Playing card handling devices and related methods
First Claim
1. A playing card handling device, comprising:
- a card storing area configured to support a stack of playing cards;
a card moving system configured to move cards individually from a bottom of the stack of playing cards in the card storing area;
a retractable arm mounted to a support structure of the playing card handling device, the retractable arm configured to selectively apply a force to the stack of playing cards in the card storing area against the card moving system in a contact position; and
a processor configured to direct movement of the retractable arm from a retracted position to the contact position responsive to at least one predetermined parameter being met, wherein the retractable arm is located entirely outside the card storing area when the retractable arm is in the retracted position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A playing card handling device comprises a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the card storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least the first and second positions when a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area. Methods of card handling include employing the use of such a pivotal arm.
922 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A playing card handling device, comprising:
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a card storing area configured to support a stack of playing cards; a card moving system configured to move cards individually from a bottom of the stack of playing cards in the card storing area; a retractable arm mounted to a support structure of the playing card handling device, the retractable arm configured to selectively apply a force to the stack of playing cards in the card storing area against the card moving system in a contact position; and a processor configured to direct movement of the retractable arm from a retracted position to the contact position responsive to at least one predetermined parameter being met, wherein the retractable arm is located entirely outside the card storing area when the retractable arm is in the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a card handling device, the method comprising:
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supporting a stack of playing cards with a support surface of a card storing area; individually moving cards from a bottom of the stack of playing cards in the card storing area with a card moving system of the card handling device; selectively applying a force to the stack of playing cards in the card storing area with a retractable arm in a contact position, the retractable arm being mounted to a support structure of the card handling device; and directing movement of the retractable arm from a retracted position entirely outside the card storing area to the contact position with a drive mechanism directed by a processor responsive to at least one predetermined parameter being met. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of moving cards within a card handling device, the method comprising:
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receiving a stack of playing cards within a card receiving area; moving individual cards from a bottom of the stack of playing cards, using at least one roller of a card moving system of the card handling device; receiving a signal with a processor that a remaining portion of the stack of playing cards within the card receiving area meets a predetermined value of a parameter; applying a downward force to a top of the remaining portion of the stack of playing cards with a retractable arm in a contact position responsive to the signal, the retractable arm being mounted to a support structure of the card handling device; maintaining the downward force with the retractable arm in the contact position until the remaining portion of the stack of playing cards has been removed from the card receiving area; and moving the retractable arm from the contact position to a retracted position entirely outside the card storing area with a motor-driven belt responsive to another signal indicating an absence of cards in the card receiving area. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification