GB2152018A - Card dealing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A card dealing device comprises a housing 1 rotatably mounted on a supporting stand 4 and includes a drive means 5 with a gear train, an accommodation portion 20 for receiving a plurality of cards 8, card dealing means for dealing the cards 8 individually, an outlet 10 for dispensing the cards and means for ensuring the cards 8 are dealt in a random manner, the stand 4 being operatively connected to the drive means 5. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Card dealing device BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an amusement device and, more particularly, to a device which deals playing cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a card dealing device having a housing rotatably mounted on a supporting stand and including a drive means with a gear train, an accommodation portion for receiving a plurality of cards, a card dealing means and an outlet for dispensing the cards, said supporting stand being operatively connected to the drive mechanism.

It is an object of the card dealing device of the present invention to deal cards one-by-one and randomly as the housing is rotating on the sup porting stand, such that several people can enjoy a game of scrambling for the dealt cards. That is, several people can play a game by quickly collecting cards according to predetermined rules as the cards are randomly dealt over a 360 area by the housing rotating at a predetermined speed.

Additional effects and disadvantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The effects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo rated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, to gether with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the card dealing device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top, cross-sectional view of the hous ing of the device of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view from the right side taken along line Ill-Ill of Fig. 2.

Fig.4 is a perspective view of a card sending plate according to the device of the present invention.

Fig. 5(A) is a left side view of the preventing mechanism disengaged from the card sending plate according to the device of the present invention.

Fig. 5(B) is a left side view of the preventing mechanism engaged to the card sending plate.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a stick used to play a game with the cards dealt by the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM BODIMENTS The present device is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical reference numerals represent identical structures throughout.

For convenience of reference to the drawings, "front" indicates the area of the device where the cards are dealt out. Accordingly, "back", "left" and "right" are relative to the front as defined immediately above.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the housing 1 of the card dealing device of the present invention generally includes a bottom plate 2 and a detachably mounted upper lid la. The housing 1 is rotatably mounted on a supporting stand 4.

More particularly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the housing 1 has an approximately centrally located box-like qard accommodation portion 20 and a drive means 5 including an approximately Lshaped frame 11. The frame 11 includes a motor 42 and a reduction gear train 40 comprising a plurality of gears, each of which is disposed adjacent the card accommodation portion 20. Furthermore, battery boxes 80 for receiving batteries (not shown) are provided on both sides of the housing 1 so that the center of gravity of the housing 1 is not altered when the housing 1 rotates. Numerals 81 are conductive contact pieces, which are electrically connected in series (not shown) to terminals 42a of the motor 42 and a switch 9.

The switch 9 comprises a contact piece 9c attached to a slide plate 9b provided with a slidably mounted projection 9a which protrudes from the housing 1 and a fixed contact piece 9d. The contact pieces Sc and 9d contact each other or are separated from each other by sliding the projection 9a, thereby controlling operation of the motor 42.

The drive means 5 of the device of the present invention will now be described more fully.

As suggested above, the motor 42 and the reduction gear train 40 are accommodated in the frame 11. The gear train 40 includes the following components. A motor pinion 43 meshes with a gear 45 which is attached to a gear shaft 54. A small gear 46 is also attached to the gear shaft 54 and meshes with a gear 47 attached to a gear shaft 58. A small gear 48, also attached to the gear shaft 58, meshes with a gear 49 which is attached to a gear shaft 59. A small gear 50, also attached to the gear shaft 59, meshes with a gear 51 which is attached to a gear shaft 62. A small gear 52, also attached to the gear shaft 62, meshes with a gear 53 which is attached to a gear shaft 64. The end of the above-mentioned gear shaft 54 opposite the gear 46 protrudes beyond the frame 11 and receives a roller 55.The end of the gear shaft 62 opposite the gear 52 also protrudes beyond the frame 11 and receives a disc 61 constituting a cam member. The disc 61 is provided with a projection 63 corresponding to a cam projection.

The card accommodation portion 20 will now be described more fully.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, at almost the central area of the housing 1, there is disposed a card accommodation portion 20 which has a predetermined depth and can receive a plurality of cards 8 loaded from an upper opening therein shown best in Fig. 1. At the lower end of the front side wall of the card accommodation portion 20 there is formed an opening 29 for dispensing each card 8 therefrom. The opening 29 is formed just above the bottom plate 21 of the card accommodation portion. Ribs 20a are provided on the bottom plate 21 in order to reduce frictional resistance as each card 8 is dispsensed. A plurality of parallel slots 22 is formed at the rear of the bottom plate 21.

A card sending plate 23, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is mounted for forward and backward movement near the rear of the card accommodation portion 20. Projections 25, which are means for contacting the lowest one of the plurality of cards 8 stacked in the card accommodation portion 20, are provided perpendicular to other, parallel projections 24 which extend from the rear of the card ending plate 23. The projections 25 are slidable within the slots 22 formed in the bottom plate 21 of the card accommodation portion 20. The projections 25 protrude a distance above the bottom plate 21 corresponding to the thickness of a single card 8.Also, .at the rear of the above-mentioned bottom plate 21, between detents 26 and 27, which are provided on the bottom plate 21 and the card sending plate 23, respectively, a spring 28 is provided to bias the card sending plate 23 in a forward direction.

