Patent Grant
12169996
The present invention relates to gaming machines and more specifically, to a display lifting system for use with gaming machines.
A gaming machine represented by a slot machine is highly popular among casino customers as a device that provides gaming that is easy to enjoy, and recent statistics report that sales from gaming machines account for the majority of casino earnings. At least some known gaming machines include a gaming cabinet enclosing a game control unit and supports a button display and one or more display monitors. Known gaming cabinets are designed to support predesigned display monitor configurations. As such, changes to the display monitor configurations are difficult and expensive. A gaming machine that enables changes in display monitor configurations is desired. The present invention addresses one or more of the aforementioned challenges.
In one aspect of the present invention, A gaming machine is provided. The gaming machine includes a display unit, a control panel, and a cabinet system. The cabinet system includes a control unit housing supporting the control panel, a display unit housing mounted to the control unit housing and including an inner surface defining an interior equipment cavity, and a display lifting system. The display lifting system includes a scissor-type extension assembly, a display unit lift assembly, and a display unit support assembly. The scissor-type extension assembly is mounted to the control unit housing and positioned within the interior equipment cavity. The display unit lift assembly includes a lift assembly support frame coupled to the scissor-type extension assembly, and an actuator assembly coupled to the lift assembly support frame. The display unit support assembly includes a support frame assembly slideably coupled to the display unit lift assembly, and a support bracket arm coupled to the display unit and removably mounted to the support frame assembly. The scissor-type extension assembly is configured to position the display unit between a first position having the display unit adjacent the display unit housing and a second position having the display unit spaced a distance from the display unit housing. The linear actuator assembly is configured to position the display unit between the second position and a third position nearer to a ground surface to facilitate removing the display unit from the support frame assembly.
In another aspect of the present invention, a display lifting system for use with a gaming machine is provided. The display lifting system includes a scissor-type extension assembly, a display unit lift assembly, and a display unit support assembly. The scissor-type extension assembly is mounted to a gaming cabinet. The display unit lift assembly includes a lift assembly support frame coupled to the scissor-type extension assembly, and an actuator assembly coupled to the lift assembly support frame. The display unit support assembly includes a support frame assembly slideably coupled to the display unit lift assembly, and a support bracket arm coupled to a display unit and removably mounted to the support frame assembly. The scissor-type extension assembly is configured to position the display unit between a first position having the display unit adjacent the gaming cabinet and a second position having the display unit spaced a distance from the display unit housing. The linear actuator assembly is configured to position the display unit between the second position and a third position nearer to a ground surface to facilitate removing the display unit from the support frame assembly.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
With reference to the drawings, and in operation, the present invention is directed towards a gaming machine and a modular gaming cabinet system and display lifting system for use with gaming machines. The present invention improves the functionality of existing gaming machines by providing a modular gaming cabinet system and display lifting system that provides various configurations for gaming machine display units to accommodate various game themes and game play using one or more display units. By providing a modular gaming cabinet system and display lifting system, the present invention improves flexibility in the design and manufacturing of gaming machine cabinets thus reducing overall operational costs and manpower.
Referring to
The display unit assembly 14 may include one or more display units 22 which may include liquid crystal display devices and/or organic EL display devices and the like, that are controlled by the game control unit assembly 20 to display a game to a player.
Speakers 24 are provided, and by controlling via the game control unit assembly 20, sound is provided to the player. On the control panel assembly 16, a bill/ticket identification device 26, a printer device 28, and an operation unit 30 are provided.
The player tracking unit 18 may be housed on the center of the front surface of the control panel assembly 16. The player tracking unit 18 has a card reader that recognizes a player identification card, a display that presents data to the player, and a keypad that receives input by the player.
The bill/ticket identification device 26 is disposed on the control panel assembly 16 in a state where the insertion opening that a bill/ticket is inserted into is exposed, an identification part that identifies a bill/ticket by various sensors on the inside of the insertion opening is provided, and a bill/ticket storage part is provided on the outgoing side of the identification part. The bill/ticket identification device 26, receives and identifies bills/tickets (including vouchers and coupons) that are the game value as a game executing value, and notifies the game control unit assembly 20.
The printer device 28 is disposed on the control panel assembly 16 in a state where the ticket output opening that a ticket is output from is exposed, a printing part that prints predetermined information on a printing paper on the inside of the ticket output opening is provided, and a housing part that houses the printing paper inside the paper inlet side of the printing part is provided. The printer device 28, under the control of the game control unit assembly 20 mentioned below, prints information on paper and outputs a ticket according to credit payout processing from the gaming machine 10. The output ticket can use the payout credit as game play by being inserted into the bill/ticket identification device 26 of another gaming machine, or, can be exchanged for cash by a kiosk terminal inside of the casino or a casino cage.
