Gaming machine chair

• US 8,113,517 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Canterbury, Stephen A., Greenberg, Jacob C., Loose, Timothy C., Pryzby, Eric M., Wurz, Norman R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Niconovich, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US11/572,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20080054561A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,391 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138.1, 273/148.R, 273/148.B, 273/143.R, 463/1, 463 16- 20, 463/25, 463/36, 463 46- 48, 2972171-2177
• US Class Current: 273/148.B
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3216 Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects

Abstract

A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair includes a seat and a tactile device for providing tactile sensations via the seat according to at least one of events occurring in the wagering game, and player input through an input device.

Claims

1. A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair comprising:

a seat;

a back extending upward from the seat;

a footrest;

an illuminated image display for displaying an image, the illuminated image display being positioned on the back; and

a tactile device, including a motion device, and one or more heating or cooling devices, the motion device and the one or more heating or cooling devices configured to provide a tactile sensation via the seat, the back, or the footrest according to at least one of (i) an event occurring in the wagering game or (ii) player input through an input device,

wherein the motion device includes a plurality of motion arms for vertically moving or tilting the seat, the back, and the footrest, each of the motion arms having an end supporting the seat; and

wherein the one of more heating or cooling devices are positioned below the seat cushion or behind the back cushion and are configured to provide temperature alteration to the gaming chair as a result of radiant energy transferring directly through the seat or back.

2. The gaming chair of claim 1, wherein the wagering game is accompanied by an audio track, the audio track containing one or more embedded markers for triggering the motion device to move the seat, the back, and the footrest.

3. The gaming chair of claim 1, wherein the motion device is configured to move the seat, the back, and the footrest with at least three degrees of freedom.

4. The gaming chair of claim 1, wherein the event occurring during the game is a random event and the tactile sensation is delivered to simulate such event.

5. The gaming chair of claim 1, wherein the footrest includes one or both of a footrest pivot or an adjustable footrest support.

6. The gaming chair of claim 1, further comprising at least one audio speaker device located within the footrest.

7. The gaming chair of claim 1, wherein the illumination image display includes an artwork panel or member.

8. The gaming chair of claim 1, wherein the illumination image display includes a video display.

9. A gaming system, comprising:

a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game; and

a gaming chair, comprising;

a seat including a seat cushion and a back cushion; and

a tactile device, including a motion device and one or more heating or cooling devices, the motion device and the one or more heating or cooling devices configured to provide a tactile sensation via the seat according to an event occurring in the wagering game,

wherein the motion device includes a plurality of motion arms for vertically moving or tilting the seat, and

wherein the one or more heating or cooling devices are positioned below the seat cushion or behind the back cushion and are configured to provide temperature alteration to the gaming chair as a result of radiant energy transferring directly through the seat or back cushion material.

10. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the event occurring during the game is a random event and the tactile sensation is delivered to simulate such event.

11. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the motion device is adapted to move the seat with at least three degrees of freedom.

12. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the wagering game is accompanied by an audio track, the audio track containing one or more embedded markers for triggering the tactile device.

13. The gaming system of claim 9, further comprising one or more audio speakers located on the gaming chair, the audio speakers configured to deliver audio sound waves in addition to the tactile sensation.

14. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the one or more audio speakers each include a woofer speaker device, the woofer speaker device configured to deliver the tactile sensation using low-end audio frequencies.

15. The gaming system of claim 9, further comprising a user-interface for enabling, disabling, or adjusting the tactile device, and wherein the user-interface is positioned on an armrest.

16. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the motion device includes at least one of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, and

wherein each of the motion arms includes an end connected to a floor plate beneath the seat.