Abstract: A reel assembly includes a mounting bracket including a substantially planar mounting bracket body. A reel motor is connected to a first lateral side of the mounting bracket and a reel superstructure is connected to be driven by the reel motor about a rotational axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the mounting bracket body. A mounting flange is located at a top edge of the mounting bracket. This mounting flange includes a substantially planar surface lying in a plane extending transversely to the plane of the mounting bracket body, preferably forming a “T” shape with the planar mounting bracket body as viewed in transverse section. A stabilizing structure is located at a rear edge of the mounting bracket in a spaced apart relationship with the mounting flange, and a locking structure is located at an intersection of the top edge of the mounting bracket and the front edge of the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A gaming machine cabinet has a cabinet door is pivotally connected thereto and movable between a closed and open positions. A cabinet door button panel includes a panel support surface opposite the door's inner side, a capture structure at a first boundary of a button panel opening, and a blocking structure at a button panel second boundary opposite the first boundary. A button panel base has a first edge received in a button panel frame capture structure, and second edge received on the panel support surface. A locking flange with a locking projection extends from the button panel base lower side, the locking projection moveable between extended and retracted positions. With the button panel base in an operating position, a locking projection may be placed in the extended position to contact the blocking structure and thereby retain the button panel base in the operating position.

Abstract: A gaming machine cabinet has a cabinet door is pivotally connected thereto and movable between a closed and open positions. A cabinet door button panel includes a panel support surface opposite the door's inner side, a capture structure at a first boundary of a button panel opening, and a blocking structure at a button panel second boundary opposite the first boundary. A button panel base has a first edge received in a button panel frame capture structure, and second edge received on the panel support surface. A locking flange with a locking projection extends from the button panel base lower side, the locking projection moveable between extended and retracted positions. With the button panel base in an operating position, a locking projection may be placed in the extended position to contact the blocking structure and thereby retain the button panel base in the operating position.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a cabinet defining an enclosure volume with a cabinet front opening. A main door is pivotally connected at its upper end to the cabinet so as to be pivotable with respect to the cabinet between a closed position and an open position. In the open position the lower end of the main door is pivoted upwardly and away from the cabinet to expose the enclosure volume in the main portion of the cabinet. A button panel or button panel and armrest structure is mounted at the lower end of the main door, and extends in a plane lying at an angle to the remainder of the main door so as to project outwardly from the cabinet when the main door is in the closed position. A lower door of the gaming machine has a lower end which is ako pivotally connected to the cabinet so as to be pivotable with respect to the cabinet between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A gaming machine cabinet has a cabinet door is pivotaliy connected thereto and movable between a closed and open positions. A cabinet door button panel includes a panel support surface opposite the door's inner side, a capture structure at a first boundary of a button panel opening, and a blocking structure at a button panel second boundary opposite the first boundary. A button panel base has a first edge received in a button panel frame capture structure, and second edge received on the panel support surface. A locking flange with a locking projection extends from the button panel base lower side, the locking projection moveable between extended and retracted positions. With the button panel base in an operating position, a locking projection may he placed in the extended position to contact the blocking structure and thereby retain the button panel base in the operating position.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and a front opening. A cabinet door is pivotally connected to the cabinet so as to be movable between a closed position covering at least a portion of the front opening and an open position in which an inner side of the door is accessible from outside of the cabinet. A button panel frame defines a button panel opening on the door, and includes a panel support surface facing oppositely to the inner side of the door, a capture structure at a first boundary of the button panel opening, and a blocking structure located at a second boundary of the button panel opening opposite to the first boundary. A button panel base having an upper side and a lower side, and opposing first and second edges, is sized so that when the first edge is received in the capture structure of the button panel frame the second edge may be received on the panel support surface at the second boundary of the button panel opening.