The operation unit 30 receives the operation of the player. The operation unit 30 includes a group of buttons that receives various instructions from the player on the gaming machine 10. The operation unit 30, for example, may include a start button and a group of setting buttons. The start button receives an instruction to start an instance of the game. The group of buttons includes a group of bet buttons, a denomination button, a max bet button, and a payout button and the like. The group of bet buttons receives an instruction operation regarding the bet amount of credits (bet number) from the player. The max bet button receives an instruction operation regarding the bet of the maximum amount of credits that can be bet at one time from the player. The payout button receives an instruction operation instructing a credit payout accumulated in the gaming machine 10. In one embodiment, the operation unit 30 may include a touchscreen panel display that displays the graphic computer images of the group of buttons and performs functions similar to the group of buttons including transmitting player selections to the game control unit assembly 20. The gaming machine 10 also includes illumination devices 31 that provides decorative lighting to the gaming machine 10.
The game control unit assembly 20 includes a control board equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) including a processor, an interface unit, a memory device including a memory and a storage, and the like. The control board is configured so that communication is possible through the interface unit and each of the gaming machine components to control the operation of each part by executing the program recorded in the memory and/or the storage, and provide a game to the player. The function of the CPU is to execute and display the game on the display unit assembly of the gaming machine 10.
The interface unit includes a chip set providing communication functions of the CPU, a memory bus connected to a CPU, various expanding buses, serial interfaces, USB interfaces, Ethernet™ interfaces and the like, and a computer unit where the CPU provides the addressable memory and the storage through the interface unit. The memory can be configured to include RAM that is a volatile storage medium, ROM that is a nonvolatile storage medium, and EEPROM that is a rewritable nonvolatile storage medium. The storage provides the game control unit as an external storage device function, can use reading devices such as a memory card that is a removable storage medium, and a magneto optical disk and the like, and can use hard disks.
On the interface unit, in addition to the CPU, the memory, and the storage, a bill/ticket identification unit controller, a printer unit controller, the player tracking unit, a graphic controller, an input controller, and a sound controller are connected. That is, the CPU is connected to the operation unit 30 through the input controller, and connected to the display unit assembly through the graphic controller. Further, when illumination devices that provides decorative lighting to the gaming machine 10 are provided, the illumination is controlled under the control of the CPU on the interface unit, and an illumination controller that controls the illumination devices to provide a decorative lighting effect may be connected.
The bill/ticket identification unit controller operates the bill/ticket identification device to receive bills/tickets in the insertion opening, and notifies the CPU of identifying information corresponding to the assortment of bills or the payout processing of credits. The bill/ticket identification unit controller notifies the information to the CPU, and the CPU increases the usable credit amount inside of the game according to the notified content. The printer unit controller corresponds to the printer device, and under the control of the CPU that receives an operation of the payout button of the group of setting buttons, information corresponding to the credit payout processing from the gaming machine 10 is printed and output on a printed ticket.
The player ranking (or tracking unit) unit cooperatively operates with the CPU, and sends and receives information and the like of the player from the casino management system. The graphic controller controls the display unit assembly 14, under the control of the CPU, and displays a display image that includes various graphic data. The sound controller drives the speakers under the control of the CPU, and provides various sounds such as an announcement, sound effects, BGM and the like.
Further, the interface unit, has various communication interfaces for communicating with the exterior of the gaming machine 10, for example the interface unit can communicate with an external network by Ethernet, and a serial interface. In the present embodiment, one example shows when there is communication between a well-known server-side gaming network (Server Based Gaming), a G2S network (Game to System), and a slot information system (Slot Data System), respectively.
In the illustrated embodiment, the modular cabinet system 12 includes a cabinet stand assembly 32 and a housing assembly 34. The housing assembly 34 is mounted onto a top portion of the cabinet stand assembly 32. The cabinet stand assembly 32 is configured to support the housing assembly 34 from a ground surface.
The housing assembly 34 includes a control unit housing 36 and a display unit housing 38. The housing assembly 34 also includes a plurality of panel support openings 40 (shown in
The control unit housing 36 is mounted onto the top portion of the cabinet stand assembly 32 and includes a base unit 42 and a cover unit 44. The base unit 42 includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an interior cavity 46 that is sized and shaped to receive the game control unit assembly 20 therein. The cover unit 44 is removably coupled to the base unit 42 and is configured to enclose the game control unit assembly 20 within the interior cavity 46.
The housing assembly 34 includes a plurality of sliding bracket assemblies 48 that are coupled to the base unit 42 and to the cover unit 44. The sliding bracket assemblies 48 are configured to allow the cover unit 44 to move with respect to the base unit 42 along a longitudinal axis 50 to selectively allow access to the interior cavity 46.
The cover unit 44 includes a body that extends between a front portion 52 and an opposite rear portion 54. The rear portion 54 includes a rear mounting surface 55 that is configured to contact the base unit 42. The front portion 52 includes an outer surface and an opening 56 extending through the outer surface to provide access to the interior cavity 46. An access panel 58 is pivotably coupled to the front portion 52 with a pair of hinge assemblies 60. The access panel 58 is positionable between an open position providing access to the interior cavity 46 and a closed position restricting access to the interior cavity 46.
The cover unit 44 also includes a control panel support member 62 that extends outwardly from the front portion 52. The control panel support member 62 is configured to support the control panel assembly 16 from the cover unit 44.
The display unit housing 38 is mounted to a top portion of the base unit 42. The display unit housing 38 includes a plurality of modular display support members 70 that are configured to support the display unit assembly 14 from the housing assembly 34. Each modular display support member 70 includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior equipment cavity 72.
The display unit housing 38 also includes one or more bracket assemblies 74 for mounting the display unit assembly 14 to the modular display support members 70. The bracket assembly 74 includes a display unit support bracket 76 that is mounted to the display unit assembly 14 and a pair of display unit sliding bracket assemblies 78 that are coupled to the display unit support bracket 76. The display unit sliding bracket assemblies 78 are coupled to a corresponding modular display support member 70 and are configured to allow the display unit support bracket 76 to move with respect to the corresponding modular display support member 70 along the longitudinal axis 50 to allow an operator to access a rear portion of the display unit assembly 14 and/or the interior equipment cavity 72. The display unit assembly 14 may be coupled to one or more bracket assemblies 74 to support the display unit assembly 14 from the housing assembly 34 and to allow the display unit assembly 14 to move with respect to the housing assembly 34 along the longitudinal axis 50.
The plurality of modular display support members 70 includes a primary display support member 80 and one or more secondary display support members 82. The primary display support member 80 includes an outer surface extending between a top end and a bottom end. The outer surface includes a front surface 84 extending between the top end and the bottom end. The front surface 84 includes a top portion 86 and a bottom portion 88. The top portion 86 extends from the top end and is orientated along a vertical axis 90. The bottom portion 88 extends at an oblique angle from the top portion 86 to the bottom end. The primary display support member 80 also includes an opening that extends through the front surface 84 to provide access to the interior equipment cavity 72.
The secondary display support member 82 includes a front outer surface that is orientated along the vertical axis 90, and an equipment access opening 92 that extends through the front outer surface to allow access to the interior equipment cavity 72. The secondary display support member 82 may also include a removable cover 94 that is removably coupled to the front outer surface and extends across the equipment access opening 92 to restrict access to the interior equipment cavity 72.
The secondary display support member 82 includes a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape having a height 96 measured along the vertical axis 90, a thickness 98 measured along the longitudinal axis 50, and a width 100 measured along a transvers axis 102 that is perpendicular to the vertical axis 90 and the longitudinal axis 50.
The primary display support member 80 includes a width 104 measured along the transvers axis 102 that is substantially equal to the width 100 of the secondary display support member 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion 86 of the primary display support member 80 includes a thickness 106 measured along the longitudinal axis 50 that is substantially equal to the thickness 98 of the secondary display support member 82 and the bottom portion 88 of the primary display support member 80 includes a thickness 108 measured along the longitudinal axis 50 that is greater than the thickness 106 of the top portion 86. In other embodiments, the bottom portion 88 of the primary display support member 80 is substantially planar with the top portion 86 such that the bottom portion 88 and top portion 86 have the same thickness 106 which is substantially equal to the thickness 98 of the secondary display support member 82. The primary display support member 80 also includes a height 110 measured along the vertical axis 90 that is greater than the height 96 of the secondary display support member 82.
In some embodiments, the modular cabinet system 12 may include a slot topper assembly 112 that is mounted to the top portion of the display unit housing 38.
The plurality of modular display support members 70 allow the modular cabinet system 12 to support one or more display units 22 of the same, or varying sizes, to provide various configurations for gaming machines 10 to accommodate various game themes and game play. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, the modular cabinet system 12 may be configured in a plurality of configurations including, but not limited to: a first configuration 114 such as, for example, the Dimension 49J™ gaming cabinet available from Konami™ (shown in
Referring again to
The modular cabinet system 12 includes the cabinet stand assembly 32 supported on a ground surface, the control unit housing 36 mounted on the cabinet stand assembly 32, and the display unit housing 38 mounted on the control unit housing 36. The control unit housing 36 is configured to support the control panel assembly 16 and includes the interior cavity 46 enclosing the game control unit assembly 20. The control unit housing 36 includes the base unit 42 and the cover unit 44 removably coupled to the base unit 42. The base unit 42 includes the interior cavity 46 enclosing the game control unit assembly 20. The control unit housing 36 also includes a plurality of sliding bracket assemblies 48 that are coupled to the inner surface of the base unit 42 and to the cover unit 44 to allow the cover unit 44 to move with respect to the base unit 42 between an open position (shown in
The cover unit 44 extends between the front portion 52 and the opposite rear portion 54 with the rear portion 54 including the rear mounting surface 55 that is configured to contact the base unit 42 with the cover unit 44 in the closed position. The front portion 52 includes the access opening 56 extending through the outer surface of the front portion 52 to provide access to the interior cavity 46. The cover unit 44 also includes the access panel 58 that is pivotably coupled to the front portion 52 with the hinge assemblies 60. The access panel 58 is positionable between an open position (shown in
The display unit housing 38 includes a primary display support member 80 mounted on the control unit housing 36 and a primary bracket assembly 134 slidably coupled to the primary display support member 80. The primary display support member 80 includes the interior equipment cavity 72 that is configured to receive the primary bracket assembly 134 therein. The primary bracket assembly 134 includes a plurality of primary display unit sliding bracket assemblies 136 and a primary display unit support bracket 138. The primary display unit sliding bracket assemblies 136 are coupled to the inner surface of the primary display support member 80. The primary display unit support bracket 138 is coupled to the plurality of primary display unit sliding bracket assemblies 136 to allow the primary display unit support bracket 138 to move with respect to the primary display support member 80 along the longitudinal axis 50. The primary display unit support bracket 138 is coupled to the primary display unit 116 to support the primary display unit 116 from the primary display support member 80 and to allow the primary display unit 116 to move with respect to the primary display support member 80. For example, the primary bracket assembly 134 allows the primary display unit 116 to be positioned between a first open position (shown in
In some embodiments, the primary display unit support bracket 138 extends between a top end 140 and a bottom end 142 and includes a top portion 144 extending from the top end 140 and orientated along the vertical axis 90 and a bottom portion 146 extending at an oblique angle from the top portion 144 to the bottom end 142. Referring to
The primary bracket assembly 134 may also include one or more bumper assemblies 156 that are coupled to a rear portion of the support frame 148 and configured to contact a rear interior surface of the primary display support member 80 when the primary bracket assembly 134 is moved into the interior equipment cavity 72 of the primary display support member 80. The primary bracket assembly 134 may also include one or more positioning assemblies 158 configured to facilitate maintaining the primary bracket assembly 134 in the closed position. The positioning assembly 158 may include a positioning clip 160 coupled to the support frame 148 and a positioning pin 162. With the primary bracket assembly 134 in the closed position, the positioning pin 162 is inserted through an opening in the primary display support member 80 and into a corresponding opening defined in the positioning clip 160 to lock the primary bracket assembly 134 in the closed position.
Referring to
In the first configuration 114, the display unit assembly 14 includes the secondary display unit 118 positioned above the primary display unit 116. The display unit housing 38 includes a plurality of secondary display support members 82 that are mounted on the primary display support member 80 in a stacked arrangement. The plurality of secondary display support members 82 includes a first secondary display support member 170 that is coupled to the secondary display unit 118 and a second secondary display support member 172 that is orientated between the first secondary display support member 170 and the primary display support member 80. The second secondary display support member 172 includes the removable cover 94 extending across the equipment access opening 92.
The first secondary display support member 170 includes an inner surface that defines a secondary interior equipment cavity 174 with a secondary bracket assembly 176 slidably coupled to the first secondary display support member 170 and positionable within the secondary interior equipment cavity 174. The secondary display unit 118 is coupled to the secondary bracket assembly 176 to allow the secondary display unit 118 to move with respect to the first secondary display support member 170.
