Raffle assembly

A fully automated raffle assembly (15) comprising a data collection device (16) adapted to read information, a printer (18) communicating with the data collection device and adapted to print a raffle ticket (19), the printer and the data collection device so configured and arranged that the information read by the data collection device is communicated to the printer and printed on the ticket, a collection bin (20), the printer and collection bin so configured and arranged that the ticket is automatically fed into the collection bin after it is printed by the printer. The data collection device may be selected from a group consisting of a bar code scanner and a magnetic code scanner. The raffle assembly may further comprise a ticket guide (21) between the printer and the collection bin, the ticket guide configured to direct the ticket from the printer into the collection bin. The raffle assembly may further comprise a processor (22) with the data collection device and the printer communicating through the processor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of raffle devices and, more particularly, to a fully automated raffle assembly.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known in the prior art that visitors to trade shows can fill out an information card before entering a show hall, and that once in the hall exhibitors at the show can scan or swipe a visitor's card to enter that visitor's information into the exhibitor's lead retrieval system. Exhibitors also sometimes have a label printer that enables them to print a hard copy of such visitor information. It is also known that visitors to certain exhibitor's booths can be provided with an opportunity to enter raffles for various prizes. To enter the raffle, the visitor either provides a business card or manually fills out a raffle slip and the business card or slip is manually deposited in a raffle bin by the visitor or the exhibitor.

However, devices known in the prior art do not provide a fully automated raffle system. Raffle assemblies known in the prior art require that the visitor or potential customer manually fill out a raffle ticket or that the ticket be manually placed in a collection bin. Hence, it would be useful to provide a raffle gathering and deposit system which is fully automated.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With parenthetical reference to the corresponding parts, portions or surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the present invention provides a fully automated raffle assembly (15) comprising a data collection device (16) adapted to read information, a printer (18) communicating with the data collection device and adapted to print a raffle ticket (19), the printer and the data collection device so configured and arranged that the information read by the data collection device is communicated to the printer and printed on the ticket, a collection bin (20), the printer and collection bin so configured and arranged that the ticket is automatically fed into the collection bin after it is printed by the printer. The data collection device may be selected from a group consisting of a bar code scanner and a magnetic code scanner. The raffle assembly may further comprise a ticket guide (21) between the printer and the collection bin, the ticket guide configured to direct the ticket from the printer into the collection bin. The ticket guide may comprise a printer discharge port (23) and a collection bin drop slot (24) with the discharge port aligned in the drop slot such that the ticket from the printer is fed from the discharge port through the drop slot, and may further comprise an adjustment mechanism (57) between the printer and the collection bin adapted to move the discharge port relative to the drop slot. The collection bin may comprise an access door (26) and the ticket guide may comprise a ticket chute (28) between the printer and the access door and an ejector guide (29) between the printer and the ticket chute. The raffle assembly may further comprise a processor (22) with the data collection device and the printer communicating through the processor. The processor may be programmed to store information from the data collection device. The raffle assembly may further comprise a digital display (25) communicating with the data collection device and adapted to display information read by the data collection device. The raffle assembly may further comprise a processor with the digital display and a data collection device communicating through the processor. The raffle assembly may further comprise an advertising support member (30). The printer may be supported over the collection bin and the collection bin may be supported over the data collection device.

Accordingly, the general object of the present invention is to provide a fully automated raffle assembly.

Another object is to provide a raffle assembly that does not require the manual entry of information on a raffle ticket nor the manual deposit of the raffle ticket in a raffle collection bin.

Another object is to provide an improved raffle assembly that may be operated without supervision.

Another object is to provide an improved raffle assembly that allows for the participant to view the printing of his or her raffle ticket and the automatic deposit of that ticket in the raffle bin.

Another object is to provide an improved raffle assembly that allows for the participant to view his or her contact information digitally before it is printed on a raffle ticket.

Another object is to provide an improved raffle assembly that allows for information to be electronically scanned.

Another object is to provide an improved raffle assembly with the capability of storing information collected through the incentive of winning a prize.

Another object is to provide an improved raffle assembly that may be used in multiple venues.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the foregoing and ongoing written specification, the drawings, and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIGS. 1–2, this invention provides an improved raffle assembly, of which the presently preferred embodiment is generally indicated at15. The assembly is shown as broadly including a bar code scanner16, a data processor22, a printer18, a digital display25and a ticket guide.