Abstract: A reel assembly includes a mounting bracket including a substantially planar mounting bracket body. A reel motor is connected to a first lateral side of the mounting bracket and a reel superstructure is connected to be driven by the reel motor about a rotational axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the mounting bracket body. A mounting flange is located at a top edge of the mounting bracket. This mounting flange includes a substantially planar surface lying in a plane extending transversely to the plane of the mounting bracket body, preferably forming a “T” shape with the planar mounting bracket body as viewed in transverse section. A stabilizing structure is located at a rear edge of the mounting bracket in a spaced apart relationship with the mounting flange, and a locking structure is located at an intersection of the top edge of the mounting bracket and the front edge of the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a cabinet having a cabinet back, a first cabinet side, a second cabinet side, a cabinet bottom, and a cabinet top which together define an enclosure volume with a cabinet front opening. A main door is pivotally connected at its upper end to the cabinet so as to be pivotable with respect to the cabinet between a closed position and an open position. In the open position the lower end of the main door is pivoted upwardly and away from the cabinet to expose the enclosure volume in the main portion of the cabinet. A button panel or button panel and armrest structure is mounted at the lower end of the main door, and extends in a plane lying at an angle to the remainder of the main door so as to project outwardly from the cabinet when the main door is in the closed position. A lower door of the gaming machine is also pivotally connected to the cabinet so as to be pivotable with respect to the cabinet between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A brake apparatus that is designed to brake a drag race vehicle that is movable within a track of an amusement ride. The braking apparatus includes a pair of braking units that each include movable portions that are movable toward each other so as to clamp onto a guide plate that is being carried by the vehicle as it moves along the track. This clamping onto the guide plate results in slowing and eventual stopping of the vehicle. The braking units are movable by means of inflatable bladders into the braking position. The braking units are mounted on metallic cross beams which are fixedly mounted to the track. The movable portions of the braking units are slidably mounted on the metallic cross beams. Longitudinal movement of the movable portions, which occurs during the braking position, is to evenly apply pressure against each of the metallic cross beams. Each of the braking units are continuously spring biased toward the non-braking position.

Abstract: An amusement ride for humans which is constructed to include a plurality of separate tracks located in a side-by-side relationship. On each track is located a vehicle, with this vehicle including a propulsion system which is activated and controlled by a human operator located within the vehicle. The vehicle is mounted in conjunction with a track which keeps each vehicle confined to its particular track and permits the vehicle to move between a Start position and Finish position on the track. Associated with each track is an automatic brake system to stop the vehicle. Each track is composed of a plurality of separate guide rail sections which are located in a spaced apart arrangement with the separate guide rail sections being mounted in an in-line manner within the track. A guide blade is mounted on each vehicle and is to connect with each of these guide rail sections as the vehicle moves along the track.

Abstract: A gaming machine combines a random selection feature with a skill feature to allow the player to utilize his ability to manipulate the skill feature to improve his chances of winning on the gaming machine. A reel slot machine is combined with a playing surface using a ball. The reel slot machine is first activated and a combination of slot symbols are randomly selected. The player manipulates a ball about a playing surface and the travel of the ball can result in additional spins of one or more reels of the slot machine so that other winning opportunities can be created. The gaming machine can be operated so that the playing surface is only activated when the player achieves a losing combination on the reel slot machine portion. This allows the player a second chance to win if he can use his skill on the playing surface to respin the reel slots. The player can also win "bonus" amounts as set out on a predetermined schedule of payouts by his skillful manipulation of the ball on the playing surface.

Abstract: An amusement ride for humans which is constructed to include a plurality of separate tracks located in a side-by-side relationship. On each track is located a vehicle, with this vehicle including a propulsion system which is activated and controlled by a human operator located within the vehicle. The vehicle is mounted in conjunction with a track which keeps each vehicle confined to its particular track and permits the vehicle to move between a Start position and Finish position on the track. Associated with each track is an automatic brake system to stop the vehicle. Each track is composed of a plurality of separate guide rail sections which are located in a spaced apart arrangement with the separate guide rail sections being mounted in an in-line manner within the track. A guide blade is mounted on each vehicle and is to connect with each of these guide rail sections as the vehicle moves along the track.

Abstract: A brake apparatus that is designed to brake a drag race vehicle that is movable within a track of an amusement ride. The braking apparatus includes a pair of braking units that each include movable portions that are movable toward each other so as to clamp onto a guide plate that is being carried by the vehicle as it moves along the track. This clamping onto the guide plate results in slowing and eventual slopping of the vehicle. The braking units are movable by means of inflatable bladders into the braking position. The braking units are mounted on metallic cross beams which are fixedly mounted to the track The movable portions of the braking units are slidably mounted on the metallic cross beams. Longitudinal movement of the movable portions, which occurs during the braking position, is to evenly apply pressure against each of the metallic cross beams. Each of the bring units are continuously spring biased toward the non-braking position.