US4410178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gaming machines
Assignee: Starpoint Electrics Ltd
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Filing: 1982-05-17
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Granted: 1983-10-18
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Expires: 2002-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A reel unit for a gaming machine comprises a stepping motor 1 connected to drive the reel through a reduction gearbox 2 having an output shaft 3 coupled to a boss 5 forming part of the reel. The shaft end 3 forms a close fit with a circular opening 12 in the boss 5 and a transverse pin 8 extending through the shaft 3 is located in a transverse slot 14 in the face of the boss 5, the slot 14 being wider than the pin 8 and its sides engaging the pin only through a pair of resilient O-rings 9 on each extending portion of the pin 8, each O-ring being located in a respective recess 15 in the sides of the slot 14.
Inventors
- 👤 David Partridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:34
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3202; G07F17/3204; G07F17/3211; G07F17/3213; F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/20; F16D3/202; F16D3/205; F16D3/2052; F16D3/2055; F16D3/50; F16D3/64; F16D3/68; F16D3/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In a reel unit for a gaming machine said unit comprising a reel, a stepping motor and a reduction gearbox having an output shaft, said stepping motor being connected to drive said reel through said reduction gearbox, the improvement comprising a coupling between said output shaft of said gearbox and said reel, said coupling comprising a transverse pin extending through said output shaft, a boss in rigid relationship with said reel, said boss being formed with an axial circular opening, said opening forming a close fit with said output shaft, said boss being further formed with a transverse slot receiving said transverse pin, said slot being wider than said pin, and a layer of resilient cushioning material between said pin and said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a reel unit for a gaming machine said unit comprising a reel, a stepping motor and a reduction gearbox having an output shaft, said stepping motor being connected to drive said reel through said reduction gearbox, the improvement comprising a coupling between said output shaft of said gearbox and said reel, said coupling comprising a transverse pin extending through said output shaft, a boss in rigid relationship with said reel, said boss being formed with an axial circular opening, said opening forming a close fit with said output shaft, said boss being further formed with a transverse slot receiving said transverse pin, said slot being wider than said pin, and a layer of resilient cushioning material between said pin and said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A reel unit according to claim 1 wherein said cushioning material is constituted by at least one O-ring on each extending portion of said pin, each said O-ring being located in a respective recess in said slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A reel unit according to claim 2 and wherein there are two O-rings on each extending portion of said pin, each O-ring being located in a respective recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
192 words
A reel unit for a gaming machine, said unit being in the form of a self-contained module, said module comprising a pair of side plates, means spacing said side plates apart, a reel, means mounting said reel for rotation between said side plates, a drive unit comprising a stepping motor and a reduction gearbox having an output shaft, said drive unit being mounted on one of said side plates, and a coupling connecting said output shaft to said reel, said coupling comprising a transverse pin passing through said output shaft to define an extending portion of said pin on each side of said shaft, at least one resilient O-ring on each extending portion of said pin, a boss in rigid relationship with said reel, said boss being formed with an axial circular opening, said opening forming a close fit with said output shaft, said boss being further formed with a transverse slot receiving said transverse pin, said slot being formed with respective recesses receiving said O-rings whereby said transverse pin is spaced from the sides of said transverse slot and said O-rings define resilient cushioning material between said pin and said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
192 words
A reel unit for a gaming machine, said unit being in the form of a self-contained module, said module comprising a pair of side plates, means spacing said side plates apart, a reel, means mounting said reel for rotation between said side plates, a drive unit comprising a stepping motor and a reduction gearbox having an output shaft, said drive unit being mounted on one of said side plates, and a coupling connecting said output shaft to said reel, said coupling comprising a transverse pin passing through said output shaft to define an extending portion of said pin on each side of said shaft, at least one resilient O-ring on each extending portion of said pin, a boss in rigid relationship with said reel, said boss being formed with an axial circular opening, said opening forming a close fit with said output shaft, said boss being further formed with a transverse slot receiving said transverse pin, said slot being formed with respective recesses receiving said O-rings whereby said transverse pin is spaced from the sides of said transverse slot and said O-rings define resilient cushioning material between said pin and said slot.
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) | 1986-10-17 | 1987-04-18 | 1987-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-17 | 1991-04-18 | 1991-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-17 | 1995-04-18 | 1995-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |