Drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning

Abstract

The invention relates to a drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning. The mechanism, intended to be associated to two or more entertainment machines, all of them forming a type of game table or counter, is formed from a drum, in which a predetermined number of balls are arranged, which drum can be transparent or like a cage, for allowing in any case the player or players in question to see the balls contained therein, provided with fixing means for fixing it to the mentioned game table, with a horizontal rotating shaft arranged inside the drum and in which a drive mechanism is arranged which allows rotating the drum in either direction. Said drum equally has a protrusion in the shape of a protruding turret located on a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the rotating shaft, and with suitable dimensions for allowing the passage and housing therein of at least one of the balls. The balls never abandon the assembly formed by the drum and the turret.

1 . A drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning, which is intended to be interconnected with a group of machines provided with means for executing their own games; characterized in that it comprises a drum ( 2 ), in which a predetermined number of balls are arranged, provided with rotation means ( 12 ) electrically controlled through a control circuit or CPU ( 14 ) with internal programming software; the drum ( 2 ) provided with a protrusion in the shape of a protruding turret ( 10 ) located on the plane of symmetry perpendicular to the rotating shaft ( 6 ) thereof, and having suitable dimensions for allowing the passage and housing therein of at least one ball, said turret ( 10 ) provided with a mechanism for allowing/preventing the access/exit of one of the balls ( 3 ) in play, visually identifiable balls ( 3 ) the total number of which can be varied in order to modify the probabilities of winning and provided with an internal circuit for their identification by means of an electronic reader ( 13 ) associated to the CPU ( 14 ) through which information and different signals are supplied to the betting terminals ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ′ . . . ) in relation to the drawing which occurs in said mechanism, it having been provided that the mechanism incorporates access means ( 33 ) for accessing the software of the CPU ( 14 ) in order to fix the parameters corresponding to the total number of balls contained inside the drum. 
   
   
       2 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the mechanism ( 8 ) which allows controlling the entrance and exit of the balls ( 3 ) in the turret ( 10 ) as well as the exit thereof towards the drum ( 2 ) according to the rotation direction thereof, is carried out as a blade ( 15 ) located next to an opening ( 9 ) for the passage of the balls ( 3 ), in which it is provided pivoting on a shaft ( 16 ), with suitable dimensions and shape so that it is balanced such that by turning the turret ( 10 ) in one rotation direction of the drum ( 2 ), an end ( 17 ) thereof pivots due to gravity, closing at its other end ( 18 ) the access to any ball ( 3 ), whereas when a rotation of the drum in the opposite direction occurs, the pivoting of the blade ( 15 ) equally occurs in the opposite direction, allowing the exit of the ball ( 3 ) from the turret ( 10 ), and preventing the entrance thereto of a new ball through its lower end ( 17 ). 
   
   
       3 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the turret ( 10 ) is an extension of the major circumference of the actual drum ( 2 ) forming an inseparable part of the structure thereof and carried out as an element like a cylindrical cage, dimensionally suitable for housing at least one ball ( 3 ) therein. 
   
   
       4 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the turret ( 10 ) has sufficient height so as to house two balls ( 3 ) therein. 
   
   
       5 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the turret ( 10 ) has a structural configuration which allows visually identifying the ball ( 3 ) contained therein. 
   
   
       6 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the drum ( 2 ) is indistinctly carried out as a spherical shell of transparent material or as a type of cage with an identical configuration, in the inner rotating shaft ( 6 ) of which having a cylindrical configuration the rotation means ( 12 ) of the drum are arranged. 
   
   
       7 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the drum ( 2 ), the information panel ( 25 ), and all the rest of the mechanical-electronic elements contained in said panel ( 25 ) are duly fixed or placed together or on the assembly of the machines or betting terminals. 
   
   
       8 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the CPU ( 14 ) communicates with the different machines or betting terminals ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″ . . . ) through a common intercommunication line ( 22 ), including an RGB image generator the signal ( 23 ) of which is equally sent to the betting terminals in order to supply the necessary data to the display screens of the game ( 21 ). 
   
   
       9 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the CPU ( 14 ) incorporates a data output for the supply to the decorative lighting elements ( 24 ) arranged in an information panel ( 25 ) located next to the drum ( 2 ), and on which an alphanumeric panel ( 26 ) is contained with data considered of interest in the plays, as well as audio signals ( 34 ) for game information in the information panel ( 25 ), giving betting permission ( 29 ) to the terminals that wish to take part in the drawing and supplying them before each play with information of the number of balls ( 30 ) taking part in each drawing, as well as validating by means of the control ( 28 ) the activation of the device by means of the existence of credits in the machines. 
   
   
       10 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the CPU ( 14 ) is associated to a control circuit ( 32 ) for controlling the position of the turret ( 10 ) in its orbit of travel. 
   
   
       11 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it incorporates a push-button control ( 33 ) for accessing the regulation/validation test for regulating/validating the balls in the game, as well as an auxiliary push-button control ( 31 ) for fixing the adjustable variations. 
   
   
       12 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the turret ( 10 ) is an extension of the major circumference of the actual drum ( 2 ) forming an inseparable part of the structure thereof and carried out as an element like a cylindrical cage, dimensionally suitable for housing at least one ball ( 3 ) therein. 
   
   
       13 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the turret ( 10 ) has sufficient height so as to house two balls ( 3 ) therein. 
   
   
       14 . The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the turret ( 10 ) has a structural configuration which allows visually identifying the ball ( 3 ) contained therein.