USOO5976O15A

United States Patent (19) 11 Patent Number: 5,976,015

Seelig et al. (45) Date of Patent: *Nov. 2, 1999
54) COMBINED SLOT MACHINE AND RACING 4,781,377 11/1988 McVean et al. .......................... 463/58
GAME 4,805,907 2/1989 Hagiwara ... ... 463/26
4,871,171 10/1989 Rivero ...... ... 463/20
75 Inventors: Mac R. Seelig; Jerald Seelig, both of E. go his ---- ------------- --- --- ------- --- --- ---- :
AA 2 - a -2 TaCy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Absecon, Michael Hiltbrand,
Pedricktown; Douglas Cramer, Somers
5,186,460 2/1993 Fongeallaz et al. ........................ 463/27
5,280,909 1/1994 Tracy
463/6
Point, all of N.J. 5,320,351 6/1994 Suzuki ........................................ 463/6
O rO 5,398.938 3/1995 Money . ... 463/61
73 Assignee: Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Co.,
Inc., Plesantville, N.J. FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

* Notice: This patent is Subject to a terminal dis- S. 9. E"

claimer. 2205188 11/1988 United Kingdom.
2251558 7/1992 United Kingdom.
21
21 Appl.
Appl. No.:
No.: 09/009,344
09/009, OTHER PUBLICATIONS
22 Filled: 20, 1998
22 File Jan. 20, Richard M. Bueschel, Slots 1, 1978, p. 136.
Related U.S. Application Data Primary Examiner Benjamin H. Layno
63 Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/875,980, filed as Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Norman E. Lehrer
application No. PCT/US96/15023, Sep. 19, 1996, Pat. No. 57 ABSTRACT
5,779,544, which is a continuation of application No.
08/543,200, Oct. 13, 1995, Pat. No. 5,560,603, which is a
continuation-in-part of application No. 08/488,270, Jun. 7,
1995, Pat. No. 5,664,998.
The gy E. of 16 P" E. inyl one or
more Slot macnines (1 s ) associated win a racing
6 display (20, 120) wherein the racing elements (22, 122) are
51) Int. Cl. ...................................................... G07F 17/34 not racing against each other. Rather, a clock (24, 124) is
52) U.S. Cl. ................................... 463/6; 463/20; 463/25; included and each racing element is racing against the clock,
463/60; 463/42; 273/143 R independently of the other racing elements. The racing
58 Field of Search .................................... 463/6, 20, 25, display (20) may be built directly into the slot machine so
463/66, 68, 60, 42: 273/143 R, 138.2 that the slot player can easily See the progress of his horse
(22) or other racing element. Alternatively, a large racing
56) References Cited display (120) may be utilized that displays a plurality of
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS horses O other racing elements (122) but wherein each horse
is racing against a different clock (124) rather than against
1,626,420 4/1927 Mills ......................................... 463/68 each other. Even further, Win, Place and Show positions are
2,148,828 2/1939 Myers ... ... 194/240 located adjacent the finish line and the slot player whose
2,671,662 3/1954 Carpenter .................................. 463/62 horse (22, 122) reaches either of these positions is awarded
3,231,987 2/1966 Schott et al. .............................. 434/63 a prize depending on the position reached before the clock
3,462,152 8/1969 Royston .................................. 273/246 (24, 124) has timed out
4,232,866 11/1980 Pennachio ............................... 273/374 s
4,570,934 2/1986 Smyth ....... 273/143 R
4,669,731 6/1987 Clarke ................................. 273/143 R 11 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Nov. 2, 1999 Sheet 1 of 2 5,976,015

J72.2
CON

SLOT
MACHINE
WHEELS

TIMER
PAY OUT ADVANCE DISPLAY
CONS HORSE

HORSE DETERMINE
POSITION WIN
U.S. Patent Nov. 2, 1999 5,976,015

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S
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 5,976,015
1 2
COMBINED SLOT MACHINE AND RACING prior application discussed above and provides a System
GAME which will encourage the slot players to continue playing
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED and which is entertaining to both the players themselves and
APPLICATIONS to others who may be watching. The gaming System of the
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of prior appli present invention includes one or more slot machines asso
cation Ser. No. 08/875,980 filed on Aug. 25, 1997, now U.S. ciated with a racing display wherein the racing elements are
Pat. No. 5,779,544, under 35 U.S.C. S371 claiming the not racing against each other. Rather, a clock is included and
benefit of International Application No. PCT/US96/15023 each racing element is racing against the clock, indepen
filed on Sep. 19, 1996 which claims priority on U.S. appli dently of the other racing elements. The racing display may
cation Ser. No. 08/543,200 filed on Oct. 13, 1995 now Pat. be built directly into the slot machine so that the slot player
No. 5,560,603. Application Ser. No. 08/875,980 is also a can easily See the progreSS of his horse or other racing
Continuation-in-Part of prior application Ser. No. 08/488, element. Alternatively, a large racing display Such as
270 filed on Jun. 7, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,998. described in the prior application may also be utilized but
wherein each horse is racing against a different clock rather
TECHNICAL FIELD 15 than against each other. Even further, Win, Place and Show
The present invention is directed toward a gaming System positions are located adjacent the finish line and the Slot
and, more particularly, toward Such a System that combines player whose horse reaches either of these positions is
a slot machine with a racing display that may be built awarded a prize depending on the position reached before
directly into the slot machine or which may be remote the clock has timed out.
therefrom.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
BACKGROUND ART
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are
Traditional slot machines commonly in use are normally shown in the accompanying drawings forms which are
Stand-alone devices intended to be played by a single player. presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is
The player inserts one or more coins therein and either 25 not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and
pushes a button or pulls a lever to initiate the play. Depend instrumentalities shown.
ing on the final position of the Spinning wheels within the FIG. 1 is a representation of a combined slot machine and
Slot machine, the machine determines whether or not and racing game in accordance with the principles of the present
how much the player has won. invention;
Applicants prior U.S. application Ser. No. 08/488,270, FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the
filed Jun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,998 describes a invention, and
System wherein a plurality of slot machines may be com FIG. 3 is an overall view, partly in schematic form, of a
bined together with a large, overhead racing display which Second embodiment of the invention including a plurality of
carries a number of racing elements Such as automobiles, Slot machines and racing elements.
horses or the like. Each time one of the slot machines wins 35
or each time the handle is pulled or a coin is played, the BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
respective racing element is moved a predetermined dis INVENTION
tance. Whichever horse or other racing element wins the
race, the player at that slot machine is awarded a bonus. The Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
primary purpose of the invention described in the prior 40 reference numerals have been used throughout the various
application is to encourage competition between slot play figures to designate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1
CS. a combined slot machine and racing game constructed in
While the invention described in Applicants’ prior U.S. accordance with the principles of the present invention and
Pat. No. 5,664,998 may serve the purpose indicated therein, designated generally as 10. With the exception of certain
it also can create certain difficulties. Since the horses or other 45 modifications and additional features described hereinafter,
racing elements are racing against each other, all of the Slot the slot machine 10 is generally of conventional construction
and includes a coin slot 12 and a lever arm 14. The slot
playerS must begin at precisely the same time. This would
require Supervision by an operator or other person which machine 10 may also include a push button 16 that can be
obviously creates additional expense. Even further, a num activated in order to initiate play in lieu of the lever arm 14.
ber of the slot machines would be sitting idle and, therefore, 50 The slot machine 12 also includes a display window 18
not generating income to the casino while waiting for other wherein the results of each play on the machine can be
viewed.
playerS So that the race could begin.
Furthermore, because the racing display described in the Slot machine 10 may be either of the conventional
prior application was remotely located from the Slot mechanical type with rotating or Spinning wheels or of the
machine, it might be difficult for the slot players to view the 55 more modern electronic type of machine wherein only the
Same while playing the slot machine. This might discourage appearance of rotating wheels is displayed in the display
them from playing. Even further, the System described in the window 18. While three such rotating wheels are shown in
prior application Suggested that a prize be awarded to the slot machine 10, it should be readily apparent that other
winning horse. As a result, should one of the horses win types of slot machines having fewer or greater numbers of
relatively early in the race because the particular slot 60 wheels could also be utilized. Furthermore, while the term
machine has "hit' an inordinate number of times, the “rotating wheel' or “spinning wheel” may be used in this
remaining slot players in the race would stop playing, application, it should be understood that the term is intended
thereby creating a loSS in revenues to the casino operator. to refer to both mechanical wheels that rotate and the
electronic type of displays that merely simulate rotating
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 65 wheels.
The present invention is intended to overcome the appar Located in the upper portion of the front of the slot
ent deficiencies in the invention described in Applicants machine 10 is a racing display 20. Racing display 20
 5,976,015
3 4
includes a racing element Such as a horse 22 which is position of the racing element 22. If the horse has reached
capable of moving across the display 20 from the left to the the Show line, a prize is awarded. This may be done through
right. The racing element 22 and the display 20 can either be the slot machine 10, i.e. by paying additional coins to the
of the mechanical type wherein a stepping motor and drive player in the conventional manner or a separate award or
chain or the like physically move the horse 22 through a prize may be given to the player by the proprietor. If the
predetermined distance each time a command is received to horse 22 has reached the Place position, a prize is also
do So or electrical or electronic types of displayS can be awarded which preferably is of a greater value than the
utilized Such as are more fully described in Applicants Show prize. Should the horse 22 reach the Win line before
parent application referred to above. the timer display 24 times out, an even greater prize is
awarded.
The slot machine 10 also includes a clock or other timing FIG. 2 is a combined Schematic and logic diagram essen
mechanism and a timer display Such as shown at 24. The tially illustrating the progression of the play of the game as
timer display 24 can be either of the analog type or can be outlined above. In Summary, when a coin is inserted, the
a digital display and is preferably arranged to count down. clock initiates the timer display and the slot machine wheels
That is, the timer display 24 is preferably arranged So as to are initiated so that they will rotate upon the pull of the
initially display a fixed amount of time Such as five minutes 15
handle or push of the button. Depending on the particular
or the like and then “counts down, i.e. displays continu combination of indicia on the wheels when they stop
ously lower numbers as time elapses. rotating, either coins will be paid out in the conventional
On the finish or right side of the display 20 are three manner or the racing element will advance. When the timer
distinct markings S, P and W which represent “Show,” display times out, the position of the racing element is
“Place” and “Win.” As shown, the Show position is furthest determined and appropriate payment is made if the racing
from the finish line and closest to the start line while the Win element reaches the Win, Place or Show position.
position is preferably at the finish line and the Place position It has been found that, in Some situations, the timer may
is between the Show and Win positions. time out too quickly So that the player may not have a fair
A player utilizes the Slot machine 10 in a conventional opportunity to have his horse or other racing element reach
manner. That is, one or more coins are inserted into the coin 25 the finish line. This can be frustrating and eventually a player
slot 12 and the lever 14 is pulled or the button 16 is may simply give up and not play the machine. For example,
depressed to begin spinning the wheels 18. The first coin should a player drop a coin on the floor and Spend a minute
played and/or the pulling of the handle 14 or the pushing of looking for the Same, his or her clock will continue to run.
the button 16 also initiates the timer display 24. That is, Knowing that very little time remains, there would be no
timer display 24 resets to five minutes or Some other incentive for the player to continue playing. Furthermore,
predetermined time and begins counting down. older or leSS agile players would clearly be at a disadvantage
Furthermore, initiation of the play also resets the racing Since they may take a longer time than younger players to
element Such as the horse 22 to the Start position. feed the machine with coins and pull the lever. The clock,
Alternatively, a separate button or the like which, when however, would be continuously running. The present inven
depressed, can be utilized to reset the timer display 24 and 35
tion may, therefore, provide a means for addressing this
the racing element 22 to await the first coin or the first pull problem.
of the handle 14. Although the clock or timer may run essentially
After the rotating wheels 18 stop, the slot machine 10 may continuously, provisions can be included for Stopping the
or may not pay out coins to the player (or award credits) Same under certain circumstances. For example, an addi
depending on the Specific combination of indicia that appear. tional timer could be provided that Stops the main clock if
In this regard, the Slot machine 10 functions in a conven 40 there has been no activity for a preselected period of time.
tional manner to provide a monetary payment to the player Thus, if a coin has not been inserted or the handle pulled
when certain predetermined combinations of the indicia on within a preselected period of time Such as twenty Seconds
