Abstract:
A gaming machine includes a cabinet and a main door coupled to the cabinet. The main door and the cabinet define a first interior space when the main door is in a closed position. A mounting assembly is coupled to hinge of the main door. The main display is connected to the mounting assembly, wherein the main display does not move with the main door when the main door is moved from a first closed position to a second opened position, and wherein the main display is movable from a closed position to an open position independent of the main door. The mounting assembly does not require a separate hinge or mounting assembly and moves independently of the main cabinet door. The mounting assembly may be retrofitted to pre-existing gaming cabinets or installed in new gaming cabinets without any additional components thereby reducing retrofitting, manufacturing, and maintenance costs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/744,582 filed Apr. 10, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Gaming machines have used various types of displays to present a game of chance to a player. Traditionally, gaming machines have used a plurality of mechanical reels having various symbols provided on the reels. However, gaming machines have increased in their complexity and player features to maintain player interest. As a result, gaming machines have been developed that use video displays such as, but not limited to, Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors to present games of chance. While useful, CRT monitors use a large amount of space within the gaming machine cabinet. 
     In addition to CRT monitors, flat panel displays, such as LCD or plasma displays, have also been used in gaming machines. While these flat panel displays occupy less space within the gaming machine, the mounting locations of these displays within a gaming cabinet inhibit access or block portions of the gaming cabinet. Accordingly, the flat panel display needs to be removed from the gaming cabinet to access portions of the gaming cabinet, thereby increasing the complexity and costs of maintaining a gaming machine. What is needed are mounting assemblies that allow a flat panel display to be viewable by a player to provide easier access to the interior of the gaming machine cabinet. 
     SUMMARY 
     Briefly, and in general terms, various embodiments are directed to a gaming machine having a mounting assembly for a flat panel display. According to one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a cabinet and a main door coupled to the cabinet. The main door and the cabinet define a first interior space when the main door is in a closed position. A mounting assembly is coupled to hinge of the main door. The main display is connected to the mounting assembly, wherein the main display does not move with the main door when the main door is moved from a first closed position to a second opened position, and wherein the main display is movable from a closed position to an open position independent of the main door. The mounting assembly does not require a separate hinge or mounting assembly and moves independently of the main cabinet door. The mounting assembly may be retrofitted to pre-existing gaming cabinets or installed in new gaming cabinets without any additional components thereby reducing retrofitting, manufacturing, and maintenance costs. 
     In another embodiment, the gaming machine includes a main door coupled to the cabinet via a hinge. The main door and the cabinet define a first interior space when the main door is in a closed position. A mounting assembly coupled to the hinge of the main door, and a main display is connected to the mounting assembly. The main display does not move with the main door when the main door is moved from a first closed position to a second opened position, and the main display is movable from a closed position to an open position independent of the main door. The gaming machine also includes a top box positioned above the cabinet and a secondary door is pivotally coupled to the top box. The secondary door and the top box define a second interior space when the secondary door is in a closed position. According to one embodiment, the second interior space is separate and apart from the first interior space. In this embodiment, the secondary display is mounted to the secondary door. The secondary display is movable with the secondary door when the secondary door is moved from a closed position to an opened position. 
     In yet another embodiment, the gaming machine includes a cabinet defining an interior space. A main door having an opening is coupled to the cabinet via a hinge, and a plurality of mechanical reels are visible through the opening of the main door. The gaming machine also includes a top box positioned above the main cabinet. A secondary door having an opening is pivotally coupled to the top box via a hinge. The secondary door and the top box define a second interior space when the secondary door is in a closed position. The second interior space is separate and apart from the first interior space. A mounting assembly coupled to the hinge to move a flat panel display from an operational position to a service position, wherein the flat panel display is visible through the opening in the operational position and the flat panel is moved away from the interior space of the top box in the service position. The mounting assembly prevents the flat panel display from moving with the secondary door when the secondary door is moved from a first closed position to a second opened position. 
     Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example, the features of the various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of a gaming machine having a flat panel display; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the gaming machine of  FIG. 1  having the gaming cabinet door opened and the flat panel display in an operating position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the gaming machine of  FIG. 2 , wherein the flat panel display is in an intermediate position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the mounting assembly coupled to a flat panel display; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 4  coupled to the hinge of the main cabinet door; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the latch structure for the mounting assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a gaming machine having flat panel mounting assembly positioned in the top box of the gaming machine; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of yet another embodiment of a gaming machine having a flat panel mounting assembly for a flat panel display mounted in a portrait orientation; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a gaming machine having mechanical reels and a secondary video display; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a gaming machine with a top box door opened and a flat panel display in an intermediate position; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a gaming machine with a gaming cabinet door and a top box door opened, wherein a flat panel display is mounted to the top box door and a main display is in an operating position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Briefly, and in general terms, various embodiments are directed to a gaming machine having a mounting assembly for a flat panel display. The mounting assembly allows a flat panel display to be viewable through an opening in the main door. Additionally, the mounting assembly allows the flat panel display to move between an open position and a closed position, independent of the main door, thereby providing easier access to the interior of the gaming cabinet. Furthermore, the mounting assembly uses the hinges of the main door to minimize manufacturing or retrofitting costs. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings and, more particularly to  FIGS. 1-9 , there are shown various embodiments of a gaming machine having a movable display screen. More specifically,  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a gaming machine  10  having a movable flat panel display. The gaming machine  10  includes a top box  12  and a main cabinet  18 . A top box door  16  secures the interior of the top box  12 , and a main door  20  that secures the interior of the main cabinet  18 . The top box  12  and main cabinet  18  include video display screens  14  and  22 , respectively. The main cabinet  18  also includes a button deck  24  that includes a plurality of buttons  26  needed to properly operate the provided games on the gaming machine  10 . In still other embodiments, a single reconfigurable button may be used in lieu of or in addition to the bottom deck  24 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the video display screen  14  of the top box  12  displays game information. The game information may be a pay table, animation or graphics relating to the name or theme of the game, one or more bonus games, a progressive meter, or other information pertinent to the game presented on the main display  22 . Alternatively, the video display screen  14  may present other information such as, but not limited to, gaming-related information, news, and advertisements. The gaming-related information may include, for example, information on sports betting and various betting options relating to sporting events. Additionally, the gaming-related information may include other gaming type information, such as horse racing and off-track betting. News and advertisements such as, but not limited to, casino attractions, show times, restaurant and hotel specials, and world events may also be presented on the display screen or any display screen on the gaming machine. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the main display  22  presents one or more games of chance such as, but not limited to, video slots, video keno, video poker, video blackjack, video roulette, or Class II bingo. In alternate embodiments, the game display  22  may present games of skill or games of chance involving some player skill. In one embodiment, the game display  22  is a flat panel display, including by way of example only, and not by way of limitation, liquid crystal, plasma, electroluminescent, vacuum fluorescent, field emission, LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon), and SXRD (Silicon Xtal Reflective display), or any other type of panel display known or developed in the art. These flat panel displays may use panel technologies to provide digital quality images, including by way of example only, and not by way of limitation, EDTV, HDTV, or DLP (Digital Light Processing). Additionally, the game display  22  may also include a touch screen or touch glass system (not shown), as is well known in the art. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that not all gaming machines have all these components and that each gaming machine may have other components in addition to, or in lieu of, those components mentioned here. Furthermore, while these components are viewed and described separately, various components may be integrated into a single unit in some embodiments. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the gaming machine  10  in which the main door  20  has been opened to expose the interior of the gaming machine. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the main display  22  is fixed in an operating position. In the operating position, the main display  22  is located within the gaming machine  10  such that the display is positioned over a portion of the interior of the main cabinet  18  and is viewable through the display opening  46  of the main cabinet door  20  when the main cabinet door is in a closed position. Additionally, the guide members  48  act as a stop to prevent the main display  22  from hitting the main door opening  46 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the main cabinet door  20 , optionally, includes one or more guide members  48  that align the main door opening  46  with the main display  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the main display  22  is movably coupled to the hinges  50  of gaming machine  10  via a display mount  40 . According to one embodiment, the display mount  40  includes one or more hinges  80  coupled to a frame. The frame is shaped and sized to correspond to the shape and size of the main display  22 . In an alternate embodiment, the hinges  80  are directly coupled to the main display  22 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the display mount  40  includes two hinges  80 , but other embodiments of the display mount  40  may include one or more hinges. For example, a display mount (not shown) having a single hinge may used for a main display  22  that is relatively small and/or light weight. Alternatively, a display mount (not shown) may have three or more hinges for a main display that is large and/or heavy. 
     In another embodiment, the display mount  40  includes a latch structure  42  that is located opposite the hinges  80  as shown in  FIG. 4 . According to one embodiment, the latch structure  42  is coupled to or integral with the frame of the display mount  40 . Alternately, the latch structure  42  is directly coupled to the display  22 . The latch structure  42  is configured to engage a bracket  44  that is positioned on the main cabinet  18 . As a result, the main display  22  is secured in the operating position by a latch structure  42  positioned on the frame of the main display  22 . The latch structure  42  prevents the main display  22  from inadvertently moving when the main cabinet door  20  is opened. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the display mount  40  is shown in a service position. In the service position, the main display  22  is moved away from the interior of the main cabinet  18  thereby allowing for better access to components within the main cabinet. While  FIG. 3  illustrates the main display  22  moved slightly away from the interior of the main cabinet  18 , the main display may be moved to any position spaced away from the interior of the main cabinet. When the main display  22  is moved into the service position, components (not shown) in the interior  70  of the main cabinet  18  are more accessible by casino technicians. 
     According to one embodiment, when the display mount in is the service position, the main display  22  engages the main door  20  of the cabinet  18  via the guide members  48 . More specifically, the edges of the display mount  40  engage guide members  64  on the main door via friction fit. The guide members  64  are long enough to prevent the display screen  22  from contacting the main door  20 . In this configuration, the display  22  is movable into a position that provides better access to the interior of the main cabinet  18 . Additionally, in this configuration, when the main door is moved from the open position to the closed position, the main display  22  moves with the main door  20 . When the main door  20  is completely closed, the display mount latch  60  engages the slot  62  of the main cabinet  18 . Accordingly, when the main door  20  is subsequently opened, the display screen  22  is securely mounted in the operating position. 
       FIGS. 4-6  illustrate one embodiment of a display screen  22  having a mounting assembly  42  including a hinge  80  and a latch structure  42 . These structures  80  and  42  are secured to the frame of a display assembly via screws, rivets, or other fasteners known or developed in the art. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the structures  80  and  42  are positioned on opposite ends of the display screen  22 . In other embodiments, the latch structure  42  may be positioned on either the top or bottom edges of the display screen  22 .  FIG. 5  is enlarged perspective view showing one extending bracket  82  of the display mount  40  that is coupled to the hinge  80  for the main door  20 . Because the main display  22  is coupled to the hinge  80 , the display is able to move from the operating position to a service position where the display  22  is moved away from the opening of the main cabinet  18 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the latch  60  is pivotally attached to the latch structure  42 . In alternate embodiments, the latch  60  may be spring loaded or include one or more cams to secure the latch within the slot  62 . The hinge structure  80  includes two extending bracket  82  that include openings that are designed to align with and be secured to the hinge of the main door. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the length of the extending bracket  82  and/or the width of the display mount  40  may be altered to center the display screen  22  within the gaming machine and the opening  46  of the main door  20 . According to one embodiment, the latch structure  42  and the display mount  40  are directly fixed to the display screen  22 . Alternatively, the display  22  may be mounted to a frame (not shown) which, in turn, is fixed to the display mount  40  and the latch structure  42 . 
