Gaming device with transport device and method of use

Abstract

A gaming device including a housing, a support structure with an attached rotatable display device located in the housing, a plurality of display objects, and a transport device configured to move the display objects to the display device where the display objects are deposited and fall off of the display device, is disclosed. The display device may simulate an umbrella where the display objects further simulate rain drops as they fall off of the display device. A method of display and a gaming method involving the aforementioned device, are also disclosed.

1 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (A) a housing having a cavity;    (B) a support structure located in the cavity;    (C) a display device rotatably attached to the support structure and positioned above a bottom area of the cavity;    (D) an actuator mechanism coupled to the display device, the actuator mechanism being configured to cause the display device to rotate;    (E) a plurality of display objects situated within the housing; and    (F) a transport device associated with the support structure and configured to move the display objects from a collection area in the bottom area of the cavity to the display device, wherein the display objects are deposited on the display device and fall off of the display device.    
     
     
         2 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the display device comprises at least a partial umbrella shape.  
     
     
         3 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the display device comprises at least one game symbol zone.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the support structure comprises a transport tube.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the transport device is selected from the group consisting of conveyor belts, discs, rollers, wheels, lifts, claws and augers.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming device of  claim 5  wherein the transport device comprises a conveyor belt and is configured to transport the display objects in a substantially vertical direction.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming device of  claim 5  wherein the transport device comprises a display object feed chute and a display object drive roller.  
     
     
         8 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the transport device further comprises at least one transport component configured to receive the display objects and wherein the at least one transport component is selected from the group consisting of cups, bowls, scoops, buckets, ledges, shovels and blades.  
     
     
         9 . The gaming device of  claim 8  wherein the transport device comprises an auger and the at least one transport component is a helical blade.  
     
     
         10 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the display device is attached to the support structure and the actuator mechanism such that the display device rotates at a tilted angle relative to a vertical axis of the gaming device.  
     
     
         11 . The gaming device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (A) a plurality of prize balls;    (B) a ball holder configured to hold the prize balls in an individually controlled manner;    (C) a display mechanism for selectively displaying at least one prize ball; and    (D) a controller in communication with the display mechanism, the controller being configured to select a prize ball and cause the display mechanism to display the selected prize ball to a player.    
     
     
         12 . A method comprising, but not all necessarily in order shown: 
 (A) rotating a display device;    (B) transporting display objects from a collection area to the display device; and    (C) allowing the display objects to fall off of the display device.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising displaying a game symbol on the display device.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising moving the display objects from the collection area to the display device through a transport tube.  
     
     
         15 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (A) housing means for containing display object means;    (A) display object means for providing an attractive display;    (B) display device means for providing a surface from which the display object means may fall;    (C) transport means for moving the display object means from a collection area to the display device means; and    (D) rotating means for causing the display device means to rotate.    
     
     
         16 . The gaming device of  claim 15  wherein the display device means represents an umbrella.  
     
     
         17 . The gaming device of  claim 15  wherein the rotating means is attached to the display device means so that the display device means rotates at a tilted angle relative to a vertical axis of the gaming device.  
     
     
         18 . The gaming device of  claim 15  further comprising support means for maintaining position of the display device means in an upper portion of the housing means.  
     
     
         19 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (A) a randomly determined game outcome; and    (B) a display device associated with the game outcome and configured to simulate an umbrella.    
     
     
         20 . The gaming device of  claim 19  further comprising a plurality of display objects configured to simulate rain drops.  
     
     
         21 . The gaming device of  claim 19  further comprising a controller in communication with the display device and configured to detect a bonus qualifying event and activate a bonus game cycle.  
     
     
         22 . A method for playing a game comprising, but not all necessarily in order shown: 
 (A) allowing a player to play a gaming device comprising: 
 (i) randomly determining a game outcome;  
 (ii) providing a display device associated with the game outcome and configuring the display device to simulate an umbrella; and  
 (iii) simulating rains drops falling of off the display device by providing a plurality of display objects that are moved by a transport device associated with the display device, wherein the display objects are deposited on the display device and fall off of the display device;  
   (B) providing at least one bonus qualifying event;    (C) if the at least one bonus qualifying event occurs, activating the transport device;    (D) providing a plurality of symbols;    (E) randomly selecting at least one symbol from the plurality of symbols; and    (F) awarding a prize to the player.    
     
     
         23 . A gaming device comprising: 
 (A) a first display area comprising: 
 (i) a housing having a cavity;  
 (ii) a support structure located in the cavity;  
 (iii) a display device rotatably attached to the support structure and positioned above a bottom area of the cavity;  
 (iv) an actuator mechanism coupled to the display device, the actuator mechanism being configured to cause the display device to rotate;  
 (v) a plurality of display objects situated within the housing; and  
 (vi) a transport device associated with the support structure and configured to move the display objects from a collection area in the bottom area of the cavity to the display device, wherein the display objects are deposited on the display device and fall off of the display device; and  
   (B) a second display area comprising: 
 (i) plurality of prize balls;  
 (ii) a ball holder configured to hold the prize balls in an individually controlled manner;  
 (iii) a display mechanism for selectively displaying at least one prize ball; and  
 (iv) a controller in communication with the display mechanism, the controller being configured to select a prize ball and cause the display mechanism to display the selected prize ball to a player.  
   
     
     
         24 . The gaming device of  claim 23  wherein the display objects and the prize balls are located separately from each other.  
     
     
         25 . The gaming device of  claim 23  wherein the prize balls held in the ball holder are hidden from view of the player.  
     
     
         26 . The gaming device of  claim 23  wherein display device of the first display area further comprises at least one game symbol zone.