Patent US2793293A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4241920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Amusement apparatus
Assignee: Bally Gaming International Inc
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Filing: 1979-10-25
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Granted: 1980-12-30
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Expires: 1999-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A slot machine type amusement apparatus having random control means for possibly advancing one or more drums bearing symbols a fractional turn following a playing cycle in which no winning combination of symbols was displayed and in which the control means was randomly actuated, so as to cause to be displayed a different combination of symbols, thereby according the player an additional opportunity to win a prize.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E. Hooker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:35
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
374 words
In an amusement apparatus having a plurality of rotating drums, each bearing a plurality of symbols, certain combinations of which have different play values and entitle a player to a reward, and including means for rotating said drums to initiate a playing cycle, means for arresting rotation of said drums before the end of a playing cycle to display a first combination of symbols, means for possibly effecting additional rotation of one of said drums during the playing cycle in which said first combination of symbols is not a winning combination so as to possibly cause to be displayed a second combination of symbols having a different play value, thereby according the player an additional opportunity to win a reward, said means for possibly effecting additional rotation being dependent upon said first combination of symbols not being a reward winning combination whereby said means for possibly effecting additional rotation of said one of said drums during the remainder of the playing cycle is dependent upon random means randomly actuating said means for effecting additional rotation during the said remainder of said playing cycle, whereby if the first combination of symbols is a reward winning combination the cycle is terminated and whereby if the first combination of symbols is not a reward winning combination and the random means is randomly actuated during the remainder of the playing cycle a second chance to win is afforded by said random means automatically actuating said one of said drums, the improvement comprising means for disabling said arresting means to permit additional rotation of one of said drums by said rotating means, first timing means operatively associated with a first switch means for closing said first switch means for at least one predetermined time interval at random times during the playing cycle, second timing means independent of said first timing means operatively associated with a second switch means for closing said second switch means for a predetermined time interval after the display of said first combination, and means for actuating said disabling means upon coincidental closing of said first and second switch means to cause to be displayed the second combination of symbols having a different play value, thereby according the player the additional opportunity to win a reward.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
374 words
In an amusement apparatus having a plurality of rotating drums, each bearing a plurality of symbols, certain combinations of which have different play values and entitle a player to a reward, and including means for rotating said drums to initiate a playing cycle, means for arresting rotation of said drums before the end of a playing cycle to display a first combination of symbols, means for possibly effecting additional rotation of one of said drums during the playing cycle in which said first combination of symbols is not a winning combination so as to possibly cause to be displayed a second combination of symbols having a different play value, thereby according the player an additional opportunity to win a reward, said means for possibly effecting additional rotation being dependent upon said first combination of symbols not being a reward winning combination whereby said means for possibly effecting additional rotation of said one of said drums during the remainder of the playing cycle is dependent upon random means randomly actuating said means for effecting additional rotation during the said remainder of said playing cycle, whereby if the first combination of symbols is a reward winning combination the cycle is terminated and whereby if the first combination of symbols is not a reward winning combination and the random means is randomly actuated during the remainder of the playing cycle a second chance to win is afforded by said random means automatically actuating said one of said drums, the improvement comprising means for disabling said arresting means to permit additional rotation of one of said drums by said rotating means, first timing means operatively associated with a first switch means for closing said first switch means for at least one predetermined time interval at random times during the playing cycle, second timing means independent of said first timing means operatively associated with a second switch means for closing said second switch means for a predetermined time interval after the display of said first combination, and means for actuating said disabling means upon coincidental closing of said first and second switch means to cause to be displayed the second combination of symbols having a different play value, thereby according the player the additional opportunity to win a reward.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first timing means is a continuously driven cam which closes said first switch means for a small portion of the playing cycle and said second timing means is a cam which closes said second switch means for a small portion of the playing cycle at a fixed time within said playing cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for rotating the drums, said first timing means, and said second timing means each comprises a separate motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the additional rotation comprises a fractional turn.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 characterized by the provision of a motor driven cam shaft carrying a plurality of control cams having different configurations, with each cam being arranged to actuate a respective electrical control switch for controlling the operation of a respective drum, and an independently motor driven cam arranged to actuate an independent electrical switch, with the angular relationship of said control cams to said independent cam being randomly variable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein the independent cam is continuously driven and the control cams are driven only during the interval of a playing cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 including means for detecting a winning combination of symbols and prize awarding means controlled by said detecting means.
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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) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |