Card dealing device and card storage method

Abstract

The present invention provides a card dealing device and a card storage method. The card dealing device (1) includes: a main body (7) having a card storage portion (3) for storing cards (2s) constituting a prescribed number of decks; a detachable top cover (4) disposed above the card storage portion (3) and covering the card storage portion (3); an inclined bottom surface (5) that guides cards (2) from the card storage portion (3) onto a gaming table (6); and a front cover (8) disposed in front of the main body (7) so as to be able to take out cards (2) one by one from the card storage portion (3). The front cover (8) is configured to be detachable from the main body (7) in cooperation with a engaging member (9) provided in front of the main body (7), and when the front cover (8) is removed, the cards (2s) constituting a prescribed number of decks can be stored in the card storage portion (3).

Description

[0001] This divisional application is a divisional application of the invention application with the international filing date of May 15, 2015, international application number PCT / JP2015 / 002459, national application number 201580025328.1 upon entry into the Chinese national phase, and invention title "Card Dealing Device and Card Storage Method". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a card dealing device used in a playing game, and also relates to a card dealing device and a card storage method capable of storing game cards (hereinafter referred to as "cards"), in particular, a set of cards constituting a specified number of decks and a card packaging box containing cards, all at once without picking them up. Background Art

[0003] In various playing games, a dealer stores one or more decks of cards in a card dealing device and draws out the cards one by one from here and distributes them to game participants. When storing cards in the card dealing device, the following method is widely used: Generally, the dealer opens the top cover of the card dealing device and picks up one or more decks of cards all at once by hand for storage (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0004] For cards used in various playing games, 6 to 10 decks of cards are stored in the card dealing device for use. If there are 8 decks, they are composed of 416 cards and have a height of about 125 millimeters (mm). For the cards of the specified number of decks that have been shuffled, a cut card is inserted in a state where the cards are taken out from the packaging box or a part of the packaging box is opened to expose the cards, and then they are stored in the card dealing device. In order to conduct the playing game fairly, until the cards are opened from the packaging box and stored in the card dealing device, the dealer must keep the state where only the backs of the cards can be seen by the game participants. When storing the cards in the card dealing device, the cover on the top surface of the card dealing device is opened, and they must be picked up all at once by hand without disturbing the structure of the whole deck. On the other hand, the interval of the side part of the card storage part of the card dealing device is formed to be approximately the same size as the side of the card so that the cards will not be scattered therein and the order of arrangement will not be changed. In addition, when storing 8 decks of cards, there is only a surplus of a few centimeters in the depth direction. Therefore, when the dealer tries to pick up the cards of the specified number of decks all at once for storage, there is a problem that the cards cannot be smoothly loaded. For example, there is a problem that the first deck of 8 decks of cards gets hooked on the card dealing device, and thus it is easy to make a mistake of accidentally scattering the cards and disturbing the whole deck. Since the cards scattered on the game table cannot be used in the game, it becomes a main factor hindering the efficient progress of the game.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. WO 2014 / 024239 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention has been completed in the above-described background. The object of the present invention is to provide a card dealing device and a method of storing cards: enabling a dealer to easily store cards in a card storage section of the card dealing device before an entertainment game, and preventing a mistake of accidentally spreading the cards and shuffling the entire deck of cards.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a card dealing device including: a main body having a card storage section for storing a prescribed number of cards; a detachable top cover disposed above the card storage section and covering the card storage section; a bottom surface inclined forward for guiding cards from the card storage section to a game table; and a front cover disposed in front of the main body so as to be able to take out cards one by one from the card storage section. The front cover has the following structure: it is mounted to cooperate with a engaging member provided in front of the main body and is detachable from the main body, restricts the forward movement of the prescribed number of cards stored in the card storage section when the front cover is mounted, and forms an opening through which cards can pass one by one between the front cover and the bottom surface. Further, in a state where the front cover is removed, it is formed into a front surface opening state in which cards can be guided on the bottom surface and enter the card storage section from the front of the main body in a sliding manner.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for storing playing cards. The method for storing playing cards is a method of using a packaging box for storing a prescribed number of decks of playing cards, and storing the playing cards in the packaging box in a card dealing device for dealing the playing cards to a gaming table. The packaging box has the following structure: it has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, is provided with a cutting line parallel to the long side direction of the rectangular parallelepiped, and by disconnecting the packaging box along the cutting line and removing the left or right side surface of the packaging box, the side surface of the playing cards can be exposed inside the packaging box. The card dealing device includes: a main body having a card storage portion for storing a prescribed number of decks of playing cards; a bottom surface inclined forward for guiding the playing cards from the card storage portion to the gaming table; and a front cover provided in front of the main body and installed to be detachable from the main body in cooperation with a engaging member. The method includes the following steps: a step of removing the top cover disposed on the upper portion of the card storage portion of the card dealing device; a step of removing the front cover from the main body of the card dealing device; a side surface exposure step of preparing a packaging box storing a prescribed number of decks of playing cards, disconnecting the packaging box along the cutting line of the packaging box, and removing the left or right side surface of the packaging box, thereby exposing the side surface of the playing cards inside the packaging box; a cut card insertion step of inserting a cut card into the playing cards in the packaging box in a state where the side surface is exposed; a card storage step of guiding the playing cards and the packaging box with the side surface removed together from the front of the main body after the front cover is removed along the bottom surface so that the playing cards slide and are stored in the card storage portion; and a storage completion step of removing the packaging box from the card storage portion and only retaining the playing cards in the card storage portion.

[0011] Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is easy to store playing cards in the card storage portion of the card dealing device before an entertainment game, preventing the mistake of accidentally spreading the playing cards and disrupting the entire deck, and further improving the operation efficiency of the game in the casino.

[0013] As described below, there are other aspects to the present invention. Therefore, the disclosure of the present invention intends to provide some aspects of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of what is described and claimed herein. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of a card dealing device according to Embodiment 1 of the invention of the present application.

[0015] FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the card dealing device in a state where the top cover is removed.

[0016] FIG. 1(c) is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the card dealing device in a state where the top cover and the front cover are removed.

[0017] Figure 1(d) is a perspective view of the card dealing device with the top cover and the front cover removed and the end of the top cover engaged with the front part of the main body of the card dealing device.

[0018] Figure 2 It is an explanatory diagram of the sequence of opening the packaging box, taking out the shuffled cards from it, and storing the shuffled cards in the card dealing device.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the front cover that can be attached to and detached from the card dealing device.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the engaging member for attaching and detaching the front cover to and from the card dealing device.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the engaged state of the engaging member of the card dealing device and the hook receiving portion of the front cover.

[0022] Figure 6 (a) of is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the structure in which the locking device of the engaging member of the card dealing device is formed in a locked state. Figure 6 (b) of is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the structure for releasing the locking device of the engaging member of the card dealing device.

[0023] Figure 7 (a) of is a cross-sectional view of the locking device of the engaging member of the card dealing device in the horizontal direction. Figure 7 (b) of is a cross-sectional view of the locking device of the engaging member of the card dealing device in the vertical direction.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the state where the side of the packaging box is removed and the packaging box is set in the front part of the bottom surface of the card dealing device.

[0025] Figure 9 (a) of is a perspective view of the state having an inclined extension body that is inclined from the front end portion of the bottom surface of the card dealing device and continuous with the upper surface of the game table. Figure 9 (b) of is a partial side view of this state.

[0026] Figure 10 It is a top view of the card.

[0027] Figure 11 It is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the state where the card reading device at the front end of the card dealing device is exposed.

[0028] Figure 12It is an enlarged perspective view of the main part in a state where an extension member is fixed to the front end of the card dealing device.

