DIVIDING SYSTEM FOR GAMING CHIP RACKS

Abstract

A chip rack comprises: (a) a tray including first and second parallel side walls; bottom member including a plurality of cylindrical troughs that hold chips and are parallel to first and second side walls; and first and second parallel longitudinal walls; and (b) a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly intersect the plurality of cylindrical troughs wherein the dividers are spaced to separate a predetermined quantity of chips such as 20, which is the casino industry standard used in the accounting of chip inventories. The dividers separate chips into stacks of 20, allowing quicker accounting of chips by dealers and supervisors. The plurality of dividers may comprise multiple series of protuberances and may further include a divider or spacer that runs along the first longitudinal wall to provide distance between the first longitudinal wall and a chip stack to allow a dealer to easily lift up the chip stack.

Description

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of provisional application Ser. No. 61/643,275, filed May 5, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to equipment and accessories for casino table games. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gaming chip rack apparatus and system that includes dividers to provide a more accurate and efficient method for the accounting of chips.

BACKGROUND

Gaming chip racks used by dealers at casinos for table games like blackjack and poker have changed little in the past 80 years. Traditional chip racks are used to hold chips in an orderly manner at a gaming table and for transporting chips. One of the essential requirements of using gaming chips is the need to keep an accurate count of the gaming chips since they are used as currency within casinos.

Counting individual chips is a time consuming and error prone process. The traditional chip rack uses one-dollar chips, fifty-cent coins, or plastic lammers to track the chips. Since the chips are manually handled and counted, mistakes often occur; and such mistakes are often not caught until the table closes so a dealer can work an entire shift with an inaccurate count of chips. The chip rack can easily get disorganized, and the dealer therefore has to constantly reorganize his or her rack during a game, causing the dealer to waste valuable time. Furthermore, without actually counting individual chips, a casino floor supervisor, pit manager, shift manager, or security employees cannot quickly obtain an accurate chip count by taking one look at the dealer's chip rack.

Table closing procedures conducted at casinos typically require removing stacks of chips and counting them down in order to prove the accuracy of the chip accounting. In practice, this cumbersome procedure can last ten minutes or longer.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that facilitates accurate accounting of gaming chips, keeps the gaming chips neat and organized, and reduces the labor and time required during the table opening and closing processes administered at casinos. A gaming chip rack apparatus that addresses all of the above-mentioned drawbacks in the art would not only provide an accurate chip count and keep a dealer's chip rack organized, but it would certainly be more cost-efficient for the gaming establishments since it would reduce labor costs incurred during the table opening and closing processes, reduce losses incurred from inaccurate accounting of chips, and allow more rounds of play in a given time period as it would eliminate time wasted by a dealer from having to constantly reorganize the chip rack during a busy game. Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the ensuing description of the present invention.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a dividing apparatus and system for gaming chip racks that offers a more accurate and efficient system for accounting of gaming chip inventory and reduces the labor required during the table opening and closing processes conducted at casinos. The dividing system keeps the gaming chips neat, organized, and professional looking by eliminating cumbersome lammers. A casino floor supervisor, pit manager, shift manager, or security employee can take one look at the rack to get an instant accurate chip count. The present invention can actually speed up the flow of play so a casino can conduct more rounds of play in a given time period since the dealer would not waste time by constantly reorganizing his or her chip rack during a busy game. The features of the present invention result in the reduction of labor costs incurred during the table opening and closing processes, reduction in losses incurred from inaccurate accounting of chips, and the maximization of productivity and profit for casinos.

