CARD SHUFFLER

A card randomizing device includes two deposit bays for receiving partially randomized cards and a receive bay configured to receive a deck of cards to be mixed. The two deposit bays can be partially slid under the bottom of the card randomizing device and partially folded over the receive bay to arrive at a closed position. In the closed position, the card randomizing device can form a compact rectangular box that can store cards. The card randomizing device also includes one or more translation elements configured to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the two deposit bays. Further, in some embodiments, the device can include at least one motor configured to drive the one or more translation elements, the at least one motor activated with pressure directed to the top of the deck of cards. In other embodiments, the device can include a gear train configured to drive the translation elements.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to playing card randomizing devices and, in certain embodiments, a playing card randomizing device that can be folded into a compact configuration.

BACKGROUND

Many card games exist, including families of related games, such as e.g., Poker. Most card games are played with a deck or pack of playing cards which are identical in size and shape. Each card has two sides, the face and the back. Normally the backs of the cards are indistinguishable. The faces of the cards may all be unique, or there can be duplicates. The composition of a deck is known to each player. In some cases, several decks are shuffled together to form a single pack or shoe.

A typical game may use one or more decks, which may have 52 cards of various values and suits. Other card games may use different numbers of cards, and some games may be played with multiple decks of cards. Players of these games have an interest in making sure that the playing cards are dealt to each player in a random order, giving no one player an unfair advantage.

Randomizing a deck of cards may be accomplished either manually or automatically. For manual preparation, the cards may be cut, riffled and stripped. This process is generically termed “shuffling” the cards and may be performed multiple times to prepare the deck. It has been shown that it requires 7 times of rifling, the most efficient method of shuffling, to result in a sufficiently random distribution of cards within a deck. However, this is time consuming, and, except in professional games, it is common to perform the shuffling process only 2-4 times. Various machines for randomizing the deck of cards are known. Such machines may not replicate the actions of a dealer performing manual shuffling, or may be cumbersome to use and expensive, being typically intended for use in a casino.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various disclosed embodiments include card randomizing devices, both manually operated and motorized, and methods associated therewith. In certain embodiments, the card randomizing device can be configured such that it can be folded from an open position into a closed position for storage such that when the device is in the folded, closed position the device has a size and aspect ratio similar to a standard deck of cards. In such embodiments, the card randomizing device can be held in the closed position via mechanical laches and/or magnets. In certain embodiments, the card randomizing device can be configured include a mechanism in which shuffling of a deck of cards is initiated by pushing the top of the deck of cards.

In some embodiments, a card randomizing device, includes a first deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, a second deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, and a receive bay, configured to receive from a user, a deck of cards to be mixed. The receive bay may be located between and adjacent to the first deposit bay on a first side and the second deposit bay on a second side. The card randomizing device also includes a first translation element configured to spin in a first direction to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the first deposit bay and a second translation element configured to spin in a second direction to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the second deposit bay. In certain embodiments, the translation element comprises one or more friction wheels. Further, the device includes at least one motor configured to alternately drive the first translation element and driving the second translation element, the at least one motor activated with pressure directed to the top of the deck of cards and a sensor operatively connected to the motor and configured to be activated when pressure directed to the top of the deck of cards.

The embodiment above further comprises a gear train connecting the motor to the first translation element and the second translation element.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the pressure directed to the top of the deck is a transient pressure.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the transient pressure activates the at least one motor until the deck of cards is transferred from the receive bay to the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first deposit bay comprises a first bottom panel and a second bottom panel, the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay configured to be connected by a first hinge; and the second deposit bay comprises a third bottom panel and a fourth bottom panel, the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay configured to be connected by a second hinge.

A variation of the embodiments described above is, wherein the first and second deposit bays are configured to be slidable between an extended position and a compressed position. A portion of the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and the first bottom panel of the first deposit bay is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position. A portion of the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and the third bottom panel of the second deposit bay is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position.

The embodiment above further comprises a plurality of magnets configured to anchor the first and second deposit bays at their respective locations in the extended position and the compressed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay are foldable over the receive bay to achieve a closed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the closed position of the card randomizing device forms a rectangular box.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first deposit bay folds at the first hinge, and the second deposit bay folds at the second hinge at the closed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the rectangular box has height of between two to three decks of cards in the closed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the rectangular box has a width of at least 1.8 inches, a length of at least 2.4 inches, and a depth of at least 0.6 inches.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the width is in a range of 2 to 3 inches, the length in a range of 2.7 to 4.2 inches, and the depth in the range of 1 to 3inches.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the card randomizing device may be operated with one hand.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first and the second deposit bays can at least partially be removed and switched to a third and a fourth deposit bays having customizable designs.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the sensor is a pressure activated switch.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer.

In other various embodiments, a card randomizing device includes a first deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, a second deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, and a receive bay, configured to receive from a user, a deck of cards to be mixed, the receive bay located between and adjacent to the first deposit bay on a first side and the second deposit bay on a second side. The device also includes a first translation element configured to spin in a first direction to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the first deposit bay and a second translation element configured to spin in a second direction to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the second deposit bay. In certain embodiments, the translation element comprises one or more friction wheels. Further, the device includes a hand driven crank configured to alternately drive the first translation element and driving the second translation element. Further, the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay of the device are foldable over the receive bay to achieve a closed position, wherein the handle can be pivoted downward such that in the closed position within the folded first and second deposit bays.

The embodiment above further comprises a gear train connecting the hand driven crank to the first translation element and the second translation element.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first deposit bay comprises a first bottom panel and a second bottom panel, the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay configured to be connected by a first hinge. The second deposit bay comprises a third bottom panel and a fourth bottom panel, the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay configured to be connected by a second hinge.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first and second deposit bays are configured to be slidable between an extended position and a compressed position. A portion of the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and the first bottom panel of the first deposit bay is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position. A portion of the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and the third bottom panel of the second deposit bay is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position. In some embodiments, a portion of the first bottom panel of the first deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position and a portion of the third bottom panel of the second deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position.

The embodiment above further comprises a plurality of magnets configured to anchor the first and second deposit bays at their respective locations in the extended position and the compressed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the closed position of the card randomizing device forms a rectangular box.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first deposit bay folds at the first hinge, and the second deposit bay folds at the second hinge at the closed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the rectangular box has height of between two to three decks of cards in the closed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the rectangular box has a width of at least 1.8 inches, a length of at least 2.4 inches, and a depth of at least 0.6 inch.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the width is in a range of 2 to 3 inches, the length in a range of 2.7 to 4.2 inches, and the depth in the range of 1 to 3inches.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the card randomizing device may be operated with one hand.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first and the second deposit bays can at least partially be removed and switched to a third and a fourth deposit bays having customizable designs.

Another embodiment of the card randomizing device comprises a first deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, wherein the first deposit bay comprises a first bottom panel and a second bottom panel, the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay configured to be connected by a first hinge. The device includes a second deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, wherein the second deposit bay comprises a third bottom panel and a fourth bottom panel, the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay configured to be connected by a second hinge. The device also includes a receive bay, configured to receive from a user a deck of cards to be mixed, the receive bay located between and adjacent to the first deposit bay on a first side of the receive bay and the second deposit bay on a second side of the receive bay. Further, the device has a first translation element configured to spin in a first direction to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the first deposit bay and a second translation element configured to spin in a second direction to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the second deposit bay. In certain embodiments, the translation element comprises one or more friction wheels. The first and second deposit bays are configured to be slidable between an extended position and a compressed position. A portion of the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and the first bottom panel of the first deposit bay is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position. A portion of the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and the third bottom panel of the second deposit bay is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position. In some embodiments, a portion of the first bottom panel of the first deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position and a portion of the third bottom panel of the second deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first and second translation elements are friction wheels.

The embodiment above further comprises a plurality of magnets configured to anchor the first and second deposit bays at their respective locations in the extended position and the compressed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay are foldable over the receive bay to achieve a closed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the closed position of the card randomizing device forms a rectangular box.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first deposit bay is foldable at the first hinge, and the second deposit bay is foldable at the second hinge at the closed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the rectangular box has height of between two to three decks of cards in the closed position.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the rectangular box has a width of at least 1.8 inches, a length of at least 2.4 inches, and a depth of at least 0.6 inch.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the width is in a range of 2 to 3 inches, the length in a range of 2.7 to 4.2 inches, and the depth in the range of 1 to 3inches.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the card randomizing device may be operated with one hand.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first and second translation elements are motorized by one or more motors.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein the first and second translation elements are driven manually by a hand crank.

