U.S. patent application number 16/741703 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-13 for chip racks including a rack for holding chips and a card reader and related devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is Bally Gaming, Inc.. Invention is credited to William Florence, Dean A. Isaacs, Russell D. Isaacs, Arthur C. Miller.
Application Number | 20200254330 16/741703 |
Document ID | 20200254330 / US20200254330 |
Family ID | 1000004810527 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-13 |
Patent Application | download [pdf] |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200254330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Arthur C. ; et
al. |
August 13, 2020 |
CHIP RACKS INCLUDING A RACK FOR HOLDING CHIPS AND A CARD READER AND
RELATED DEVICES
Abstract
Chip racks include a rack for holding chips and a card reader.
Gaming devices may include such chip racks.
Inventors: |
Miller; Arthur C.; (Las
Vegas, NV) ; Isaacs; Dean A.; (Las Vegas, NV)
; Isaacs; Russell D.; (Las Vegas, NV) ; Florence;
William; (Shepherdstown, WV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bally Gaming, Inc. |
Las Vegas |
NV |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004810527 |
Appl. No.: |
16/741703 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16140754 |
Sep 25, 2018 |
10532274 |
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16741703 |
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29569103 |
Jun 23, 2016 |
D839965 |
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16140754 |
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14047841 |
Oct 7, 2013 |
9839837 |
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29569103 |
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13452255 |
Apr 20, 2012 |
8567784 |
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14047841 |
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29399334 |
Aug 12, 2011 |
D692068 |
|
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13452255 |
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29399004 |
Aug 8, 2011 |
D692067 |
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29399334 |
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29399000 |
Aug 8, 2011 |
D692066 |
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29399004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2011/0006 20130101;
A63F 11/0002 20130101; A63F 2009/2425 20130101; G07F 17/32
20130101; A63F 1/06 20130101; A63F 9/00 20130101; A63F 1/18
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/00 20060101
A63F009/00; G07F 17/32 20060101 G07F017/32; A63F 1/18 20060101
A63F001/18; A63F 1/06 20060101 A63F001/06; A63F 11/00 20060101
A63F011/00 |
Claims
1. A method of using a chip rack comprising: supporting casino
chips on chip receiving slots of a chip rack; sliding cards between
a card playing surface of a gaming table and a card receiving
surface extending outward relative to the chip receiving slots of
the chip rack, the card receiving surface located distal from a
dealer and the chip receiving slots positioned between the dealer
and the card receiving surface; and orienting at least one
face-down card of the cards over at least a portion of a card
reader positioned at the card receiving surface, causing the card
reader to display at least one characteristic of a portion of the
at least one face-down card of the cards to the dealer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein orienting the at least one
face-down card over the at least a portion of the card reader
comprises reflecting the at least one characteristic of the portion
of the at least one portion of the at least one face-down card off
of a reflective surface of the card reader toward the dealer.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein sliding the cards between the
card playing surface of the gaming table and the card receiving
surface comprises sliding the cards at an elevation higher than an
elevation of the chip receiving surface.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein sliding the cards between the
card playing surface of the gaming table and the card receiving
surface comprises maintaining the cards on a side of the chip
receiving slots distal from the dealer.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein orienting the at least one
face-down card over the at least a portion of the card reader
comprises maintaining a portion of the card receiving surface
interposed between the at least one face-down card and the chip
receiving slots.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein sliding the cards between the
card playing surface of the gaming table and the card receiving
surface comprises lowering or maintaining at least substantially
constant an elevation of the cards with respect to the card playing
surface of the gaming table.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein sliding the cards between the
card playing surface of the gaming table and the card receiving
surface of the chip rack comprises maintaining the cards in
continuous contact with the gaming table and the chip rack when
sliding the cards between the card playing surface of the gaming
table and the card receiving surface of the chip rack.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein maintaining the cards in
continuous contact with the gaming table and the chip rack when
sliding the cards between the card playing surface of the gaming
table and the card receiving surface of the chip rack comprises
sliding the cards over a beveled leading edge of the card receiving
surface.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein orienting the at least one
face-down card over the at least a portion of the card reader,
causing the card reader to display the at least one characteristic
of the portion of the at least one face-down card, comprises
placing the portion of the at least one face-down card between a
reflective surface and a cover of the card reader extending over a
portion of the reflective surface.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the card reader to
display the at least one characteristic of the portion of the at
least one face-down card comprises reflecting the at least one
characteristic of the portion of the at least one face-down card
off an optical prism of a reflective surface of the card reader
toward the dealer.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising aligning at least a
corner of the at least one face-down card with a protrusion of the
card reader and when orienting the at least one face-down card over
the at least a portion of the card reader.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the card reader to
display the at least one characteristic of the portion of the at
least one face-down card to the dealer comprises activating
indicator light.
