Locking table placard & drop cover

Abstract

This is a casino table mounted device with the dual purpose of identifying the table and controlling access to the cash drop. The placard displays the table id number for security and floor personnel. The opening in the device is lockable in either the open or closed position to control access to the cash vault below the table during play and when the table is closed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1) Field of Invention

Dealers at gaming tables typically allow patrons to exchange cash for poker chips while they are seated at their table. The most common method of securing the cash after the exchange is for the dealer to lay it across an opening in the table and push it through the top and into a secure vault (drop box) under the table directly beneath the opening.

Additionally the tables are uniquely marked with placards by the casino to identify each table. This marking is used to identify the table for casino personnel and security cameras.

The present invention provides a method to secure the table opening with a simple locking system that also includes the unique table identifier.

2) Description of the Prior Art

The current method of locking the opening is with an additional lock inside the drop box. There is no table top locking device for the opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows a dealer to control access to the cash drop opening in a gaming table with a table top mounted locking cover.

A locking device in accordance with the present invention includes the table placard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood as detailed in the description given here and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a an exploded view of the device;

FIG. 2 is a top view;

FIG. 3 is a side view, all sides being symmetrical;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a Locking Table Placard and Drop Cover in accordance with the present invention has been shown.

FIG. 1 shows the primary components of the device. The body includes five flat components that are stacked. The top component 1 is the cover. It includes a first opening 6 for the cash to pass through and a second opening 7 for a cam lock to be fitted. This top component 1 can be made from transparent material 8 to reveal the unique table code beneath it. The placard 2 shows the unique table id. It also includes the first opening 6 for the cash and the second opening 7 for the cam lock. Alternatively, the top component 1 could be opaque and the table id printed on its surface. A movable center component 3 will create blocking of the first opening 6 when the cam lock is set to the locked position. The moveable center component 7 will also be designed so that it does not block the first opening 6 when the cam lock is turned to the unlocked position. A center frame component 4 creates a fixed outline 10 to guide the movable center component 3. The cam of the cam lock will fit in a cutout 9 in the moveable center component 3 to actuate the blocking and unblocking of said first opening 6. The bottom component 5 creates a flat surface for the moveable center component 3 to glide upon. It also has the first opening 6 for the cash and a second opening 7 for the cam lock.

FIG. 2 illustrates that condition when the cam lock 11 is neither fully locked nor unlocked and the moveable center component 3 partially blocks the first opening 6. All components, with the exception of the moveable center component 3, have through holes in the corners to provide means of alignment of the components and attaching to the table top.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view the components stacked together.

Claims

1. A device that secures the cash drop opening in a gaming table with a surface mounted lockable device with blocking means.

2. A locking device as in claim 1 that also includes the table identification.

3. A locking device as in claim 1 that uses a center moveable component that is controlled by the cam of a cam lock.