Automatic Card Shuffler with spaced roller pair

Abstract

An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The ejected cards are passed through a dynamic de-doubler that prevents more than a pre-established number of cards from passing through. The dynamic de-doubler is able to shift positions to accommodate card that are bent, impacted by environmental conditions and otherwise worn. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Upon processor command, the stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of moving cards and simultaneously preventing damage to the cards, comprising:
 positioning a group of cards in a stack, a face of each card being positioned substantially horizontally;   advancing a card from the stack in a direction parallel to each card face;   providing a pair of opposing, spaced apart substantially vertical rollers, adjacent two opposite sides of the moving card, the rollers rotating in opposite directions to maintain an alignment of cards in the stack and prevent card damage during card moving.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the rollers are counter-rotated by means of a belt driven motor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the rollers are counter-rotated by means of idler pulleys 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein cards are advanced by means of an ejector. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a spacing between the vertical rollers is adjustable. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a spacing is adjusted by means of a linkage member. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a spacing is adjusted by means of an eccentric sleeve. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the rollers contact two opposite edges of the card perpendicular to a direction of movement of the card during advancing. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for moving cards from a stack, comprising:
 a support surface for supporting a stack of cards;   a card mover for moving individual cards from the stack in a direction parallel to the support surface;   a pair of spaced apart card rollers, each roller positioned such that two opposite sides of a card being moved contacts the rollers during card movement; and   wherein the spaced apart card rollers are located at an exit end of the card support surface.   
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the card support surface is moveable by means of a motor driven drive mechanism. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the card mover comprises at least one ejector. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein each ejector is solenoid driven. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the support surface is substantially horizontal and the card rollers have axes that are substantially vertically disposed. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the card rollers are moveable to account for different card sizes. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the card rollers rotate in opposite directions. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the card rollers rotate in directions that maintain a directional alignment of a card being moved. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein three ejectors are provided. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein each ejector fires separately.