Patent Application
20120153570
This invention is related to games of chance and more particularly to a combination beverage coaster and universal number generator for placing bets in Keno and other lottery number games.
The first recorded evidence of a lottery number game are Keno slips in the Chinese Han Dynasty between 205 and 187 B.C. In 1776 the Continental Congress sold lottery tickets to finance the Revolutionary War. At the end of the Revolutionary War various States used lotteries to raise funds for public projects.
In lottery number games players fill out betting slips with numbers that are matched against numbers by spinning wheels or drawing numbered balls drawn from rotating cylinders. Keno is frequently played in restaurants and bars. A player can win as much as $2,000,000 with a $20 wager. Chinese immigrants introduced Keno into the U.S. when they worked on the American trans-continental railroad during the 19th century. There are variations in Keno Lotteries, but in each variation a player enters numbers in betting slips with the hope of matching numbers that are drawn from a set of 80 during a play.
A typical Keno game consists of the following steps. The first step consists of selecting a spot a player wishes to wager. A spot designates a series of numbers from one to ten the player desires to match. For example, a 3 spot requires a player to match 3 numbers to win a first prize. If he matches less than 3, say 2, a smaller prize is usually awarded. For large spots, say an 8 spot, prizes are awarded for matching, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 numbers.
The next step is to enter the selected spot on a pre-paid or later paid betting slip and turn in the betting slip to a bartender or waitress. After the betting slip is turned in a spot is randomly drawn by a spinning a wheel or a drawing of balls with 1× to 10× spots. If the numbers on the drawn spot matches the players numbers, the player wins the first place prize, or a lesser prize if a fewer numbers are matched.
A primary object of the invention is to provide an easy-to-use random number generator for placing bets in lotteries. Another objective is to provide a random number generator which can be used as a beverage coaster in a bar or restaurant. Another object is to provide a universal number generator for placing bets in a variety of Keno or other lotteries. For achieving these ends a random number generator is provided which is comprised of a casing, a plurality of small circular numbered disks stored in the casing and a mask overlying the numbered disks. One benefit of the invention is that with minor changes it can be used to select numbers for a variety of Keno and other lottery games. A characteristic feature of the present invention is that traps are positioned around a periphery of a casing that are uncovered to expose lottery numbers.
The casing is divided into transparent upper and a lower half portions. In the lower half portion are a series of trap for capturing some of the numbered disks when the generator is shaken. In a first embodiment, masks are provided on outer surfaces of the upper half and lower halves of the casing for exposing spots through windows in the masks.
In a second embodiment, a mask is provided on only the upper half portion of the casing for viewing odd and even spots through a one or more windows in a mask.
In employing the teaching of the present invention, a plurality of alternate constructions can be provided to achieve the desired results and capabilities. In this disclosure, some alternate constructions are discussed. However, these embodiments are intended as examples, and should not be considered as limiting.
Further features and benefits of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings which describe the invention in detail. A preferred embodiment is disclosed in accordance with the best mode which is contemplated for practicing the invention and the specific features in which exclusive property rights are claimed are set forth in each of the numbered claims which are appended to the detailed description.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, a combination beverage coaster and random number generator 20 for placing bets in a Keno game is shown in
The casings 21 consist of upper 24 and lower 25 horizontal planar half portions with short vertical 26 peripheral portions joined together by sonic welding, an adhesive or other available means to provide a cavity 33 for storing the numbered disks 33 and horizontal surfaces 27 for supporting drinking glasses 28. The vertical portions 26 confine spillage to the coaster 20. Extending along the periphery on each of the four sides of the casing lower half portion 25 are traps 29 for capturing some of the numbered disks 23. As shown in
The masks 22 cover the numbered disks 23, except for exposing disks 31 in windows 32 in the masks 22. In
The masks 22 can have several forms. One form consists of transparent labels 22 with opaque graphics adhesively applied to the upper 24 and lower casings 25 or printed graphics on the outer upper 24 and lower half 25 portions. 37, 4, 15, 46, 22
With reference to
In
From the foregoing, it is apparent that our invention provides a universal, easy to use number generator for selecting lottery numbers that is neither anticipated nor obvious over the prior art. One important feature is that it can apply with minor modifications to all of a State's lotteries. By providing multiple traps, alternate masks, different amounts of numbered disks, the generator may be used for different lotteries.
Although only two embodiments of our invention have been described it is further obvious that other embodiments can be derived after studying our disclosure, by such changes as providing a generator with a single trap, mask and set of disks, substitution of parts, changes in shape and inversion of elements without departing from the spirit thereof.
