WO2005094957A1 - Gaming machine station - Google Patents

Gaming machine station Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005094957A1
WO2005094957A1 PCT/AU2005/000484 AU2005000484W WO2005094957A1 WO 2005094957 A1 WO2005094957 A1 WO 2005094957A1 AU 2005000484 W AU2005000484 W AU 2005000484W WO 2005094957 A1 WO2005094957 A1 WO 2005094957A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
seat
gaming machine
illuminated display
stool
panel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2005/000484
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Glen Palmer
Mark Owen Lafferty
Original Assignee
Signedge International Pty Ltd
Club Decor Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2004901773A external-priority patent/AU2004901773A0/en
Application filed by Signedge International Pty Ltd, Club Decor Pty Ltd filed Critical Signedge International Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2005094957A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005094957A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/90—Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
    • A47C7/50—Supports for the feet or the legs coupled to fixed parts of the chair
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
    • A47C1/12—Theatre, auditorium, or similar chairs
    • A47C1/13—Indicators; Devices for reserving or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/30—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
    • A63F2300/302—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/80—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game specially adapted for executing a specific type of game
    • A63F2300/8082—Virtual reality

Abstract

A gaming machine station (10) includes a gaming machine (12) having an illuminated display (16, 17). Further, a seat (20) is provided for a person playing a game on the gaming machine. The seat has an illuminated display (40). The seat and the gaming machine are provided with respective connectors (30) which mutually engage to activate the illuminated display (40) on the seat so that it visibly responds in phase with the illuminated display (16,17) on the gaming machine.

