CARD DISPENSER

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and method for automatically dealing cards, such as playing cards. More particularly, the invention relates to a device and method of randomly dealing one or more cards for card games in particular, though not exclusively, for dealing one or more cards in random position and/or at random time intervals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automated card dealing machines for card games are well known and have been in use for many years. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,824 discloses a light weight and compact machine for dealing playing cards, which can be attached to a table and is driven by a small electric motor. The machine may be rotated manually to allow different players around a table to become the dealer.

More recently, card dealing machines have been developed to assist players in learning how to improve their game. For example, International Patent Application No. WO 2016/100770 discloses a card dealing machine to help players practice by playing hands that were previously played by professionals in tournaments. For this purpose, the machine will need to be able to deal a specific selection of cards.

Generally, the existing machines deal cards on demand or at regular time intervals when in operation. Furthermore, existing machines produce the card at specific, predictable locations. However, in some applications it would be advantageous to have a more random presentation of cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a card dispenser comprising:

• • a housing having a card chamber and a card dispensing aperture,
  • a compression means adapted to apply pressure to a set of cards when in use,
  • a driver mechanism,
  • a control mechanism,
  • and a launch mechanism,
  • wherein the control mechanism is adapted to randomly activate the launch mechanism to dispense a card in a random direction and/or at irregular time intervals through the card dispensing aperture.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is a method of dispensing cards using the card dispenser of the first embodiment, wherein a set of cards is located within the card chamber and the compression means is arranged to apply pressure to the set of cards, the driver mechanism is activated and the control mechanism connected to the driver mechanism controls the launch mechanism, which effects dispensing of a card through the card dispensing aperture in a random direction and/or at irregular time intervals.

The control mechanism is suitably located within the housing. The launch mechanism is suitably located within the housing.

The card chamber is suitably of a dimension suitable for receiving the set of cards appropriate to the relevant game. For example, the card chamber may have dimensions suitable to receiving one or more packs of standard 52 playing cards. However, for other applications with non-standard card sizes, the dimensions of the card chamber will be suitable for receiving the required non-standard set of cards. The dimensions of the card chamber are preferably only slightly larger than the card pack to be contained therein, in order to minimise slipping of the cards when in use.

The card dispensing aperture is suitably a slot. The dimensions of the slot are preferably sufficient to allow a card to be dispensed easily, but not so big as to allow the cards to fall out of the machine easily. Suitably, the card dispenser dispenses a single card at a time. In other embodiments, the card dispenser may dispense a plurality of cards. The plurality of cards maybe dispensed simultaneously or individually.

The housing may comprise a door, lid or cover closing the card chamber.

In an embodiment of the invention, 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. The spring-loaded arm is suitably located within or above the card chamber. The spring-loaded arm may be covered by the door, lid or cover closing the card chamber, if present.

Alternatively, the compression means may comprise a spring means attached or connected to the door, lid or cover that encloses the card chamber. In this embodiment the spring means will apply pressure to the cards in the card chamber when the door lid or cover is closed. Suitably the compression means is adapted to maintain substantially the same pressure on the cards in the cards chamber regardless of the number of cards in the card chamber.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the driver mechanism is suitably a motor. The motor may be a wind-up motor. The wind-up motor may be connected to a winding dial. The winding dial may be a protrusion located on an exterior surface of the housing. Alternatively, the winding dial may be provided by an upper housing of the card dispenser. In use, rotation of the winding dial in a winding direction winds-up the motor, such that it is charged and ready for use. Release of the winding dial may effect activation of the wind-up motor, by rotating in an unwinding direction, which is opposite to the winding direction.

The card dispenser may further comprise a stop mechanism to maintain the wind-up motor in the charged condition ready for use. Any suitable stop mechanism may be used. For example, the stop mechanism may physically prevent rotation of the winding dial in an unwinding direction. When the player is ready to use the card dispenser, the stop mechanism is released and the wind-up motor activates by unwinding.

