Patents by Inventor Haven A. Mercer

Haven A. Mercer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240108968
    Abstract: Card-handling devices may include a card-shuffling apparatus, a card output portion, and/or a card input portion. The card input portion may include a card rotation device. The card rotation device may be configured to receive and rotate cards about a minor axis of the cards. The card-handling device may include a card-shuffling apparatus including a carousel having at least one hundred compartments each configured to hold between one and ten cards and arranged radially about the carousel. The card-handling device may be positioned at a gaming structure with a playing surface. The card-handling device may include a card output portion for receiving shuffled cards from the card-shuffling apparatus. The card output portion may be configured to receive the cards where major faces of the playing cards are oriented in a plane substantially transverse to the playing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, James B. Stasson, James P. Helgesen, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Feraidoon Bourbour, Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 11896891
    Abstract: Card-handling devices may include a card-shuffling apparatus, a card output portion, and/or a card input portion. The card input portion may include a card rotation device. The card rotation device may be configured to receive and rotate cards about a minor axis of the cards. The card-handling device may include a card-shuffling apparatus including a carousel having at least one hundred compartments each configured to hold between one and ten cards and arranged radially about the carousel. The card-handling device may be positioned at a gaming structure with a playing surface. The card-handling device may include a card output portion for receiving shuffled cards from the card-shuffling apparatus. The card output portion may be configured to receive the cards where major faces of the playing cards are oriented in a plane substantially transverse to the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, James B. Stasson, James P. Helgesen, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Feraidoon Bourbour, Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 11883738
    Abstract: A card shuffler system includes an automatic card shuffler for shuffling playing cards and a shuffler transport device coupled to the automatic card shuffler to move and support the automatic card shuffler. The shuffler transport device includes a base assembly for moving along a ground surface, a vertical support, and an adjustment assembly coupled to the vertical support. The vertical support extends from the base assembly and is coupled to the automatic card shuffler to cantilever the automatic card shuffler over the base assembly. The adjustment assembly adjusts the height of the automatic card shuffler between at least a first height and a second height along a vertical axis. The vertical adjustment of the shuffler may facilitate installation of the shuffler at an installation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Christopher J. Hannigan, Jamal Kotifani, Matthew J. Lucchetti, Paul K. Scheper, Michael Vizzo
  • Publication number: 20230373592
    Abstract: Automatic transmission system for a bicycle configured to automatically adjust a torque ratio in response to changing drive forces by one of either diametric expansion or diametric contraction of the pattern of sprockets. The automatic transmission including a drive chain, a plurality of sprockets, and one or more mechanisms providing a spring force bias which biases the pattern of sprockets toward one of either diametric expansion or diametric contraction. The plurality of sprockets is in a substantially evenly spaced radial pattern and is configured to engage with the drive chain which encompasses a periphery of the pattern of sprockets. The pattern of sprockets is configured to expand and contract about its centroid in unison, and is restricted from rotating in a direction which enables a transfer of drive forces in propelling the bicycle forward but is able to rotate in the other direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventor: Haven Mercer
  • Publication number: 20220219070
    Abstract: A card shuffler system includes an automatic card shuffler for shuffling playing cards and a shuffler transport device coupled to the automatic card shuffler to move and support the automatic card shuffler. The shuffler transport device includes a base assembly for moving along a ground surface, a vertical support, and an adjustment assembly coupled to the vertical support. The vertical support extends from the base assembly and is coupled to the automatic card shuffler to cantilever the automatic card shuffler over the base assembly. The adjustment assembly adjusts the height of the automatic card shuffler between at least a first height and a second height along a vertical axis. The vertical adjustment of the shuffler may facilitate installation of the shuffler at an installation point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Haven A. MERCER, Christopher J. HANNIGAN, Jamal KOTIFANI, Matthew J. LUCCHETTI, Paul K. SCHEPER, Michael VIZZO
  • Patent number: 11318367
    Abstract: A card shuffler system includes an automatic card shuffler for shuffling playing cards and a shuffler transport device coupled to the automatic card shuffler to move and support the automatic card shuffler. The shuffler transport device includes a base assembly for moving along a ground surface, a vertical support, and an adjustment assembly coupled to the vertical support. The vertical support extends from the base assembly and is coupled to the automatic card shuffler to cantilever the automatic card shuffler over the base assembly. The adjustment assembly adjusts the height of the automatic card shuffler between at least a first height and a second height along a vertical axis. The vertical adjustment of the shuffler may facilitate installation of the shuffler at an installation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Christopher J. Hannigan, Jamal Kotifani, Matthew J. Lucchetti, Paul K. Scheper, Michael Vizzo
  • Publication number: 20200353345
