This is how the slot machines with a handle work. A lot of casinos have switched to a push button type machine now (electronic). I wouldn’t be surprised if those slots didn’t have computer memory in them!

A series of events takes place after a person pulls the handle on a slot machine. Here’s a rundown:

* The handle rotates a hook mechanism, which grabs hold of the kicker, pulling it forward (toward the player).

* A catch on the opposite end of the kicker grabs a control cam piece and pivots it forward. This rotates a series of gears connected to the control cam. A spring pulls the control cam back to its original position, but the gear assembly slows it down considerably — the gears act as a mechanical delay.

* When the control cam is pivoted forward, it releases a spring-mounted cam plate extending across the back of the machine.

* The control cam also pulls the stoppers away from the notched discs. As the kicker keeps moving, it pushes the stoppers against several catches on the cam plate. These hold the stoppers in place, so the discs and reels can rotate freely.

* As the handle continues to move the kicker, the kicker paddles push the discs forward briefly. When the handle is pulled all the way back and the kicker has passed the discs, the bottom of the hook mechanism moves up against a slanted surface. The slant pivots the hook forward, which causes it to release the kicker.

* The kicker spring jerks the kicker backward at a good speed. The kicker paddles hit the notches on the discs, spinning the reels rapidly.

* While all of this is happening, the control cam is slowly returning to its original position. When it does return, it pushes the cam plate back, which releases the stoppers. The different catches holding onto the different stoppers are positioned so that the cam plate will release the stoppers one at a time. Each stopper springs forward and locks into a notch, holding the reel in position.

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