WAGERING GAME MACHINES WITH UNIVERSAL MOUNTING BASE FOR LIGHT AND MARQUEE ASSEMBLIES

• US 20110207530A1
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lewis, Michael R., Costanzo, Thomas F., Rifkin, David K., Hayes, Sean E., Chudek, Christopher W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,303,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable

Abstract

Wagering game systems, gaming machines, and methods of changing the appearance of a gaming machine are presented herein. In one embodiment, a gaming machine for playing a wagering game is presented. The gaming machine includes a display for displaying the outcomes of the wagering game, and an input device for receiving wagers from players. The gaming machine also includes a cabinet with a mounting base integrated to the top of the cabinet. The mounting base is configured to support any of a plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures, such as tower lights, marquees, and other signage. In some embodiments, the gaming machine also includes at least one electrical connector that is accessible from the exterior of the cabinet. The electrical connector is configured to electrically couple the selected top-box mounted fixture to the cabinet.

Claims

1. A gaming machine for playing a wagering game, the gaming machine comprising:

at least one display configured to display outcomes of the wagering game;

at least one input device configured to receive wagers from players; and

a cabinet with a mounting base integrated to the top of the cabinet, the mounting base being configured to support a selected one of a plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one electrical connector accessible from the exterior of the cabinet, the at least one electrical connector being configured to electrically connect the selected top-box mounted fixture to the cabinet.

3. The gaming machine of claim 2, wherein the at least one electrical connector includes a single electrical connector configured to electrically couple with any of the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures.

4. The gaming machine of claim 2, wherein the at least one electrical connector comprises a pigtail connector protruding from the cabinet and configured to mate with a complementary electrical connecter of the selected top-box mounted fixture.

5. The gaming machine of claim 2, wherein the at least one electrical connector comprises a blind mate connector configured to automatically electrically couple the selected top-box mounted fixture to the cabinet when the selected top-box mounted fixture is physically mounted to the mounting base.

6. The gaming machine of claim 2, wherein the at least one electrical connector comprises a multi-point terminal block configured to mate with at least one complementary electrical connecter of the selected top-box mounted fixture.

7. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the mounting base comprises an inner support ring configured to receive and retain a tower light.

8. The gaming machine of claim 7, wherein the mounting base further comprises an outer support ring concentrically aligned with the inner support ring to define an annular slot therebetween, the annular slot being configured to receive a mounting post of a marquee display.

9. The gaming machine of claim 8, wherein the mounting post of the marquee display has an annular flange that seats on top of an upper support surface of the outer support ring.

10. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the mounting base includes a twist-lock assembly configured to mate with a corresponding twist lock structure of the selected top-box mounted fixture.

11. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the mounting base includes a telescoping support arm assembly configured to mate with a corresponding telescoping structure of the selected top-box mounted fixture.

12. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the cabinet includes a base cabinet with a top box vertically adjacent the base cabinet, and wherein the mounting base is integrated to the crown of the top box.

13. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures comprises at least one tower light and at least one marquee display.

14. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures comprises at least two different marquees each having a respective tower light.

15. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one separator plate mounted on top of the cabinet and surrounding the mounting base, the at least one separator plate being configured to support a marquee display thereon.

16. A gaming system for playing at least one wagering game, the gaming system comprising:

at least one display configured to display an outcome of the at least one wagering game, the outcome being randomly determined from a plurality of wagering game outcomes;

at least one input device configured to receive a wager from a player to play the at least one wagering game;

at least one player input device configured to receive play input from the player;

a cabinet with a universal mounting base integrated to the top of the cabinet, the universal mounting base being configured to interchangeably support a selected one of a plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures; and

at least one electrical connector accessible from the exterior of the cabinet, the at least one electrical connector being configured to electrically connect the selected one of a plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures to the cabinet.

17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrical connector is integrated with the universal mounting base.

18. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the at least one electrical connector is inside the universal mounting base.

19. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the at least one electrical connector is outside of and immediately adjacent to the universal mounting base.

20. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrical connector is configured to automatically electrically connect the selected top-box mounted fixture to the cabinet when the selected top-box mounted fixture is physically mounted to the universal mounting base.

21. A method of operatively attaching a selected one of a plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures on top of a wagering game terminal, the method comprising:

coupling, via at least one electrical connector accessible from the exterior of a cabinet of the wagering game terminal, all electrical connections between the selected one of the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures and the wagering game terminal; and

mounting the selected one of the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures to the cabinet via a universal mounting interface capable of interchangeably supporting any of the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the selected top-box mounted fixture is electrically coupled to the wagering game machine without opening the cabinet of the wagering game machine.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the coupling and the mounting is substantially simultaneous.

24. A method of changing the appearance of a wagering game machine with a cabinet, the method comprising:

detaching a first of a plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures from the cabinet of the wagering game machine;

disconnecting electrical connections between the wagering game machine and the first of the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures without opening the cabinet of the wagering game machine;

connecting electrical connections between the wagering game machine and a second of the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures without opening the cabinet of the wagering game machine; and

attaching the second of the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures to the cabinet of the wagering game machine.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the cabinet has a top box vertically adjacent a base cabinet, and wherein the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures are mounted on top of the top box.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the electrical connections between the wagering game machine and the first of the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures are disconnected without opening the base cabinet or the top box of the wagering game machine.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the electrical connections between the wagering game machine and the second of the plurality of different top-box mounted fixtures are connected without opening the base cabinet or the top box of the wagering game machine.