GB2145266A - Gaming or amusement machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A fruit machine has at least one rotary reel (1) with the symbols recorded on an embossed reflection hologram (8) around its periphery. The reel is viewed conventionally through a window (5) in a screen (4), and the symbol in the centre is manifested by a beam from a light source (7) reflected by a mirror (6) adjacent the window on the underside of the screen. Such holographic presentation of selected symbols or pictures is applicable to other gaming or amusement machines. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvement relating to gaming or amusement machines This invention relates to gaming machines or amusement-with-prizes machines. It is primarily concerned with those in which a series of symbols are displayed and one or a group is selected to determine whether or not the player has won in any particular play.

Many different ways have been proposed of displayed such symbols, but they all have various disadvantages and it is an object of this invention to provide a different and more interesting display.

According to the present invention there is provided a gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind in which a member moves and stops in random fashion and a win is determined according to a symbol then displayed, wherein the symbols are on an embossed reflection hologram and means are provided for directing light on to the possible win position whereby any symbol at that position is rendered visible.

Conveniently the member is a reel around whose periphery is the symbol hologram, visible through a window. The light directing means any then include a mirror adjacent the window for redirecting a light beam from a source within the machine on to the visible portion of the reel periphery.

In one preferred form there is a plurality of such members, in the form of fruit machine reels. However, only one said member may have a hologram while the others may be conventional reels.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a reel assembly of a fruit machine, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the periphery of such a reel with a symbol band.

A reel 1 is rotated and stopped in conventional fashion, being driven by a stepper motor 2 mounted on a stand 3 concealed within the body of the machine. This has an inclined glass screen 4 masked except for windows 5 through which small portions of the peripheries of side-by-side reels are visible by eye at E. Just above each window 5 and adhered to the inside of the screen there is a mirror 6 towards which is directed a beam of white light from a source 7. The angle of incidence is such that the redirected beam impinges on the portion of the reel periphery visible through the associated window 5.

Instead of the usual symbol band, the reel 1 carries a band 8 on which the various symbols are holographically recorded. The band 8 is an embossed reflection hologram, and as a symbol appears in the reflected light beam so it becomes visible to the eye E. Furthermore, it is three-dimensional in appearance.

Such holograms are expensive and not all reels will necessarily be so equipped. For example, there may be three conventional reels with symbols graphically displayed and a fourth holographic "fea ture" reel.

This holographic three-dimensional presentation may be applied to any other gaming or amusement apparatus where some symbol or picture is selected and presented to the player.

1. A gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind in which a member moves and stops in randam fashion and a win is determined according to a symbol then displayed, wherein the symbols are on an embossed reflection hologram and means are provided for directing light on to the possible win position whereby any symbol at that position is rendered visible.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member is reel around whose periphery is the symbol hologram, visible through a window, and wherein the light directing means includes a mirror adjacent the window for redirecting a light beam from a source within the machine on to the visible portion of the reel periphery.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein there is a plurality of such members, in the form of fruit machine reels.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein one said member has a hologram and another is a reel with symbols graphically displayed around the periphery.

5. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvement relating to gaming or amusement machines This invention relates to gaming machines or amusement-with-prizes machines. It is primarily concerned with those in which a series of symbols are displayed and one or a group is selected to determine whether or not the player has won in any particular play. Many different ways have been proposed of displayed such symbols, but they all have various disadvantages and it is an object of this invention to provide a different and more interesting display. According to the present invention there is provided a gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind in which a member moves and stops in random fashion and a win is determined according to a symbol then displayed, wherein the symbols are on an embossed reflection hologram and means are provided for directing light on to the possible win position whereby any symbol at that position is rendered visible. Conveniently the member is a reel around whose periphery is the symbol hologram, visible through a window. The light directing means any then include a mirror adjacent the window for redirecting a light beam from a source within the machine on to the visible portion of the reel periphery. In one preferred form there is a plurality of such members, in the form of fruit machine reels. However, only one said member may have a hologram while the others may be conventional reels. For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a reel assembly of a fruit machine, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the periphery of such a reel with a symbol band. A reel 1 is rotated and stopped in conventional fashion, being driven by a stepper motor 2 mounted on a stand 3 concealed within the body of the machine. This has an inclined glass screen 4 masked except for windows 5 through which small portions of the peripheries of side-by-side reels are visible by eye at E. Just above each window 5 and adhered to the inside of the screen there is a mirror 6 towards which is directed a beam of white light from a source 7. The angle of incidence is such that the redirected beam impinges on the portion of the reel periphery visible through the associated window 5. Instead of the usual symbol band, the reel 1 carries a band 8 on which the various symbols are holographically recorded. The band 8 is an embossed reflection hologram, and as a symbol appears in the reflected light beam so it becomes visible to the eye E. Furthermore, it is three-dimensional in appearance. Such holograms are expensive and not all reels will necessarily be so equipped. For example, there may be three conventional reels with symbols graphically displayed and a fourth holographic "fea ture" reel. This holographic three-dimensional presentation may be applied to any other gaming or amusement apparatus where some symbol or picture is selected and presented to the player. CLAIMS

1. A gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind in which a member moves and stops in randam fashion and a win is determined according to a symbol then displayed, wherein the symbols are on an embossed reflection hologram and means are provided for directing light on to the possible win position whereby any symbol at that position is rendered visible.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member is reel around whose periphery is the symbol hologram, visible through a window, and wherein the light directing means includes a mirror adjacent the window for redirecting a light beam from a source within the machine on to the visible portion of the reel periphery.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein there is a plurality of such members, in the form of fruit machine reels.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein one said member has a hologram and another is a reel with symbols graphically displayed around the periphery.

5. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.