[0029] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0030] 1 Card dealing device

[0031] 2 Card

[0032] 2s Cards constituting a specified number of decks

[0033] 3 Card storage section

[0034] 4 Top cover

[0035] 5 Bottom surface

[0036] 6 Gaming table

[0037] 7 Main body

[0038] 8 Front cover

[0039] 9 Engaging member

[0040] 10 Opening

[0041] 11 Protrusion

[0042] 12 Fixing member

[0043] 13 Packaging box

[0044] 14 Cut card

[0045] 15 Hook

[0046] 16 Hook receiving portion

[0047] 17 Fixing protrusion

[0048] 18 Groove

[0049] 19 Button extension

[0050] 20 Button

[0051] 21 Extension member

[0052] 22 Reading device

[0053] 23 Tilt extension

[0054] 24 Screw

[0055] 25 Reading device cover

[0056] C code

[0057] A mark Detailed implementation mode

[0058] The following describes the detailed description of the present invention. Among them, the following detailed description and drawings do not limit the invention.

[0059] Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c) are perspective views of the card dealing device 1 of Embodiment 1, showing different states. The card dealing device 1 is configured with: a main body 7 having a card storage portion 3 for storing a prescribed number of cards 2s; and a detachable top cover 4 that covers the card storage portion 3 above the card storage portion 3. In addition, a bottom surface 5 of the card storage portion 3 is formed on the main body 7, and the bottom surface 5 supports the cards 2s stored in the card storage portion 3 and guides the cards 2 to the gaming table 6 from the front. And a front cover 8 is arranged in front of the main body 7 of the card dealing device 1 so that the cards can be taken out one by one from the card storage portion 3. The front cover 8 is configured to be installed in cooperation with an engaging member 9 provided in front of the card dealing device 1 so as to be detachable from the card dealing device 1. When the front cover 8 is installed, the movement of the prescribed number of cards 2s stored in the card storage portion 3 in the forward F arrow direction is restricted, and an opening 10 through which the cards 2 can pass one by one is formed in the bottom surface 5. When the front cover 8 is removed, the prescribed number of cards 2s can be stored in the card storage portion 3. By providing a magnet on the upper part of the front cover 8, the installation of the top cover 4 to the main body 7 can be made stable. And as shown in FIG. 1(d), a protrusion 11 is provided at the end on the back side of the top cover 4, and it can be hooked and bridged (erected) on the locking member 12 of the card dealing device 1, so that a slope continuous from the top cover 4 to the bottom surface 5 can be formed.

[0060] Using Figure 2 , a method of storing the cards 2 in the packaging box 13 in the card dealing device 1 for distributing cards to the gaming table 6 is described, where the packaging box 13 is used to store a prescribed number of cards 2s. The packaging box 13 has the following structure: having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, having a cutting line 13c parallel to the long side direction of the rectangular parallelepiped, and by disconnecting the packaging box 13 along the cutting line 13c and removing the left or right side surface of the packaging box 13, the side surface of the cards 2s in the packaging box 13 can be exposed. The card dealing device 1 includes: a main body having a card storage portion 3 for storing a prescribed number of cards 2s; a bottom surface 5 inclined forward for guiding the cards 2 from the card storage portion 3 to the gaming table 6; and a front cover 8 provided in front of the main body 7 and installed on the main body 7 in a detachable manner in cooperation with an engaging member 9.

[0061] This method is configured to include the following steps: (1) Remove the top cover 4 disposed above the card storage section 3 of the card dealing device 1 (top cover removal step); (2) Remove the front cover 8 from the main body 7 of the card dealing device 1 (front cover removal step); (3) Prepare a packaging box 13 containing cards 2s constituting a specified number of decks, cut the packaging box 13 along the cutting line 13c of the packaging box 13, and remove the left or right side surface of the packaging box 13 to expose the side surface of the cards 2s in the packaging box 13 (card side surface exposure step). Figure 2 (represented by 2 in); (4) Insert a cut card 14 into the cards 2s in the packaging box 13 in the side surface exposed state (cut card insertion step. Figure 2 (represented by 3 in); (5) Guide the cards 2s and a part of the packaging box 13 from the front of the main body 7 from which the front cover 8 has been removed through the bottom surface 5, so that the cards 2s and a part of the packaging box 13 slide together into the card storage section 3 and are stored in the card storage section 3 (card 2s storage step. Figure 2 (represented by 4 in); (6) Remove the packaging box 13 from the card storage section 3 and only retain the cards 2s in the card storage section 3 (storage completion step. Figure 2 (represented by 6 in), thereby storing the cards 2s in the card storage section 3.

