EP1530176A2 - Walzenmechanismus für einen Spielautomaten - Google Patents

Walzenmechanismus für einen Spielautomaten Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1530176A2
EP1530176A2 EP04026722A EP04026722A EP1530176A2 EP 1530176 A2 EP1530176 A2 EP 1530176A2 EP 04026722 A EP04026722 A EP 04026722A EP 04026722 A EP04026722 A EP 04026722A EP 1530176 A2 EP1530176 A2 EP 1530176A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reel
frame body
speed reduction
reduction gear
center
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04026722A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1530176A3 (de
Inventor
Kazuki Emori
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Universal Entertainment Corp
Original Assignee
Aruze Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aruze Corp filed Critical Aruze Corp
Publication of EP1530176A2 publication Critical patent/EP1530176A2/de
Publication of EP1530176A3 publication Critical patent/EP1530176A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3211—Display means
    • G07F17/3213—Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a reel unit built in a gaming machine such as a slot machine and having a reel on the outer periphery of which a plurality of kinds of symbols are successively formed.
  • the gaming machine such as a slot machine incorporates a reel unit as a game device which rotatably supports a reel with a plurality of kinds of symbols successively formed thereon.
  • the reel unit of the slot machine supports three reels on the same axis.
  • a start lever When a player operates a start lever, all the reels are driven.
  • the player operates a stopping button each reel is stop-controlled individually.
  • a game media medal, coin, etc.
  • the above reel unit generally includes stepping motors corresponding to the respective reels. With the output axis of each stepping motor being directly fit in a central axis hole of the reel, driving and stop-control of each reel are executed.
  • This invention has been accomplished in order to overcome the above problem and intends to provide a reel unit through which the reel can be precisely stopped without losing smoothness in motor braking.
  • a reel unit including: a reel equipped with a frame body, on the outer periphery of which a plurality of kinds of symbols are formed; a driving motor for driving the reel; and a speed reduction gear for reducing an output from the driving motor, arranged at the center of the frame body so that it can be rotated integrally to the frame body, wherein an engaging portion is formed radially outside the center of the frame body and an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion is formed at the corresponding position of the speed reduction gear.
  • the reel and the speed reduction gear are integrally rotatably fixed radially outside their centers by the engaging portion and the engaged portion, backlash which is likely to occur during the rotation of the reel can be effectively suppressed.
  • the engaging portion and engaged portion are formed to constitute a baffle between the reel and the speed reduction gear at the area on which great inertial force of the reel acts (area radially outside from the center), baffling of both reel and speed reduction gear can be effectively carried out, thereby effectively preventing the backlash at the time of starting and stopping of the rotation. When the reel is stopped or started, this prevents a player from being given a sense of visual disorder such as the symbols formed on the surface of the reel deviating from the proper positions, or the backlash state of the reel being recognized.
  • the reel and the speed reduction gear are integrally rotatably fixed radially outside their centers by the engaging portion and the engaged portion, backlash of the reel which is likely to occur owing to the inertial force at the time of starting or stopping of the reel can be effectively suppressed. This prevents a player from being given a sense of visual disorder such as the symbols formed on the surface of the reel deviating from the proper positions, or the backlash state of the reel being visually recognized.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the slot machine according to this invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a view showing the schematic structure of a reel unit built in the slot machine.
  • a slot machine 1 has a cabinet 3 provided with a door (front door) which is openable/closable on the front face.
  • the door 2 has a game region 2a above a nearly central position on the front face.
  • square display windows 4L, 4C and 4R are provided from which the respective reels 3L, 3C and 3R of the reel unit described later are exposed.
  • a symbol column composed of a plurality of kinds of symbols is drawn. The symbols drawn on each reel can be visually recognized through the display window 4L, 4C, 4R.
  • Each reel is designed to be rotatable at a constant speed (e.g. 80 revolutions/minute).
  • a control panel 5 which is a nearly horizontal face is formed.
  • a BET button 6 is provided for betting a credited medal by a button operation.
  • a medal insertion slot 7 in which a medal or a game medium is inserted is provided.
  • a C/P button 8 is provided for switching the credit/paying of the medal (s) acquired in the game by the player by a pushing button operation. By switching the C/P button 8, the medal (s) is paid from a medal paying mouth at the lower part of the front face and accumulated in a medal receiving portion 10.
  • a starting lever 12 is provided for rotating the reels 3L, 3C and 3R by the operation of the player.
  • the starting lever 12 is attached to be movable within a predetermined angular range.
