Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.

Abstract: A mounting bracket includes a substantially planar panel defining a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The substantially planar panel defines a tapered slot open at the first edge, extending from the first edge toward the second edge, and terminating in a slot apex opposite the first edge. A bracket receptor includes an annular projection and a shaft extending from the annular projection. The annular projection extends beyond one or more sides of the shaft. The shaft of the bracket receptor is selectively positioned within the slot apex of the mounting bracket such that the annular projection of the bracket receptor is positioned adjacent the first surface of the substantially planar panel and the shaft of the bracket receptor extends beyond the second surface of the substantially planar panel.

Abstract: A reel assembly for a gaming machine includes an inner drive ring defining an annular inner rim, an outer ring, and a support substrate. The outer ring is spaced from and coaxially positioned relative to the inner drive ring, and the outer ring defines an annular outer rim. The support substrate has opposing side edges each coupled to a different one of the annular inner rim and the annular outer rim. The support substrate extends substantially unsupported between the annular inner rim and the annular outer rim in a substantially continuous manner maintaining the annular inner rim spaced from the annular out rim.

Abstract: A reel assembly for a gaming machine includes a central hub and a clip. The central hub defines an opening through an axial center of the central hub and includes two enclosed channels each positioned on an opposite side of the opening. Each of the two enclosed channels has an open end facing the opening. The clip includes a U-shaped main body and two opposing flanges. The U-shaped main body has opposing ends. The two opposing flanges each extend away from a different one of the opposing ends of the U-shaped main body. Each of the two opposing flanges of the clip fits through the open end of a different one of the two enclosed channels such that the clip is linearly slidable between the two enclosed channels while each of the two opposing flanges remains at least partially maintained with the corresponding different one of the two enclosed channels.

Abstract: A lighting assembly for a reel slot machine includes an interface board and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The interface board is substantially planar, electrically couplable to the reel slot machine, and includes a first electrical connection plug and a second electrical connection plug spaced from the first electrical connection plug. The flexible PCB defines a first end and a second end, the first end and second ends of the flexible PCB are electrically coupled to the first electrical connection plug and the second electrical connection plug, respectively. The flexible PCB bows away from each of the first and second ends to define a bowed primary face facing away from the interface board. The flexible PCB further comprises a plurality of light sources coupled to the bowed primary face. During use, the plurality of light sources selectively illuminate to provide lighting to a reel of the reel slot machine.

Abstract: A reel assembly for a gaming machine includes a central hub and a clip. The central hub defines an opening through an axial center of the central hub and includes two enclosed channels each positioned on an opposite side of the opening. Each of the two enclosed channels has an open end facing the opening. The clip includes a U-shaped main body and two opposing flanges. The U-shaped main body has opposing ends. The two opposing flanges each extend away from a different one of the opposing ends of the U-shaped main body. Each of the two opposing flanges of the clip fits through the open end of a different one of the two enclosed channels such that the clip is linearly slidable between the two enclosed channels while each of the two opposing flanges remains at least partially maintained with the corresponding different one of the two enclosed channels.

Abstract: A reel assembly for a gaming machine includes an inner drive ring defining an annular inner rim, an outer ring, and a support substrate. The outer ring is spaced from and coaxially positioned relative to the inner drive ring, and the outer ring defines an annular outer rim. The support substrate has opposing side edges each coupled to a different one of the annular inner rim and the annular outer rim. The support substrate extends substantially unsupported between the annular inner rim and the annular outer rim in a substantially continuous manner maintaining the annular inner rim spaced from the annular out rim.

Abstract: A lighting assembly for a reel slot machine includes an interface board and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The interface board is substantially planar, electrically couplable to the reel slot machine, and includes a first electrical connection plug and a second electrical connection plug spaced from the first electrical connection plug. The flexible PCB defines a first end and a second end, the first end and second ends of the flexible PCB are electrically coupled to the first electrical connection plug and the second electrical connection plug, respectively. The flexible PCB bows away from each of the first and second ends to define a bowed primary face facing away from the interface board. The flexible PCB further comprises a plurality of light sources coupled to the bowed primary face. During use, the plurality of light sources selectively illuminate to provide lighting to a reel of the reel slot machine.

Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.

Abstract: A mounting bracket includes a substantially planar panel defining a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The substantially planar panel defines a tapered slot open at the first edge, extending from the first edge toward the second edge, and terminating in a slot apex opposite the first edge. A bracket receptor includes an annular projection and a shaft extending from the annular projection. The annular projection extends beyond one or more sides of the shaft. The shaft of the bracket receptor is selectively positioned within the slot apex of the mounting bracket such that the annular projection of the bracket receptor is positioned adjacent the first surface of the substantially planar panel and the shaft of the bracket receptor extends beyond the second surface of the substantially planar panel.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a value output device. The value output device includes a frame, a hopper mounted to the frame having a hopper opening, an outlet spaced from the hopper opening, a first plate moveable relative to the hopper opening between a first position wherein the plate blocks the hopper opening and a second position wherein the plate is spaced from the hopper opening, and a carrier moveable between the outlet and the hopper opening.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a value output device. The value output device includes a frame, a hopper mounted to the frame having a hopper opening, an outlet spaced from the hopper opening, a first plate moveable relative to the hopper opening between a first position wherein the plate blocks the hopper opening and a second position wherein the plate is spaced from the hopper opening, and a carrier moveable between the outlet and the hopper opening. The gaming apparatus also includes a controller operatively coupled to said display unit, said value input device, and said value output device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor.

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides a thermal management system comprised of fans, vents and a particular configuration of thermal sources (e.g. CPU, power supply, monitor) and gaming machine components (e.g. printer, coin hopper, etc.). For a given component packaging scheme within the gaming machine cabinet, the thermal management system uses natural convention and a system of fans to cool the gaming machine cabinet by pulling air over the thermal sources and directing the air towards the top of the gaming machine. The pulling action of the fans helps to maintain laminar flow within the gaming machine cabinet which reduces heat transfer with the gaming machine cabinet. Additionally, the fans are configured to prevent dust accumulation on sensitive components such as the CPU and other electronics and to minimize the noise level outside of the gaming machine.