Abstract: A gaming device having a container configured to hold a plurality of display objects, an agitator for moving the plurality of display objects, a prize object holder configured to hold a plurality of prize objects in an individually controlled manner, a prize object display located inside of the container and configured to receive at least one prize object from the prize object holder, and a controller configured to select a prize object from the prize object holder and cause the selected prize object to be displayed in the prize object display, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the prize object display includes a tubular exhibition container. In another embodiment, the display object container of the gaming device is configured to provide a jumbled ball display. In addition, a method for playing a game by providing the prize object display inside of the display object container of the aforementioned gaming device is disclosed.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a door handle assembly is provided. The door handle assembly includes a door handle and a mount. The door handle can be attached to the mount. The door handle is adapted to allow a bolt to move into and out of a wall aperture. A cam assembly is disposed adjacent the bolt. The cam assembly includes a locking cam. The locking cam is adapted to abut at least a portion of the bolt. The locking cam is moveable between a locked and an unlocked position. A lock release mechanism is coupled to the cam assembly and to the door handle. The lock release mechanism is adapted to disengage the locking cam from the bolt when the door handle is actuated such that the bolt is free to move.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus having a housing defining a display area on which immoveable display characters and moveable symbol displays are used to present a game outcome, is disclosed. Typically, the immoveable display characters provide background for the moveable symbol displays. A controller is used to cause movement of the moveable symbol displays so that at least one symbol corresponding to the game outcome is displayed. A method of playing a game using the aforementioned gaming apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a gaming apparatus that includes a display device comprising a display surface. The display surface comprises a plurality of indicia. A display device actuator is in communication with the display surface and is configured to move the display surface on a first predetermined path. A moveable indicator is included that is configured to indicate at least one indicia appearing on the display surface. A moveable indicator actuator is in communication with the moveable indicator and is configured to move the moveable indicator along a second predetermined path. A controller is in communication with at least one of the display device actuator and the moveable indicator actuator. The controller is configured to position at least one of the display device and the movable indicator so that the movable indicator indicates an indicia appearing on the display surface that conveys a game outcome.

Abstract: A gaming system having a centralized controller coupled to an array of game apparatus; a display device, including a plurality of prize object displays, for displaying a bonus event prize for at least one game apparatus in the array; and provision for holding prize objects in an individually controlled manner, is disclosed. In another embodiment, a gaming system including a plurality of game apparatus, each game apparatus having a plurality of prize objects where at least one prize object is a dynamic prize object, the latter being distinguishable from other prize objects; and a central controller in communication with the plurality of game apparatus, the central controller being configured to assign a prize value to a selected prize object if the selected prize object is a dynamic prize object and cause the prize value to be displayed to a player on the associated game apparatus, is disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming system having a container configured to hold a plurality of display objects, an agitator for moving the plurality of display objects, at least one prize object holder configured to hold a plurality of prize objects in an individually controlled manner, a plurality of prize object displays located inside of the container and configured to receive at least one prize object from the prize object holder, a plurality of game apparatus associated with the prize object displays, and a controller configured to select a prize object and cause the selected prize object to be displayed in at least one prize object display, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the prize object displays include a tubular exhibition container. In another embodiment, the display object container of the gaming device is configured to provide a jumbled ball display.

Abstract: A gaming device involving a three-dimensional figure with a plurality of three-dimensional sections, each section having height, width and depth, is disclosed. At least one three-dimensional section is moveable relative to other sections, includes a plurality of three-dimensional fractional images, and may be moved to allow a player to view the three-dimensional fractional images. With the moveable three-dimensional section in one position, the plurality of three-dimensional sections may form at least one whole, integrated three-dimensional image. The gaming device may further include an actuator and controller for moving the moveable three-dimensional section. A method for playing a game using a moveable three-dimensional section to provide an integrated three-dimensional image is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming device is disclosed that includes a housing and a display device associated with the housing. The display device displays several indicia. A positioning mechanism is configured to move the display device. Several indicators are associated with the display device. A controller is in communication with the positioning mechanism and the indicators. The controller determines a game outcome and directs movement of the display device. The controller can illuminate at least one of the indicators in order to display the game outcome.

