Abstract:
A gaming machine, which provides improved player comfort, is provided with a housing including footrests. The footrests are disposed on opposite ends of the front portion of the housing near the bottom and may be integrally formed with the front portion of the housing. Normally standard gaming stools are provided with footrests which force a player to maintain a single position while playing a game. The integrated footrests in the housing of the gaming machine are disposed at a height relatively higher than the footrests in a standard gaming stool thus allowing a player to change positions and lean back to reduce fatigue.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending utility patent applications: “Next Generation Video/Reel Product”, by Jean Pierre Legras, and Joseph R. Hedrick, Ser. No. 09/680,108, Attorney Docket No. P-269; “Remote Bet Button”, by Joseph R. Hedrick, Jean Pierre Legras and Noel D. Brodzinski, Ser. No. 09/679,753, Attorney Docket No. P-273; “Dual Action Door Hinging”, by Jean Pierre Legras, Noel D. Brodzinski and Joseph R. Hedrick, Ser. No. 09/679,751, and a design patent application entitled Gaming Machine, by Joseph R. Hedrick and Jean Pierre Legras, Ser. No. 29/130,606, all filed on Oct. 5, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to gaming machines and more particularly to gaming machines which provide improved player comfort and specifically to gaming machines which include integrated footrests. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various types of gaming machines are known. When playing such gaming machines, players normally sit at a chair or stool in front of the gaming machine, rigidly mounted a fixed distance from the gaming machine, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,232,191 and 5,762,617. The location of the gaming machine controls, for example, results in the player either leaning or being hunched forward. In order to improve player comfort, some known gaming machine stools come with footrests or a foot rail to enable players to rest their feet. However, the position of the gaming controls, for example, rigidly mounted thereto as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,397, requires players to lean or hunch forward during play. Continued play in a hunched position can cause player discomfort and fatigue. Such fatigue and discomfort thus limits the amount of time player will play a gaming machine. Unfortunately, due to the configuration of the machine, there is little a player can do to change positions. Thus, there is a need for an improved gaming machine which provides improved player comfort. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect, the present invention may be a gaming machine that may include a housing having front, side, rear and top housing portions. The front housing portion may include a pair of angled surfaces disposed at a first predetermined angle relative to a horizontal datum, the surfaces may be disposed on a lower portion of the front housing and spaced apart and disposed at a preselected height relative to the bottom of the gaming machine to form footrests. 
     According to a second aspect, the present invention may be a gaming machine that comprises a housing comprising a front, side, rear, top and bottom housing portions. The gaming machine may also include a pair of angled surfaces disposed on the front housing portion at angles relative to a horizontal datum, the pair of angled surfaces disposed on a lower portion of the front housing portion and spaced apart and disposed at a first height relative to the bottom housing portion to form footrests. Additionally, the gaming machine may include a video display, a value accepting device and a control panel. 
     According to a third aspect, the present invention may be a gaming machine housing comprising a front housing portion, a pair of side housing portions, a top housing portion coupled to the pair of side housing portions and a bottom housing portion coupled to the pair of side housing portions. The gaming machine housing may also include a pair of angled surfaces disposed on the front housing portion at angles relative to a horizontal datum, the pair of angled surfaces spaced apart and disposed at a first height relative to the bottom housing portion to form footrests. 
     According to a fourth aspect, the present invention may be a gaming machine that comprises a housing comprising a front housing portion, a pair of side housing portions, a top housing portion and a bottom housing portion. The gaming machine may also include a pair of angled surfaces disposed on the front housing portion at angles relative to a horizontal datum, the pair of angled surfaces spaced apart and disposed at a first height relative to the bottom housing portion to form footrests, a video display, a value accepting device and a control panel. 
