GB2194093A

GB2194093A - Gaming and amusement machines

Info

Publication number: GB2194093A
Application number: GB08717555A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neville Dale Chadwick; John Lynford Sears
Original assignee: Bell Fruit Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Bell Fruit Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 1986-07-30
Filing date: 1987-07-24
Publication date: 1988-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2007-07-24
Also published as: GB8618611D0; GB2194093B; GB8717555D0

Abstract

In a fruit machine (12) the reels (11) are of skeletal form and the symbols (5, 6, 7) consist of transmission holograms which are illuminated by light sources (14) within the reels (11). Some of the symbols are holographic images of "fruit" symbols with superimposed numbers (10) that come into different relative prominence as the angle of viewing changes (Figs. 1 and 2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gaming and amusement machines This invention relates to the kind of gaming or amusement machines commonly known as "fruit machines", in which, following insertion of a coin or token or release of a credit, a number of reels (usually three or four) carrying symbols on their peripheries are spun and come to a halt at random, and then if the combination of symbols on a given line or lines is one of a preseiected group of combinations a prize is awarded. Such a gaming or amusement machine will hereinafter be referred to as "of the kind set forth".

The reels are usually in the form of drums of metal or plastics material and the symbols, usually between twenty and twenty four, are distributed around the periphery of the drum.

The symbols are printed in colour by orthodox methods on a strip of card or paper which is secured around the drum, making it easy to replace the symbols, e.g. with a different set, or the same ones in a different order, when it is desired to change the game and/or alter the odds.

Although proposals have been made to have transparent symbols and to illuminate them from behind, ie. by means of lights arranged within the drum, the reel strips are normally opaque and are simply illuminated by the ambient light. In many cases some of the symbols are not alone but have other symbols, e.g. numbers or letters (such as "nudge") superimposed on them and used in connection with a "feature" associated with, or following, a normal game. However the artwork involved in these superimposed characters is liable to be somewhat confused and complicated if more than two are used.

The aim of the invention is to provide a new and enhanced presentation of the symbols on the reels. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a gaming or amusement machine of the kind set forth in which at least one of the reels is of skeletal form and a number of the symbols on that reel are in the form of transmission holograms which are illuminated by at least one light source within the reel.

The appearance of relief given by holographic images enhances substantially the attractiveness of the symbols, usually "fruit" symbols, on the reels. The plums, cherries, melons and so on are given a real three-dimensional look. Moreover, and this is a particularly valuable feature of the invention, where numbers, letters, or other characters are to be superimposed on the fruit symbols such a requirement marries up very well with holographic techniques. Preferably, therefore, at least one of the symbols is a holographic image depicting two or more different characters which appear superimposed one on top of another.

It will be appreciated that this feature need not be restricted to transmission holograms and may be used with reflection holograms, which are illuminated from outside the reels, as well. Thus in accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming or amusement machine of the kind set forth in which at least one of the reels carries a number of symbols in the form of holographic images, at least one of which depicts two or more different characters which appear one on top of another.

In most cases the characters depicted by the holographic images will be fruit symbols with superimposed numbers or letters and, preferably, the superimposed characters come into different relative prominence as the angle of viewing changes. Not only, therefore, can the fruit symbols and the numbers needed for a feature be superimposed one on top of the other and more easily distinguished from one another by the viewer than is the case with ordinary reel strips but we can go further and provide three or even four sumperimposed characters, allowing further flexibility in use, for example with two or three different features, in addition to the basic game.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 shows part of a holographic reel strip from different angles of viewing; and Figure 3 is a side view of part of a reel of a fruit machine with the strip of Figs. 1 and 2 attached to its periphery.

The reel strip 2 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 carries several symbols 3 to 9 in the form of transmission holograms which, when illuminated by a light source from behind the strip 2 are given a three-dimensional appearance.

The symbols 3 to 9 are typical of some of the symbols commonly found on fruit machines, namely a plum 3, a pear 4, a "lucky seven 5, a bell 6, a bunch of cherries 7, a bunch of grapes 8, and a melon 9. Two of the symbols, 7 and 8 have superimposed numbers 10. Such superimposed numbers allow a fruit machine to include a so-called "trail feature". As shown in Fig. 1 the superimposed numbers 10 have greater relative prominence than the "fruit" symbols 3 to 9 and, as shown in Fig. 2, the fruit symbols 3 to 9 have greater relative prominence than the superimposed members 10 when the reel strip 2 is viewed from an angle which differs from that corresponding to the view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the strip 2 of Figs. 1 and 2 attached to the cylindrical outer surface of a conventional reel 11 for a fruit machine 12.

Normally only three symbols 5, 6, and 7 on a reel 11 are in full view of the player through a window 13 of the fruit machine 12. These symbols 5, 6 and 7 are illuminated from the rear by white light directed from light sources 14 within the reel 11 which is of skeletal form to accommodate the light sources 14. Thus when a player views the symbols 5, 6 and 7 through the window 13 the symbols appear to stand out from the surface of the reel 11 and produce a substantial increase in realism and enhance the attractiveness and general appearance of the fruit machine. Also, when the player views the symbols from a certain angle, the number 10 superimposed on cherry symbol 7 will have greater prominence (as in Fig. 1) than the cherry symbol 7 itself, which is helpful to the player when the numbers 10 form part of a special feature, such as a "trail" feature. It is envisaged that three or even four superimposed characters may be represented by a holographic image at a single symbol location on a reel, so that each character may form part of a different feature, in addition to the normal game played with the "fruit" symbols 3 to 9.

Claims

1. A gaming or amusement machine of the kind set forth in which at least one of the reels is of skeletal form and a number of the symbols on that reel are in the form of transmission holograms which are illuminated by at least one light source within the reel.

2. A gaming or amusement machine as claimed in Claim 1, in which at least one of the symbols is a holographic image depicting two or more different characters which appear superimposed one on top of another.

3. A gaming or amusement machine of the kind set forth in which at least one of the reels carries a number of symbols in the form of holographic images, at least one of which depicts two or more different characters which appear superimposed one on top of another.

4. A gaming or amusement machine as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the characters depicted by the holographic images are "fruit" symbols with superimposed numbers or letters.

5. A gaming or amusement machine as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4 in which the superimposed characters come into different relative prominence as the angle of viewing changes.

6. A gaming or amusement machine of the kind set forth substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.