the wheels is displayed. or the like, the clock would stop and would not begin again
Each time a particular predetermined combination of until a coin was deposited or the handle was pulled. A player
indicia appears in the display 18, a Signal is generated which 45 would know, therefore, that he or she would never lose more
advances the racing element 22 through a particular prede than twenty Seconds for each play. Obviously, timing infor
termined distance. Different combinations of the indicia on mation from the main clock could be used for this purpose
the wheels 18 could, of course, be selected to move the rather than requiring the use of an additional clock or timer.
racing element through different distances. Preferably, the Furthermore, it may be possible to allow the clock to run
particular combination of indicia on the wheels in display 18 50 continuously but to merely interrupt the countdown timer or
that provides the player with a monetary payment is not a elapsed time display if there has been no activity within
combination which moves the racing element 22. twenty Seconds or So.
Conversely, the particular preselected combination of indi FIG. 3 illustrates a modified form of the invention
cia that moves the racing element 22 preferably does not described above. In this embodiment of the invention, a
provide the player with a monetary payment. This adds 55 plurality of Slot machines are utilized Such as shown at
excitement and interest to continuing the play of the game 110A, 110B, 110C and 110D. While four Such slot machines
Since a player has an opportunity to win his race even if the are shown, it should be readily apparent that a fewer or
Slot machine does not pay during any particular pull of the greater number of machines may be utilized.
handle 14. Located above the Series of Slot machines is a racing
The timer display 24 continues to count down as the 60
display 120. Preferably, the racing display 120 is located in
player plays the slot machine 10. Each time that the prede a position which, while remote from the slot machines, is
termined combination of indicia Such as the three horses capable of being easily viewed by the players of the Slot
shown on the display 18 appears, the racing element 22 machines and by other spectators who may gather around.
moves toward the finish line. The principal object of this The racing display 120 includes a plurality of racing ele
aspect of the slot machine 10 is, of course, to attempt to have ments thereon Such as shown at 122A, 122B, 122C and
the player's horse 22 reach the finish line before the timer 65 122D. Each racing element corresponds with a particular
display 24 times out. Once the timer display 24 does time slot machine. The slot machines 110A-110D and the racing
out, the game is over and means are provided for Sensing the elements 122A-122D are arranged and operate in a manner
 5,976,015
S 6
very similar to that described in Applicants U.S. Pat. No. a slot machine including means for accepting one or more
5,664,998 incorporated herein by reference. That is, when a coins to be bet in Said machine, Said machine including
certain condition of play is Sensed in Slot machine 110A Such a plurality of rotating wheels with indicia thereon and
as the appearance of three horses on the rotating wheels 118, a plurality of windows corresponding to the number of
an output signal is generated on line 130. Line 130 is Said wheels for exhibiting the indicia on Said wheels
connected to an electronic translator circuit 132 which after they have Stopped rotating,
interprets the output signal and converts the same to a useful Said slot machine including means for making a monetary
electrical Signal Such as a current pulse or a Series of pulses payment to a player when Said means for exhibiting
which are, in turn, delivered to the controller circuit 134. The displays a predetermined combination of Said indicia
controller circuit 134 is, in turn, connected to the racing on Said wheels;
display 120 and a particular racing element Such as racing 1O a racing display including a movable racing element
element 122A is then advanced by a predetermined distance. thereon and means for moving Said racing element;
As with the display 20, the racing display 120 can either be Said slot machine further including a means for generating
of the mechanical type Such as shown or of an electronic or an output signal when Said exhibiting means displays a
electrical type. Second predetermined combination of indicia;
Each Slot machine and each racing element is provided 15 means connecting Said output Signal to Said moving
with its own timer display such as shown at 124A, 124B, means whereby said output Signal functions to move
124C and 124D at the left side of the racing display 120. the racing element through a predetermined distance;
Thus, instead of racing against the other slot machine clock means and elapse time display means connected to
players, each player is racing against his or her own clock. Said clock means,
The player will win or lose depending on whether his or her means for interrupting the operation of Said elapse time
respective car or other racing element 122A-122D reaches display means if a predetermined event does not occur
the Win, Place or Show line before his or her timing display within a predetermined time and for causing Said elapse
times out. A particular timing display is initiated when the time display means to continue upon the occurrence of
player begins to play on the corresponding slot machine in Said predetermined event;
the manner described above with respect to the embodiment 25 means for rewarding the player if the racing element
of the invention shown in FIG. 1. In this way, it is not reaches a predetermined position within a predeter
necessary for all of the players to begin at the same time. AS mined time interval displayed by Said time display
a result, the slot machines will be in more continuous use. CS.

It should be readily apparent that it is also possible to 2. The System as claimed in claim 1 wherein Said racing
combine the features of the slot machine 10 shown in FIG. display is contained within Said slot machine.
1 with the arrangement shown in FIG. 3. That is, each of the 3. The System as claimed in claim 1 wherein Said means
slot machines 110A-110B could also include its own racing for rewarding Said player includes means for providing Said
display So that the player can more easily watch his or her player with a plurality of different awards, the value of
racing element without having to look up at the main racing which depends on the position of Said racing element at the
end of Said time interval.
display 120. Each slot machine 110A-110D may also have 35
its own timer display which would correspond exactly to the 4. The invention as claimed in claim3 wherein Said racing
timer displays 124A-124D or which may be used in lieu of display includes three distinct markings thereon indicating a
the timer displayS 124A-124D So that the player can again Win position, a Place position and a Show position and
more easily keep track of his or her remaining time. wherein Said means for rewarding rewards a greater amount
In the embodiment of the invention described above, the when Said racing element reaches Said Win position and
racing elements are moved when a particular combination of
40 lesser amounts if Said racing element reaches said Place or
Show positions.
indicia Such as three horses appears on the slot machine 5. The System as claimed in claim 1 wherein Said racing
wheels as displayed at 18 or 118. It is also possible, however, display is located remote from Said slot machine.
to advance the racing elements based on other criteria. For 6. The system as claimed in claim 5 further including a
example, a Signal could be generated to move the racing 45 plurality of Said slot machines and a plurality of racing
element one unit for every coin that is inserted into the Slot elements carried by Said racing display, the number of Said
machine or each time that the handle is pulled (or the button racing elements being equal to the number of Said Slot
of the slot machine is pushed in lieu of the handle). machines with each element being associated with a differ
Furthermore, if the pull of the handle is used as the criteria ent one of Said slot machines.
for moving the racing element, the distance that the racing 7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said output
element is moved could depend on the number of coins that 50
Signal is generated when a predetermined operating condi
were played during that handle pull. tion of Said slot machine is Sensed.
Even further, combinations of the above-described crite 8. The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said condi
ria can be utilized. That is, the racing elements can be moved tion is a predetermined combination of indicia displayed by
each time a coin is deposited or the handle is pulled and the Said exhibiting means.
racing elements can be moved even further if a predeter 55 9. The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said condi
mined combination of indicia appears on the displayS 18 or tion depends on the number of coins bet.
118. 10. The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said slot
The present invention may be embodied in other specific machine includes a means for initiating each play of the
forms without departing from the Spirit or essential attributes Same and wherein Said condition is responsive to Said means
thereof and accordingly reference should be made to the 60 for initialing.
appended claims rather than to the foregoing Specification as 11. The system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means
indicating the Scope of the invention. for initiating is a handle.
We claim:
1. A gaming System comprising: k k k k k