     Referring back to in  FIG. 1 , the gaming machine  10  comprises a main cabinet  18 , a main door  20 , a top box  12 , and a door  16  associated with the top box. The gaming machine includes a main display  22  and a secondary display  14 . The main display  22  is mounted to the main cabinet  18  via the display mount  40 , as discussed above. Thus, the main display  22  is not mounted to the main door  20  and does not move with the main door when the main door moves from a closed position to an opened position. 
     According to one embodiment, the top box  12  is partitioned from the main cabinet  18  such that the top box door  16  defines an interior space along with the top box that is separate and apart from the interior space of the cabinet  18 . In this embodiment, the secondary display  14  is mounted to the door  16  of the top box  12  such that the secondary display is viewable through an opening of the top box door. The secondary display  14  may be secured to the door  16  with screws, rivets, friction fitted into place via a bracket on the door and the display, or snap-fitted into position on the door. According to one embodiment, the secondary display  14  is directly fixed to the door surface. In another embodiment, the secondary display  14  may include a frame and/or one or more brackets that are secured to the display, and the frame and/or brackets are used to secure the display to the interior surface of the top box door  16 . Additionally, the interior surface of the top box door  16  may include one or more brackets that may be used to secure the display  14  to the interior surface of the top box door. In short, in this embodiment, the main display  22  is hingedly mounted to the cabinet  18 , while the secondary display  14  is mounted to the top box door  16 . Both the main cabinet  18  and the top box  12 , along with their respective doors  20  and  16 , form separate and distinct interior spaces. 
     In yet another embodiment, the gaming machine (not shown) comprises a main cabinet, a main door, and a main display. This gaming machine is similar to the gaming machine depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  except the gaming machine does not include a top box. Likewise, if the gaming machine was to include a top box, it does not include a video display. The main display is mounted to the main cabinet via the display mount  40 , as discussed above. Therefore, the main display is not mounted to the main door and does not move with the main door when the main door moves from a closed position to an opened position. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 8-9 , the gaming machine  100  comprises a main cabinet  118 , and a main door  120  that encloses the interior space of the main cabinet. According to one embodiment, a wide screen display  122  is mounted in a portrait orientation. The main display  122  is mounted to the main cabinet  118  via the display mount  40 , as discussed above. Hence, the main display  122  is not mounted to the main door  120  and does not move with the main door when the main door moves from a closed position to an opened position. 
     In another embodiment, a gaming machine having a main cabinet and top box is retrofitted to accommodate a flat panel display in the main cabinet area, top box area, or both areas of the gaming machine. For example, according to one embodiment, a wide screen display as shown in  FIG. 8  is retrofitted to a gaming machine. A new main door is hung on the existing hinges of the main cabinet (and optionally the top box). Additionally, the wide screen display is mounted to the main cabinet  118  via the hinge and bracket structure  40  and  44 , as discussed above. As such, the main display  122  is not mounted to the main door  120  and does not move with the main door when the main door moves from a closed position to an opened position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the gaming machine  200  includes a main cabinet, a main door  220 , a plurality of mechanical reels  230  visible through the main door, a top box  212 , and a top box door  216 . A video display  214  is included in the top box  212  and is visible through the top box door  216 . The video display  214  is mounted to the top box door  216 . The top box  212  is partitioned from the main cabinet  218  such that the top box door  216  defines an interior space along with the top box  212  that is separate and apart from the interior space of the main cabinet  218 . 
     In another embodiment, the top box (not shown) may be an integral portion of the main cabinet. Accordingly, the main door (not shown) may enclose both the top box area and the main cabinet. Additionally, the wide screen display is mounted to the main cabinet via the display mount  40 , as discussed above. As such, the main display  40  is not mounted to the main door and does not move with the main door when the main door moves from a closed position to an opened position. In one embodiment, a secondary video display  214  is visible through the top box  212  and may be directly mounted to the top box door  216 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Alternatively, the secondary video display may be mounted within the area of the top box via the display mount  40  as discussed above and shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimed invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the claimed invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.