Alternatively, the motor may be an electrically powered motor, which may be connectable to a main power source or may be battery powered. If the card dispenser comprises an electrically powered motor, the winding dial protrusion used for the wind-up motor embodiment, may be replaced by a start/stop button.

Suitably, the card dispenser of the present invention may deal cards in a plurality of locations. In an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the housing may comprise an upper housing and a separate base, which are rotatably connected together, such that the upper housing rotates relative to the base when the driver mechanism is active. The card dispenser of this embodiment may comprise a rotation mechanism which effects rotational movement of the upper housing relative to the base. Rotation of the upper housing facilitates dealing of cards in a plurality of locations around the periphery of the card dispenser by moving the card dispensing aperture as the driver mechanism operates.

In this embodiment, if the motor is a wind-up rotary motor, rotation of the upper housing relative to the base may wind up the wind-up motor, thereby charging it ready for use. In this example, rotation of the upper housing relative to the base in a first direction may wind up the motor, whereas in use, the upper housing rotates relative to the base in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. Whilst rotating in the second direction, in use, the control mechanism will activate the launch mechanism to deal a card according to the arrangement of the control mechanism. Suitably, the control mechanism activates the launch mechanism at irregular intervals of time.

If the driver mechanism is a wind-up motor, the card dispenser will operate once the motor has been wound up and released and will stop operating once the motor has fully unwound. The card dispenser may be adapted such that the driver mechanism will stop once a card has been dispensed. The card dispenser may be reactivated by resetting the launch mechanism. Following reactivation of the card dispenser, the wind-up motor may recommence rotation in the unwinding direction until a further card is dispensed or the motor has fully unwound, whichever comes first. This processes of resetting the launch mechanism, followed by further rotation of the wind-up motor in the unwinding direction and dispensing of a card at irregular time intervals can be repeated until the motor is fully unwound.

If the motor is an electrically powered motor, the card dispenser will operate once the user switches the motor on and will operate until the user switches the motor off. Once a single card has been dispensed, the user may switch off the motor manually and reset the launch mechanism. Alternatively, the motor is arranged to automatically switch off after dispensing a single card to allow the launch mechanism to be reset. In an alternative embodiment, the card dispenser may be adapted to automatically reset the launch mechanism once a card has been dispensed. In each of these embodiments, the launch mechanism is reset before the card dispenser can be used dispense another card.

The control mechanism controls the launch mechanism to dispense the card. The control mechanism is suitably activated, either directly or indirectly by the motor. In an embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism is adapted to activate the launch mechanism to dispense a card at irregular time intervals. For example, the control mechanism may be designed to activate the launch mechanism after a time period between 3 seconds and 12 seconds, for example, between 3 seconds and 10 seconds.

The launch mechanism may automatically re-set once a card has been dispensed, or alternatively the user may need to reset the launch mechanism before a further card can be dispensed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism may comprise one or more notched wheels driven by the motor to rotate as the motor unwinds. Suitably the notched wheel has one or more notches extending from the surface of the wheel. If the notched wheel comprises a plurality of notches, the notches of the plurality of notches are suitably spaced about the surface of the wheel. Preferably, the plurality of notches on the notched wheel are irregularly located on the surface of the notched wheel. The irregular location of the notches means that the cards are dispensed at irregular time intervals. The notches may be located on any part of the surface of the notched wheel that is suitable to actuate the launch mechanism in use. Ideally the notches are located at the peripheral edge of the notched wheel, either extending up from the top surface of wheel, or extending outwards from the edge of the wheel.

In one embodiment, the card dispenser may comprise a plurality of different notched wheels, with each wheel having a different number and/or arrangement of notches arranged thereon. In this embodiment, the notched wheels are interchangeable, thereby allowing the user to change the time intervals at which cards are dispensed from the card dispenser.

Suitably, the notches on the notched wheel or wheels are arranged to activate the launch mechanism. For example, as the notched wheel rotates the notch on the notched wheel may physically impact a retention pin of the launch mechanism.

In an embodiment, the notch on the notched wheel may release a sprung retention pin, which in turn releases a wheel drive rack of the launch mechanism to move laterally to effect dispensing of a card through the card dispensing aperture. Suitably, the wheel drive rack bears one or more drive wheels on a surface thereof, which are in contact with the card to be dispensed and effectively push the card through the card dispensing aperture.

As the notched wheel continues to rotate and the notch moves on, the pressure on the sprung retention pin is removed and it moves back to its original position. This action may effectively draw the wheel drive rack back to its original position to reset the launch mechanism.

In an embodiment of the invention, the launch mechanism may automatically reset once a card has been dispensed, ready to dispense another card once the next notch on the notched wheel impacts the retention pin.

In an alternative embodiment, the launch mechanism must be manually reset by the user before a further card can be dispensed. In this embodiment, the card dispenser additionally comprises a reset mechanism to allow the user to reset the launch mechanism.

The reset mechanism may comprise a lever that is connected to the launch mechanism and extends out of the housing. To reset the launch mechanism, the user must move the lever between a first and second position. For example, a lever may move from a first position to a second position when the launch mechanism is activated and the user may need to push the lever back to the first position to reset the launch mechanism.

Alternatively, the reset mechanism may be incorporated into the winding dial or the start/stop button for the motor. Winding the dial may manually reset the launch mechanism.

