Playing card shuffler
First Claim
1. A card shuffler apparatus, comprising:
- at least one card supporter configured to receive and retain cards in a vertical orientation, the at least one card supporter having a first portion and a second portion, wherein an aperture extends through the at least one card supporter between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the aperture is configured to allow cards to pass therethrough;
a positioner configured to move the cards received and retained by the at least one card supporter horizontally to any selected position of a plurality of positions relative to the card aperture; and
a card receiver located to receive a single card through the card aperture after the positioner moves the cards to a selected position of the plurality of positions relative to the card aperture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a card support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more card slots in a card rest. In at least some of the apparatuses, a medial card receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the card support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the card slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change a relative position of the unshuffled deck and card slots though which the cards drop.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A card shuffler apparatus, comprising:
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at least one card supporter configured to receive and retain cards in a vertical orientation, the at least one card supporter having a first portion and a second portion, wherein an aperture extends through the at least one card supporter between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the aperture is configured to allow cards to pass therethrough; a positioner configured to move the cards received and retained by the at least one card supporter horizontally to any selected position of a plurality of positions relative to the card aperture; and a card receiver located to receive a single card through the card aperture after the positioner moves the cards to a selected position of the plurality of positions relative to the card aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of shuffling cards, comprising:
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moving a first plurality of cards horizontally to a first position relative to a card aperture, the card aperture extending through a card supporter having a first portion and a second portion, the card aperture between the first portion and the second portion; transferring a first card through the aperture to a card receiver; moving a second plurality of cards horizontally to a second position relative to the card aperture, the second plurality of cards comprising fewer cards than the first plurality of cards; and transferring a second card through the aperture to the card receiver. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A card shuffler apparatus, comprising:
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a receptacle configured to receive a plurality of cards to be shuffled in a substantially vertical orientation; a positioning mechanism configured to randomly reposition the plurality of cards horizontally in the receptacle; a transfer mechanism configured to release only one card at a time responsive to gravity from the receptacle in a randomized order; and a card collector for receiving cards released from the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification