The present invention relates to devices for selecting numbers or combinations of numbers in games of chance.
Games of chance, wherein the players choose their own number or combinations of numbers, have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Governments, in order to increase revenue, frequently operate this type of game or lottery. The player receives a ticket with his selected number combination and the operator chooses a winning number on a weekly, daily or other basis. If the player's selected number combination matches the winning number, the player is a winner.
Some prizes in State lotteries have reached astronomical proportions. For example, one lottery winner was recently awarded over 16 million dollars. To cash in on this opportunity, players often select several combinations for one drawing. To do this, unprepared players often have to make a large number of selections in a relatively short time--that time being when the operator says, "Next! And what is your number?"
Players typically use various mathematical formulas or special numbers associated with birthdays, anniversaries and other meaningful dates. However, sometimes players lose faith in their numbers and look for any crutch or sign to assist them in winning.
Some devices have been previously developed which would allow random selection of combinations of numbers. Most of these selectors are hand-held and most are hand-agitated. Typically, an enclosed reservoir or chamber of number indicators, usually small numbered balls, is agitated or shaken by the player to insure a random array of the number indicators. Then the player opens a gate or slide which permits the number indicators to leave the holding reservoir or chamber to be physically withdrawn from the device or to be viewed within a display section of the device.
While such devices can select random number combinations relatively easily, none have gained widespread acceptance. One reason is that, although the devices are easily portable, lottery players rarely bring an apparatus to the site of the number combination selection. Additionally, these prior devices would be impractical if they were offered at the lottery "store" because their hand operation renders them subject to rapid wear or abuse, especially when their numbered balls have to be plucked and held by a user.
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved number-combination selector which randomly selects number combinations from a closed reservoir or chamber without having to be hand agitated to produce the combinations.
It is another object to provide a lightweight, portable number-combination selector, wherein the number indicators are selected and stored for display in a clear sealed chute and then returned to the storage or agitation chamber without being touched by the player.
It is yet another object to provide a number-combination selector which is commensurate with the above-listed objects and comprises an adaptor hood that fits over a standard, underlying bingo-ball blower.
It is a still further object to provide a number-combination selector which is easily amenable to being operated as a commercial vending machine, wherein the player inserts a coin to start the device for a specific time period during which the player selects the combinations.
The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.