A variation of the embodiment above is, where the first and the second deposit bays can at least partially be removed and switched to a third and a fourth deposit bays having customizable designs.

In yet further embodiments, a method of randomizing a deck of cards includes unfolding a card randomizing device from a closed position of a rectangular box to an open position having a receive bay in the middle and a first deposit bay and a second deposit bay adjacent to and on opposing sides of the receive bay. The method also includes placing a deck of cards in the receive bay and pushing on the top of the deck of cards to activate a motor, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay. In certain embodiments, the translation element comprises one or more friction wheels.

The embodiment above further comprises returning the cards from the first and second deposit bays to the receive bay, and pushing on the top of the deck of cards to activate the motor, driving the two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay to further randomize the deck of cards.

The embodiment above further comprises sliding the first and second deposit bays partially under the card randomizing device to form a semi-closed position when the first and second deposit bays are empty, and folding the first deposit bay at a first hinge and the second deposit bay at a second hinge over the receive bay to form the closed position of the rectangular box.

In another embodiments, a method of randomizing a deck of cards includes unfolding a card randomizing device from a closed position of a rectangular box to an open position having a receive bay in the middle and a first deposit bay and a second deposit bay adjacent to and on opposing sides of the receive bay. The method includes placing a deck of cards in the receive bay, and rotating a hand crank horizontally above the receive bay by a handle, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay. In certain embodiments, the translation element comprises one or more friction wheels. Further, the method includes rotating the hand chank to a center above the receive bay and pivoting the handle downward at a pivot to be ready for the closed position.

The embodiment above further comprises returning the deck of cards to the receive bay; and rotating the hand crank horizontally above the receive bay by the handle, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay to further randomize the deck of cards.

The embodiment above further comprises taking the cards out of the first and second deposit bays, sliding the first and second deposit bays partially under the card randomizing device to form a semi-closed position when the first and second deposit bays are empty, and folding the first deposit bay at a first hinge and the second deposit bay at a second hinge over the receive bay to form the closed position of the rectangular box.

In various other embodiments, a method of randomizing a deck of cards includes unfolding a card randomizing device from a closed position of a rectangular box to an open position having a receive bay in the middle and a first deposit bay and a second deposit bay adjacent to and on opposing sides of the receive bay. The method also includes placing a deck of cards in the receive bay and randomizing the deck of cards. Further, the method includes sliding the first and second deposit bays partially under the card randomizing device to form a semi-closed position when the first and second deposit bays are empty, and folding the first deposit bay at a first hinge and the second deposit bay at a second hinge over the receive bay to form the closed position of the rectangular box. In certain embodiments, the translation element comprises one or more friction wheels.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein randomizing the deck of card comprises activating a motor driving two translation elements in the receive bay, causing alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay.

The embodiment above further comprises returning the cards from the first and second deposit bays to the receive bay, and pushing on the top of the deck of cards to activate the motor, driving the two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay to further randomize the deck of cards.

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein randomizing the deck of cards comprising rotating a hand crank horizontally above the receive bay by a handle, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay

A variation of the embodiment above is, wherein randomizing the deck of cards further comprises returning the deck of cards to the receive bay; and rotating the hand crank horizontally above the receive bay by the handle, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay to further randomize the deck of cards.

Another embodiment of the card randomizing device comprises a first deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, wherein the first deposit bay comprises a first bottom member and a second bottom member, the first bottom member and the second bottom member of the first deposit bay configured to be connected by a first hinge. The device includes a second deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, wherein the second deposit bay comprises a third bottom member and a fourth bottom member, the third bottom member and the fourth bottom member of the second deposit bay configured to be connected by a second hinge. The device also includes a receive bay, configured to receive from a user a deck of cards to be mixed, the receive bay located between and adjacent to the first deposit bay on a first side of the receive bay and the second deposit bay on a second side of the receive bay. Further, the device has a first translation element configured to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the first deposit bay and a second translation element configured to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the second deposit bay. The first and second deposit bays are configured to be slidable between an extended position and a compressed position. A portion of the first bottom member and the second bottom member of the first deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and a portion of the first bottom member of the first deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position. A portion of the third bottom member and the fourth bottom member of the second deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and a portion of the third bottom member of the second deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. As will be described in more detail below, various disclosed embodiments include card randomizing devices which can be manually operated or motorized. In certain embodiments, the card randomizing device can be folded from an open position into a closed position for storage such that when the device is in the folded, closed position the device has a size and aspect ratio similar to two to three decks of cards. In some embodiments, the card randomizing device in a closed position can have a height of that of one deck of cards or that of five decks of cards. In between the open and closed positions, the card randomizing device can be positioned in a semi-closed position in which a pair of deposit bays can be moved from an extended position to a compressed position. In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the card randomizing device can be configured include a mechanism in which shuffling of a deck of cards is initiated by pushing the top of the deck of cards. In the folded, closed position, the device in certain embodiments have a width of at least 1.8 inches, a length of at least 2.4 inches, and a depth of at least 0.6 inch and/or in some embodiments a depth of less than 3 inches. In the folded, closed position, the device can in certain embodiments have a width in a range of 2 to 3 inches, the length in a range of 2.78 to 4.2 inches, and the depth in the range of 1.5 to 2.25 inches and in some embodiments the depth is in the range of 0.6 to 4 inches or in the range of 1 to 3 inches.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, referring now to FIG. 1, a card randomizing device 100, which may colloquially be referred to as a “card shuffler,” is depicted in an open position. Card randomizing device 100 can include a first deposit bay 110 for receiving partially randomized cards and a second deposit bay 120 for receiving partially randomized cards. A receive bay 130 is configured to receive a deck of cards to be randomized. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, the first deposit bay 110 is generally defined by a wall 112 and two bottom panels (which can also be referred to herein as bottom members) 114 and 116 joined by a hinge 115. These bottom panels can also be referred to herein as first and second bottom panels 114, 116 of the first deposit bay 110. Similarly, the second deposit bay 120 is defined by a wall 122, and two bottom panels (which can also be referred to herein as bottom members) 124 and 126 joined by a hinge 125. These bottom panels can also be referred to herein as the third and fourth bottom panels 124, 126 of the second deposit bay 120. The bottom panels (or members) and the hinges are shown in an exploded view in FIG. 1A in the extended position, with the two bottom panels 114 and 116 of the first deposit bay 110 and the two bottom panels 124 and 126 of the second deposit bay 120 exposed. The receive bay 130 is likewise generally defined by walls 132 and 134 with a floor 136. The floor 136 may include a finger depression 131 in which a finger could be inserted below an edge of a pile of cards to deposit or lift the pile from the receive bay 130.

Standard playing card decks are usually 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches with 52 cards. Bridge size playing card decks are slightly smaller having a dimension of 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches. Mini playing card decks can have a dimension of 1.8 inches by 2.5 inches. Each playing card usually has a thickness ranging from 0.17 to 0.24 mm; and a deck of standard playing card usually has a thickness of around 0.7 inch. To fit at least one deck of standard playing cards (i.e., cards that are 2.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches long), according to various embodiments, the receive bay can have a width of at least 1.8 inches, a length of at least 2.5 inches, and a depth of at least 0.6 inch. Accordingly, the first and second deposit bays can each have a width of at least 1.8 inches, a length of 2.8 inches, and a depth of at least 0.3 inch. In other embodiments, the receive bay can have a width in a range of 2.25 to 2.5 inches, a length in a range of 3 to 3.6 inches, and a depth in a range of 0.6 to 1.5 inch; the first and second deposit bays can accordingly each have a width in a range of 2.25 to 3.625 inches, a length in a range of 3 to 3.6 inches, and a depth in a range of 0.3 to 1.82 inches. The dimensions disclosed herein are only given as examples and can be adapted to fit for various other kinds of cards with different dimensions, such as, UNO.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the receive bay 130 also may include one or more translation elements which in the illustrated embodiment can be in the form of a first rotatable friction wheel 135 and a second rotatable friction wheel 137. In some embodiments, the translation elements can be in the form of more than two friction wheels, two or more on one side, and two or more on another side. In some embodiments, the friction wheels 135, 137 can also be formed by portions of one or more conveyer belts. In some embodiments, the translation elements can be formed by other elements such as moving pads or teeth. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the first friction wheel 135 can rotate in a direction which is configured to move one or more cards stacked in the receive bay 130 through a slot 138 in the wall 132 into the first deposit bay 110. Similarly, the second friction wheel 137 is configured to rotate in a direction opposite that of the first friction wheel 135 and configured to move one or more cards stacked in the receive bay 130 through a slot 139 in the wall 134 into the second deposit bay 120. The first friction wheel 135 and the second friction wheel 137 may be driven by one or more electric motors and/or an appropriate gear train residing in a box 140 beneath the floor 136. Alternatively, the first friction wheel 135 and the second friction wheel 137 may be driven by a manual torque generator such as but not limited to a hand crank. An illustrative example of a gear train 700, designed to be driven by a hand crank is depicted in FIG. 7. The gear train 700 may be driven by the hand crank coupled to a drive axle 710 that drives the gear train 700 to rotate a first friction roller 435 and a second friction roller 437 in opposite directions.

Since many card shuffling devices are cumbersome and often bulky, an advantageous feature of various embodiments of card randomizing device is the ability for it to be folded up into a compact form factor. An exemplary process of operating various embodiments of a card randomizing device from an open position to a semi-closed position and to a closed position is illustrated in FIG. 9. As indicated in FIG. 9, the card randomizing device can further comprises multiple magnets to anchor deposit bays in each of the open position 10, the semi-closed position 20, and the closed position 30. A card randomizing device is in an open position 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. In block 12, the card randomizing device can reach the semi-closed position 20 depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 by sliding the deposit bays partially under a receive bay and/or the device. The sliding motion can be enabled by various methods, for example, sliding tracks on the bottom of the card randomizing device as illustrated in FIG. 8. The sliding tracks can include two straight tracks, each engages one of the bottom panels 814 and 816. FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a card randomizing device showing a first track 800 that can include a flange 40 extending downward from a side of the card randomizing device and two raised portions 41 and 42 and a second track 801 that can include a flange 45 extending downward from an opposing side of the card randomizing device and two raised portions 43 and 44. The raised portions 41 and 42 extending horizontally from the flange 40 cooperates with the raised portions 43 and 44 extending horizontally from the flange 45 to contain the bottom panels 825 and 814 to slide along the flange 40 and 45. Other arrangements for facilitating the sliding motion can include various tongue and groove arrangements. Finally, in block 23, the deposit bays of the card randomizing device can be folded over the receive bay and reach the closed position 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6.

Now referring to FIG. 2, the device 100 can be in a semi-closed position with only the bottom panels 116 and 126 exposed. The bottom panels 114 and 124 can be slid under the receive bay 130 in a compressed position as shown in FIG. 2A and in certain embodiments can be positioned underneath the receive bay 130 in the compressed position. In such a position, at least a portion of the bottom panels 114 and 124 that are exposed in the extended or open position are positioned underneath the receive bay 130 in the compressed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire or substantially the entire bottom panels 114 and 124 are positioned beneath the receive bay 130 in the compressed position and in certain embodiments at least 90% of the length (as measured in the direction of the sliding motion) of the bottom panels 114 and 124 are positioned beneath the receive bay 130 in the compressed position and in certain embodiments at least 75% of the length (as measured in the direction of the sliding motion) of the bottom panels 114 and 124 are positioned beneath the receive bay 130 in the compressed position and in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the bottom panels 114, 124 that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay 130 in the compressed position. The sliding motion can be enabled by various methods, for example, the sliding tracks illustrated in FIG. 8. In the position of FIG. 2, the bottom panels 116 and 126 may be further folded upward at hinges 115 and 125 respectively to arrive at the closed position, in the form of a rectangular block as depicted in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the walls 112 and 122 can form a top wall of the device 100 in the closed position. The bottom panels 116 and 126 can form two sides of the device in the closed position. In accordance with various embodiments, the formed rectangular block, or the card randomizing device in the closed position, has a height that is about the height of two to three decks of cards, and in some embodiments smaller than two decks of cards in height, and has a width and a length that are about 10 to 50% greater than the width and the length of the decks of cards, dependent on the size of the cards the device is configured for. In certain embodiments configured for single deck of standard cards (i.e., cards that are 2.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches long), for example, the rectangular block can have a width of at least 1.8 inches, a length of at least 2.5 inches, and a depth of at least 0.6 inch. In other embodiments, the rectangular block can have a width in a range of 2 to 3 inches, a length in a range of 2.8 to 4.2 inches, and a depth in a range of 1.5 to 2.25 inches and in some embodiments a depth in a range from 1 to 3 inches or in a range from 0.6 to 4 inches. In the semi-closed position, the width of each of the first and second deposit bays can be reduced to the width of the bottom panel 116 or 126, which can equal to the depth of the rectangular block, as illustrated in FIG. 2A and 3A. In the closed position, the panel 114 and the panel 124 can substantially cover a top of the receive bay as shown in FIG. 3A. Therefore, the width of the panel 114 plus the width of the panel 124 can equal to the width of the receive bay. The dimensions disclosed herein are only given as examples and can be adapted to fit for various other kinds of cards with different dimensions, such as, UNO.

