US 8,408,547 B2 · Adjustable gaming reel

Abstract

A reel assembly for a gaming machine is disclosed. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, alignment of the center lines of the symbols can be accomplished without the need to remove the reel assemblies from the gaming machine. The reel assembly includes a two piece motor mount assembly that carries a stepper motor and a lamp assembly. The two piece motor mount assembly includes a fixed mounting ring that is rigidly secured to a fixed reel assembly support and a rotatable mounting ring that is rotatable with respect to the fixed mounting ring. The rotatable mounting ring is interlocked with fixed mounting ring to enable rotation of the rotatable mounting ring, for example, by way of a tongue and groove arrangement with respect to the fixed mounting ring. The lamp assembly is also mounted to the rotatable mounting ring. An adjustment screw for locking the angular position of the fixed mounting ring with respect to the rotatable locking ring is accessible along a direction generally accessible while the reel assemblies are installed in the gaming machines. As such, alignment of the symbol center lines can be accomplished without removing the reel assemblies from the gaming machine.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A reel assembly for a gaming machine comprising:

a motor mount comprising a fixed mounting ring and a rotatable mounting ring formed to be connected together in an interlocking arrangement, said rotatable mounting ring being rotatable with respect to said fixed mounting ring to enable the angular position of said rotatable mounting ring to be rotated with respect to said fixed mounting ring;
a stepper motor having a shaft, said stepper motor rigidly secured to the rotatable mounting ring, said shaft defining an axis of rotation;
a lamp assembly rigidly secured to the rotatable mounting ring;
a reel mechanically coupled to said motor shaft;
an encoder wheel mechanically coupled to said reel;
an optical sensor for sensing the angular position of said reel;
and
a locking mechanism which enables the angular position of said rotatable mounting ring relative to said fixed mounting ring to be locked in a first mode of operation and allows said rotatable mounting ring to be rotated relative to said fixed mounting ring in a second mode of operation, wherein said locking mechanism is formed so as to be accessible while the reel assemblies are installed in a gaming machine to enable the angular position of the stepper motor to be adjusted while the reel assemblies are installed in a gaming machine;
and
a fixed reel support for carrying said motor mount, said stepper motor, said reel, said encoder wheel, said optical sensor and said locking mechanism.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable gaming reel

Life of this patent

Adjustable gaming reel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11