Sleeve apparatus for a gaming coin bucket

Abstract

Apparatus for use with a coin bucket is disclosed and includes a string and a flexible body defining a tubular sleeve. The sleeve can be manipulated so as to define a passage having an inlet and an outlet and which is shaped and dimensioned to permit travel of the bucket, bottom-first, through the inlet to an operative position whereat the top of the bucket is disposed within the passage, spaced from the inlet. A channel is formed in the sleeve which encircles the bucket when same is disposed at the operative position, and at least one opening is formed on the sleeve exterior leading into the channel. The string is positioned within the channel with its ends each emerging from the at least one opening so that same can be drawn to form, in the passage, a constriction which grips around and retains the bucket at the operative position.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for use with a gaming coin bucket, said apparatus comprising: 
 a flexible main body portion defining a tubular sleeve having a top and a bottom, the tubular sleeve being manipulable into an operative configuration wherein it defines a passage having a passage inlet located at the top of the sleeve and a passage outlet located at the bottom of the sleeve, the passage being shaped and dimensioned to permit travel of the bucket, bottom-first, into the passage through the passage inlet to an operative position whereat the top of the bucket is positioned within the passage in spaced relation to the top of the sleeve and the bottom of the bucket is positioned adjacent the passage outlet; and    cinching means for selectively, releasably configuring said sleeve to form a constriction in said passage adjacent the passage outlet, said constriction being shaped and dimensioned to grip around the bucket between its top and bottom so as to retain same at the operative position.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the passage is shaped and dimensioned to permit travel of the bucket from the operative position, top-first, through the passage inlet.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the passage is shaped and dimensioned to permit travel of the bucket from the operative position, bottom-first, through the passage outlet.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the passage is shaped and dimensioned to permit travel of the bucket from the operative position, bottom-first, through the passage outlet.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the passage is shaped and dimensioned to permit travel of the bucket, top-first, into the passage through the passage outlet to the operative position.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the cinching means comprises: 
 a drawstring channel formed in the sleeve and arranged to encircle the bucket when same is disposed at the operative position;  
 at least one opening formed on the exterior of the sleeve leading into the drawstring channel;  
 a drawstring positioned within the channel and having a first drawstring end and a second drawstring end each emerging from said at least one opening.  
 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising coupling means for selectively, releasably connecting a segment of the first drawstring end to a segment of the second drawstring end.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the coupling means comprises a tubular clasp through which the first drawstring end and the second drawstring end each extend.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one opening is a single opening.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the bottom of the bucket is disposed exteriorly of the sleeve when the bucket is at the operative position.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the cinching means is further adapted to selectively, releasably configure said sleeve to form a blockage in said passage adjacent the bottom of the sleeve.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the sleeve comprises a band that divides the tubular sleeve into a inlet portion which includes the passage inlet and an outlet portion which includes the passage outlet, the top of the bucket being located between the band portion and the passage outlet when the bucket is at the operative configuration.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a flexible ancillary body portion that defines a tubular chute having a top and a bottom, the chute including a tubular rim portion at the top thereof which is connected about its external periphery to the internal periphery of the band,    the chute being manipulable into an operative configuration wherein it defines a coin conduit having a conduit inlet located at the top of the chute and bounded by the rim, and a conduit outlet located at the bottom of the chute and disposed within the bucket when said bucket is at the operative position,    the chute being shaped and dimensioned to permit travel of the bucket, bottom-first, into the conduit inlet, through the conduit and out the conduit outlet.    
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the main body member defines finger slots adjacent the top of the sleeve which define openings oriented towards the bottom of the sleeve.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for use with a gaming coin bucket, said apparatus comprising: 
 a flexible main body portion defining a tubular sleeve having a top and a bottom, the tubular sleeve being manipulable into an operative configuration wherein it defines a passage having a passage inlet located at the top of the sleeve and a passage outlet located at the bottom of the sleeve, the passage being shaped and dimensioned to permit travel of the bucket top-first, into the passage through the passage outlet to an operative position whereat the top of the bucket is positioned within the passage in spaced relation to the top of the sleeve and the bottom of the bucket is positioned adjacent the passage outlet; and from the operative position, bottom-first, through the passage outlet; and    cinching means for selectively, releasably configuring said sleeve to form a constriction in said passage adjacent the passage outlet, said constriction being shaped and dimensioned to grip around the bucket between its top and bottom so as to retain same at the operative position.