Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/932,886, entitled “Improved Rotary Card Shuffling Device” and filed Jan. 29, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth fully herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an improved rotary card shuffling device for use in selecting a card for identifying a winning outcome in a game of chance. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an improved rotary card shuffling device for use with a game of chance that provides improved accuracy and operation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Games of chance are well known activities whose outcomes are strongly influenced by randomizing devices and upon which contestants may wager money as they forecast outcomes. Common randomizing devices include dice, spinning tops, playing cards, roulette wheels, prize wheels, and numbered balls drawn from containers. Games of chance have been played throughout all of human history and are considered to be a popular pastime by many. Players of games of chance are attracted to new and exciting methods of game play as well as new and exciting randomizing devices. For this reason, the gaming industry is continuously developing new games and new randomizing devices to maintain player interest and attract new players. 
     Games of chance that include money wagers are typically regulated by governing authorities. These governing authorities enforce laws and regulations that are enacted to curtail certain kinds of games as well as certain kinds of randomizing devices. For example, in some jurisdictions, the use of dice or roulette wheels to resolve a game outcome, i.e., as the randomizing device, has been curtailed while other randomizing devices such as playing cards are permitted. Consequently, randomizing devices that use playing cards are more frequently utilized to resolve outcomes in games of chance played for money. 
     It is important that randomizing devices operate in a truly random manner to ensure integrity of the games with which they are used. This ensures that the odds associated with particular wagers are accurate and also helps minimize the potential for cheating. As is known, randomizing devices that involve a rotating wheel can exhibit patterns over time with a bias for certain stopping points that occur more frequently than others. This is known to result from the rotary components developing wear patterns that can cause biases for certain stopping points. This condition is undesirable and can cost casinos significant revenue each year as it changes the odds of the game and allows a player of the game to anticipate a particular outcome. 
     Therefore, there is a desire within the gaming industry to develop new and interesting methods of game play and randomizing devices which utilize playing cards in unique and interesting ways and have longer durability and accuracy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a card shuffling device that provides improved durability over existing card shuffling devices. 
     It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a card shuffling device that provides improved accuracy over existing card shuffling devices. 
     In accordance with the above and the other aspects of the present disclosure, an improved card shuffling device is provided. The card shuffling device includes a wheel assembly including a fixed base portion having a central opening formed therein. The wheel assembly includes a lower wheel assembly portion secured to the fixed base portion. The lower wheel assembly portion has a flange portion and a sleeve portion extending from an underside of the flange portion. The sleeve portion extends into and is received within the central opening formed in the based portion. The flange portion includes a central aperture formed therein. The sleeve portion includes a bearing disposed therein. The lower wheel assembly portion is in rotational communication with an upper wheel assembly portion. The upper wheel assembly portion has a top portion and a hub portion extending from an underside of the top portion. The hub portion includes an axle portion extending therefrom, which passes through the central aperture for engagement with the bearing to allow the upper wheel assembly to freely rotate with respect to the lower wheel assembly and the base portion. 
     A flapper mechanism for use with a rotary shuffling machine includes a base portion having a bottom portion, a side surface extending generally upward from the bottom portion and an upright channel portion. The upright channel portion receives a holder mechanism therein. The holder portion includes an upper portion and a lower portion and is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The upper portion of the holder mechanism has a flapper portion secured thereto and projecting therefrom. The holder mechanism is in communication with a lock mechanism, which is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the lock mechanism is in the locked position, the holder mechanism is disposed in the first position where the flapper portion can engage the rotary shuffling machine to slow rotation thereof. When the lock mechanism is disposed in the unlocked position, the holder mechanism is disposed in the second position where the flapper portion is disposed away from engagement with the rotary shuffling machine such that it can rotate freely. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other aspects of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a table game system having a card shuffling device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a card shuffling device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a card shuffling device in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded cross-sectional view of components of a wheel assembly for a card shuffling device in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a portion of a wheel assembly for a card shuffling device in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a wheel assembly for a card shuffling device in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective exploded view of components of a wheel assembly for a card shuffling device in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a flapper holder assembly for a card shuffling device in a locked position in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a flapper holder assembly for a card shuffling device in a unlocked position in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is front view of a flapper holder assembly for a card shuffling device in a unlocked position in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a card shuffling machine  10  for selecting a card from among a set of cards to determine an outcome in a game of chance generally identified by reference number  5 . As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an aspect, the shuffling machine  10  can include a stationary base  12  which is effective to establish a generally vertical central axis A. Pursuant to this aspect, the base  12  is shown as a squat, generally cylindrical member, however this configuration can be varied to suit taste and application. A turntable  14  may be movably supported above the base  12  for free rotation within a generally horizontal plane about the central axis A. The turntable  14  may have a generally circular outer periphery  16 , and can be configured with multiple levels forming a hat-like construction. More specifically, an outer rim section  18  may be circumscribed by the outer periphery  16  and can rest directly above the stationary base  12 . An elevated stage section  20  may be centrally located therein. A decorative piece  22  may be affixed centrally within the stage section  20  for purely aesthetic purposes. It will be appreciated that the shuffling machine  10  could alternatively be secured directly to a table or other suitable structure. Additionally, the decorative piece  22  could take on a variety of different configurations or be omitted altogether. 
