Abstract: In some example embodiments, an apparatus that includes a wagering game chair for a wagering game machine that is configured to present a wagering game. The wagering game chair includes a seat having a seat bottom and a seat post that is part of a split-post configuration. The seat post has a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the seat post is coupled to the seat bottom. The wagering game chair also includes a first electrical connector positioned within and approximately at the bottom end of the seat post. The wagering game chair includes a first electrical cable is electrically coupled to the first electrical connector, wherein the first electrical cable runs approximately a length of the seat post within the seat post. The first electrical cable configured to communicate audio of the wagering game, from the wagering game machine to a speaker coupled to the wagering game chair.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display, a cabinet, a front door, and a slide-in button panel. The display depicts a randomly selected game outcome. The cabinet houses the display. The front door is hinged to the cabinet and includes a frame. The slide-in button panel is mounted by sliding it into the frame and supports a plurality of physical buttons for operating the gaming machine. The button panel is easily removed from the frame for maintenance or replacement purposes.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, an apparatus that includes a wagering game chair for a wagering game machine that is configured to present a wagering game. The wagering game chair includes a seat having a seat bottom and a seat post that is part of a split-post configuration. The seat post has a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the seat post is coupled to the seat bottom. The wagering game chair also includes a first electrical connector positioned within and approximately at the bottom end of the seat post. The wagering game chair includes a first electrical cable is electrically coupled to the first electrical connector, wherein the first electrical cable runs approximately a length of the seat post within the seat post. The first electrical cable configured to communicate audio of the wagering game, from the wagering game machine to a speaker coupled to the wagering game chair.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a cabinet having a top box mounted on a main body. The top box has a door for allowing user access to an inner area of the top box. A lock assembly in the top box locks/unlocks the door and a release assembly in the main body operates the lock assembly. The lock assembly and the release assembly are configured to automatically engage one another when the top box is mounted on the main body. Thus, no manual connection is needed between the two assemblies and the lock assembly may be preinstalled independently of the release assembly. Moreover, any suitable top box design may be used with the lock assembly, and any suitable main body design may be used with the release assembly. This allows the top box to be selected much later in an assembly process than previously possible.

Abstract: A releasable mounting system that includes a mounting assembly and a release assembly attached to a display assembly. The mounting assembly includes a hub assembly having spokes that connect a wheel to the hub, which is mounted to a trunnion. At the intersections of the spokes and wheel are protrusions adapted to mate with corresponding detents arranged radially about the trunnion and formed in a plate against which the hub assembly is positioned. The release assembly includes a release attached to a release plate, the release being movable relative to the plate. A channel formed in the release receives the hub assembly and a hook portion on the release holds the hub assembly in the release until movement of the release causes it to release the hub assembly. The display is pivotable about the trunnion in fixed stops defined by the detents and is also releasable by operating the release.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gaming machine cabinets and to the use of extendable displays to allow viewing and operation of the video display with the game machine cabinet door open. Many gaming machines, in particular those with flat-panel displays, have the flat-panel display mounted in the gaming cabinet door itself. When the door is opened, the display is no longer visible to technicians as they work on the interior components of the gaming machine. To solve this problem, the video display is pivotally mounted in the cabinet door to allow the video display to be released and rotated into a position viewable by the technician with the gaming cabinet door open.

Abstract: A peripheral component arrangement for a gaming machine comprises a peripheral component and a floating bezel. The peripheral component is mounted within a housing of the gaming machine and includes an entry end with an entry slot. The bezel is floatably mounted to a front door of the housing and is mated to the entry end of the peripheral component when the front door is closed. Because the bezel is floatably mounted to the front door, the bezel can shift relative to the front door so as to align with and properly mate to the entry end of the peripheral component.

Abstract: A peripheral component arrangement for a gaming machine comprises a peripheral component and a floating bezel. The peripheral component is mounted within a housing of the gaming machine and includes an entry end with an entry slot. The bezel is floatably mounted to a front door of the housing and is mated to the entry end of the peripheral component when the front door is closed. Because the bezel is floatably mounted to the front door, the bezel can shift relative to the front door so as to align with and properly mate to the entry end of the peripheral component.

Abstract: A universal printer bezel for a gaming machine is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a housing and a selected ticket printer from a plurality of ticket printers. The selected printer is mounted within the housing. The plurality of printers have respective output slots for dispensing tickets along different exit paths. The printer bezel comprises an elongated hollow body extending between a front door of the housing and the output slot of the selected printer. The elongated body is mounted to the front door but unconnected to the selected printer. The elongated body is adapted to accept tickets dispensed from the output slots of the respective printers along the different exit paths regardless of which of the plurality of printers is the selected printer mounted within the housing.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display, a cabinet, a front door, and a slide-in button panel. The display depicts a randomly selected game outcome. The cabinet houses the display. The front door is hinged to the cabinet and includes a frame. The slide-in button panel is mounted by sliding it into the frame and supports a plurality of physical buttons for operating the gaming machine. The button panel is easily removed from the frame for maintenance or replacement purposes.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display area, a coin tray, a lighting element, and a light amplification element. The display area supporting an artwork panel. The coin tray is proximate to the display area. When the lighting element is switched on, it illuminates the artwork panel and the coin tray. The light amplification element, which is preferably a lens with angular facets, amplifies and directs light from the lighting element toward the coin tray to enhance the illumination of the coin tray.

Abstract: A coin handling device comprises a hopper and an escalator for receiving coins from the hopper. The escalator is connected to the hopper and extends upwardly from the hopper. At least a portion of the escalator is downwardly foldable toward the hopper to reduce an overall height of the coin handling device. The reduced height facilitates removal of the coin handling device from a gaming machine cabinet and installation of the coin handling device into the cabinet in the event the cabinet provides minimal clearance.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a cabinet, a barrier panel, and a detachable cover. The cabinet includes a cabinet portion containing one of a coin hopper and a ticket printer. The barrier panel covers the cabinet portion and includes an opening proximate the one of the coin hopper and the ticket printer. The opening is sized to accommodate tickets dispensed from the ticket printer. The cover includes a slot sized to accommodate coins dispensed from the coin hopper. The cover is mounted to the opening when the cabinet portion contains the coin hopper. The cover is removed from the opening when the cabinet portion contains the ticket printer.

Abstract: A coin handling device comprises a hopper and an escalator for receiving coins from the hopper. The escalator is connected to the hopper and extends upwardly from the hopper. At least a portion of the escalator is downwardly foldable toward the hopper to reduce an overall height of the coin handling device. The reduced height facilitates removal of the coin handling device from a gaming machine cabinet and installation of the coin handling device into the cabinet in the event the cabinet provides minimal clearance.

Abstract: A docking mechanism for releasably interconnecting an electronics subassembly and a game interface board in a gaming machine. The electronics subassembly includes a housing enclosing a gaming control board. The docking mechanism includes an operating lever which is moveable between a docked position and an undocked position. Two latches are rotatably mounted to the operating lever and engage or disengage the electronics subassembly from the game interface board when the operating lever is moved from the docked or undocked positions, respectively. An optional housing door may be locked to prevent unauthorized access to the gaming control board.

Abstract: The invention consists of a slant top cabinet for a video game where the video monitor is located beneath a door. The side edges of the door mate with gutters such that liquid spilled into the seam of the door will drain into the gutters away from the monitor. A rubber seal is attached to and surrounds the monitor such that liquid spilled on the screen or game top will drain into the rubber seal. The rubber seal includes a port that connects to a conduit for draining liquid from the rubber seal away from the monitor.

Abstract: The gaming machine consists of a cabinet supporting a game display and pay out trough. Located to one side of the game display is a dollar bill validator and stacker supported on a pivoting door such that when the door is opened the bill validator is pivoted out of the game cabinet to access a large coin receptacle. To resupply coins, the game operator simply opens the door and pours the coins into the top of the machine. Located below the receptacle is a coin hopper and escalator assembly for delivering coins from the hopper to the pay out trough. The coin hopper and escalator are mounted to one another and are supported on a sled removably supported on an inclined ramp. To service the coin escalator or hopper, the operator opens a door on the game cabinet and the sled supporting the coin hopper and escalator is rolled off of the ramp and out of the cabinet.

Abstract: A player-operated control system for pinball games includes a plurality of switch assemblies by which the game player communicates information regarding the course of play to a controlling microprocessor. The software in the microprocessor alters the course of play according to the player's command.