US5284344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gaming machine reel support structure
Assignee: Bell Fruit Manufacturing Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1992-02-11
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Granted: 1994-02-08
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Expires: 2012-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A reel for a gaming or amusement machine has a support structure for supporting the reel strip of a significantly lower moment of inertia than a standard reel drum. This is achieved by making the reel strip of stiff material and supporting it only at spaced-apart points, and relying on the strip to support itself between the supported points. The reel support for the strip may be in the form of one or two spiders, each having a plurality of radial spokes. For further support for the strip a ring member may be provided connecting the ends of the spokes. If two such spiders are used, the ring members may be interconnected.
Inventors
- 👤 Terence Howard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:54
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3202; G07F17/3204; G07F17/3211; G07F17/3213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A reel for a gaming or amusement machine comprising a support structure and a reel strip, said reel strip having an axis of rotation, said support structure extending from said axis of rotation and said support structure supporting said reel strip, wherein said support structure is provided with one or more support formations which engage said reel strip, said support formations being provided at the periphery of said support structure, and wherein said support formations are provided in a single radial plane only, said radial plane being normal to said axis of rotation, and said support formations contacting only a small proportion of the width of said reel strip, said reel strip being self-supporting over the remainder of said width of said reel strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A reel for a gaming or amusement machine comprising a support structure and a reel strip, said reel strip having an axis of rotation, said support structure extending from said axis of rotation and said support structure supporting said reel strip, wherein said support structure is provided with one or more support formations which engage said reel strip, said support formations being provided at the periphery of said support structure, and wherein said support formations are provided in a single radial plane only, said radial plane being normal to said axis of rotation, and said support formations contacting only a small proportion of the width of said reel strip, said reel strip being self-supporting over the remainder of said width of said reel strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A reel according to claim 1, wherein said support structure is an annulus such that said support formations are continuous in form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A reel according to claim 1, wherein said support structure is spoked and said spoked support structure is provided with a peripheral ring, said support formations being provided on said peripheral ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A reel according to claim 1, wherein said support formations engage one edge of said reel strip, said reel strip being self-supporting away from said support formations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A reel according to claim 1, wherein said support formations are in the form of a groove or channel, and said groove or channel receives one edge of said reel strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
A gaming or amusement machine incorporating a reel, said reel comprising a support structure and a reel strip, said reel having an axis of rotation, said support structure extending from said axis of rotation and said support structure supporting said reel strip, wherein said support structure is provided with at least one support formation which engages said reel strip, said support formation being provided at the periphery of said support structure, and wherein said support formation is provided in a single radial plane only, said radial plane being normal to said axis of rotation, and said support formation contacting only a small proportion of the width of said reel strip, said reel strip being self-supporting over the remainder of said width of said reel strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
A gaming or amusement machine incorporating a reel, said reel comprising a support structure and a reel strip, said reel having an axis of rotation, said support structure extending from said axis of rotation and said support structure supporting said reel strip, wherein said support structure is provided with at least one support formation which engages said reel strip, said support formation being provided at the periphery of said support structure, and wherein said support formation is provided in a single radial plane only, said radial plane being normal to said axis of rotation, and said support formation contacting only a small proportion of the width of said reel strip, said reel strip being self-supporting over the remainder of said width of said reel strip.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-07 | 1997-08-09 | 1998-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-08-09 | 2002-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-07 | 2005-08-09 | 2006-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |