Card shuffler

Abstract

A card randomizing device includes two deposit bays for receiving partially randomized cards and a receive bay configured to receive a deck of cards to be mixed. The two deposit bays can be partially slid under the bottom of the card randomizing device and partially folded over the receive bay to arrive at a closed position. In the closed position, the card randomizing device can form a compact rectangular box that can store cards. The card randomizing device also includes one or more translation elements configured to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the two deposit bays. Further, in some embodiments, the device can include at least one motor configured to drive the one or more translation elements, the at least one motor activated with pressure directed to the top of the deck of cards. In other embodiments, the device can include a gear train configured to drive the translation elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A card randomizing device, comprising:
 a first deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards;   a second deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards;   a receive bay, configured to receive from a user a deck of cards to be mixed, the receive bay located between and adjacent to the first deposit bay on a first side of the receive bay and the second deposit bay on a second side of the receive bay;   a first translation element configured to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the first deposit bay; and   a second translation element configured to deliver cards one or more cards from the receive bay to the second deposit bay;   at least one motor configured to alternately drive the first translation element and the second translation element; and   a sensor operatively connected to the motor and configured to be activated when pressure directed to the top of the deck of cards.   
     
     
         2 . The card randomizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second translation elements are friction wheels. 
     
     
         3 . The card randomizing device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gear train connecting the motor to the first translation element and the second translation element.   
     
     
         4 . The card randomizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure directed to the top of the deck is a transient pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The card randomizing device of  claim 4 , wherein the transient pressure activates the at least one motor until the deck of cards is transferred from the receive bay to the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay. 
     
     
         6 . The card randomizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the first deposit bay comprises a first bottom panel and a second bottom panel, the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay configured to be connected by a first hinge;
 and the second deposit bay comprises a third bottom panel and a fourth bottom panel, the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay configured to be connected by a second hinge.   
     
     
         7 . The card randomizing device of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second deposit bays are configured to be slidable between an extended position and a compressed position;
 wherein a portion of the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and the first bottom panel of the first deposit bay is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position; and   wherein a portion of the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and the third bottom panel of the second deposit bay is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position.   
     
     
         8 . The card randomizing device of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of magnets configured to anchor the first and second deposit bays at their respective locations in the extended position and the compressed position. 
     
     
         9 . The card randomizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay are foldable over the receive bay to achieve a closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The card randomizing device of  claim 9 , wherein the closed position of the card randomizing device forms a rectangular box. 
     
     
         11 . The card randomizing device of  claim 9 , wherein the first deposit bay folds at the first hinge, and the second deposit bay folds at the second hinge at the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The card randomizing device of  claim 10 , wherein the rectangular box has height of between two to three decks of cards in the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The card randomizing device of  claim 10 , wherein the rectangular box has a width, a length, and a depth;
 wherein the width is at least 1.8 inches, the length at least 2.4 inches, and the depth at least 0.6 inch.   
     
     
         14 . The card randomizing device of  claim 13 , wherein the width is in a range of 2 to 3 inches, the length in a range of 2.7 to 4.2 inches, and the depth in the range of 1 to 3 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The card randomizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the card randomizing device may be operated with one hand. 
     
     
         16 . The card randomizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second deposit bays can at least partially be removed and switched to a third and a fourth deposit bays having customizable designs. 
     
     
         17 . The card randomizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a pressure activated switch. 
     
     
         18 . The card randomizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an accelerometer. 
     
     
         19 . A card randomizing device, comprising:
 a first deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards;   a second deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards;   a receive bay, configured to receive from a user, a deck of cards to be mixed, the receive bay located between and adjacent to the first deposit bay on a first side of the receive bay and the second deposit bay on a second side of the receive bay;   a first translation element configured to deliver cards from the receive bay to the first deposit bay; and   a second translation element configured to deliver cards from the receive bay to the second deposit bay, the delivery of the cards to the second deposit bay;   a hand crank configured to alternately drive the first translation element and driving the second translation element when rotated horizontally above the receive bay by a handle; and   the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay are foldable over the receive bay to achieve a closed position, wherein the handle can be pivoted downward such that in the closed position within the folded first and second deposit bays.   
     
     
         20 . The card randomizing device of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second translation elements are friction wheels. 
     
     
         21 . The card randomizing device of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a gear train connecting the hand driven crank to the first translation element and the second translation element.   
     
     
         22 . The card randomizing device of  claim 19 , wherein the first deposit bay comprises a first bottom panel and a second bottom panel, the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay configured to be connected by a first hinge;
 and the second deposit bay comprises a third bottom panel and a fourth bottom panel, the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay configured to be connected by a second hinge.   
     
     
         23 . The card randomizing device of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second deposit bays are configured to be slidable between an extended position and a compressed position;
 wherein a portion of the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and a portion of the first bottom panel of the first deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position; and   wherein a portion of the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and a portion of the third bottom panel of the second deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position.   
     
     
         24 . The card randomizing device of  claim 23 , further comprising a plurality of magnets configured to anchor the first and second deposit bays at their respective locations in the extended position and the compressed position. 
     
     
         25 . The card randomizing device of  claim 19 , wherein the closed position of the card randomizing device forms a rectangular box. 
     
     
         26 . The card randomizing device of  claim 19 , wherein the first deposit bay folds at the first hinge, and the second deposit bay folds at the second hinge at the closed position. 
     
     
         27 . The card randomizing device of  claim 25 , wherein the rectangular box has height of between two to three decks of cards in the closed position. 
     
     
         28 . The card randomizing device of  claim 25 , wherein the rectangular box has a width, a length, and a depth;
 wherein the width is at least 1.8 inches, the length at least 2.4 inches, and the depth at least 0.6 inch.   
     
     
         29 . The card randomizing device of  claim 28 , wherein the width is in a range of 2 to 3 inches, the length in a range of 2.7 to 4.2 inches, and the depth in the range of 1 to 3 inches. 
     
     
         30 . The card randomizing device of  claim 19 , wherein the card randomizing device may be operated with one hand. 
     
     
         31 . The card randomizing device of  claim 19 , wherein the first and the second deposit bays can at least partially be removed and switched to a third and a fourth deposit bays having customizable designs. 
     
     
         32 . A card randomizing device, comprising:
 a first deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, wherein the first deposit bay comprises a first bottom panel and a second bottom panel, the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay configured to be connected by a first hinge;   a second deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, wherein the second deposit bay comprises a third bottom panel and a fourth bottom panel, the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay configured to be connected by a second hinge;   a receive bay, configured to receive from a user a deck of cards to be mixed, the receive bay located between and adjacent to the first deposit bay on a first side of the receive bay and the second deposit bay on a second side of the receive bay;   a first translation element configured to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the first deposit bay; and   a second translation element configured to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the second deposit bay;   wherein the first and second deposit bays are configured to be slidable between an extended position and a compressed position;   wherein a portion of the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel of the first deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and a portion of the first bottom panel of the first deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position; and   wherein a portion of the third bottom panel and the fourth bottom panel of the second deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and a portion of the third bottom panel of the second deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position.   
     
     
         33 . The card randomizing device of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second translation elements are friction wheels. 
     
     
         34 . The card randomizing device of  claim 32 , further comprising a plurality of magnets configured to anchor the first and second deposit bays at their respective locations in the extended position and the compressed position. 
     
     
         35 . The card randomizing device of  claim 32 , wherein the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay are foldable over the receive bay to achieve a closed position. 
     
     
         36 . The card randomizing device of  claim 35 , wherein the closed position of the card randomizing device forms a rectangular box. 
     
     
         37 . The card randomizing device of  claim 32 , wherein the first deposit bay is foldable at the first hinge, and the second deposit bay is foldable at the second hinge at the closed position. 
     
     
         38 . The card randomizing device of  claim 36 , wherein the rectangular box has height of between two to three decks of cards in the closed position. 
     
     
         39 . The card randomizing device of  claim 36 , wherein the rectangular box has a width, a length, and a depth;
 wherein the width is at least 1.8 inches, the length at least 2.5 inches, and the depth at least 0.6 inch.   
     
     
         40 . The card randomizing device of  claim 39 , wherein the width is in a range of 2 to 3 inches, the length in a range of 2.8 to 4.2 inches, and the depth in the range of 1 to 3 inches. 
     
     
         41 . The card randomizing device of  claim 32 , wherein the card randomizing device may be operated with one hand. 
     
     
         42 . The card randomizing device of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second translation elements are motorized by one or more motors. 
     
     
         43 . The card randomizing device of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second translation elements are driven manually by a hand crank. 
     
     
         44 . The card randomizing device of  claim 32 , wherein the first and the second deposit bays can at least partially be removed and switched to a third and a fourth deposit bays having customizable designs. 
     
     
         45 . A method of randomizing a deck of cards, comprising:
 unfolding a card randomizing device from a closed position of a rectangular box to an open position having a receive bay in the middle and a first deposit bay and a second deposit bay adjacent to and on opposing sides of the receive bay,   placing a deck of cards in the receive bay, and   pushing on the top of the deck of cards to activate a motor, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay.   
     
     
         46 . The card randomizing device of  claim 45 , wherein the first and second translation elements are friction wheels. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 returning the cards from the first and second deposit bays to the receive bay, and   pushing on the top of the deck of cards to activate the motor, driving the two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay to further randomize the deck of cards.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 sliding the first and second deposit bays partially under the card randomizing device to form a semi-closed position when the first and second deposit bays are empty, and   folding the first deposit bay at a first hinge and the second deposit bay at a second hinge over the receive bay to form the closed position of the rectangular box.   
     
     
         49 . A method of randomizing a deck of cards, comprising:
 unfolding a card randomizing device from a closed position of a rectangular box to an open position having a receive bay in the middle and a first deposit bay and a second deposit bay adjacent to and on opposing sides of the receive bay;   placing a deck of cards in the receive bay;   rotating a hand crank horizontally above the receive bay by a handle, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay; and   rotating the hand chank to a center above the receive bay and pivoting the handle downward at a pivot to be ready for the closed position.   
     
     
         50 . The card randomizing device of  claim 49 , wherein the first and second translation elements are friction wheels. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 returning the deck of cards to the receive bay; and   rotating the hand crank horizontally above the receive bay by the handle, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay to further randomize the deck of cards.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 taking the cards out of the first and second deposit bays,   sliding the first and second deposit bays partially under the card randomizing device to form a semi-closed position when the first and second deposit bays are empty, and   folding the first deposit bay at a first hinge and the second deposit bay at a second hinge over the receive bay to form the closed position of the rectangular box.   
     
     
         53 . A method of randomizing a deck of cards, comprising:
 unfolding a card randomizing device from a closed position of a rectangular box to an open position having a receive bay in the middle and a first deposit bay and a second deposit bay adjacent to and on opposing sides of the receive bay;   placing a deck of cards in the receive bay;   randomizing the deck of cards;   sliding the first and second deposit bays partially under the card randomizing device to form a semi-closed position when the first and second deposit bays are empty, and   folding the first deposit bay at a first hinge and the second deposit bay at a second hinge over the receive bay to form the closed position of the rectangular box.   
     
     
         54 . The card randomizing device of  claim 53 , wherein the first and second translation elements are friction wheels. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein randomizing the deck of card comprising activating a motor driving two translation elements in the receive bay, causing alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein randomizing the deck of card further comprises:
 returning the cards from the first and second deposit bays to the receive bay, and   pushing on the top of the deck of cards to activate the motor, driving the two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay to further randomize the deck of cards.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein randomizing the deck of cards comprising rotating a hand crank horizontally above the receive bay by a handle, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein randomizing the deck of cards further comprises
 returning the deck of cards to the receive bay; and   rotating the hand crank horizontally above the receive bay by the handle, driving two translation elements to cause alternating distribution of cards from the deck of cards to be deposited in the first deposit bay and the second deposit bay to further randomize the deck of cards.   
     
     
         59 . A card randomizing device, comprising:
 a first deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, wherein the first deposit bay comprises a first bottom member and a second bottom member, the first bottom member and the second bottom member of the first deposit bay configured to be connected by a first hinge;   a second deposit bay for receiving partially randomized cards, wherein the second deposit bay comprises a third bottom member and a fourth bottom member, the third bottom member and the fourth bottom member of the second deposit bay configured to be connected by a second hinge;   a receive bay, configured to receive from a user a deck of cards to be mixed, the receive bay located between and adjacent to the first deposit bay on a first side of the receive bay and the second deposit bay on a second side of the receive bay;   a first translation element configured to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the first deposit bay; and   a second translation element configured to deliver one or more cards from the receive bay to the second deposit bay;   wherein the first and second deposit bays are configured to be slidable between an extended position and a compressed position;   wherein a portion of the first bottom member and the second bottom member of the first deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and a portion of the exposed portion of the first bottom member of the first deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position; and   wherein a portion of the third bottom member and the fourth bottom member of the second deposit bay is exposed in the extended position, and a portion of the exposed portion of the third bottom member of the second deposit bay that is exposed in the extended position is positioned underneath the receive bay in the compressed position.