LOTTERY MARKING APPARATUS
The present invention relates generally to apparatuses to facilitate the playing of lottery games. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses for marking or puncturing lottery play slips.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/903,211, filed Nov. 12, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to apparatuses to facilitate the playing of lottery games. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses for marking or puncturing lottery play slips.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany states in the United States operate lotteries as a means of generating revenue. One common type of lottery game involves the selection of a series of numbers by a user, which are then submitted for entry into the lottery game. The selected numbers are indicated on a lottery play slip, which typically features an array of numbered entry boxes. The traditional method of selecting the desired numbers has been for the user to manually mark the selected entry boxes on the play slip (e.g., with a pencil, pen, or similar instrument). However, because the boxes on a lottery play slip are often small and tightly spaced, this method requires that a user have both a relatively high degree of manual dexterity and good eyesight, one or both of which are often lacking in some users (e.g., senior citizens, people suffering from arthritis or injuries, etc.).
To address this issue, various devices have been invented to facilitate the marking of lottery play slips and/or cards. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,487 to Milbourne, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a handheld lottery play slip holder with attached brackets for holding writing instruments for manually marking the play slip. U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,710 to Beam, U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,906 to Buccieri, U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,884 to Burton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,268 to Sutherland et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,294 to Piro, U.S. Design Pat. No. D383,502 to Schmidt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,401,782 to Dragotta et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0056372 to De Castro, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, all disclose handheld lottery play slip marking devices featuring stencil-type templates to facilitate the manual marking of the entry boxes by the user. A disadvantage of the devices of the prior art is that they still require the user to manually mark the selected entry boxes on the play slip with a writing instrument such as a pen.
Embodiments of the present invention provide novel apparatuses for marking or puncturing lottery play slips that overcome the disadvantages of the lottery play slip marking devices of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to apparatuses to facilitate the playing of lottery games. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses for marking or puncturing lottery play slips.
In some embodiments, provided herein is an apparatus for marking or puncturing lottery play slips comprising a main body comprising a top cover and a bottom tray. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are pivotally connected via a hinge and arranged in a clamshell configuration. In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are secured together without the use of a hinge. In yet other embodiments, the main body is a unitary structure without a separate top cover and bottom tray. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are separate structures that are not connected to each other.
In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are made of one or more thermoplastic materials, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, nylon, vinyl, acrylic, or other plastics. In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are made of metal, glass, rubber, cardboard, paper, and/or other suitable material(s). In yet other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are made of a combination of two or more materials. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are made from the same material(s). In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray have different material compositions.
In some embodiments, the top cover and/or bottom tray may be partially or entirely opaque. In other embodiments, the top cover and/or bottom tray may be partially or entirely translucent. In yet other embodiments, the top cover and/or bottom tray may be partially or entirely transparent.
In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are arranged in a clamshell configuration that may be opened or closed. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are pivotally connected via a hinge affixed to the top edges of the top cover and bottom tray. In other embodiments, the hinge is affixed to the left or right side edges of the top cover and bottom tray. In yet other embodiments, the hinge is affixed to the bottom edges of the top cover and bottom tray. In some embodiments, two or more hinges are used to connect the top cover and bottom tray. In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are not pivotally connected.
In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray of the main body are secured together in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the main body is configured to remain in a closed configuration. In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are permanently affixed to each other.
If the top cover and bottom tray are arranged in a clamshell configuration, any suitable means may be used to pivotally connect the top cover and bottom tray. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are pivotally connected via a hinge, such as a butt hinge, piano hinge, barrel hinge, or other suitable hinge configuration. In other embodiments, a living hinge is used to pivotally connect the top cover and bottom tray. The hinge may be made of any suitable material(s), examples of which include plastic, metal, rubber, cardboard, paper, or a combination of two or more materials. In some embodiments, the hinge is a living hinge comprising a thin, flexible plastic strip.
In some embodiments, the top cover, bottom tray, and hinge are constructed as a single unit. For example, the top cover, bottom tray, and hinge may be molded from plastic as a single unit, such as by injection molding using conventional means. In other embodiments, the top cover, bottom tray, and hinge are constructed separately and then assembled into a unit.
In some embodiments, the main body can be moved from an opened configuration to a closed configuration by pivoting the top cover and bottom tray about a rotational axis via a hinge, such that the top cover and bottom tray are brought together. The top cover and bottom tray may feature means for releasably securing the main body in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the means comprises one or more studs projecting from the bottom surface of the top cover that are configured to fit into one or more sockets correspondingly positioned on the top surface of the bottom tray. When the top cover and bottom tray are brought together in a closed configuration, the studs and sockets function as snap fasteners to releasably secure the main body in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the studs and sockets are configured to allow the main body to be easily moved from a closed configuration to an opened configuration with minimal effort (e.g., a small amount of force applied by the hands of a user). In other embodiments, other means may be used to releasably secure the main body in a closed configuration, such as one or more latches, clasps, magnets, snaps, hinges, springs, brackets, struts, or other mechanisms. In some embodiments, two or more different means may be used to releasably secure the main body in a closed configuration
In some embodiments, the bottom tray features a recessed portion that is sized and shaped to receive and secure in place one or more lottery play slips. In some embodiments, the main body is configured such that an inserted lottery play slip is both visible to and accessible by a user when the main body is in a closed configuration. For example, the top cover and the recessed portion of the bottom tray may define an aperture through which the inserted lottery play slip is visible. In some embodiments, the top cover and/or the bottom tray may feature one or more indented portions that serve to expose a portion of the inserted lottery play slip such that the inserted lottery play slip may be grasped by the user and removed from the main body. In other embodiments, the main body is sized and shaped such that an end portion of the inserted lottery play slip extends from the main body when the main body is in a closed configuration. In yet other embodiments, the main body is configured with other means of accessing the inserted lottery play slip, such as apertures, levers, slots, etc.
In some embodiments, the top surface of the top cover features a plurality of buttons, each button having a top surface and a bottom surface. The buttons are arranged in an array, and are configured to align with a corresponding array of boxes on the lottery play slip. In some embodiments, the buttons are made of rubber. In other embodiments, the buttons are made of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable material. In yet other embodiments, the buttons are made of a combination of two or more materials.
The top surfaces of the buttons are marked with numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols that correspond in both position and content to the numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols arranged in the array of boxes on the face of the lottery play slip. The bottom surfaces of the buttons are configured to have a means of marking and/or puncturing the corresponding boxes on the lottery play slip. When the main body is in a closed configuration and the top surface of the desired button is pressed by a user, the button is depressed and the bottom surface of the button is brought into contact with the corresponding box on the inserted lottery play slip.
In some embodiments, the bottom surface of each button is configured with a tip that is configured to mark or puncture the corresponding box on the lottery play slip. In some embodiments, the tip deposits a marking substance (e.g., ink, dye, graphite, pencil lead, pigment, paint, etc.) on the corresponding box on the lottery play slip to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box. In other embodiments, the tip punctures the corresponding box on the lottery play slip to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box. In yet other embodiments, the tip simultaneously deposits a marking substance and punctures the corresponding box on the lottery play slip in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box. In some embodiments, the tip marks the corresponding box on the lottery play slip by one or more means in addition to depositing a marking substance and/or puncturing the box. In other embodiments, the tip marks the corresponding box on the lottery play slip by one or more means other than by depositing a marking substance and/or puncturing the box.
The array of buttons is configured to correspond to the numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols arranged in the array of boxes on the face of a lottery play slip. In some embodiments, different button configurations may be used to correspond to the different layouts of different lottery play slips. In some embodiments, the button array may be removed from the top cover and replaced with a different button array. In other embodiments, the top cover may be removed from the main body and replaced with a different top cover having a different button array.
The top cover 102 has a top edge 104, a bottom edge 105, a top surface 106, and a bottom surface 107. The bottom tray 103 has a top edge 108, a bottom edge 109, and a top surface 110. The top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 are pivotally connected via a hinge 111. In some embodiments, the hinge 111 is affixed to the top edges 104 and 108 of the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103. In other embodiments, the hinge 111 may be affixed to one or more different regions of the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103.
The hinge 111 may employ any suitable means for pivotally connecting the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103. In some embodiments, the hinge 111 is a living hinge comprising a thin, flexible plastic strip that pivotally connects the top cover 102 and the bottom tray 103 at the top edges 104 and 108. In other embodiments, the hinge 111 may comprise a butt hinge, piano hinge, barrel hinge, or other suitable hinge configuration. In some embodiments, the hinge 111 is made of plastic. In other embodiments, the hinge 111 is made of metal, rubber, cardboard, paper, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the hinge 111 is made of a combination of two or more materials.
In some embodiments, the top cover 102, bottom tray 103, and hinge 111 are constructed as a single unit. For example, the top cover 102, bottom tray 103, and hinge 111 may be molded from plastic as a single unit, such as by injection molding using conventional means. In other embodiments, the top cover 102, bottom tray 103, and hinge 111 are constructed separately and then assembled into a unit.
The top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 pivot about a rotational axis relative to each other via the hinge 111, which allows the main body 101 to move from the closed configuration shown in
The top surface 110 of the bottom tray 103 has a recessed portion 114 that is sized and shaped to receive and secure in place a lottery play slip 200. When the main body 101 is in an opened configuration with the top cover 102 raised, the lottery play slip 200 is inserted into the recessed portion 114 of the bottom tray 103. When the main body 101 is in a closed configuration, the recessed portion 114 and the bottom edges 105 and 109 of the top cover 102 and the bottom tray 103 align to define an aperture 115 through which the inserted lottery play slip 200 is visible. The bottom edges 105 and 109 of the top cover 102 and the bottom tray 103 respectively feature central indented portions 116 and 117. When the main body 101 is in a closed configuration with an inserted lottery play slip 200, a portion of the inserted lottery play slip 200 is exposed by the central indented portions 116 and 117 such that the inserted lottery play slip 200 may be grasped by the user and removed from the main body 101. The central indented portions 116 and 117 and the aperture 115 further provide a visual indication of the presence or absence of an inserted lottery play slip 200.
The top surface 106 of the top cover 102 features a plurality of buttons 118, each button 118 having a top surface 119 and a bottom surface 120. The buttons 118 are arranged in an array, and are configured to align with a corresponding array of boxes 201 on the lottery play slip 200. In some embodiments, the buttons 118 are made of rubber. In other embodiments, the buttons 118 are made of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable material. In yet other embodiments, the buttons 118 are made of a combination of two or more materials. For example, the buttons 118 can have top surfaces 119 made of rubber and bottom surfaces 120 made of plastic.
The top surfaces 119 of the buttons 118 are marked with numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols that correspond in both position and content to the numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols arranged in the array of boxes 201 on the face of the lottery play slip 200 that has been inserted into the recessed portion 114 of the bottom tray 103. The bottom surfaces 120 of the buttons 118 are configured to have a means of marking and/or puncturing the corresponding boxes 201 on the lottery play slip 200. When the main body 101 is in a closed configuration and the top surface 119 of the desired button 118 is pressed by a user, the button 118 is depressed and the bottom surface 120 of the button 118 is brought into contact with the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200.
In some embodiments, the bottom surface 120 of each button 118 is configured with a tip that deposits a marking substance (e.g., ink, dye, graphite, pencil lead, pigment, paint, etc.) on the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200 in an amount sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box 201. In other embodiments, the bottom surface 120 of each button 118 is configured with a tip that can puncture the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200 in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box 201. In yet other embodiments, the bottom surface 120 of each button 118 is configured with a tip that can simultaneously deposit a marking substance and puncture the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200 in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box 201.
