# US 10,306,978 B2 · Poker table and method for operating thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,306,978 B2 - Document ID: US10306978B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/068,109 - Filed: 2017-01-18 - Published: 2019-01-24 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-01-19 - Assignees: Gaming Patents Ltd - Applicants: Gaming Patents Ltd - Inventors: Tamir Morag; Lazar Eli Diamant - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10306978B2 ## CPC - A47B 25/00: Card tables; Tables for other games - A63F 1/067: {Tables or similar supporting structures} - A63F 1/14: Card dealers - A63F 1/12: Card shufflers - A63F 3/00157: {Casino or betting games (horse races A63F3/00082)} - A63F 2003/00164: {Casino tables} - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The invention relates to a system and method to improve efficiency of poker game by using an upper and a bottom sophisticated dispenser in poker tables. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A card distribution system comprising: a card distributor comprising: a rotatable cartridge configured for receiving a plurality of cards; and, a card remover in communication with the cartridge and rotatable with the cartridge, the card remover configured for removing at least one card from the cartridge by directly contacting the at least one card and for providing a pushing force directly on the at least one card; and, a plurality of conduits arranged around the card distributor, each conduit of the plurality of conduits arranged to receive at least one card from the cartridge when the cartridge has been rotated into alignment with said each conduit, such that said each conduit is in communication with the card remover, and the pushing force from the card remover is sufficient for propelling the at least one card through said each conduit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The card distribution system of claim 1, additionally comprising: a tray in communication with the card remover, the tray for rotation with the cartridge and alignment with said each conduit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The card distribution system of claim 1, wherein said each conduit is positioned along an arc with respect to the card distributor, which is positioned substantially centrally with respect to said each conduit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The card distribution system of claim 1, additionally comprising a table divided into zones, each zone including an opening in communication with said each conduit, each said opening through which the at least one card enters the table. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The card distribution system of claim 4, wherein the card remover includes, a plurality of motors, and, at least one pair of oppositely rotating cylinders driven by each of the motors, the rotating cylinders for providing a force on the at least one card sufficient to propel the at least one card through said each conduit and onto the table. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The card distribution system of claim 4, additionally comprising: a card propulsion mechanism including at least one of: a blower in communication with said each conduit for blowing air into said each conduit at a force sufficient to propel the card through said each conduit and onto the table; and, a hammer in communication with the cartridge, for striking the at least one removed card with a force sufficient to propel the card through said each conduit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The card distribution system of claim 4, additionally comprising: a card holding area in communication with said each conduit and said each opening, and, a blower for blowing air through said each conduit, to move the at least one card from the card holding area through the opening to the table. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The card distribution system of claim 7, additionally comprising: a controller for controlling: 1) the rotation of the cartridge into alignment with said each conduit for distribution of the at least one card to said each conduit, the controller responsive to a first signal; and, 2) the activation of the blower for blowing air through said each conduit, to move the at least one card from the card holding area through the opening to the table, responsive to a second signal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The card distribution system of claim 8, additionally comprising an activator for generating the first signal and the second signal, in response to an activation of at least one of mechanical push button, or an activatable display box a computer display screen. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The card distribution system of claim 4, wherein at least two of the conduits are of different lengths. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The card distribution system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the conduits includes a bent portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The card distribution system of claim 4, wherein the card distributor and the plurality of conduits are under the table. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The card distribution system of claim 1, additionally comprising: a controller for controlling the rotation of the cartridge into alignment with said each conduit for distribution of the at least one card to said each conduit, the controller responsive to a first signal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The card distribution system of claim 1, additionally comprising a shuffler, and, the cartridge is rotatable into communication with the shuffler. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The card distribution system of claim 1, wherein the at least one card includes one card. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The card distribution system of claim 1, wherein the at least one card includes a plurality of cards. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The card distribution system of claim 1, additionally comprising: a motor for rotating the cartridge. ### Claim 18 A method for distributing playing cards to players comprising: providing a card table comprising: a table including a plurality of openings corresponding to positions on the table where players are to receive at least one card; a card distributor comprising: a rotatable cartridge configured for receiving a plurality of cards; and, a card remover in communication with the cartridge and rotatable with the cartridge, the card remover configured for removing at least one card from the cartridge by directly contacting the at least one card and for providing a pushing force directly on the at least one card; and, a plurality of conduits arranged around the card distributor and in communication with one of the openings of the plurality of openings, each conduit of the plurality of conduits arranged to receive at least one card from the cartridge when the cartridge has been rotated into alignment with said each conduit, such that said each conduit is in communication with the card remover, and, the pushing force from the card remover is sufficient for propelling the at least one card through said each conduit; and, subjecting at least one card to a pushing force to move the at least one card through said at least one conduit and pass through the opening onto the table. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the subjecting the at least one card to the pushing force includes: subjecting the at least one card to a first propelling force such that the at least one card is moved into said at least one conduit, and, subjecting the at least one card to a second propelling force to move the at least one card in said at least one conduit through the opening onto the table.