U.S. patent application number 13/610825 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-13 for stabilizer for stacked gaming chips.
The applicant listed for this patent is Bijan Harirchian, James Anthony Matranga, John Edward Sweeney. Invention is credited to Bijan Harirchian, James Anthony Matranga, John Edward Sweeney.
Application Number | 20140070487 13/610825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50232492 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140070487 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harirchian; Bijan ; et
al. |
March 13, 2014 |
Stabilizer for Stacked Gaming Chips
Abstract
An article is provided for stabilizing a stack of gaming chips
which includes: a circular base having a top surface, a bottom
surface and a circumferential skirt joining the top and bottom
surfaces, the skirt having a width ranging from 0.25 to 1.2 cm, the
base having a diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and a sculpture
attached to the top surface of the base, the sculpture and base
together ranging in height from 2 to 8 cm; the article having a
weight of from 30 to 150 grams.
Inventors: |
Harirchian; Bijan;
(Brookfield, CT) ; Sweeney; John Edward;
(Brookfield, CT) ; Matranga; James Anthony;
(Brookfield, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harirchian; Bijan
Sweeney; John Edward
Matranga; James Anthony |
Brookfield
Brookfield
Brookfield |
CT
CT
CT |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50232492 |
Appl. No.: |
13/610825 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/148R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/148.R |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/00 20060101
A63F009/00 |
Claims
1. An article for stabilizing a stack of gaming chips comprising: a
circular base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a
circumferential skirt joining the top and bottom surfaces, the
skirt having a width ranging from 0.25 to 1.2 cm, the base having a
diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and a sculpture attached to the
top surface of the base, the sculpture and base together ranging in
height from 2 to 8 cm; the article having a weight of from 30 to
150 grams.
2. The article according to claim 1 wherein the skirt has a width
ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 cm.
3. The article according to claim 1 wherein the base has a diameter
ranging from 3 to 4 cm.
4. The article according to claim 1 wherein the article has a
weight ranging from 60 to 120 grams.
5. The article according to claim 1 wherein the sculpture is
unitarily formed with the base.
6. The article according to claim 1 wherein all of the article is
formed from metal.
7. The article according to claim 6 wherein the article is formed
of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, copper,
lead, zinc, tin, antimony, bismuth, silver, gold, platinum,
palladium and combinations thereof.
8. The article according to claim 1 wherein the article is formed
of pewter.
9. The article according to claim 7 wherein the article is cast
from molten metal and solidified by cooling.
10. The article according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality
of orientation markers equidistantly distributed along the top
surface of the base.
11. The article according to claim 10 wherein the plurality of
orientation markers ranges from 4 to 12 in number.
12. The article according to claim 11 wherein the orientation
markers is 6 in number.
13. The article according to claim 10 wherein the orientation
markers are circumferentially spaced at 60 degree intervals around
the circular base.
14. The article according to claim 10 wherein the orientation
markers either project upwards beyond the top surface or are
recessed below the top surface.
15. The article according to claim 10 wherein the orientation
markers each are unique and formed as sets of dots ranging in
number from 1 to 6 dots per set.
16. The article according to claim 10 wherein the orientation
markers are solid patterned.
17. The article according to claim 15 wherein two of the sets are
spaced 180 degree apart along a circumference of the top surface
and have dots that sum to 7 in number.
18. The article according to claim 10 wherein the skirt comprises a
plurality of extended orientation markers that align with each of
the plurality of orientation markers on the top surface of the
base.
19. The article according to claim 18 wherein a word or phrase is
molded into a section of the skirt between a pair of adjacent
extended orientation markers.
20. The article according to claim 1 wherein the sculpture
comprises a figurine sculpted with a hand holding one or more
gaming cards.
21. A method for enhancing enjoyment of a person's gaming
experience comprising: (A) providing an article comprising: a
circular base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a
circumferential skirt joining the top and bottom surfaces, the
skirt having a width ranging from 0.25 to 1.2 cm, the base having a
diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and a sculpture attached to the
top surface of the base, the sculpture and base together ranging in
height from 2 to 8 cm; the article having a weight of from 30 to
150 grams; and (B) positioning the article in relation to gaming
chips on a gaming table.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention concerns an article for stabilizing and
aligning a stack of gaming chips.
[0003] 2. The Related Art
[0004] Many games of chance, especially those types offered in
gambling casinos, utilize replacement currency in lieu of cash.
Normally this currency is in the form of casino discs referred to
as token or chips. For purposes of describing this invention, the
term "chip" or "chips" shall encompass all names given to
disc-shaped replacement gambling currency.
[0005] Casinos use chips because their clientele are known to
gamble more freely with these than with cash. There are also other
reasons. Chips can be color coded and thereby readily have their
value identified. Slotted trays can hold stacks of similar
denominated chips with their color showing through the slots. These
trays facilitate payment and purchase.
[0006] Chips being relatively lightweight (9-12 grams) are
susceptible to scatter. Players corral them by placing one chip
upon another to form a stack. Most casinos do not allow players to
bring holding trays to the gaming table. The trays limit visibility
of one player's available currency to viewing by the other players.
Unfortunately, the free-standing stacks are vulnerable and do
crash. Thus, there is a need for preventing or at least inhibiting
instability of the stacked chips.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An article is provided for stabilizing a stack of gaming
chips which includes: [0008] a circular base having a top surface,
a bottom surface and a circumferential skirt joining the top and
bottom surfaces, the skirt having a width ranging from 0.25 to 1.2
cm, the base having a diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and [0009]
a sculpture attached to the top surface of the base, the sculpture
and base together ranging in height from 2 to 8 cm; the article
having a weight of from 30 to 150 grams.
[0010] A method is also provided for enhancing enjoyment of a
person's gaming experience which includes: [0011] (A) providing an
article which includes: [0012] a circular base having a top
surface, a bottom surface and a circumferential skirt joining the
top and bottom surfaces, the skirt having a width ranging from 0.25
to 1.2 cm, the base having a diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and
[0013] a sculpture attached to the top surface of the base, the
sculpture and base together ranging in height from 2 to 8 cm; the
article having a weight of from 30 to 150 grams; and [0014] (B)
positioning the article in relation to gaming chips on a gaming
table.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0015] Further features and advantages of the invention will become
more apparent from consideration of the drawing in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan perspective view of a first article of this
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a plan perspective view of a second article of
this invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan perspective view of the first
article shown in FIG. 1 but with the sculpture removed; and
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the article highlighting
a phrase molded into the skirt of the article.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Now I have developed an article which may be placed atop a
stack of chips to reduce the risk of the stack crashing. Dimensions
and weight of the article assist in achieving the purposes of this
invention.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a first article 2 which features a
circular base 4, the base having a top surface 6 and a bottom
surface 8. Between and joining the top and bottom surfaces is a
skirt 10. The skirt may have a width (from edges extending from the
top to the bottom surface) ranging in size from 0.25 to 1.2 cm,
particularly from 0.4 to 0.6 cm. The base 4 may have a diameter
ranging in size from 2.5 to 5 cm, particularly from 3 to 4 cm.
[0022] A sculpture 12 is attached to the top surface of the base.
In certain embodiments, the sculpture is unitarily formed with the
base. For instance, the unitary article may be formed by casting
molten metal into a mold or by injection molding of a plastic.
Where the article is formed of metal, the metal may be selected
from the group consisting of iron, copper, lead, zinc, tin,
antimony, bismuth, silver, gold, platinum, palladium and
combinations thereof. Most useful is a combination of tin (85-99%)
and minor amounts of copper, antimony, and bismuth. Pewter is a
good choice of an alloy metal for articles of this invention. Where
the article is formed of plastic, the plastic may be chosen from
the group consisting of polyolefin (e.g. polypropylene or
polyethylene), polyester (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate),
polyamid, polycarbonate, polyacrylate and polyvinylchloride. The
article may be formed in combination of a metallic portion and a
plastic portion.
[0023] By the term `sculpture` is meant a three-dimensional work of
art. The sculptures of articles 2 and 102 have the general
character of a Buddha and of a monkey, respectively. Alternative
characters may include an owl, a cowboy, a Lincoln, a dragon or a
`peace sign`. Many other character types (e.g. a tree, a mountain,
a building, etc.) or even abstract representations may be utilized
for the sculpture.
[0024] Advantageously, in many of the embodiments the sculpture may
have no greater diameter than that of the base (i.e. the sculpture
does not protrude outward from the skirt border). In other
embodiments, the sculpture may have portions of greater diameter
than that of the base.
[0025] The sculptures of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are provided with a hand
14 and 114, respectively. These hands cradle at least one gaming
card 16 and 116.
[0026] The sculpture at the highest point away from the base down
to the bottom surface of the base may have a height ranging from 2
to 8 cm, particularly from 3.5 to 4.5 cm. The overall article may
have a weight ranging from 30 to 150 grams, particularly from 60 to
120 grams. Optimum stability on a stack of chips is found within
the height and weight parameters afore described.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates the base found in FIGS. 1 and 2 but the
sculpture element has been removed to allow a better view.
Orientation markers are provided on the top surface and skirt to
allow alignment with markings on the chips and to properly direct a
user's hand in grasping of the sculpture.
[0028] Two types of orientation markers are found in the Figures.
One type is the solid patterned and the other type is the dot.
Advantageously, the orientation markers are equidistantly
distributed along the top surface, bottom surface and/or skirt.
Each type on a particular surface or skirt may range from 4 to 12
in number, and most especially 6 in number.
[0029] FIGS. 2 and 3 each have a set of six first solid patterned
markers 18 and 118 distributed on the top surface circumferentially
spaced at 60 degree intervals around the circular base. A set of
six extended solid patterned orientation markers 20 and 120 are
distributed along the skirt; these are aligned with the respective
markers 18 and 118 of the top surface.
[0030] Dot orientation markers are distributed along a periphery of
the top surface. Advantageously, these markers are sets 22 each
formed as a group with from one to six dots in a set. FIG. 3
illustrates first dot orientation marker 24, second dot orientation
marker 26, third dot orientation marker 28, fourth dot orientation
marker 30, fifth dot orientation marker 32, and sixth dot
orientation marker 34. In the illustrated aspect, the dot
orientation markers each have a coupled dot orientation marker on
the top surface at 180 degrees distant along the circumference. The
number of dots in total within both marker sets preferably is
seven. For instance, note first and sixth dot orientation markers
on opposite points along the circumference of the top surface which
are coupled and have seven dots within their combined sets.
[0031] Further, the Figures show that the dot orientation markers
alternate with the solid patterned orientation markers on the top
surface.
[0032] The solid patterned orientation markers may be aligned with
the extended orientation markers along the skirt. Between markers
20 are shown a word or phrase 38 of gaming encouragement.
Illustrative but not limiting words/phrases include: Be Wise,
Think, Take It, Lie Like a Pro, Have Fun, Relax, Be Smart, Focus,
Be Magical, and Peace.
[0033] Besides improving the stability of gaming chip stacks, the
articles can be a source of entertainment and enhancement of a
person's pleasure in the gaming experience.
[0034] Although the invention has been described in accordance with
certain embodiments, it will be seen by those skilled in the art
that many modifications can be made within the scope and purview of
the invention, and there is no intention to limit the invention
solely to these embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention is
to be measured by the appended claims.
* * * * *