To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, the present invention is directed to a dividing apparatus for a chip rack comprising: (a) a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly intersect a plurality of cylindrical troughs located on the chip rack wherein the plurality of dividers are spaced to separate a predetermined quantity of gaming chips; and (b) a spacer that runs along a longitudinal wall of the chip rack and runs perpendicularly to the plurality of cylindrical troughs. The spacer provides a distance in-between the longitudinal wall and a stack of gaming chips to allow a dealer to easily lift up the stack of gaming chips out of the chip rack. The spacer may be an additional divider, or the spacer may be a separate and distinct component. The plurality of cylindrical troughs are positioned adjacent and parallel to one another and may be attached to or formed into the bottom of the chip rack. The cylindrical troughs are concave and are shaped and dimensioned to hold gaming chips by cupping the chip' edges wherein the chips are horizontally stacked face-to-face in the chip rack. The plurality of dividers may be removably attached or permanently attached to the chip rack in different versions of the invention; and in some versions, the plurality of dividers may include an infrared coating to enhance tracking of chips. In the embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying figures, the predetermined quantity of gaming chips is 20, which coincides with the casino industry's standard of 20-chip intervals used in chip inventories. The plurality of dividers separates the chips into stacks of 20, allowing for easier and quicker accounting of the chips by dealers and supervisors. However, the predetermined quantity of chips may be any suitable quantity such as 5, 10, 20, 25, or any desired number of chips.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a divided chip rack comprises: (a) a tray including (i) a first side wall, (ii) a second side wall that is parallel to the first side wall, (iii) a bottom member including a plurality of cylindrical troughs that hold gaming chips wherein the plurality of cylindrical troughs are parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall, (iv) a first longitudinal wall, and (v) a second longitudinal wall that is parallel to the first longitudinal wall; and (b) a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly intersect the plurality of cylindrical troughs. The plurality of dividers are spaced to separate a predetermined quantity of chips. In many versions of the invention, the predetermined quantity of chips is 20. The first side wall, the second side wall, the first longitudinal wall, and the second longitudinal wall are attached to the bottom member of the tray to form the frame of the chip rack. The plurality of dividers may comprise: (i) a first divider comprising a first series of protuberances, (ii) a second divider comprising a second series of protuberances, and (iii) a third divider comprising a third series of protuberances. The plurality of dividers may further comprise a fourth divider comprising a fourth series of protuberances. In such versions of the invention, the fourth divider runs along the first longitudinal wall to provide a distance between the first longitudinal wall and a stack of chips to allow a dealer to easily lift up the stack of chips. Alternatively, the divided chip rack may further comprise a spacer that runs along the first longitudinal wall to provide a distance in-between the first longitudinal wall and a stack of chips also allowing the dealer to easily lift up the stack of chips. The plurality of cylindrical troughs may run from the first longitudinal wall to the second longitudinal wall of the tray. In some versions of the invention, the first longitudinal wall which faces the dealer is taller than the second longitudinal wall which faces the player, and the first side wall and the second side wall are comprised of a triangular shape. Also, the plurality of dividers may be permanently attached to the plurality of cylindrical troughs (e.g., the plurality of dividers and the chip rack may be manufactured as one unit); or the dividers can be detachable from the plurality of cylindrical troughs.

A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a dividing system for gaming chips comprising: (a) a chip rack including (i) a first side wall, (ii) a second side wall that is parallel to the first side wall, (iii) a bottom member including a plurality of cylindrical troughs that hold the gaming chips wherein the plurality of cylindrical troughs are parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall, (iv) a first longitudinal wall, and (v) a second longitudinal wall that is parallel to the first longitudinal wall; (b) a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly traverse the plurality of cylindrical troughs wherein the plurality of dividers separate a predetermined quantity of chips (e.g., 5, 10, 20, or 25 chips); and (c) a spacer that runs along the first longitudinal wall. The spacer provides a distance in-between the first longitudinal wall and a stack of gaming chips to allow a dealer to easily lift up the stack of gaming chips. The first side wall, the second side wall, the first longitudinal wall, and the second longitudinal wall are attached to the bottom member to form the frame of the chip rack. The plurality of dividers may be comprised of: (i) a first divider comprising a first series of protuberances, (ii) a second divider comprising a second series of protuberances, and (iii) a third divider comprising a third series of protuberances.

In some versions of the foregoing embodiment of the invention, the first longitudinal wall is taller than the second longitudinal wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall are comprised of a triangular shape. In such versions, the plurality of dividers may be comprised of: (i) a first divider including a first horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a first vertical rise; and (ii) a second divider including a second horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a second vertical rise that is shorter than the first vertical rise to separate the first horizontal run from the second horizontal run. The plurality of dividers may further include (iii) a third divider including a third horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a third vertical rise that is shorter than the second vertical rise to separate the second horizontal run from the third horizontal run. In some versions of the invention, the plurality of dividers is permanently attached to the plurality of cylindrical troughs; or the plurality of dividers may be collectively or individually detachable from the plurality of cylindrical troughs.