  • three stopping buttons 13L, 13C and 13R are provided for stopping the rotation of the above three reels 3L, 3C and 3R, respectively.
  • the configuration can be modified, as the stopping buttons do not exist.
  • a bonus game information display segment 16 On the game region 2a are provided a bonus game information display segment 16, BET lamps 17a - 17c, a paying display segment 18, a credit display segment 19, etc. These elements are displayed (lit) according the status of the game.
  • the respective reels 3L, 3C and 3R start to rotate.
  • the stopping button 13L, 13C or 13C the corresponding reel 3L, 3C or 3R stops rotation.
  • the manner of win is determined by a combination of the symbols of the respective reels which is visually recognized through the display windows 4L, 4C and 4R.
  • the medal (s) the number of which corresponds to the manner of win is paid out in the medal receiving portion 10.
  • Fig. 2 is a view showing the schematic structure of the reel unit mounted within the cabinet 3 of the slot machine shown in Fig. 1.
  • the stepping motor is arranged at the position shifted from the central axis of the reel, and a speed reduction transmission mechanism (speed reduction gear) is arranged between the output of the stepping motor and the central axis of the reel.
  • a speed reduction transmission mechanism speed reduction gear
  • the central axis hole of the frame body constituting each reel being formed in a sectional non-circular shape
  • a protrusion formed in a sectional non-circular shape at the center of the speed reduction gear is fit in this central axis hole so that both can be rotated integrally.
  • the reel unit 20 is provided with a base plate. On the base plate, three attaching plates 21 for rotatably supporting the reels 3L, 3C and 3R, respectively are provided in parallel and adjacently to each other. On each attaching plate 21, a driving motor (illustrated for only the reel 3L) is provided at a position shifted from the central position of the reel. The rotation and stopping of the reel is controlled in such a manner that the driving and stopping of the driving motor 22 is controlled.
  • the reel 3L includes a pair of ring-shaped frame bodies 30 and 31 and a symbol sheet 35 with a continuous symbol column drawn thereon which is provided on the outer periphery of each frame body 30, 31.
  • the ring-shaped frame body 30, as seen from Fig. 3, includes an outer ring 30a, a central support 30b and a plurality of spokes 30c coupled therebetween. These elements are integrally formed of synthetic resin.
  • the frame body 31 opposite to the frame body 30 includes no spoke so that it does not interfere with the driving motor 22 and driving force transmission mechanism attached to the attaching plate 21, and is construed of an outer ring 31a.
  • the frame body 31 is integrally formed of synthetic resin.
  • the outer rings 30a and 31a of both frame bodies 30 and 31 may be coupled with each other by a coupling member as the need arises. Both frame bodies may be integrally formed.
  • a speed reduction gear 40 is firmly fit, at its center, in the central support 30b of the frame body 30; the speed reduction gear 40 is engaged with an output gear 22a fixed to the output axis of the driving motor 22 to constitute the driving force transmission mechanism.
  • the central support 30b of the frame body 30 includes a fitting slot 30d formed in a non-circular shape (D-cut), a plurality of ribs 30e formed at nearly regular intervals so that they extend radially outward from the circumferential wall defining the fitting slot 30d with their one ends being connected to the circumferential wall, the ribs being formed in order to reinforce the fitting hole 30d, and a circular wall 30f to which the other end of each rib 30e is connected.
  • a fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear 40 is fit in the fitting slot 30d.
  • the speed reduction gear 40 includes a fitting protrusion 40a protruded from its center and cut in a sectional non-circular shape (D-cut); the fitting protrusion 40a to be firmly fit in the above fitting slot 30d.
  • the fitting protrusion 40a has a circular slot 40b which axially passes therethrough and is adapted to be rotatably supported by a supporting shaft (not shown) fixed to the attaching plate 21.
  • the frame body 30 and the speed reduction gear 40 are adapted to be integrally rotatable because the fitting protrusion 40a is fit in the above fitting slot 30d and the fitting shape is non-circular. Further, between the frame body 30 and speed reduction gear 40, an engaging portion and an engaged portion are formed radially outside their fitting areas (centers), respectively so that they can be more integrally rotated during rotation.
  • the engaging portion formed in the frame body 30 is composed of a plurality of ribs 30e formed to extend radially outward from the circumferential wall defining the fitting slot 30d.
  • the engaged portion formed in the speed reduction gear 40 is composed of recesses 40d formed at nearly regular intervals in a circular wall 40c formed protrusively around the fitting protrusion 40a.
