Amusement devices: games – Games accessories – All video game accessories
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2001-09-18
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Games accessories
All video game accessories
C273S14800B
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290229
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a support attachment for a gaming machine and more particularly relates to a combination drink holder and ashtray attached to a slot machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As casinos become more and more popular throughout the country, casino operators are attempting to make the casinos as “user friendly” as possible while also maximizing the profitability of the casino. Casinos generally offer different types of refreshments and entertainment. The refreshments may include various types of beverages, cigarettes, and cigars, and the like. Casinos traditionally have offered complimentary refreshments to their preferred or regular customers. The casino entertainment generally includes gaming activities such as black jack, baccarat, and other types of card games; roulette; craps; and also various types of gaming devices. These gaming devices may include slot machines, poker machines, and numerous other types of electronic or mechanical devices.
As is well known, a slot machine is a coin or token operated gaming machine that pays off according to the matching of symbols on wheels spun by a handle. Of course, most slot machines today are electronically based with the payoff determined by the matching of symbols as shown on an electronic display. It is not uncommon for a customer to hold a large number of coins or tokens while playing a slot machine. The customer either bringing the coins or tokens with him or her to begin playing a particular machine or the customer may win a large number of coins or tokens. It also is not uncommon for a customer to play one particular slot machine for an extended amount of time. This continued play is done on the belief that the customer's odds of winning a jackpot increase with each coin or token.
Casinos desire that their customers play such gaming devices for as long as possible while being as comfortable as possible. One drawback with the current design of slot machines and other types of gaming devices is that the customer may not have a free hand while playing the gaming device to partake of the casinos' refreshments. In other words, the customer may not have a free hand for a drink, a cigarette, a cigar, and the like while playing the gaming device. For example, most slot machines simply do not have a flat ledge designed to accommodate a drink or an ashtray. Although a casino may generate a significant amount of revenue from the sale of beverages, cigarettes, cigars, and the like, the casino and its customers would prefer for the customer to stay at the gaming device rather than spending time in the bar. Likewise, the customer may not want to leave a particular slot machine on the belief that a jackpot is imminent.
What is needed, therefore, is a means by which a customer playing a slot machine or other type of gaming device can enjoy a beverage, cigarette, cigar, and the like. The customer can enjoy the refreshments, while also holding his or her coins or tokens, without having to leave the gaming device. These goals must be accomplished in a cost efficient manner that does not distract the customer from the slot machine or other type of gaming device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a support device for a gaming machine. The support device includes a base with a drink holder and a dish positioned within the base. The base is fixedly attached to the gaming machine such that the drink holder and the dish are accessible to a user of the gaming machine.
Specific embodiments include the use of the dish as an ashtray or a coin holder. The ashtray may include a support frame surrounding the dish with the dish being mounted to the support frame by one or more hinges for rotation therewith. The base and the drink holder may be made from a metal blank. The metal may be a stainless steel or other type of noncorrosive materials. The drink holder may include a rubber base.
A further embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming device for use in a casino. The gaming device includes a cabinet with a base fixedly attached thereto. A drink holder and a dish are positioned within the base. The gaming device may be a slot machine or similar device.
The method of the present invention provides for the use of a slot machine. The method includes the steps of attaching a refreshment base to the slot machine, offering refreshments to a customer positioned adjacent to the slot machine, and providing the refreshments to the customer while the customer is positioned adjacent thereto. The refreshment base may include a drink holder and an ashtray. The refreshments may be beverages, cigarettes, cigars, or the like. The method may further include the steps of the customer playing the slot machine while consuming the refreshments and placing the beverage, the cigarettes, the cigars, or the like in the drink holder.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a customer support device for a gaming device such as a slot machine.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a drink holder for use with a gaming device such as a slot machine.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an ashtray for use with a gaming device such as a slot machine.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a coin holder for use with a gaming device such as a slot machine.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a customer with the ability to play a gaming device such as a slot machine while also enjoying beverages, cigarettes, cigars, and the like.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.
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Layno Benjamin H.
Mendiratta Vishu K.
Sutherland & Asbill & Brennan LLP
The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
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