WO2016049619A1

WO2016049619A1 - Playing card dealing shoe

Info

Publication number: WO2016049619A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/052571
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth S. Miller; Todd BRAINARD; Lonnie HINKLE; Mohit AHUJA; Borys Jerzy CHYLINSKI; Joel John YATSCOFF; Dylan Horvath
Original assignee: The United States Playing Card Company
Priority date: 2014-09-26
Filing date: 2015-09-28
Publication date: 2016-03-31

Abstract

A playing card shoe including an elongated body having a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards. The card cradle has an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body through which playing cards can be removed. A card alignment portion is integrated into an outside surface of the elongated body, where the card alignment portion is used to square up, align, a stack of playing cards for insertion into the card cradle. The card alignment portion can include an indented portion and a flat rear surface substantially perpendicular to the outside surface of the elongated body. The stack of playing cards is positioned in the indented portion, with a bottom of the stack of playing cards abutting the flat rear surface of the cards alignment portion.

Description

PLAYING CARD DEALING SHOE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a playing card shoe, and more particularly to methods for identifying a cut card location in a stack of playing cards positioned in the playing card shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Card games in casinos are very profitable, but also prone to fraud by players and casino staff. This fraudulent activity Is a source of significant loss in revenue to the casinos. In order to prevent and/or mitigate these losses, casinos continue to identify and implement security features and enhancements. In casino card games, deck(s) of playing cards are loaded into a playing card shoe for dealing to player(s). During a hand of a card game, playing cards are removed from the playing card shoe one at a time to be dealt to the piayer(s). Prior to being dealt, the players make bets based on the value of the playing cards to be dealt. Such casino card game include

Blackjack, Baccarat, and variations thereof.

One issue in these types of card games in card counting. Card counting is where a player knowing the starting number of playing cards in the playing card shoe, estimates the value of the next card to be deal based on the previous cards dealt and the number of remaining cards in the playing card shoe. The use of card counting can Increase the odds in favor of the player.

One method of decreasing the effectiveness of card counting is to remove a certain number of playing cards from play. This can done with the use of a cut card. A cut card can take the form of a colored plastic card which is inserted near the back of stack of playing cards loaded in the playing card shoe, During the course of the use, when the cut card is dealt, the current hand is completed and the remaining cards are discarded. A new stack of playing cards is then load into the playing cards shoe, where the cut card is reinserted to the new stack of playing cards. The use of the cut card decreases of usable playing cards in the playing card shoe an unknown amount, making it more difficult to accurately card count. in addition to decreasing the effectiveness of card counting, the cut card can be used to indicate when a new stack of playing cards needs to be loaded into the playing cards shoe. By having the cut card placed a set number of cards from the back of the stack of playing card, it can be assured that the playing card shoe will not run out of playing cards during a hand. Even when the cut. cards is dealt during the hand, the placement of the cut card provides a sufficient number of playing cards to complete the hand. Once the hand is complete, the remaining cards can be removed, and a new stack of playing cards is loaded into the playing card shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a playing card shoe including an elongated body having a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards. The card cradle has an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body through which playing cards can be removed. A card alignment portion is integrated into an outside surface of the elongated body, where the card al ignment portion is used to square up, align, a stack of playing cards for insertion into the card cradle. The card alignment portion can include an indented portion and a flat rear surface substantially perpendicular to the outside surface of the elongated body. The stack of playing cards is positioned in the indented portion, with a bottom of the stack of playing cards abutting the flat rear surface of the cards alignment portion.

7 The cards alignment portion can further include a cut card gauge. The cut card gauge can include a plurality of position indicators located at prescribed distances from the flat surface of the card alignment portion. The position indicators provide a location for the dealer to insert a cut card into stack of playing cards. The position indicators may be provided at a distance corresponding to a number of playing cards located from the flat surface of the card alignment portion. For example, a first position indicator may be located ten playing cards from the flat surface of the card alignment portion, a second position indicator may be located fifteen playing cards from the flat surface of the card alignment portion, and a third position indicator may- located from twenty playing cards from the flat surface of the card alignment portion. in another embodiment, the cut card gauge can be integrated into the card cradle. The card cradle can include a back surface, pair of substantially parallel side surfaces, and an angled bottom surface. The cut card gauge can be located on a top edge of one of the side surfaces, where the cut card gauge can include a plurality of position indicators. The position indicators provide a location for the dealer to insert a cut card into a stack of playing cards. The position indicators may be provided at a distance corresponding to a number of playing cards located from the back surface of the card cradle. For example, a first position mdicator may be located ten playing cards from the back surface of the card cradle, a second position indicator may be located fi fteen playing cards from the back surface of the card cradle, and a third position indicator may located from twenty playing cards from the back surface of the card cradle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 depicts an isometric view of a playing card shoe of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of the playing cards shoe of FIG. 1 with a top cover removed;

