Game system

Abstract

A game system, comprising a gaming device having a mechanical activator, a player position associated with the gaming device, and an intermediate linkage between the gaming device and the player position. The intermediate linkage has a first end disposed adjacent to the activator, and a second end with a remote input device, for allowing a player in the player position to remotely mechanically engage the activator by manipulating the remote input device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A game system, comprising: 
 a) a gaming device having a mechanical activator;    b) a player position associated with the gaming device;    c) an intermediate linkage between the gaming device and the player position, the intermediate linkage having a first end disposed adjacent to the activator, and a second end with a remote input device;    d) said first end including a moveable member configured for mechanically engaging the activator, and said remote input device allowing a player in the player position to remotely engage the activator by manipulating the remote input device.    
     
     
         2 . A game system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate linkage further comprises: 
 a) a mount, removably attached to the gaming device adjacent the activator; and    b) a tether having a first end and a second end, and being attached to the mount at the first end.    
     
     
         3 . A game system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the moveable member comprises a flexible rod slidably disposed within the tether, the flexible rod being configured for selective extension from or retraction within the first end of the tether in response to manipulation of the remote input device by the player.  
     
     
         4 . A game system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the flexible metal rod is biased within the tether in a retracted position.  
     
     
         5 . A game system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the gaming device includes a plurality of mechanical activators, and further comprising: 
 a) a plurality of tethers, each tether associated with a different one of the plurality of activators, each tether having a moveable member configured for selective engagement of an associated activator in response to manipulation of the remote input device by the player.    
     
     
         6 . A game system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the mount comprises a bracket having: 
 a) a central arch section, the first end of the tether being attached to the central arch section;    b) flanges disposed on opposing sides of the central arch section; and    c) fasteners attached to the flanges, whereby the mount may be attached to the gaming device such that the fasteners are disposed on opposing sides of the activator, and the central arch section extends over the activator.    
     
     
         7 . A game system in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the fasteners comprise releasable fasteners selected from the group consisting of: suction cups; hook and loop fasteners; magnets; adhesive; and mechanical clips.  
     
     
         8 . A game system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the remote input device includes a remote activator selected from the group consisting of a lever, a push button, and a plunger rod.  
     
     
         9 . A game system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the remote input device is configured for holding in the hand of the player.  
     
     
         10 . A game system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the remote input device is configured for placing on a floor surface, and is operable by the foot of the player.  
     
     
         11 . A game system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the remote input device comprises an electrically actuated device.  
     
     
         12 . A game system in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a) an electrical solenoid connected to the moveable member, and configured for extending the moveable member when activated; and    b) a switch for sending electrical power to the solenoid to activate the solenoid.    
     
     
         13 . A game system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a) a pneumatic piston disposed at the first end of the intermediate linkage, the slave piston being connected to the moveable member, and being responsive to pneumatic pressure transmitted through the intermediate linkage; and    b) wherein the remote input device comprises a manually actuable air compressing device for providing pneumatic pressure to the slave piston to cause movement of the moveable member.    
     
     
         14 . A game system in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the air compressing device is selected from the group consisting of a flexible bulb, and a master cylinder with a moveable piston.  
     
     
         15 . A game system requiring input, comprising: 
 a) a gaming device having a mechanical activator;    b) a mount, removably attached to the gaming device adjacent the activator;    c) a tether having a first end and a second end, and being attached to the mount at the first end;    d) a moveable member disposed in the first end of the tether, and configured for mechanical engagement of the activator; and    e) a remote input device attached to the second end of the tether, the remote input device configured to cause movement of the moveable member to allow a player to remotely engage the activator by manipulating the remote input device.    
     
     
         16 . A game system requiring input, comprising: 
 a) a gaming device having a mechanical activator;    b) a tether having a first end and a second end, the tether being attached to the gaming device at the first end;    c) a moveable member disposed in the first end of the tether, and configured for mechanical engagement of the mechanical activator; and    d) a remote input device attached to the second end of the tether, the remote input device configured to cause movement of the moveable member to allow a player to remotely engage the activator by manipulating the remote input device.    
     
     
         17 . A game system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the tether is retractably attached to the gaming device.  
     
     
         18 . An actuator for a gaming device, comprising: 
 a) a gaming device having a mechanical activator;    b) a bracket removably attached to the gaming device and overlying the activator;    c) a flexible tether having a first end, a second end, and a lumen, the tether being attached to the bracket at the first end, and having a moveable member slidably disposed within the lumen and extending from the first end to the second end, the moveable member having a retracted position wherein it does not contact the activator, and an extended position wherein it contacts the activator;    d) a remote input device attached to the second end of the tether, and configured for manual operation by a player, such that a player may selectively move the moveable member from the retracted position to the extended position to mechanically engage the activator of the gaming device.    
     
     
         19 . A method for facilitating play of a game of chance by a player, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a gaming device having a mechanical activator;    b) providing a gaming device actuator for the gaming device, said gaming device actuator being attached to the gaming device adjacent the mechanical activator, the gaming device actuator including a remote input device, and a moveable member configured for mechanically engaging the activator; and    c) causing the player to manipulate the remote input device in order to cause the moveable member to mechanically engage the activator.    
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the step of providing a gaming device actuator for the gaming device further comprises providing a mount which is releasably attachable to the gaming device, the mount being disposed at a first end of a tether of the gaming device actuator.  
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the step of causing the player to manipulate the remote input device further comprises a step selected from the group comprising: manipulating the remote input device by hand; and manipulating the remote input device by foot.  
     
     
         22 . A method in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the step of causing the player to manipulate the remote input device comprises causing the player to perform an action selected from the group comprising: moving a lever; pushing a push button; depressing a key on a keypad; and depressing a plunger rod.