The above description sets forth a summary of embodiments of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There may be, of course, other features of the invention that will be described below and may form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in further detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, various features of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view from a player's perspective of a dividing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of the dividing system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the dividing system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a portion of the dividing system shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a front perspective view from a player's perspective of a dividing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a portion of the dividing system shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of the dividing system shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, certain embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2 depict perspective views of one embodiment of the dividing system of the present invention. The view illustrated in FIG. 1 is a front perspective view from a player's perspective, while the view illustrated in FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view from a player's perspective or a front perspective view form a dealer's perspective during a typical game. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dividing system of the present invention includes a chip rack comprised of: (i) a first side wall 110, (ii) a second side wall 120 which is parallel to first side wall 110, (iii) a bottom member 150, (iv) a first longitudinal wall 130, and (v) a second longitudinal wall 140 that is parallel to first longitudinal wall 130. First side wall 110, second side wall 120, first longitudinal wall 130, and second longitudinal wall 140 are attached to the perimeter of bottom member 150 to form the frame or shell of the chip rack. In the embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, first longitudinal wall 130 is the side of the chip rack that is closest to the dealer during a game.

First side wall 110, second side wall 120, first longitudinal wall 130, second longitudinal wall 140, and bottom member 150 are not limited to any particular shape, size, configuration, or structure. For instance, first side wall 110, second side wall 120, first longitudinal wall 130, second longitudinal wall 140, and bottom member 150 are not limited to a rectangular prism shape, a panel shape, or a flat member, and are thus not limited to its wall- or panel-like components. The terms first side wall 110, second side wall 120, first longitudinal wall 130, second longitudinal wall 140, and bottom member 150 may also include any edges, lips, borders, decorative elements, handles, and other structures attached thereto. Therefore, each of the following terms: first side wall 110, second side wall 120, first longitudinal wall 130, second longitudinal wall 140, and bottom member 150 each collectively refers to its wall- or panel-like component and its other structures attached thereto (e.g., edges, lips, borders, decorative elements, handles, etc.).

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-2, first longitudinal wall 130 is taller than second longitudinal wall 140, and FIG. 1 shows first side wall 110 and second side wall 120 comprising a triangular shape. If viewed form the side of the chip rack, side wall 110 and second side wall 120 are comprised of a triangular profile with the hypotenuse of the triangle forming part of the top side edges of the chip rack and spanning from the top of first longitudinal wall 130 to second longitudinal wall 140

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the present invention and illustrates first side wall 110 and second side wall 120 parallel to one another and perpendicular to first longitudinal wall 130 and second longitudinal wall 140. Bottom member 150 is basically comprised of a rectangular shape as shown by the perimeter formed by first side wall 110, second side wall 120, first longitudinal wall 130, and second longitudinal wall 140. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, bottom member 150 includes a plurality of cylindrical troughs that are positioned parallel to one another and parallel to first side wall 110 and second side wall 120. The plurality of cylindrical troughs each include a concave surface, are positioned adjacent and parallel to another, and span from first longitudinal wall 130 to second longitudinal wall 140.

The plurality of cylindrical troughs may be comprised of any suitable number. For example, the plurality may equal 6, 8, 10, 12, 15 or any desired number of troughs. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, the plurality of cylindrical troughs equals 12, which is standard for many chip racks used in casino games. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the plurality of cylindrical troughs is comprised of: a first trough 1010, a second trough 1020, a third trough 1030, a fourth trough 1040, a fifth trough 1050, a sixth trough 1060, a seventh trough 1070, an eighth trough 1080, a ninth trough 1090, a tenth trough 1100, an eleventh trough 1110, and a twelfth trough 1120. The aforementioned cylindrical troughs are dimensioned and shaped to hold gaming chips that are horizontally stacked face-to-face within the chip rack. The cylindrical troughs' concave surface allows it to hold stacks of chips by essentially cupping the edge of each chip. FIG. 1 illustrates ninth trough 1090 holding a first stack of chips 910, a second stack of chips 920, and a third stack of chips 930 therein, while FIG. 3 illustrates fifth through 1050 holding first stack of chips 910, second stack of chips 920, and third stack of chips 930 therein.

The dividing system of the present invention includes a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly intersect the plurality of cylindrical troughs. The plurality of dividers are positioned and spaced to separate a predetermined quantity of chips, which may comprise of any suitable quantity such as 5, 10, 20, 25, or any desired number of chips. In the embodiments of the invention depicted in FIGS. 1-7, the predetermined quantity of chips is 20, which coincides with the casino industry's standard of 20-chip intervals used in chip inventories. In such embodiments of the invention, the plurality of dividers separates the chips into stacks of 20 (see e.g., first stack of chips 910, second stack of chips 920, and third stack of chips 930 in FIGS. 1 and 3), allowing for easier and quicker accounting of the chips by dealers and other casino employees.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the plurality of dividers may comprise of: a first divider 500, a second divider 600, and a third divider 700 which run parallel to one another. First divider 500, second divider 600, and third divider 700 run parallel to first longitudinal wall 130 and second longitudinal wall 140 and run perpendicular to first side wall 110 and second side wall 120. First divider 500, second divider 600, and third divider 700 may comprise of any suitable structures that provide a clear separation of the chips into the predetermined quantities and permit the dealer to easily move stacks of chips comprised of said predetermined quantities. For example, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, first divider 500 comprises a first series of protuberances, second divider 600 comprises a second series of protuberances, and third divider 700 comprises a third series of protuberances. Such protuberances are projections that are high enough to create a sufficient physical barrier between stacks of the predetermined quantity of chips. The protuberances are also low enough to allow the dealer to easily grab the stacks of the predetermined quantity of chips as the protuberances ideally expose sufficient surface area on the face of each chip to make it easier to grab and handle a stack of chips. Furthermore, the protuberances are thick enough to provide sufficient separation and space between stacks of the predetermined quantity of chips to allow the dealer to easily access such stacks. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the protuberances are the same or similar to the thickness of a gaming chip.

Each protuberance corresponds to a cylindrical trough on a chip rack to divide stacks of chips into predetermined quantities in its corresponding cylindrical trough. For instance, FIG. 4 depicts a portion of the perspective view of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 and provides a closer view of portions of second divider 600 and third divider 700. The second series of protuberances of second divider 600 includes a protuberance 604, a protuberance 608, and a protuberance 612. The third series of protuberances of third divider 700 includes a protuberance 704, a protuberance 708, and a protuberance 712. Protuberance 604, protuberance 608, and protuberance 612 divide chips into predetermined quantities in first trough 1010, second trough 1020, and third trough 1030, respectively. Protuberance 704, protuberance 708, and protuberance 712 also divide chips into predetermined quantities in first trough 1010, second trough 1020, and third trough 1030, respectively.

FIG. 2 illustrates the remainder of the series of protuberances for second divider 600 and third divider 700 which spans from first side wall 110 to second side wall 120. The second series of protuberances of second divider 600 further includes: a protuberance 616, a protuberance 620, a protuberance 624, a protuberance 628, a protuberance 632, a protuberance 636, a protuberance 640, a protuberance 644, and a protuberance 648, which divide chips into predetermined quantities in fourth trough 1040, fifth trough 1050, sixth trough 1060, seventh trough 1070, eighth trough 1080, ninth trough 1090, tenth trough 1100, eleventh trough 1110, and twelfth trough 1120, respectively. The third series of protuberances of third divider 700 further includes: a protuberance 716, a protuberance 720, a protuberance 724, a protuberance 728, a protuberance 732, a protuberance 736, a protuberance 640, a protuberance 744, and a protuberance 748, which divide into predetermined quantities in fourth trough 1040, fifth trough 1050, sixth trough 1060, seventh trough 1070, eighth trough 1080, ninth trough 1090, tenth trough 1100, eleventh trough 1110, and twelfth trough 1120, respectively.