Accordingly, when the card sending plate 23 is moved in the forward direction due to the force of the spring 28, the projections 25 move within the slots 22 and engage the rear edge of the lowest card 8 of the plurality of cards 8 stacked in the card accommodation portion 20. A single card 8 is then pushed forward and out of the opening 29 formed in the accommodation portion 20.

The means for actuating the card sending plate 23 will now be discussed in greater detail.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the card sending plate 23 includes a perpendicular wall 23a extending along the left side wall of the card accommodation portion 20. The front edge 23b of the perpendicular wall 23a engages the cam projection 63 on the disc 61 attached to the gear shaft 62 protruding from the frame 11. Therefore, when the disc 61 rotates, the cam projection 63 abuts the front edge 23b of the perpendicular wall 23a, whereby the card sending plate 23 is pulled back against the force of the spring 28. Thereafter, when the cam projection 63 moves forward, the card sending plate 23 returns to the forward position under the force of the spring 28. Thus, while the switch 9 is activated, the card sending plate 23 is continually moved in forward and backward directions, thereby individually dispensing the cards 8 from the lowest card position in the card accommodation portion 20.

The means for dealing each card 8 after each card 8 is dispensed from the card accommodation portion 20 will now be explained more fully.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the roller 55 is rotatably mounted in front of the opening 29 of the accommodation portion 20. This roller 55 is attached to the top side of the gear shaft 54 protruding from the frame 11. On the front part of the card accommodation portion 20, a roller 57 is attached to an axle, which is supported by a frame 56. The roller 57 is in resilient contact with the roller 55. Accordingly, when the gear shaft 54 in the first section is rotated at a high speed, the above-mentioned pair of rollers 55 and 57 are also rotated at a high speed. Therefore, any card 8 pushed out by the card sending plate 23 is caught between the respective rollers 55 and 57 and dispensed through an outlet 10 which is provided at the front of the housing 1. Numerals 1b denote guide ribs for leading each card 8 to the outlet 10.

A compression member 30 is supported on the front wall of the housing 1, is stretched along the right side surface of the card accommodation portion 20, is bent in the upper direction almost centrally of the card accommodation portion 20 and is further bent to create a bent portion 32 which can be inserted into the card accommodation portion 20. The bent portion 32 is biased downwardly by a spring 31 coiled around the wall support against cards 8 stacked in the card accommodation portion 20 so as to reliably dispense the cards 8 one-byone by way of the card sending plate 23.

As described above, the card dealing device according to the present invention can predictably and regularly deal the cards 8 out of the housing 1.

However, if such a device were used in a game in which platers are intended to struggle to collect the dealt cards 8, such a game would become boring because the sequence of card dealing is too predictable. Hence the present invention is also directed to dealing the cards 8 at random. In this regard, the forward movement of the card sending plate 23 can be irregularly prevented by a preventing means which will now be described.

As shown in Figs. 2, 5A and 5B, the frame 11, which is provided on the left side of the housing 1, and further includes a rotating member 70 having a swing plate 72 provided with an axle 71 at its lower end, both ends of the axle 71 being supported at the end of the frame 11 opposite the motor 42. A spring 73 is provided between the swing plate 72 and the frame 11. An arcuate engaging projection 74 is provided on the side surface of the gear 53 attached to the gear shaft 64 and is positioned so as to conduct the side edge of the abovementioned swing plate 72 from the rear side.

When the arcuate engaging projection 74 engages the rear edge of the swing plate 72, the swing plate 72 is pushed forward against the force of the spring 73 and rotates a predetermined angle. When the engaging projection 74 disengages, the swing plate 72 returns to the vertical state due to the force of the spring 73.

At the other end of the swing axle 71 of the above-mentioned rotating member 70, an engaging piece 75 is provided protruding perpendicularly to the swing axle 71. When the engaging piece 75 is positioned horizontally as shown in Fig. 2, a projection 41 provided on the outer surface of the perpendicular wall 23a is moved in a forward and backward direction by the engaging piece 75 without engaging therewith, even if the perpendicular wall 23a formed on the card sending plate 23 reciprocally moves forward and backward. However, when the engaging piece 75 is rotated down wardly, the projection 41 is retained by the engaging piece 75, so that the card sending plate 23 is not advanced and the bottom card 8 is not dispensed from the acommodation portion 20.

More particularly, referring to Fig. 5(A), when the gear 53 is rotating and the arcuate engaging projection 74 provided on the side surface thereof is not abutting the rear of the swing plate 72, the swing plate 72 is rotated in a backward direction as it is pulled by the spring 73, so that the engaging piece 75 does not engage the projection 41. Therefore, the card sending plate 23 is continually moved forward and backward to send out each card 8.

