Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a security apparatus for use on a playing card shoe to prevent the removal of playing cards from the splaying card shoe. Playing card shoes generally have an elongated body including a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards, The card cradle has an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body, through which playing cards can be removed from the playing card shoe, A cradle cover is removably attached to the elongated, body, covering the card cradle and playing cards therein. A faceplate is removably attach to the outer front, end of the elongated body, and defines a mouth through which playing cards can be drawn from the outlet opening. The security apparatus prevents the removal a playing cards from the shoe, where the security apparatus is removably attached to the playing card shoe to block and/or cover the outlet opening.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to playing card shoes, and more particularly to a device for preventing the removal of playing cards from the mouth of a playing card shoe. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Card games in casinos are very profitable, but also prone to fraud by players and casino staff. This fraudulent activity is a source of significant loss in revenue to the casinos. In casino card games the cards are dealt to the players from a card shoe. In order to prevent and/or mitigate these losses, casinos continue to identify and implement security features and enhancements 
     A card shoe includes a card cradle and a card removal portion, mouth. A lockable cover is removably positionable over the card cradle, preventing unauthorized access to the cards. However, the mouth of the shoe remains open, permitting access to the cards when the shoe is unattended. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to a security apparatus for use on a playing card shoe to prevent the removal of playing cards from the playing card shoe. Playing cards shoes generally have an elongated body including a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards. The card cradle has an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body through which playing cards can, be removed from the playing card shoe. A cradle cover is removably attached to the elongated body, covering the card cradle and playing cards therein. A faceplate can be removably attached to the outer front end of the elongated body, and defines a mouth through which playing cards can be drawn from the outlet opening. 
     The security apparatus is direct towards a device for preventing the removal of playing cards though the outlet opening at the front of the playing cards shoe. To accomplish this, a security apparatus is removably attached to the playing card shoe to block and/or cover the outlet opening. 
     Such an apparatus can include a card shield having a first end and a second end, where the card shield is positionable in the card cradle of the playing card shoe. The first end of the card shield is positioned between the playing cards and the outlet opening, with at least a portion of the first end extending through the outlet opening. In this manner, the cards shield blocks the outlet opening. 
     The security apparatus can further include a retaining member affixed to an underside portion of the cradle cover. When installed the retaining member engages at least a portion of the card shield. A cut card is further provided, and is positionable between the playing cards and the outlet opening, where the first end of the card shield is positioned between the cut card and the outlet opening. When installed, the security apparatus prevent the removal of playing cards from the outlet opening. Furthermore, the card shield is secured in the playing card shoe such that it cannot be pushed into or pulled out of the playing card shoe. 
     Alternatively, the security apparatus can include a front cover which is positionable on the outer front end of the playing card shoe. The front cover has a solid outer surface, which when installed covers the outlet opening of the playing card shoe. The front cover can further include a locking mechanism to secure the front cover to the body. 
     To install the front cover the faceplate must first be removed. After which, the front cover can be snap fitted onto the front end on the playing cards shoe. To place the playing card shoe in a game ready condition, the front cover is removed and the faceplate is reinstalled. 
     Alternatively, the security apparatus can include a faceplate insert which is positionable into the mouth of the faceplate. The faceplate insert has a solid outer surface, which when installed covers the outlet opening of the playing card shoe. The faceplate insert can further include a locking mechanism to secure the front cover to the body. To place the playing card shoe in a game ready condition, the faceplate insert is removed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof; will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary card shoe of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  depicts the card shoe of FIG,  1  with the shoe cover removed; 
       FIG,  3  depicts a retaining magnet of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a card shield of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cut card of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a bottom view of the shoe cover including the retaining magnet; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a bottom view of the shoe cover including the card shield; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a side sectional view of the shoe cover; 
         FIG. 9  depicts the position of the cut card in the card shoe of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  depicts the position on the card shield in the card shoe of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 11  depicts the card shoe of  FIG. 1  in a protected condition; 
         FIG. 12  depicts another exemplary card shoe of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a front cover of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  depicts the front cover of  FIG. 13  positioned on the card shoe of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  depicts a alternative front cover of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  depicts the front cover of  FIG. 13  positioned on the card shoe of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 17  depicts a faceplate insert of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  depicts the faceplate insert of  FIG. 17  positioned on the card shoe of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 19  depicts an alternative faceplate insert of the present invention; and 
       FIG,  20  depicts the faceplate insert of  FIG. 19  positioned on the card shoe of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to a card shoe security system for use in the gaming industry. The subject security system protects the mouth of a card Shoe, preventing the removal of playing cards therefrom. 
     Referring now to the drawing figures in Which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary card shoe  10 . The card shoe  10  generally includes a body portion  12  having a card cradle  14  sized to fit a plurality of decks of playing cards. The card cradle  14  is provided at an angle, such that playing cards slide towards the front of the card cradle  14 , being removable though an outlet opening  15  in the card shoe  10 . A weighted mouse  18  can be positioned within the card cradle  14 , behind the playing cards, to force the playing cards towards the front of the card cradle  14  (see  FIG. 9 ). A faceplate  20  is positioned on the front surface  22  of the body  12  adjacent to the outlet opening  15 , having a generally inverted V-shaped or U-shaped opening defining the mouth  16  though which the playing cards are drawn from the outlet opening  15  by a dealer. A shoe cover  24  is removably positionable on the body  12 , covering the card cradle  14  and playing cards. The shoe cover  24  can be secured to the body  12  with a locking mechanism (not shown), preventing unwanted access to the playing cards within the card cradle  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , components of a card shoe protection system of the present disclosure are provided. The card shoe protection system includes a retaining magnet  30  having a first side  32  and a second side  34 , where the second side  34  includes an adhesive material. The card shoe protection system further includes a card shield  36  and cut card  38 . The card shield  36  had a length “L” and a width “W,” where the length “L” and width “W” are selected to fit within the card cradle  14  of the card shoe  10 . The card shield  36  can be sized to extend partially through the mouth  16  of the card shoe  18  and covering at least a portion of the playing cards within the card cradle  14 . In an embodiment, the length “L” of the card shield  36  is about 8 inches and the width is about 3.5 inches. These dimensions are selected to fit the card shield  36  in the exemplary card shoe  10  provide herein. However, the dimensions of the card shield  36  can vary, depending on the dimensions of the cards shoe for use therein. 
     The card shield  36  can be made of a thin magnetic material, such that it can be retained by the retaining magnet  30 . Alternatively, the card shield  36  can be made from non-magnetic material, such as plastic, having magnetic inserts therein. In this manner, the card shield  36  can be retained by the retaining magnet  30 . The cut card  38  is the size of a playing card. While the disclosed retention of the card shield  36  utilizes a magnet, other retaining means are completed, include but not limited to the used on hook and loop fasteners on the cards shield  36  and in place of the retaining magnet  34 . 
     Referring to the  FIGS. 7-8 , the card shoe protection system is stored in the cards shoe  10  as follows. The second side  34  of the retaining magnet  30  is affixed to an underside surface  40  of the shoe cover  24  with the adhesive material. The retaining magnet  30  being positioned proximal to a front end  42  of the shoe cover  24 . The card shield  36  is placed on the underside surface  40  of the shoe cover  24 , with the retaining magnet  40  contacting and retaining at least a portion of the card shield  36 . The cut card  38  is interposed between the underside surface  40  of the shoe cover  24  and the card shield  36 . In this configuration, the shoe cover  24  can be positioned on the card shoe body  12 , allowing playing cards to be freely drawn from the mouth  16  of the card shoe  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-10 , to secure the card shoe  10 , the shoe cover  24  is removed from the card shoe body  12 . The cut card  38  and card shield  36  are removed for the underside surface  40  of the shoe cover  24 . The cut card  38  is positioned between a front surface  44  of the card cradle  14  and the playing cards  46 , with at least a portion of the cut card  38  extending into the mouth  16  of the card shoe  10 . A first end  48  of the card shield  36  is positioned between the cut card  38  and the front surface  44  of the card cradle  16  of the card shoe  10 . At least a portion of the card shield  36  is positioned in the mouth  16  of the card shoe  12 , such that the mouth  16  of the card shoe  10  is blocked by a first end  48  of the card shield  36 . The remaining portion  50  of the card shield  36  is positioned over of the playing cards  46 . The shoe cover  24  is reinstalled on the card shoe body  12 . In this configuration, the blocking of the mouth  16  by the first end  48  of the card shield  36  prevents the removal of playing cards  46  from the card shoe  10 . Furthermore, the card shield  36  is secured within the card shoe  10  by the retaining magnet  30 , not being able to be pushed back into the card shoe  10 , or pulled out of the mouth  16  of the card shoe  10 . 
