Random Card Dispenser Mechanism for Irregular Dealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card dealing machines lack the ability to randomly dispense cards in terms of both location and time intervals, limiting the element of surprise and unpredictability in card games.

Innovation Solution

A card dispenser with a housing, compression means, driver mechanism, and launch mechanism, controlled by a control mechanism to randomly activate the launch mechanism for dispensing cards in a random direction and/or at irregular time intervals, utilizing a wind-up or electric motor for operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing card dealing machines deal cards on demand or at regular time intervals, then the card dealing process is predictable and controlled, but the element of surprise and randomness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepredictability of card dealingVSAvoidrandomness in card dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The card dealing machine transitions from static, predictable dealing to dynamic, random dealing. The launch mechanism is controlled to activate at random time intervals rather than regular intervals, making the system adaptive and unpredictable while maintaining reliable card dispensing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The machine changes the parameter of time intervals from fixed/regular to variable/random. The control mechanism randomly determines when to activate the launch mechanism, thereby changing the temporal pattern of card dispensing from predictable to unpredictable, enhancing the element of surprise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If existing machines produce cards at specific, predictable locations, then the dealing process is controlled and systematic, but the randomness and surprise element is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of card dispensing locationVSAvoidvariability in dispensing location

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The card dispensing system becomes dynamic by allowing the card dispensing aperture to be positioned at different locations around the periphery of the rotating housing. The launch mechanism can activate at different rotational positions, enabling cards to be dispensed at variable locations rather than a fixed position, thus adding randomness while maintaining precise control over the dispensing action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If a card dispenser uses electrical power for operation, then the control and randomization features can be more sophisticated, but the device becomes less compact and portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelevel of automated controlVSAvoidweight and portability of dispenser

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The card dispenser uses a wind-up motor that is manually operated by the user. The user winds the motor to store mechanical energy, which then powers the rotation and random card dispensing automatically. This self-service approach eliminates the need for electrical power sources, batteries, or complex electronic control systems, thereby reducing weight and improving portability while still achieving automated random card dealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electrical/mechanical automated systems with a purely mechanical wind-up motor system. The randomization is achieved through mechanical means - the wind-up motor drives rotation and the random activation of the launch mechanism at different rotational positions, eliminating the need for electronic components, power sources, and complex control circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The card dispenser provides random card dispensing, enhancing the element of surprise in card games by varying both the location and timing of card distribution without requiring electrical power, making it compact and portable.

Implementation Method 1

The compression means may comprise a spring-loaded arm, which, in use, acts to apply downwards pressure on the cards housed in the card chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS20260000964A1Card dispenser

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 BATEMAN ALISON

AI summary

A card dispenser comprising a housing having a card chamber and at least one card dispensing aperture, a compression means adapted to apply pressure to a set of cards when in use, a motor, a control mechanism connected to the motor, a launch mechanism activated by the control mechanism to dispense a single card, and a reset mechanism adapted to reset the launch mechanism. The card dispenser is designed to dispense a single card at irregular time intervals and optionally at random locations about a periphery of the car dispenser.