Patent Publication Number: US-9849367-B2

Title: Rotary card shuffling machine

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/280,691, filed Oct. 25, 2011, entitled “Rotary Card Shuffling Machine”, which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/408,270 filed Oct. 29, 2010, entitled “Vertical Card Shuffling Machine”, and this application also is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/912,276, filed Oct. 26, 2010, entitled “Casino Card Game”, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/255,128, filed Oct. 27, 2009, entitled “Mystery Card Bonanza”, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference and relied upon. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to a card shuffling and selection machine for a game of chance, and more particularly to a rotary card shuffling and selection machine supported for rotation where the indicia of the cards are visible while the machine is rotating. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The games of Money Wheel and Big Six are well established casino games including a “prize-wheel” type of random point generating device in the form of a large vertical rotating wheel. The playing wheel is imprinted with a plurality of fixed symbols along its circumference. By use of the term “fixed” here to refer to the symbols, it is meant that the symbols are imprinted on the wheel at the factory and cannot be rearranged or their relative positions manipulated in any reasonable way. A nearby player betting surface presents a plurality of wagering areas corresponding to the fixed symbols on the playing wheel. Each round of the game starts with the players placing wagers on the wagering areas. Once all of the wagers are placed, a dealer manually spins the playing wheel, and a winning symbol is determined by a fixed pointer once the playing wheel comes to a stop. Wagers previously placed on the wagering area associated with the winning symbol are deemed “winners” and paid according to a predetermined pay-out. 
     Gaming laws vary greatly from one jurisdiction to the next throughout the United States. Consequently, many jurisdictions significantly restrict the playing of dice and wheel casino games. Wheel games are generally restricted in those jurisdictions if they have a moving random number or result generation wheel with indicia being fixed in a permanent manner to the wheel itself. Again, use of the term “fixed” here refers to the indicia being imprinted on the wheel at the factory and not realistically capable of being rearranged by a casino. It does not matter whether the wheel operates in a vertical fashion, like the above-described prize wheel, or in a horizontal position, like a roulette wheel. The key is that the indicia for that apparatus must always be in the same position of the wheel for the game to be considered restricted. For example, with some wheels, the 0 and 00 are always fixed to the same spot on a single or double roulette wheel, and the 40 to 1 indicia is always fixed to the same location on a “Money Wheel.” 
     In addition to being restricted in many jurisdictions, fixed indicia wheel games present two additional problems. The first problem is that wheels may be rigged, or “gaffed”, to generate a preferred outcome. The second problem is that any misbalance in the wheel will favor one outcome over another. New devices have been created that allow cheaters to determine whether a wheel is out of balance, and if so, what outcome has an increased expectation of appearing. Cheaters then use this information to their advantages when placing wagers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,853, issued to Mark H. Jones (hereinafter referred to as “Jones &#39;853 patent”), shows a horizontally mounted wheel for use in wheel games, e.g. roulette. Rather than having fixed indicia on the wheel, which is not only restricted in many jurisdictions, but also easy for cheaters to crack, the wheel of the Jones &#39;853 patent uses a variable indicia system in the form of removable and re-orderable playing cards. The playing cards are disposed around the circumference of the playing wheel, and a flapper is used to determine the winning card. The playing cards are periodically removed from the shuffler machine and rearranged between rounds by the casino, thus varying the positions of the indicia. The wheel of the Jones &#39;853 patent is designed to randomly generate a winning card, or cards, from a mix of cards, and as such may be used for several different games, including dice games like craps. The key to its overwhelming legal acceptance, even in jurisdictions where other types of wheel games are prohibited, has been that the cards are periodically removed, shuffled, and returned to the machine based on the casino&#39;s policies and procedures. In other words, the cards are not fixed forever in a specified slot, but rather periodically randomly relocated into different slots between games. The variable position of the indicium negates any advantage a cheater might gain from knowledge of a biased wheel. The wheel of the Jones &#39;853 patent is not operable in a vertical position, however, because the cards would too easily fall out of the apparatus during the spinning (shuffling) process. Also, as the wheel rotates, the card indicia are not visible to players until the cards are removed from their respective slot. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,637 to Piazza et al. discloses a card wheel type device in which cards may be placed in a horizontally rotatable platter via respective card receptacles and support members fitted each with a clamp section. Like the Jones &#39;853 wheel, the Piazza device is also particularly ill-suited for operation in the vertical “prize wheel” dimension because its cards would not be properly retained in the slots when the wheel is rotated. Any cards slipping loose from the open-end slots in Piazza would create a catastrophic event bringing game play to a halt and jeopardizing the trust and integrity players must possess toward the operators of a game of chance. 
     There is therefore a need in the art for an improved “prize wheel” type device which can accommodate the variable indicium features of the Jones &#39;853 patent. Such a vertically oriented wheel must reliably hold cards on the wheel without risk of loss, yet permit convenient removal and replacement of such cards at the end of each spin in order to render a game decision. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a rotary card shuffling machine that utilizes actual cards. 
     It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a rotary card shuffling machine where the cards can be randomly dispersed in slots about the machine before each spin of the wheel. 
     It is still another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a rotary card shuffling machine where the indicia of each card is visible to players as the wheel spins. 
     It is a further aspect of the present disclosure to provide a rotary card shuffling machine that yields increased player enjoyment. 
     In accordance with the above and the other aspects of the present disclosure, a rotary card shuffling and selection machine is provided. The machine includes a support structure and an axle that extends generally perpendicularly from the support structure for establishing a rotary axis. A wheel is supported on the axle for rotation about the rotary axis. The wheel has a front face with a plurality of card positions the number of which is predetermined. Each of the card positions includes a card retention mechanism to retain the card to the front face of the wheel in a face up orientation. The card positions are disposed in equal circumferential increments about the rotary axis. A plurality of cards are provided, the total number of which is equal to the predetermined number of card positions. One card is placed in removable communication with each of the card retention mechanism such that all of the card positions are filled with cards. Each card bears indicia suitable to decide the outcome of a game of chance. The cards are retained to the wheel such that their indicia can be seen as the wheel is spinning. 
     The subject rotary card shuffling and selection machine provides a new and improved type of prize wheel device suitable for play of games such as Money Wheel and Big Six as well as many other and new games of chance. One aspect of the present machine is that the cards can be periodically rearranged and placed in the respective card positions in a new order thereby making it very difficult for players to predict an outcome using the skill of wheel tracking or knowledge of a mechanical bias. Furthermore, the subject machine substantially impedes the possibility for improper collusion between the dealer and players. The subject machine neatly retains cards in the respective card positions as the wheel is rotated without allowing the cards to become dislodged, but yet the cards remain easily removable for a game decision and then returned to the card position for continued play. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary casino-type game of chance played with a rotary card shuffling machine according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation of a rotary card shuffling machine according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the rotary card shuffling machine of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion of the rotary card shuffling machine illustrating the insertion of a card into a card position according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a portion of the rotary card shuffling machine illustrating a plurality of cards in card positions in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of a card showing an exemplary retention mechanism in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a card position generally along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 5  illustrating a card retained in the card position in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a card position generally along lines  8 - 8  in  FIG. 5  illustrating a card retained in the card position in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a simplified depiction of a live game of chance is generally shown at  10  in  FIG. 1  according to an aspect of the disclosure. The game of chance  10  is intended to represent any type of game that may be played according to the teachings of the present disclosure. Such games may include, but are by no means limited to, the games of Money Wheel and Big Six. In addition, the game of chance  10  may include future developed games suitable for play using the teachings of this disclosure. Although the illustration in  FIG. 1  shows a physical table  12  having a horizontal playing surface  14  around which players (not shown) congregate to place wagers, it will be understood that electronic implementations of the game of chance  10  are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. In particular, in electronic versions, the playing surface  14  may be displayed via a monitor or projector (not shown) on one or more terminals in the same or in geographically disperse locations. According to another aspect, both a physical table and an electronic version of a table may be employed in connection with a single game of chance. 
     A card shuffling and selection machine according to an aspect of the present disclosure is generally shown at  16 . The card shuffling machine  16  may be used in conjunction with a game of chance  10  to randomly generate a game winning decision during each round of play. The card shuffling machine  16  can include a support structure, generally indicated at  18 , which is stable and sturdy. The support structure  18  is best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  including a base  20  for engaging a floor surface. The base  20  may take many forms including separated feet, anchored posts, or a flat, plate-like member as shown for providing stable purchase against the floor. An upright shaft  22  can extend generally vertically upwardly from the base  20 . Naturally, the upright shaft  22  may take many forms and may even be configured in such a way as to not appear shaft-like in nature. For example, the upright shaft  22  may instead take the form of a cabinet, a framework, a wall, or any other suitable structure anchored sufficiently to the base  20  (or other floor structure) so as to provide sturdy support. The support structure  18  can further include an axle  24 . According to an aspect, the axle  24  can extend generally perpendicularly from the upright shaft  22  for establishing a generally horizontal rotary axis A. In alternative configurations, the axle  24  may be attached directly to a wall surface, cabinet, framework or other type of configuration comprising a support structure  18 , all within the contemplated embodiments of this disclosure. The support structure  18  in this exemplary embodiment includes an optional side arm  26  extending generally perpendicularly from the upright shaft  22  and generally perpendicularly intersecting the rotary axis A. The axle  24  and the side arm  26  may be, as depicted, in the illustrated embodiment, vertically aligned with one another. Naturally, in other design expressions of the support structure  18 , the side arm  26  may be configured substantially differently or even omitted altogether. 
