AU2018100853A4 - Method of retrofitting gaming machine door - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of retrofitting a cabinet door (100) to a gaming machine (10), includes removing a plastics door (18) from a cabinet (12) of the machine; providing a replacement metal cabinet door (100) having replacement door features; and attaching the replacement door to the cabinet such that it is rotatably movable between a closed and an open position, so that, when the replacement door is in its closed position, the replacement door features are aligned with corresponding gaming machine components in the cabinet, with the replacement door features being operatively associated with the respective gaming machine components. Fig. 3

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of retrofitting a chassis door to a gaming machine.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION A typical gaming machine includes a chassis, typically of metal, in which is contained various componentry of the machine. The componentry usually includes electronics, means for controlling the display of at least one gaming machine monitor, which may be located within the chassis or outside the chassis on the door of the chassis, components for receiving monetary payment such as note feeders and receptacles, slots, hoppers and receptacles for receiving coins or other tokens, or other forms of payment receipt components.

The machine typically includes a chassis door mounted on the chassis and adapted to open or close, to allow or prevent access to the components within the chassis. Because the door is usually on the front of the machine the side where a player accesses the machine, a door typically includes formations, openings, slots or the like, which line up with various components of the machine, for example to allow the insertion of payments into the machine; to provide access to control buttons or levers of the machine; to provide visual access to monitors that may be located within the chassis; or that may allow the passage of cables, brackets, or the like, for enabling electrical connection to, or attachment of, other components that may be located outside the machine, such as externally mounted monitors.

Such doors are subject to wear as a result of use. For example, the doors are often opened to allow repair of components within the machine, to allow removal of payments made into the machine, and to permit general servicing and cleaning of the interior of the chassis and components therein.

The doors are typically of plastic. They are usually relatively cheap when made from this material, as they can be moulded on a relatively large scale. However, a disadvantage of doors of plastic is that they lack inherent strength. As a result, they can become easily damaged through use, for example by way of cracking.

In addition, it is often desirable to replace existing monitors on gaming machines with new monitors which often have improved performance characteristics, but which are often also heavier than the monitors that are being replaced. Because of the inherent lack of strength of such plastic doors, they are often not suitable for use with heavier monitors.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a method of retrofitting a cabinet door to a gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine has a cabinet defining an interior cabinet space, a front opening to the space, gaming machine components in or adjacent to the space, and an existing plastics cabinet door attached to the cabinet so as to be rotatably moveable between a closed position in which the existing door extends across the front opening and an open position in which the existing door extends at least partly way from the opening, with the existing door being provided with at least one existing door feature so that, when the existing door is in its closed position, at least one said existing door feature is aligned with a corresponding respective said gaming machine component, wherein the at least one existing door feature is operatively associated with the respective gaming machine component, the method including: removing the plastics door from the cabinet; and providing a replacement metal cabinet door, wherein the replacement door is provided with at least one replacement door feature thereon; attaching the replacement door to the cabinet such that the replacement door is rotatably movable between a closed position in which the replacement door extends across the front opening with a rear side of the replacement door facing into the space and a front side of the replacement door facing away from the space, and an open position in which the replacement door extends at least partly way from the front opening, wherein, when the replacement door is in its closed position, at least one said replacement door feature is aligned with a corresponding respective said gaming machine component, and wherein the at least one replacement door feature is operatively associated with the respective gaming machine component.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one said replacement door feature includes an aperture and the corresponding respective said gaming machine component has a mode of operation including the passage of a gaming item between the respective said gaming machine component and a location at the front of the replacement door, wherein the aperture is operatively associated with the respective said gaming machine component by enabling said passage of said gaming item through the aperture when the replacement door is in its closed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one said replacement door feature includes a door-mounted component mounted on the replacement door and the corresponding respective said gaming machine component is a component adapted to engage with the door-mounted component when the replacement door is in its closed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the method includes mounting a display monitor on the replacement door such that the display monitor is on the front side of the replacement door when the replacement door is in its closed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the method includes removing at least one said existing door feature from the existing door prior to attaching the replacement door to the cabinet, and securing the at least one said existing door feature to the replacement door, such that the or each existing door feature when secured to the replacement door constitutes a replacement door feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an existing gaming machine with a plastic door extending across an opening of the machine’s cabinet;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the gaming machine of Figure 1 with the door removed;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the gaming machine of Figure 1 with the door in an open position;

Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a replacement metal door for used in a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic right side view of the replacement door of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a schematic left side view of the replacement door of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a schematic rear view of the replacement door of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view from the front left, of the replacement door of Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view from the front right, of the replacement door of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of one part of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of another part of the hinge assembly of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 shows a door lock mechanism of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Gaming machine and the existing door

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown an existing gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 includes a cabinet 12 having an interior space 14, an opening 16 to the interior space, and an existing door 18 of plastics material mounted to the cabinet by hinge assemblies 20.

As described further below, the existing door 18 is rotatably movable on the hinge assemblies 20 between an open position in which the door extends away from the opening 16 as shown in Figure 3, and a closed position in which the door extends over the opening so as to effectively close the opening, as shown in Figure 1.

The existing door 18 has a front side 22 which faces away from the interior space 14 and the opening 16 when the door in its closed position, and a rear side 24 that faces into the interior space when the door is in this closed position.

There are various gaming machine components within or adjacent to the interior space 14 or on the existing door 18. These are described below.

Door lock

Mounted on the existing door 18 is a door lock mechanism 26 (see Figures 3 and 12). The mechanism 26 includes an elongate slider 28 and a door lock base 30, and a pair of catches 32 rotatably mounted on the slider by a rotatable connection 34. The slider 28 is slidably connected to the door lock base 30 and is spring-loaded by a spring (not shown) urging the slider downwards relative to the door lock base.

Each catch 32 includes a slot 36, a lock detent 38, and a catch detent 40. Each catch 32 is spring-loaded by a spring (not shown) to the unlocked position shown in Figure 12, but is rotatable about the rotatable connection 34 in the direction of the arrow 42.

When each catch 32 has rotated sufficiently in this direction to a locked position, the catch detent 40 of the respective catch engages and travels over a base locking pin 44 mounted on the door lock base 30. The part of the catch 32 that first engages the base locking pin 44 serves as a cam, forcing the slider to move upwards against the force of the biasing spring.

As the catch detent 38 passes the base locking pin 44, the base locking pin snaps into place on the trailing side 46 of the catch detent 38, by means of the slider 28 moving downwards relative to the door lock base 30.

The operation of each catch 32 is as follows. There are provided locking pins 50 on the cabinet 12 (see Figure 3) for engaging with the door lock mechanisms 26. As the existing door 18 is moved to the closed position, the cabinet locking pins 50 enter the slots 36 of the respective catches 32. As each cabinet locking pin 50 enters a respective slot 36, it engages a lower surface 52 of the slot thereby forcing the catch 32 in the direction of the arrow 42, until the catch is locked in place by the base locking pin 44. As the catch 32 rotates in this manner, the angle of the slot 36 rotates accordingly, so that the cabinet locking pin 50 is held captive in the slot by the lock detent 40, thereby locking the existing door 18 in the closed position.

Each catch 32 and hence the existing door 18, can be released by forcing the slider 28 upwards relative to the door lock base 30 against its spring loading, so that the catch detent 40 of each catch moves clear of the respective cabinet locking pin 50. In this manner, the catch detent 38 is also moved clear of the base locking pin 44, so that the spring that operates on the catch 32 causes the catch to rotate in a direction opposite to the arrow 42.

Hinges

The hinge assemblies 20 include hinge formations on the existing door, complementary hinge formations on the cabinet, and hinge pins for connecting the respective hinge formations to each other (these formations and the pins not being shown in detail).

Display

The gaming machine 10 includes a display monitor 54 mounted to the cabinet 12 within the interior space 14, for displaying game images during the playing of games, and when the machine is idle between games.

The existing door 18 includes a display aperture 56 through which the monitor 54 is visible, when the existing door is in its closed position as shown in Figure 1.

Keyboard A keyboard 58 is provided, which includes various buttons 60 for use by a player in controlling a game being played on the gaming machine 10. The buttons 60 are mounted on a support plate 62 which in turn is mounted so as to extend over a keyboard and slot aperture 64 in the existing door.

Connection lugs 66 (see Figure 3) for connecting the buttons 60 to the electronic circuitry of the gaming machine 10 extend from the rear side of the support plate 62. Wires connecting these lugs 66 to the circuitry, as well as other wiring forming part of the gaming machine, and the circuitry itself, is not shown.

Payment receipt means

The support plate 62 supports a monetary note formation 68 and a coin receipt formation 70.

The monetary note formation 68 defines a note receipt slot 72 and the coin receipt formation 70 defines a coin receipt slot 74.

The monetary note slot 72 is positioned so that when the existing door 18 is in the closed position, the monetary note slot is adjacent to a note acceptor 76 mounted in place in the interior space 14 of the cabinet 12.

On the rear side of the existing door 18 there is mounted a coin feed mechanism 78, which has an upper end 80 adjacent a feed formation 81 extending from the coin slot 74. The coin feed mechanism 78 is adapted to receive coins inserted through the coin slot 74, and to guide the coins to a coin feed mechanism outlet 82.

When the existing door 18 is in the closed position, the coin feed mechanism outlet 82 is disposed adjacent to a coin receipt chute 84 in the space 14. The coin receipt chute 84, in turn defines a path for the coins then to travel into a cash box 86 mounted in place in the interior space 14.

Ticket printer A ticket printer 88 is mounted in place in the interior space 14, and is adapted to print tickets relating to the playing of a game, for example for representing a monetary award that can be redeemed for cash.

Jackpot tray

Mounted on the front side 22 of the existing door 18 is a jackpot tray 90. The existing door 18 includes a coin issue aperture 92 which is adjacent to the cash box 86 when the existing door is in the closed position. This allows coins issued by the gaming machine 10 as part of a jackpot payout, to slide from the cash box 86 into the jackpot tray 90.

In addition, the coin issue aperture 92 serves as a ticket slot which is adjacent to the ticket printer 88 when the existing door 18 is in the closed position. This allows tickets issued by the gaming machine 10 to drop into the jackpot tray 90.

Speakers

The existing door 18 includes speaker apertures 94, with speaker mesh (not shown) extending over them. In one embodiment, the speaker apertures 94 open through the existing door 18 behind the jackpot tray 90. Speakers 96 are mounted to the existing door 18 so as to extend over the speaker apertures 94. The speakers 96 are for enabling the generating of sound by the gaming machine 10 during the playing of games.

Belly area

The existing door 18 includes a belly area 98 for displaying artwork or advertising material (not shown). According to a preferred embodiment, such material is provided on a plastic sheet or a sheet of another material covered by a transparent plastic sheet.

Replacement door

Referring to Figures 4 to 12, the present invention relates to a method of retrofitting a replacement door 100, of metal, to the cabinet 12, in place of the existing plastic door 18, as described in more detail below. Components or features of the replacement door 100 corresponding to components or features of the existing door have the same reference numerals as those items but with the addition of the suffix “.1”.

As can be seen, the replacement door 100 is in the form of a frame having various apertures generally designated 102. These are discussed in more detail below.

Door lock

The method includes removing the door lock mechanism 26 from the existing door 18 by detaching the fasteners (not shown) attaching the door lock mechanism to the existing door, and mounting the door lock mechanism on the replacement door 100. The method of mounting the door lock mechanism 26 to the replacement door 100 is essentially the reverse of that for removing it from the existing door 18, using similar, or even the same, fasteners.

