EP0678209A1

EP0678209A1 - Slot machine for a game

Info

Publication number: EP0678209A1
Application number: EP94926941A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wilhelm Menke; Börge HEIDERSBERGER
Original assignee: NSM AG
Current assignee: NSM AG
Priority date: 1993-11-11
Filing date: 1994-09-14
Publication date: 1995-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-14
Also published as: ATE191287T1; DE4345296A1; EP0919966A2; DE4345297A1; US5662204A; EP0919966A3; DE59409250D1; WO1995013598A1; DE4345296C2; EP0678209B1

Abstract

The machine has box-shaped housing U-shaped frames (1) containing money input chute (4), with tongue (5), slit (3). In central area hook (6) engages in side panel (2). Beneath money input chute a checking device (7) is fixed on bayonet connections. The routing unit (10) passes on sorted money from the checking device (7), such that coins are collected in stacking rows (13) with counter. Units are mounted on pins, trunnions etc. for removal and exchange. At the module (13) a door (16) is mounted on hinges (14, 15) with a closure device (17). The door (16) allows access to the coin stacks.

Description

Gaming machine

The invention relates to a gaming machine with a box-shaped housing and a door hinged to a side wall and lockable with the latter, the outside of which bears playing fields and the design that characterizes the game, with a coin system arranged in the housing, comprising at least a coin inlet, coin validator, and coin distributor and coin guide device, coin stacking tubes and coin payout device, and with rails fastened to the side wall of the housing on the opening side of the door for a carriage holding a frame, which with holding devices for the individual modules formed by the components of the coin system le is provided.

Gambling devices are provided with guiding devices for coins thrown into the insertion slot, which lead them to coin checking devices, stack coins recognized as genuine in coin stacking tubes of a payout unit, and if the coin stacking tubes overflow, coins not picked up by them into a coin collecting container direct, direct unidentified coins into a return plate and make payouts of coins according to the winnings or requirements granted by the player. Coin systems for gaming machines with the components specified at the outset must be compact in accordance with the desired small designs and, moreover, be insensitive to interference and cannot be manipulated. Furthermore, it is a requirement of rational and cost-effective production and maintenance that the coin systems can be easily, quickly and clearly installed in gaming machines, the individual components being easily accessible for the purpose of maintenance and, if necessary, replacement. lent and should be easy to replace.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a gaming machine of the type specified at the outset, the coin system of which can be installed in a simple and clear form therein and, after installation, can be easily maintained in such a way that the individual components of the coin system are easily accessible and are easily interchangeable.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in a gaming machine of the generic type in that on the inside of the rear wall of the frame a printed circuit board with contacts forming the bow-shaped, knife-like legs is held, which is in conductive contact when a module provided with contact springs is inserted into the frame come with these contact springs.

In the gaming machine according to the invention, the individual components of the coin system are arranged in a modular design in a frame which is held on a carriage, so that this frame can be pushed into the housing and can also be pulled out for the purpose of better accessibility. The individual components consist of modules which can be inserted into the frame in the manner of a modular system and can also be removed from the frame accordingly. The brackets of the individual modules in the frame are designed in such a way that they are inevitably in their functional interaction in the inserted state, so that the modules completely inserted in the frame represent the functioning coin system. The good assembly and accessibility are ensured by the fact that the carriage holding the frame can be extended and inserted. The individual modules can have sensors, controls, circuits and drives etc., which have to be supplied with current or have to be connected to contacts of a circuit board attached to the frame. There is therefore an additional need to be able to produce the corresponding electrical connections between the modules and contacts of a printed circuit board or the like simply and quickly. In a further embodiment of the invention it is therefore provided that on the inside of the web part of the frame a circuit board with contacts-forming, bow-shaped, knife-like legs is held, which when a module provided with contact springs is inserted into the frame in conductive contact with the latter Contact springs are coming. The module containing the payout device and the stacking tubes is expediently provided with contact springs. The bow-shaped legs and the contact springs are expediently arranged in a row. The contact springs preferably consist of prestressed tension springs.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, for which independent protection is claimed, two mutually parallel running rails are provided which are provided with toothed strips or rows of holes in which the teeth of two gearwheels mounted on a common synchronizing shaft mounted in the slide engage. This configuration ensures that the carriage carrying the frame is not tilted in and out.

The rails preferably have a U-shaped profile, wherein they are mounted with legs directed towards one another and the rows of holes are arranged in the legs facing the side wall of the housing. For low-friction guiding, two rollers can be mounted in the sled between the legs of each rail. Expedient- the carriage is supported with a roller on the outer legs of the lower rail. Since the slide is guided free of canting, a single roller is sufficient for support.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the carriage is provided with two aligned pins which project upwards in parallel with its outer edge and can be inserted into the hinge eyes of the frame. In addition to extending the frame, this embodiment also enables it to be pivoted into a position that improves accessibility.

The frame expediently consists of a U-shaped folded sheet metal blank, the hinge eyes on the outside of the web part at a lateral distance from the legs forming the side parts. This configuration ensures that the frame can only be pivoted when it has been moved out of the housing so far that its front edge no longer abuts the side wall or the guide rails. If, on the other hand, the carriage is moved back into the housing, the web parts of the frame located on both sides of the joint are supported on the guide, so that the frame is held so that it cannot be pivoted when inserted.

According to a further development, for which independent protection is claimed, it is provided that two levers provided with hooks are pivotally mounted parallel to one another on the side wall of the housing and are pivotably connected to one another by a connecting rod forming a coupling and form the locks for the door. Since the locking hooks can protrude beyond the housing side wall, the bottom or the web part of the frame is expediently provided with corresponding window provided star-like cutouts so that when the frame is pivoted in the extended state, the hooks can engage in these window-like cutouts. The hooks can also reach behind the edges of the web part of the frame in such a way that it is detachably fixed in its extended and pivoted-out position.

The four-joint system consisting of the two levers and the connecting rod is expediently acted upon by a spring in the direction of the locking position.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the connecting rod has locking pieces provided with inclined surfaces for the frame in its inserted position.

In order to be able to open the housing door, a special lock can be provided so that the connecting rod can be lifted by a key to unlock the door.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the modules are provided with lateral pins which can be used in slot-like and / or bayonet-like guides in the side edges of the side parts of the frame. In this way, the modules can be inserted into fixtures of the frame simply by lifting, sliding and / or pivoting and can be detachably fixed. In addition, snap catches can also be provided, which can be released again by pressing in resilient catch parts.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that at least one module on its upper side or underside is loaded with the module above or below it Springs, for example leaf springs, is provided. In this way, the corresponding module can be released from its holder or latching by pressing against the spring force, so that the modules above and below are accessible.

In the manner described, spring-loaded modules can also be provided with locking projections or locking lugs for modules lying below or above them.

The individual modules can have sensors, controls, circuits and drives etc., which have to be supplied with current or have to be connected to contacts of a circuit board attached to the frame. There is therefore an additional need to be able to produce the corresponding electrical connections between the modules and contacts of a printed circuit board or the like simply and quickly. In a further embodiment of the invention it is therefore provided that on the inside of the web part of the frame a circuit board with contacts-forming, bow-shaped, knife-like legs is held, which when a module provided with contact springs is inserted into the frame in conductive contact with the latter Contact springs are coming. The module containing the payout device and the stacking tubes is expediently provided with contact springs. The bow-shaped legs and the contact springs are expediently arranged in a row. The contact springs preferably consist of prestressed tension springs.

An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawing. In this shows

1 is a front view of the modules of the coin system held in a frame, 2 shows a front view of the housing of the gaming machine with the door removed and with the frame retracted into the housing, in which no modules of the coin system are held,

3 shows a plan view of the side wall holding the frame with slide and slide guide,

4 shows a cross section through the housing according to FIGS. 2 and 3,

5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3,

6 is an enlarged view of the slide with slide guide in a front view,

7 shows the view according to FIG. 6 in side view,

8 shows a section through the slide with slide guide according to FIG. 6,

9 shows a representation of the slide guide with the omission of parts which impair clarity,

10 shows a schematic illustration of the frame pushed into the housing, partly in section,

11 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 10 with the frame extended and pivoted out of the housing,

12 shows a representation of the locking of the frame in the extended and swung-out state, 13 shows a side view of the module held in the frame and formed by the coin stacking tubes and the coin dispenser with the contacting of the printed circuit board, partly in section,

14 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 13 while the module containing the coin stacking tubes and the coin dispenser is being hung in, FIG.

15 is a side view of the lower part of the frame with modules of the coin passage, the coin stacking tubes and the coin dispenser held in this,

16 is a front view of the frame part of FIG. 15,

17 shows a section through the frame part according to FIG. 16,

18 shows a rear view of the module with the contact spring arrangement formed by the coin stacking tubes and the coin payment device,

19 shows a section through the representation according to FIG. 18,

Fig. 20 is a side view of the illustration of Fig. 18 and

FIG. 21 shows an enlarged illustration of FIG. 19.

1 shows the frame 1 which is U-shaped in cross section and in which the modules forming the individual components of the coin system are held.

At the upper end of the frame 1 is the side plates formed in a cold leg, the coin inlet tube piece 4, which is approximately rectangular in cross section and forms the coin inlet channel. At its front end, this has a tongue 5 which engages in a corresponding slot in the side part 3 to hold it. In its central region, the coin inlet pipe section 4 has a hook 6 with a cut-off front edge with which it can be locked in a corresponding recess in the side part 2. To remove the coin inlet tube 4, the hook 6 only needs to be pivoted by hand so that the tongue 5 can be removed from the holding slot in the side wall 3.

The module 7 containing the coin validator is held under the coin inlet. To hold the module 7, it is provided with lateral pins which can be inserted into corresponding guides or bayonet-like guides of the side parts 2, 3 of the frame 1. In its inserted and locked position, the module 7 is held in the frame 1 in such a way that its inlet slot 8 lies below the outlet slot 9 of the coin inlet pipe section 4.

A module 10 is held under the module 7 in the side parts 2, 3 and is provided with channels for forwarding the coins sorted by the module 7. Below the module 10 there is a module 11 which forms a coin passage. This is also provided with pins for holding in the side parts 2, 3. The module 10 is provided on its upper side with two leaf springs 12, which tend to push the module 10 upwards.

Below the module 11, the module 13 is held in the side parts 2, 3, which the coin stacking tubes and the coin payout contains. The coin payout unit is provided with outlet openings which deliver the coins to be paid out into a guide leading to the dispensing plate.

In the area of the module 13, a flap 16 is hinged to the side part 5 by hinges 14, 15, the opposite end of which can be locked on the side part 3 by a snap lock 17. The flap 16 covers the coin stacking tubes 18 to 21, so that unauthorized persons cannot immediately recognize the respective fill level. In addition, the flap 16 is provided with a handle cutout 22 which can be engaged to pull the frame out of the housing and to pivot it out.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the housing consisting of a flat box, from which the front door is removed. On the inside of the right side wall 24 of the housing 25, the guide rails 26, 27 are fastened for the carriage 28 which can be moved therein. The guide rails and the slide are best seen in Figures 6 to 8. The guide rails 26, 27 consist of U-shaped profiles, the longer legs 28, 29 of which are fastened to the housing side wall 24 by angle pieces 30. The longer legs 28, 29 are provided with rows of holes 31 into which the gears 32 engage, which are fastened to a synchronizing shaft 34 mounted in the slide 33. The synchronizing shaft 34 carries on its pinions 32 projecting rollers 35 which are guided between the legs of the profiles 26, 27. In the slide 33 formed by an approximately rectangular cross section of the housing, a shaft 36 is also mounted, which is provided with rollers 37 between the legs of the profiles 27, 28. At the lower end of the carriage 36, a roller 38 is mounted, which runs on the upper edge of the outer shorter leg 39 of the guide rail 27.

The shorter leg 39 is provided in the end positions of the slide 33 with rounded recesses into which the roller 38 can engage for easy locking.

The housing 33 of the carriage has on its front bearing pins 40, 41 which protrude from the longer sides of the guide rails which are facing away from the longer rows of holes 31 and into which articulated eyes of the frame 1 can be hung.

8, the carriage 33 is shown in a retracted position 33 'and an extended position 33' '.

4 shows the frame 1 pivotably mounted on the slide 33 in three different positions, namely in its fully retracted position 1, in its fully extended but not yet pivoted position 1 'and in its extended position by 90 Degree swung out position 1 '', in which the modules of the coin system held in this are easily accessible.

The fully retracted position of the frame 1 is shown schematically in Fig. 10. The articulated eyelets 45 of the frame 1 suspended on the articulated pins 40, 41 of the slide 33 are located in an embossed bead of the web part 46 of the frame 1, namely at a distance from the inner side part 3 of the frame that is approximately one third corresponds to the width of the web part 46. In the position of the slide retracted from FIG. 10, the regions of the web part 46, which lie on both sides of the joints 40, 41, 45, are supported on the guide seemed from, so that the frame is held pivotally within the housing.

As can be seen from FIG. 11, however, in the extended position of the slide 33, the frame can be pivoted through 90 degrees into a position 1 ″ in which the web part of the frame lies at right angles in front of the side wall of the housing.

From Fig. 2 the inserted into the housing frame 1 is shown in side view. The edge areas of the side parts 2, 3 of the frame 1 are provided with freely extending elongated holes 50 and with elongated holes with an inner, bayonet-like curvature 51, which serve to hold lateral pins of the modules pushed into the frame. On the side part 2 directed against each other pins 52 are provided, which form the hinge pins for the joints 14, 15 of the flap 16.

It can also be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 that a part 56 containing the return plate 55 is fastened to the lower side of the housing 54.

As can best be seen from FIG. 9, on the inner side of the wall 24 of the housing 54, two levers 57, 58 are pivotably mounted about pins 59, 60, the hooks 61, which project outwards at their ends pointing outward, with the side wall 24, 62 are provided. The levers 57, 58 are connected in an articulated manner to a coupling rod 63 which runs parallel to the edge of the side wall 4 and connects the levers 57, 58 to one another in such a way that they remain parallel to one another in any pivoting position. The coupling rod 63 thus forms a four-joint system with the levers 57, 58. The lever 57 is provided with a lever arm 64 which is extended beyond the hinge pin 59 and on the outer end of which a tension spring 65 is suspended, the other end of which is attached to the housing. The spring 65 thus loads the hooks 61, 62 towards the lower side of the housing. The hooks 61, 62 form the locks for the door, not shown, which is articulated on the opposite side wall of the housing. To open the door, the coupling rod 63 can be raised with a key through a lock, not shown.

The coupling rod has angled extensions 68, 69 at its upper and lower ends, the lower edges 70, 71 of which are chamfered. Lateral pins 72, 73 are fastened to the slide 33, which slide along the inclined surfaces 70, 71 of the extensions 68, 69 when the slide 33 is pushed into the housing and thereby raise the coupling rod 63 until the front ends, the locking end faces of the extensions 68, 69 engage locking behind the pins 72, 73. In order to release the slide 33 from its inserted and fixed position, the coupling rod 63 must be raised.

In the position of the frame 1 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, which is pushed out and pivoted by 90 degrees, the hooks 61, 62 of the levers 57, 58 reach through windows provided in the web part of the frame 1 and lock in the position shown in FIG. 12 evident the frame in the extended and swung-out position in that the hooks engage behind the edges of the lower edges of the windows in the web part.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a side view of the frame 1, partly in section, in the lower area of which the module 13 containing the coin stacking tubes and the coin payment device is held. First, lower lateral pins 78 of the module 13 are inserted into elongated holes that run freely into the lower edge of the side parts 2, 3 50 inserted and then the module 13 pivoted about the pin 78 until the upper side pin can be inserted into bayonet-like elongated holes in the side parts 2, 3 and locked therein.

