MULTI-COMPARTMENT CARD DEALING SHOE

A card dealing shoe including multiple independent card receiving and staging compartments having laterally adjacent openings thereto, with each compartment opening being positioned adjacent to another compartment opening at the front end of the card dealing shoe which is configured to, among other things, enable cards from each compartment to be manually withdrawn together at the same time.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to systems and methods of providing, hosting, conducting and/or facilitating modified wagering games. In particular, the invention relates to playing card dispensing apparatus, and in particular, to playing card dealing shoes that are configured to facilitate play of card games.

Description of the Related Art

Playing card dealing shoes used for delivering cards in the play of card games are well known. In operation, one or more decks of randomly ordered cards may be placed laterally in a stack onto a sloped surface of an enclosed space within the shoe. These shoes typically have a card feed slot at the lower end of the sloped surface through which the cards can be separated from the stack one at a time, and an opening to facilitate manually engaging the top card in the stack to force it through the slot by sliding it laterally away from the stack.

While shoes of this type are adequate for delivering cards one-by-one to game players of a card game, there is room for improvement, particularly for reasons of speed, security and game integrity. Therefore, there is a continual need for improvements in the shoes of the general type described above to identify such events, eliminate weaknesses and minimize potential threats to game security and integrity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods of the invention are directed to solving the problems mentioned above, among other things.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a novel card handling apparatus configured to hold and enable the delivery of multiple cards from multiple compartments at a gaming table during play of a card game. Although the card handing apparatus of the invention may be embodied by various forms and designs, an exemplary form of the invention is the dual-compartment lateral card dealing shoe described herein and shown in the drawings.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a card dealing shoe, comprising: a base defining a back end, a first side, a second side and a front end; a back wall adjacent to the back end of the base; a first inner wall and a second inner wall adjacent to a central area of the base, the first inner wall and the second inner wall being laterally spaced apart and extending from the back end to the front end, wherein a slot is defined in the space between the first inner wall and the second inner wall; a first outer wall adjacent to the first side of the base, the first outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the first outer wall having a laterally tapering portion relative to the first inner wall, the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall being adjacent to the front end; a second outer wall protruding upwardly from the second side of the base, the second outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the second outer wall having a laterally tapering portion relative to the second inner wall, the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall being adjacent to the front end; the first inner wall and the first outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a first card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall; the second inner wall and the second outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a second card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall; a first lip protruding from the front end adjacent the first inner wall and a second lip protruding from the front end adjacent to the second inner wall, the first lip being laterally spaced apart from the second lip, wherein a slot opening to the slot is at least partially defined between the first lip and the second lip; an opening to the first card-receiving space defined by the first lip and the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall; and an opening to the second card-receiving space defined by the second lip and the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall, wherein the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space are positioned on laterally opposing sides of the slot opening.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, the base is an elongated shape defining a longitudinal axis extending between the front end to the back end.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, the base has a downward slope from the back end to the front end.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, any or all of the back wall, the first and second inner walls, and the first and second outer walls, are configured to protrude at a transverse angle relative to the plane of the base or longitudinal axis defined by the base. In some embodiments, any or all of these walls protrude about or substantially perpendicularly.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, the first outer wall further comprises a laterally flaring portion relative to the first inner wall adjacent to the back end.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, the second outer wall further comprises a laterally flaring portion relative to the second inner wall adjacent to the back end.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, the slot extends to at least to the front end.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, the first lip and/or the second lip protrude from the front end parallel to the first inner wall.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space are defined in laterally adjacent positions at the front end.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a card dealing shoe, comprising: a base defining a back end, a first side, a second side and a front end, the base having a downward slope from the back end to the front end and being elongated from the back end to the front end; a back wall protruding upwardly from the back end of the base; a first inner wall protruding upwardly from the base and a second inner wall protruding upwardly from the base, the first inner wall being laterally adjacent to the second inner wall, wherein a slot is at least partially defined between the first inner wall and the second inner wall, the slot extending at least to the front end; a first outer wall protruding upwardly from the first side of the base, the first outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the first outer wall having a laterally flaring portion relative to the first inner wall and a laterally tapering portion relative to the first inner wall, the laterally flaring portion of the first outer wall being adjacent to the back end and the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall being adjacent to the front end; a second outer wall protruding upwardly from the second side of the base, the second outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the second outer wall having a laterally flaring portion relative to the second inner wall and a laterally tapering portion relative to the second inner wall, the laterally flaring portion of the second outer wall being adjacent to the back end and the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall being adjacent to the front end; the first inner wall and the first outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a first card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall; the second inner wall and the second outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a second card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall; a first lip extending longitudinally from the front end parallel to the first inner wall and a second lip extending longitudinally from the front end parallel to the second inner wall, the first lip being laterally spaced apart from the second lip, wherein a slot opening to the slot is at least partially defined between the first lip and the second lip; a first card outlet adjacent to the front end, the first card outlet including an opening to the first card-receiving space defined by the first lip and the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall; and a second card outlet adjacent to the front end, the second card outlet including an opening to the second card-receiving space defined by the second lip and the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall, wherein the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space are defined in laterally adjacent positions at the front end, and the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space being on laterally opposing sides of the slot opening.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space extend perpendicularly relative to the base.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned card dealing shoe further comprises a cutout defined in at least one of the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall and the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned card dealing shoe further comprises a card shield mounted adjacent to at least one of the first card outlet and second card outlet, the card shield being mounted for pivotal motion in front of at least one of the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned card dealing shoe, further comprises an adjustable biasing member in communication for biasing a card in at least one of the first card-receiving space and the second card-receiving space.

Other features of embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the drawings taken in conjunction with the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the disclosure concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming specific embodiments, various features and advantages of embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary card dealing shoe constructed according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the card dealing shoe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the card dealing shoe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is second side view of the card dealing shoe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the card dealing shoe shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the card dealing shoe shown in FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that may be are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein illustrate various elements and features of the invention that can be embodied in many different forms and environments, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of these exemplary embodiments.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In this description, various aspects of selected embodiments are described. However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and others that alternate embodiments may be practiced with only some or all of the aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and others that alternate embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. In some instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrated embodiments.

Various operations may be described herein as multiple discreet steps in turn, in a manner that is helpful to understanding of the embodiments. However, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order of presentation.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “for example” or similar language means that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrases “in an embodiment” and “in some embodiments” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “including”, “comprises”, and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Moreover, many references are made throughout this specification to approximate values and ranges. The terms “approximate” or “about” as used herein are meant simply to account for various tolerances and reasonable variances as may exist in manufacturing and testing procedures as are readily understood by those having skill in the art. For example, reference to an approximate value may inherently include a tolerance or variance of 0.10%, 1%, 5%, 10%, or anything in between, as would be deemed appropriate by one having skill in the relevant art with regard to the specific item or concept to which the value or range pertains.

Unless otherwise apparent or stated, directional references, such as “upper,” “lower,”, “upward,” “downward,” “front,” “rear,” “frontward,” “rearward,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom” and the like are non-limiting, used for the sake of convenience and ease in explaining some embodiments of the invention, and intended to be relative to the orientation of a particular embodiment of the invention as shown in the figures.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrates an exemplary card dealing shoe constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the invention and generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. Shoe 10 includes a base 12 defining a back end 14, a first side 16, a second side 18 and a front end 20.

In this embodiment, base 12 is generally elongated in shape from front end 20 to back end 14, whereby first side 16 and second side 18 are each generally in lateral positions with respect to one another, and front end 20 and back end 14 are each generally in longitudinal positions with respect to one another. In other embodiments, base 12 is of a different overall shape.

In this embodiment, base 12 is sloped, that is, base 12 has a downward angle from back end 14 to front end 20. In other embodiments, base 12 is flat, that is, not sloped, or sloped at an upward angle from back end 14 to front end 20.

Shoe 10 further includes a back wall 22 protruding from base 12. In this embodiment, back wall 22 protrudes upwardly from back end 14, whereas in other embodiments back wall 22 protrudes at an angle, or from a location on base 12 adjacent to back end 14. In some embodiments, back wall 22 may protrude generally perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of base 12.

A first inner wall 24 protrudes from base 12. In this embodiment, first inner wall 24 protrudes upwardly from a central area 26 of base 12 and extends longitudinally along base 12 between back end 14 and front end 20, whereas in other embodiments first inner wall 24 protrudes at an angle, from a different location or area of base 12 or between locations other than back end 14 and front end 20.

A second inner wall 28 protrudes from base 12. In this embodiment, second inner wall 28 protrudes upwardly from a central area 26 of base 12 and extends longitudinally along base 12 between back end 14 and front end 20, whereas in other embodiments second inner wall 28 protrudes at an angle, from a different location or area of base 12 or between locations other than back end 14 and front end 20.

First inner wall 24 is adjacent to second inner wall 28 in central area 26 of base 12, and also laterally spaced adjacent from one another to at least partially define a slot 30 extending longitudinally to front end 20. In this embodiment, slot 30 does not extend to back end 14, whereas in other embodiments slot 30 extends to back end 14.

A first outer wall 32 protrudes from base 12 adjacent to first side 16 of base 12. In this embodiment, first outer wall 32 protrudes upwardly from base 12 and extends generally longitudinally along base 12 from back end 14 to front end 20, whereas in other embodiments first outer wall 32 protrudes at an angle, from a different location or area of base 12 or between locations other than back end 14 and front end 20.

In this embodiment, first outer wall 32 includes a flaring portion 34 which extends first outer wall 32 laterally outward relative to first inner wall 24, and a tapering portion 36 which extends first outer wall 32 laterally inward relative to first inner wall 24. In this embodiment, flaring portion 34 is adjacent to back end 14 and tapering portion 36 is adjacent to front end 20.

A second outer wall 38 protrudes from base 12 adjacent to second side 18 of base 12. In this embodiment, second outer wall 38 protrudes upwardly from base 12 and extends generally longitudinally along base 12 from back end 14 to front end 20, whereas in other embodiments second outer wall 38 protrudes at an angle, from a different location or area of base 12 or between locations other than back end 14 and front end 20.

In this embodiment, second outer wall 38 includes a flaring portion 40 which extends second outer wall 38 laterally outward relative to second inner wall 28, and a tapering portion 42 which extends second outer wall 38 laterally inward relative to second inner wall 28. In this embodiment, flaring portion 40 is adjacent to back end 14 and tapering portion 42 is adjacent to front end 20.

First inner wall 24 and first outer wall 32 are in laterally spaced apart positions on base 12 relative to one another which defines a first card-receiving space 44 in shoe 10 between first inner wall 24 and first outer wall 32. Second inner wall 28 and second outer wall 38 are laterally spaced apart on base 12 relative to one another which defines a second card-receiving space 46 in shoe 10 between second inner wall 28 and second outer wall 38. In this embodiment, first card-receiving space 44 and second card-receiving space 46 are further defined by the elongated shape of base 12 and flaring portions 34 and 40, and tapering portions 36 and 42, of first outer wall 32 and second outer wall 38, respectively.

A first lip 48 extends longitudinally from front end 20. In this embodiment, first lip 48 extends longitudinally relative to base 12 and generally parallel to first inner wall 24. A second lip 50 extends longitudinally from front end 20. In this embodiment, second lip 50 extends longitudinally relative to base 12 and generally parallel to second inner wall 28. First lip 48 and second lip 50 are adjacent and laterally spaced apart to further define a portion of slot 30 and slot opening 52.

A first card outlet 54 is defined adjacent to front end 20. First card outlet 54 includes an opening 56 to first card-receiving space 44 which in this embodiment is defined by first lip 48 and tapering portion 36 of first outer wall 32.

A second card outlet 58 is defined adjacent to front end 20. Second card outlet 58 includes an opening 60 to second card-receiving space 46 which in this embodiment is defined by second lip 50 and tapering portion 42 of second outer wall 38.

In this embodiment, opening 56 and opening 60 are adjacent to slot opening 52, and laterally spaced apart, with opening 56 and opening 60 being at laterally opposed positions relative to slot opening 52.

In operation, groups or decks of playing cards deposited as stacks in card-receiving spaces 44 and 46 are manually removed through openings 56 and 60 by generally being pulled along the surfaces of first lip 48 and second lip 50. A card shielding substrate 62, which in this embodiment is a generally planar substrate that may range from smaller, to about the same size or larger than playing card, may be disposed in slot 30 and manually pulled through slot opening 52 at the same general time as cards are manually pulled through openings 56 and 60 to shield the identity of cards from either one of first card-receiving space 44 or second card-receiving space 46. For example, if first card receiving space 44 is used to form a dealer hand, then in certain games the identity of the initial cards dealt to the dealer hand are hidden from view, and card shield 62.

In this embodiment, first lip 48 and second lip 50 may be sloped or triangular at each longitudinal end thereof. A cutout 64 may be defined in each tapering portion 36 and 42 to create a free space to facilitate using at least two fingers, with one or more fingers contacting one card at opening 56 and one or more other fingers contacting one card at opening 60, and then pulling to remove both cards along with card shield 62 from slot opening 52 in between the two cards, all at the same time. In this embodiment, once cards are removed from first card-receiving space 44 and second card receiving space 46, the successive card in the stack is pressed against tapering portions 36 and 42 to become the next cards available to be manually withdrawn at openings 56 and 60, respectively. In this embodiment, each of first card-receiving space 44 and second card receiving space 46 includes a card slider 66 which facilitates maintaining the stack in position.

In some embodiments, shoe 10 may further includes a card shield which is pivotally mounted to the shoe at a location enabling the card shield to be pivoted in front of an opening to a card outlet to block the view of cards in the opening and/or through a cutout, which may be particularly useful in instances where the card stack is placed in the card-receiving space such that the card face faces outward and thus the card identity would be potentially visible when the card is in the opening ready to be manually withdrawn. As an example, shoe 10 includes card shield 68 which is attached to first outer wall 32 adjacent to tapering portion 36 and mounted for pivotal movement such that card shield 68 can be pivoted in front of opening 56 and cutout 64 to block the view of cards in opening 56 from the outside area of shoe 10.

In some embodiments, a card dealing shoe of the invention includes a full or partial cover.

In various embodiments of the invention, a card dealing shoe of the invention comprises an elongated housing with an internal space therein defined by a front end, a back end, top, bottom and opposing side walls. A dividing wall separates the internal space into two, opposing card staging zones defined by the dividing wall and each of the opposing side walls. The front end the housing includes opposing openings between the dividing wall and each opposing side wall forming card feed slots from which cards may be manually removed from the card staging zones within the elongated housing.

The opposing side walls are disposed at an angle from the back end to the front end with respect to the dividing wall whereby the elongated housing has a generally triangular profile when viewing the top from the back end to the front end, with the back end being at the base and the front end being at the vertex.

In this embodiment, the angle of the triangular profile is more pronounced or increased in the area of the front end, which among other things, facilitates an associated angular positioning in the card staging zones which separates each card as it approaches the respective card feed slots making it easier for a single card to be drawn from each card feed slot.

In this embodiment, the bottom of the card dealing shoe is configured with a slope such that the back end is at elevated in comparison with the front end. In some embodiments, the bottom may be a separate supporting base.

The shoe can be constructed of a rigid plastic or other durable material. Cards are shuffled prior to insertion into the shoe. As an example, cards may be inserted through the openings defined in any of the side walls, back end or top. The cards may be positioned vertically against a card slider within the card staging zone which includes a card slider stabilizer to maintain its position in the card staging zone, and with the slope of the dealing shoe, facilitate movement of the card slider stabilizer towards the front end as cards are drawn from the card feed slot. In some embodiments, the card slider stabilizer is biased towards the front end

Cards are manually drawn, either individually or simultaneously, from either one or both card feed slots, which enable finger access to cards therein. When drawing cards from both card feed slots simultaneously, the process typically involves a dealer pressing his or her fingers on both of the cards in the opposing card feed slots, whereby a frictional engagement is formed and each card is thereafter pressed against opposing surfaces of the dividing wall while being pulled along both sides of the dividing wall until fully passing through the card feed slots. In some embodiments, a card reader may be installed in the dividing wall for identifying each card as it passes through the card feed slots.

Cards may be positioned in each card staging zone so that the cards are either exposed or not exposed. In some embodiments, the card dealing shoe further includes a shield or cover for covering up a card as it is drawn from the card feed slot to keep the card identity from being revealed. The shield may be mounted adjacent to one or both of the card feed slots, physically pulled and disengaged from the mount with a card being drawn from the card feed slot.

The invention is also generally directed to systems and methods for providing modified wagering games involving standard playing cards in which the card dealing shoe of the invention is employed. For example, the card dealing shoe may be used in the game of Blackjack to enable the dealer to draw each of the initial player hands and the dealer hand with a single motion, drawing two cards from each respective card feed slot at the same time.

The above structures, materials and physical arrangements of the card dealing shoe are exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. Slopes, angles and positions as described or as shown in the drawings may be varied according to the design and skill of the artisan. The paths of the cards need not be precisely vertical from the card staging zones to the card feed slot of the shoe, but may be horizontal, slightly angled upwardly, downwardly or varied within the card staging zones to the card feed slots. The card dealing shoe of the invention may be integrated with other components, subcomponents and systems that exist on casino tables for use with casino table games and card games. Elements such as bet sensors, blackjack hand detectors, security systems, and the like may be provided in combination with the shoe described herein.

While exemplary systems and methods, and applications of methods of the invention, have been described herein, it should also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of a few particular embodiments with exemplary and/or preferred features, as well as principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the described embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein, in the claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A card dealing shoe, comprising:

a base defining a back end, a first side, a second side and a front end;
a back wall adjacent to the back end of the base;
a first inner wall and a second inner wall adjacent to a central area of the base, the first inner wall and the second inner wall being laterally spaced apart and extending from the back end to the front end, wherein a slot is defined in the space between the first inner wall and the second inner wall;
a first outer wall adjacent to the first side of the base, the first outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the first outer wall having a laterally tapering portion relative to the first inner wall, the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall being adjacent to the front end;
a second outer wall protruding upwardly from the second side of the base, the second outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the second outer wall having a laterally tapering portion relative to the second inner wall, the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall being adjacent to the front end;
the first inner wall and the first outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a first card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall;
the second inner wall and the second outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a second card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall;
a first lip protruding from the front end adjacent the first inner wall and a second lip protruding from the front end adjacent to the second inner wall, the first lip being laterally spaced apart from the second lip, wherein a slot opening to the slot is at least partially defined between the first lip and the second lip;
an opening to the first card-receiving space defined by the first lip and the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall; and
an opening to the second card-receiving space defined by the second lip and the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall,
wherein the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space are positioned on laterally opposing sides of the slot opening.

2. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, the base is an elongated shape defining a longitudinal axis extending between the front end to the back end.

3. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, wherein the base has a downward slope from the back end to the front end.

5. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, wherein the back wall protrudes at a transverse angle relative to the plane of the base.

6. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, wherein the back wall protrudes perpendicularly relative to the base.

7. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, wherein the first inner wall and the second inner wall protrude at a transverse angle relative to the plane of the base.

8. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, wherein the first outer wall further comprises a laterally flaring portion relative to the first inner wall adjacent to the back end.

9. The card dealing shoe of claim 8, wherein the second outer wall further comprises a laterally flaring portion relative to the second inner wall adjacent to the back end.

10. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, wherein the slot extends to at least to the front end.

11. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, wherein the first lip protrudes from the front end parallel to the first inner wall.

12. The card dealing shoe of claim 11, wherein the second lip protrudes from the front end parallel to the second inner wall.

13. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, wherein the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space are defined in laterally adjacent positions at the front end.

14. A card dealing shoe, comprising:

a base defining a back end, a first side, a second side and a front end, the base having a downward slope from the back end to the front end and being elongated from the back end to the front end;
a back wall protruding upwardly from the back end of the base;
a first inner wall protruding upwardly from the base and a second inner wall protruding upwardly from the base, the first inner wall being laterally adjacent to the second inner wall, wherein a slot is at least partially defined between the first inner wall and the second inner wall, the slot extending at least to the front end;
a first outer wall protruding upwardly from the first side of the base, the first outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the first outer wall having a laterally flaring portion relative to the first inner wall and a laterally tapering portion relative to the first inner wall, the laterally flaring portion of the first outer wall being adjacent to the back end and the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall being adjacent to the front end;
a second outer wall protruding upwardly from the second side of the base, the second outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the second outer wall having a laterally flaring portion relative to the second inner wall and a laterally tapering portion relative to the second inner wall, the laterally flaring portion of the second outer wall being adjacent to the back end and the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall being adjacent to the front end;
the first inner wall and the first outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a first card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall;
the second inner wall and the second outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a second card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall;
a first lip extending longitudinally from the front end parallel to the first inner wall and a second lip extending longitudinally from the front end parallel to the second inner wall, the first lip being laterally spaced apart from the second lip, wherein a slot opening to the slot is at least partially defined between the first lip and the second lip;
a first card outlet adjacent to the front end, the first card outlet including an opening to the first card-receiving space defined by the first lip and the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall; and
a second card outlet adjacent to the front end, the second card outlet including an opening to the second card-receiving space defined by the second lip and the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall,
wherein the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space are defined in laterally adjacent positions at the front end, and the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space being on laterally opposing sides of the slot opening.

15. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, wherein the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space extend perpendicularly relative to the base.

16. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, further comprising a cutout defined in at least one of the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall and the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall.

17. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, further comprising a card shield mounted adjacent to at least one of the first card outlet and second card outlet, the card shield being mounted for pivotal motion in front of at least one of the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space.

18. The card dealing shoe of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable biasing member in communication for biasing a card in at least one of the first card-receiving space and the second card-receiving space.

19. A card dealing shoe, comprising:

a base defining a back end, a first side, a second side and a front end;
a back wall adjacent to the back end of the base;
a first inner wall and a second inner wall adjacent to a central area of the base, the first inner wall and the second inner wall being laterally spaced apart and extending from the back end to the front end, wherein a slot is defined in the space between the first inner wall and the second inner wall;
a first outer wall adjacent to the first side of the base, the first outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the first outer wall having a laterally tapering portion relative to the first inner wall, the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall being adjacent to the front end;
a second outer wall protruding upwardly from the second side of the base, the second outer wall extending longitudinally from the back end to the front end, the second outer wall having a laterally tapering portion relative to the second inner wall, the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall being adjacent to the front end;
the first inner wall and the first outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a first card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall;
the second inner wall and the second outer wall being in laterally spaced apart positions on the base, wherein a second card-receiving space is defined between the first inner wall and the first outer wall;
a first lip protruding from the front end adjacent the first inner wall and a second lip protruding from the front end adjacent to the second inner wall, the first lip being laterally spaced apart from the second lip, wherein a slot opening to the slot is at least partially defined between the first lip and the second lip;
an opening to the first card-receiving space defined by the first lip and the laterally tapering portion of the first outer wall; and
an opening to the second card-receiving space defined by the second lip and the laterally tapering portion of the second outer wall;
a card shield mounted adjacent to at least one of the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space, the card shield being mounted for pivotal motion in front of the at least one of the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space,
wherein the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space are positioned on laterally opposing sides of the slot opening.

20. The card dealing shoe of claim 19, wherein the slot opening, the opening to the first card-receiving space and the opening to the second card-receiving space are defined in laterally adjacent positions at the front end.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240066387
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 24, 2023
Publication Date: Feb 29, 2024
Inventor: James Reed (Hill CIty, SD)
Application Number: 18/237,799
Classifications
International Classification: A63F 1/14 (20060101);