The lock mechanism 26 is positioned on the replacement door 100 so as to be similarly aligned with the cabinet locking pins 50 as the mechanism was when mounted on the existing door 18.

Hinge assemblies

The method of the invention includes removing the existing door 18 from the cabinet 12, by disassembling the hinge assemblies 20 holding the door in place on the cabinet. This is achieved by removing the existing hinge pins of the hinge assemblies 20.

Because the replacement door 100 is of metal as compared with the plastics material of which the existing door 18 is made, the replacement door is heavier than the replaced door. Thus, the existing hinge assemblies 20 are not suitable for supporting the weight of the replacement door 100.

Accordingly, the method includes substituting the hinge assemblies 20 of the existing door 18 with new hinge assemblies 20.1, different parts of which are shown in Figures 10 and 11.

This involves removing the parts of the hinge assemblies 20 mounted on the cabinet 12. These may be secured to the cabinet 12 by screws, bolts or other means of fastening such as rivets, and the removal of these parts of the hinge assemblies 20 includes removal of these fastening means.

Parts 104 of the replacement hinge assemblies 20.1 that are to be mounted on the cabinet 12 (cabinet parts) are secured to the cabinet by screws 106.

Depending on the particular embodiment of the invention, the cabinet parts 104 are mounted to the cabinet 12 in different locations to those of the removed original hinge assemblies 20.

Parts 106 of the replacement hinge assemblies 20.1 that are to be mounted on the replacement door 100 are secured to the door by also by screws 106.

Each of the door parts 106 includes a base portion 110 and a hinge protrusion portion 112 having a replacement hinge pin aperture 114 therein.

Each of the cabinet parts 104 includes a body 116 that defines a recess 118, with a removable replacement hinge pin 120 extending across the recess.

Each recess 118 is adapted to enable the hinge protrusion portion 112 of a respective corresponding door part 106 to be accommodated in the recess so that the replacement hinge pin 120 can pass through the replacement hinge pin aperture 114.

Once the replacement door 100 is mounted on the cabinet 12 using the replacement hinge assemblies 20.1, the assembled hinge assembly parts 104, 106, allow the replacement door to rotate between an open position corresponding to the position of the existing door 18 shown in Figure 3, and a closed position corresponding to the position of the existing door as shown in Figure 1.

Display

The replacement door 100 includes an upper frame part 122 defining a display aperture , and a protruding portion 126 which protrudes forwards, at the front side 22.1 of the door.

According to one embodiment, the method includes removing the monitor 54 from the interior space 14 of the cabinet 12 and securing the monitor to the front side 22.1 of the replacement door 100 so that the monitor is substantially aligned with the display aperture 124.

According to another embodiment, the method includes replacing the existing monitor 54 with another monitor (not shown).

As the monitor is to be mounted to the front side 22.1 of the replacement door 100, the original monitor 54 can be replaced by a larger monitor even if the lateral dimensions of the replacement monitor exceed the lateral internal dimensions of the interior space 14.

For example if the original monitor 54 is a 19 inch monitor, the replacement monitor may be a 22 inch monitor.

Keyboard and payment receipt means

The protruding portion 126 is for supporting the keyboard 58 on the replacement door 100. The protruding portion 126 defines a keyboard and payment aperture 64.1.

As part of the method, the support plate 62 is detached from the cabinet 12. According to an embodiment of the method, this detachment includes detaching the button connection lugs 66 from the gaming machine 10 and wires to which the lugs are attached.

The support plate 62 is secured to the replacement door 100 so as to extend over the keyboard and payment aperture 64.1, so as to provide the replacement door with the buttons 60, coin slot 74 and monetary note slot 72.