However, as shown in Fig. 5(B), when the arcuate engaging projection 74 abuts the rear of the swing plate 72 to rotate the swing plate 72 forwardly while expanding the spring 73, the engag ing piece 75 is rotated downward. Thus, the projection 41 which has been transferred to the rear side by passing beyond the engaging piece 75 is prevented from advancing, so the card sending plate 23 does not advance. On the other hand, when the arcuate engaging projection 74 is rotated and separates from the rear side edge of the swing plate 72, the swing plate 72 is rotated by being pulled by the spring 73 to disengage the projection 41 from the engaging piece 75. Therefore, the card sending plate 23 can advance.

Further, since the rotational speeds of the gear shaft 64 and the gear shaft 62, to which the disc 61 and the cam projection 63 are attached, are differ ent, the projection 41 engages randomly with the engaging piece 75 to prevent the card sending plate 23 from advancing. Therefore, the cards 8 are irregularly and unpredictably dealt from the hous ing 1 through the outlet 10 by the advancement of the card sending plate 23 as the housing 1 rotates.

The means for rotating the housing 1 will now be discussed in reference to Figs. 1-3.

A relatively thick rotary plate 60 having a rough surface is attached to the gear shaft 59. This rotary plate 60 is in contact with the surface of a friction wheel 6 through an opening (not shown) formed in the bottom plate 2 for transmitting rotation thereto.

Therefore, when the gear train 40 is rotated by op eration of the motor 42, the friction wheel 6 is rotated. The housing 1, which is attached to a shaft 3 and supported on the supporting stand 4 positioned below the friction wheel 6, is rotated about the shaft 3. The supporting stand 4 also includes a corrugated annular portion 7. The supporting stand 4 positioned below the friction wheel 6 also rotates using the shaft 3 as its axis. Supplementary wheels 6a are also provided for effecting smooth rotation of the housing 1 about the shaft 3.

The above-mentioned means using the friction wheel 6 for rotating the housing 1 on the support ing stand 4 is merely an example. In an alternate embodiment, not shown, a crown gear may be attached to the gear shaft 59. Also, a shaft having a gear meshed with the crown gear and a gear meshed with a rack formed on the inner periphery of the supporting stand 4 may be provided between the housing 1 and the supporting stand 4.

Accordingly, quite the same effect as of the abovementioned means using the friction wheel 6 can be obtained.

One example of how to play a game using the card dealing device of the present invention is explained below. A plus or minus scoring point is indicated on each of the plurality of cards 8. The cards 8 are then placed in the card accommodation portion 20 of the housing 1. The housing 1 is then placed centrally on a table and the switch 9 is activated. The cards 8 are then dealt in every direction on the table while the housing 1 rotates. Each person sitting around the table has, for example, a stick 90 which is bent slightly at one end to facilitate being held by a hand and which is equipped with a suction cup 91 at the opposite end. By hitting the dealt cards 8, the suction cup 91 can attach to each card 8 and the card 8 can be collected.

Thus winning or losing the game is determined by the sum of the plus scoring points and the minus scoring points indicated on the cards collected. The goals of the fame then are to identify the points on the cards as they are dealt and to collect plus scoring point cards quickly.

As explained above, according to the card dealing device of the present invention, since the rotating housing of the device deals and cards randomly in all directions, many people can play at the same time.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A card dealing device, comprising: (a) a housing for receiving a plurality of cards, including- (i) an outlet through which each of the plurality of cards may pass; (b) card dealing means positioned in the housing for passing each of the plurality of cards through the outlet; (c) drive means operatively connected within the housing to the card dealing means; and (d) supporting means operatively connected to the drive means and the housing for rotating the housing relative to the supporting means; wherein operation of the drive means causes the card dealing means to pass each of the plurality of cards through the outlet as the housing is rotating on the supporting means.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the drive means, comprises: (i) an energy source; (ii) a motor connected to the energy source; (iii) a frame; and (iv) a gear train operatively connected between the frame and the motor.

3. The device as recited in claim 2, wherein the housing, further comprises: (ii)a card accommodation portion positioned adjacent the frame for receiving the plurality of cards.

4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the card dealing means comprises: (i) a card sending plate adapted for reciprocating movement, being positioned adjacent to and protruding into the card accommodation portion and being biased in the direction of the outlet, and (ii) cam means operatively connected to the gear train for urging the card sending plate away from the direction of the outlet.

5 The device as recited in claim 4, wherein the drive means further comprises: (v) preventing means operatively connected to the gear train for intermittently engaging the card sending plate and preventing the forward movement of the card sending plate, wherein, when the preventing means intermittently engages the card sending plate, the plurality of cards passes through the outlet in a random manner.

6. The device as recited in claim 5, wherein the drive means further comprises: (vi) a pair of confronting, rotatable, elastic rollers positioned between the card accommodation portion and the outlet for facilitating the passage of each of the plurality of cards from the card accommodation portion through the outlet.

7. The device as recited in claim 6, wherein the drive means further comprises: (vii) switch means electrically connected to the energy source and the motor for selectively operating the drive means.

8. The device as recited in claim 7, wherein the drive means further comprises: (viii) a friction wheel operatively connected to the gear train for rotating the housing relative to the supporting means.

9. The device as recited in claim 8, further comprising: (e) a separate stick adapted with a suction means at one end thereof for collecting each of the plurality of cards passing out of the outlet.

10. The device as recited in claim 1 substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.