Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award amounts, each total award amount associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award amounts, each total award amount associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award amounts, each total award amount associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.

Abstract: A clutch member of a torque converter of an automatic transmission fitted slidingly with a splined connection between a number of extending teeth of the clutch member and channels of a torque converter housing configured to slidingly engage the teeth. At least two of the teeth are elongated for a distance beyond engagement with a base of the respective engaging channels and bent at right angles to the original tooth extension direction. The extent of parallel engagement of the bent tooth and base of the channel of the splined connection is significantly increased and fretting wear between the teeth and the channels of the housing is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A system for providing an award to a plurality of players is described herein. The system includes a plurality of gaming devices and a system controller coupled to each of the gaming devices. The system controller initiates a bonus game on a set of gaming devices. Each of the gaming devices included in the set is associated with a qualified player. The system controller selects a bonus game symbol for each qualified player from a predefined set of bonus game symbols and associates each selected bonus game symbol with the corresponding qualified player. The system controller also randomly selects a winning bonus game symbol from the predefined set of bonus game symbols, determines a number of winning qualified players associated with the winning bonus game symbol, and provides a bonus award to each of the winning qualified players.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award amounts, each total award amount associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gaming system and method of providing a tracked player an award based on gaming transactions and displays the award as a bonus feature game on a gaming machine using the same game themes and/or game elements displayed in the primary game or secondary game played on the machine. This grants tracked player awards without disrupting the game play experience. In particular the invention will comprise at least one gaming machine and a player tracking system containing a database in communication with the gaming machine and comprise the steps of: determining a system award based on gaming transactions; communicating the system award as a bonus feature game to a gaming machine based on the gaming transactions displaying one or more bonus feature games having game outcomes based on the system award; and displaying the bonus feature game with in-game assets stored in the gaming machine.

Abstract: A clutch member of a torque converter of an automatic transmission fitted slidingly with a splined connection between a number of extending teeth of the clutch member and channels of a torque converter housing configured to slidingly engage the teeth. At least two of the teeth are elongated for a distance beyond engagement with a base of the respective engaging channels and bent at right angles to the original tooth extension direction. The extent of parallel engagement of the bent tooth and base of the channel of the splined connection is significantly increased and fretting wear between the teeth and the channels of the housing is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A contoured floating friction ring for general use in automobile lock-up clutch mechanisms of the type which include, a front cover having a friction bearing base surface and circumferential side wall, and a cooperating pressure plate provided with a bonded friction ring. The friction ring includes a base section which is disposed over the friction bearing surface, a bridging section which is disposed in conforming relation to the junction between the base and circumferential side wall of the cover, and an outer edge section which extends outwardly from the bridging section in overlying relation to the circumferential wall.

Abstract: A method for modifying the stator of an automotive torque converter by using an adaptor is discussed. The adapter includes a casting or machined part having a cylindrical portion on a flange for bearing against a surface of the stator. The stator has its lip removed, after which the adapter is coaxially aligned with the stator support shaft and the inner race splined thereto and then fastened to the stator fasteners extending through the flange and into the stator. The modified stator can now accommodate a heavier duty thrust bearing which improves reliability of the torque converter.

Abstract: A self-sealing neck for an oil filter comprising a filter body provided with an opening which is surrounded by a collar. The self-sealing neck includes a coupling having a central bore with an enlarged recess at one end, an outwardly extending flange at the one end, a gasket fitted or molded over the flange and covering the front end and has an inner portion seated in the recess. The self-sealing neck overlies the collar with the gasket engaging the filter body with the portion of the gasket in the recess frictionally clampingly engaging the collar and the flanged portion also sealing against the filter body.

Abstract: An end connection for a transmission brake band enabling the band to be inserted longitudinally into the space between the transmission brake band drum and the transmission housing to facilitate replacement of transmission brake bands without requiring disassembly of the transmission housing. The end connection comprises a modification and conversion of a popular and readily available brake band to adapt said brake band to an end connection configuration which permits ready insertion of the brake band as described above. As modified the end connection comprises an end plate welded to the brake band strap having a reverse bend segment in which is seated a bracket clip having a cutout which interlocks with the end plate and having an extending tang portion or pocket engageable with a load applying piston rod and strut to selectively tighten the brake band.