FI G. 3 depicts a side view of the playing card shoe of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the playing card shoe of FIG 1 including a stack of playing cards;

FIG. 5 depicts an isometric view of a playing card shoe including a variable cut card gauge;

FIG. 6 depicts a sectional view of the variable cut card gauge of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts a cut away sectional view of the variable cut card gauge of F IG. 5;

FIG. 8, depicts an alternative variable cut card gauge;

FIG. 9 depicts a sectional isometric view of front portion of a playing card shoe of the present disclosure;

FI G. 10 depicts a side sectional view a card gap adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts as partial isometric view of the cards gap adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 12, depicts a partial bottom view of the card shoe showing the gap adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 13 depicts an alternative card shoe including a dealer thumb guide; and FIG, 14 depicts an alternative cards shoe including an easy loading card cradle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. an exemplary card shoe 10. The card shoe 10 generally includes a body portion 12 having a card cradle 14 sized to fit a plurality of decks of playing cards ("stack of playing cards"). The card cradle 14 is provided at an angle, such that playing cards slide towards a front 16 of the card cradle 14, where the playing cards are removable though an outlet opening 18 in a front surface 20 the card shoe 10. A weighted mouse 22 can be positioned within the card cradle Ϊ4 (See FIG. 5), behind the playing cards, to force the playing cards towards the front 16 of the card cradle 14. A faceplate 24 is positioned on the front surface 22 of the body portion 12 adjacent to the outlet opening 18, and has a generally inverted V-shaped or U-shaped opening defining the mouth 26 through which the playing cards are drawn from the outlet opening 18 by a dealer. A shoe cover 28 can be removably positionable on the body portion 12, covering the card cradle 14 and playing cards. The shoe cover 28 can be secured to the body portion 12 with a locking mechanism (not shown), preventing unwanted access to the playing cards within the card cradle 14.

R eferring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, a side surface 30 of the card shoe 10 can include a card alignment portion 31 having an indented portion 32 and a rear flat surface 34 perpendicular to the side surface 30. A length "L" of the indented portion 32 is selected such that a stack of playing cards 36, can be fitted into the indented portion 32, where the stack of playing cards 36 can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6, 7, 8, .... decks of playing cards. To use the cards alignment portion 31, the stack of playing cards 36 is positioned in the indented portion 32, with an end 35 of the stack of playing cards 36 abutting the flat surface 34 allowing the stack of playing 34 to be squared up. arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration, for insertion into the card cradle 14.

The card shoe 10 may further include a card cut gauge 40 integrated into the card alignment portion 31. The card cut gauge 40 can include a plurality of position indicators 42, 44, 46 located at prescribed distances from, the flat surface 34 of the card alignment portion 31. The position indicators 42, 44, 46 provide a location for the dealer to insert, a cut card into stack of playing cards 36. The position indicators 42, 44, 46 may be provided at a distance corresponding to a number of playing cards located from the flat surface 34 of the card alignment portion 31. For example, a first position indicator 42 may be located ten playing cards from the fiat surface 34 of the card ali gnment portion 31 , a second position indicator 44 may be located fifteen playing cards from the fiat surface 34 of the card alignment portion 31 , and third position indicator 46 may located from twenty playing cards from the flat surface 34 of the card alignment portion 31.

The number of position indicators 42, 44, 46 and the locations thereof are only exemplary in nature, and it is envisioned that alternative numbers and locations may be utilized.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, a cut card gauge 50 can be located in the card cradle 14. The cards cradle 14 can include a back surface 52, pair of substantially parallel side surfaces 54. 56, and an angled bottom surface 59. The cut card gauge 50 can be located on a top edge 58 of one of the side surfaces 54, 56, where the cut card gauge 50 can include a plurality of position indicators 60, 62, 64. The position indicators 60, 62, 64 provide a location for the dealer to insert a cut card into a stack of playing cards 36. The position indicators 60, 62, 64 may provide a distance corresponding to a number of playing cards located from the back surface 52 of the card cradle 14. For example, a first position indicator 60 may be located ten playing cards from the back surface 52 of the card cradle 14, a second position indicator 62 may be located fifieen playing cards from the back surface 52 of the card cradle 14, and a third position indicator 64 may located from twenty playing cards from the back surface 52 of the card cradle 14. The number of position indicators 60, 62, 64 and the locations thereof are only exemplary in nature, and it is envisioned that alternative numbers and locations may be utilized.