13. A method of using a chip rack comprising: placing casino
wagering chips on recesses in a chip rack; sliding cards between a
card playing surface of a gaming table and a card receiving surface
of a flange portion extending outward from the recesses on a side
of the recesses opposite a dealer; and aligning a face-down card of
the cards with a card reader on the card receiving surface to
enable the dealer to determine a value of the face-down card.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the card reader is positioned
centrally with respect to the chip rack and wherein aligning the
face-down card with the card reader comprises positioning the
face-down card at least substantially centrally with respect to the
chip rack.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the card reader is positioned
proximate a distal edge of the card receiving surface and wherein
aligning the face-down card with the card reader comprises
positioning the face-down card proximate the distal edge of the
card receiving surface.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the chip rack is at least
partially received within a cutout in the gaming table with the
flange portion supporting the chip rack from the playing surface
and wherein sliding the cards between the card playing surface and
the card receiving surface comprises maintaining the cards in
continuous contact with the gaming table and the flange portion
when sliding the cards between the card playing surface of the
gaming table and the card receiving surface of the flange
portion.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the card receiving surface
comprises a recessed portion of the flange portion and wherein
sliding the cards between the card playing surface of the gaming
table and the card receiving surface of the flange portion
comprises lowering or maintaining at least substantially constant
an elevation of the cards with respect to the card playing surface
of the gaming table.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the recesses are slanted with
respect to horizontal and wherein sliding the cards between the
card playing surface of the gaming table and the card receiving
surface of the flange portion on the side of the recesses opposite
the dealer comprises sliding the cards between the card playing
surface of the gaming table and the card receiving surface of the
flange portion proximate to where each of the recesses is at
maximum elevation with respect to horizontal.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein aligning the face-down card
with the card reader comprises reflecting the value of the
face-down card off a reflective surface of the card reader oriented
toward the dealer.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein aligning the face-down card
with the card reader comprises placing the value of the face-down
card between the reflective surface and a cover extending over a
portion of the reflective surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/140,754, filed Sep. 25, 2018, which
application is a utility continuation application of U.S. Design
patent application Ser. No. 29/569,103, filed Jun. 23, 2016, now
U.S. Design U.S. Pat. No. D839,965, issued Feb. 5, 2019, titled
CHIP RACKS, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/047,841, filed Oct. 7, 2013, now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,839,837, issued Dec. 12, 2017, titled INTEGRATED BLACKJACK
HOLE CARD READERS AND CHIP RACKS, AND IMPROVED COVERS FOR CHIP
RACKS, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/452,255, filed Apr. 20, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,784,
issued Oct. 29, 2013, titled INTEGRATED BLACKJACK HOLE CARD READERS
AND CHIP RACKS, AND IMPROVED COVERS FOR CHIP RACKS, which is a
continuation-in-part of the following: U.S. Design patent
application Ser. No. 29/399,334 filed Aug. 12, 2011, now U.S.
Design Pat. D692,068, issued Oct. 22, 2013, titled MODIFIED CHIP
RACK WITH INTEGRATED HOLE CARD READER; of U.S. Design patent
application Ser. No. 29/399,004, filed Aug. 8, 2011, now U.S.
Design Pat. D692,067, issued Oct. 22, 2013, titled CHIP RACK WITH
INTEGRATED HOLE CARD READER; and of U.S. Design application Ser.
No. 29/399,000, filed Aug. 8, 2011, now U.S. Design Pat. D692,066,
issued Oct. 22, 2013, titled CHIP RACK WITH INTEGRATED HOLE CARD
READER; the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated
herein in its entirety by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to table
wager games where chips are used, and, more particularly, to
apparatus used for storing such chips having devices associated
therewith for reading the hole card of a blackjack dealer during
the game of "21."