Description

GAMING MACHINE STATION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to gaming machines and more particularly to the illuminated displays of such machines. The invention also relates to a seat for a gaming machine.
Background Art
Gaming machines have external visual embellishment for brightening the machines, drawing attention to them and enhancing the experience of the player.
One form of such embellishment is an illuminated display such as one or more backlit decorative panels. It is known for such panels to flash in response to a predetermined state of the machine, eg. a jackpot by a poker machine.
Gaming machines are also typically provided with stools for players to draw up to the machine for additional comfort when playing. The stools are usually freestanding but machines have been provided in which the stool has a forward projecting base that interlocks with the gaming machine to define a preferred, and maintained, home position for the stool in front of the machine. It is also known for some stools to have static illumination, especially about their rear sides.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention entails a realisation that significant entertainment value can be gained for gaming machine installations by linking an illuminated display on a seat to the machine so that the display on the seat can be activated in phase with the illuminated display of the gaming machine.
According to a first aspect, the invention accordingly provides a gaming machine station, including: a gaming machine having an illuminated display; a seat for a person playing a game on the gaming machine, the seat having an illuminated display; wherein the seat and the gaming machine are provided with respective connectors which mutually engage to activate the illuminated display on the seat so that it visibly responds in phase with the illuminated display on the gaming machine.
The gaming machine may be of the type which is arranged to stand generally upright on a floor with the connectors being provided at floor level.
The connectors may additionally provide a mechanical latch to latch the seat to the gaming machine at a predetermined position of the seat in front of the gaming machine. The latch is preferably substantially at floor level and comprises interlocking components at the base of the gaming machine and on a forwardly projecting base on which the seat is provided.
Suitably, the connectors provide power to the seat to activate the display. However, this is optional and power may be provided within the seat in the form of a battery pack with the connection between the seat and the gaming machine simply providing for synchronisation of the displays.
Such power connection is preferably provided by an electrical cable connection from the machine to the seat, and cooperating electrical contacts that interengage when the seat is mechanically latched to the gaming machine.
Conveniently, these cooperating contacts are incorporated into the mechanical latch. Preferably, the contacts are biased together to optimise electrical contact.
The illuminated display of the gaming machine may be of the type which responds visibly to a predetermined state of the machine or responds according to the game being played thereon. For example lights may flash of the when the machine is in a jackpot condition. According to the present invention, the illuminated display of the seat will operate in phase with the flashing lights.
Typically, the seat may be a stool. Preferably, the illuminated display on the seat extends about the rear of the seat, for example around a low backrest on a seat in the form of a stool. In an advantageous application of the invention, the illuminated display on the seat is an edgelit panel, for example a curved panel with an array of light sources along its lowermost edge, and a curved uppermost edge. The light sources are conveniently solid state light devices, eg. light emitting diodes.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat for a gaming machine which has an illuminated display, the seat having an illuminated display and a connector to connect the seat to the gaming machine to thereby activate the illuminated display on the seat so that it visibly responds in phase with the illuminated display on the gaming machine.
The seat may include any of the features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a seat for a gaming machine, the seat having an illuminated display which is comprised of an edge-lit panel.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with regard to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a gaming machine station according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a rear view of the illuminated display on the stool of the gaming machine station;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-section of the electrical coupling that electrically links the machine and stool at the gaming machine station; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment showing the base of a stool together with a complementary docking station for the gaming machine;
Figure 5 is an underside view of the base and docking station of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a detailed view of a portion of the base and docking station of
Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a detailed view of the upper side of the base and docking station of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is an alternative embodiment of a stool base and docking station; Figure 9 is an underside view of the base and docking station of Figure 8.
Embodiments of the Invention
The illustrated gaming machine station 10 includes a gaming machine 12, typically a poker machine or similar, with a broad base 14 by which it is arranged to stand generally upright on a floor 5. The station further includes a seat in the form of a stool 20 for a person playing a game on machine 12. Stool 20 has a forwardly projecting base 22 by which it is supported on floor 5 and which, in its home position, is stably engaged to machine base 14 by a latching arrangement 30, to define a predetermined position of the stool 20 in front of gaming machine 12. Gaming machine 12 is brightly decorated by multiple backlit decorative panels 16, 17, and the light sources providing the backlighting are electrically coupled to the machine controller 60 so as to flash or otherwise visibly respond to a predetermined state of the machine, for example a jackpot displayed on the main playing screen. Stool 20 includes, in addition to base 22, a support pedestal 24, a seat portion 25, foot-rest ring 26, and a lumbar back support 27 mounted to pedestal 24 under seat portion 25 by bracket 28. This back support 27 is provided about its rear with an illuminated display 40 in the guise of an edgelit panel 42 that is curved in horizontal cross-section. The light sources for the edgelit panel are light emitting diodes 45 arranged in a curvilinear array at the bottom edge 44 of the panel, while the top edge 46 of the edgelit panel is appropriately shaped to match the back support on which it is mounted.
In accordance with a preferred practice of the invention, edgelit panel 42 is activated from the gaming machine's electrical control circuitry 60 via an electrical cable link 50 that includes detachable electrical contacts at electrical coupling 52 within latching arrangement 30, and that passes interiorly through stool base 22 and pedestal 24.
The stool base 22 has an upstanding lip 32 that, when the stool is tipped forwardly, passes a depending C-section channel 54 with return lips 57 that the lip 32 can then engage to latch the stool against movement across floor 5 towards and away from the machine. Channel 54 carries an electrically conductive contact plate 56 which is biased downwardly against return lips 57 by springs 58. An upstanding contact post 60 on lip 32 of stool base 22 firmly engages plate 56 in the latched position of the stool and the springs 58 assist in ensuring maintenance of an electrically conductive path between contacts 56, 60. In this manner, illuminated display 40 on stool 20 is connected to the controller 60 of the machine via cable link 50 and is thereby powered and activated so that it visibly responds in phase with the visible response of the illuminated display on the gaming machine comprising backlit panels 16, 17. Thus, for example, when a jackpot is scored, both the backlit panels 16, 17 of the machine and the edgelit curved panel 42 of the stool flash in phase, ie. in unison.
Figure 4 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates a stool base 60 having a base portion 62 and an upright 64 to support a seat portion (not shown). The seat portion may take the form described above in connection with the first embodiment. The base portion 62 meets with a complimentary docking station 66 which can be connected to a gaming machine by fasteners through apertures 68. Figure 5 illustrates the form of the underside of the base 62 and docking station 66. The base 62 has a shaped forward edge 70 which is complimentary in shape to the mating edge 72 of the docking station 66. Projecting rearwardly from the docking station 66 is an arrow-shaped projection 74 which has a latch tongue 76 provided at the apex thereof. The forward edge 70 of the base portion 62 has a complimentary delta-shaped cut out 78 which receives the arrow-shaped projection 74.
It will be appreciated from a study of Figure 6, that when the projection 74 is received in the cut out 78, the latch tongue 76 can be received in the notch 80 of the latch lever 82 which is pivotally mounted about pivot 84. The latch level 82 is biased by spring 86 towards a position tending to retain the latch tongue 76 within the notch 80.
It will be appreciated that the latch may operate automatically as the base portion 62 is moved toward the docking station 66. The latch level 82 may be released through the use of a user actuated cable 88. The other end of the cable is remote from the latch lever 82 e.g. underneath the seat.
The electrical connection is made between the gaming machine and the seat when the base portion 62 is fully mated with the docking station 66. The electrical connection may be made through mating contacts 83, 85 provided on the base portion 62 and the docking station 66 respectively as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 8 illustrates another alternative form of the present invention. The form of the base 60' and the docking station 66 are of substantially similar form to the previous embodiment, except that the base portion 62' includes a manual actuator 90. Referring to Figure 9, it can be seen that the latch lever 82' is longer in this embodiment. The latch lever 82' is released from engagement with the latch tongue 76 by operation of the actuator 90 to rotate the latch lever 82'.
It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A gaming machine station, including: a gaming machine having an illuminated display; a seat for a person playing a game on the gaming machine, the seat having an illuminated display; wherein the seat and the gaming machine are provided with respective connectors which mutually engage to activate the illuminated display on the seat so that it visibly responds in phase with the illuminated display on the gaming machine.
2. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connectors provide a mechanical latch to latch the seat to the gaming machine at a predetermined position of the seat in front of the gaming machine;
3. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the connectors provide power to the display on the seat.
4. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the illuminated display of the gaming machine responds visibly to a predetermined state of the machine or responds visibly according to the game being played thereon.
5. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the gaming machine is arranged to stand generally upright on a floor and the connectors are provided at floor level.
6. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the seat is a stool.
7. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the illuminated display on the seat extends about the rear of the seat.
8. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the illuminated display on the seat is an edgelit panel.
9. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the panel is curved with an array of light sources along its lowermost edge.
10. A seat for a gaming machine which has an illuminated display, the seat having an illuminated display and a connector to connect the seat to the gaming machine thereby to activate the illuminated display on the seat so that it visibly responds in phase with the illuminated display on the gaming machine.
11. The seat as claimed in claim 10 wherein the connector provides a mechanical latch to latch the seat to the gaming machine.
12. The seat as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the connector includes a power connection to power the display on the seat.
13. The seat as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the connector is provided at floor level.
14. The seat as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the seat is a stool.
15. The seat as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the illuminated display on the seat extends about the rear of the seat.
16. The seat as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein the illuminated display on the seat is an edge-lit panel.
17. The seat as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16 wherein the panel is curved with an array of light sources along its lowermost edge.
18. A seat for a gaming machine, the seat having an illuminated display which is comprised of an edge-lit panel
19. The seat as claimed in claim 18 wherein the seat is a stool.
20. The seat as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein the illuminated display on the seat extends about the rear of the seat.
21. The seat as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the panel is curved with an array of light sources along its lowermost edge.
PCT/AU2005/000484 2004-04-01 2005-04-01 Gaming machine station WO2005094957A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2004901773 2004-04-01
AU2004901773A AU2004901773A0 (en) 2004-04-01 Gaming machine station

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005094957A1 true WO2005094957A1 (en) 2005-10-13

Family

ID=35063561

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2005/000484 WO2005094957A1 (en) 2004-04-01 2005-04-01 Gaming machine station

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2005094957A1 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2895219A1 (en) * 2005-12-23 2007-06-29 Groupe Lucien Barriere Chair for players of slot machines has square seat and two back-rests of same height which are mounted along adjacent edges of seat, their top edges forming arm-rests
ITPN20120049A1 (en) * 2012-08-31 2014-03-01 Stylgame S R L ERGONOMIC PLAYING STATION FOR AUTOMATIC MACHINES
US11195369B2 (en) 2020-05-05 2021-12-07 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Electronic gaming machine with access door
USD978246S1 (en) 2018-08-03 2023-02-14 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming machine
US11587389B2 (en) 2020-09-24 2023-02-21 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Lift assembly and mount for a monitor of an electronic gaming machine
USD981741S1 (en) 2019-10-09 2023-03-28 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming machine chair
US11833436B2 (en) 2021-09-30 2023-12-05 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Door locking assembly for a button deck of an electronic gaming machine
USD1019785S1 (en) 2018-08-03 2024-03-26 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Gaming machine

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5522641A (en) * 1993-08-13 1996-06-04 Infanti Chair Mfg., Corp Adjustable game stool assembly
US5791731A (en) * 1993-08-13 1998-08-11 Infanti Chair Manufacturing Corporation Adjustable game stool assembly with flat base
US5807177A (en) * 1992-06-29 1998-09-15 Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken Gaming machine chair
US6354660B1 (en) * 1999-08-06 2002-03-12 Carl Friedrich Quick release locking mechanism for game machine chair
US6530842B1 (en) * 2000-10-17 2003-03-11 Igt Electronic gaming machine with enclosed seating unit
US6572187B2 (en) * 2000-12-11 2003-06-03 Pinnacle Furnishings, Inc. Quick release anchoring system for engagement of a seat assembly to a fixed console

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5807177A (en) * 1992-06-29 1998-09-15 Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken Gaming machine chair
US5522641A (en) * 1993-08-13 1996-06-04 Infanti Chair Mfg., Corp Adjustable game stool assembly
US5791731A (en) * 1993-08-13 1998-08-11 Infanti Chair Manufacturing Corporation Adjustable game stool assembly with flat base
US6354660B1 (en) * 1999-08-06 2002-03-12 Carl Friedrich Quick release locking mechanism for game machine chair
US6530842B1 (en) * 2000-10-17 2003-03-11 Igt Electronic gaming machine with enclosed seating unit
US6572187B2 (en) * 2000-12-11 2003-06-03 Pinnacle Furnishings, Inc. Quick release anchoring system for engagement of a seat assembly to a fixed console

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2895219A1 (en) * 2005-12-23 2007-06-29 Groupe Lucien Barriere Chair for players of slot machines has square seat and two back-rests of same height which are mounted along adjacent edges of seat, their top edges forming arm-rests
ITPN20120049A1 (en) * 2012-08-31 2014-03-01 Stylgame S R L ERGONOMIC PLAYING STATION FOR AUTOMATIC MACHINES
USD978246S1 (en) 2018-08-03 2023-02-14 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming machine
USD1019785S1 (en) 2018-08-03 2024-03-26 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Gaming machine
USD981741S1 (en) 2019-10-09 2023-03-28 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming machine chair
US11195369B2 (en) 2020-05-05 2021-12-07 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Electronic gaming machine with access door
US11954964B2 (en) 2020-05-05 2024-04-09 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Electronic gaming machine with access door
US11587389B2 (en) 2020-09-24 2023-02-21 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Lift assembly and mount for a monitor of an electronic gaming machine
US11941939B2 (en) 2020-09-24 2024-03-26 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Electronic gaming machine including monitor and podium counterweight
US11833436B2 (en) 2021-09-30 2023-12-05 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Door locking assembly for a button deck of an electronic gaming machine

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