The secondary bracket assembly 176 includes a plurality of secondary display sliding bracket assemblies 178 and a secondary display support bracket 180. The secondary display sliding bracket assemblies 178 are coupled to the inner surface of the first secondary display support member 170. The secondary display support bracket 180 is coupled to the plurality of secondary display sliding bracket assemblies 178 to allow the secondary display support bracket 180 to move with respect to the first secondary display support member 170 along the longitudinal axis 50. The secondary display support bracket 180 is coupled to the secondary display unit 118 to support the secondary display unit 118 from the first secondary display support member 170 and to allow the secondary display unit 118 to move with respect to the first secondary display support member 170. For example, the secondary bracket assembly 176 allows the secondary display unit 118 to be positioned between a first open position (shown in
The secondary bracket assembly 176 may also include one or more bumper assemblies 156 that are coupled to a front portion of the first secondary display support member 170 and configured to contact a rear interior surface of the secondary display unit 118 when the secondary bracket assembly 176 is moved into the secondary interior equipment cavity 174 and the secondary display unit 118 is positioned adjacent to the first secondary display support member 170. The secondary bracket assembly 176 may also include one or more positioning assemblies 158 configured to facilitate maintaining the secondary bracket assembly 176 in the closed position. The positioning assembly 158 may include a positioning clip 160 coupled to the secondary display support bracket 180 and a positioning pin 162 that is inserted through an opening in the first secondary display support member 170 and into a corresponding opening defined in the positioning clip 160 to lock the secondary bracket assembly 176 in the closed position. A slot topper assembly 112 may be mounted to the top portion of the first secondary display support member 170.
Referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments of the second configuration 120, the display unit housing 38 includes the primary display support member 80 mounted onto the top portion of the base unit 42, and a secondary display support member 82 mounted on top of the primary display support member 80 in a stacked arrangement. The secondary display support member 82 includes a front outer surface orientated along the vertical axis 90. The first bracket assembly 74 extends outwardly from the bottom portion 88 of the primary display support member 80 and the second bracket assembly 74 extending outwardly from the top portion 86 of the primary display support member 80. A third bracket assembly 74 extends outwardly from the secondary display support member 82. The display unit assembly 14 also includes a first display unit 22 mounted to the first bracket assembly 74 and the bottom portion 88, a second display unit 22 mounted to the second bracket assembly 74 and the top portion 86, and a third display unit 22 mounted to the secondary display support member 82 with the third bracket assembly 74.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the display lifting system 200 includes a scissor-type extension assembly 218 (shown in
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the scissor-type extension assembly 218 includes a pair of scissor arm assemblies 226 that are coupled together with a plurality of bracing support brackets 228 that enable the pair of scissor arm assemblies 226 to extend and retract simultaneously. Each scissor arm assembly 226 includes a first scissor arm 230 that is pivotably coupled to a second scissor arm 232 at a central pivot point 234 such that the first and second scissor arms 230, 232 move in a mirrored relationship. The first and second scissor arms 230, 232 are coupled between a first scissor arm support member 236 and a second scissor arm support member 238. The first scissor arm support member 236 is coupled to the support plate 224. The second scissor arm support member 238 is coupled to the display unit lift assembly 220.
Each scissor arm 230, 232 includes a body extending between a first end 240 and a second end 242, and a wheel assembly 244 coupled to the first end 240. Each scissor arm support member 236, 238 includes a channel strut 246 and guide slots 248 defined along an upper portion of the channel strut 246. The guide slots 248 are sized and shaped to receive a wheel assembly 244 therein and include a length 250 that limits a horizontal extended length 252 of the scissor-type extension assembly 218. The first end 240 of the first scissor arm 230 is slideably coupled to the first scissor arm support member 236 with the wheel assembly 244 positioned within the guide slots 248 of the first scissor arm support member 236 such that the first end 240 of the first scissor arm 230 slides along the length of the guide slots 248. The second end 242 of the first scissor arm 230 is pivotably coupled to a lower portion of the second scissor arm support member 238. Similarly, the first end 240 of the second scissor arm 232 is slideably coupled to the second scissor arm support member 238 with the wheel assembly 244 positioned within the guide slots 248 of the second scissor arm support member 238 such that the first end 240 of the second scissor arm 232 slides along the length 250 of the guide slots 248. The second end 242 of the second scissor arm 232 is pivotably coupled to a lower portion of the first scissor arm support member 236.
