James R Rasmussen

US Patent:

6334612, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Nov 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/441125

Inventors:

Norman R. Wurz - Des. Plaines IL
James M. Rasmussen - Chicago IL
William C. Cesaroni - Glenview IL
Jack B. Hough - Chicago IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A63B 7100

US Classification:

273143R, 463 20, 463 46

Abstract:

An upright gaming machine comprises a housing, a mechanical or video display, a controller, a button panel, a player interface, and a coin tray. The display is mounted to the housing and is tilted slightly back at its top from an average seated player. The controller is disposed within the housing. In response to the player selecting a wager using the button panel, the controller is adapted to play a game of chance and randomly generate a game outcome on the display and provide a payout if the game outcome matches predetermined criteria. The coin tray may be used to dispense the payout. The player interface section, which includes a card reader for tracking players who insert their cards therein, is arranged on the housing between the display and the button panel. Various features of the gaming machine are ergonomically designed to minimize physical discomfort that may accompany prolonged static postures and repetitive motions of an average seated player playing the machine. Such features may include, for example, the height and angle of the button panel; the horizontal position of the button panel relative to the coin tray; the height and angle of the display; and the height of the player interface section.

US Patent:

D459402, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Aug 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

29/147267

Inventors:

Norman R. Wurz - Des Plaines IL
James M. Rasmussen - Chicago IL
William C. Cesaroni - Glenview IL
Jack B. Hough - Chicago IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

2101

US Classification:

D21325

US Patent:

D464377, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Oct 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

29/151796

Inventors:

Norman R. Wurz - Des Plaines IL
James M. Rasmussen - Chicago IL
William C. Cesaroni - Glenview IL
Jack B. Hough - Chicago IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

2101

US Classification:

D21325

US Patent:

6556450, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Apr 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/117474

Inventors:

James M. Rasmussen - Chicago IL
Gregory J. Tastad - Kenosha WI
Norman R. Wurz - Des Plaines IL
Derek S. Curran - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

H05K 710

US Classification:

361754, 361801, 439151, 439152

Abstract:

A docking mechanism for releasably interconnecting an electronics subassembly and a game interface board in a gaming machine. The electronics subassembly includes a housing enclosing a gaming control board. The docking mechanism includes an operating lever which is moveable between a docked position and an undocked position. Two latches are rotatably mounted to the operating lever and engage or disengage the electronics subassembly from the game interface board when the operating lever is moved from the docked or undocked positions, respectively. An optional housing door may be locked to prevent unauthorized access to the gaming control board.

US Patent:

6656034, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Nov 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/990606

Inventors:

James M. Rasmussen - Chicago IL
Gregory J. Tastad - Kenosha WI
Norman R. Wurz - Des Plaines IL
Erik J. Lindahl - West Bend WI

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

G07D 100

US Classification:

453 56, 232 56, 902 15, 198632

Abstract:

A coin handling device comprises a hopper and an escalator for receiving coins from the hopper. The escalator is connected to the hopper and extends upwardly from the hopper. At least a portion of the escalator is downwardly foldable toward the hopper to reduce an overall height of the coin handling device. The reduced height facilitates removal of the coin handling device from a gaming machine cabinet and installation of the coin handling device into the cabinet in the event the cabinet provides minimal clearance.

US Patent:

D495754, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Jul 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

29/186825

Inventors:

Norman R. Wurz - Des Plaines IL
James M. Rasmussen - Chicago IL
William C. Cesaroni - Glenview IL
Jack B. Hough - Chicago IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

2103

US Classification:

D21370, D21325

US Patent:

D495755, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Jul 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

29/186826

Inventors:

Norman R. Wurz - Des Plaines IL
James M. Rasmussen - Chicago IL
William C. Cesaroni - Glenview IL
Jack B. Hough - Chicago IL

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

2103

US Classification:

D21370, D21325

US Patent:

D508268, Aug 9, 2005

Filed:

Sep 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

29/189904

Inventors:

Peter J. Hanchar - Hoffman Estate IL, US
James M. Rasmussen - Chicago IL, US
Norman R. Wurz - Des Plaines IL, US
William C. Cesaroni - Glenview IL, US
Jack B. Hough - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

WMS Gaming Inc. - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

2103

US Classification:

D21369