Reel mechanism and control assembly

Abstract

A reel control assembly for a plurality of like reel mechanisms for a gaming machine, comprises a support structure having a plurality of electronic connection ports. Each of the connection ports is provided to receive a connection means provided on a reel mechanism for an electronic connection therebetween. The connection ports are electronically linked to a master controller circuit board, which provides an electronic linkage to a gaming machine. The connection ports may be provided in side-by-side relationship in a housing. Guidance means in the form of location structures on the support structure for cooperation with location structures on a reel mechanism may be provided to facilitate accurate mounting of a reel mechanism and electrical connection with the appropriate connection port. The circuit board may provide control signals to some or all components of a reel mechanism including stepper motors, LCD/OLED screens, lamp/LED arrays and optic feedback devices.

1 . A reel control assembly for a plurality of like reel mechanisms for a gaming machine, each comprising an upstanding reel support, a reel mountable on a reel support so as to be rotatable about an axis transverse to the support, via a stepper motor, and an electronic connection means, the device comprising a support structure having a plurality of electronic connection ports for receiving one of said connection means, each of the connection ports being electronically linked to a master controller circuit board, which provides an electronic linkage to a gaming machine. 
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the (or each) electronic connection means and connection ports comprise male and female plug-and-socket structures. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the (or each) reel mechanism comprises a forwardly projecting plug member and the support structure of the device comprises a socket member. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a supporting base for mounting of said reel mechanisms thereon and an upstanding wall in which said ports are mounted for connection thereto via said connection means. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the ports are arranged in side-by-side arrangement for facilitating side-by-side arrangement of said reel mechanisms. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic linkage to a gaming machine comprises a serial link. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the device controls any of the following mechanisms of the reel mechanisms, either solely or in combination: stepper motor, light LED illumination, optic feedback, RGB, LED's, LCD or OLED screen. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting base provides location structures for cooperation with location structures on the reel mechanism. 
   
   
       9 . A reel mechanism comprising an upstanding reel support, a reel mountable on the reel support so as to be rotatable about an axis transverse to the support, a support structure having at least one first retention structure at a forward region thereof and at least one first location structure rearwardly of the (or each) first retention structure, a foot fixed to the support at a lower region thereof and extending transversely to the upstanding reel support and to the said rotation axis, said foot having at least one second retention structure at a forward end region thereof and at least one second location structure rearwardly of said forward end region, whereby the foot is detachably mountable on the support structure by releasable interengagement respectively of the first and second retention structures and the first and second location structure. 
   
   
       10 . The mechanism according to  claim 9 , wherein the releasable interengagement relies on parts provided respectively on the foot and the support structure. 
   
   
       11 . The mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second retention structures comprise cooperable male and female plug-and-socket structures. 
   
   
       12 . The mechanism according to  claim 11 , wherein the male and female structures consist of, or include electrical plug-and-socket structures. 
   
   
       13 . The mechanism according to  claim 12 , wherein there is a forwardly projecting plug member on the foot, which is cooperable with an upstanding rearwardly facing socket member on the support structure. 
   
   
       14 . The mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second location structures comprise cooperable projection and aperture structures whereby the (or each) projection fits into the respective aperture and prevents movement in at least one direction by engagement with peripheral regions of the aperture. 
   
   
       15 . The mechanism according to  claim 14 , wherein the aperture has an enlargement of the nature of a keyhole, and the projection is a headed projection, whereby the head can pass through the enlargement but it is too wide to pass through the reminder of the aperture. 
   
   
       16 . The mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein the aperture of the (or each) pair of cooperable location structures are in the foot and the projection is an upstanding projection on the support structure. 
   
   
       17 . The mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein the interengagement between the respective location and retention structures are retained solely frictionally so that the structures are pushed into interengagement and disengagement is effected solely by pulling the structures apart. 
   
   
       18 . The mechanism according to  claim 10  wherein, to facilitate movement of the foot into and/or out of interengagement there is an upstanding tab or gripping member on the foot at a rearward end portion thereof, which can be readily gripped. 
   
   
       19 . The mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein the foot is formed integrally with the reel support. 
   
   
       20 . (canceled)