Gaming machine and cabinets therefor

Abstract

A gaming machine cabinet including one or more assembly components which are fabricated for shipment in knock down condition and for on-site assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a gaming machine or a gaming machine cabinet which is provided for on-site assembly.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]For many years, gaming machines have been installed in public places such as hotels, casinos and arcades. There are many types of gaming machines which function in different ways. However, in general, these machines are large, comprise a display screen and means to enable the user to interact with the game and coin or token handling mechanisms. All of these are housed in a large cabinet.[0005]Gaming machines must be robust in order to support the operating mechanisms and the weight of the significant numbers of coins or tokens inserted by users. They must also be sufficiently robust in order to prevent damage not only during routine usage but also from unscrupulous persons attempting to steal collected coins or tokens. To ensure that gaming machines are sufficientl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is another object of this invention to provide new and improved gaming machines and cabinets for gaining machines which can be efficiently transported and stored, and in particular can be efficiently transported and stored in bulk.

[0014]By transporting gaming machine cabinets in knock down form rather than in assembled form, the cabinets are less space intensive and can be easily handled. They are able to be stacked efficiently thereby making the best use of the space available.

[0015]The gaming machine cabinets in knock down form are less fragile than assembled gaming machines. The less fragile cabinets are less likely to be damaged in transit than assembled gaming machines and can be transported using conventional means, especially containers. Additionally, due to their low fragility, the knock down cabinets of the present invention can be rapidly loaded and unloaded.

[0019]The provision of a gaming machine in knock down form allows the machine to be transported and stored more efficiently than assembled gaming machines. The components of the gaming machine in knock down form can be stacked efficiently which reduces the amount of space required when those machines are transported or stored.

[0023]Where fixation means are used, panels may include drill-holes to receive the fixation means to improve the ease of fastening the panels together. A further advantage of providing the drill-holes is that, as they will be carefully positioned to receive fixation means extending from other panels, the correct placement and assembly of the panels is ensured.

Problems solved by technology

While the significant weight of the gaming machine makes it difficult for the machine to be removed by potential thieves, it does make their transportation, delivery and installation difficult.

Movement of the machines may need special equipment and will certainly require at least two delivery people.

This will increase the costs of transportation.

This is a particular problem where machines have to be transported in bulk and / or overseas.

While this ensures that the machine is correctly assembled, transport of the assembled machines is space intensive and means that the cost of transporting them in bulk is high.

This frequent replacement of gaming machines means that the high cost of transporting them will be repeatedly incurred.

Although the problems associated with transporting gaining machines either singly or in bulk have been known for many years, no meaningful solution has been suggested.

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