     According to an aspect, the card shuffling machine  16  may further include a wheel, generally indicated at  28 . The exemplary wheel  28  is perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 1-3  in its entirety and supported on the axle  24  for free spinning rotation about the horizontal rotary axis A. According to an aspect, the wheel  28  can include a journal, socket or other bearing component to receive the axle  24  so that the wheel  28  can be rotated about the rotary axis A without the aid of a motor or power input (other than human muscle power). Naturally, other rotating connection configurations can be envisioned wherein the male portion of the axle  24  is mounted to the wheel  28  directly and a female socket is formed in the support structure  18 . Alternatively, respective rotary bearing members may be attached to the support structure  18  and the wheel  28  to affect a similar rotating relationship. In any event, the wheel  28  may be journaled with low friction bearing elements, grease or other good sliding arrangements so that, when spun manually by an operator, the wheel  28  will freely spin and progressively slow until coming to rest. 
     As shown best in  FIG. 3 , the wheel  28  can include a hub section  30  that engages the axle  24 . According to another aspect, the hub section  30  has a front face  34  and a back face  36 . In use, the front face  34  may be disposed toward the game table  12  such that it is visible to players of the game of chance  10 . According to an aspect, the back face  36  faces the support structure  18 . According to another aspect, an annular ring  38  may be secured to the front face  34  of the wheel  28  adjacent the outer rim  32  of the wheel  28 . The annular ring  38  may include a plurality of card positions  40  for receiving individual cards on the wheel  28  in a face up orientation. According to an aspect, the annular ring  38  may be an integral structure formed of a plastic material. Alternatively, the annular ring  38  may take on a variety of different configurations and may be formed from a variety of different materials. The annular ring  38  may also be located in various places on the wheel  28 . According to still a further aspect, a decorative cover  42  may be secured to the front face  34  of the hub section  30 . The decorative cover  42  may fit within the annular ring  38  or may overlie the annular ring  38  and thus overlie the card positions  40 . According to still another aspect, the decorative cover  42  may have a variety of different graphics thereon depending upon the game being played. The decorative cover  42  may also be formed of a variety of different materials and may take on various different shapes and sizes. According to an aspect, a plate  100  may help secure the decorative cover  42  and the annular ring  38  to the hub section  30 . Other attachment methods may also be employed. 
     It will be appreciated that the wheel  28  could have a variety of different configurations. According to another aspect, the wheel  28  could be configured for horizontal rotation about a vertical axis. According to a further aspect of the disclosure, the wheel  28  could be in communication with a computer and/or motor such that the wheel could spin under power of the motor and the spinning and stopping of the wheel could happen automatically under computer control. 
     According to a further aspect and as discussed above, the hub section  30  can include a plurality of card positions  40  disposed therearound. According to an aspect, the card positions  40  may consist of a designated area on the hub section  30  that is configured to receive and retain a card during play of the game of chance. The card positions  40  may have a variety of suitable configurations, including as discussed herein. The total number of the card positions  40  may comprise a predetermined number which may vary depending on the type of game played. For example, if the card shuffling machine  16  is used to play a game similar to or according to the traditional rules of roulette, the predetermined number of card positions  40  may be thirty-seven if playing European style with only one “0”. However, the predetermined number may be thirty-eight if playing American style roulette that includes both “0” and “00”. If playing a game similar to the game of craps, the predetermined number of card positions  40  may be thirty-six representing the thirty-six possible outcomes of two rolled dice. Naturally, other games may require a different number of predetermined card positions  40 . According to one aspect, at the time of manufacture, the wheel  28  is formed with the predetermined number of card positions  40 . Therefore, a different wheel  28  may be required to play different games of chance. Alternatively, the wheel  28  could be reconfigured at a casino or the like to allow different games to be played on the same wheel. The plurality of card positions  40  may be disposed in equal circumferential increments about the rotary axis A. Therefore, the arcuate spacing (in degrees) from one card position  40  to the next adjacent card position  40  (center-to-center) is generally equal to the number 360 divided by the predetermined number of card positions  40 . So, if the predetermined number is thirty-six, the equal circumferential increment between each card position  40  is 10 degrees. If the predetermined number of card positions  40  is fifty-four, the spacing between card position  40  (center-to-center) is approximately 6.7 degrees. Likewise for any predetermined number. 
     According to an aspect, the wheel  28  may also include a plurality of dividers  46 . The total number of dividers  46  can equal the predetermined number of card positions  40 . Therefore, if the predetermined number of card positions  40  is sixty-two, then there are sixty-two dividers  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, each divider  46  may extend axially from the front face  34  of the hub  30 . The dividers  46  may be disposed in equal circumferential increments about the rotary axis A, and may be arranged in generally equal radial spacing from the rotary axis A so as to appear in a ring or circular pattern centered about the rotary axis A. According to another aspect, the dividers  46  may comprise cylindrical pegs having generally equal axial lengths as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 3 . The dividers may take on a variety of different configurations or be omitted altogether. 
     According to a further aspect, the wheel  28  may include a first flapper  48  is supported by the upright shaft  22  adjacent the wheel outer rim  32 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first flapper  48  may be disposed in a twelve o&#39;clock position by reference to a standard watch face. Relocation of the first flapper  48  to another position, however, is of course possible. The first flapper  48  may also be secured in a variety of other suitable ways. The first flapper  48  may comprise a resilient paddle made from rubber, leather, or other spring-like material extending into an interference position relative to the dividers  46  so that when the wheel  28  is spun about the rotary axis A, the dividers  46  will sequentially strike and displace the resilient paddle  48  thereby progressively slowing the spinning wheel  28 . It will be appreciated that a flapper or other stopping mechanism may be omitted entirely and the wheel  38  rotation could be stopped and stopped automatically under computer control. 
     Likewise, a second flapper  50  may be supported by the side arm  26  adjacent the outer rim  32  of the wheel  28 . In this condition, and according to the illustrated embodiment, the second flapper  50  is disposed in a three o&#39;clock (or nine o&#39;clock) position relative to the rotary axis A. The second flapper  50  may be formed substantially identical to the first flapper  48  in that a resilient paddle-like element extends into an interference position relative to the dividers  46  to progressively slow the spinning wheel by sequential strikes. Although the machine  16  can be played with only a single flapper, use of two flappers  48 ,  50  will result in quicker deceleration of the spinning wheel  28  and therefore a quicker game decision. One of the first  48  and second  50  flappers comprises a pointer. This, for example, may be ideally suited to the second flapper  50  which may be located at a height that is more accessible to an average-size human being standing on the floor as shown in  FIG. 1 . Thus, the second flapper  50  can point to and designate one of the card positions  40  and in particular the most closely proximate card position  40  after the wheel  28  has come to rest following a manual spin. 
     The card shuffling machine  16  further includes a plurality of cards  52 . The cards  52  may be standard playing cards such as used for the games of blackjack and poker, or may be manufactured to custom specifications. The total number of cards  52  is equal to the predetermined number of card positions  40  so that one card  52  is disposed in each card position  40 . For example, if a game similar to craps is being played and the predetermined number of card positions  40  is thirty-six, then thirty-six cards  52  will be provided, each imprinted with indicia  54  representing the thirty-six possible outcomes of two rolled dice. Therefore, whatever game of chance  10  is being played with the machine  16 , the cards  52  bear indicia  54  suitable to decide the outcome of that game of chance  10 . 
     According to an aspect, each card position  40  may include a card retention mechanism to hold the card  52  centered and securely in the card position  40  when the wheel  28  is spun. According to another aspect, the card retention mechanism can retain the card in face up position such that indicia  54  of the card  52  can be seen as the wheel  28  is rotating. In operation, whenever a pointer (e.g., the second flapper  50 ) or other card identifying device comes to indicate a particular card  52  in card positions  40 , the operator can easily remove the card  52  from the card retention mechanism. This allows the operator to announce the indicia  54  on the card  52  and thereby decide the game of chance  10  (or at least a portion of the game). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the card positions  40  may consist of slots formed between the annular ring  38  and the decorative cover  42 . Each of the slots may include one or more hook and loop strips  60  that engage respective hook and loop strips  62  on the back side  64  of each card  52  ( FIG. 6 ). The engagement of the hook and loop strips  62  on the cards  52  with the hook and loop strips  60  in the card slots serves to firmly secure the cards  52  to the wheel  28  while the wheel  28  is spinning. Each slot may be formed with a notch  64  that allows an operator or dealer to access the card and remove it from the slot or card position  40 . According to an aspect, the decorative cover  42  and/or the annular ring  38  are formed of a transparent material such that the indicia  54  of each card  52  can be seen while the wheel  28  is rotating.  FIG. 4  illustratively illustrates the insertion of a card into its respective card position  40 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a plurality of cards  52  in their respective card positions  40 . 
