RAFFLE DEVICE

Abstract

A device used in marketing contests, particularly for the drawing of tickets which are put into a rotating raffle drum (G), and whose main purpose is to provide a dynamic and automated device that, advantageously, allows feeding of tickets even when the rotating drum is moving, enables constant and uniform shuffling of said tickets, thus ensuring randomness of the drawing with greater safety and ease and, at the same time, provides public entertainment. Said raffle device (E) comprises a rotating raffle drum (G), a stand (S), a rotation mechanism (R), a ticket feeding device (D), a compressed air power unit (C) and a power, command and control board (Q), including an electronic control unit (not depicted) such as a PLC. Device (E) may further comprise a ticket swirling mechanism (T) interconnected to a compressed air power unit (C) and a lighting system (not depicted) conveniently associated with the rotating drum (G).

Claims

1. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, characterized in that it comprises a rotating raffle drum (G) for storing tickets closed on its ends by panels (G2) and supported by a stand (S); a rotation mechanism (R) provided with a set of cooperative wheels (R1) conveniently attached to the panels (G2) central portion, at least one of the wheels (R1) being hollow; a ticket feeding device (D) provided with a duct (D1) arranged inside at least one of the wheels (R1) and conveniently attached to the central region of at least one of the panels (G2) of the drum (G); and at least one of the wheels (R1) being actuated by a proper gearbox mechanism (M) to rotate the drum (G).

2. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that tickets are inserted into the drum (G) when drum (G) is in motion.

3. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a set of cooperative wheels (R2), on both sides of the drum (G), conveniently attached to stand (S) in an off-center arrangement relative to the wheel (R1) central axis so as to define a bracing for the wheels (R1) that, besides supporting the drum (G), radially aligns its rotation relative to the stand (S) central axis.

4. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that wheels (R1 and R2) are coated with a material resistant to the imposed loads and, at the same time, rubberized to eliminate noises caused by friction during rotation while using device (E).

5. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that duct (D1) comprises a channel (D4) substantially slanted and partially closed by a wall (D2) so as to form a slot (D3) for inserting tickets.

6. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that ticket feeding device (D) comprises an air chamber (D5) that accommodates a pipe (D6) connected to a compressed air power unit (C) to inject air into the channel (D4).

7. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claims 1, characterized in that it comprises a sensor conveniently installed close to the channel (D4) to actuate the air chamber (D5) and release a compressed air jet into the channel (D4) so as to discharge the ticket(s) into the drum (G).

8. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, characterized in that duct (D1) is provided with a proper conveyor (D7) on its inside to transfer tickets to the inside of drum (G) in a higher level relative to the duct (D1) central axis.

9. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that conveyor (D7) comprises a set of micro conveyor belts (D8) and pulleys (D9) associated with one another so as to define a transfer channel for the tickets by friction or mechanical interference or similar, said set of conveyor belts (D8) and pulleys (D9) being preferably actuated by a micro gear motor.

10. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that J-shaped conveyor (D7) is configured in such a way to displace tickets by means of a set of belts, vacuum, air jet or similar mechanisms.

11. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that gearbox mechanism (M) comprises a gear motor (M1) associated to a motor pulley (M2) connected to a driving pulley (M3) by means of a transmission element (M4).

12. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, on both sides of drum (G), at least one auxiliary anchoring device (E1) made up by a wheel (E2) attached to the stand (S) and in contact with a panel (G2) so as to limit drum's (G) axial motion during rotation.

13. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, characterized in that it comprises a ticket swirling mechanism (T) provided with at least one air guiding pipe (C3) provided with at least one opening, and at least one pipe (C4) interconnected to a rotary joint (T1) placed on one of the panels (G2), ticket swirling mechanism (T) being fed by a compressed air power unit (C); ticket swirling mechanism taking place automatically and intermittently.

14. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 13, characterized in that duct (C3) is placed in any area on the drum (G), preferably arranged along one or more frame rails (G3).

15. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that device (E) comprises at least one lighting system, preferably a RGB device.

16. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that device (E) comprises at least one safety sensor responsible for monitoring radial motion of the drum (G) and at least one safety sensor responsible for monitoring axial motion of the drum (G).

17. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that device (E) comprises safety sensors (P) mounted on the stand (S) for immediate stop of the drum's (G) rotation by means of the gear motor (M1) shutoff.

18. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that drum (G) is substantially polygonal closed on its ends by panels (G2) and longitudinally by panels (G4) conveniently attached to frame rails (G3) and profiles (G5), profiles (G5) being arranged between frame rails (G3) and cooperative with the panels (G2).

19. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that longitudinal frames (G4) are preferably made of translucent and resistant material so as to make it possible to view tickets inside the drum.

20. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claims 1, characterized in that drum (G) comprises at least one hatch (G7) arranged on one of the panels (G4), associated with the drum (G) by means of swiveling elements (G8) and locked by means of at least one lock (G9).

21. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claim 1, characterized in that stand (S), rotation mechanism (R) and ticket feeding device (D) are provided with protective cowls.

22. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claims 1, characterized in that device (E) comprises a power, command and control board (Q) controlled by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) so as to store the operating parameters of the rotation mechanism (R), ticket swirling mechanism (T), compressed air power unit (C) and lighting system.

23. “RAFFLE DEVICE”, according to claims 1, characterized in that stand (S) comprises advertising campaign medias or other media outlets such as back lights, visual displays, sound boxes or the like.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a front schematic view of the raffle device (E) in a preferable embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a side schematic view of the raffle device (E) in a preferable embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows an expanded view of detail B of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of detail F of FIG. 1, in a preferable embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 4A shows a partial expanded view of FIG. 4;

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a front schematic view of the raffle device (E), in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 6 shows an expanded view of detail J of FIG. 5;

[0029] FIG. 7 show a cross-sectional view of a rotating raffle drum (G); and

[0030] FIG. 8 shows one of the panels (G4) provided with a hatch (G7).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] As illustrated in the attached drawings, the raffle device (E) comprises a rotating raffle drum (G), a stand (S), a rotation mechanism (R), a ticket feeding device (D), a compressed air power unit (C) and a power, command and control unit (Q), including an electronic control unit (not depicted), such as a PLC.

[0032] The rotating raffle drum (G) is a substantially polygonal bin for storing tickets which is closed in one of its ends by panels (G2) interconnected by means of profiles, such as frame rails (G3) thus ensuring the drum's layout (G).

[0033] The raffle drum (G) may further comprise a ticket swirling mechanism (T) interconnected to the compressed air power unit (C), and a lighting system (not depicted) conveniently associated to the rotating drum (G).

[0034] The rotation mechanism (R) of the drum (G), as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, is provided with a set of cooperative wheels (R1) conveniently attached to the panels (G2) center portion, at least one of the wheels (R1) being hollow so as to define a free central portion to feed the tickets even while the drum is in motion, and at least one of the wheels (R1) being actuated by a proper gearbox mechanism (M) to rotate the drum (G).

[0035] The device (E) further comprises, on both sides of the drum (G), a set of cooperative wheels (R2) conveniently attached to the stand (S) in an off-center arrangement relative to the wheels (R1) central axis so as to define a bracing for the wheels (R1) at the stand (S) that, besides supporting the drum (G), radially aligns its rotation with respect to the stand (S) central axis.

[0036] Preferably, gearbox mechanism (M) spins the drum (G) through a gear motor (M1) associated to a motor pulley (M2) interconnected to a driving pulley (M3) by means of a transmission element such as a belt (M4).

[0037] Wheels (R2) are conveniently disposed to anchor the drum (G) during its rotation and, at the same time, ensure a bracing for the wheel (R1) so as to radially align the drum's (G) rotation with respect to the stand (S) central axis.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, gear motor (M1) spins the drum (G) by means of the motor pulley (M2) interconnected to the driving pulley (M3) by means of a transmission element (M4) such as a belt cooperating with a wheel (R1) conveniently attached to one of the panels (G2) of the drum (G) in an off-center arrangement.

[0039] The device (E), as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, comprises at least one auxiliary anchoring device (E1) on both sides of the drum (G), where the wheel (E2) is attached to the stand (S) and in contact with the panel (G2) so that the auxiliary anchoring device (E1) is able to limit the drum (G) axial motion during its rotation.

[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6, the ticket feeding device (D) is provided with a duct (D1) arranged on the center region of at least one of the panels (G2) close to an opening (G20) of said panel (G2) and inside at least one of the wheels (R1) which is hollow to define a free center region to feed the tickets even while the drum (G) is in motion.

[0041] Preferably, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, and 4A, the ticket feeding device (D) comprises a duct (D1) provided with a channel (D4) partially closed by a wall (D2) so as to form a slot (D3) for inserting the tickets, duct (D1) being provided with a proper J-shaped conveyor (D7) on its inside, which makes it possible to transfer the tickets to the inside of drum (G) at a higher level relative to the duct (D1) central axis by means of proper mechanisms to displace tickets, such as a set of belts, vacuum, air jet or similar mechanisms.

[0042] FIGS. 4 and 4A show an example of the appropriate conveyor (D7) comprising a set of micro conveyor belts (D8) and pulleys (D9) associated with one another so as to define a transfer channel for the tickets by friction or mechanical interference, said set of micro conveyor belts (D8) and pulleys (D9) being preferably actuated by a micro gear motor (not depicted).

[0043] Advantageously, the conveyor (D7) allows insertion of tickets into the drum (G), even when the number of tickets exceeds the level at the duct (D1) central axis.

[0044] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, ticket feeding device (D) comprises a duct (D1) provided with a channel (D4) partially closed by a wall (D2) so as to form a slot (D3) to insert tickets. Preferably, channel (D4) is substantially slanted so that tickets, when placed inside thereof, go through said channel (D4) more easily and enters the drum (G).

[0045] As a result, ticket falls into the channel (D4) when it is inserted through the slot (D3) by user; the subsequent tickets coming through the slot (D3) are compelled to go through the entire channel (D4) and are then directed into the drum (G). The sequence goes on until the last ticket is inserted.

[0046] Optionally, duct (D1) may comprise an air chamber (D5) that accommodates a pipe (D6) connected to the compressed air power unit (C). As a result, to prevent build-up of tickets inside the channel (D4), an injection of air through the air chamber (D5) into the channel (D4) may be pre-programmed by the PLC to release intermittent compressed air jets thus discharging the ticket(s) into the drum (G).

[0047] Optionally, after the last ticket is inserted through the slot (D3), the air chamber (D5) releases a compressed air jet into the channel (D4) thus discharging the last ticket into the drum (G), as the movement in the opposite direction, that is, out of the drum (G), is obstructed by the wall (D2).

[0048] Optionally, when there is a build-up of tickets inside the channel (D4), a sensor (not depicted) conveniently installed close to said channel (D4), after detecting said build-up, may actuate the air chamber (D5) to release a compressed air jet into the channel (D4) and discharge the ticket(s) into the drum (G).

[0049] Despite the preferable use of a ticket feeding device (D), it will be understood that the tickets may be directly inserted into the drum (G) through the duct (D1) arranged on the central region of at least one of the panels (G2) without departing from the scope of the attached claims.

[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, the ticket swirling mechanism (T) is provided with at least one air guiding pipe (C3) and at least one pipe (C4) interconnected to a rotary joint (T1) placed on a panel (G2) on the same side of the rotation mechanism (R). Said ticket swirling mechanism (T) is fed by a compressed air power unit (C) by means of the rotary joint (T1). Pipe (C3) should be placed in the drum (G) and be arranged along one or more frame rails (G3).

[0051] Said pipe (C3) is provided with at least one air vent which is supplied by the compressed air power unit (C). Thus, when air is released into the drum (G), it clashes with the tickets and make them swirl.

[0052] Preferably, ticket swirling inside the drum (G) takes place automatically and intermittently so as to increase shuffling efficiency.

[0053] Further, device (E) comprises at least one safety sensor (not depicted) responsible for monitoring radial motion of drum (G) and at least one safety sensor (not depicted) responsible for monitoring axial motion of drum (G) as well as being responsible for stopping device (E) operation upon rupturing of any of the wheels making up the rotation mechanism (R) or any of the wheels making up the auxiliary anchoring device (E1), so as to avoid greater damage to the device and eventual persons close thereof (E).

[0054] As regarding the safety of the people close to the device, especially children, device (E) comprises safety sensors (P) mounted on the stand (S) for immediate stop of drum's (G) rotation by means of the gear motor (M1) shutoff, in case a user puts his or her hand or any object inside the drum (G) during rotation.

[0055] Additionally, device (E) may comprise a compressed air feeding point when it is necessary to manually inject compressed air inside the drum (G), as well as at the slot (D3) to make sure there are not tickets inside the ticket feeding device (D).

[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, drum (G) is closed by longitudinal panels (G4) conveniently attached to frame rails (G3) and to profiles (G5), profiles (G5) being arranged between the frame rails (G3) and cooperative with the panels (G2), whose panels (G4) may be attached by any existing means, such as bolts, rivets, stickers of any kind and compatible with the materials used and that can withstand the forces caused by the weight of the tickets and by the inertia of the rotation thereof, among others, so as to form an airtight drum (G). Said longitudinal panels (G4) are preferably made of translucent and resistant material such as polycarbonate or acrylic so as to make it possible to view tickets (not depicted) inside the drum.

[0057] Drum (G) may comprise at least one hole (G6) on at least one of the panels (G2) made of translucent and resistant material, such as polycarbonate or acrylic, to form a “lens” appearance so that a brightening effect can take place inside the drum (G) through a lighting system (not depicted) made up by light emission devices (not depicted), preferably RGB devices. Said lighting system (not depicted) generates a strobe effect during drum (G) rotation.

[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 8, drum (G) is further provided with at least one hatch (G7) arranged on a panel (G4), hatch (G7) being associated with the drum (G) by means of swiveling elements (G8), such as hinges, and locked by means of at least one lock (G9). Thus, upon conducting the raffle, said lock (G9) ensures the non-violation of the drum (G). Hatch (G7) thus allow a ticket to be picked out as well as the elements inside the drum (G) to be secure.

[0059] Stand (S), rotation mechanism (R) on both sides and the ticket feeding device (D) are also provided with protective cowls to prevent people from accessing moving parts and mechanisms of the drum (G) that may cause accidents. Also, stand (S) is provided with casters (S1) to displace the device (E).

[0060] Advantageously, stand (S), besides being equipped with all the devices operating the drum (G), can be used to disclose marketing campaigns applied directly to its framework, or stand (S) can also be provided with other media outlets such as back lights, visual displays, sound boxes, or the like, thus fostering marketing strategies.

[0061] Device (E) is provided with a power, command and control board (Q) and is preferably controlled by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) so as to store the operating parameters of the rotation mechanism (R), ticket swirling mechanism (T), compressed air power unit (C), lighting system (not depicted) and the several sensors used. Optionally, device (E) may be manually operated by users.

[0062] Preferably, wheels (R1 and R2) are coated with a material resistant to the imposed loads and, at the same time, rubberized to eliminate noises caused by friction during rotation while using device (E). Wheels (E2) must be provided with mechanical resistance and non-staining properties as they contact the sides of the drum (G2).

[0063] Variations and modifications with respect to the embodiments shows and described in the attached drawings will readily occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims.