APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING MULTI-PERSON GROUP OR COMMUNITY GAMING

• US 20080113768A1
• Filed: 11/13/2006
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Baerlocher, Anthony J.
• Application Number:
  US11/559,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20080113768A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for increasing the excitement, entertainment and aura for or around multi-person group or community gaming by enhancing the environment for playing and watching the gaming machines. The apparatus and method provides and positions a multi-player gaming bench in front of a gaming machine which enables two people to sit directly next to each other in front of the player gaming machine in a comfortable manner. The multi-player gaming bench is configured to enable both people to comfortably play the player gaming machine, and one person to comfortably play the player gaming machine and one person to comfortably watch play of the gaming machine. The multi-player gaming bench provides a better gaming experience for these people.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a number of player stations, said number being at least two, each of the player stations including;

(a) at least one player input device,

(b) at least one associated display device, and

(c) a game operable upon a wager by a player at said player station;

a processor in communication with each of the player stations, wherein said processor programmed to;

(i) cause a random determination event,

(ii) cause a community gaming display to display a community game outcome, said community game outcome based at least in part on the random determination event, and

(iii) communicate to a plurality of the number of player stations the community game outcome, wherein at least one of the communicated to player stations provides an award to a player based on the community game outcome;

a gaming bench positioned adjacent to one of the player stations, said gaming bench comprising;

(a) at least two support legs, each support leg having a foot end and a support end located opposite said foot ends; and

(b) at least one seat, said seat having a connection portion and an oppositely positioned sitting portion, said connection portion being attached to the support ends of the at least two support legs, the sitting portion substantially located within a plane, the sitting portion having a depth D within the plane and a width W within the plane, said plane having a distance H from the foot ends of the at least two support legs, wherein W;

(i) is at least 1.5×

D; and

(ii) is at least 1.5×

H.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, which includes a plurality of gaming benches, each positioned adjacent to one of said player stations.

3. A wagering game play increasing apparatus comprising:

a seat having a seat bottom and a seat back;

at least two support legs extending downwardly from the seat, each support leg having a foot opposite said seat; and

said seat bottom having a width and a depth, said width being substantially greater than said depth to support a first person and a second person sitting on the seat bottom immediately adjacent to the first person and configured to;

(a) be positioned in front of a gaming machine having a cabinet, a game operable upon a wager by either the first person or second person, at least one display device supported by the cabinet and operable to display the game, at least one input device supported by the cabinet and operable to enable said wager to be made,

(b) enable both the first person and the second person sitting on the seat to see the at least one display device, and

(c) enable each of the first person and second person sitting on the seat to make said wager on the game using the at least one input device by only moving one of their arms.

4. A gaming apparatus for use in combination with a gaming machine provided in a casino, said gaming machine having a game operable upon a wager, said gaming apparatus comprising:

a seat including a seat bottom having a width and a depth, said seat configured to be placed in front of the gaming machine to simultaneously support two people, said width being substantially greater than the depth,

said seat not being connected to said gaming machine, and

said seat configured to enable each of said people to operate said gaming machine while being supported by said seat.

5. A gaming apparatus in combination with a gaming machine, said gaming machine having a game operable upon a wager, said gaming machine located within a gaming facility, said gaming machine including a cabinet having a width, said gaming apparatus comprising:

a seat having a width;

said seat being placed in front of said gaming machine cabinet to support two players of said gaming machine such that each player can make said wager on said game;

said, width of said seat being equal to or greater than said width of said gaming machine cabinet; and

said seat not being connected to said gaming machine.

6. A method of increasing play of a gaming machine, said gaming machine having a cabinet, a primary game operable upon a wager, at least one display device supported by the cabinet and operable to display the primary game, at least one input device supported by the cabinet and operable to enable said wager to be made, said method comprising:

positioning a multi-player gaming bench in front of the cabinet, said gaming bench including;

(a) a seat having a seat bottom and a seat back,

(b) at least two support legs extending downwardly from the seat, each support leg having a foot opposite said seat, and

(c) said seat bottom having a width and a depth, said width being substantially greater than said depth to support a first person and a second person sitting on the seat bottom immediately adjacent to the first person and such that both the first person and the second person sitting on the seat bottom can see the at least one display device and such that each of the first person and second person sitting on the seat bottom can make said wager said wager on the primary game using the at least one input device by only moving one of their arms; and

enabling the first person and the second person to make wagers on plays of the primary game using the at least one input device.

7. A method of increasing play of a gaming machine, said gaming machine having a cabinet, a primary game operable upon a wager, at least one display device supported by the cabinet and operable to display the primary game, at least one input device supported by the cabinet and operable to enable said wager to be made, said method comprising:

providing a multi-player gaming bench for positioning in front of the cabinet, said gaming bench including;

(a) a seat having a seat bottom and a seat back,

(b) at least two support legs extending downwardly from the seat, each support leg having a foot opposite said seat, and

(c) said seat bottom having a width and a depth, said width being substantially greater than said depth to support a first person and a second person sitting on the seat bottom immediately adjacent to the first person and such that both the first person and the second person sitting on the seat bottom can see the at least one display device and such that each of the first person and second person sitting on the seat bottom can make said wager on the primary game using the at least one input device by only moving one of their arms.