[0062] In addition, the cutting line of the packaging box 13 is not limited to one. For example, a packaging box 13 having two cutting lines can also be used. First, remove the side surface on either the left or right side of the packaging box 13 having two cutting lines, and insert the cut card 14 (step (4)). Next, the other side surface can be removed so that the cards 2s are stored in the card storage section 3 in a state where the cards 2s are held by the remaining central strip portion, that is, in a state where the side surfaces of the cards 2s are exposed.

[0063] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1(d), an extension member 21 can be disposed at the front end in front of the card dealing device 1, and the extension member 21 forms a structure that bridges (laps) on the upper surface of the game table 6. The cards 2s and a part of the packaging box 13 can slide from the upper surface of the extension member 21 and be stored in the card storage section 3. In this drawing, as the extension member 21, an example is shown in which a structure that bridges on the upper surface of the game table 6 is formed at the front end in front of the card dealing device 1 by using the top cover 4 ( Figure 2 (represented by reference numerals 1 and 4 in).

[0064] Thus, in the implementation of the present invention, the top cover 4 disposed on the upper part of the card storage section 3 of the card delivery device 1 is first removed, and if there are cards 2 remaining in the card storage section 3, they are taken out. After the cards 2s are stored in the card storage section 3, the front cover 8 removed from the main body is mounted on the card delivery device 1 ( Figure 2 5), and then the storage completion step (6) is performed.

[0065] Next, use Figures 3 to 7 (b) will now describe the detailed structure of the engaging member 9 for attaching and detaching the front cover 8 relative to the card dealing device 1. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , two L-shaped hooks 15 are provided in the engaging member 9 fixed to the card dealing device 1 by bolts B. Two L-shaped hook receiving portions 16 facing in opposite directions are provided on the back side of the front cover 8 to which the engaging member 9 is mounted. Figure 5 As shown, when the marks A of the two components are aligned and the front cover 8 is slid from above the engaging component 9 along the oblique downward arrow X, the two hooks 15 of the engaging component 9 are engaged with the two hook receiving portions 16 of the front cover 8 .

[0066] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown, a groove 18 with a locking protrusion 17 is provided inside the locking member 9, and a back side of the front cover 8, which is mounted with the locking member 9, is provided. Figures 5 to 7 As shown, a button 20 (locking device) having a rod-shaped button extension 19 is installed at the bottom. When the front cover 8 is slid from the top of the engaging part 9 along the oblique downward arrow X to overlap with the engaging part 9, the button extension 19 installed at the bottom of the button 20 of the front cover 8 enters the groove 18 of the engaging part 9 and passes through the gap between the groove 18 and the locking protrusion 17 in the groove 18 to advance. However, after passing through the gap, if it is desired to return in the opposite direction, the button extension 19 is hooked on the locking protrusion 17, thereby forming a structure that cannot be returned (L state). Here, the button 20 located at the top of the button extension 19 is pressed from the outside to the inside along the arrow Y, and is slid in the direction opposite to the arrow X, so that the button extension 19 can be moved inward in a linked manner, and pass through the gap between the groove 18 and the locking protrusion 17 in the groove 18 to return to the original state (UL state). Here, the button 20 and the button extension 19 are connected to the front cover by means of a member having a structure of an elastic spring s, and when the button 20 is pushed inward from the outside by a finger or the like and then released, the button 20 returns to its original state, so it is necessary to slide the front cover 8 obliquely upward (in the opposite direction of the arrow X) while pressing the button 20 to remove it. In addition to the meshing structure and locking structure formed between the front cover 8 and the engaging member 9, a hook-shaped member, a magnet, and an elastic spring s can also be used to enable the front cover 8 and the card dealing device 1 to be assembled and disassembled.

