Gaming cabinet construction and method

Abstract

A cabinet for gaming machines and the like includes a rigid tubular metal frame, and a plurality of sheet metal members that are welded to the frame. The cabinet has a strong and lightweight construction that is also very durable. The cabinet may be constructed in a wide range of configurations as required for a particular application.

1 . A gaming cabinet, comprising: 
 a structural frame including a plurality of metal tubes including opposed side frame portions forming perimeters of the opposite sides of the gaming cabinet, the plurality of metal tubes including at least a pair of horizontally spaced-apart generally upright rear tubes, a pair of generally horizontal upper tubes extending forwardly from upper end portions of the upper tubes, and upper front tubes extending downwardly and forwardly from end portions of the upper tubes, intermediate generally horizontal tubes extending forwardly from lower end portions of the upper front tubes, and generally upright lower front tubes extending downwardly from adjacent forward end portions of the intermediate tubes, the structural frame having a plurality of structural cross members extending between and interconnecting the side frame portions;    a plurality of sheet metal outer skins secured to the structural frame to define a primary cabinet structure having an interior space configured to house gaming components and at least one enlarged front opening;    a door movably mounted to the primary cabinet structure and moving between a closed position wherein the door closes off the enlarged front opening in the primary cabinet structure, and an open position permitting access to the interior space.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least some of the metal tubes are welded together.    
   
   
       3 . The gaming cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one of the sheet metal outer skins is welded to the structural frame.    
   
   
       4 . The gaming cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one of the metal skins is removably secured to the structural frame with mechanical fasteners.    
   
   
       5 . The gaming cabinet of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the mechanical fasteners comprise threaded fasteners.    
   
   
       6 . The gaming cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the door includes an enlarged opening through an upper portion of the door, and a sheet of light-transmitting material extending across at least a substantial portion of the enlarged opening.    
   
   
       7 . The gaming cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the metal tubes have a generally quadrilateral cross-sectional shape.    
   
   
       8 . The gaming cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the metal tubes are welded together, and the sheet metal outer skins are welded to the structural frame.    
   
   
       9 . The gaming cabinet of  claim 1 , including: 
 upright intermediate front tubes extending downwardly from forward ends of the intermediate horizontal tubes;    angled front tubes extending between and interconnecting upper ends of the lower front tubes and lower ends of the intermediate front tubes to thereby form a forwardly-projecting keypad area below the enlarged front opening.