Patents Represented by Attorney Philip J. Quirk & Tratos Anderson
  • Patent number: 6102799
    Abstract: A method and system are set forth of providing for a super jackpot to be awarded should a qualifying super jackpot combination be obtained by any player playing gaming machines supplied by a supplier to a host facility. The machines are independent, each having a super jackpot combination obtainable based upon a predetermined probability. The host facilities each pay periodic contributions which go to a super jackpot fund. The contribution stream is sufficient to at least fund the super jackpot prior to having to pay it out to a player. The periodic contributions may be fixed. The super jackpot fund may progressively increase over time until the winning combination is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Bob Stupak
  • Patent number: 6062563
    Abstract: Game apparatus comprising a playing surface 1 layout 1a and a random result generator comprising either two or more dice or a single deck of convential playing cards, said layout being marked out with various designated betting areas 2-5 (some of which specify the pay-offs) for the reception of players' chips. The layout has a grid configuration constituted by betting areas labelled Banker 3 and Player 4 which represent an Even money wager and a betting area 5 depicting a horseshoe and a column of poker hands/rankings. In addition an area marked Insurance represents a third wager with solid circles/spots for the reception of players' chips. In the preferred embodiment of the game the dice are characterized by indicia in the form of spots representing the numerals 1-6 and two sets of five dice are utilized, one set by the dealer/Banker and one set by the shooter/Player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: David Guy de Keller
  • Patent number: 6059651
    Abstract: A device is set forth for dispensing circular plate bodies such as coins which has a channel to push the coins in an end-to-end relationship from to an outlet. A roller is biased to engage the coin emerging from the channel and to be pushed by the emerging coin as it exits. A gear on the shaft mounting the roller and a fixed rack rotates the roller to eject to coin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Tetsuo Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6059658
    Abstract: A device and method for playing a primary and a secondary, bonus game are set forth which includes a primary game device and a secondary game device having a display having five concentrically arranged wheels each having an indicia of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten and a wild symbol. In response to receiving a preselected bonus outcome during play of the primary game device the secondary game device is actuated to rotate the wheels and randomly present an indicia from each wheel at a payline as an secondary outcome. The outcome of the secondary game device can be used as an additional award or to multiply the award for the bonus outcome in the primary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventors: Barbara Mangano, Mark R. Casburn
  • Patent number: 6056105
    Abstract: A device and method are set forth for determining the authenticity of a coin or token which includes a housing defining a passageway to pass the coin to be tested. Coils are disposed about the housing to generate magnetic flux lines at the passageway. Detection circuits detect changes in amplitudes of the frequencies generating the flux and signals are created corresponding thereto. These signals are compared at a processor to stored data corresponding to amplitude changes for an authentic coin to determine if the coin is authentic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 6038775
    Abstract: A chainsaw foot for supporting the weight of a chainsaw during substantially vertical use and for fixing the angular orientation between the chainsaw guidebar and the material to be cut. One side of a hinge is attached to a substantially flat baseplate having a rectangular aperture therethrough. The other side of the hinge is attached to a U-shaped clamp. The chainsaw guidebar is removably fixed between the legs of the U-shaped clamp by set screws. A slotted adjusting bracket is fixed to the baseplate proximate to the U-shaped clamp. A locking means attached to the U-shaped clamp engages the slot of the adjusting bracket to thereby allow a user to set and lock the angle of the chainsaw guidebar with respect to baseplate and, consequently, the material to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Will L Holladay
  • Patent number: 6027119
    Abstract: A method for playing a card game is set forth wherein a player makes an ante wager to participate in the game. A five card hand is dealt to each player and the dealer. The player's and dealer's hand are valued by determining the suit with the highest point value where Kings, Queens and Jacks count as 10 points, Aces count as 11 points and all other cards have their face value. If the player elect to stay in the game they place a call bet, otherwise they lose their ante wager and are out of the hand. For those player's making the call bet, hands are resolved where if the player's hand value exceeds the dealer the player is the winner, if the dealer's hand has a qualifying point value and exceeds the player's hand point value the player is a loser and tie point values are declared ties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sirio Brozzi Simonazzi
    Inventor: Wilhelm A. De Lisle
  • Patent number: 6010452
    Abstract: An article, system and method for calculating an individual's overall fitness age using one or more measurable fitness parameters. Among the parameters used are heart recovery rate, flexibility, strength and body fat composition. A data processor contains data structures that correlate heart recovery rate to a heart recovery fitness age, flexibility to a flexibility fitness age, strength to a strength fitness age and body fat composition to a body composition fitness age. When the physically measured parameters are input into the processor, the processor determines the fitness age corresponding to each measurement and calculates the overall fitness age using the formula:Overall Fitness Age=(0.30) heart recovery fitness age+(0.21) flexibility fitness age+(0.21) strength fitness age+(0.28) body composition fitness age.The overall fitness age is then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Fitnessage, Inc.
    Inventor: Kristian L. Harcourt
  • Patent number: 6007424
    Abstract: A method, device and system are set forth for playing a new game of Pai Gow Poker. The method includes dealing seven cards to the dealer and each player, the players and dealer each from those seven cards assembling a five card high hand and a two card low hand. For the player to win their wager, both the player's high and low hands must outrank the dealer's hands according to the ranking of hands of Poker. For a push the player's high hand must have a higher ranking the dealer's and be Jacks or better. All other hands are losses. The method provides for greater payoffs if the player has one of a plurality of payoff qualifying holdings. The device includes a processor programmed to play the game according to the method. The system provides for linking devices to amass a progressive jackpot should the player obtain a qualifying holding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Clover Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Bill Evers, Philip Maiorka, Karen Smith
  • Patent number: 6002405
    Abstract: A method is set forth for fashioning graphic works with perspective based upon five perspective points. The method includes selecting axes X, Y which extend to vanishing points A-D and cross at a fifth reference point Z. By using lines extending to the vanishing points A-D and the center point Z a perspective grid can be fashioned the spacing of the points and reference lines of the grid defined by the five points of the perspective. The grid can be fashioned to provide a "bulging" perspective or a "tunnel" perspective. Also set forth are works produced by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Abelardo Berroteran
  • Patent number: 5996138
    Abstract: A system and method are set forth for decreasing the levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) in a swimming pool and for conserving water. An amount of water is drawn from the swimming pool water circulating system and delivered to a demand such as irrigation or used to supplement the potable water system. If evaporative coolers are present, their waste water discharge can likewise be conserved and used to fill a demand such as irrigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Dennis Kentch
  • Patent number: 5979896
    Abstract: A modified method of playing either conventional Baccarat, or a modified Baccarat game with simplified draw rules is provided which can eliminate the commission charged to winning Bank hands by providing a partial payoff on one or more Bank winning outcomes. Further the method of the present invention can operate upon the Player hand as well to adjust the vigorish therefor. The method can be used to provide a no-commission game where the vigorish for the Bank and Player hands are substantially the same. Further the vigorish can be adjusted to at least partially fund a jackpot outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: DP Stud, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Lofink, Richard Lofink
  • Patent number: D421065
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurosawa Motoharu
  • Patent number: D425004
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Ricardo Bonvicin
  • Patent number: D425034
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Trimm Technologies
    Inventors: Gadi Amit, Gary Shigeru Natsume