[0067] Preferably, the card dealing device 1 is configured such that when the front cover 8 is installed, the length l from the front end position 51 of the lower edge of the front cover to the front end 52 of the main body on the bottom surface 5 is more than half of the length in the long side direction of the packaging box 13 for storing the cards 2s (refer to Figure 8 ). With this configuration, the cards 2s in the packaging box 13 in the state where the side is exposed can be stably placed on the bottom surface 5 corresponding to the position from the front end position 51 of the lower edge of the front cover to the front end 52 of the main body when the front cover 8 is installed. That is, the cards 2s can be prevented from tilting toward the game table 6. Therefore, the workability in aligning the cards 2s is improved.

[0068] Alternatively, it may be configured such that an inclined extension body 23 whose front end contacts the game table 6 is additionally provided at the front end 52 of the main body. The front end of the inclined extension body 23 contacts the game table 6, whereby the bottom surface 5 is formed to be continuous with the upper surface of the game table 6 (refer to Figure 9 (a) of Figure 9 (b)). With this configuration, after the cards 2s in the packaging box 13 in the state where the side is exposed are placed straddling the game table 6 and the front end 52 of the main body, the cards 2s can be aligned and then slid into the card storage section 3 from the front of the main body 7. Here, the continuity of the bottom surface 5 with the upper surface of the game table 6 also includes the case where there is a step difference between the front end of the inclined extension body 23 and the game table 6 within the range where there is no obstacle when the cards 2s slide between the bottom surface 5 and the game table 6 toward the card storage section 3. Here, instead of using the inclined extension body 23, the front end 52 of the main body may be made to contact the game table 6. With this configuration, the restrictions on the placement location of the cards 2s are relaxed, and therefore, the workability in aligning the cards 2s is improved.

[0069] Figure 10 The card 2 constituting the card 2s is shown. In the card 2 used in the tabletop game, the numbers are coded and printed as the code C using UV ink or the like that is normally invisible to the naked eye. The code C is set to be point-symmetrical on the upper and lower sides of the card 2. Preferably, the code C is printed using a paint that becomes visible when irradiated with ultraviolet light and is printed at a position that does not overlap with the type mark and index of the card.

[0070] Next, using Figure 11Details of the reading device 22 that reads the code C representing the number (bit, number, rank) of the playing card 2 when the playing card 2 is manually drawn from the playing card storage unit 3 will be described. The reading device 22 is provided on the bottom surface 5 that guides the playing card 2, which is manually taken out one by one from the opening 10 in front of the playing card storage unit 3, onto the gaming table 6. When the locking member 12 that also serves as the reading device cover 25 is removed, the sensor group of the reading device 22 is exposed (the reading device cover 25 can be disassembled and assembled with screws), and the reading device cover 25 covers the sensor group of the reading device 22. The sensor group is composed of, for example, an ultraviolet reaction type sensor (UV sensor) 120 and two object detection sensors 122 and 123.

[0071] The start and end of reading by the UV sensor 120 of the reading device 22 are controlled by a control unit (not shown) based on the detection signals of the object detection sensors 122 and 123. In addition, the control unit (not shown) determines whether the playing card 2 has passed through the bottom surface 5 normally based on the detection signals of the object detection sensors 122 and 123. As Figure 10 shown, the quadrilateral code C representing the rank (number) and suit (hearts, spades, etc.) of the playing card is arranged in 2 rows and 4 columns on the edge of the playing card 2. After the UV sensor 120 detects the code C, it outputs an on signal. In the reading device 22, the relative relationship between the two signals input from the UV sensor 120 is determined. Thus, the reading device 22 determines the code based on the relative differences between the two codes C detected by the UV sensor 120, etc., and determines the number (rank) and type (suit) of the corresponding playing card 2.

