Patents by Inventor Michael Joseph Souza

Michael Joseph Souza 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: 6168513
    Abstract: A coin singulator for outputting coins in single file in a known orientation for effecting payout from a gaming terminal is provided. A rotatable disk is positioned spaced-apart from a backplate to define a substantially cylindrical region therebetween in conjunction with a rim region. Vanes on the front surface of the rotating disk convey coins picked up from a randomly-oriented mass of coins to a central opening of the disk for conveyance through the central opening into the space between the disk and the backplate. The distance between the disk and the backplate is such that only a single layer or thickness of coins is accommodated. Preferably the backplate is inclined such that the coins are positioned in face-to-face contact with the backplate. A plurality of vanes on the back surface of the disk moves the coin along the rim to an exit opening in the rim with the back surface vanes preferably shaped to output no more than a single coin as each rim passes the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: International Game Technology
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Souza, Binh Nguyen, Leagh Beadell
  • Patent number: D454920
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sierra Design Group
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Luciano, Timothy Francis Kelley, Michael Joseph Souza
  • Patent number: D465531
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sierra Design Group
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Luciano, Jr., Richard William Fiore, Michael Joseph Souza
  • Patent number: D472938
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Sierra Design Group
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Luciano, Jr., Richard William Fiore, Michael Joseph Souza
  • Patent number: D474248
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Sierra Design Group
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Luciano, Jr., Richard William Fiore, Michael Joseph Souza
  • Patent number: D476698
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Sierra Design Group
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Luciano, Jr., Richard William Fiore, Michael Joseph Souza