    Abstract: A card shuffler system includes an automatic card shuffler for shuffling playing cards and a shuffler transport device coupled to the automatic card shuffler to move and support the automatic card shuffler. The shuffler transport device includes a base assembly for moving along a ground surface, a vertical support, and an adjustment assembly coupled to the vertical support. The vertical support extends from the base assembly and is coupled to the automatic card shuffler to cantilever the automatic card shuffler over the base assembly. The adjustment assembly adjusts the height of the automatic card shuffler between at least a first height and a second height along a vertical axis. The vertical adjustment of the shuffler may facilitate installation of the shuffler at an installation point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Haven A. MERCER, Christopher J. HANNIGAN, Jamal KOTIFANI, Matthew J. LUCCHETTI, Paul K. SCHEPER, Michael VIZZO
  • Publication number: 20200086203
    Abstract: Card-handling devices may include a card-shuffling apparatus, a card output portion, and/or a card input portion. The card input portion may include a card rotation device. The card rotation device may be configured to receive and rotate cards about a minor axis of the cards. The card-handling device may include a card-shuffling apparatus including a carousel having at least one-hundred compartments each configured to hold between one and ten cards and arranged radially about the carousel. The card-handling device may be positioned at a gaming structure with a playing surface. The card-handling device may include a card output portion for receiving shuffled cards from the card-shuffling apparatus. The card output portion may be configured to receive the cards where major faces of the playing cards are oriented in a plane substantially transverse to the playing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, James B. Stasson, James P. Helgesen, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Feraidoon Bourbour, Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 10546457
    Abstract: Methods of administering games of roulette may involve accepting a wager may from a player and using a ball launching system to launch at least one roulette ball into a track of a roulette wheel. A number and associated color may be randomly generated from within a range of numbers and associated colors. The triggering event may be identified by determining whether the randomly generated number is identical to a randomly generated number from an immediately preceding round. Upon identifying a triggering event, one or more additional special games of roulette may be played and a payout may be paid to the player according to a paytable associated with the outcome of the special game play. The amount of the wager may be collected for the house when the triggering event is not identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger M. Snow, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete
  • Patent number: 10118087
    Abstract: A ball-launching system mounts to a top rim of a roulette wheel and positions a ball launcher configured to launch a roulette ball into the roulette wheel. The ball-launching system includes an outer jaw and an inner jaw which clamp to the top rim. At least a part of a ball launcher extends into a concave bowl of the roulette wheel and facilitates launching the roulette ball directly into a ball track underneath the top rim within the concave bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A Mercer, Troy D Nelson, James P Helgesen, Jamal H Kotifani, Georg Fekete, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Patent number: 10105591
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, a system, and method for automatically launching roulette balls into a ball track of a roulette wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete
  • Patent number: 10076701
    Abstract: A ball-launching system mounts to a top rim of a roulette wheel and positions a ball launcher configured to launch a roulette ball into the roulette wheel. The ball-launching system includes an outer jaw and an inner jaw, which clamp to the top rim. At least a part of a ball launcher extends into a concave bowl of the roulette wheel and facilitates launching the roulette ball directly into a ball track underneath the top rim within the concave bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Patent number: 10002629
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
  • Publication number: 20180137884
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
  • Patent number: 9870792
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
  • Publication number: 20170266541
    Abstract: A ball-launching system mounts to a top rim of a roulette wheel and positions a ball launcher configured to launch a roulette ball into the roulette wheel. The ball-launching system includes an outer jaw and an inner jaw which clamp to the top rim. At least a part of a ball launcher extends into a concave bowl of the roulette wheel and facilitates launching the roulette ball directly into a ball track underneath the top rim within the concave bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal H. Kotifani, Georg Fekete
  • Publication number: 20170098460
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
  • Publication number: 20170087446
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, a system, and method for automatically launching roulette balls into a ball track of a roulette wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete
  • Publication number: 20170087450
    Abstract: A ball-launching system mounts to a top rim of a roulette wheel and positions a ball launcher configured to launch a roulette ball into the roulette wheel. The ball-launching system includes an outer jaw and an inner jaw, which clamp to the top rim. At least a part of a ball launcher extends into a concave bowl of the roulette wheel and facilitates launching the roulette ball directly into a ball track underneath the top rim within the concave bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete
  • Publication number: 20170092037
    Abstract: Methods of administering games of roulette may involve accepting a wager may from a player and using a ball launching system to launch at least one roulette ball into a track of a roulette wheel. A number and associated color may be randomly generated from within a range of numbers and associated colors. The triggering event may be identified by determining whether the randomly generated number is identical to a randomly generated number from an immediately preceding round. Upon identifying a triggering event, one or more additional special games of roulette may be played and a payout may be paid to the player according to a paytable associated with the outcome of the special game play. The amount of the wager may be collected for the house when the triggering event is not identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Roger M. Snow, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete