Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Access or authorization
Patent
1996-12-20
1999-04-20
Layno, Benjamin H.
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Access or authorization
273148R, 273288, 40 275, 463 25, A63F 924
Patent
active
058953213
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gambling chips, also called casino chips. Gambling chips denote an element which can be used in a gambling hall and representing a nominal value, which may or may not be predetermined. These chips are classified into two families according to the type of gambling for which they are used. "French or European" chips have a predetermined value, while `American` chips may or may not have a predetermined value.
2. Background of Prior Art
In general, chips are manufactured from a rigid and scratch-resistant plastic. The chips have patterns which are varied design and in terms of color in order to reduce the risk of counterfeiting. In addition, these patterns may incorporate information such as the identification of the casino and/or the value of the chip. The tokens are thus marked both their faces and edge in order to make it easier to identify the chips when they are being handled or stacked on the gambling table.
In practice, the operation of marking the edge, carried out for example by sublimation, is tricky and expensive. The object of the invention is to propose a chip having a relatively simple and robust structure allowing especially edge marking to be facilitated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To this end, the invention proposes a gambling chip having the general shape of a disc, or similar device and/or shape representing a nominal value which may or may not be predetermined. The invention includes two half-discs made of rigid plastic which are in contact via at least one axial separating projection provided on at least one of the internal faces of the half-discs; these projection(s) define a peripheral annular region (for a disc shaped chip) emerging on the side of the chip, a fastening seal made of plastic being deposited by injection into the said peripheral annular region.
The structure of the chip according to the invention has several advantages compared with conventional solid chips. By choosing the design on the edges of the groove forming the peripheral annular region, the angular position of the two half-discs, and different colors for the sealant and of the half-discs, it is possible to obtain, without an additional operation, edge marking which is distinct, indelible (by marking into the material) and unfalsifiable. This latter point is highly advantageous when edge marking is used to represent the value of the chip. In addition, the fastening between the two half-discs is rugged and completely sealed without accordingly deforming the plane external faces of the half-discs. Finally, the structure obtained allows central inserts to be placed between the two half-discs, for example pieces of metal ballast, but also relatively fragile inserts such as electronic-circuit devices.
In particular, according to one embodiment of the invention, the internal faces of the two half-discs define between them an internal central region in the chip. Advantageously, the chip includes an insert having the shape of an electronic device, for example an electronic device incorporating a memory carrying the identification of the chip and a transmitter/receiver having a peripheral antenna, and arranged in the said internal central region between the two half-discs either directly or encapsulated in a package or embedded in a protective wafer of synthetic resin.
Advantageously, at least one half-disc of the chip has a central recess on its internal face in order to form all or part of the internal central region in the chip. Optionally, the free space in the internal central region is totally or completely filled with adhesive or resin.
By way of an alternative form, the internal face of at least one half-disc includes an axial separating projection consisting of a continuous or discontinuous, circular or polyhedral ring coaxial with the half-disc and delimiting the internal central region of the said peripheral annular region.
According to a first alternative form, the chip includes a half-disc having an internal face which carr
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Boiron Dominique
Gassies Christophe
Etablissements Bourgogne et Grasset
Layno Benjamin H.
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