includes the unique
table identifier.
[0005] 2) Description of the Prior Art
[0006] The current method of locking the opening is with an
additional lock inside the drop box. There is no table top locking
device for the opening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention allows a dealer to control access to
the cash drop opening in a gaming table with a table top mounted
locking cover.
[0008] A locking device in accordance with the present invention
includes the table placard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention may be better understood as detailed
in the description given here and by reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a an exploded view of the device;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view, all sides being symmetrical;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] With reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a
Locking Table Placard and Drop Cover in accordance with the present
invention has been shown.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows the primary components of the device. The body
includes five flat components that are stacked. The top component 1
is the cover. It includes a first opening 6 for the cash to pass
through and a second opening 7 for a cam lock to be fitted. This
top component 1 can be made from transparent material 8 to reveal
the unique table code beneath it. The placard 2 shows the unique
table id. It also includes the first opening 6 for the cash and the
second opening 7 for the cam lock. Alternatively, the top component
1 could be opaque and the table id printed on its surface. A
movable center component 3 will create blocking of the first
opening 6 when the cam lock is set to the locked position. The
moveable center component 7 will also be designed so that it does
not block the first opening 6 when the cam lock is turned to the
unlocked position. A center frame component 4 creates a fixed
outline 10 to guide the movable center component 3. The cam of the
cam lock will fit in a cutout 9 in the moveable center component 3
to actuate the blocking and unblocking of said first opening 6. The
bottom component 5 creates a flat surface for the moveable center
component 3 to glide upon. It also has the first opening 6 for the
cash and a second opening 7 for the cam lock.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates that condition when the cam lock 11 is
neither fully locked nor unlocked and the moveable center component
3 partially blocks the first opening 6. All components, with the
exception of the moveable center component 3, have through holes in
the corners to provide means of alignment of the components and
attaching to the table top.
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a side view the components stacked
together.
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