FIG. 1 illustrates the first series of protuberances of first divider 500 which is comprised of: a protuberance 504, a protuberance 508, protuberance 512, a protuberance 516, a protuberance 520, a protuberance 524, a protuberance 528, a protuberance 532, a protuberance 536 (covered by stacks of chips 910, 920, and 930), a protuberance 540, a protuberance 544, and a protuberance 548, which divide chips into predetermined quantities in first trough 1010, second trough 1020, third trough 1030, fourth trough 1040, fifth trough 1050, sixth trough 1060, seventh trough 1070, eighth trough 1080, ninth trough 1090, tenth trough 1100, eleventh trough 1110, and twelfth trough 1120, respectively.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, stacks of chips 910, 920, and 930 are placed on their edge into the cylindrical troughs (trough 1090 FIG. 1 and trough 1050 in FIG. 3) wherein the stacks of chips 910, 920, and 930 are stacked face-to-face. First divider 500, second divider 600, and third divider 700 prevent more than 20 chips to be stacked face-to-face and separates the chips into groups of 20 chips. A dealer or casino supervisor can quickly count the chips in stacks 910, 920, and 930 by counting how many groups of 20 chips are filled and then counting whatever single chips may be left over (i.e., counting chips that are not part of a full stack of 20 chips). This greatly simplifies chip accounting because the industry standard for chip inventories is multiples of 20 chips.

FIG. 5 depicts a front perspective view from a player's perspective of a dividing system of an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the plurality of dividers comprises: a first divider 500, a second divider 600, a third divider 700, and a fourth divider 800 which are positioned parallel to one another. First divider 500, second divider 600, third divider 700, and fourth divider 800 run parallel to first longitudinal wall 130 and second longitudinal wall 140 and run perpendicular to first side wall 110 and second side wall 120.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view providing a closer view of fourth divider 800 and illustrates a stack of chips 910 in one of the chip rack's cylindrical troughs, and FIG. 7 depicts a top view of fourth divider 800. As seen in FIGS. 5-7, fourth divider 800 runs along first longitudinal wall 130. As illustrated in FIG. 7, fourth divider 800 is positioned along first longitudinal wall 130 to provide a distance 350 between first longitudinal wall 130 and stack of chips 910. A dealer can insert a portion of his or her thumb into the space provided by distance 350 so the dealer can easily lift up the entire stack of chips 910. In this embodiment of the invention, fourth divider 400 is configured and shaped like first divider 500, second divider 600, and third divider 700 to function as a spacer and provide distance 350 to enable easy removal or handling of chip stack 910. However, in alternate embodiments of the invention, fourth divider 400 may be configured and shaped differently from first divider 500, second divider 600, and third divider 700. Alternatively, the chip rack may comprise a spacer, which is a structure configured and shaped distinctly from first divider 500, second divider 600, and third divider 700. In such embodiments of the invention, the spacer runs along first longitudinal wall 130 to provide distance 350 in-between first longitudinal wall 130 and stack of chips 910 to allow a dealer to easily lift up stack of chips 910.

The plurality of dividers is not limited to any particular shape, size, dimensions, configuration, or structure. The plurality of dividers is not limited to structures comprised of proturbences or projections to separate chips into predetermined quantities. The plurality of dividers may be comprised of variations in height of descending/ascending levels to separate chips. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, first longitudinal wall 130 is taller than second longitudinal wall 140, and first side wall 110 and second side wall 120 are comprised of a triangular shape. In such embodiments, the plurality of dividers may be comprised of: (i) a first divider including a first horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a first vertical rise; and (ii) a second divider including a second horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a second vertical rise. The second vertical rise is shorter than the first vertical rise to separate the first horizontal run from the second horizontal run. In further embodiments, the plurality of dividers may further comprise (iii) a third divider including a third horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a third vertical rise. The third vertical rise is shorter than the second vertical rise to separate the second horizontal run from the third horizontal run. For instance, the first horizontal run, second horizontal run, and third horizontal run may each be adapted to hold 20 chips. The differences in height between the first vertical rise, second vertical rise, and third vertical rise separates and divides the first horizontal run, second horizontal run, and third horizontal (each dimensioned and configured to hold 20 chips) and permits the dealer to easily access 20-chip stacks, organize his or her chip rack, and maintain an accurate chip count.

As exemplified in the foregoing embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of dividers does not necessarily need to be attached directly to the plurality of cylindrical troughs or to another component of the chip rack. The dividers intersect or traverse the cylindrical troughs perpendicularly and may be attached directly to the cylindrical troughs or to another part of the chip rack (e.g., to first side wall 110 and second side wall 120) wherein the dividers hover over or rest upon the cylindrical troughs. The dividers may be permanently attached to the cylindrical troughs and/or to the first side wall 110 and second side wall 120 of the chip rack by any suitable methods known in the art. For instance, the dividers' proturbences may be spot welded to the cylindrical troughs and/or to the first side wall 110 and second side wall 120 of the chip rack. The cylindrical troughs component or the entire chip rack may be manufactured with the dividers as one continuous unit (e.g., via a metal cast or plastic mold). Additionally, the apparatus of the present invention may be comprised of any suitable material known in the art such as metal materials, plastic materials, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments of the invention, the dividers are removably attached to the cylindrical troughs and/or to first side wall 110 and second side wall 120 of the chip rack. In such embodiments, the dividers may either be universally dimensioned and configured for use with a wide variety of chip racks, or the dividers may be specially adapted for use with only specific chip racks. The dividers may be attached the cylindrical troughs and/or to first side wall 110 and second side wall 120 of the chip rack via any suitable fastening system. The fastening system may be comprised of a locking mechanism that includes two or more complementary components (e.g., male-female-type components) that: (i) inter-engage with one another to hold and secure the dividers to the chip rack and (ii) disengage from one another to detach the dividers from the chip rack. The complementary components of such locking mechanisms may reside on first side wall 110 and second side wall 120, on one or more cylindrical troughs, and/or at any other suitable position within the chip rack. In some versions of the invention, the dividers may be specially adapted for use with specific chip racks and may include at least one fastening component that inter-engages with a corresponding or complementary fastening component that is attached to or part of the chip rack. For example, the fastening system may be comprised of a button-like or snap-in mechanism that snaps together to secure the dividers to the chip rack. In one embodiment, first side wall 110 and second side wall 120 of the chip rack include a female-type fastening component (e.g., aperture) that engages with a male-type fastening component (e.g., projection) located beneath the dividers. In some embodiments, the fastening system further includes a release mechanism to allow the dividers to disengage and pop up from the chip rack. Each divider may each include its own respective fastening system allowing each divider to be attached to the chip rack individually. Alternatively, the dividers may be attached to one another forming a collective unit that includes one fastening system that allows simultaneous attachment of multiple dividers to the chip rack.

Additionally, the dividing apparatus of the present invention may further include other features to enhance the tracking of chips. For example, the dividers, the cylindrical troughs, and/or other components of the chip rack may include an infrared coating that utilizes infrared light which is electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visible light but shorter than radio waves. An infrared tracking system would enable casino surveillance to covertly track chips. In such versions of the invention, the casino would use a specialized infrared camera to detect the infrared coated components of the present invention to monitor chip inventory and verify accounting of chips, among other uses.

EXAMPLES

In the foregoing description of embodiments of the invention, reference was made to the accompanying figures, which form a part of this application. The figures show, by way of illustration, certain embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other variations are possible and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. A variety of embodiments are possible wherein each embodiment includes a different combination of the different aspects and elements of the present invention.

For example, in one embodiment, a dividing apparatus for a chip rack is comprised of: (a) a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly intersect a plurality of cylindrical troughs on the chip rack; and (b) a spacer that runs along a longitudinal wall of the chip rack and runs perpendicularly to the plurality of cylindrical troughs. The plurality of dividers are spaced to separate a predetermined quantity of gaming chips. In one embodiment, the predetermined quantity of gaming chips is 20, which coincides with the casino industry's standard of 20-chip intervals used in chip inventories. The spacer provides a distance in-between the longitudinal wall and a stack of gaming chips to allow a dealer to easily lift up the stack of gaming chips. The plurality of dividers may be removably attached or permanently attached to the chip rack. In one embodiment, the plurality of dividers may include an infrared coating to enhance tracking of chips.

