Gaming machine with modular actuator for remote door latch
View Patent ↗A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a cabinet having a top box mounted on a main body. The top box has a door for allowing user access to an inner area of the top box. A lock assembly in the top box locks/unlocks the door and a release assembly in the main body operates the lock assembly. The lock assembly and the release assembly are configured to automatically engage one another when the top box is mounted on the main body. Thus, no manual connection is needed between the two assemblies and the lock assembly may be preinstalled independently of the release assembly. Moreover, any suitable top box design may be used with the lock assembly, and any suitable main body design may be used with the release assembly. This allows the top box to be selected much later in an assembly process than previously possible.
1. A gaming machine comprising:
a wager input device operable to accept a wager input from a player at said gaming machine;
a game display operable to display an outcome of a wagering game in response to said wager input, said outcome being randomly selected from a plurality of outcomes;
a main body configured to house said game display, said main body comprising a release assembly, said release assembly including a release actuator operable to actuate a lock actuator, a release operable to actuate said release actuator, and a main body actuator line connecting said release actuator to said release;
a separable top box mounted on said main body, said top box having a door adjacent thereto for allowing user access to an inner area of said top box; and
a lock assembly installed as a component of said top box, said lock assembly including at least one lock operable to lock and unlock said door, the lock actuator operable to actuate said at least one lock, and a top box actuator line connecting said at least one lock to said lock actuator;
wherein said release actuator automatically contacts said lock actuator in response to said top box being placed on said main body.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein said lock actuator is installed within said top box substantially flush with a bottom edge of an inner surface of said top box.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 2 , wherein said release includes a restricted access arrangement that provides direct access or indirect access to said gaming machine.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 2 , wherein said release actuator is installed within said main body substantially flush with a top edge of an inner wall of said main body and adjacent to said lock actuator.
5. The gaming machine according to claim 2 , wherein said release actuator comes into contact with said lock actuator via a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a magnetic connection, a hydraulic connection, or a pneumatic connection.
6. A gaming machine comprising: a wager input device operable to accept a wager input from a player at said gaming machine;
a separable game display operable to display an outcome of a wagering game in response to said wager input, said outcome being randomly selected from a plurality of outcomes;
a main body configured to house said game display;
a top box mounted on said main body, said top box having a door adjacent thereto for allowing user access to an inner area of said top box, said top box comprising a lock assembly installed as a component of said top box, said lock assembly including at least one lock operable to lock and unlock said door, a lock actuator operable to actuate said at least one lock, and a top box actuator line connecting said lock actuator to said at least one lock; and
a release assembly installed within said main body for facilitating locking and unlocking of said door in said top box, said release assembly including a release actuator, a release operable to actuate said release actuator, and a main body actuator line connecting said release actuator to said release;
wherein said release actuator automatically comes into contact with said lock actuator responsive to said top box being placed on said main body.
7. The gaming machine according to claim 6 , wherein said release actuator is installed within said main body substantially flush with a top edge of an inner surface of said main body.
8. The gaming machine according to claim 7 , wherein said release includes a restricted access arrangement that provides direct access or indirect access to said gaming machine.
9. The gaming machine according to claim 7 , wherein said lock actuator is installed within said top box substantially flush with a bottom edge of an inner surface of said top box and adjacent to said release actuator.
10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said release actuator comes into contact with said lock actuator via a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a magnetic connection, a hydraulic connection, or a pneumatic connection.
11. A gaming machine comprising:
a wager input device operable to accept a wager input from a player at said gaming machine;
a game display operable to display an outcome of a wagering game in response to said wager input, said outcome being randomly selected from a plurality of outcomes;
a main body configured to house said game display, said main body comprising a release assembly, said release assembly including a release actuator operable to actuate a lock actuator, a release operable to actuate said release actuator, and a main body actuator line connecting said release actuator to said release;
a separable top box mounted on said main body, said top box having a door adjacent thereto for allowing user access to an inner area of said top box; and
a lock assembly installed completely within said top box, said lock assembly including at least one lock operable to lock and unlock said door, the lock actuator operable to actuate said at least one lock, and a top box actuator line connecting said at least one lock to said lock actuator;
wherein said release actuator automatically contacts said lock actuator in response to said top box being placed on said main body.