Patent Application
20080090663
Like numbers throughout the various figures designate like or similar parts or structure.
The referenced numeral 11 designates generally a gaming device having spaced apart first and second columns 12L and 12R and a support member 14 secured to and extending between the columns 12. A game display device 15 is also provided. The columns 12 and support 14 provide an open sided enclosure designated generally 17 with an open side 18 for player access. The display 15 faces generally toward the open side 18. A shelf structure designated generally 20 is carried by at least one of the support 14 and columns 12 and preferably has the display 15 mounted thereto for support. Side screens or panels 22 may be exteriorly secured to the columns 12L, 12R to provide additional limitations on viewing of the display 15 from the side and to provide aesthetic appeal. A header 24 may also be provided.
In the illustrated structure, the columns 12L, 12R are similar in construction and preferably are mirror images of one another. A column 12, as shown, includes a back member 26 and side members 27, 28. A column 12 defines one or more enclosures 30 which are referenced 30A, 30B for convenience. The enclosures 30A, 30B are juxtaposed and may be separated by a partition 31. A closure member 32 may be mounted to a respective column 12 and selectively movable between open and closed positions to selectively close and secure the openings 33 into the interior of the enclosure. The members 32 are each preferably in the form of a hinged door. When the members 32 are in their closed orientation, the enclosures 30A, 30B are closed forming a secure zone within the respective interior portion of the column 12. A lock device 34, such as a key lock, may be provided to secure the members 32 in their respective closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the key locks 34 may be keyed differently to control who has access to which enclosure 30A or 30B in either column 12, if desired.
Electronic circuitry designated generally 38 may be mounted and secured in a respective enclosure 30A, 30B. Each of the circuit components 38 may provide a different function or control. For example, the circuit device 38A may be used to read credit slips provided by a player and deduct play fees from the slip and activate play of the gaming device 11. Circuit device 38A may also issue credit slips The circuit 38B may provide game content to the display 15 and may include a programmable logic controller (plc) programmed to provide game playing capability to the gaming device 11. The circuit device 38C may be provided to accept cash in pre-selected denominations and allow a player to play the device 11 using cash. The device 38A may be utilized to issue a credit device if the entirety of the cash deposited at 38C is not utilized by the player. The circuit device 38D may be utilized to control portions of the drive mechanisms described below.
The support 14 can be in the form of a generally flat panel secured to and extending between the columns 12. Portions of the columns 12 can project to the sides of the support 14 and outwardly from a face surface 36 toward the open side 35 and player or playing zone 40. The columns 12 and support 14 may be made of formed metal or other appropriate structural material and can be painted or otherwise finished for decorative purposes. A foot rail or rest 37 may be secured to a lower portion of the support 14 extending outwardly therefrom into a knee/leg zone 48. In a preferred embodiment, both the lower portions of the support 14 and columns 12 rest on an underlying floor 39. In plan view, the zones 40, 48 are generally in the form of an exaggerated U in transverse cross section providing security for personal items such as a purse and limit access and view into the zones 40, 48. As best seen in
The display 15, if desired can be pivotally mounted to a shelf member 45 of the shelf structure 20. Pivotal movement of the display 15 can permit changing the angle of preferred viewing of the display 15 for a particular player. A suitable powered drive 41 such as a motorized screw can be attached to both the shelf member 45 and the display 15. By actuation of the drive 41, the display 15 can be pivoted about its respective pivots 42 as desired by a player. The drive 41 is preferably operably connected to the controller circuit 38D and can be actuated via a suitable control device 43. In one embodiment the display 15 can be a touch activated screen and various controls can be incorporated into it, including the control device 43. The control device 43 may also be mounted on either of the columns 12L, 12R or the support 14 and is shown mounted on the column 12L. Audio output to players may also be provided.
The shelf structure 20 includes a shelf member 45. The shelf member 45 extends from the support 14 into the zone 40 and has a free edge 46 spaced outwardly or forwardly of the support 14 and extends between the two columns 12L, 12R and the side panels 22. The shelf 45, the support 14 and the columns 12L, 12R form or define the zone 40. The area under the shelf 45 and between the columns 12L, 12R, panels 22 and the support 14 form a sitting and knee/leg zone 48 for the player. The lower portion of the support 14 can serve as a modesty panel. In a preferred embodiment, the shelf 45 and display 15 are movable relative to the remainder of the gaming device 11. As seen in
The controls 59 for the game, are also accessible from the player's zone 40. The controls 59 may be mounted as appropriate for the particular game and in any member and design as desired for playing the game. The controls 59 may also be incorporated into the display 15 if it is a touch screen. The display 15 displays the game, game components or game elements including instructions and choices thereon and may be in the form of a plasma screen, an LCD screen a CRT screen and/or a mechanical device with game elements displayed on mechanical elements or the like. In operation, a player can sit or stand adjacent to shelf 45 and if sitting, may place their knees under the shelf 45 in the knee/leg zone 48. Feet may be placed on the foot rest 37 if desired. The panels 22 help provide some side view limitation on viewing by adjacent people. However, they do not prevent viewing by a partner standing or sitting adjacent to free edge 46 of the shelf 45. The appropriate adjustments may be made to the shelf position and the orientation of the display 15 as desired by the player. When service is needed, a service person can access any one or more of the circuit components 38A, B, C, D as permitted by the particular key or code for the respective lock 34. As can best be seen in
Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required.” Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