     According to an aspect, the turntable  14  can include a plurality of trays  24 . As shown, the plurality of trays  24  could be disposed on the stage section  20 . Alternatively, the plurality of trays  24  could be disposed in other locations such as disposed around the stage section. In the exemplary aspect depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the defined plurality of trays  24  consist of exactly thirty-eight trays. Depending upon the game of chance to be played, however, the defined plurality of trays  24  can be varied to include more than or less than the exemplary thirty-eight trays illustrated here. The trays  24  may be equally circumferentially spaced apart one from another about the central axis A. In other words, pursuant to the aspect where thirty-eight trays  24  are provided, each tray occupies a sector of approximately 9.47°. If the number of trays  24  were decreased to thirty-six, for example, each tray  24  would occupy a sector of exactly 10°, and so forth. The trays  24  may, as shown in the Figures, comprise narrow slots arranged along radials extending from the central axis A. Each slot may be sized, shaped and oriented so as to hold a single playing card  26  in a vertically upstanding orientation. 
     The card  26  may be dimensionally similar to those used for playing card games like poker, blackjack and the like. Instead of the traditional rectangular configuration, the cards  26  may be shaped in other interesting or effective geometries. A set of cards  26  may be equal in number to the defined plurality of trays  24 . Thus, in keeping with the previously proposed example of thirty-eight trays  24 , a set of cards would consist of thirty-eight distinct cards  26  with indicia relevant to determining an outcome of the game of chance being played. Examples of card sets are disclosed in Applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/947,202, entitled “Card Shuffling Machine”, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth fully herein. The trays  24  may be arranged so as to hold each card  26  so that its long edges are oriented horizontally, and its short edges are oriented vertically. According to an aspect, the depth of each slot in the trays  24  may be less than the narrow width of each card  26 , so that a noticeable, protruding portion of each card  26  extends above the stage section  20  of the turntable  14  in which the trays are recessed. This protruding portion can allow the dealer or operator of a game of chance using the card shuffling machine  10  to easily remove a card  26  from its tray  24 . Thus, each card  26  may be loosely contained in its respective tray  24  without the use of fastening devices, spring clips, or any other fixation medium. Alternatively, the cards  26  could be disposed face up in designated areas on the turntable  14  so that they are visible as the turntable  14  rotates. The cards  26  could also be retained to keep them in position such as by a securing mechanism or the like. 
     According to an aspect, the rim section  18  of the turntable  14  may be provided with a plurality of dividers  28 . The plurality of dividers  28  may be equal in number to the defined plurality of trays  24 . Thus, in the exemplary embodiment where thirty-eight trays  24  are provided, the number of dividers  28  can also be thirty-eight. The dividers  28 , like the trays  24 , may also be spaced one from another in equal circumferentially-spaced increments about the central axis A. Thus, if the trays  24  are spaced one from another 9.47°, the dividers  28  may likewise be spaced one from another 9.47°. Accordingly, the space between each divider  28 , as determined by a reference center line, occupies a sector equal to 9.47°, or whatever arcuate measure is achieved when the number  360  is divided by the number of dividers  28 . Preferably, although by no means necessarily, the dividers  28  may be oriented so as to perfectly bisect the angular sector between each adjacent tray  24 . Said another way, a radial extending from each divider  28  to the central axis A is preferably, but not necessarily, offset from the center-line of each adjacent tray  24  by an angular measure equal to the total number of trays  24  divided by 720. In this manner, the space or gap between each divider  28  may be exclusively associated with one specific tray  24 . 
     A flapper mechanism  30  may be fixed relative to the base  12  and configured to operatively interact with the dividers  28 , as is discussed in more detail herein. According to an aspect, the flapper mechanism  30  can function to apply a pulsating resistance to the free rotation of the turntable  14  and thereby progressively slow the turntable  14  to a stopped condition relative to the base  12 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which generally illustrate the wheel assembly of the shuffling machine  10 . As shown, according to an aspect, the wheel assembly  40  can include a first portion  42  and a second portion  44 . The first portion  42  may include a generally circular top portion  46  with a hub portion  48  extending from an inner surface  50  thereof. According to an aspect, an axle portion  52  can generally extend from the hub portion  48 . The second portion  44  may be generally t-shaped and can include a generally circular upper portion  54  and a hollow receiving portion  56 . As shown, the axle portion  52  may extend through an opening  58  in the upper portion  54  of the second portion  44  and into the hollow receiving portion  56  such that the axle portion  52  is telescopically received in the hollow receiving portion  56 . The hub portion  48  can rest on a shoulder portion  60  formed in the second portion  44  at a junction between the upper portion  54  and the hollow receiving portion  56 . According to aspect, the hollow receiving portion  56  can include a bearing  62  which engages bearing surfaces  64  on the axle portion  52  and allows relative rotation therebetween. 
     With reference generally to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the wheel assembly  40  may be secured to the base  12  or other suitable structure in order to finally retain it in position such that the first portion  42  may rotate with respect to a fixed structure. According to an aspect, this is accomplished by securing the second portion  44  to the base  12  by a plurality of securing mechanism  66  such as a fastener. However, any suitable securing mechanism may be employed. As shown, the hollow receiving portion  56  with received axle portion  52  may be passed through a central opening  70  in the base  12 . According to an aspect, a plate portion  68  may be disposed on the underside of the base  12  and may be secured to the second portion  44  and the base  12 . The plate portion  68  may be secured to the second portion  44  through the base portion  12  be the plurality of locking mechanism  67 . Additional locking and securing mechanism may also be employed. The combination of the securing mechanism (e.g., screws) and the locking mechanism (e.g., bolts) allows for alignment and tolerance adjustments so as to properly attach, align and keep aligned the first portion  42 , the second portion  44  and the base  12 . This will help ensure that the first portion  42  and attached turntable  14  rotate freely and eliminate any potential bias for certain stopping points. According to an aspect, the securing mechanism  66  is passed through openings in each of the first portion  42 , the second portion  44  and the base  12  to secure these structures. The locking mechanism  67  can then be passed through the same structures and retained in place by a nut or the like. Once the structures are fixedly attached, the securing mechanism  66  can be tightened or otherwise adjusted to properly align and attach these structures to ensure proper operation. 
     According to another aspect, the turntable  14  may be secured to the first portion  42  at the top portion via a plurality of openings with conventional fasteners or the like. This way the turntable  14  may be secured for rotation with respect to the base  12 . As discussed above, the elevated stage section  20  and the plurality of trays  24  may be disposed on the turntable  14 . According to an aspect, the plurality of trays  24  may be releasably disposed on the turntable  14  so that different cards (i.e., having different indicia) or different numbers of cards may be substituted into the machine  10 . This will allow the shuffling machine  10  to be employed with a variety of different games. The turntable  14 , the first portion  42 , and the second portion  44  can all be constructed of a metal portion. However, they can also be constructed of a variety of other suitable materials. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 through 10 , a flapper mechanism  30  in accordance with an aspect is illustrated. The flapper mechanism  30  may include a base portion  80 , a holder portion  82 , a lock mechanism  84  and a flapper  86 . According to an aspect, the base portion  80  has a bottom surface  88  that can rest on a table or other structure. The bottom surface  88  may be permanently mounted to the table through a plurality of bolt holes  90 . The base portion  80  can also include an inner surface  92  that lies adjacent the outer periphery  16  of the turntable  14 . The inner surface  92  may have a concave shape such that it generally matches the shape or radium of the outer periphery of the turntable  14 . The inner surface  92  may also have other suitable configurations. The base portion  80  can also include a channel  94  disposed rearward of the inner surface  92 . 
     The holder portion  82  may be disposed in the channel  94  of the base portion  80 . According to an aspect, the holder portion  82  can include a lower portion  96  and a pair of generally circular side pieces  98   a ,  98   b  that are sandwiched together. The lower portion  96  of the holder portion  82  may rest in the channel  94  and be retained therein by a bolt  100  or the like. Obviously, other suitable securing mechanism may be utilized. The side pieces  98   a ,  98   b  may be secured to one another by a plurality of screws  120  and can be tightened and loosened to vary the space between the side pieces  98   a ,  98   b . According to an aspect, the flapper  86  may be disposed between the side pieces  98   a ,  98   b  and retained in position. According to an aspect, the flapper  86  may be configured to contact the dividers  28  as the turntable  14  rotates in a pulsating fashion to gradually slow the turntable  14 . The flapper  86  may be configured to have some resilience and can be formed of a variety of suitable materials. According to another aspect, the lower portion  96  may include a set screw opening with a set screw  102  disposed therein. According to a further aspect, the set screw  102  may be employed to tighten up the components of the flapper mechanism  30  to minimize the effect of any vibrations resulting from engagement with the rotating shuffling device. 
     According to an aspect, the lock mechanism  84  consists of a tab portion  104  and a pair of leg portions  106  that define a half moon opening  108 . The leg portions  106  may be secured to respective ones of the side pieces  98   a ,  98   b  with the side pieces  98   a ,  98   b  being located in the half moon opening  108 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the lock mechanism  84  in a locked position where the holder portion  82  is fixed and movement thereof is restrained.  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate the lock mechanism  84  in an unlocked position where the holder portion  82  is angled rearward such it will not engage the turntable  14 . In the locked position, the rear ends of the leg portions  106  engage a lock bar  110 , which serves to lock the holder  82  and restrain movement thereof. The set screw can also be tightened to minimize vibrations of the holder  82 . As will be appreciated, in the unlocked position, the turntable  14  may freely spin as the flapper  86  does not engage the dividers  28 . According to an aspect, the flapper  86  can engage the dividers  28  and begin to gradually slow rotation of the turntable  14  when disposed in the locked position. According to another aspect, the lock mechanism  84  can assist in keeping the flapper  86  in place and can minimize any movement thereof that can result from contact with the dividers  28  and the vibration caused thereby. According to a further aspect, when the lock mechanism  84  is moved to the unlocked position, the pivoting of the tab portion  104  upward causes the holder portion  82  to pivot rearwardly. It will be appreciated that the holder portion  82  can be moved in a variety of other suitable ways. 
     As mentioned previously, each card  26  bears indicia related to a decision for a game of chance. Almost any of the known games of chance can be played using the card shuffling machine  10  of the present disclosure, so long as the number of cards  26  and the number of their represented indicia result in a probability of decision which is equivalent to the traditionally played game, such as roulette, craps, blackjack and many others as disclosed in Applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 11/947,202, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, other suitable games may be employed. 
     As will be appreciated, when spun forcefully, the angular momentum of the turntable  14  is sufficient to deflect the flapper  84  out of the way in a flipper-like fashion typical of prize wheel-type randomizing devices known in the prior art. The flapper  84  may be made of a felt-like material, or other suitable material. Each sequential impact and deflection of the flapper  84  caused by the rotating dividers  28  results in a pulsating resistance which slows the turntable  14  and eventually brings it to a complete stop. It will be appreciated that the turntable  14  may be rotated automatically upon actuation of the appropriate button. Alternatively, the turntable  14  may be operated under computer control and be rotated automatically. It will also be appreciated that the turntable  14  could also be stopped automatically with or without the aid of the flapper  84 . 
     The card shuffling machine  10  may also include some type of pointing device, which is fixed relative to the base  12 , for indicating one of the plurality of trays  24  when the turntable  14  comes to rest. According to one aspect, the pointer may be integral with the flapper mechanism  30 , in that the tray  24  residing between the dividers  28  on opposite sides of the flapper  84 , when the turntable  14  comes to rest, will determine which card  26  has been selected for the purpose of determining game outcome. Although, a separate and distinct pointer may be used, spaced from the flapper mechanism  30 , to indicate one of the plurality of trays  24  when the turntable  14  stops rotating. 
     Note that not all of the activities described above in the general description or the examples are required, that a portion of a specific activity may not be required, and that one or more further activities may be performed in addition to those described. Still further, the orders in which activities are listed are not necessarily the order in which they are performed. 
     The specification and illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The specification and illustrations are not intended to serve as an exhaustive and comprehensive description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that use the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be used and derived from the disclosure, such that a structural substitution, logical substitution, or another change may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
     Certain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub combination. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every value within that range. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims. 
     The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover any and all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. 
     Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

Technology Category: 1