In another example, an alternate embodiment of the invention is directed to a divided chip rack and comprises: (a) a tray including (i) a first side wall, (ii) a second side wall parallel to the first side wall, (iii) a bottom member including a plurality of cylindrical troughs that hold gaming chips and that is positioned parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall, (iv) a first longitudinal wall, and (v) a second longitudinal wall parallel to the first longitudinal wall; and (b) a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly intersect the plurality of cylindrical troughs. The plurality of dividers are spaced to separate a predetermined quantity of chips. For instance, the predetermined quantity of chips may be 20, which is in accordance with casino chip accounting practices. The first side wall, the second side wall, the first longitudinal wall, and the second longitudinal wall are attached to the bottom member of the tray to form the frame of the chip rack. The plurality of dividers may include: (i) a first divider comprising a first series of protuberances, (ii) a second divider comprising a second series of protuberances, and (iii) a third divider comprising a third series of protuberances. The plurality of dividers may also comprise a fourth divider comprising a fourth series of protuberances. In such versions, the fourth divider runs along the first longitudinal wall to provide a distance between the first longitudinal wall and a stack of chips to allow a dealer to easily lift the stack of chips from the chip rack. In other versions, the divided chip rack may further include a spacer that runs along the first longitudinal wall to provide a distance in-between the first longitudinal wall and a stack of chips to allow the dealer to easily lift up the stack of chips. The plurality of cylindrical troughs may run from the first longitudinal wall to the second longitudinal wall of the tray. In some versions, the first longitudinal wall (which faces the dealer) may be taller than the second longitudinal wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall are comprised of a triangular shape. Additionally, the plurality of dividers may be permanently affixed to the plurality of cylindrical troughs in which the plurality of dividers and the chip rack are manufactured as one unit; or the dividers can be detachable from the plurality of cylindrical troughs.

In a further example, a dividing system for gaming chips is comprised of: (a) a chip rack including (i) a first side wall, (ii) a second side wall parallel to the first side wall, (iii) a bottom member including a plurality of cylindrical troughs that hold the gaming chips and is positioned parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall, (iv) a first longitudinal wall, and (v) a second longitudinal wall parallel to the first longitudinal wall; (b) a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly traverse the plurality of cylindrical troughs wherein the plurality of dividers separate a predetermined quantity of chips such as 20 chips; and (c) a spacer that runs along the first longitudinal wall and provides a distance in-between the first longitudinal wall and a stack of gaming chips to allow a dealer to easily lift up the stack of gaming chips. The first side wall, the second side wall, the first longitudinal wall, and the second longitudinal wall are attached to the perimeter of the bottom member to form the frame of the chip rack. The plurality of dividers may be comprised of: (i) a first divider comprising a first series of protuberances, (ii) a second divider comprising a second series of protuberances, and (iii) a third divider comprising a third series of protuberances. In some versions, the first longitudinal wall is taller than the second longitudinal wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall are comprised of a triangular shape. In these versions, the plurality of dividers may comprise of: (i) a first divider including a first horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a first vertical rise; and (ii) a second divider including a second horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a second vertical rise that is shorter than the first vertical rise to separate the first horizontal run from the second horizontal run. The plurality of dividers may also include (iii) a third divider including a third horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a third vertical rise that is shorter than the second vertical rise to separate the second horizontal run from the third horizontal run. The plurality of dividers may be permanently attached to the plurality of cylindrical troughs or to other parts of the chip rack. Alternatively, the plurality of dividers may be collectively or individually detachable from the plurality of cylindrical troughs or from other parts of the chip rack.

Although the present invention has been described above in some detail with reference to certain versions thereof, other versions are possible. The structural components of the invention may be of any suitable shape, dimension, material and/or configuration; may further include structures not described hereinabove; and may be positioned at alternate suitable locations within the apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A divided chip rack comprising:

a tray comprised of a first side wall, a second side wall that is parallel to the first side wall, a bottom member including a plurality of cylindrical troughs that hold gaming chips wherein the plurality of cylindrical troughs are parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall, a first longitudinal wall, and a second longitudinal wall that is parallel to the first longitudinal wall wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, the first longitudinal wall, and the second longitudinal wall are attached to the bottom member; and

a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly intersect the plurality of cylindrical troughs wherein the plurality of dividers are spaced to separate a predetermined quantity of chips.