Abstract: An animated gaming system that includes a housing configured to hold gaming components, a game controller, a three-dimensional animated figure and at least two display containers located in the housing, is disclosed. The display containers are configured to hold and agitate moveable display objects, for example display balls. The containers are at least partially transparent allowing players to view the moveable display objects, such as in a jumbled ball display. The three-dimensional animated figure includes at least one animated element that is movable and the animated figure can be made to appear to indicate at least one of the containers and subsequent display of a prize object. A gaming method involving use of the animated figure and containers with moveable display objects is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming device having a reservoir for holding a plurality of display objects, an emptying mechanism for causing the display objects to fall out of the reservoir, an actuator for activating the emptying mechanism, and a controller configured to activate the actuator, is disclosed. The gaming device may further include a display area and a display object transport device to move the display objects from the display area to the reservoir. The reservoir of the gaming device may simulate a bank vault where the display objects further simulate coins as they fall out of the bank vault. A gaming method involving the aforementioned device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printer tear bar and presenter system for printing on a strip of media and presenting a portion of the media to a user. The media comprises a plurality of perforations and a plurality of bridges of connecting material separating the perforations. The tear bar comprises first and second side portions and a center portion. The side portions and the center portions are adapted to abut the surface of the media so that friction creates stress on the bridges of connecting material. The first and second side portions are preferably tapered to concentrate tearing stress on corresponding bridges of connecting material. The printer and control circuitry are adapted to advance the media rapidly after the printer has finished printing to prevent users from pulling on the media prematurely.

Abstract: A printer tear bar and presenter system for printing on a strip of media and presenting a portion of the media to a user. The media comprises a plurality of perforations and a plurality of bridges of connecting material separating the perforations. The tear bar comprises first and second side portions and a center portion. The side portions and the center portions are adapted to abut the surface of the media so that friction creates stress on the bridges of connecting material. The first and second side portions are preferably tapered to concentrate tearing stress on corresponding bridges of connecting material. The printer and control circuitry are adapted to advance the media rapidly after the printer has finished printing to prevent users from pulling on the media prematurely.

Abstract: A method for achieving zero, or near zero, latency timed pyrotechnic events by utilizing distributed processing is presented. A list of timed events may be used to synchronize a pyrotechnic firing sequence with music or other external events. This list is distributed over a series of embedded microprocessors. Each microprocessor is then synchronized to a master controller clock, and enabled such that each processor may then fire independently as required by the master list. This distributed process removes the split-second timing requirement from the main controller enabling the achievement of zero latency and providing significantly more timing events to be processed simultaneously while alleviating problems such as wireless radio interference delays. Each module is capable of forwarding information to other modules, which may be a position that prevents wireless communication directly with the master controller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a gaming device having a housing including a plurality of walls defining an enclosure. A moveable game element in located in the display area and is moveable in at least a first and second manner. A controller is located in the housing and is in communication with the moveable game element. The controller determines a game outcome, which may be a winning or losing outcome. The controller preferably moves the moveable game element in a first manner during game play and in a second manner after the controller determines a threshold number of consecutive outcomes of the same type.

Abstract: A splashguard for use in controlling tire splashes of a vehicle is disclosed. The splashguard includes a first plate that is attachable to a vehicle where the first plate has a top and bottom, and a second plate is attached to the bottom of the first plate. The splashguard includes an adjustably-spaced aperture and is configured so that when a surface being traveled on by the vehicle changes surface level, the second plate pivots relative to the first plate to adjust height of the splashguard. The splashguard may include a fastening mechanism that involves a strap and hanger arrangement. The splashguard may further include a removable portion configured to accommodate at least one vehicle component protruding from the rear side of the vehicle, such as a muffler or a trailer hitch receiver.

Abstract: One possible embodiment of the invention could comprise an interlocking device for the adjusting the length of at least one telescopic tow bar leg of a tow bar. The telescopic tow bar leg could comprise an inner bar and outer bar, the inner bar being generally movably received by the outer bar. Movement of an outer bar mounted pawl into engagement with inner bar may lock the inner bar in relationship to the outer bar. A pawl release mechanism may be used to either act directly upon the pawl or to rotate a cam that contacts the pawl. Either action generally causes the at least two surfaces of the pawl to move out of contact with the inner bar's pawl engagement area, thus substantially allowing the inner bar to move relative to the outer bar. This could allow a user to adjust the length of the telescopic leg.

Abstract: A gaming device having a container with at least one moveable object located within, one or more game elements capable of receiving and isolating the moveable objects, an actuator configured to attract the moveable objects to receptacle game elements, a game apparatus enabling a player to play the game, and a controller configured to determine a random game outcome and subsequently cause the actuator to move the objects to a game element to display the result of the game, is disclosed. Preferably, the actuator may be a magnet or a suction device, such as a fan, vacuum pump or vent. Display devices which include a container, moveable objects located within, one or more game elements, a suitable actuator to attract the moveable objects into or onto the receptacle game elements, and a controller associated with the actuator, are also disclosed. Further, a method of playing a game involving placing a wager using the game device described above is disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming device for playing a game by a game player. The gaming device allows the game player to place a telephone call. A controller generates a prize. Several images of persons who may receive the telephone call are displayed to the game player. The telephone call is placed to one of the images. The prize is announced by the selected image to the game player. A second telephone call is placed to a telephone number in order to select a multiplier. The controller generates the multiplier. The multiplier is the last digit of the telephone number. The prize is multiplied by the multiplier to obtain a total prize.