When folded into the compact storage or closed position, the device may be secured in the storage position by any of a variety of ways including, but not limited to magnets, catches, latches, etc. The folding feature enables a user to conveniently and securely carry the card shuffling device and store one or more decks of cards along with the device. The portability and storage function enabled by this folding feature allows a user to be able to shuffle cards anytime and anywhere with minimal efforts and in certain embodiments allow the device to be stored in pocket of a piece of clothing.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a card randomizing device 400 is depicted. The card randomizing device 400 is configured similarly to the card randomizing device 100 of FIG. 1 but is a manually operated version. The device 400 can similarly include two friction rollers 435 and 437 which are configured to rotate in opposite directions to move one or more cards stored in the receive bay 430 into a first deposit bay 410 and a second deposit bay 420. The first deposit bay 410 can comprises a wall 412 and two bottom panels 414 and 416 connected by a first hinge 415; and the second deposit bay 420 can comprises a wall 422 and two bottom panels 424 and 426 connected by a second hinge 425. The bottom panels and the hinges are shown in an exploded view in FIG. 4A in the extended position, with the two bottom panels 414 and 416 of the first deposit bay 410 and the two bottom panels 424 and 426 of the second deposit bay 420 exposed. In certain embodiments, the device 400 can include a hand crank 450 which can move generally horizontally above the device 400 about the first hinge 452 by moving a handle 453. By rotating the hand crank 450, the friction rollers 435 and 437 are turned by using a gear train such as the gear train 700 depicted in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the device 400 can be in a semi-closed position with only the bottom panels 416 and 426 exposed. The bottom panels 114 and 124 can be slid under the receive bay 130 in a compressed position as shown in FIG. 5A. The sliding motion can be enabled by various methods, for example, the sliding tracks illustrated in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 6, the device 400 can fold up in a similar manner as the device 100 in FIG. 1 into a closed, compact storage position from the semi-closed position in FIG. 5 as depicted in the exemplary process in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 5, the hand crank 450 can be moved to a position above the middle of the device 400 and the handle 453 be folded downward at a hinge 451 to be ready for forming the closed position depicted FIG. 6. The deposit bays 410 and 420 may then be folded up to the closed position, having the panels 416 and 426 forming two sides of a rectangular block and walls 412 and 422 covering portions of the top of the receive bay 430 as depicted in FIG. 6, 6A, and 6B. In certain embodiments, the hand crank 450 can be a part of the top side of the rectangular block. In accordance with various embodiments, the formed rectangular block, or the card randomizing device in the compact form, has a height that is about the height of two to three decks of cards, and in some embodiments smaller than two decks of cards in height, and has a width and a length that are about 10 to 50% greater than the width and the length of the decks of cards, dependent on the size of the cards the device is configured for. In other embodiments, the formed rectangular block can have a height of that of one deck of cards or that of five decks of cards.