Card dispensers according to the embodiments of the present invention may advantageously dispense cards at random time intervals. Furthermore, or in addition, card dispensers according to embodiments of the present invention may advantageously dispense cards at random locations about the periphery of the dispenser. Card dispensers of the present invention may be mechanically operated and not require any electrical power source. Card dispensers of the present invention can be compact and portable, making them suitable for recreational game playing. Card dispensers of the present invention can advantageously be used for card games where there is a need for an element of surprise in when and optionally where a single card is dispensed. Card dispensers of the present invention advantageously dispense a single card, which card is dispensed at a random time after start of the motor and may also be dispensed at a variable location around the periphery of the dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a card dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a card dispenser according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a card dispenser according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a card dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of partial cross-sectional view of the interior of a card dealer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of another embodiment of the invention pf the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a view of the notched wheel of FIG. 6 from direction A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. In the following detailed description numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without these specific details.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a card dispenser 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a housing 105, having a card dispensing aperture 110. The housing comprises a door 115 enclosing a card chamber (not shown), which door 115 comprises a spring mechanism (not shown). The dispenser 100 further comprises a winding dial 120 connected to a wind-up motor (not shown). A lever in the form of a handle 125 is attached to the housing 105, providing a reset mechanism, to reset the launch mechanism (not shown). In use of the dispenser 100 of FIG. 1, a set of cards is placed inside the card chamber and the door 115 is closed. The spring mechanism on the door 115 applies pressure to the set of cards. The winding dial 120 is turned to wind-up the motor. As winding dial 120 released the motor operates and activates a control mechanism (not shown) inside the housing 105. The control mechanism in turn activates the launch mechanism which is effective to dispense a card 130 through the card dispensing aperture 110 as illustrated by arrow B. After the case has been dispensed, the launch mechanism of the card dispenser 100 is reset using the handle 125, as indicated by Arrow A, and the dispenser 100 is ready to be used again.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a card dispenser 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention, comprising a housing 205, having a card dispensing aperture 210. The housing comprising card chamber 215. A spring-loaded arm 220 is located on the housing 205 and extends into the card chamber 215, providing the compression means. The card dispenser 200 further comprises a winding dial 225 connected to a wind-up motor contained in the housing (not shown). A reset lever 230, attached to the launch mechanism contained within the housing (not shown), extends through the housing 205 and provides the reset mechanism. The dispenser 200 further contains a control mechanism (not shown) for activating the launch mechanism. In use of the dispenser 200 of FIG. 2, a set of cards 235 is placed inside the card chamber 215 and the spring-loaded arm 220 is located on top of the set of cards 215 thereby applying pressure to the set of cards 235. The winding dial 225 is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow C to wind-up the motor. Once the winding dial 225 is released the motor rotates and activates the launch mechanism by means of the control mechanism. The dispenser 200 will dispense a single card 235 in the direction indicated by arrow D. As the launch mechanism actives to dispense the card 235, the lever 230 moves in the direction of arrow E. To reset the launch mechanism before another card can be dispensed, the lever 230 must be pushed back to the start position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in a direction opposite to that indicated by Arrow E. The card dispenser 200 can then be used to dispense another card when the user is ready to start the process again.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a card dispenser 300 according to a third embodiment of the invention, comprising a housing 305, having a card dispensing aperture 310. The housing 305 comprises a door 315 enclosing a card chamber (not shown), which door 315 comprises a spring mechanism (not shown) to provide the compression means. The dispenser 300 further comprises an upper housing 320 and a base 325, rotatably connected together. The card dispensing aperture 310, the lever 335, the door 315 and the card chamber are located in the upper housing 320. The housing 305 contains a wind-up motor (not shown) a control mechanism (not shown) and a launch mechanism (not shown). A lever 335 is attached to the housing 305 and is connected to the launch mechanism, which lever provides the rest mechanism. In use of the dispenser 300 of FIG. 3, a set of cards (not shown) is located within the card chamber (not shown) and the door 315 is closed. A spring mechanism on the door 315 (not shown) applies pressure to the set of cards. The upper housing 320 is turned relative to the base 325 in the direction illustrated by arrow F, to wind-up the motor. When the upper housing 320 is released by the user, the motor unwinds, causing the upper housing 320 to rotate in the opposition direction. The action of the wind-up motor actuates the control mechanism, which in turn activates the launch mechanism. The control mechanism is adapted to activate the launch mechanism at a random time after the motor starts to operate. Therefore, because the upper housing 320, which comprises the card dispensing aperture 310, is rotating, when the launch mechanism is activated and dispenses a card 330 through the card dispenser aperture 310, the location at which the card is dispensed varies according to the time at which the control mechanism activates the launch mechanism and the position of the upper housing 320 at that point. This variation in position of dispensing the card 330 is illustrates in FIG. 3 by showing the card as 330a, 330b and 330c at a plurality of different location. However, the card dispenser 300 dispenses only a single card 330 on each activation of the control mechanism and launch mechanism. The lever 335 is used to manually reset the launch mechanism in between dispensing of each card by moving it as indicated by the arrow and dashed lines.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a card dispenser 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, comprising a housing 405, having a card dispensing aperture 410. The housing comprising card chamber (not shown) covered by a door 415. The door 415 comprises a spring mechanism (not shown). The dispenser 400 further comprises a winding dial 425 connected to a wind-up motor contained in the housing (not shown). The winding dial 425 also provides a reset mechanism for the launch mechanism, which is activated by pushing down on the dial 425 in the direction shown by arrow G. A control mechanism (not shown) and a launch mechanism (not shown) are contained within the housing 405. In use of the dispenser 400 of FIG. 4, a set of cards (not shown) is placed inside the card chamber and the door 415 is closed on top of the set of cards. The spring mechanism of the door 415 applies pressure to the set of cards. The winding dial 425 is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow H to wind-up the motor. To start the motor, the user releases the winding dial 425 and the motor rotates and activates the launch mechanism by means of the control mechanism. The dispenser 400 will dispense a single card through the card dispensing aperture 410 in the direction indicated by arrow J. To reset the card dispenser 400 before a further card can be dispensed, the user pushes down upon the winding dial 425 which resets the launch mechanism.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example mechanism. FIG. 5 shows a winding dial 600, which would be located on the exterior surface of a dispenser housing (not shown) in use. Also shown is a spring-loaded arm 605, which would be connected to a housing in use and apply pressure in the direction of arrow L upon a set of cards 610, which would be located in use within a card chamber (not shown) within the housing. The winding dial 600 is connected to a motor (not shown) by a drive shaft 615. The drive shaft 615 is connected to a wheel or cog 620, which bears a plurality of notches 625, 630 spaced about the circumference of the wheel 620 at irregular intervals and extending upwards from the surface of the wheel. The mechanism further comprises a sprung retention pin 640, which can move in a direction about the axis 635, as illustrated by the arrow M. The wheel 620 and the retention pin 640 are components of the control mechanism. The retention pin 640 is in contact with a wheel drive rack 645 or the launch mechanism. The wheel drive rack 645 comprises one or more drive wheels 650 on a distal end thereof, which drive wheel(s) is in contact with the bottom card of the set of cards 610. In use, the motor rotates the drive shaft 615, which in turn rotates the wheel 620. As the wheel 620 rotates the notches 625, 630 contact the sprung retention pin 640 and cause it to rotate about the axis 635 in the direction of arrow M. The retention pin 640 thereby releases the wheel drive rack 645 which moves laterally in the direction shown by arrow N. The drive wheels act on the lowest card 655 and pushes it out of the dispenser, through the card dispensing aperture (not shown) in the housing. As the wheel 620 continues to rotate, the notch 625,630 will pass by the sprung retention pin 640 which will rotate back about axis 635 to its original position. Once the card 655 has been dispensed, the wheel drive rack 645 will either automatically return to its original position, or will be manually returned to its original position by the activation by the user of the reset mechanism (not shown).

FIG. 6 illustrates the interior of a card dispenser 700, according to an embodiment of the invention. The card dispenser 700 comprises an upper housing 705 and a base 710. A wind up motor 715 provides the driver mechanism and is located in the base 710, and connected to a notched wheel 720. The notched wheel 720 bears a plurality of notches 725 on the upper surface thereof, distal the base 710. FIG. 6A shows that the plurality of notches 725 are located at irregular intervals around the periphery of the wheel 720. The card dispenser 700 further comprises a sprung retention pin 730, which together with the notched wheel 720 provides the control mechanism.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the dispenser 700 comprises a lever 735. The lever 735 is connected to the launch mechanism. The launch mechanism comprises a wheel drive rack 740 comprising a plurality of wheels, which rotate to dispense a card from the bottom of the card pack 745, out of the card dispensing aperture 750.

The card dispenser 700 comprises a lid 755 which applies sprung pressure to the top of the pack of cards 745, by spring means 760, which ensure that the card at the bottom of the card pile 745 remains in good contact with the wheel drive rack 740 as the number of cards in the pack 745 reduces.

To wind up the motor 715, the upper housing 705 is rotated relative to the base 710 in a first direction (not shown). During operation of the dispenser 700, the upper housing 705 will rotate in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.

In use of the dispenser 700, the user places the card pack 745 into the card chamber 765 and closes the lid 755, which applies pressure to the card pack 745, by the spring means 760, ensuring the lowest card is in direct contact with the drive wheels 770 of the wheel drive rack 740. The upper housing 705 is then rotated in a first direction relative to the base 710. When the upper housing 705 is released, the upper housing 705 and everything contained within it will rotate relative to the base 710 and the motor 715 in the second direction, by the unwinding action of the motor 715. As the upper housing 705 rotates in the second direction, the notched wheel 720 will rotate with the housing a notch 725 will contact the spring retention pin 730, causing the pin 730 to move and release the lever 735. Releasing the lever 735 causes the wheel drive rack 740 of the launch mechanism to activate. The wheels rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows and cause the drive wheels 770 of the drive rack 740 to push the lowest card of the card pack 745 out of the upper housing 705 through the card dispensing aperture 750.

To reset the launch mechanism, the lever 735 is pushed back down to the position shown in FIG. 6, reconnecting it with the retention pin 730. When the motor continues to unwind the notched wheel 720 continues to rotate and the whole process repeats again when the next notch 725 on the notched wheel 720 acts on the retention pin 730. This process will repeat until the motor 715 is completely unwound.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art that many improvements and modifications can be made to the foregoing exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present techniques.