Keno lottery number generator

Abstract

A universal random number generator for placing a bets in a variety of lottery number games comprising: a generally rectangular transparent casing for supporting a drinking vessel having a vertical outer wall for confining spillage from said drinking vessel, a set of numbered disks, a series of traps for capturing some of the numbered disks and a mask in covering relationship to the numbered disks. The mask has a window for exposing some of the numbered disks in one of the traps when the generator is shaken. The number generator is adapted to a specific lottery by providing a pre-assigned number of disks and mask with a pre-assigned window size.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to games of chance and more particularly to a combination beverage coaster and universal number generator for placing bets in Keno and other lottery number games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The first recorded evidence of a lottery number game are Keno slips in the Chinese Han Dynasty between 205 and 187 B.C. In 1776 the Continental Congress sold lottery tickets to finance the Revolutionary War. At the end of the Revolutionary War various States used lotteries to raise funds for public projects.

In lottery number games players fill out betting slips with numbers that are matched against numbers by spinning wheels or drawing numbered balls drawn from rotating cylinders. Keno is frequently played in restaurants and bars. A player can win as much as $2,000,000 with a $20 wager. Chinese immigrants introduced Keno into the U.S. when they worked on the American trans-continental railroad during the 19th century. There are variations in Keno Lotteries, but in each variation a player enters numbers in betting slips with the hope of matching numbers that are drawn from a set of 80 during a play.

A typical Keno game consists of the following steps. The first step consists of selecting a spot a player wishes to wager. A spot designates a series of numbers from one to ten the player desires to match. For example, a 3 spot requires a player to match 3 numbers to win a first prize. If he matches less than 3, say 2, a smaller prize is usually awarded. For large spots, say an 8 spot, prizes are awarded for matching, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 numbers.

The next step is to enter the selected spot on a pre-paid or later paid betting slip and turn in the betting slip to a bartender or waitress. After the betting slip is turned in a spot is randomly drawn by a spinning a wheel or a drawing of balls with 1× to 10× spots. If the numbers on the drawn spot matches the players numbers, the player wins the first place prize, or a lesser prize if a fewer numbers are matched.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the invention is to provide an easy-to-use random number generator for placing bets in lotteries. Another objective is to provide a random number generator which can be used as a beverage coaster in a bar or restaurant. Another object is to provide a universal number generator for placing bets in a variety of Keno or other lotteries. For achieving these ends a random number generator is provided which is comprised of a casing, a plurality of small circular numbered disks stored in the casing and a mask overlying the numbered disks. One benefit of the invention is that with minor changes it can be used to select numbers for a variety of Keno and other lottery games. A characteristic feature of the present invention is that traps are positioned around a periphery of a casing that are uncovered to expose lottery numbers.

The casing is divided into transparent upper and a lower half portions. In the lower half portion are a series of trap for capturing some of the numbered disks when the generator is shaken. In a first embodiment, masks are provided on outer surfaces of the upper half and lower halves of the casing for exposing spots through windows in the masks.

In a second embodiment, a mask is provided on only the upper half portion of the casing for viewing odd and even spots through a one or more windows in a mask.

In employing the teaching of the present invention, a plurality of alternate constructions can be provided to achieve the desired results and capabilities. In this disclosure, some alternate constructions are discussed. However, these embodiments are intended as examples, and should not be considered as limiting.

Further features and benefits of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings which describe the invention in detail. A preferred embodiment is disclosed in accordance with the best mode which is contemplated for practicing the invention and the specific features in which exclusive property rights are claimed are set forth in each of the numbered claims which are appended to the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a Keno number generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the random number generator.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the Keno number generator.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the Keno number generator with a beverage glass.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second alternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, a combination beverage coaster and random number generator 20 for placing bets in a Keno game is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, inclusive. The combination coaster and number generator 20 is comprised of a generally rectangular shaped casing 21, a pair of masks 22 on opposite faces of the casing 21 and a specified number of circular disks 23. The circular disks 23 have numbers on opposite sides of the disks 23.

The casings 21 consist of upper 24 and lower 25 horizontal planar half portions with short vertical 26 peripheral portions joined together by sonic welding, an adhesive or other available means to provide a cavity 33 for storing the numbered disks 33 and horizontal surfaces 27 for supporting drinking glasses 28. The vertical portions 26 confine spillage to the coaster 20. Extending along the periphery on each of the four sides of the casing lower half portion 25 are traps 29 for capturing some of the numbered disks 23. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the traps 29 consist of linear arrangements of adjoining arcuate pockets 30.

The masks 22 cover the numbered disks 23, except for exposing disks 31 in windows 32 in the masks 22. In FIGS. 1 through 7, the windows 32 are arranged to view odd spots, namely 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 through windows in the upper casing portion 24 and even spots through windows, namely 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, on opposite sides of the disks 23 when the coaster 20 is inverted.

The masks 22 can have several forms. One form consists of transparent labels 22 with opaque graphics adhesively applied to the upper 24 and lower casings 25 or printed graphics on the outer upper 24 and lower half 25 portions. 37, 4, 15, 46, 22

With reference to FIG. 7, an embodiment 34 is shown for odd and even spots with a single mask 22 on the upper half portion 24. A series of numbered vertical bars 35 are inscribed in on the mask 22 above a window 32 through which 10 disks 23 are exposed. By way of example in FIG. 7, a seven spot is designated by the numbers 37, 4, 15, 46, 22, 19 and 51; and a five spot is designated by the numbers 37, 4, 15, 46 and 22. In this embodiment, only a single trap 29 and numbers on one side of the disks 23 are necessary.

In FIG. 8, an embodiment 36 is shown wherein lottery numbers are generated for Daily 3 and Daily 4 lotteries. It should be noted that although a only single trap is required for the embodiments 34, 36 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the traps 29 as the earlier described embodiment 20 can be used.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that our invention provides a universal, easy to use number generator for selecting lottery numbers that is neither anticipated nor obvious over the prior art. One important feature is that it can apply with minor modifications to all of a State's lotteries. By providing multiple traps, alternate masks, different amounts of numbered disks, the generator may be used for different lotteries.

Although only two embodiments of our invention have been described it is further obvious that other embodiments can be derived after studying our disclosure, by such changes as providing a generator with a single trap, mask and set of disks, substitution of parts, changes in shape and inversion of elements without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1. A random number generator for placing a bets in a variety of lottery number games, said number generator comprising: a generally rectangular shaped casing, said casing having a transparent upper portion and an adjoining lower portion, said upper portion having a horizontal planar portion for supporting a drinking vessel and a short vertical wall around a periphery of said upper portion for confining spillage from said drinking vessel to said horizontal portion, said lower portion having a horizontal planar portion for supporting a drinking vessel when said generator is inverted and a short vertical wall around a periphery of said lower portion for spacing said horizontal portion away from said horizontal wall of said upper portion for storing numbered disks and confining spillage from said drinking vessel to said inverted horizontal portion and a series of traps adjacent to the outer sides of said lower portion for capturing numbered disks; a set of disks on opposite sides of said generator, each of said disks having a number on one side of said disk; and a mask in covering relationship to said numbered disks, said mask having a window for exposing some of said numbered disks in one of said traps.

2. The random number generator recited in claim 1 wherein said lower casing portion is transparent, said disks having identical numbers on opposite sides of said disks, said generator further comprising a second mask in covering relationship to said numbered disks when said generator is inverted, said second mask having a window for exposing some of said numbered disks in one of said traps.

3. The random number generator recited in claim 1 wherein said mask is adhesively applied to an outside surface of said upper casing portion.

4. The random number generator recited in claim 1 wherein said mask is adhesively applied to an inner surface of said upper casing portion.

5. The random number generator recited in claim 1 wherein said mask is printed on an outer surface of said upper casing portion.

6. The random number generator recited in claim 1 wherein said mask is printed on an inner surface of said upper casing portion.

7. A random number generator for placing a bets in a variety of lottery number games, said number generator comprising: a generally rectangular transparent casing for supporting a drinking vessel in upright and inverted positions; a vertical outer wall for confining spillage from said drinking vessel to at least one of said supporting positions and a trap in an interior of said casing adjacent to each side of said rectangular transparent casing for capturing numbered disks when said casing is shaken; a set of numbered disks in said interior of said number generator; and a mask in covering relationship to said numbered disks, said mask having a window for exposing some of said numbered disks in said traps.

8. The random number generator recited in claim 7 wherein each of said disks have identical numbers on opposite sides of said disk,

9. The random number generator recited in claim 8 further comprising a second mask, said second mask having a window for exposing some of said numbered disks in said traps when said generator is inverted.

10. The random number generator recited in claim 7 further comprising a second widow for exposing additional numbered disks in said traps.

11. A random number generator for placing bets in a variety of lottery number games, said number generator comprising: a generally rectangular transparent casing a series of traps in an interior of said casing for capturing numbered disks when said casing is shaken; a set of numbered disks in said interior of said number generator; and a mask in covering relationship to said numbered disks, said mask having a window for exposing numbered disks in one of said traps.