On the inside of the web part is attached a circuit board 80, optionally provided with a protective cover, which is provided in a row with pair-like, knife-like cutting edges 81, which can also be formed by the legs of bracket-like parts. These knife-like cutting edges 81, which are arranged in pairs, form contacts which come into conductive contact with contact springs 82 when the module 13 is pivoted into its position held or locked in the frame 1. The contact springs 82 are fastened in a plate 83 held on the module 13 in such a way that they can deflect in the manner shown in FIG. 21 in the direction of the coin stacking tubes when they come into contact with the contact cutting edges 81. In the locked position of the module 13, the bow-like contact blades 81 enclose the contact springs 82 between their legs, so that a reliable contact is ensured.

The entire power supply can take place via a plug 84 which, as can be seen from FIG. 20, is plugged into contact sockets which are located in the lower region of the printed circuit board 85 in which the contact springs 82 are also held.

Claims

claims

1. Gaming machine

with a box-shaped housing and a door hinged to a side wall and lockable with the housing, the outside of which carries playing fields and the design which characterizes the game,

with a coin system arranged in the housing, consisting at least of a coin inlet, coin validator, coin distributor and coin guide device, coin stacking tubes and coin dispenser, and

with rails fastened to the side wall of the housing on the opening side of the door for a slide holding a frame, which is provided with holding devices for the individual modules formed by the components of the coin system,

characterized,

that on the inside of the rear wall of the frame (1) a circuit board (80) with contact-forming, bow-shaped, knife-like legs (81) is held, which when inserting a module (13) provided with contact springs (82) in the frame (13) 1) come into conductive contact with these contact springs.

2. Gambling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the payment device and the coin stacking tubes ent- holding module (13) is provided with the contact springs.

3. Gambling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the bow-shaped legs (81) and the contact springs (82) are arranged in a row.

4. Gaming machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact springs (82) consist of vorgespann¬ ten tension springs.

5. Gambling device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the modules (7, 10, 11, 13) are provided with lateral pins which are slot-like and / or bajo-type guides (50, 51) can be used in the side edges of the side parts (2, 3) of the frame (1).

6. Gambling device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one module (11) on its upper side or its underside the overlying or underlying module (10) is provided with exciting springs, for example leaf springs.

7. A gaming machine with a box-shaped housing and a door hinged to a side wall and lockable with the housing, the outside of which carries playing fields and the design that characterizes the game.

with on the side of the door on the opening side rails of the housing fastened to the wall of a housing which holds a frame and which is provided with holding devices for the individual modules formed by the components of the coin system,

characterized,

that two mutually parallel running rails are provided, which are provided with toothed strips or rows of holes in which the teeth of two toothed wheels fastened on a common synchronizing shaft mounted in the slide engage.

8. A gaming machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the rails have a U-shaped profile and are mounted with legs directed towards one another and that the rows of holes are arranged in the legs of the running rails facing the side walls.

9. Gambling device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that two slides between the legs of each rail interlocking rollers are stored in the carriage.

10. Gaming machine according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the carriage is supported with a roller on the upper edge of the outer leg of the lower rail.

11. Gambling device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the carriage is provided with two aligned, parallel to its outer edge, upstanding pin, can be used in the hinge eyes of the frame.

12. Gaming machine according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the frame consists of a U-shaped bent sheet metal blank and the hinge eyes are on the outside of the web part at a lateral distance from the legs of the frame forming the side parts.

13. A gaming machine with a box-shaped housing and a door hinged to a side wall and lockable with the housing, the outside of which carries playing fields and the design that characterizes the game.

with rails attached to the side wall of the housing on the opening side of the housing for a frame holding the slide, which is provided with holding devices for the individual modules formed by the components of the coin system,

characterized,

that on the side wall of the housing, parallel to each other, two levers provided with hooks are pivotably mounted, which are pivotally connected to one another by a connecting rod which forms a coupling and which form latches for the door.

14. A gaming machine according to claim 13, characterized in that the four-bar system consisting of the two levers and the connecting rod by a spring in the direction is applied to the locking position.

15. A gaming machine according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the connecting rod has locking pieces provided with inclined surfaces for the frame in its inserted position.

16. A gaming machine according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the connecting rod for unlocking the door can be raised by a lock which can be actuated by a key.