     To configure the card shoe  10  for game play, the shoe cover  24  is removed from the body  12  of the card shoe  10 . The card shield  36  is removed from the mouth  16  of the card shoe  10 . The card shield  36  is placed on the underside surface  40  of the shoe cover  24 , with the retaining magnet  40  retaining the card shield  36 . The cut card  38  is removed from the card cradle  14 , where the cut card  38  is then interposed between the underside surface  40  of the shoe cover  24  and the card shield  36 . The shoe cover  24  is positioned back on the card shoe body  12 , allowing playing cards  46  to be freely drawn from the mouth  16  of the card shoe  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12  there is shown an exemplary card shoe  60 . The card shoe  60  generally includes a body portion  62  having a card cradle (not shown) sized to fit a plurality of decks of playing cards. The card cradle is provided at an angle, such that playing cards slide towards the front of the card cradle, being removable though an outlet opening  63  located at the front of the card shoe  60 . A faceplate  68  is positioned on the front surface  66  of the body  62 , adjacent to the outlet opening  63 . The faceplate  68  includes a generally inverted V-shaped or U-shaped opening  70  defining the mouth  64  though which a dealer draws playing cards form the outlet opening  63 . A shoe cover  72  is removably positionably on the body  62 , covering the card cradle and playing cards. The shoe cover  72  can be secured to the body  62  with a locking mechanism (not shown), preventing unwanted access to the playing cards within the card cradle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , there provided a front cover plate  76 . The front cover plate  76  includes first and second ends  78  and  80 , and has a solid front surface  82 . The front cover plate  76  is sized and configured to fit onto the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62 , replacing the faceplate  68 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , to secure the card shoe  60  the faceplate  68  is first removed from the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62 . The faceplate  68  is removably attached to the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62  allowing for easy removal. For example, the faceplate  68  can be snap fitted onto the card shoe body  62  using an annular or cantilever snap it mechanism. 
     The front cover plate  76  is then positioned on and attached to the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62 , with the first end  78  being positioned adjacent of an upper portion of the front face  66  and the second end  80  being position to a lower portion of the front face  66 . The front cover plate  76  is removably attached to front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62  allowing for easy installation and removal. For example, the faceplate  68  can be snap fitted onto the card shoe body  62  using an annular or cantilever snap fit mechanism. As the front cover plate  76  has a solid front surface  82  the front cover plate  76  prevents access to the play cards through the front surface  66  of the cards shoe body  62 . 
     To configure the card shoe  60  for game play the front cover plate  76  is first removed. The face plate  68  is then positioned on and attached to the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62 . The reinstallation of the faceplate  68  on the card shoe body  62  allows playing cards to be freely drawn from the mouth  65  of the card shoe  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , there provided an alternative front cover plate  90 . The front cover plate  90  includes first and second ends  92  and  94 , and has a solid front surface  96 . The front cover plate  90  is sized and configured to fit onto the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62 , replacing the faceplate  68 . The front cover plate  90  further includes a locking mechanism  98  having a mechanical actuator  100  and a lever mill  102 , where an activation of the actuator  100  will rotate the lever arm  102  from an unlocked position to a locked position, and a locked position to an unlocked position. In an example, the actuator  100  is depicted as a depression switch, the push of which will rotate the lever arm  102  from an unlocked position to a locked position, and a locked position to an unlocked position. However, other mechanical actuators  100  are contemplated, including key systems, rotatable actuators and the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , to secure the card shoe  60  the faceplate  68  is first removed from the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62 . The faceplate  68  is removably attached to the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62  allowing for easy removal. For example, the faceplate  68  can he snap fitted onto the card shoe body  62  using an annular or cantilever snap fit mechanism, 
     The front cover plate  90  is then positioned on and attached to the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62 , with the first end  92  being positioned adjacent of an upper portion of the front face  66  and the second end  94  being position to a lower portion of the front face  66 . The front cover plate  90  is removably attached to front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62  allowing for easy installation and removal. For example, the faceplate  68  can be snap fitted onto the card shoe body  62  using an annular or cantilever snap fit mechanism. Upon installation of the front cover plate  90  on the card shoe body  62 , the locking mechanism  98  is actuated, rotating the lever arm  102  to engage the cards shoe body  62 , locking the front cover plate  90  to the card shoe body  62 . 