In a further embodiment, the card shoe 1.0 can include a variable cut card gauge.

Referring to FIGS, 5 and 6, the card cradle .14 can include a back surface 52 and pair of substantially parallel side suriaces 54, 56, The variable cut card gauge 70 can be located in track 72 in the top edge 58 of one of the side surfaces 54, 56, where the variable card gauge 50 can be movable positioned along the track 72 to indicate the location of the cut card.

The variable cut card gauge 70 can include a body portion 74 having a lifting tab 76 extending above the top edge 58 of the side surface 54, and a locking cam 78 positioned within the side surface 52. A card position indicator 80 is provided on the body portion 74 of the variable cut card gauge 70.

Referring also to FIG. 7, to slide the variable cut card gauge 70 within the track 72, the lifting tab 76 is raised, rotating the variable cut card gauge 70 about the locking cam 78. As the variable cut card gauge 70 is rotated up, the locking cam 78 disengages an underside surface 82 for the top edge 58 of the side surface 54, allowing the variable cut card gauge 70 to move along the track 72, Once the variable cut card 70 gauge is positioned, the lifting tab 76 is lowered, rotating the variable cut card gauge 70 about the lock cam 78. As the variable cut card gauge 70 is rotated down, the locking cam 78 engages an underside surface 82 for the top edge 58 of the side surface 54, locking the variable cut card gauge 70 in place within the track 72. The above described embodiment of the cut card gauge 70 is only exemplary, and further embodiments of a variable cut card gauge 70 that are positioned and slide along a track 72 in the top edge 50 of a side surface 52 are contemplated.

Referring to Fig, 8, in another embodiment a variable cut card gauge 90 can include a rail member 92 positioned on the side surface 30 for the card shoe 10. A movable member 94 is positioned on the rail member 92, and can be moved along the rail member 92 to indicate the position of the cut card. The moveable member 94 can include a position indicator 96 to indicate the position of the cut card. The moveable member 94 can be slideable along the rail member 92. Alternatively, the rail member 92 can be a threaded, the moveable member 94 is screwed onto the threaded rail member 92, where the moveable member 94 includes opposing thread elements for engaging the threaded rail member 92. The position of the moveable member 94 along the threaded rail member 92 can be adjusted by rotating, screwing, the movable member 94 about the threaded rain member 94.

Referring to FIG. 9, a front portion 100 of the card shoe 1 is depicted with the faceplate 24 and front surface 22 removed. The front portion 100 includes a pair of opposing guide pins 102, 104 located on inside surfaces 54, 56 of the card shoe 10. A gap 106 is formed between the guide pins 102, 104 and the angled bottom surface 59 of the card cradle 14, The playing cards are removed from the card cradle 14 through this gap 106. The gap distance "D" between the guide pins 102, 104 and bottom surface 59 is sized such that only one card at a time can pass through the gap 106.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, a gap adjustment mechanism 1 10 is provided. The gap adjustment mechanism 110 includes a moveable wedge 1 12 positioned beneath the bottom surface 59 of the card cradle 14. The wedge 112 can move in a longitudinal direction, along the length of the card shoe 10, on one or more guide rails 114. As the wedge 1 12 moves towards the front 100 of the card shoe 10, the wedge 1 12 engages the bottom surface 59 of the card cradle 14 providing a force to raise the bottom surface 59, decreasing the gap 106 between the guide pins 102, 104 and the bottom surface 59. As the wedge 1 .12 moves away from the front 100 of the card shoe 10, the wedge 1 12 force against the bottom surface 59 is decreased, increasing the gap 106 between the guide pins 02, 104 and the bottom surface 59.

The movement of the wedge 1 12 can be used to fine tune the gap 106 distance such that only one card can be drawn from the card shoe 10. Furthermore, movement of the wedge 112 can be used to increase or decrease the pull force required for the removal of a playing card.

The position of the wedge 112 can be adjusted using a thumb adjustment screw 118. The thumb adjustment screw 1 1 S is at least partially positioned in a cavity 120 in the bottom 122 of the card shoe 10. The cavity 120 provides direct access to the thumb adjustment screw 1 18, without the need disassemble the card shoe 10. The thumb adjustment screw 1 18 is threaded through a front wall 124 of the cavity 120, where a first end 126 of the thumb adjustment screw 1 18 is attached to the wedge 1 12. As second end 128 of the thumb adjustment screw 1 18 is positioned in the cavity 120 and includes a screw head 130 which can be used by the dealer to rotate the thumb adjustment screw 18. A rotation of the thumb adjustment screw 1 18 moves the wedge 1 12 with respect the front waif 124 of the cavity 120, For example, a clockwise rotation of the thumb adjustment screw 1 18 moves the wedge 1 12 is a forward direction, increasing the wedge force on the bottom surface 59 of the card cradle 14 to decrease the gap 106 distance. A counter-clockwise rotation of the thumb adjustment screw 1 18 moves the wedge 112 is a rearward direction, decreasing the wedge force on the bottom surface 59 of the card cradle 14 to increase the gap 106 distance. Referring to FIG, 13, in an alternative card shoe 130 a front portion 132 can include ergonomie feature. A portion of a side wall 134, adjacent to the front portion 132, can include a dealer thumb guide 136. The dealer thumb guide 136 is configured as a curved, recessed, portion 138 in the side wall 134 positioned proximal to the outlet opening 140 of the cards shoe 1 30. The dealer thumb guide 136 provide a location for the placement of a dealers thumb when a dealer grasps the front portion 32 of the card shoe 130 for the dealing of playing cards therefrom. The location of the dealer thumb guide 136 permits the dealer to more easily grasp the card shoe 130. while decreasing the strain on the dealer's hand.

Referring to FIG. 14, in an alternative cards shoe 140, a cards cradle 142 can include a back surface 144, side surfaces 146, 148 and an angled bottom surface 150, The side surface as provide at an obtuse angle to the bottom surface, such that a distance "T" between top edges 152, 152 of the side surfaces 146, 148, is greater than a distance "B" between the bottom edges, adjacent to the bottom surface 150, of the side surfaces 146, 148.

The bottom distance "B" can be selected to be slightly greater than the length of a playing cards, and the top distance "T" can be selected to be greater than the bottom distance "B." in the manner, a stack of playing card can be more easily loaded into the card cradle 142. For example, for a playing card having a length of 3.5 inches, the bottom distance "B" can be selected to be about 3 9/16 inches, and the top distance "T" can be selected to be about 3.75 inches. The differences in the top and bottom distance allowing for a stack of playing cards to be loaded into the card cradle 142 without the playing cards binding on the side surface 146, 148. Note that the provided distance are only exemplary in nature.

Ail references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. Ιί will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted tha t all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A playing card shoe, comprising: an elongated body including a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards, the card cradle having an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body; and a card alignment portion integrated into an outside surface of the elongated body.

2. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the card alignment portion Includes an indented portion and a flat rear surface substantially perpendicular to the outside surface of the elongated body,

3. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 1, wherein the card alignment portion includes a cut card gauge.

4. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a cut card gauge.

5. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 4, wherein the cut card gauge is integrated into the card alignment portion.

6. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 5, wherein the cut card gauge is integrated on a top edge on an inner surface of the card cradle.

7. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 5, wherein the cut card gauge is an adjustable cut card gauge.

8. A playing cards shoe as set forth in claim 7, wherein the adjustable cut card gauge is positioned on the outside surface of the elongated body.

9. A. playing card shoe as set forth in claim 7, wherein the adjustable cut card gauge is integrated in a top edges on an inner surface of the card cradle,

10. A playing card shoe, comprising: an elongated body including a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards, the card cradle having an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body: and a cut card gauge,

1 1. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 0, wherein the cut card gauge is integrated into an outside surface of the elongated body.

12. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 10, wherein the cut card gauge is integrated on a top edge on an inner surface of the card cradle.

13. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 10, wherein the cut card gauge is an adjustable cut card gauge.

14. A playing cards shoe as set forth in claim 13, wherein the adjustable cut card gauge is positioned on the outside surface of the elongated body.

15. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 13, wherein the adjustable cut card gang is integrated in top edge on an inner surface of the card cradle.

16. A playing card shoe, comprising: an elongated body having a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards, the card cradle having an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body; the outlet open defines a gap through which the playing cards are removed from the playing card shoe, wherein a width of the gap is adjustable.

17. A playing card shoe as set. forth in claim 16, further comprising a gap adjustment mechanism.

18. A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 17, wherein the gap adjustment mechanism include a movable wedge positioned beneath a bottom surface of the card cradle,

19, A playing card shoe as set forth in claim 1 8, wherein the moveable wedge is movable in a first direction to decrease the width of the gap and a second direction to increase the width of the gap.