     According to another aspect shown in  FIG. 7 , each card position  40  may include a magnet  70  disposed therein that can communicate with a magnet  72  associated with each card  52  to securely retain the cards  52  in their respective card position  40  while the wheel  28  is spinning. If magnets are used as the card retention mechanism, a cover over the front face of the card  52  may not be needed. The magnet  72  can be associated with the card in  52  a variety of suitable ways, including embedded therein or glued to a face thereof. 
     According to still a further aspect shown in  FIG. 8 , each card position  40  may include a retaining clip  80  that is spring biased to assist in securing each card  52  firmly within each card position  40  while the wheel is spinning. It will be appreciated that the retaining clip  80  can take on a variety of different configurations. Moreover, according to yet other aspects, the card retention mechanism can take on a variety of different forms and configurations. It is of utmost importance that the cards  52  do not unintentionally fall out of the positions  40  during the spinning of the card shuffling machine  16  thus any mechanism that imparts friction to the cards  52  and keeps them in place, including the slots themselves may be employed. 
     The present invention provides for a casino card or other table game  10  and wherein the card shuffling machine  16  is a vertical shuffler rotationally disposed with card positions  40  that can display cards in a face up orientation. Each round of the game  10  includes the step of determining the winning card  52  by spinning the card shuffling machine  16  and allowing it  16  to come to a rest with the flapper  50  pointing at the winning card  52 . In the electronic version, the indicator of the selected card would be entered into a computer (whether manually or automatically with a reader) such that the computer could resolve any wagers with players at betting terminals in communication therewith. 
     The present invention provides for a unique machine  16  suitable for play of casino games. The present vertical card shuffling machine  16  may, in one exemplary embodiment, include a five foot (5′) diameter circular wheel  28  formed with a predetermined number of card positions  40  for holding the cards  52  disposed in a circular pattern near the wheel&#39;s rim  32 . The number of positions  40  depends on the game  10  utilizing the machine  16 . Thus, a wheel  28  including thirty-six card positions  40  is required for traditional craps-type games. A wheel  28  including thirty-eight positions  40  is needed for American style roulette games. And so on. The cards  52  disposed in the card positions  40  can be standard playing cards or they could be custom cards having customized indicia  54  or a customized layout. 
     The card shuffling machine  16  has a first flapper  48  positioned at the twelve o&#39;clock position to slow the spinning wheel  28  and to provide an interesting clicking noise. Because the circular wheel  28  of the exemplary embodiment is so large, the dealer would have a difficult time reaching and removing the winning card  52  if it was the one at the top of the wheel  28  when it stopped spinning. To solve this problem, the card shuffling machine  16  can include a second flapper  50  at the three o&#39;clock position, i.e. within comfortable reach of the dealer even if the dealer is confined to a wheel chair. The second flapper  50  functions to indicate the winning card  52  in addition to making noise and adding increased resistance for slowing the spinning wheel  28 . Having two flappers  48 ,  50  slows the wheel  28  at a much faster rate than many other prize wheel games, thus providing for more rounds per hour of the game to be played. More rounds per hour suggest an increase in potential profit for the casino. 
     The card shuffling machine  16  is also better than the prize wheels of the prior art systems as it increases player excitement as the card indicia  54  can be seen while the wheel  28  is spinning. Also, one significant improvement of the present design relates to game protection. On a prior art prize wheel with fixed indicia, a skilled advantage player can become very proficient in what is referred to in the gaming industry as “wheel tracking”. It is a proven fact that the human body exhibits a phenomenon known as muscle memory. Basketball players, tennis player and golfers are just a few professions which rely on muscle memory to replicate a desired outcome. A dealer, when spinning a big wheel is subjected to the same muscle memory science. When a player can see the numbers surrounding the point generation or outcome location, they can determine, with regular accuracy, the section of the apparatus that will come to rest in any given location. Such a player has just shifted the game from having a house advantage to a game having a player advantage which could cost the house a potentially large amount of money if not addressed. With the use of cards  52 , the present invention eliminates the fixed indicia and enables the ability to reposition the cards  52  periodically to assure for random selection as it pertains to any given wager. 
     In summary, the vertical card shuffling machine  16  of the present disclosure overcomes the biasing and collusion problems of the prior art vertical prize wheels. In order to increase the attractiveness of the vertical card shuffling machine  16 , programmable lights may be also added to the circumference of the front face  34 . 
     The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.