Abstract: Illuminated button assemblies are provided that can be secured to a mounting surface by any of a locking member such as a snap tab, a securing member such as a nut, or a combination of both. The securing member is adapted to enclose the locking member when it is fully secured. A variety of illumination assemblies are similarly sized and shaped such that they can be interchanged within the same assembly housing. A switch and the illumination assembly are directly connected to the assembly housing without the need for a lamp holder.

Abstract: A reel assembly for a gaming machine is disclosed. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, alignment of the center lines of the symbols can be accomplished without the need to remove the reel assemblies from the gaming machine. The reel assembly includes a two piece motor mount assembly that carries a stepper motor and a lamp assembly. The two piece motor mount assembly includes a fixed mounting ring that is rigidly secured to a fixed reel assembly support and a rotatable mounting ring that is rotatable with respect to the fixed mounting ring. The rotatable mounting ring is interlocked with fixed mounting ring to enable rotation of the rotatable mounting ring, for example, by way of a tongue and groove arrangement with respect to the fixed mounting ring. The lamp assembly is also mounted to the rotatable mounting ring.

Abstract: Illuminated button assemblies are provided that can be secured to a mounting surface by any of a locking member such as a snap tab, a securing member such as a nut, or a combination of both. The securing member is adapted to enclose the locking member when it is fully secured. A variety of illumination assemblies are similarly sized and shaped such that they can be interchanged within the same assembly housing. A switch and the illumination assembly are directly connected to the assembly housing without the need for a lamp holder.

Abstract: A device (100) having a first housing (101) and a second housing (102) may be selectively opened with a multi-axis coupling mechanism (500). The multi-axis coupling mechanism (500) works as an opening mechanism that is configured to cause the first housing (101) and the second housing (102) to rotate angularly about an opening axis (105) due to a preloaded tensioning device (401). The first housing (101) and second housing (102) are held in a closed position by retaining devices. The multi-axis coupling mechanism (500) is actuated when the first housing (101) is rotated about an actuation axis (106) that, in one embodiment, is substantially perpendicular to the opening axis (105). Opposing members may be employed to assist the multi-axis opening mechanism (500) during initial actuation.

Abstract: A reel assembly for a gaming machine is disclosed. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, alignment of the center lines of the symbols can be accomplished without the need to remove the reel assemblies from the gaming machine. The reel assembly includes a two piece motor mount assembly that carries a stepper motor and a lamp assembly. The two piece motor mount assembly includes a fixed mounting ring that is rigidly secured to a fixed reel assembly support and a rotatable mounting ring that is rotatable with respect to the fixed mounting ring. The rotatable mounting ring is interlocked with fixed mounting ring to enable rotation of the rotatable mounting ring, for example, by way of a tongue and groove arrangement with respect to the fixed mounting ring. The lamp assembly is also mounted to the rotatable mounting ring.

Abstract: A device (100) having a first housing (101) and a second housing (102) may be selectively opened with a multi-axis coupling mechanism (500). The multi-axis coupling mechanism (500) works as an opening mechanism that is configured to cause the first housing (101) and the second housing (102) to rotate angularly about an opening axis (105) due to a preloaded tensioning device (401). The first housing (101) and second housing (102) are held in a closed position by retaining devices. The multi-axis coupling mechanism (500) is actuated when the first housing (101) is rotated about an actuation axis (106) that, in one embodiment, is substantially perpendicular to the opening axis (105). Opposing members may be employed to assist the multi-axis opening mechanism (500) during initial actuation.

Abstract: A stylus apparatus and method includes a manually operable lightpipe for transmitting light. The manually operable lightpipe includes a body portion for transmitting the light, the body portion having an outer surface. The manually operable lightpipe further including a receiving end portion for receiving the light, and a display end portion for displaying the light. A protective cover layer is positioned over outer surface of the body portion to direct the light from the receiving end portion to the display end portion and to prevent the light from exiting the body portion through the outer surface of the body portion.

Abstract: A lightpipe apparatus and method includes a lightpipe body for transmitting light. The lightpipe body includes a receiving end portion for receiving the light and a display end portion. The lightpipe body further includes a first refractive surface disposed between the receiving end portion and the display end portion. An opaque substrate is applied to the first refractive surface to reflect the light toward the display end portion.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for an enclosure includes a top housing member and a bottom housing member having at least one latch portion. The top housing member includes at least one top housing deflecting tab portion for deflecting the latch portion. The bottom housing member includes at least one bottom housing retaining tab portion. The top housing deflecting tab portion is slidably engaged with the bottom housing retaining tab portion to secure the top housing member to the bottom housing member and to prevent movement of the top housing member relative to the bottom housing member.

Abstract: A clip apparatus for a laptop computer includes a base member having a first end portion, a body portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a flange portion for contacting a frame of a computer screen. The body portion includes an opening formed therein for receiving a locking pin. The second end portion includes an opening formed therein for receiving a mounting post. A securing arm is rotatably attached to the base to allow the securing arm to contact the frame of the computer screen and secure the base member to the frame of the computer screen.

Abstract: A bracket apparatus and method for mounting a personal computing device to a wall is provided. The bracket apparatus includes a bracket for retaining and supporting a personal computing appliance. The bracket is adapted to be mounted to a wall. The bracket includes a wall mounting portion, a personal computing appliance mounting portion, and a plurality of mounting pads attached to the personal computing appliance mounting portion for contacting and retaining the personal computing appliance.

Abstract: A stylus apparatus and method includes a manually operable lightpipe for transmitting light. The manually operable lightpipe includes a body portion for transmitting the light, the body portion having an outer surface. The manually operable lightpipe further including a receiving end portion for receiving the light, and a display end portion for displaying the light. A protective cover layer is positioned over outer surface of the body portion to direct the light from the receiving end portion to the display end portion and to prevent the light from exiting the body portion through the outer surface of the body portion.

Abstract: A lightpipe apparatus and method includes a lightpipe body for transmitting light. The lightpipe body includes a receiving end portion for receiving the light and a display end portion. The lightpipe body further includes a first refractive surface disposed between the receiving end portion and the display end portion. An opaque substrate is applied to the first refractive surface to reflect the light toward the display end portion.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for an enclosure includes a top housing member and a bottom housing member having at least one latch portion. The top housing member includes at least one top housing deflecting tab portion for deflecting the latch portion. The bottom housing member includes at least one bottom housing retaining tab portion. The top housing deflecting tab portion is slidably engaged with the bottom housing retaining tab portion to secure the top housing member to the bottom housing member and to prevent movement of the top housing member relative to the bottom housing member.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a housing and a button array contacting the housing. The button array includes a plurality of buttons and is positioned between the housing and a transparent shield. The transparent shield is attached to the housing to secure the button array to the housing. The transparent shield is positioned between the button array and a liquid crystal display to shield the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: An adjustable stand apparatus includes a base member and a top member. The base member includes a left portion and a right portion. Both the left and the right portions include elongated openings. The elongated openings include retaining regions having a first width and first receiving regions having a second width, with the second width being greater than the first width. The elongated openings further include tab portions, which extend into the first receiving regions. The top member also includes a left portion and a right portion. Both the left and the right portions of the top member include first guide portions, which extend from a bottom side of the top member. The first guide portions include an outer width, which is greater than the first width of the retaining regions of the elongated openings. The first guide portions are received in the first receiving regions, and are retained within the retaining regions.

Abstract: A protective enclosure apparatus includes a base and a cover. The base includes a plurality of pins each including cap portion. The cap portion includes a contact surface. A cover includes a plurality of cover openings formed therein for receiving the pins and a latch portion communicating with each of the cover openings. The latch portion is angled to allow an end portion of the latch portion to engage with the contact surface and to allow the latch portion to be biased toward the plurality pins when the cover is pulled away from the base.