2. The divided chip rack of claim 1 wherein the predetermined quantity of chips is 20.

3. The divided chip rack of claim 2 wherein the plurality of dividers is comprised of

a first divider comprising a first series of protuberances,

a second divider comprising a second series of protuberances, and

a third divider comprising a third series of protuberances.

4. The divided chip rack of claim 3 wherein the plurality of dividers further comprises a fourth divider comprising a fourth series of protuberances wherein the fourth divider runs along the first longitudinal wall to provide a distance between the first longitudinal wall and a stack of chips to allow a dealer to easily lift up the stack of chips.

5. The divided chip rack of claim 1 further comprising a spacer that runs along the first longitudinal wall wherein the spacer provides a distance in-between the first longitudinal wall and a stack of chips to allow a dealer to easily lift up the stack of chips.

6. The divided chip rack of claim 1 wherein the plurality of cylindrical troughs run from the first longitudinal wall to the second longitudinal wall.

7. The divided chip rack of claim 1 wherein the first longitudinal wall is taller than the second longitudinal wall and wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are comprised of a triangular shape.

8. The divided chip rack of claim 1 wherein the plurality of dividers are permanently attached to the plurality of cylindrical troughs.

9. A dividing apparatus for a chip rack, the dividing apparatus comprising:

a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly intersect a plurality of cylindrical troughs located on the chip rack wherein the plurality of dividers are spaced to separate a predetermined quantity of gaming chips; and

a spacer that runs along a longitudinal wall of the chip rack and runs perpendicularly to the plurality of cylindrical troughs wherein the spacer provides a distance in-between the longitudinal wall and a stack of gaming chips to allow a dealer to easily lift up the stack of gaming chips.

10. The dividing apparatus of claim 9 wherein the predetermined quantity of gaming chips is 20.

11. The dividing apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of dividers is removably attached to the chip rack.

12. The dividing apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of dividers includes an infrared coating.

13. A dividing system for gaming chips comprising:

a chip rack comprised of a first side wall, a second side wall that is parallel to the first side wall, a bottom member including a plurality of cylindrical troughs that hold the gaming chips wherein the plurality of cylindrical troughs are parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall, a first longitudinal wall, and a second longitudinal wall that is parallel to the first longitudinal wall wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, the first longitudinal wall, and the second longitudinal wall are attached to the bottom member;

a plurality of dividers that perpendicularly traverse the plurality of cylindrical troughs wherein the plurality of dividers separate a predetermined quantity of chips; and

a spacer that runs along the first longitudinal wall wherein the spacer provides a distance in-between the first longitudinal wall and a stack of gaming chips to allow a dealer to easily lift up the stack of gaming chips.

14. The dividing system of claim 13 wherein the predetermined quantity of chips is 20.

15. The divided chip rack of claim 13 wherein the plurality of dividers is comprised of

a first divider comprising a first series of protuberances,

a second divider comprising a second series of protuberances, and

a third divider comprising a third series of protuberances.

16. The dividing system of claim 13 wherein the first longitudinal wall is taller than the second longitudinal wall and wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are comprised of a triangular shape.

17. The dividing system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of dividers is comprised of:

a first divider including a first horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a first vertical rise; and

a second divider including a second horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a second vertical rise that is shorter than the first vertical rise to separate the first horizontal run from the second horizontal run.

18. The dividing system of claim 17 wherein the plurality of dividers further comprises:

a third divider including a third horizontal run adapted to hold the predetermined quantity of chips and a third vertical rise that is shorter than the second vertical rise to separate the second horizontal run from the third horizontal run.

19. The dividing system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of dividers are permanently attached to the plurality of cylindrical troughs.

20. The dividing system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of dividers are detachable from the plurality of cylindrical troughs.