According to various embodiments configured for single deck of standard cards (i.e., cards that are 2.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches long), the receive bay can have a width of at least 1.8 inches, a length of at least 2.5 inches, and a depth of at least 0.6 inch. Accordingly, the first and second deposit bays can each have a width of at least 1.8 inches, a length of 2.8 inches, and a depth of at least 0.3 inch. In other embodiments, the receive bay can have a width in a range of 2.25 to 2.5 inches, a length in a range of 3 to 3.6 inches, and a depth in a range of 0.6 to 1.5 inches; the first and second deposit bays can accordingly each have a width in a range of 2.25 to 3.625 inches, a length in a range of 3 to 3.6 inches, and a depth in a range of 0.3 to 1.82 inches. The depth of the deposit bays of various embodiments of the manual card randomizing device can be smaller than that of the motorized card randomizing device as the walls of the deposit bays of the manual device only has to cover portions instead of a whole of the top of the receive bay. The other portion of the top of the receive bay of a manual device can be made up of the hand crank. The overall depth in the closed position, and other related dimensions, of various embodiments of the manual card randomizing device might also be smaller as there is no need of room for one or more motors as the motorized card randomizing device does. The dimensions disclosed herein are only given as examples and can be adapted to fit for various other kinds of cards with different dimensions, such as, UNO.

In accordance with various embodiments of an automatic, or motorized, card randomizing device, as previously discussed with regard to device 100 of FIG. 1, a user can place a pressure 1 on the card deck, which in turns places pressure on the floor of the receiving bay, to start a motor 3 to cause a gear train 4 driving the translation elements (e.g.

friction wheels) that randomize the cards as depicted in FIG. 10A. In some embodiments, the pressure 1 will be required during the entire randomizing process otherwise the motor 3 will shut off if pressure 1 is removed. In other embodiments the deck only requires a transient pressure to the top of the deck which causes the motor to start and the randomizing process to begin and continue until the cards are all distributed to the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay. Pressurizing the deck can activate a switch 2 that is activated upon moving a spring-loaded bottom of the receive bay and operatively connected to the motor 3. In certain embodiments, the switch 2 can also be underneath the receive bay and activated upon a depression of the receive bay. In some embodiments, a sensor or an accelerometer can be used, instead of a switch, to detect the pressure 1 and activate the motor 3. In some embodiments, the accelerometer can be positioned directly underneath the receive bay. In some embodiments, an automatic card randomizing device may also include a lever such that a user may presses the lever to activate the motor until the user releases the lever. In accordance with various embodiments, a user may be able to place a deck of cards in the receiving bay and place a transient pressure to the top of the deck with a finger at substantially the same time. The cards will be automatically and generally alternately distributed from the receive bay to the first and the second deposit bays.

Alternatively, in accordance with various embodiments of a manual card randomizing device as previously discussed with regard to device 400 of FIG. 4, a use can move a hand crank 5 to actuate a gear train 6 driving the translation members (e.g. friction wheels) that randomize the cards as depicted in FIG. 10B. Similarly, the cards will be generally alternately distributed from the receive bay to the first and the second deposit bays. The user would then take the cards from the first deposit bay and combine them with the cards of the second deposit bay (either beneath or on top). This procedure would typically be repeated multiple times in order to produce a better and better randomization of the cards. Further, the procedure may be performed all with a single hand using the device. Advantageously, the device separates a deck of cards into two parts which is in contrast with other shuffling devices that bring a split deck together into one. Those other devices have a tendency to become jammed as the cards come together, whereas illustrative embodiments disclosed do not come with this inherent problem as the cards are separated into two distinct piles.

In various embodiments, a card randomizing device can also include a customizable device cover. The customizable device cover can be in a shape of a dragon head, for example. The device cover can be configured to be coupled to the card randomizing device. In some embodiments, the customizable device cover can be removably coupled to the card randomizing device such that a user can easily swap device covers with different designs. As shown in FIG. 11, a card randomizing device 200 according to another embodiment of this disclosure can include a receive bay 230 similar to the card randomizing device 100 in FIG. 1. The card randomizing device 200 can also include a first deposit bay 210 and a second deposit bay 220. The first deposit bay 210 can be generally defined by a wall 212 and two bottom panels 214 and 216, which are connected by a releasable connection 215. These bottom panels can also be referred to herein as first and second bottom panels 214, 216 of the first deposit bay 210. The releasable connection 215 can include a latch 211 configured to connect panels 210 and 214 when locked and allow panel 210 to be removed from 214 when unlocked. When the latch 211 is in an unlocked configuration, the panel 216 along with the wall 212 can be removed from the card randomizing device 200 at the releasable connection 215, and a new cover (e.g., a customized device cover) can be attached to the card randomizing device 200 at the releasable connection 215. Similarly, the second deposit bay 220 can be generally defined by 222 and two bottom panels 220 and 224, which are connected by a releasable connection 221 having a latch 221.

In yet another embodiment, a card randomizing device 300 shown in FIGS. 12A-C can similarly include a first deposit bay 310, a second deposit bay 320, and a receive bay 330. The first deposit bay 310 can generally be defined by a wall 312 and two bottom panels (or bottom members) 314 and 316 joined by a hinge 315. These bottom panels can also be referred to herein as first and second bottom panels 314, 316 of the first deposit bay 310. Similarly, the second deposit bay 320 is defined by a wall 322, and two bottom panels (or bottom members) 324 and 326 joined by a hinge 325. These bottom panels can also be referred to herein as third and fourth bottom panels 324, 326 of the first deposit bay 320. FIGS. 12A-B shows the card randomizing device 300 in an extended position, in which a portion of the bottom panels 314, 316 is exposed, and a portion of the bottom panels 324, and 326 is exposed. As shown in FIGS. 12C-D, at least a portion of the bottom panel 314 and a portion of the bottom panel 324, that are exposed in the extended position, are positioned underneath the receive bay 330 in a compressed position.

In accordance with various embodiments, the bottom panels 114 and 124, 414 and 424, 814 and 828, 214 and 224, and 314 and 324 can be slid under the receive bay in a compressed position as shown in FIGS. 3-3A, 6-6B, and 12C-D in certain embodiments can be positioned underneath the receive bay 130 in the compressed position. In such a position, at least a portion of the bottom panels 114 and 124, 414 and 424, 814 and 828, 214 and 224, or 314 and 324 that are exposed in the extended or open position are positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire or substantially the entire bottom panels 114 and 124, 414 and 424, 814 and 828, 214 and 224, or 314 and 324 are positioned beneath the receive bay in the compressed position and in certain embodiments at least 90% of the length (as measured in the direction of the sliding motion) of the bottom panels 114 and 124, 414 and 424, 814 and 828, 214 and 224, or 314 and 324 are positioned beneath the receive bay in the compressed position and in certain embodiments at least 75% of the length (as measured in the direction of the sliding motion) of the bottom panels 114 and 124, 414 and 424, 814 and 828, 214 and 224, or 314 and 324 are positioned beneath the receive bay in the compressed position and in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the bottom panels 114 and 124, 414 and 424, 814 and 828, 214 and 224, or 314 and 324 that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position.

In some embodiments, the bottoms panels 314, 316, 324, and 326 and slides in and out between the extended position and compressed position. The sliding motion can be enabled by various methods, for example, sliding tracks on the bottom of the card randomizing device. As shown in FIG. 12B, in some embodiments, the card randomizing device 300 can include two z-shaped sliding tracks, each engages both bottom panel 314 and bottom panel 324. In some embodiments, the bottom panels 314 and 324 can further include a ridge 341 and a ridge 342, respectively, configured to prevent the bottom panels 314 and 324, when moving from the extended position towards the compressed position, from moving further inward beyond the compressed position.

In accordance with various embodiments disclosed herein, a card randomizing device may include and function with one or more novel features (e.g., the sensor under the receive bay) disclosed herein, without the sliding arrangement of the bottom members. For example, each of the first second deposit bays of the card randomizing device may generally be defined by a wall and only one bottom panel, instead of two. The card randomizing device may be configured to move between a closed position and an open position through a hinge positioned between each of the deposit bay and the receive bay.

While the disclosed subject matter has been described in terms of illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter as set forth in the claims.