BACKGROUND
[0003] The game of blackjack, or "21," is played in gambling
casinos, private clubs and homes throughout the world. It is the
most widely played table game in the world. A conventional gaming
table used for playing blackjack has a plurality of player
locations around the outer periphery of the table, and a dealer
location located generally opposite the player locations. From the
dealer's location, the dealer effects the operation of the game,
including dealing of the cards, paying winning wagers and
collecting losing wagers.
[0004] An important function of the dealer in modern day blackjack
is to utilize a hole card reader ("reader") which is associated
with most commercial blackjack tables adjacent the dealer position.
One such reader in use today employs a refractive or reflective
element located beneath the playing surface of the table which the
dealer uses to read a portion of the hole, or down, card in the
dealer's dealt hand to determine if the dealer has twenty-one when
the up-facing card initially dealt to the dealer is an ace or has a
value of ten. One such reader is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,681,039. In that patent, an "optical" type reader is disclosed in
which, in one embodiment, an optical quality prism is associated
with a housing. The reader defines an aperture over which is
adapted to be placed the portion of the dealer's down card to be
read when the dealer's up facing card is an ace or has a value of
ten. If the dealer determines that he or she has blackjack upon the
initial deal, the hand is called, thus resulting in increased hands
per hour.
[0005] Heretofore, blackjack hole card readers have been installed
in a special cutout created in the blackjack table at a location
between the standard chip rack and the player positions. This has
required the creation of an aperture in the table surface and felt
covering ("layout") over the table, adding unnecessarily to the
time to construct the table and/or retrofit the table to
accommodate the hole card reader.
[0006] It would be advantageous to integrate the reader, whatever
type of reader it may be (e.g. optical or digital), with the chip
rack, so that the reader and the chip rack form a substantially
integral unit which occupies the location in which the chip rack
alone has heretofore been placed.
[0007] In addition, chip racks are typically provided with a
locking cover to avoid the theft of chips when the chip rack is not
being used but contains gambling chips. Heretofore, such covers are
attached to the chip rack, or the table, or both, using a single
locking mechanism, located centrally of one side edge of the cover.
The use of a single locking connection has led to the opportunity
to bend one or more corners of the cover away from the chip rack to
permit unauthorized access to the contents of the chip rack.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a fortified locking
mechanism for chip rack covers.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0008] One aspect of this disclosure is directed generally to the
integration of blackjack hole card readers and chip racks. In one
embodiment, a chip rack of standard configuration is provided, and
defines a recess or opening into which the reader can be mounted.
In other embodiments, the chip rack and reader are manufactured as
a single unit. Numerous other structures for accomplishing the
purposes of the disclosure are also contemplated.
[0009] A modified chip rack cover locking assembly is disclosed as
well. In one such embodiment, a single locking device is associated
with the cover, but two or more connections are made with the chip
rack or gaming table so as to fortify the connection between the
cover of the chip rack and the chip rack itself. Alternatively, two
or more locking mechanisms may be employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of a first
embodiment of an integrated blackjack hole card reader and chip
rack.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a right front perspective view thereof.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a right side elevational; view thereof.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a left rear perspective view thereof.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a front elevational partially exploded view
thereof.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a right front assembled perspective view of a card
reader suitable for use with the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a front assembled elevational view thereof.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a left side assembled elevational view
thereof.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a left front exploded perspective view
thereof.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a right rear exploded perspective view
thereof.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a left front assembled perspective view
thereof.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a right elevational partially exploded
thereof.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a right front partially exploded view
thereof.
[0026] FIG. 17A is a left front perspective view of a chip rack and
hole card reader and a locking security cover assembly therefore
with the cover assembly in the fully installed position.
[0027] FIG. 17B is a left front perspective view of the chip rack
and hole card reader and a locking security cover therefore with
the cover assembly in a partially installed/removed position.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a right front perspective view of the assembly
shown in FIG. 17.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a left rear perspective view thereof.
[0030] FIG. 20A is a top plan view thereof.
[0031] FIG. 20B is a cross sectional elevational view taken along
lines B-B of FIG. 20A.
[0032] FIG. 20C is a cross sectional elevational view taken along
lines C-C of FIG. 20A.
[0033] FIG. 20D is a cross sectional elevational view taken along
lines D-D of FIG. 20A.
[0034] FIG. 20E is a cross sectional elevational view taken along
lines E-E of FIG. 20A.
[0035] FIG. 20F is a cross sectional elevational view taken along
lines F-F of FIG. 20A.
[0036] FIG. 20G is a cross sectional elevational view taken along
lines G-G of FIG. 20A.