[0072] In this way, based on the number (rank) of the playing card 2 read from the playing card 2, the control device (not shown) determines the outcome of the game.

[0073] The reading device cover 25 functions to protect the sensor group of the reading device 22 from being damaged, and the reading device cover 25 can also be configured to function as the locking member 12.

[0074] The preferred embodiments of the present invention currently considered have been described above, but it can be understood that various modifications can be made to this embodiment, and furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover all modifications within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0075] Industrial Applicability

[0076] The playing card dealing device of the present invention and the playing card storage method for the playing card storage unit of the playing card dealing device can easily store the playing cards in the playing card storage unit of the playing card dealing device before the entertainment game, can prevent the mistake of accidentally spreading the playing cards and disrupting the entire deck, and is useful in entertainment games in casinos, etc.

Claims

1. A card dealing device, characterized in that, Comprising: A main body having a card storage section for storing a prescribed number of cards; A bottom surface inclined forward for guiding cards from the card storage section onto the gaming table; and A front cover disposed in front of the main body so as to be able to take out cards from the card storage section one by one, It further has an extension member that can be provided in front of the front end of the main body, and the extension member bridges the upper surface of the gaming table and the bottom surface, The front cover is mounted to cooperate with a latching member provided in front of the main body and is detachable from the main body. When the front cover is installed, the movement of the cards forming a prescribed number of cards stored in the card storage section in the forward direction is restricted. Also, an opening is formed between the front cover and the bottom surface through which cards can pass one by one. And in a state where the front cover is removed, a front surface opening state is formed that can guide the cards on the bottom surface so that the cards slide into the card storage section from the front of the main body, The extension member is constituted by a detachable top cover, and the top cover is disposed above the card storage section and covers the card storage section.

2. The card dealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A latching member for latching the extension member is provided at the front end of the main body.

3. The card dealing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, In order to latch the top cover to the front end of the main body, a protrusion for latching with the latching member is provided on the lower side of the top cover. In order to make the installation of the top cover to the main body stable, a magnet is provided on the upper part of the front cover.

4. The card dealing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The latching member is constituted by a reading device cover that covers a reading device. The reading device is provided at the front end of the main body and reads the cards taken out one by one from the card storage section.

5. The card dealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It has an inclined extension body that inclines from the front end portion of the bottom surface and continues to the upper surface of the gaming table.

6. The card dealing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inclined extension body can be detached from the main body.

7. The card dealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length from the front end position of the lower edge of the front cover on the bottom surface when the front cover is installed to the front end of the main body is more than half the length in the long side direction of the packaging box for storing the cards.

8. A card storage method, which stores cards constituting a specified number of decks into a card dealing device, characterized in that, The card dealing device comprises: a main body having a card storage section for storing a prescribed number of cards; a bottom surface inclined forward for guiding cards from the card storage section onto the gaming table; and a front cover provided in front of the main body and mounted to be detachable from the main body in cooperation with a latching member, The method includes the following steps: The step of detaching the front cover from the main body of the card dealing device; and The step of storing the cards by guiding the cards on the bottom surface in front of the main body after the front cover is removed so that the cards slide into the card storage section, An extension member is provided at the front end in front of the main body, and the top surface of the extension member is continuously formed with the bottom surface of the card storage section, As the extension member, a detachable top cover is used. The top cover is disposed above the card storage section and covers the card storage section. Further included is a storage step, in which, after placing the playing card on the extension member or placing the playing card across the extension member and the front end of the main body, the playing card is slid toward the playing card storage portion for storage.

9. The card storage method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Further included is a locking step of locking an extension member provided at the front end of the main body to the front end of the main body.

10. The card storage method according to claim 9, characterized in that, In the locking step, a protrusion and a locking member that locks to the protrusion are used.

11. The card storage method according to claim 10, characterized in that, As the locking member, a reading device cover that covers a reading device is used. The reading device is provided at the front end of the main body and reads the playing cards taken out one by one from the playing card storage portion.

Images