US4373727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable speed gaming device
Assignee: Bally Gaming International Inc
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Filing: 1980-04-03
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2000-04-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved amusement or game device is disclosed which is of the type that has a number of rotatable reels having symbols or other indicia on the outer surface thereof, which reels are rotated and subsequently preferably sequentially stopped during each play. The game device has an operating handle that is pulled through its operating stroke by a player and the reels are rotating at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed with which the handle is pulled. Electrical circuitry detects the speed of movement of the handle and varies the strength of an electrical signal that is applied to a drive mechanism which accordingly drivingly rotates the reels at a speed that is proportional to the strength of the signal. The circuitry is also adapted to vary the time duration of rotation of the reels as a function of the detected speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E. Hooker
- 👤 Roman A. Tojza
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:39
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for rotating the reels of a slot machine at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed in which the operating handle is pulled through its forward stroke and for stopping the reels after a period of rotation wherein the period of rotation of each reel is inversely proportional to the speed with which the handle is pulled through its forward stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of forward movement of said operating handle and for generating electrical signals whose value varies in proportion to the detected speed; means for driving said reels in response to said electrical signals, said driving means initially rotating said reels at a speed that varies in proportion to the value of said electrical signals; and means for stopping each of the reels in response to the value of said electrical signals, the period of rotation of said reels varying in accordance with the value of said electrical signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for rotating the reels of a slot machine at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed in which the operating handle is pulled through its forward stroke and for stopping the reels after a period of rotation wherein the period of rotation of each reel is inversely proportional to the speed with which the handle is pulled through its forward stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of forward movement of said operating handle and for generating electrical signals whose value varies in proportion to the detected speed; means for driving said reels in response to said electrical signals, said driving means initially rotating said reels at a speed that varies in proportion to the value of said electrical signals; and means for stopping each of the reels in response to the value of said electrical signals, the period of rotation of said reels varying in accordance with the value of said electrical signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said stopping means stops said reels in response to the value of said electrical signals, the period of rotation being inversely proportional to the value of said electrical signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said driving means initially rotates said reels at a speed that varies in direct proportion to the value of said electrical signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a slot machine of the type which has at least one rotatable reel and an operating handle that is pulled to actuate the machine; means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle during pulling by a player and for generating electrical signals that vary in proportion to the detected speed; means for stopping each of the reels in response to receiving an electrical actuating signal for actuating each of the same; and circuit means for providing said actuating signal to each reel in response to the value of the electrical signals generated by said detecting means, wherein said actuating signals are generated after a delay period corresponding to the time during which the reels are rotating, the period varying in inverse proportion to the detected speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a slot machine of the type which has at least one rotatable reel and an operating handle that is pulled to actuate the machine; means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle during pulling by a player and for generating electrical signals that vary in proportion to the detected speed; means for stopping each of the reels in response to receiving an electrical actuating signal for actuating each of the same; and circuit means for providing said actuating signal to each reel in response to the value of the electrical signals generated by said detecting means, wherein said actuating signals are generated after a delay period corresponding to the time during which the reels are rotating, the period varying in inverse proportion to the detected speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A game apparatus of the type which has a plurality of symbols moving through an area viewed by the player, which symbols moved through the area for a period of time in response to a player pulling an operating handle through its operating stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle through its operating stroke; means for causing said symbols to move through said area at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed that is detected by said detecting means; means for stopping the movement of said symbols through said area after a period of time, said period being proportional to the speed that is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A game apparatus of the type which has a plurality of symbols moving through an area viewed by the player, which symbols moved through the area for a period of time in response to a player pulling an operating handle through its operating stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle through its operating stroke; means for causing said symbols to move through said area at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed that is detected by said detecting means; means for stopping the movement of said symbols through said area after a period of time, said period being proportional to the speed that is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said period of time is inversely proportional to the speed that is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said symbols are positioned on the periphery of a rotating reel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
A game apparatus of the type which has a plurality of symbols moving through an area viewed by the player, which symbols move through the area for a period of time in response to a player pulling an operating handle through its operating stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle though its operating stroke; means for causing said symbols to move through said area at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed that is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
A game apparatus of the type which has a plurality of symbols moving through an area viewed by the player, which symbols move through the area for a period of time in response to a player pulling an operating handle through its operating stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle though its operating stroke; means for causing said symbols to move through said area at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed that is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a slot machine of the type which has at least one rotatable reel and an operating handle that is pulled to actuate the machine: means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle when pulled to actuate the machine and for generating electrical signals that vary in proportion to the detected speed; and means for driving said reel in response to said electrical signals, said driving means rotating said reel at a speed that varies in proportion to said electrical signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a slot machine of the type which has at least one rotatable reel and an operating handle that is pulled to actuate the machine: means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle when pulled to actuate the machine and for generating electrical signals that vary in proportion to the detected speed; and means for driving said reel in response to said electrical signals, said driving means rotating said reel at a speed that varies in proportion to said electrical signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for rotating the reels of a slot machine in response to the operating handle being pulled through its forward operating stroke and for stopping the reels after a period of rotation wherein the period of rotation of each reel is inversely proportional to the speed with which the handle is pulled through its forward stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of forward movement of said operating handle and for generating electrical signals whose value varies in proportion to the detected speed; means for driving said reels in response to the apparatus being actuated by pulling the operating handle through its forward stroke; and means for stopping each of the reels after a period of rotation in response to the value of said electrical signals, the period of rotation of said reels varying in accordance with the value of said electrical signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for rotating the reels of a slot machine in response to the operating handle being pulled through its forward operating stroke and for stopping the reels after a period of rotation wherein the period of rotation of each reel is inversely proportional to the speed with which the handle is pulled through its forward stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of forward movement of said operating handle and for generating electrical signals whose value varies in proportion to the detected speed; means for driving said reels in response to the apparatus being actuated by pulling the operating handle through its forward stroke; and means for stopping each of the reels after a period of rotation in response to the value of said electrical signals, the period of rotation of said reels varying in accordance with the value of said electrical signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said stopping means sequentially stops the reels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
108 words
A game apparatus of the type which has a plurality of symbols moving through an area viewed by the player, which symbols move through the area for a period of time in response to a player pulling an operating handle through its operating stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle through its operating stroke; means for causing said symbols to move through said area in response to said operating handle being pulled; means for stopping the movement of said symbols through said area after a period of time, said period being proportional to the speed that is detected by said detected means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
108 words
A game apparatus of the type which has a plurality of symbols moving through an area viewed by the player, which symbols move through the area for a period of time in response to a player pulling an operating handle through its operating stroke, comprising: means for detecting the speed of movement of said operating handle through its operating stroke; means for causing said symbols to move through said area in response to said operating handle being pulled; means for stopping the movement of said symbols through said area after a period of time, said period being proportional to the speed that is detected by said detected means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said period is inversely proportional to the speed that is detected by said detecting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |