Patents by Inventor James M. L. Shird

James M. L. Shird 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).

  • Patent number: 8182347
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming cabinet having a front door, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a rear wall. The rear wall is adjacent to at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall. The gaming machine further comprises at least one structural member located between the rear wall and at least one of the first side wall and the second wall within the gaming cabinet for providing structural reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Jacob C. Greenberg, Victor Mercado, James M. L. Shird, Yolanda D. Whisenton
  • Publication number: 20100016084
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming cabinet having a front door, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a rear wall. The rear wall is adjacent to at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall. The gaming machine further comprises at least one structural member located between the rear wall and at least one of the first side wall and the second wall within the gaming cabinet for providing structural reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Jacob C. Greenberg, Victor Mercado, James M.L. Shird, Yolanda D. Whisenton
  • Publication number: 20090318237
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming cabinet having a first member and a second member. The first member is located physically separate from the second member. The gaming machine further comprises a plurality of high-voltage wires generally located within the first member. The gaming machine additionally includes a plurality of low-voltage wires generally located within the second member. The first member and the second member shielding the respective. plurality of high-voltage wires and low-voltage wires to reduce electrical interference between the plurality of high-voltage wires and the plurality of low-voltage wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Victor Mercado, James M.L. Shird
  • Patent number: 6155565
    Abstract: A pinball machine has been designed with several novel mechanical and electrical features such that it is easily retrofittable or convertible between a first pinball game and a second pinball game. The pinball machine includes a cabinet, a playfield, a panel, an electronics system, and a video display. The playfield is mounted in the cabinet with the panel mounted to the cabinet and overlaying at least a portion of the playfield. The video display is mounted generally above the cabinet and is disposed to project video images onto the panel for viewing by the player. The electronics system includes a control unit and a plurality of input/output elements which are mounted to the playfield. The control unit, which includes a controller and memory for storing game instructions and video images, is coupled to the plurality of input/output elements. The controller executes the game instructions to cause the video images to be displayed upon the video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Gomez, Charles R. Bleich, Bradley D. Cornell, Andrew W. Eloff, Bradley A. Hume, John R. Krutsch, James M. L. Shird, Thomas W. Uban
  • Patent number: 6113097
    Abstract: A pinball machine has been designed with several novel mechanical and electrical features such that it is easily retrofittable or convertible between a first pinball game and a second pinball game. The pinball machine includes a playfield mounted to a cabinet. Unlike previous pinball machines, electrical wires and their associated "playfield-side" connectors extending from input/output elements mounted to the playfield are limited in movement to a region generally beneath and in close proximity to the playfield. This allows the playfield to be more easily handled than prior playfields, which had long dangling electrical wires and connectors which could be easily tripped over or severed. Additionally, the plurality of playfield-side connectors are configured for easy installation and integration with corresponding "cabinet-side" connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Krutsch, James M. L. Shird, Thomas W. Uban