SHUFFLER FOR PLAYING CARDS

• US 20110012303A1
• Filed: 07/14/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fairplay Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fairplay Incorporated
• Inventors: Kourgiantakis, Michael, Trichas, Konstatinos, Tsiambouris, John
• Application Number:
  US12/502,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20110012303A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/149.R
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/12 Card shufflers

Abstract

A shuffler for playing cards provides a complete and random shuffle. The shuffler includes a chute and means for biasing cards toward a longitudinal wall in the chute. A preliminary urging means is positioned adjacent the card receiving end of the chute for urging the playing cards to travel to the distal end of the chute. A cut restricter removeably extends into the chute to stop the travel of a portion of the playing cards. There is a further means for advancing the remaining cards towards the distal end of the chute where they will come to rest along the longitudinal wall of the chute. There is also provided means for returning the remaining cards toward the card receiving end of the chute to intermingle those cards with the stopped portion of the cards.

Claims

1. A shuffler for playing cards comprising:

a chute having a first longitudinal wall and a second longitudinal wall, a card receiving end, and a distal end;

means for biasing the cards toward the first longitudinal wall;

a preliminary urging means, adjacent the card receiving end of the chute, for urging the playing cards to travel toward the distal end of the chute;

a cut restrictor removably extending into the chute to stop the travel of a portion of the cards;

a means for advancing the remaining cards toward the distal end of the chute;

and a means for returning the remaining cards toward the card receiving end of the chute to intermingle with the stopped portion of the cards.

2. The shuffler of claim 1, wherein the urging means, the means for advancing and the means for returning are positioned below the cards in supporting relation to edges of the cards.

3. The shuffler of claim 2, wherein the preliminary urging means comprises a unidirectional roller for frictional rolling engagement with the cards.

4. The shuffler of claim 2, wherein the means for advancing the cards comprises a roller for frictional rolling engagement with the cards.

5. The shuffler of claim 2, wherein the means for returning the cards comprises a roller for frictional rolling engagement with the cards.

6. The shuffler of claim 5, wherein the means for advancing the cards and the means for returning the cards comprise a bidirectional roller which is rotated in a first direction to advance the cards and rotated in a second direction to return the cards.

7. The shuffler of claim 1, wherein the cut restrictor is mounted above the chute.

8. The shuffler of claim 7, wherein the cut restrictor is a flap hingedly mounted to alternate between lowered position extending into the chute to stop the travel of a portion of the cards and a raised position clear of the chute.

9. The shuffler of claim 8, wherein the cut restrictor is mounted to a guide supported from one of the longitudinal walls of the chute.

10. The shuffler of claim 1, wherein the means for biasing the cards toward the first longitudinal wall comprises a guide positioned on the second longitudinal wall to direct the remaining cards toward the first longitudinal wall.

11. The shuffler of claim 1, wherein the means for biasing the cards toward the first longitudinal wall comprises the orientation of the preliminary urging means at an angle transverse to the first longitudinal wall.

12. The shuffler of claim 11, wherein the angle is less than 30°

.

13. The shuffler of claim 12, wherein the angle is between 1°

and 10°

.

14. The shuffler of claim 13, wherein the angle is between 2°

and 3°

.