Weighted gaming chip and method of producing a chip of this type

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a gaming chip comprising a weighting disc ( 3 ), the dimensions of which are smaller than those of the chip, the weighting disc ( 3 ) being embedded in the thickness of said chip. The chip is notable in that it comprises a continuous ring ( 5 ) which is formed from a transparent material, extends through the thickness of the chip and surrounds the weighting disc ( 3 ) as closely as possible.

1 . Gaming chip comprising:
 a weighting disc, the dimensions of which are smaller than those of the chip, the weighting disc having a first and second substantially planar surface and an edge and being embedded in the thickness of said chip, wherein the weighting disc further comprises a continuous ring which is formed from a transparent material and extends through the thickness of the chip and surrounds and covers the edge of the weighting disc such that the edge of said weighting disc remains visible through said ring, wherein said ring of transparent material covers the edge of the weighting disc and overlaps a portion of said weighting disc on said first and second surface forming a first and second inner rim.   
     
     
         2 . Chip according to  claim 1 , wherein said ring has a thickness which is substantially equal to the thickness of the chip. 
     
     
         3 . Chip according to  claim 2 , wherein said ring further comprises a means for attaching a decorative element to said weighting disc, said decorative element further comprising a first and second substantially planar surface and an edge. 
     
     
         4 . Chip according to  claim 3 , wherein said attachment means comprise radial fingers which project from the edge of said ring. 
     
     
         5 . Chip according to  claim 4 , wherein the decorative element covers said radial fingers. 
     
     
         6 . Chip according to  claim 5 , wherein the decorative element is obtained by injection-moulding material. 
     
     
         7 . Chip according to  claim 6 , wherein the decorative element is produced from a material weighted by particles. 
     
     
         8 . Chip according to  claim 6 , wherein the decorative element is produced from an opaque material. 
     
     
         9 . Chip according to  claim 3 , wherein the decorative element further comprises a plurality of surface relief portions formed on said first substantially planar surface. 
     
     
         10 . Chip according to  claim 9 , wherein said ring comprises radial notches formed in the edge thereof, said notches being positioned angularly between two edge relief portions formed on said edge of said decorative element, wherein said edge relief portions extend in part over said first and second substantially planar surface. 
     
     
         11 . Chip according to  claim 10 , wherein said chip comprises a layer of material which is injection-moulded on the decorative element, the surface of which is level with the surface of the portions in relief. 
     
     
         12 . Chip according to  claim 1 , wherein said weighting disc and said transparent ring are circular. 
     
     
         13 . Method of producing a chip comprising a weighting disc, the dimensions of which are smaller than those of the chip, said method comprises:
 arranging the weighting disc in a mould; and   injection-moulding a continuous ring made of a transparent material around the weighting disc such that the transparent material surrounds and covers the edge of the weighting disc so that the edge of said weighting disc remains visible through said ring, wherein said ring of transparent material covers the edge of the weighting disc and overlaps a portion of said weighting disc on said first and second surface forming a first and second inner rim.   
     
     
         14 . Production method according to  claim 13 , wherein the method comprises a second injection-moulding step to provide a decorative element around said ring. 
     
     
         15 . Production method according to  claim 14 , wherein the injection-moulding moulded decorative element comprises portions which are in relief, and in that the injection-moulded ring comprises radial notches which result from the weighting disc being supported by the edge thereof during said first injection-moulding process, said second injection-moulding step being carried out in the following manner: arranging an assembly comprising the weighting disc surrounded by said ring made of transparent material in a second mould in such a way that said notches are positioned angularly between two impressions which are produced in said second mould and are intended to form two of said portions in relief of said decorative element, injection-moulding material in said second mould to form the decorative element. 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 15 , wherein the method comprises a third step of injection-moulding material over an assembly comprising said weighting disc, said ring obtained after said first injection-moulding process in said first mould and said decorative element obtained after said second injection-moulding process in said second mould, said third injection-moulding step being carried out in a third mould, the impression of which has a depth which is substantially equal to the depth of said ring. 
     
     
         17 . A gaming chip comprising:
 a weighting disc having dimensions which are smaller than those of the gaming chip, the weighting disc having a first and second substantially planar surface and an edge, the weighting disc being embedded in the thickness of said chip;   a continuous ring formed from a transparent material and extends through the thickness of the chip and substantially surrounds the weighting disc such that the edge of said weighting disc is visible through said ring and having a plurality of radial notches formed on the edge of said ring of transparent material, wherein said ring of transparent material overlaps a portion of said weighting disk on said first and second surface forming a first and second inner rim, said first and second inner rim being configured to project over a portion of the respective first and second surface of the weighting disc, said weighting disc further comprising a means for attaching a decorative element to said weighting disc; and   a decorative element comprising a first and second substantially planar surface and an edge, said decorative element having a plurality of surface relief portions formed on said first substantially planar surface and a plurality of edge relief portions formed on the edge, wherein said edge relief portions extend in part over said first and second substantially planar surface, and wherein said plurality of radial notches formed in the edge of said ring of transparent material are positioned angularly between two of said plurality of edge relief portions.   
     
     
         18 . A method for producing a gaming chip comprising:
 forming a first part of said gaming chip by arranging a weighting disc in a mould and held in place by a plurality of supporting fingers, a first injection-moulding of a continuous ring made of a transparent material around the weighting disc such that the transparent material surrounds and covers the edge of the weighting disc so that the edge of said weighting disc remains visible through said ring and produces a plurality of radial fingers that project from the edge of the ring, wherein said ring of transparent material covers the edge of the weighting disc and overlaps a portion of said weighting disc on said first and second surface forming a first and second inner rim, and withdrawing the supporting fingers from the weighting disc forming a plurality of notches in the ring of transparent material;   forming a second part of said gaming chip by a second injection-moulding an opaque material to provide a decorative element around said ring of transparent material, wherein said decorative element is connected to said ring of transparent material by the plurality of radial fingers, said decorative element having a plurality of relief elements disposed on a face and edge of said decorative element; and   forming the finished gaming chip by a third injection-moulding of an opaque material over an assembly comprising said weighting disc, said ring of transparent material obtained after said first injection-moulding process and said decorative element obtained after said second injection-moulding process, wherein said third injection-moulding is carried out in a third mould, the impression of which has a depth which is substantially equal to the depth of said ring, wherein said material that is injected in said third injection-moulding fills the notches within the ring of transparent material to form a plurality of visible markings on the gaming chip.