Patent ID: 8408547

Claim:
A reel assembly for a gaming machine comprising: a motor mount comprising a fixed mounting ring and a rotatable mounting ring formed to be connected together in an interlocking arrangement, said rotatable mounting ring being rotatable with respect to said fixed mounting ring to enable the angular position of said rotatable mounting ring to be rotated with respect to said fixed mounting ring; a stepper motor having a shaft, said stepper motor rigidly secured to the rotatable mounting ring, said shaft defining an axis of rotation; a lamp assembly rigidly secured to the rotatable mounting ring; a reel mechanically coupled to said motor shaft; an encoder wheel mechanically coupled to said reel; an optical sensor for sensing the angular position of said reel; and a locking mechanism which enables the angular position of said rotatable mounting ring relative to said fixed mounting ring to be locked in a first mode of operation and allows said rotatable mounting ring to be rotated relative to said fixed mounting ring in a second mode of operation, wherein said locking mechanism is formed so as to be accessible while the reel assemblies are installed in a gaming machine to enable the angular position of the stepper motor to be adjusted while the reel assemblies are installed in a gaming machine; and a fixed reel support for carrying said motor mount, said stepper motor, said reel, said encoder wheel, said optical sensor and said locking mechanism.