Card shuffler

Abstract

The disclosed invention includes all embodiments for a mechanical shuffler comprising a generally planar base and a platform that is sized to receive a deck of unshuffled cards, the stack of unshuffled cards moves relative to a slot where the slot is sized to permit passage of a single card. With movement of a platform relative to a slot, a discrete burst of air is delivered to a stack of unshuffled cards, thereby pushing a single card through the slot and into an area where shuffled cards are to be delivered. It is contemplated that embodiments of the invention will include means for the delivery of a discrete amount of air in response to a computer signal, it is further contemplated that embodiments of the invention may include rollers that are engaged to spin and grip a card that is pushed through a slot by air. It is contemplated that embodiments of the invention may include a set of perforated guiding members that include a plurality of perforations that are sized to permit and diffuse a predetermined amount of air by volume and pressure.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 378,829, filed on Dec. 14, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a card shuffler and more particularly to a mechanical card shuffler for randomly shuffling playing cards.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Casinos, card rooms, and other gaming establishments employ many dealers. The dealers shuffle cards, deal the cards, take bets, and otherwise play the game. Substantial amounts of the dealers' time is spent shuffling the decks of cards in preparation for the ensuing hands. During the time the dealer is shuffling, the game table is inactive and bets are not being placed. From the standpoint of the casino, it is desirable to minimize the time spent in preparing the decks of cards for additional play.[0004]A number of prior art card deck shuffling machines have been invented. Most of the prior automatic shufflers ha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about a mechanical shuffler, which is a device used in card games to shuffle the cards. The shuffler has a platform that can hold a deck of cards and is moved by a motor to create a random order. The shuffler has a slot where a person can insert a card from a deck of cards, and a primary air manifold that delivers air to the edges of the cards to help them shuffle. The invention has three embodiments that differ in the way they move and deliver air. The technical effect is that the mechanical shuffler makes shuffling cards faster and more efficiently than manual shuffling.

Problems solved by technology

Most of the prior automatic shufflers have suffered from various problems.

Many are relatively slow and do not help the basic problem encountered by the gaming establishment.

Others are relatively complex and thus expensive to build and maintain.

Another problem area suffered by both manual and automated shuffling techniques is associated with having concentrated groupings of cards.

Such slugs can also indicate the failure of prior art shufflers to effectively rearrange the order of cards in a deck or decks being shuffled.

Ejectors of this sort can be problematic because they can damage the card edges from impact and generate dust that can foul the internal workings of the apparatus unless it is consistently cleaned and maintained.

Furthermore, the ejector apparatus does not fully deliver the card to the shuffled stack, so a variety of problems can happen with the delivery of the card.

These arrangements function well enough in terms of shuffling the cards, however, the system only allows for entering cards “on edge,” not easily permitting the continuous addition of spent cards that have been played to the unshuffled deck for reshuffling and therefore continuous dispensing of cards.

Another problem with prior art shufflers of the type described above in U.S. Pat. No. 7,988,152 is that the cards drop by the force of gravity and can become snagged or stuck and not fall into place if the cards are damaged or warped.

An additional problem presented by shufflers of the prior art such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,988,152 is that the slot through which cards pass from the unshuffled stack into the shuffled stack can become jammed with one or more cards.

This is because there is no mechanism by which the cards are completely delivered through the slot from the unshuffled deck to the shuffled deck.

Absent such a complete delivery mechanism, there exists substantial risk of doubles making it through the slot or of the slot becoming jammed with one or more cards.

Furthermore, the leading edge of the card may not always hit the center of the slot, causing impact and damage to the leading edge of the card, which also generates dust and can foul the internal mechanisms of the shuffler.

These various types of shufflers suffer from a variety of problems related to the use of rollers and multiple moving parts and mechanisms.

The rollers in general move the cards through a variety of twists and turns and, in so doing, the cards can become warped and damaged.

The use of multiple moving parts and mechanisms can provide areas for breakdown in the shuffling apparatus and require repeated and constant maintenance or frequent repair.

Furthermore, shufflers involving multiple moving mechanisms of this type can take up a lot of space.

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