Gaming machine and button cover assembly for use with gaming machines

Abstract

A gaming machine and a cover assembly for use with the gaming machine is described herein. The gaming machine includes a plurality of input buttons that are coupled to a cabinet assembly. The cover assembly includes a cover that is coupled to the cabinet assembly and oriented with respect to at least one button of the plurality of buttons. The cover is movable between a first position wherein the cover at least partially encapsulates the at least one input button, and a second position wherein the cover does not encapsulate the input button such that the input button is accessible by a player of the gaming machine.

1 . A cover assembly for use with a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a plurality of input buttons coupled to a cabinet assembly, said cover assembly comprising a cover coupled to the cabinet assembly and oriented with respect to at least one button of the plurality of buttons, said cover movable between a first position wherein said cover at least partially encapsulates the at least one input button, and a second position wherein said cover does not encapsulate the input button such that the input button is accessible by a player of the gaming machine. 
     
     
         2 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises a top wall and a sidewall extending outwardly from said top wall, said sidewall comprising an inner surface that defines a cavity that is configured to receive the at least one input button therein. 
     
     
         3 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the input button includes an outer surface having a first shape, said cover inner surface having a second shape that is substantially similar to the input button first shape. 
     
     
         4 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said cover sidewall comprises a forward end wall, a rear end wall, a first sidewall, and a second opposite sidewall, wherein said sidewalls extend between said end walls such that said cavity is defined between said forward and rear end walls and between said first and second sidewalls. 
     
     
         5 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said forward end wall comprises a bottom surface that defines an opening that extends through said forward end wall. 
     
     
         6 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said forward end wall comprises an outer surface and a flange member extending outwardly from said outer surface. 
     
     
         7 . A cover assembly for use with a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a cabinet assembly including an outer surface, and at least one input button coupled to the cabinet assembly outer surface, said cover assembly comprising:
 a support assembly coupled to the cabinet assembly surface and oriented adjacent to the at least one input button; and   a cover coupled to the support assembly, said support assembly configured to support said cover from the cabinet assembly, said cover comprising a top wall and a sidewall extending outwardly from said top wall, said sidewall comprising an inner surface that defines a cavity that is configured to receive the at least one input button therein, said cover is movable between a first position wherein said cover at least partially encapsulates the input button, and a second position wherein said cover does not encapsulate the input button such that the input button is accessible by a player of the gaming machine.   
     
     
         8 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the at least one input button includes an outer surface having a first shape, said cover inner surface includes a second shape that is substantially similar to the input button first shape. 
     
     
         9 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said sidewall extends obliquely from said top wall. 
     
     
         10 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said sidewall extends substantially perpendicularly from said top wall. 
     
     
         11 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said top wall comprises an outer surface, and a notification indicia coupled to said outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a biasing element coupled to said support assembly and said cover for biasing said cover from the second position towards the first position. 
     
     
         13 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said cover sidewall comprises a forward end wall, a rear end wall, a first sidewall, and a second opposite sidewall, wherein said sidewalls extend between said end walls such that said cavity is defined between said forward and rear end walls and between said first and second sidewalls, said rear end wall coupled to said support assembly for supporting said cover from said support assembly. 
     
     
         14 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said support assembly includes a support plate and a pair of axially-spaced support brackets extending outwardly from said support plate, said rear end wall comprising an outer surface and a support flange extending outwardly from said outer surface towards said support assembly, said support flange oriented between said pair of support brackets. 
     
     
         15 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said forward end wall comprises a bottom surface having a substantially arcuate shape that defines an opening that extends through said forward end wall. 
     
     
         16 . A cover assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said forward end wall comprises an outer surface and a flange member extending outwardly from said outer surface. 
     
     
         17 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a cabinet assembly comprising an outer surface;   a display device coupled to said cabinet assembly, said display device configured to display a game;   a plurality of input buttons coupled to said cabinet assembly to enable a player to play the game; and   a cover assembly coupled to said cabinet assembly and oriented with respect to at least input button of said plurality of input buttons, said cover assembly comprising a cover coupled to said cabinet assembly, said cover movable between a first position wherein said cover at least partially encapsulates the at least one input button, and a second position wherein said cover does not encapsulate the input button such that the input button is accessible by the player.   
     
     
         18 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said cover assembly further comprises a support assembly coupled to said cabinet assembly outer surface, said cover coupled to said support assembly such that said support assembly supports said cover from said cabinet assembly. 
     
     
         19 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said cover comprises a top wall and a sidewall extending outwardly from said top wall, said sidewall comprising an inner surface that defines a cavity that is configured to receive said at least one input button therein, said sidewall comprising a forward end wall, a rear end wall, a first sidewall, and a second opposite sidewall, wherein said sidewalls extend between said end walls such that said cavity is defined between said end walls and said sidewalls, said rear end wall coupled to said support assembly for supporting said cover from said support assembly, said forward end wall comprising an outer surface and a flange member extending outwardly from said forward end wall outer surface. 
     
     
         20 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein said forward end wall further comprises a bottom surface that defines an opening that extends through said forward end wall.