     As the front cover plate  76  has a solid front surface  82  the front cover plate  76  prevents access to the play cards through the front surface  66  of the cards shoe body  62 . 
     To configure the card shoe  60  for game play the front cover plate  90  is unlocked from and is removed from the card shoe body  62 . The face plate  68  is then positioned on and attached to the front surface  66  of the card shoe body  62 . The reinstallation of the faceplate  68  on the card shoe body  62  allows playing cards to be freely drawn from the mouth  65  of the card shoe  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , there provided a faceplate insert  110 . The faceplate insert  110  includes first and second ends  112  and  114 , and has a solid front surface  116 . The faceplate insert  110  is sized and configured to fit into the inverted V-shaped or U-shaped opening  70  of the faceplate  68 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , to secure the card shoe  60  the faceplate insert  110  is installed in the opening  70  of the faceplate  68 , with the first end  112  being positioned adjacent of an upper portion of the opening  70  and the second end  114  being position to a lower portion of the front face  66 . The faceplate insert  110  is removably attached to the faceplate  68  allowing for easy removal. For example, the faceplate insert  110  can he snap fitted onto the faceplate  68  using an annular or cantilever snap fit mechanism. As the faceplate insert  110  has a solid front surface  116  the faceplate insert  110  prevents access to the play cards through the mouth  64  of the faceplate  68 . 
     To configure the card shoe  60  for game play the faceplate insert  110  is removed from the faceplate  68 . The removal of the faceplate insert  110  from the faceplate  68  allows playing cards to be freely drawn from the mouth  64  of the card shoe  60 , 
     Referring to FIG,  19 , there provided a faceplate insert  120 . The faceplate insert  120  includes first and second ends  122  and  124 , and has a solid front surface  126 . The faceplate insert  120  is sized and configured to fit into the inverted V-shaped or U-shaped opening  70  of the faceplate  68 . The faceplate insert  120  further includes a locking mechanism  128  having a mechanical actuator  130  and a lever arm  132 , where an activation of the actuator  130  will rotate the lever arm  132  from an unlocked position to a locked position, and a locked position to an unlocked position. In an example, the actuator  130  is depicted as a depression switch, the pushing of which will rotate the lever arm  132  from an unlocked position to a locked position, and a locked position to an unlocked position. However, other mechanical actuators  130  are contemplated, including key system, rotatable actuator and the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , to secure the card shoe  60  the faceplate insert  120  is installed in the opening  70  of the faceplate  68 , with the first end  122  being positioned adjacent of an upper portion of the opening  70  and the second end  124  being position to a lower portion of the front face  66 . The faceplate insert  12 . 0  is removably attached to the faceplate  68  allowing for easy removal. For example, the faceplate insert  12 . 0  can be snap fitted onto the faceplate  68  using an annular or cantilever snap fit mechanism. 
     Upon installation of the faceplate insert  120  on the faceplate  68 , the locking mechanism  128  is actuated, rotating the lever arm  132  to engage the faceplate  68 , locking the faceplate insert  120  to the faceplate  68  and card shoe body  62 . As the faceplate insert  120  has a solid :front surface  126  the faceplate insert  120  prevents access to the play cards through the mouth  64  of the faceplate  68 . 
     To configure the card shoe  60  for game play the faceplate insert  120  is unlocked and removed from the faceplate  68 . The removal of the faceplate insert  120  from the faceplate  68  allows playing cards to be freely drawn from the mouth  64  of the card shoe  60 . 
     It is also contemplated that the above card shoes can include an internal alarm, the actuation if which is caused by an improper removal of the card shoe protection system. 
     All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.