To operate the apparatus 100 for marking or puncturing lottery play slips, the main body 101 is moved into an opened configuration by raising the top cover 102 via the hinge 111. A lottery play slip 200 is inserted into the recessed portion 114 of the bottom tray 103. The main body 101 is moved into a closed configuration by lowering the top cover 102 until the bottom surface 107 of the top cover is adjacent to the top surface 110 of the bottom tray 103. The top cover 102 is secured in place by aligning the studs 112 with the sockets 113 and snapping the studs 112 and sockets 113 together. Once the main body 101 is secured in a closed configuration with a lottery play slip 200 inside, the user selects the desired numbers, letters, or symbols to be marked on the lottery play slip 200 by pressing the top surfaces 119 of the appropriate buttons 118. When each button 118 is pressed by the user, the bottom surface 120 of the button 118 is brought into contact with the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200. Upon contacting the corresponding box 201, the tip of the bottom surface 120 of the button 118 indicates the user's selection by marking and/or puncturing the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200. When all of the appropriate markings and/or punctures have been made on the lottery play slip 200, the lottery play slip 200 is removed from the main body 101 for submission of the lottery play slip 200. The lottery play slip 200 can be removed either by grasping the end of the lottery play slip 200 that is exposed by the central indented portions 116 and 117 of the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 and withdrawing the lottery play slip 200 from the main body 101 through the aperture 115, or by moving the main body 101 to an opened configuration by raising the top cover 102.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, nylon, vinyl, acrylic, or other plastics. In other embodiments, the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 are made of metal, glass, rubber, cardboard, paper, and/or other suitable material(s). In yet other embodiments, the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 are made of a combination of two or more materials. The top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 may be made from the same material(s), or may have different material compositions. Depending on the material(s) used, the top cover 102 and/or bottom tray 103 may be partially or entirely opaque, translucent, or transparent.
The top cover 102 has a top edge 104, a bottom edge 105, a top surface 106, and a bottom surface 107. The bottom tray 103 has a top edge 108, a bottom edge 109, and a top surface 110. The top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 may be pivotally connected via a hinge 111. In some embodiments, the hinge 111 is affixed to the top edges 104 and 108 of the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103. In other embodiments, the hinge 111 may be affixed to one or more different regions of the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103. In yet other embodiments, the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 are connected without the use of a hinge 111.
If present, the hinge 111 may employ any suitable means for pivotally connecting the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103. In some embodiments, the hinge 111 is a living hinge comprising a thin, flexible plastic strip that pivotally connects the top cover 102 and the bottom tray 103 at the top edges 104 and 108. In other embodiments, the hinge 111 may comprise a butt hinge, piano hinge, barrel hinge, or other suitable hinge configuration. In some embodiments, the hinge 111 is made of plastic. In other embodiments, the hinge 111 is made of metal, rubber, cardboard, paper, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the hinge 111 is made of a combination of two or more materials.
In some embodiments, the top cover 102, bottom tray 103, and hinge 111 are constructed as a single unit. For example, the top cover 102, bottom tray 103, and hinge 111 may be molded from plastic as a single unit, such as by injection molding using conventional means. In other embodiments, the top cover 102, bottom tray 103, and hinge 111 are constructed separately and then assembled into a unit.
The top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 pivot about a rotational axis relative to each other via the hinge 111 prior to assembly of the main body 101. Upon assembly of the main body 101, the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 are permanently affixed to each other, and do not pivot about a rotational axis relative to each other via the hinge 111. The main body 101 is thus configured to remain in the closed configuration shown in
In some embodiments, the top cover 102 has one or more studs 112 projecting from the bottom surface 107. The one or more studs 112 are configured to fit into one or more sockets 113 that are correspondingly positioned on the top surface 110 of the bottom tray 103. When the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 are brought together in a closed configuration during assembly of the main body 101, the studs 112 function as anchors that are permanently affixed to the sockets 113. The studs 112 and sockets 113 may be permanently affixed via frictional force, an adhesive (e.g., glue), a molding process, or any suitable means.
The top surface 110 of the bottom tray 103 has a recessed portion 114 that is sized and shaped to receive and secure in place a lottery play slip 200. The recessed portion 114 and the bottom edges 105 and 109 of the top cover 102 and the bottom tray 103 align to define an aperture 115 through which the lottery play slip 200 may be inserted. The bottom edges 105 and 109 of the top cover 102 and the bottom tray 103 respectively feature central indented portions 116 and 117. When a lottery play slip 200 is inserted into the main body 101, a portion of the inserted lottery play slip 200 is exposed by the central indented portions 116 and 117 such that the inserted lottery play slip 200 may be grasped by the user and removed from the main body 101. The central indented portions 116 and 117 and the aperture 115 further provide a visual indication of the presence or absence of an inserted lottery play slip 200.
The top surface 106 of the top cover 102 features a plurality of buttons 118, each button 118 having a top surface 119 and a bottom surface 120. The buttons 118 are arranged in an array, and are configured to align with a corresponding array of boxes 201 on the lottery play slip 200. In some embodiments, the buttons 118 are made of rubber. In other embodiments, the buttons 118 are made of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable material. In yet other embodiments, the buttons 118 are made of a combination of two or more materials. For example, the buttons 118 can have top surfaces 119 made of rubber and bottom surfaces 120 made of plastic.
The top surfaces 119 of the buttons 118 are marked with numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols that correspond in both position and content to the numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols arranged in the array of boxes 201 on the face of the lottery play slip 200 that has been inserted into the recessed portion 114 of the bottom tray 103. The bottom surfaces 120 of the buttons 118 are configured to have a means of marking and/or puncturing the corresponding boxes 201 on the lottery play slip 200. When the top surface 119 of the desired button 118 is pressed by a user, the button 118 is depressed and the bottom surface 120 of the button 118 is brought into contact with the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200.
In some embodiments, the bottom surface 120 of each button 118 is configured with a tip that deposits a marking substance (e.g., ink, dye, graphite, pencil lead, pigment, paint, etc.) on the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200 in an amount sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box 201. In other embodiments, the bottom surface 120 of each button 118 is configured with a tip that can puncture the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200 in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box 201. In yet other embodiments, the bottom surface 120 of each button 118 is configured with a tip that can simultaneously deposit a marking substance and puncture the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200 in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box 201.
To operate the apparatus 100 for marking or puncturing lottery play slips, a lottery play slip 200 is inserted through the aperture 115 of the main body 101. Once the lottery play slip 200 has been inserted, the user selects the desired numbers, letters, or symbols to be marked on the lottery play slip 200 by pressing the top surfaces 119 of the appropriate buttons 118. When each button 118 is pressed by the user, the bottom surface 120 of the button 118 is brought into contact with the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200. Upon contacting the corresponding box 201, the tip of the bottom surface 120 of the button 118 indicates the user's selection by marking and/or puncturing the corresponding box 201 on the lottery play slip 200. When all of the appropriate markings and/or punctures have been made on the lottery play slip 200, the lottery play slip 200 is removed from the main body by grasping the end of the lottery play slip 200 that is exposed by the central indented portions 116 and 117 of the top cover 102 and bottom tray 103 and withdrawing the lottery play slip 200 from the main body 101 through the aperture 115. The marked lottery play slip 200 may then be submitted for playing. From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes, and modifications. Such improvements, changes, and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims. All references, publications, and patents cited in the present application are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Claims
1. An apparatus for marking or puncturing a lottery play slip comprising an array of depressible buttons.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a main body having a top cover and a bottom tray.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said top cover comprises said array of depressible buttons.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said top cover and said bottom tray are pivotally connected by a hinge.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said top cover and said bottom tray comprise a lottery play slip inserted therebetween.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the buttons of said array of depressible buttons comprise markings corresponding to markings on said lottery play slip.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the buttons of said array of depressible buttons comprise a component for contacting said lottery play slip when said buttons are depressed.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said buttons of said array of depressible buttons comprise a component for marking or puncturing said lottery play slip upon contacting said lottery play slip.
9. A method of marking or puncturing a lottery play slip comprising contacting said lottery play slip with the apparatus of claim 1.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising contacting a second lottery play slip.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises a main body having a top cover and a bottom tray.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said top cover comprises said array of depressible buttons.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said top cover and said bottom tray are pivotally connected by a hinge.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said top cover and said bottom tray comprise a lottery play slip inserted therebetween.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the buttons of said array of depressible buttons comprise markings corresponding to markings on said lottery play slip.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the buttons of said array of depressible buttons comprise a component for contacting said lottery play slip when said buttons are depressed.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said buttons of said array of depressible buttons comprise a component for marking or puncturing said lottery play slip upon contacting said lottery play slip.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 11, 2014
Publication Date: May 14, 2015
Inventors: Gustavo Alberto Castillo (Weston, FL), William Gil de Montes (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Application Number: 14/538,470
International Classification: A63F 3/06 (20060101);
