Support structure for creating custom curvature of flexible displays and mounting to electronic gaming machines

A system comprising:

• a gaming machine cabinet including a display support structure;
• a removable curved rigid display support, the curved rigid display support fabricated of:
• (i) a single sheet of continuous material;
• (ii) a single sheet of perforated material or (iii) multiple continuous and/or perforated sheets of material;
• a flexible display formed on and mounted to the curved rigid display support wherein a final shape of the flexible display is permanent once mounted to the curved rigid display support;
• and
• a display support cradle, stationary relative to the gaming machine cabinet, having a same shape as the curved flexible display so as to receive thereon the underside of the curved flexible display and maintain the permanent shape of the curved flexible display once mounted thereto;
• and
• wherein the flexible display, curved rigid display support and display support cradle do not move or change shape during game play.

A display apparatus comprising:

• a removable curved rigid display support, the curved rigid display support fabricated of:
• (i) a single sheet of continuous material;
• (ii) a single sheet of perforated material or (iii) multiple continuous and/or perforated sheets of material;
• a flexible display combined with the curved rigid display support whereby the shape of the flexible display is dictated and formed by the shape of the curved rigid display support wherein a final shape of the flexible display is permanent once mounted to the curved rigid display support;
• a display support cradle, stationary relative to the gaming machine cabinet, having a same shape as the curved flexible display so as to receive thereon the underside of the curved flexible display and maintain the permanent shape of the curved flexible display once mounted thereto;
• and
• wherein the flexible display, curved rigid display support and display support cradle do not move or change shape during game play.

A method comprising:

• utilizing a removable curved rigid display support;
• combining a flexible display with the curved rigid display support such that the flexible display takes the shape of the curved rigid display support and wherein a final shape of the flexible display is permanent once mounted to the curved rigid display support;
• positioning an edge covering member about at least a portion of the perimeter of the combined curved rigid display support and flexible display;
• attaching the curved rigid display support and flexible display to a display support cradle, stationary relative to the gaming machine cabinet, having a same shape as the curved flexible display so as to receive thereon the underside of the curved flexible and maintain the permanent shape of the curved flexible display once mounted thereto;
• and
• removably attaching the combined curved rigid display support and flexible display to a gaming machine mount such that the flexible display, curved rigid display support and display support cradle do not move or change shape during game play.