Flush Card Shuffler Mounting With Bezel-Protected Table Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card shuffler systems for table-top games often occupy valuable space and obstruct players' views, as they require a large area for operation and do not seamlessly integrate with the table surface, making them inconvenient for use in games like poker where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A card shuffler mounting apparatus that includes a plate with an aperture larger than a standard card, allowing the shuffler to be securely attached to a table top with a bezel that masks the aperture, enabling the shuffler's top surface to be flush with the table while maintaining accessibility for card insertion and removal through a strategically sized aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large aperture is provided in the table top for shuffler installation, then the shuffler can be securely mounted, but the visible footprint increases and obstructs the players' view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a top-down mounting approach to a side-mounted approach. The shuffler is positioned laterally against the side of the table rather than being mounted through the table top, eliminating the need for a large aperture in the playing surface while maintaining secure mounting through side-mounted brackets and fasteners.
2Ease of manufacture
If a large aperture is provided in the table top, then the shuffler can be installed, but valuable table space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting location is shifted from the vertical dimension (table top surface) to the lateral dimension (table side). This allows the shuffler to be securely installed without consuming valuable horizontal table space, maintaining full playing surface area while enabling easy installation through side-mounted brackets.
3Reliability
If an aperture is provided in the table top, then the shuffler can be mounted, but cards or fluids may enter the shuffler through the aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful aperture opening is completely removed from the table top. Instead of providing an opening that could allow cards or fluids to enter the shuffler, the patent eliminates the aperture entirely and uses side-mounted brackets to secure the shuffler, thereby extracting the source of potential contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
Side-mounted brackets serve as an intermediary mounting mechanism that secures the shuffler without requiring direct access through the table top. These brackets act as a mediating structure that provides secure attachment while maintaining the integrity of the table surface and preventing card or fluid ingress.
4Reliability
If the shuffler is mounted to obstruct the aperture, then secure mounting is achieved, but the players' view is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The shuffler mounting is relocated from the central vertical dimension (table top aperture) to the lateral dimension (table side). This dimensional shift allows secure mounting while keeping the mounting location outside the players' field of view, maintaining both mounting security and unobstructed visibility of the playing surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for mounting a shuffling apparatus to a table is described. A bezel plate has an aperture permitting access to a top aperture in a shuffler apparatus. An aperture in the table top is covered by the bezel plate and a top portion of the shuffler apparatus is accessible through an aperture in the bezel plate. The bezel plate may be captivated to the table top using straps extending through the aperture in the table top and being affixed to the underside of the table top. The shuffler may be supported against the underside of the bezel plate by a bracket affixed to the underside of the table top. Alternatively, the bezel plate may be placed on the table top and the shuffler hung from an underside of the bezel plate by a bracket extending through the aperture in the table top.