Card shufflers and gaming tables having shufflers

• US 10,569,159 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2017
• Issued: 02/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Stasson, James B., Swanson, Ronald R., Scheper, Paul K., Nelson, Troy D., Bourbour, Feraidoon, Grauzer, Attila
• Primary Examiner(s): Simms, Jr., John E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Collins, Dolores R
• Application Number:
  US15/715,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20180015357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 273309
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/067 Tables or similar supporting structures
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/12 Card shufflers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/18 Score computers; Miscellaneous indicators time-testing devices G07C
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2457 Display screens, e.g. monitors, video displays
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/58 Antifraud or preventing misuse
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32

Abstract

A playing card shuffling device includes a visual display in information communication with the playing card shuffling device. At least one processor is programmed to provide displayable information to the visual display indicative of an amount of time remaining or time expired in a procedure performed by the playing card shuffling device.

Claims

1. A gaming table, comprising:

a table body defining a top surface having one of an opening through the top surface or a side support positioned adjacent the top surface of the table body; and

a card shuffler positioned at the one of the opening through the top surface or the side support positioned adjacent the top surface of the table body, the card shuffler comprising;

a card receiving area positioned proximate and accessible from the top surface of the table body, the card receiving area configured to receive a set of cards to be randomized;

a card randomizing system comprising a plurality of card moving elements configured to change an order of the set of cards beneath the top surface of the table body; and

an elevator for raising the set of cards to a card delivery area to a position at least substantially flush with the top surface of the table body.

2. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the card shuffler further comprises a retractable handle configured to enable removal of the card shuffler from the table body through the opening.

3. The gaming table of claim 2, wherein the retractable handle is flush-mounted to a top surface of the card shuffler.

4. The gaming table of claim 2, wherein the retractable handle is retractable below a top surface of the card shuffler.

5. The gaming table of claim 1, further comprising a bracket having a support surface beneath the top surface of the table body, the support surface configured to support the card shuffler.

6. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the card randomizing system is surrounded by the table body.

7. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the card shuffler further comprises a flange around an outer edge thereof, wherein the flange rests on the top surface of the table body adjacent the opening.

8. The gaming table of claim 7, wherein the card shuffler is supported by the flange.

9. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the card shuffler further comprises a card moving mechanism for moving the set of cards from the card receiving area into the card randomizing system.

10. The gaming table of claim 9, wherein the card moving mechanism is configured to lower the set of cards into the card randomizing system.

11. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the card shuffler further comprises an elevatable lid for covering at least one of the card receiving area and the card delivery area during a shuffling operation.

12. The gaming table of claim 11, wherein the elevatable lid is configured to cover the card delivery area during a shuffling operation.

13. The gaming table of claim 11, wherein the card shuffler further comprises a user input device, wherein the elevatable lid is configured to automatically open in response to a signal received from the user input device.

14. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the card receiving area is configured to receive at least one deck of cards with each card face lying in a plane that is at an angle with respect to the top surface.

15. A card shuffler comprising:

a body having a top surface;

a card receiving area positioned at the top surface, the card receiving area configured to receive a set of cards to be randomized;

a card randomizing system comprising a plurality of card moving elements configured to change an order of the set of cards beneath the top surface;

an elevator for raising the set of cards to a card delivery area at least at the top surface; and

a mounting bracket configured to support the body in a position in which the top surface is flush with a top surface of a gaming table.

16. The card shuffler of claim 15, further comprising a cover configured to be elevated over the top surface of the body when the cover is in an open position.

17. The card shuffler of claim 16, wherein when the cover is in a closed position, the cover overlays the card receiving area and the card delivery area.

18. The card shuffler of claim 15, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a flange around an outer edge of the top surface of the body.

19. The card shuffler of claim 15, further comprising a handle secured adjacent the top surface of the body, the handle configured to enable vertically lifting the card shuffler.

20. The card shuffler of claim 19, wherein the handle is retractable within the body.