     According to a fifth aspect, the present invention may be a gaming machine comprising a housing comprising a front housing portion, first and second angled surfaces disposed on the front housing portion to form footrests, a video display, a value accepting device and a control panel. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and attached drawing wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gaming machine housing, in accordance with the present invention, shown sitting or a pedestal, illustrated in phantom. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left side of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the right side of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is top perspective view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a front-elevational view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a rear-elevational view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG. 1, shown with an upper front housing portion in an open position and the lower front housing portion partially pulled out. 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of a circular cluster of gaming machine housing in accordance with the present invention illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG. 1, shown with a door chassis, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, in an extended position and the door in closed position. 
     FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 except that it is a side-perspective view. 
     FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG. 1, shown with door chassis in an extended position and the door in an open position. 
     FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrated the door chassis in an extended position and the door in an open position and shown with the interior of the gaming machine in phantom. 
     FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13 but with portions of the gaming machine and door chassis removed to more clearly illustrated the door chassis and door hinges. 
     FIG. 15 is a partial elevational view illustrating the door rail which forms a part of the door chassis in an extended position. 
     FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 but in retracted or closed position. 
     FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view of a position of the door chassis, shown with the door closed, illustrating the bottom door latch assembly. 
     FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating an access door in an open position and revealing a portion of the upper door latch assembly. 
     FIG. 19 is partial elevational view with portions of the gaming machine removed illustrating the upper door latch assembly in a latched position. 
     FIG. 20 is similar to FIG. 19 but in an unlatched position and the door partially opened. 
     FIG. 21 is a side-elevational view of the gaming machine housing illustrated in FIG. 1, shown with a player and a bet button in a normal position. 
     FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21 but with the bet button in an extended position and the player in a laid back position. 
     FIG. 23 is a partial view of the interior side of the door in phantom illustrating a bet button in a retracted position. 
     FIG. 24 is similar to FIG. 23 but showing the bet button in an extended position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved gaming machine housing. FIGS. 1-8 illustrate an improved configuration for a gaming machine which provides improved player comfort and also a smaller footprint to optimize the number of gaming machines that can be placed in a given area on a casino floor. FIG. 9 illustrates a cluster of the gaming machines illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 organized in a circular configuration. FIGS. 10-20 relate to an improved door support for an access door for the machine which enables gaming machines to placed closer together. FIGS. 21-24 relate to an extendable bet button for improving player comfort. FIGS. 1-3 and  6  illustrate a footrest that is integrated into the front housing portion which together with a remote bet button improves player comfort as generally shown in FIG.  22 . 
     Improved Gaming Machine Configuration 
     As best shown in FIGS. 1-8, an improved gaming machine housing configuration, in accordance with the present invention, provides improved player comfort while at the same time provides a relatively small footprint to optimize the number of gaming machines that can occupy a given area on a casino floor. As shown, the gaming machine housing, in accordance with the present invention, generally identified with the reference numeral  30 , may be provided with an integral or separate pedestal  32 . The height of the pedestal  32  is selected so that the height of the player controls and video display surface are compatible with a standard gaming machine stool  29  (FIGS. 21,  22 ), for example, as manufactured by Gary Platt Manufacturing Inc. or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,191, hereby incorporated by reference. 
     As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the gaming machine housing  30  is of irregular shape and is configured to enable the video display  40  to be carried in a plane at an angle A (FIG.  2 ), relative to a vertical datum  32 . The angle A is selected to improve player comfort in a manner similar to that of a conventional slant top machine while at the same time providing the type of visibility of the video display  40  as conventional upright gaming machines. The angle A may be varied from about 5° to 85°, preferable between 20° and 40°, relative to the vertical datum  32  (FIG.  2 ). In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, the sides of the housing are formed at least in part to converge toward one another. Such a configuration reduces the footprint of the machine in order to optimize the number of gaming machines that can be placed in a given area on a casino or other gambling facility floor. 
     In accordance with an important aspect of the gaming machine housing, the lower front housing portion  39  may be mounted to the gaming machine in a manner to enable it to be pulled out to an extended position as generally shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and to pivot as generally shown in FIG. 12 from the extended position. This configuration allows gaming machines to be placed closer together while at the same time providing full access to the interior of the gaming machine. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-8, an exemplary gaming machine housing  30  is illustrated which includes a front housing portion  33  (FIGS.  2  and  3 ), left and right side housing portions,  34  and  35 , respectively (FIGS. 1,  5  and  7 ), a top housing potion  36  (FIG.  7 ), a rear housing portion  37  (FIG.7) and a bottom housing portion  72  (FIG.  5 ). The front housing portion  33  (FIGS. 2 and 3) may be divided into an upper front housing portion  38  (FIGS. 1 and 8) and a lower front housing portion  39  (FIG.  1 ). The upper front housing portion  38  may be pivotally mounted, for example, about a pivot axis  41  to enable the upper front housing portion  38  to be pivoted from a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, to an open position, as shown in FIG. 8, to provide access to the video display  40  (FIG. 1) for maintenance and replacement. In order to prevent unauthorized access into the gaming machine  30 , a latch or other locking arrangement (not shown) may be is used to secure the upper front housing  38  in a latched position as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The upper front housing portion  38  is used to frame a video display  40 , for example, a cathode ray tube video display. As such, the upper front housing portion  38  is provided with a central rectangular aperture  43 , sized in accordance with the dimensions of the video display  40 , and formed with beveled surfaces  45  around the rectangular aperture  43  to frame the video display  40  and eliminate any gaps between the video display  40  and the upper front housing portion  38 . The upper front housing portion  38  may also be formed with extending sidewalls  42 ,  44  (FIGS. 2 and 3) adapted to overlap the left and right side housing portions  34  and  35 , respectively, in a closed position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     The lower front housing portion  39  is formed with a first surface  46  (FIGS.  1 - 3 ). The angle of the first surface  46  is selected so that it is coplanar with the upper front housing portion  38 , as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The lower front housing portion  39  may also be provided with a second surface  48  that is not parallel to the plane of the first surface  46 . The second surface  48  may be generally planar and configured at an angle B (FIG. 3) with respect to a horizontal datum  50 . The angle B is selected to promote player comfort and minimize player fatigue, for example, an acute angle in the range from 10° to 70°, preferably 25° to 45°. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower front housing portion  39  may be provided with sidewalls  60  and  62 . These sidewalls  60  and  62  overlap the left and right side housing portions  34  and  35  in a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. 
     An integral or separately formed convenience shelf  52  (FIGS. 1-3) may be provided which extends generally parallel relative to the horizontal datum  50  (FIG.  2 ). The convenience shelf  52  may be provided with a cup holder  54  and provide shelf space for the convenience of the players. 
     In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the left and right side housing portions  34  and  35  are configured to reduce the overall footprint of the gaming machine. As best shown in FIGS. 2,  3  and  5 , the left and right side housing portions  34  and  35  are formed to be generally symmetric and non-planar in configuration. In particular, referring to FIG. 5, the left and right side housing portions  34  and  35  are formed with generally parallel surfaces  64  and  66 , respectively, and converging angled surfaces  68  and  70 , respectively. As such, as shown in FIG. 5, the footprint of the machine is not rectangular but includes a trapezoidal portion, generally identified with the reference numeral  72 , which enables the gaming machines to be arranged in various configurations including the circular configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 to enable more gaming machines to be located in a given area on a casino floor or other gaming facility. 
     Integrated Footrests 
     Normally, footrests are provided on gaming machine stools. In order to increase player comfort, a pair of footrests  56 ,  58  (FIGS. 1-3) are provided on the lower front housing portion  39  of the housing  30 . These footrests  56 ,  58  may be integrally formed in the lower front housing portion  39  of the housing or formed separately and rigidly secured thereto. As housing portion  39  on each end. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the integrated footrests  56  and  58  are located at a height above the height of the footrests  74  (FIGS. 21,  22 ) provided on the game chair  29 . The integral footrests  56  and  58  located on the lower front housing portion  39  provide increased player comfort by enabling a player to lean back and rest their feet as the game is played, as shown in FIG.  22 . 
     The footrests  56 ,  58  are formed from angled surfaces, for example, at an angle C (FIG. 22) relative to a horizontal datum  50 . The angle C is selected to optimize player comfort, for example between 20°-70°. As best shown in FIG. 1, the footrests  56 ,  58  may be provided with rubber pads  76  and  78 , which may be secured to the footrests  56  and  58  with a suitable adhesive. 
     Dual Action Door Hinging 
     Access doors are normally provided on the front of gaming machines to provide access to the interior of the machine for in-situ maintenance and repair of the gaming machine on the casino floor. Such access doors limit how close gaming machines may be placed on a casino floor. More specifically, access doors normally are provided on the lower front portion of the gaming machine. Such access doors are normally hinged on one end. Unfortunately, the configuration of such gaming machines limits how close gaming machines can be placed while still enabling the access door to be fully opened. In particular, in many known gaming machines, the player controls are carried by an outwardly extending surface which extends outwardly relative to the plane of the access door. Such a configuration requires a certain amount of spacing between the machines in order for the access door to have sufficient clearance to be fully opened. In order to minimize the spacing between gaming machines, a dual-action access door in accordance with the present invention is provided which allows gaming machines to be placed relatively close together while at the same time providing the full access to the interior of the machine. In particular, FIGS. 10-20 illustrate a dual-action door assembly that enables the lower front housing portion  39  to be opened much like a file cabinet drawer from a closed position, as generally shown in FIG. 1, to an extended position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Provisions are also provided to enable the lower front housing portion  39  to pivot in an extended position as shown in FIG. 12 to enable full access to the interior of the gaming machine for in-situ maintenance. 
     Referring to FIG. 14, the lower front housing portion  39  is carried by a door chassis assembly, generally identified with the reference member  76 . The door chassis assembly  76  includes a vertical frame member  78  and two horizontal frame members  80  and  82 . The vertical frame member  78  and one of the horizontal frame members  80  are joined together at their respective ends to form an L-shaped configuration, generally parallel to the vertical datum  32  (FIG.  2 ). An opposing end of the horizontal frame  80  (FIG. 14) is connected to one end of the horizontal frame member  82  forming an L-shaped configuration, generally parallel to horizontal datum  50  (FIG.  3 ). Three telescoping drawer rails,  84 ,  86  and  88  are rigidly secured on one end to the frame members  78  and  82 , for example, with suitable fasteners or by welding. 
     The horizontal frame members  80  and  82  may be formed with generally square or rectangular cross-sections. However, frame member  78  may be formed from J-channel for additional stiffening. The telescoping drawer rails  84  and  86  are rigidly attached to one end to the vertical frame member  78  with suitable fasteners. The drawer rail  88  is attached on one end to the horizontal frame member  82 . The opposing ends of the drawer rails  84 ,  86  and  88  are attached to the interior of the left and right housing portions  34  and  35  with suitable fasteners. In order to provide additional stiffening, stiffening plates may be used. For example, a stiffening plate  90  may be attached directly to the interior of the left side housing portion  34  with suitable fasteners. The drawer rails  84  and  86  may then be attached to the stiffening plate  90 . 
     In order to provide additional stiffening, a gusset plate  92  may be rigidly attached to the stiffening plate  90  and rest on the bottom housing portion  72  (FIG. 5) as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. An additional gusset plate  94  may be rigidly secured in the corner of the vertical frame member  78  and the horizontal frame member  80 . The gusset plate  94  provides additional stiffening of the door chassis  76 . 
     The door chassis assembly  76  enables the lower front housing portion  39  to slide out in a similar manner to a file drawer from a closed position as shown in FIG. 1 to an extended position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the lower front housing portion  39  is pivotally mounted on one end about an axis generally parallel to a vertical datum  32  (FIG.  2 ). The pivotal mounting enables the lower front housing portion  39  to pivot from a closed position when the door chassis assembly  76  is in a partially or fully extended position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 to an open position as shown in FIG. 12, thus providing a dual-action door. 
     In order to pivotally mount the lower front housing portion  39  relative to the door chassis  76 , upper and lower hinge assemblies  96  and  98  are provided. Each hinge assembly  96 ,  98  includes two brackets  99 ,  100 . The brackets  99  are rigidly attached to the interior of the front housing portion  39  while the brackets  100  are attached to the vertical support  78 . Each of the brackets  99  are formed from a horizontal member  102  and a pin  104  configured to be generally parallel to the vertical datum  32  (FIG. 2) when secured to the vertical supports  78  defining a vertical pivot axis. The brackets  100  are formed from a pair of members  106 ,  108  configured in a generally L-shape. The members  106  are provided with apertures (not shown) for receiving the pins  104  to enable the lower front housing portion  39  to pivot about a vertical axis on the left side of the lower front housing portion  39 . 
     The right side of the lower front housing portion  39  is secured by upper and lower latch assemblies  110  and  112  respectively. The upper latch assembly  110  is illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 while the lower latch assembly  112  is illustrated in FIGS. 15-17. 
     Referring first to FIGS. 15-17, the lower latch assembly  112  includes a bullet pin assembly  114  and a latch plate  116 . The latch plate  116  is formed with a flat surface  118 , attached or secured directly to the horizontal frame member  80  and a ramped surface  120 . The flat surface  118  is formed with an aperture  122  for latching the bullet pin assembly  114  as generally shown in FIG.  17 . The bullet pin assembly  114  includes a bullet pin  124 , spring loaded by way of a spring  126 , as best shown in FIG.  17 . In a latched position as shown in FIG. 17, the bullet pin  124  is biased downwardly into the aperture  122 . 
     The tension of the spring  126  is selected such that a relatively small horizontal force on the lower front housing portion  39  causes the bullet pin  124  to move upwardly and compress the spring  126 , thus unlatching the bullet pin assembly  114  from the latch plate  116 , as generally shown in FIG.  15 . The ramped surface  120  on the latch plate  116  causes the bullet pin  124  to move upwardly, thus compressing the spring  126 , as the lower front housing portion  39  is moved toward a closed position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The compression forces of the spring  126  bias the bullet pin  124  downwardly as the top of the bullet pin  124  slides across the flat surface  118  of the latch plate  116 . Once the bullet pin  124  is over the aperture  122  in the latch plate  116 , the bullet pin  124  is biased downwardly as shown in FIG. 17, latching the right lower portion of the lower front housing position  39  to the door chassis  76 . 
     FIGS. 19-20 illustrate the upper latch assembly  110 . The upper latch assembly  110  is used to latch the upper right side of the lower front housing portion  39  in a closed position for example as shown in FIG.  1 . The upper latch assembly  110  must be latched in order to allow the door chassis assembly  76  to be pulled out to an extended position as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The upper latch assembly  110  is similar to a car door latch assembly and includes pair of parallel spaced apart L-shaped brackets  128  and a pin  130  extending there between forming a bracket assembly  132 . The bracket assembly  132  is rigidly attached to the interior of the lower front housing portion  39  access door. 
     A latch subassembly  134  is formed on the interior of the right side housing portion  35 . The latch subassembly  134  includes a plate  136 , rigidly attached to the right housing portion  35  and a generally U-shaped slot  138 . The pin  130  on the bracket assembly  132  is adapted to be received in the U-shaped slot  138  as generally shown in FIG. 19. A latching mechanism formed from a pivotally mounted L-shaped member  140  is used to capture the pin  130  in the slot  138  in a latched position as generally shown in FIG.  20 . When the L-shaped member  140  is rotated counter-clockwise, as generally shown in FIG. 20, the pin  130  is released to allow the lower front housing portion  39  to be unlatched. 