In addition, the coin feed mechanism 78 is removed from the existing door 18 and mounted on the replacement door 100, so that the upper end 80 of the feed mechanism is aligned with the coin slot 74 in a similar manner in which it was aligned when mounted in the existing door.

When the replacement door 100 is in the closed position, the note slot 72 is aligned with and adjacent to the note acceptor 76, while the outlet 82 of the coin feed mechanism 78 is aligned with and adjacent to the coin receipt chute 84.

As in the case of the existing door 18, the keyboard 58 can be mounted so that the buttons 60 are accessible from the front side 22.1 of the replacement door 100, while the lugs 66 extending from the rear of the keyboard are accessible from the rear side 24.1 of the replacement door. A strengthening bracket 128 is provided to provide support to the protruding portion 126 and hence to the keyboard 58 once it is mounted thereon.

Ticket printer, jackpot tray and speakers

The jackpot tray 90 is detached from the existing door and attached to the replacement door 100 in a reverse manner to that in which it was removed from the existing door.

The method also includes detaching the speakers 96 from the existing door 18 and mounting these on the replacement door 100 so as to extend over speaker apertures 94.1 in the replacement door corresponding to the speaker apertures 94 of the existing door. As in the case of the existing door 18, the speaker apertures 94.1 of the replacement door 100 are behind the jackpot tray 90 when that is mounted on the replacement door 100.

The replacement door 100 also includes ticket slot 92.1 which is positioned so as to be adjacent to the ticket printer 88 when the replacement door is in its closed position, so that printed tickets can fall into the jackpot tray 90 when that is mounted on the replacement door 100, in a similar manner to that in relation to the existing door.

Belly area

The method includes removing the display material located on the belly area 98 of the existing door 18 and attaching this to the belly area 98.1 of the replacement door 100. According to a preferred embodiment, suitable slots (not shown) are provided on the replacement door 100 to locate and support the sheets on which the display material is located.

Although the invention is described above in relation to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (5)

1. A method of retrofitting a cabinet door to a gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine has a cabinet defining an interior cabinet space, a front opening to the space, gaming machine components in or adjacent to the space, and an existing plastics cabinet door attached to the cabinet so as to be rotatably moveable between a closed position in which the existing door extends across the front opening and an open position in which the existing door extends at least partly way from the opening, with the existing door being provided with at least one existing door feature so that, when the existing door is in its closed position, at least one said existing door feature is aligned with a corresponding respective said gaming machine component, wherein the at least one existing door feature is operatively associated with the respective gaming machine component, the method including: removing the plastics door from the cabinet; and providing a replacement metal cabinet door, wherein the replacement door is provided with at least one replacement door feature thereon; attaching the replacement door to the cabinet such that the replacement door is rotatably movable between a closed position in which the replacement door extends across the front opening with a rear side of the replacement door facing into the space and a front side of the replacement door facing away from the space, and an open position in which the replacement door extends at least partly way from the front opening, wherein, when the replacement door is in its closed position, at least one said replacement door feature is aligned with a corresponding respective said gaming machine component, and wherein the at least one replacement door feature is operatively associated with the respective gaming machine component.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one said replacement door feature includes an aperture and the corresponding respective said gaming machine component has a mode of operation including the passage of a gaming item between the respective said gaming machine component and a location at the front of the replacement door, wherein the aperture is operatively associated with the respective said gaming machine component by enabling said passage of said gaming item through the aperture when the replacement door is in its closed position.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least one said replacement door feature includes a door-mounted component mounted on the replacement door and the corresponding respective said gaming machine component is a component adapted to engage with the door-mounted component when the replacement door is in its closed position.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, including mounting a display monitor on the replacement door such that the display monitor is on the front side of the replacement door when the replacement door is in its closed position.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, including removing at least one said existing door feature from the existing door prior to attaching the replacement door to the cabinet, and securing the at least one said existing door feature to the replacement door, such that the or each existing door feature when secured to the replacement door constitutes a replacement door feature.