Rotating quick release button panel

A gaming machine, comprising:

• a support bracket coupled to a cabinet front of the gaming machine;
• and
• a modular user interface hingedly coupled to the support bracket with at least one hinged connector, the modular user interface substantially spanning a width of the gaming machine and comprising a button panel and being configured to rotate along an axis of the at least one hinged connector from a first position to a second position,
• a rear portion of the modular user interface:
• a) located at a point behind a vertical plane passing through the axis when the modular user interface is in the first position, and b) located at a point forward of the vertical plane when the modular user interface is in the second position,
• wherein a top surface of the button panel is exposed when the modular user interface is in the first position,
• wherein an interior portion of the gaming machine is exposed when the modular user interface is in the second position,
• wherein the modular user interface remains hingedly coupled to the support bracket when in the first position and the second position
• wherein a bottom surface of the button panel is exposed when the modular user interface is in the second position, and
• wherein the interior portion of the gaming machine comprises at least one secure area for disposing at least one of a bill validator, a master gaming controller, a printer, or gaming machine electronics.

A gaming machine, comprising:

• a support bracket coupled to a cabinet front of the gaming machine;
• a modular user interface hingedly coupled to the support bracket with at least one hinged connector, the modular user interface substantially spanning a width of the gaming machine and comprising a button panel and a wrist support and being configured to rotate about a hinge axis of the at least one hinged connector from a first position to a second position, wherein the modular user interface remains hingedly coupled to the support bracket when in the first position and the second position, the rear portion of the modular user interface:
• a) located at a point behind a vertical plane passing through the axis when the modular user interface is in the first position and b) located at a point forward of the vertical plane when the modular user interface is in the second position, the configuration for rotation being sufficient to expose an interior portion of the gaming machine, the interior portion of the gaming machine comprising at least one secure area to dispose at least one of a bill validator, a master gaming controller, a printer, or at least one gaming machine electronics;
• and
• a locking assembly coupled to the modular user interface and the support bracket to secure the modular user interface to the support bracket, the locking assembly comprising:
• a secure latch extending outwardly from a bottom of the modular user interface;
• a bracket portion coupled to the support bracket to engage the secure latch;
• and
• a release latch coupled to the bracket portion, the modular user interface locked to the support bracket when the release latch is in a locked position.

A method for accessing an interior portion of a gaming machine, comprising:

• actuating a release latch to raise a receiving bracket, the receiving bracket engaging a secure latch coupled to a modular user interface bottom, wherein the modular user interface is hingedly coupled to a support bracket of the gaming machine using a hinged connector;
• disengaging the secure latch to release a modular user interface, the modular user interface having a button panel and wrist support;
• rotating the modular user interface about a hinge axis of the hinged connector such that a rear portion of the modular user interface located at a point behind a vertical plane passing through the axis when the modular interface is in a first position is located at a point forward of the vertical plane after the rotating is complete, wherein the modular user interface remains hingedly coupled to the support bracket during the rotating;
• and
• accessing the interior portion of the gaming machine, the interior portion of the gaming machine comprising at least one secure area to dispose at least one of a bill validator, a master gaming controller, a printer, or at least one gaming machine electronics.