Bar code scanner16is a conventional scanner which allows for the collection of information from a bar code. Each visitor to a trade show or customer to a retail outlet, for example, can be given an identifier card having a bar code containing that participants contact information. Scanner16allows for such information to be collected automatically by conventional processor22. The model LS-5800 bar code scanner manufactured by Symbol Technologies, Inc., of One Symbol Plaza, Holtsville, N.Y. 11742-1300, may be employed in the preferred embodiment. It is contemplated that other scanners may be used, such as a magnetic code scanner that reads information from a magnetic strip on a card.

Processor22is a conventional processor that communicates with scanner16and with digital display25. Mainboard31provides interface connections between processor22, hard drive17, scanner16and digital display25, respectively. The Diamond Max Plus 8 ATA hard drive provided by Maxtor Corporation, of 500 McCarthy Boulevard, Milpitas, Calif. 95035, and the EPIA M Mainboard, with a VIA C3/EDEN EBGA processor, manufactured by VIA Technologies, Inc., of 940 Mission Court, Fremont Calif. 94539, may be employed in the preferred embodiment.

Digital display25communicates with processor22and displays the information scanned by scanner16so that such information can be reviewed and connected if necessary by the participant. The model TD3000 series digital display manufactured by Logic Controls, Inc. of 355 Denton Avenue, New Hyde Park, N.Y. 11040 may be employed in the preferred embodiment.

Processor22in turn communicates with printer18through printer cord61. Some or all of the contact information collected from scanner16by processor22is printed on an individual raffle slip or ticket19by printer18. Thus, printer18allows the exhibitor to print information about each visitor or customer on individual tickets of paper19that are configured to be drawn in a raffle and to provide the winner's name and contact information. The model TK/VL41 series printer manufactured by Fenix Group, of Barcelona, Spain, may be employed in the preferred embodiment.

Processor22may be programmed to perform other functions such as data storage and participant screening. For example, processor22may be connected to a central processor where information from one or multiple raffle assemblies may be collected or used for marketing purposes. In addition, processor22may be programmed to check to make certain that multiple raffle tickets for the same participant are not printed and deposited in collection bin20. In this way, processor22may act as a gatekeeper to assure that only one raffle ticket is deposited per person, removing the ability of a single person to scan their information onto raffle tickets multiple times.

Printer18communicates with collection hopper or bin20so that each raffle ticket19printed by printer18is automatically directed into collection bin20. As shown in FIG.5, collection bin20is a hexagonal drum. Bin20is made of clear acrylic so that the interior volume where the raffle tickets are collected is viewable.

As shown inFIG. 6, scanner16, processor22, digital display25and motherboard31are housed in a base32. Base housing32comprises a horizontal base plate33, a vertical rear face plate34, a vertical front face plate35, a vertical side plate40, a vertical side plate41and a top horizontal plate36. Front face plate35includes a scanner face panel38through which scanner16can scan participant cards. Front plate face35also includes a display opening39through which a customer may view scanned information on digital display25.

Bin20is removably supported by two vertical side supports42and43mounted to the top of base housing32, as shown inFIG. 2. Bin20is supported on its axis x-x above base housing32by side supports42and43such that bin20may be detached from supports42and43and disengaged from the rest of the assembly. In addition, bin32may be rotated about axis x-x to allow access to the top panel49of bin20.

Printer18is mounted to base plate63of printer shelf46above bin20. Printer shelf46is supported at either end by vertical printer shelf risers44and45, respectively. Printer shelf46and base plate63include a printer shelf opening48over which printer18is mounted.

As shown in FIGS.4and7–10, printer18includes a horizontal printing element50which is suspended in opening48and may be adjusted vertically relative to opening48. Member50has a rectangular printer discharge port23through which the end of the roll51of tickets extends. Collection bin20in turn includes an access door26in top panel49, which in this embodiment is in a closed position during operation. Access door26contains a generally rectangular drop slot24. Drop slot24has a width slightly greater than the outside width of port23. Discharge port23and slot24are configured and aligned such that, when printer is in its lowered position, port23extends into slot24. Not only does this allow for a seamless guide for ticket19, but it also keeps bin20from rotating about axis x-x. Raffle ticket19output from printer18is thereby automatically directed through port23and slot24in access door26into collection bin20.

As shown inFIGS. 9–10, printer18may be raised vertically with adjustment mechanism57to allow, as described below, rotation and removal of collection bin20. In order for ticket19to be properly directed from discharge port23into drop slot24, port23extends into slot24when printer18is lowered as shown inFIG. 9. This lowered position is desired during operation. Adjustment mechanism57is used to elevate printer18and withdrawal port23from slot24in order to thereby permit bin20to be rotated freely about axis x-x and removed from the assembly unencumbered by printer18. In the preferred embodiment, printer18is elevated by moving adjustment arm62to the position shown inFIG. 10. The lever action of arm62against base plate63elevates printer18.

As shown inFIGS. 7–10, adjustment mechanism57comprises adjustment arm62, base plate63, vertical printer plate64, vertical guide plate65, slide member67and retaining block66. Vertical guide plate65is mounted to base plate63of printer shelf46and includes a vertically extending slit that defines a rectangular guide channel69. Sliding member67, which is sized to allow it to move vertically in guide channel69, is fixably interposed between vertical printer plate64and retaining block66. When arm62is in its raised position, shown inFIG. 9, printer18is in its lowered operational position, with the bottom surface of sliding member67resting against the bottom of guide channel69and thereby vertically supporting printer18. Without a counterbalancing force against arm62, the weight of printer18will keep printer18in its lowered position and hold arm62in its raised position.

Arm62is pivotally mounted at pivot71to printer18such that moving arm62to its lowered position, shown inFIG. 10, causes member67to slide up in guide channel69until member67reaches the top of guide channel69, elevating printer18. Thus, printer18can be elevated relative to printer shelf46and slot24a distance equal to the difference between the vertical thickness of slidable member67and the length of guide channel69. This distance is large enough to allow port23to be fully withdrawn from slit24when printer18is so elevated.

With printer18in its raised position, collection bin20can be disengaged from the rest of the assembly15by loosening wing nuts60, thereby allowing easy access through access door26for a drawing to select the winner of the subject raffle prize or prizes. Thus, assembly15allows for a visitor's card to be scanned, certain information coded on the card to be printed by printer18on ticket19, and ticket19guided to collection bin20in a secure and automated manner through printer discharge port23and correspondingly aligned drop slot24for deposit into collection bin20. Once in collection bin20, a raffle ticket19may be drawn at a later time as a winning ticket for the raffle.

As shown inFIG. 1, assembly15includes an advertising support member30to which marketing material may be mounted. Support member30is mounted to the front edge of printer shelf46.

FIGS. 11–16show an alternate embodiment52. In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 11–16, an alternate ticket guide21is employed. Printer shelf risers53and54are mounted to bin supports42and43, respectively, to the real of the axis of rotation x-x of bin20. Thus printer18is offset from access door26of bin20. As shown inFIG. 11, ticket guide21includes a ticket chute28and a printer ejector guide29. Printer55is different from printer18, ejecting raffle ticket19from the top of the printer55rather than the bottom. A TSP700 Series printer manufactured by Star Micronics America, Inc., of 1150 King Georges Post Road, Edison, N.J. 08837-3729, may be employed in this alternate embodiment. Attached above the printer ejection port70of printer55is ticket ejector guide29. As shown inFIG. 16, printer ejector guide29is an arcuate member. As ticket19is printed, ejector guide29directs it downwards into ticket chute28.

Ticket chute28is mounted to the top panel49of bin20. As shown inFIG. 15, ticket chute28is defined by a top surface, a rear surface, and two side surfaces. As shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, the front face of chute28faces printer55and is open. Similarly, the base of chute28is aligned over access door26of bin20and is also open. Thus, a ticket printed by printer55is directed into chute28by guide29. The ticket then is funneled by chute28through open access door26and into bin20.

As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, advertising support member56is mounted to the front of printer shelf58. Because printer shelf58is offset to one side of access door26of bin20, advertising support member56includes an opening59through which the end of guide29extends and through which ticket19is directed. As in the first embodiment, advertising support member56may be used to hold promotional material.

It is contemplated that the raffle assembly could be used in any venue where identification cards are used or available and an incentive is desired to encourage customers or potential customers to provide information or to otherwise create commercial interest. Such venues could include not only trade shows but grocery stores or other retail venues.

The present invention contemplates that many changes and modifications may be made. Therefore, while the presently preferred embodiment of the raffle assembly and an alternate embodiment have been shown and described, persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the following claims.