US5673503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gaming chip with edge insert and process for fabricating same
Assignee: BUD JONES COMPANY Inc
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Filing: 1995-12-08
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Granted: 1997-10-07
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Expires: 2015-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A gaming chip having an edge insert, and a gaming chip fabrication process, the edge insert having an opening for receiving molding compound. A gaming chip has a core element, such as a substantially flat ring or disc. A plastic edge insert, having a face with an opening therein, is positioned at the edge of the core element. Molding compound, of a color different that the plastic edge insert, is formed around the core element and within the opening of the plastic edge insert to thereby create a complex, interesting, or distinctive visual appearance at the edge of the gaming chip. Multiple embodiments for releasably orienting the edge insert on the core element, prior to forming molding compound about the core element, are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the gaming chip has multiple plastic edge inserts positioned at equally spaced intervals about the gaming chip.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas G. Rendleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:20
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/08; G09F3/18; G09F3/20; A; A44; A44C; A44C21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A gaming chip comprising: a rigid core element having an outer peripheral edge; at least one rigid insert element, formed separately from said rigid core element, said rigid insert element having a face with an opening therethrough, wherein said rigid insert element is positioned proximate said outer peripheral edge of said core element; and molding compound formed around said core element and within said opening in said face of said insert element, wherein said molding compound within said opening is visible at the exterior of said gaming chip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A gaming chip comprising: a rigid core element having an outer peripheral edge; at least one rigid insert element, formed separately from said rigid core element, said rigid insert element having a face with an opening therethrough, wherein said rigid insert element is positioned proximate said outer peripheral edge of said core element; and molding compound formed around said core element and within said opening in said face of said insert element, wherein said molding compound within said opening is visible at the exterior of said gaming chip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said face of said insert element is spacially removed from said outer peripheral edge of said core element, thereby leaving a gap between said face of said insert element and said outer peripheral edge of said core element, and wherein said molding compound is formed within said gap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of insert elements positioned about said outer peripheral edge of said core element, each said insert element having a face with an opening therethrough; and said molding compound formed within said opening in each said insert element, wherein said molding compound within each said opening is visible at the exterior of said gaming chip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 1, wherein said gaming chip has an outer peripheral edge surface, and said face of said insert element comprises a part of said outer peripheral edge surface of said gaming chip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said insert element is connected to said core element, and wherein at least one of said insert element and said core element has means for permitting said insert element to be positioned on said core element in a single orientation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said core element and said insert element includes a connector for connecting said core element and said insert element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said molding compound is a first color, said insert element is a second color and said core element has first and second outer surfaces, at least one of said outer surfaces having raised projections thereon extending to an outer surface of said gaming chip, said core element being a third color.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening includes at least one visual characteristic selected from the group consisting of a letter, a number, a casino identifier, and a gaming chip value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said insert element is comprised of thermoplastic molding compound including fluorescent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process for fabricating a gaming chip, said process comprising: providing a rigid core element having an outer peripheral edge; locating a rigid insert element, having an opening therein, proximate said outer peripheral edge of said core element; after said locating step, forming thermoplastic molding compound around said core element and within said opening of said insert element, thereby permanently locking said core element and said insert element together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process for fabricating a gaming chip, said process comprising: providing a rigid core element having an outer peripheral edge; locating a rigid insert element, having an opening therein, proximate said outer peripheral edge of said core element; after said locating step, forming thermoplastic molding compound around said core element and within said opening of said insert element, thereby permanently locking said core element and said insert element together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said locating step includes locating said opening in a position such that said molding compound formed therein is visible at said outer peripheral edge of said core element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
102 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said providing step further includes providing a substantially flat core element having an outer peripheral edge surface extending between first and second facial surfaces, said locating step further comprises said insert element having a face in which said opening is fixed and locating said insert element in a position such that said face and said opening therein are spacially removed from said outer peripheral edge surface of said core element, and said forming step further comprising forming molding compound between said face of said insert element and said outer peripheral edge surface of said core element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 10, wherein said gaming chip has an outer peripheral edge surface extending between facial surfaces, said locating step further comprising locating said opening at said outer peripheral edge surface of said gaming chip.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
9 words
A product fabricated by the process of claim 10.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
112 words
A gaming chip comprising: a core element comprising a substantially flat disc having first and second faces lying in parallel planes and an outer peripheral edge, wherein said core element has at least one mounting post extending outwardly from its said peripheral edge; an insert element, positioned proximate said outer peripheral edge of said core element, said insert element having a face with an opening therethrough, wherein at least one mounting post engages with said insert element; and molding compound formed around said core element and within said opening in said face of said insert element, wherein said molding compound within said opening is visible at the exterior of said gaming chip.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
112 words
A gaming chip comprising: a core element comprising a substantially flat disc having first and second faces lying in parallel planes and an outer peripheral edge, wherein said core element has at least one mounting post extending outwardly from its said peripheral edge; an insert element, positioned proximate said outer peripheral edge of said core element, said insert element having a face with an opening therethrough, wherein at least one mounting post engages with said insert element; and molding compound formed around said core element and within said opening in said face of said insert element, wherein said molding compound within said opening is visible at the exterior of said gaming chip.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 15 wherein said mounting post has a portion intersecting at least one of said planes, and wherein said insert element has wall portions extending therefrom, wherein said mounting post is received between said wall portions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 16 wherein one of said mounting post and a said wall portion of said insert element has a notch and the other of said mounting post and a said wall portion of said insert element has a rib, said notch and said rib adapted to mate with each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 16 wherein said face of said insert element has an inner surface having a recessed area therein for receiving said mounting post.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The gaming chip as set forth in claim 16 comprising a plurality of said mounting posts, each said mounting post positioned in an indented area at said outer peripheral edge of said core element.
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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) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |