Rotary card shuffling machine

#This invention relates generally to a card shuffling and selection machine for a game of chance, and more particularly to a rotary card shuffling and selection machine supported for rotation where the indicia of the cards are visible while the machine is rotating.

#The games of Money Wheel and Big Six are well established casino games including a “prize-wheel” type of random point generating device in the form of a large vertical rotating wheel. The playing wheel is imprinted with a plurality of fixed symbols along its circumference. By use of the term “fixed” here to refer to the symbols, it is meant that the symbols are imprinted on the wheel at the factory and cannot be rearranged or their relative positions manipulated in any reasonable way. A nearby player betting surface presents a plurality of wagering areas corresponding to the fixed symbols on the playing wheel. Each round of the game starts with the players placing wagers on the wagering areas. Once all of the wagers are placed, a dealer manually spins the playing wheel, and a winning symbol is determined by a fixed pointer once the playing wheel comes to a stop. Wagers previously placed on the wagering area associated with the winning symbol are deemed “winners” and paid according to a predetermined pay-out.

#Gaming laws vary greatly from one jurisdiction to the next throughout the United States. Consequently, many jurisdictions significantly restrict the playing of dice and wheel casino games. Wheel games are generally restricted in those jurisdictions if they have a moving random number or result generation wheel with indicia being fixed in a permanent manner to the wheel itself. Again, use of the term “fixed” here refers to the indicia being imprinted on the wheel at the factory and not realistically capable of being rearranged by a casino. It does not matter whether the wheel operates in a vertical fashion, like the above-described prize wheel, or in a horizontal position, like a roulette wheel. The key is that the indicia for that apparatus must always be in the same position of the wheel for the game to be considered restricted. For example, with some wheels, the 0 and 00 are always fixed to the same spot on a single or double roulette wheel, and the 40 to 1 indicia is always fixed to the same location on a “Money Wheel.”

#These and other features and aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary casino-type game of chance played with a rotary card shuffling machine according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

#FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a rotary card shuffling machine according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

#Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a simplified depiction of a live game of chance is generally shown at 10 in FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the disclosure. The game of chance 10 is intended to represent any type of game that may be played according to the teachings of the present disclosure. Such games may include, but are by no means limited to, the games of Money Wheel and Big Six. In addition, the game of chance 10 may include future developed games suitable for play using the teachings of this disclosure. Although the illustration in FIG. 1 shows a physical table 12 having a horizontal playing surface 14 around which players (not shown) congregate to place wagers, it will be understood that electronic implementations of the game of chance 10 are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. In particular, in electronic versions, the playing surface 14 may be displayed via a monitor or projector (not shown) on one or more terminals in the same or in geographically disperse locations. According to another aspect, both a physical table and an electronic version of a table may be employed in connection with a single game of chance.

#A card shuffling and selection machine according to an aspect of the present disclosure is generally shown at 16. The card shuffling machine 16 may be used in conjunction with a game of chance 10 to randomly generate a game winning decision during each round of play. The card shuffling machine 16 can include a support structure, generally indicated at 18, which is stable and sturdy. The support structure 18 is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 including a base 20 for engaging a floor surface. The base 20 may take many forms including separated feet, anchored posts, or a flat, plate-like member as shown for providing stable purchase against the floor. An upright shaft 22 can extend generally vertically upwardly from the base 20. Naturally, the upright shaft 22 may take many forms and may even be configured in such a way as to not appear shaft-like in nature. For example, the upright shaft 22 may instead take the form of a cabinet, a framework, a wall, or any other suitable structure anchored sufficiently to the base 20 (or other floor structure) so as to provide sturdy support. The support structure 18 can further include an axle 24. According to an aspect, the axle 24 can extend generally perpendicularly from the upright shaft 22 for establishing a generally horizontal rotary axis A. In alternative configurations, the axle 24 may be attached directly to a wall surface, cabinet, framework or other type of configuration comprising a support structure 18, all within the contemplated embodiments of this disclosure. The support structure 18 in this exemplary embodiment includes an optional side arm 26 extending generally perpendicularly from the upright shaft 22 and generally perpendicularly intersecting the rotary axis A. The axle 24 and the side arm 26 may be, as depicted, in the illustrated embodiment, vertically aligned with one another. Naturally, in other design expressions of the support structure 18, the side arm 26 may be configured substantially differently or even omitted altogether.

#According to an aspect, the card shuffling machine 16 may further include a wheel, generally indicated at 28. The exemplary wheel 28 is perhaps best shown in FIGS. 1-3 in its entirety and supported on the axle 24 for free spinning rotation about the horizontal rotary axis A. According to an aspect, the wheel 28 can include a journal, socket or other bearing component to receive the axle 24 so that the wheel 28 can be rotated about the rotary axis A without the aid of a motor or power input (other than human muscle power). Naturally, other rotating connection configurations can be envisioned wherein the male portion of the axle 24 is mounted to the wheel 28 directly and a female socket is formed in the support structure 18. Alternatively, respective rotary bearing members may be attached to the support structure 18 and the wheel 28 to affect a similar rotating relationship. In any event, the wheel 28 may be journaled with low friction bearing elements, grease or other good sliding arrangements so that, when spun manually by an operator, the wheel 28 will freely spin and progressively slow until coming to rest.