Registers – Records – Conductive
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-03
2001-10-02
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Records
Conductive
C235S487000, C463S025000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296190
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to gaming chips or tokens and the method for making these chips. More specifically, the invention is directed to a method for making a relatively simple and inexpensive gaming chip that contains an implanted transponder configured to hold and transmit predetermined information.
Gaming chips of various denominational values are commonly used in games of chance. These chips are used by patrons to wager a desired amount of money in such a game, and can later be exchanged for currency. Because these chips may be exchanged for currency, there exists a temptation for people to make counterfeit chips or to steal genuine chips. It is known to place transponders within genuine chips to counteract counterfeiters and thieves. These transponders have added advantages in that they are easy to trace, sort and identify. The transponder can store and transmit a variety of information, such as a casino designation, a denominational chip value, a serial number or a date of issue. An example of a gaming chip having a transponder therein is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,502.
An additional problem encountered in manufacturing gaming chips relates to the “feel” of the chip. It has been found that patrons prefer a gaming chip within a certain weight range, typically ten to twelve grams. The challenge is thus to economically manufacture a chip within the desired weight range. In the prior art chips, metal disks are implanted in the chips to achieve the desired weight. For example, the chip disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,502 utilizes a mounting vehicle for the transponder that is made out of a brass material. While the brass material does add weight to the chip, it does so in a way that presents certain disadvantages. First, the brass material is relatively expensive, adding to the overall cost of manufacturing the chip. Second, certain portions of the brass mounting vehicle require additional machining, further increasing the cost of the chip. Third, it has been found that certain configurations of the brass material must be used in order to prevent the material from interfering with the operation of the transponder.
Another approach to manufacturing a chip with a transponder therein is to mold the transponder directly into the chip. These chips, without an added weight component, lack the desired weight. Moreover, it has been found that the manufacture of chips in this manner results in an undesirably high scrap rate. It is thought that the higher temperatures and pressures of the molding process damage the transponder contained within the chip.
Therefore, a chip is needed that overcomes the above drawbacks and disadvantages existing in the prior art. More specifically, a chip is needed that contains a transponder and has a weight within the desired range. Further, a method is needed for more economically making a chip, within the desired weight range and that contains a transponder, with a resulting lower scrap rate.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for making a gaming chip having a transponder therein that results in a reduced scrap rate over previous methods.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method for making a gaming chip of a more simplified and lower cost construction.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for making a gaming chip that results in a chip having a higher and more desirable weight without increasing the cost of making the chip.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method for making a chip that does not interfere with transponder signals.
It is still another object of the invention to provide an economically manufacturable gaming chip having a transponder therein that has a higher and more desirable weight.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are attained by a gaming chip that includes a base ring that defines a central aperture, within which a unitary cup disposed. The cup has first and second recessed cavities therein. A transponder is disposed in one of the first and second cavities and an antenna is disposed in the other of the first and second cavities. The antenna is electrically coupled to the transponder and a cover is secured over the cup to maintain the transponder and the antenna within their respective cavities. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for making a gaming chip is also provided. The method includes providing a ring that has a central aperture extending therethrough and locating a unitary cup having first and second recessed cavities within the central aperture of the ring. An outer shell is molded about the ring, so that the outer shell and the ring form at least a part of the outer surface of the gaming chip. The outer shell has a lip that extends at least partially over an outer edge of the cup to hold the cup within the ring. A transponder is placed within one of the cavities and an antenna is placed within the other cavity. The transponder is electrically coupled to the antenna and a cover is secured over the cup to maintain the transponder and the antenna within the respective cavities.
Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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Cyr Daniel St.
Lee Michael G.
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Trend Plastics Inc.
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