Amusement devices: games – Chance devices – Lot mixers and dispensers
Utility Patent
1999-01-26
2001-01-02
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Chance devices
Lot mixers and dispensers
C273S138200, C273S14400A
Utility Patent
active
06168155
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a random selection game device. In particular, the invention is a device for randomly selecting game balls, and is particularly useful in bingo or lottery-type games.
Devices for randomly selecting game balls have been in existence for many years. These devices typically house game balls in a glass or Plexiglas-type chamber. The balls are usually mixed within the chamber using an air blower located underneath the ball chamber. Various types of mechanical means have been used to randomly capture the game balls once the air blower has been engaged.
To obtain quick and efficient mixing of the game balls, a blower having sufficient air discharge velocity is required. Not only is complete mixing necessary to achieve a pure random distribution in the selection of the game balls, but high velocity mixing is more aesthetically pleasing to observe by the game player as it purveys high energy action. Known systems are somewhat problematic in this regard, however, in that the greater the force of the air displaced through the ball a chamber, the greater the force of the balls being displaced within the ball chamber. This typically results in a relatively loud noise, since the balls are being displaced off of the rigid walls of the ball chamber. The greater the number of balls, the louder the total impact against the rigid walls.
In a game such as bingo, game balls are removed from the ball chamber until a winner is declared. As the balls are removed, the noise within the chamber can decrease. Although this lessens the auditory impact, the visual impact is affected in that fewer balls can appear to give the impression of a less lively game.
The balls of typical random game selection devices are of a plastic material, with all markings typically printed on the inside portion of the plastic. They are typically hollow and pressurized with a light molecular weight gas, such as nitrogen. This allows the balls to bounce around the ball chamber much more quickly and give the appearance of providing a livelier game. The plastic materials, however, have a tendency to accumulate a static charge and this accumulation can have an adverse affect on the entire system.
Many random game selection devices are generally limited in ability to recycle air circulated within the ball chamber. These types of systems are, therefore, required to intake a large amount of air from the external surroundings, and force that external air through the ball chamber. The result typically adds to the noise level.
It is an object of this invention to overcome the problems present in many of the known random game selection devices. In particular, the random game selection device of this invention is an improved device that is lower in noise, provides increased visibility features, maintains clean air within the ball chamber and limits the amount of static charge accumulation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention overcomes problems inherent in the prior art by providing a random selection game device which comprises an air mix housing comprising an outer vertical walled section and an inner vertical walled section, the inner vertical walled section being permeable to air, a top portion and a bottom portion abutting the inner and outer vertical walled sections, the bottom portion of the air mix housing having an air discharge section and an air intake section; and an air mover having an air discharge end and an air suction end, the air discharge end being connected to the air intake section of the of the bottom portion of the air mix housing and the air suction end being in fluid connection with the air discharge section of the bottom portion of the air mix housing.
In a preferred embodiment, the random selection game device further comprises an air suction chamber enclosing the air mover, with the air suction chamber having an opening for supplying air to the air suction end of the air mover. Further provided can be an opening to control the amount of air that is supplied to the air suction end of the air mover. An air filter can also be provided between the air intake control device and the air suction chamber opening.
The random selection game device can also include a flexible, static discharge bar electrically grounded to the bottom portion of the air mix housing, and covering the air intake section of the bottom portion of the air mix housing. In addition, the outer vertical walled section comprises a curved vertical back wall connected to a curved vertical front wall, the curved vertical back wall and the curved vertical front wall each having a radial center offset from one another, the vertical back wall further comprising an image reflecting surface internal to the armix housing.
In another embodiment is provided a random selection game device which comprises an air mix housing comprising a curved vertical back wall connected to a curved vertical front wall, the curved vertical back wall and the curved vertical front wall each having a radial center offset from one another, the vertical back wall further comprising an image reflecting surface internal to the air mix housing, and a top portion and a bottom portion abutting the curved vertical back wall and the curved vertical front wall, the bottom portion of the air mix housing having an air discharge section and an air intake section; and an air mover having an air discharge end and an air suction end, the air discharge end being connected to the air intake section of the of the bottom portion of the air mix housing and the air suction end being in fluid connection with the air discharge section of the bottom portion of the air mix housing. This embodiment can include an inner vertical wall section permeable to air, internal to the air mix housing, and abutting the top and bottom portions.
The additional embodiment can also include an air suction chamber enclosing the air mover, with the air suction chamber having an opening for supplying air to the air suction end of the air mover. An air intake control device in fluid connection with the air suction chamber opening to control the amount of air that is supplied to the air suction end of the air mover can be further included. A flexible, static discharge bar electrically grounded to the bottom portion of the air mix housing, and covering the air intake section of the bottom portion of the air mix housing can also be included.
In yet another embodiment, there is provided a random selection game device which comprises an air mix housing comprising vertical walls, and a top portion and a bottom portion abutting the vertical walls, the bottom portion of the air mix housing having an air discharge section and an air intake section; an air mover having an air discharge end and an air suction end, the air discharge end being connected to the air intake section of the of the bottom portion of the air mix housing and the air suction end being in fluid connection with the air discharge section of the bottom portion of the air mix housing; and a flexible, static discharge bar electrically grounded to the bottom portion of the air mix housing, and covering the air intake section of the bottom portion of the air mix housing. The embodiment can include an inner vertical walled section permeable to air, internal to the air mix housing, and abutting the top and bottom portions. An air suction chamber enclosing the air mover, with the air suction chamber having an opening for supplying air to the air suction end of the air mover is preferably included. The amount of air that is supplied to the air suction end of the air mover can be controlled by including an air intake control device in fluid connection with the air suction chamber opening. In a further preferred embodiment, the vertical walls can comprise a curved vertical back wall section connected to a curved vertical front wall section, the curved vertical back wall section and the curved vertical front wall section each having a radial center offset from one another, and the vertical back wall section having an image reflec
Kuhlman Kurt
Nuebel Greg
Palmer Davey
Schreiber Jim
Layno Benjamin H.
Morrison & Foerster / LLP
Stuart Entertainment
LandOfFree
Random selection game device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Random selection game device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Random selection game device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2451683