In some embodiments, the scissor-type extension assembly 218 may also include one or more extension assist shocks 254 that are coupled to one or more scissor arms 230, 232 to facilitate extension and retraction of the scissor-type extension assembly 218 between the stowed and extended positions 202, 204. In some embodiments, the scissor-type extension assembly 218 may also include an actuator assembly (not shown) that is coupled to one or more scissor arms 230, 232 to facilitate extension and retraction of the scissor-type extension assembly 218. The scissor-type extension assembly 218 may also include one or more latch assemblies 256 that are configured to be removably coupled to corresponding latch strikers 258 mounted onto the display unit support assembly 222.
Referring to
Referring to
The pair of support bracket arms 278 are coupled to the display unit 22 and are sized and shaped to facilitate removably mounting the display unit 22 to the display unit support assembly 222. Each support bracket arm 278 includes a support hook 290 defined at an upper end of the bracket arm 278 and a positioning slot 292 defined at a lower end of the bracket arm 278.
In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame assembly 274 includes an upper support rod 294 mounted to the top portion 282 of the central frame member 280, and a lower support rod 296 mounted to the bottom portion 284 of the central frame member 280. The support hook 290 is sized and shaped to receive a corresponding upper support rod 294 therein and the positioning slot 292 is sized and shaped to receive a corresponding lower support rod 296 therein to removably couple the display unit 22 to the display unit support assembly 222. In some embodiments, as shown in
A pair of retractable frame legs 298 are coupled to the bottom end of the central frame member 280 with hinge assemblies 300 that allow the retractable frame legs 298 to be positioned in a retracted position with the frame legs adjacent to an outer surface of the central frame member 280 and an extended position with the frame legs extending outwardly from the central frame member 280 and towards the ground surface 212. As shown in
The lift assembly support frame 260 defines a frame cavity 304 that is sized and shaped to receive the support frame assembly 274 therein. The rod end 272 of the linear actuator assembly 262 is coupled to a bracket 302 mounted to the bottom end of the support frame assembly 274. The linear actuator assembly 262 operates to move the display unit support assembly 222 along an angled travel path 306 (shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
The support frame assembly 274 includes a plurality of pairs of support rods 286 with each pair of support rods 286 including an upper support rod 294 and a lower support rod 296 Each pair of support bracket arms 278 is configure to mount to a corresponding pair of support rods 286 to facilitate mounting the display units 22 to the display unit support assembly 222. The support frame assembly 274 may also include an upper frame member 314 coupled to the top end of the central frame member 280 with the upper frame member 314 extending upward from the central frame member 280 at an oblique angle that matches the first oblique angle of the upper display unit 310. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper display unit 310 is mounted to the upper frame member 314, with the center display unit 308 and the lower display unit 312 mounted to the central frame member 280.
Referring to
Similarly, with the display lifting system 200 in the deployed position 206, the operator may mount the display unit 22 onto the display unit support assembly 222 by first engaging the support hook 290 of the support bracket arms 278 with the upper support rod 294 to allow the display unit support assembly 222 to support the weight of the display unit 22, then engage the positioning slots 292 of the support bracket arms 278 with the lower support rod 296. Once the display unit 22 is mounted to the display unit support assembly 222, the operator may operate the linear actuator assembly 262 to move the display unit support assembly 222 along the angled travel path 306 to move the display unit support assembly 222 and the display unit 22 from the deployed position 206 to the extended position 204. With the display lifting system 200 in the extended position 204, the operate may then move the display unit 22 along the horizontal travel path 316 to move the scissor-type extension assembly 218 from the extended position to the retracted position and allow the latch assemblies 256 to engage the latch strikers 258 to facilitate maintaining the display unit 22 in the stowed position 202 and adjacent to the gaming cabinet system 12.
Exemplary embodiments of a gaming machine and a modular cabinet system and display lifting system for use with the gaming machine are described above in detail. The gaming machine, modular cabinet system, and display lifting system are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the gaming machine, modular cabinet system, and display lifting system may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the modular cabinet system and display lifting system may also be used in combination with other gaming systems and methods, and is not limited to practice with only the gaming machine as described herein. Rather, an exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other gaming system applications.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Other aspects and features of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. It should also be noted that the steps and/or functions listed within the appended claims, notwithstanding the order of which steps and/or functions are listed therein, are not limited to any specific order of operation.
Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/224,226 filed Jul. 21, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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| 20050032578 | Cole | Feb 2005 | A1 |
| 20160335836 | Castro | Nov 2016 | A1 |
| 20190080553 | Hohman | Mar 2019 | A1 |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230024888 A1 | Jan 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63224226 | Jul 2021 | US |