[0037] FIG. 20H is a cross sectional elevational view taken along
lines H-H of FIG. 20A.
[0038] FIG. 21A is a right side elevational view of the assembly
shown in FIG. 17A.
[0039] FIG. 21B is a right side elevational view thereof with the
cover assembly in a partially installed/removed position.
[0040] FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the assembly shown in
FIG. 17A.
[0041] FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view thereof.
[0042] FIG. 24 is a rear elevational view thereof.
[0043] FIG. 25 is a right rear perspective view of the cover
assembly removed from its association with the chip rack and hole
card reader assembly.
[0044] FIG. 26 is a bottom right rear perspective view thereof.
[0045] FIG. 27 is a rear elevational view thereof.
[0046] FIG. 28 is a front elevational view thereof.
[0047] FIG. 29 is a right side elevational view thereof.
[0048] FIG. 30 is a top plan view thereof.
[0049] FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view thereof.
[0050] FIG. 32 is a bottom left front perspective view of the cover
insert member removed from its association with the cover
assembly.
[0051] FIG. 33 is a bottom right rear perspective view thereof.
[0052] FIG. 34 is a left side elevational view thereof.
[0053] FIG. 35 is a bottom plan view thereof.
[0054] FIG. 36 is a top plan view thereof.
[0055] FIG. 37 is a rear elevational view thereof.
[0056] FIG. 38 is a right rear bottom exploded perspective view of
the cover assembly.
[0057] FIG. 39 is an exploded left front top elevational view
thereof.
[0058] FIG. 40 is a bottom right front perspective exploded view of
the cover insert member.
[0059] FIG. 41 is a left rear top perspective view of the cover
insert member.
[0060] FIG. 42 is a right top front perspective view thereof.
[0061] FIG. 43 is an exploded right front perspective view of the
chip rack and integrated hole card reader along with the cover
assembly.
[0062] FIG. 44 is a left front top perspective view of another chip
rack suitable for use with the cover assembly shown in FIGS. 17-43
with the hole card reader removed therefrom.
[0063] FIG. 45 is a front elevational view thereof.
[0064] FIG. 46 is a rear elevational view thereof.
[0065] FIG. 47 is a bottom left front perspective view thereof.
[0066] FIG. 48 is a left front top perspective view of an
integrated chip rack and hole card reader.
[0067] FIG. 49 is a top plan view thereof.
[0068] FIG. 50 is a left rear top perspective view thereof.
[0069] FIG. 51 is a front elevational view thereof.
[0070] FIG. 52 is a left front top perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of an integrated chip rack and hole card
reader.
[0071] FIG. 53 is a top plan view thereof.
[0072] FIG. 54 is a front elevational view thereof.
[0073] FIG. 55 is a right side elevational view thereof.
[0074] FIG. 56 is a top left front perspective view of a further
alternative embodiment of a chip rack and integrated hole care
reader.
[0075] FIG. 57 is a top plan view thereof.
[0076] FIG. 58 is a front elevational view thereof.
[0077] FIG. 59 is a right side elevational view thereof.
[0078] FIG. 60 is a still further alternative embodiment of an
integrated chip rack and hole card reader.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0079] Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the
disclosure herein, it should be observed that the inventive
embodiments of the disclosure reside primarily in combinations of
structural components and manufacturing, installation and use
steps.
[0080] Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented
where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing
only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description
herein.
[0081] In this document, relational terms, such as "first" and
"second," "top" and "bottom," and the like, may be used solely to
distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element
without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical
relationship or order between such entities or elements.
[0082] The terms "comprises," "comprising," "comprise" or any other
variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion,
such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements need not necessarily include only those elements,
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0083] The term "plurality of" as used in connection with any
object or action means two or more of such objects or actions.
[0084] A claim element proceeded by the article "a" or "an" does
not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional
identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus
that includes the element.
[0085] As used herein, the term "hole card reader" includes any
device which can be used to assist the dealer in a game of
blackjack to detect if he or she has been dealt 21 in the initial
deal.
[0086] FIGS. 1 through 16 show a first embodiment of a chip rack
and hole card reader, which comprises a chip rack or rack 10 which
may be of standard configuration, and incorporates a plurality of
chip slots 14 surrounded by a peripheral wall 12. It is to be noted
that the number and size of chip slots 14 is not relevant to the
embodiments disclosed herein, the number and size thereof being
merely a matter of choice for the casino. In addition, the overall
configuration of the chip rack and reader may take any shape
desired, the particular shapes illustrated herein being merely
illustrative of any of the myriad options thereof which will occur
to those of skill in the art after having had the benefit of
reviewing this disclosure.