     Normally the L-shaped member  140  is spring loaded in a clockwise direction to force the L-shaped member into the position as generally shown in FIG. 19. A release cable  142  (FIG. 18) is attached to one end of the L-shaped member  140 . The release cable  142  is used to overcome the spring force in order to rotate the L-shaped member  140  in a counter-clockwise position as generally shown in FIG. 20 in order to release the pin  130 . The other end of the release cable  142  may be attached to a solenoid  143  (FIG.  18 ). In a normal position, the solenoid  143  is not powered and thus does not tension the release cable  142 . When electrical power is applied to the solenoid  143 , a plunger  144  on the solenoid  143  is retracted to place tension on the release cable  142  in order to rotate the L-shaped member  140  (FIG. 20) to enable the lower front housing portion  39  to be unlatched. 
     The solenoid  143  (FIG. 8) may be key operated. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, a key-operated switch  146  may be located on the housing  30 . Thus, when a key is inserted and turned to the on position, the solenoid  143  is powered up in order to enable the upper latch assembly  110  to be released. However, use of the solenoid  143  requires that the machine be connected to a source of electrical power. 
     In the event of a power failure or need to access the machine when no power is available, a portal  148  (FIG. 18) may be provided on the front portion of the lower front housing portion  39 , adjacent the solenoid  143 . As shown in FIG. 18 the portal  148  may be is hinged at the bottom and may be secured at the top with a simple key latch  150 . During conditions when electric power is not available, the portal  148  is simply opened and tension manually placed on the release cable  142  to unlatch the upper latch assembly  110 . 
     Remote Bet Button 
     In order to improve the player comfort, an extendable bet button, generally identified with the reference numeral  152  (FIGS.  22 - 24 ), provides additional player comfort. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 21, a player is shown at a gaming machine in a first conventional position. In this position, the player is forced to sit at arm&#39;s length to the gaming machine controls. The extendable bet button  152  allows the player to lean back and play the game while in a more comfortable position as shown in FIG.  22 . 
     The extendable bet button  152  is disposed on the interior side of the lower front housing portion  39 , as generally shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. FIG. 22 shows the extendable bet button  152  in a fully retracted position while FIG. 23 shows the extendable bet button in an extended position. 
     The extendable bet button  152  includes a conventional push button switch  154  (FIG. 24) and a rearwardly extending reduced diameter cylindrical member  156 . The cylindrical member  156  is provided with a through hole for receiving an electrical cable  158  that is attached to the switch  154 . The electrical cable  158  may be provided as an armored cable to minimize wear. A generally cylindrical grommet  160  is carried by the surface  48  (FIGS. 1-3) on the lower front housing portion  39 . The cylindrical grommet  160  includes a central aperture  162  for receiving the cylindrical member  156 , as generally shown in FIG.  23 . 
     The cable  158  is attached on one end to the game controls (not shown) in a conventional manner. In order to prevent the extended bet button  154  from being disconnected from the gaming machine, a stop assembly  166  is provided. The stop assembly  166  includes a bracket  168  defining an access area which enables the cable  158  to freely slide through. A generally cylindrical weight  170  is attached around the armored cable  158  at a distance selected to prevent axial forces from being placed on the electrical connection to the gaming machine in an extended position. The cylindrical weight  170  has a relatively larger diameter than the cable  158 . In a normal position, as shown in FIG. 23, the weight  170  rests in the interior of the lower front housing portion  39 . When the bet button  154  is in an extended position as shown in FIG. 24, the diameter of the weight  170  is much larger than the access through the bracket  168  thus preventing further movement of the armored cable  158  stop as generally shown in FIG.  24 . 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.