[0087] Rack 10 defines a card receiving area 20, which may be
comprised of a slightly lowered area 22, which may or may not have
a beveled leading edge 24. Sidewalls 12 of chip rack 10 may be of
any width desired, the embodiment shown herein including a slightly
wider wall width on the dealer position-facing side 26. In the
embodiment in which the card receiving area 22 is lowered relative
to the remainder of side wall 26, side wall 26 includes planar
sections 27 and 29 on either side of lowered area 22.
[0088] A hole card reader 30 is integrated with front wall 26 in
such a way that it is oriented to receive the dealer's down card in
the appropriate circumstances for reading by the dealer. Reader 30
may or may not incorporate a top piece 32. Reader 30 defines an
aperture 48 (shown in FIGS. 12-13) through which the dealer may
view a portion of his or her down card. A refractive or reflective
element is associated with the reader 30, such as an optical prism
34 best seen in FIGS. 12-13, or a mirror, to refract or reflect the
image of the portion of the dealer's down card placed in registry
with aperture 48. In one embodiment, aperture 48 extends under top
piece 32, such that when the dealer's down card is placed in
registry with aperture 48 the portion of the dealer's down card to
be read sits in registry with the reflective element, and can be
seen by the dealer.
[0089] As best seen in FIGS. 8-16, reader 30 may be integrated with
chip rack 10 in the form of a unitary reader component which can be
removably fastened to rack 10. It is to be understood, however, as
will be exemplified elsewhere in this disclosure, and/or as will
occur to those of skill in the art after having read this
disclosure, the card reader feature of the disclosure may be
integrated with the chip rack in a number of different fashions.
Similarly, the card reader may be of the "optical" type such as
those shown herein, or may be a digital reader which detects
whatever aspects of the dealer's hole card is necessary to give
rise to an output signal to indicate that the dealer either does
or, optionally, does not have blackjack.
[0090] In the embodiment shown, however, reader 30 is a removable
component comprised generally of upper and lower housing sections
46, 49 respectively, a lower support plate 44, mounting bolt 37 and
reflective member such as prism 34. Top piece 32 may optionally be
employed, and, if so employed, may be connected to top housing
section 46.
[0091] Upper housing section 46 defines aperture 48 through which
the dealer may view the reflected portion of his or her down card
to be read when the down card is placed in registry with aperture
46. Top piece 32 and upper housing section 46 define a slot 33 into
which may be placed the dealer's down card. However, neither top
piece 32 nor slot 33 is necessary elements of the functional
aspects of the disclosure.
[0092] Mounting means such as bracket or pocket 40 may be employed
to secure reader 30 to rack 10. Bracket 40 defines a lower aperture
through which is passed a fastened such as bolt 37. Thereafter, a
fastener such as nut 41 may be threaded thereon to removably
connect reader 30 to rack 10. Other structure for mounting reader
30 to rack 10 will occur to those of skill in the art after having
the benefit of reviewing this disclosure.
[0093] Rack 10, in the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1-8, defines
an aperture 28 which is sized and shaped to receive reader 30
therein, permitting reader 30 to nest within bracket or pocket 40
for connection thereto. As reader 30 may tend to wear or even break
with extended use, the removability of reader 30 is
advantageous.
[0094] It is to be understood that card receiving area 20 need not
include a recessed or lowered surface 22, but may be co-planar with
or even raised from front wall 26. Moreover, reader 30 need not be
removably connected to rack 10, but may be integrated therewith as
a single unit.
[0095] FIGS. 17A-43 show a novel locking cover assembly 60
associated with a chip rack, either of the type having an
integrated hole card reader, or a prior art chip rack without an
integrated reader.
[0096] In one embodiment, cover assembly 60 is adapted to be
releasably joined to either chip rack 10, chip rack 210 or a
playing table. Cover assembly 60 may or may not define an aperture
62 through which the contents of the chip rack 10 can be viewed. It
is customary to employ glass, Lexan.RTM. or the like thereover to
provide a transparent covering. Cover assembly 60 may, but need not
necessarily, define one or more handles 84, 86 to facilitate the
raising and lowering of cover assembly 80. Cover assembly 80 may
include a lock aperture 88 which is intended to lie in registry
with locking device 89. The locking device 89 may be of any
suitable type that will occur to those of skill in the art, such as
a manual key lock mechanism, a biometrically actuated lock, a key
pad lock, or the like.
[0097] As best seen in FIGS. 25-31, 38-40 and 43 cover assembly 60
may be comprised of a top or cover member 80 which defines a lower
peripheral edge 63, which is adapted to nestably mate in registry
with top wall 26 of chip rack 210 when the cover assembly 60 is
placed in registry with rack 210. In embodiments where chip rack 10
employs a recessed card receiving area 20, such as that shown in
FIGS. 1-3, 7-8, 16-18 and 20, cover member 60 may (but need not)
employ an extended area 65 to prevent access into the interior of
chip rack 210 when cover assembly 60 is placed thereover.
[0098] In one embodiment, chip rack 210 is attached to the playing
table through fasteners (not shown), one type of which are passed
through apertures such as apertures 70 shown in FIGS. 17A-18. Other
structures for attaching chip rack 210 to the playing table are
contemplated to be within the scope of this disclosure. Any number
of apertures or other connecting apparatus are envisioned.
[0099] Cover assembly 60, as discussed above, is ideally comprised
of top or cover member 80 and cover insert member 100. Cover insert
member 100 nests within cover member 80 (as seen, for example, in
FIG. 26) and has associated therewith a locking mechanism to be
discussed in more detail below. Cover insert member 100 may employ
one or more tabs 102 adapted to engage corresponding notches 74
defined by chip rack 210.
[0100] Cover insert member 100 may connect to cover member 80 in
any suitable manner, such as by threaded sockets 111' associated
with the underside of cover member 80 being engaged by threaded
screws or the like after passing said screws or the like through
apertures 111 defined by cover insert 100.
[0101] Cover insert member 100 defines a pair of arcuate slots 110,
112 therein adapted to permit the rotational movement of respective
cam members 114, 154, respectively. Lock mechanism 89 is connected
to cover insert 100 via aperture loop 117 defined by cover insert
100 by passing the barrel of lock 89 therethrough and securing nut
118 to threaded post 119 of lock 89 (threaded post 150 of cam 154),
thereby sandwiching cam 114 in place with respect to lock 89. A
spacer such as cylindrical collar 121 may be used along with nut
122, which can be threadingly engaged to threads 123 on the
exterior wall of the barrel of lock 89.
[0102] Cam 114 defines a lock tab 130 at one end thereof which is
adapted to be rotatable with cam 114 into and out of engagement
with an appropriate receiving slot such as slot 140 defined by
sidewall 212 of chip rack 210 (shown in FIGS. 17A-24 and 43-47). In
the alternative, or in addition thereto, tab 130 may engage a
corresponding slot or other receptacle (not shown) defined by the
playing table.
[0103] Rack 10 defines a card receiving area 20, which may be
comprised of a slightly lowered area 22, which may or may not have
a beveled leading edge 24. Sidewalls 12 of chip rack 10 may be of
any width desired, the embodiment shown herein including a slightly
wider wall width on the player position-facing side 26.
[0104] A linkage member, such as link 160, is preferably connected
to the upper ends 115, 155 of first and second cams 114, 154. Any
suitable fasteners, such as screws 161, may be employed to connect
link 160 to first and second cam members 114, 154. In this way,
when lock mechanism 89 is rotated, it causes first locking cam 114
to rotate as well, which causes link 160 to drive second locking
cam 154 in the same manner. In this way, locking tabs 130, 158 can
be caused to be placed into and out of locking engagement with slot
140, 160 of chip rack 210 (or corresponding slots or cutouts in the
playing table) (not shown).
[0105] Cover insert 100 may be connected to cover member 80 in any
suitable manner, such as by the use of fasteners which can be
threaded into or otherwise connected to corresponding sockets 111'
in the underside of cover member 80 after being passed through
corresponding apertures 111 defined cover insert 100. Any other
manner of securing cover insert member 100 to cover 80 is
contemplated to be within the scope of the disclosure.
[0106] Link 160 may be located above or below the upper surface 101
of cover insert member 100 (shown in FIG. 42). The location of link
160 above surface 101 was chosen because locating link 160 in this
manner places it between cover member 80 and cover insert member
100, such that it is not able to contact any of the contents of
chip rack 210 while it and the first and second locking cams 114,
154 are being moved to lock and unlock cover 60, and is more
pleasing aesthetically.
[0107] Upper housing section 46 defines aperture 48 through which
the dealer may view the reflected portion of his or her down card
to be read when the down card is placed in registry with aperture
46. Top piece 32 and upper housing section 46 define a slot 33 into
which may be placed the dealer's down card. However, neither top
piece 32 nor slot 33 are necessary elements of the functional
aspects of the disclosure.
[0108] Mounting means such as bracket or pocket 40 may be employed
to secure reader 30 to rack 10. Bracket 40 defines a lower aperture
through which is passed a fastener such as bolt 37. Thereafter, a
fastener such as nut 41 may be threaded thereon to removably
connect reader 30 to rack 10. Other structure for mounting reader
30 to rack 10 will occur to those of skill in the art after having
the benefit of reviewing this disclosure.
[0109] FIGS. 52-55 depict another modified chip rack 310 in
accordance with this disclosure. In this embodiment, card reader
prism 334 is integrated within top wall 26 of chip rack 310, and
playing cards can be placed at least partially in registry with at
least a portion of prism 334 through which a dealer can view said
portion of a downwardly facing playing card.
[0110] FIGS. 55-59 depict yet another modified embodiment of a chip
rack 410 of this disclosure, in which a hole card reader 430 is
permanently or removably integrated into chip rack 410 in such a
manner that upper wall 426 of chip rack 410 is substantially
coplanar. Wall 426 defines an aperture in which prism 434 may
reside to facilitate reading of cards as discussed previously.
Again, this modification is for esthetic purposes only as it
provides a pleasing and streamlined appearance.
[0111] FIG. 60 depicts a still further modified variation of the
chip rack of this disclosure. In this embodiment, a digital hole
card reader such as digital reader 530 is integrated, either
removably or permanently, with chip rack 510. Indicator lights,
such as lights 532 and 534, or other indication apparatus, such as
an audible sound generator, are activated by reader 530 in
accordance with pre-determined programming within reader 530, or in
accordance with an electrical circuit associated with reader 530.
Any of the known digital hole card readers, or compatible
apparatus, may be employed in this embodiment, such as the reader
taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,134 to Laughlin. It is to be
understood that a digital reader, such as reader 530 and indicator
lights 532, 534, may be utilized with any of the chip racks
disclosed herein, and may also be utilized with cover apparatus
60.
[0112] Moreover, cover apparatus 60 may be employed with any
embodiment of the chip racks disclosed herein or those chip racks
which do not employ a hole card reader, which will become apparent
to those of skill in the art after having the benefit of reading
this disclosure.
[0113] FIGS. 48 through 51 depict a slightly modified chip rack and
integrated hole card reader, wherein a wall 255 is interposed
between the card reading area 225 and chip slots 14.
[0114] FIGS. 52 through 55 depict a still further embodiment of a
chip rack and integrated hole card reader, wherein a card receiving
slot 320 is defined by wall 26 of housing 310. A card reader 330 is
integrated within wall 26 in such a way that, when a playing card
is placed in slot 320, a corner of said card can be read through
aperture 348. The arrangement shown in FIGS. 52 through 55 presents
a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
[0115] FIGS. 56 through 59 depict yet another chip rack and
integrated hole card reader, wherein card reading area 22 is
disposed of, such that wall 26 of rack 410 is flat, which also
provides a more appealing appearance.
[0116] FIG. 60 depicts a further embodiment of an integrated chip
rack and hole card reader in which a digital hole card reader is
incorporated into the chip rack. In this embodiment, a digital
reader such as reader 530 is incorporated with rack 510 in such
that a card, or portion thereof, that is placed in registry with an
aperture 533 in wall 26 will be electronically read or sensed and
the value of the card determined. If the dealer has a blackjack
pair, blackjack will be indicated by an audible, visible or tactile
alarm. One such alarm may be blackjack indicator light 532. If the
dealer does not have blackjack, either no alarm is provided or a
blackjack absence alarm may be given, such as through blackjack
absence indicator light 534.
[0117] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to specific embodiments of the
present disclosure. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to
problems, and any element(s) that may cause or result in such
benefits, advantages, or solutions to become more pronounced are
not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature
or element of any or all the claims. The disclosure is defined
solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during
the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those
claims as issued.
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