  • the recess 40d has a width enough for the rib 30e to be fit tightly therein to produce no backlash therebetween (i.e. the width approximately equal to that of the rib 30e).
  • the recesses 40c are at three positions formed at intervals of about 120 degrees so that they are engaged alternately of the ribs 30e formed at the intervals of about 60 degrees.
  • the reel 3L and speed reduction gear 40 designed as described above are mounted on the attaching plate 21 of the reel unit 20 in the following procedure.
  • the fitting protrusion 40a of the speed reduction gear 40 is fit in the fitting slot 30d formed at the central portion of the frame body 30 constituting the reel.
  • the recesses 40d (engaged portion) of the speed reduction gear 40 are engaged with the ribs (engaging portion) 30e of the frame body 30.
  • the reel 3L and the speed reduction gear 40 are integrated.
  • the circular slot 40b of the speed reduction gear 40 integrated with the frame body 30 is passed over the supporting shaft so that the speed reduction gear 40 is rotatably supported by the attaching plate. In this state, the speed reduction gear 40 is engaged with the output gear 22a of the driving motor 22.
  • the reel 3L is rotatably supported on the attaching plate 21. It should be noted that the reels 3C and 3R are also rotatably supported by the corresponding attaching plates 21 by means of the same structure.
  • the reel 3L (3C, 3R) and the speed reduction gear 40 are adapted to be integrally rotatable by the engaging slot 30d and engaging protrusion 40a at their centers and baffle-fixed radially outside there by the ribs 30e and recesses 40d.
  • This increases a baffle effect between the reel and the speed reduction gear and hence surely prevents backlash from occurring at the time of starting or stopping of the reel. More specifically, when the reel is stopped or rotated, this prevents the player from being given a sense of visual disorder such as the symbols formed on the surface of the reel deviating from the positions to stop properly, or the backlash state of the reel being recognized.
  • the reel and speed reduction gear are baffle-fixed radially outside their fitting areas so that the effect of baffling is enhanced, thereby permitting the backlash to be effectively prevented.
  • the engaging portion (ribs 30e) of the frame body 30 and the engaged portion (recesses 40d) of the speed reduction gear 40 which baffle-fix the reel and the speed reduction gear are formed radially outside their fitting areas and at nearly regular intervals in their circumferential direction. For this reason, the inertial force in the circumferential direction can be uniformly acted on the respective ribs 30e so that the backlash between the reel 3L and the speed reduction gear 40 can be effectively suppressed.
  • the frame body 30 generally constituting the reel 3L employs the ribs 30e for reinforcement formed on the circumferential wall defining the central fitting slot 30d as they are, the recesses 40d in which the ribs fit, respectively have only to be formed around the fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear 40. This reduces the manufacturing cost.
  • the reel and the speed reduction gear are firmly fit to each other at their centers, at the time of starting or stopping of the reel, the backlash therebetween can be suppressed more surely.
  • the ribs for reinforcement formed on the circumferential wall defining the central fitting slot are employed as they are, the recesses in which the ribs fit, respectively have only to be formed around the fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear. This reduces the labor of machining.
  • the method of engaging the engaging portion and engaged portion with each other can be modified in various manners as long as they are formed radially outside their respective centers of the frame body 30 and the speed reduction gear 40 to constitute the baffle therebetween.
  • recess 30g serving as an engaging portion being formed in the circular wall 30f on the side of the frame body
  • protrusion 40e to fit in the recesses 30g, respectively may be formed around the fitting protrusion 40a of the speed reduction gear 40.
  • the recesses 30g and protrusions 40e are preferably formed at nearly regular intervals in the circumferential direction.
  • the structure of the frame body 30 constituting the reel As the occasion demands, proper modifications can be made for the structure of the frame body 30 constituting the reel, arrangement of the driving force transmission mechanism, manner of supporting the reel by the reel unit. Further, as long as the frame body 30 and the speed reduction gear 40 are integrally rotatably adapted, contrary to the above embodiment, the fitting protrusion may be provided in the frame body whereas the fitting slot may be provided in the speed reduction gear. Otherwise, without providing the fitting slot and the fitting protrusion at the central portions of the frame body 30 and speed reduction gear 40, the baffle therebetween may be constituted by only the engaging portion and engaged portion.
  • This invention can be applied to various gaming machines incorporating a reel unit equipped with a reel as well as the slot machine explained with reference to the embodiment.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
EP04026722A 2003-11-10 2004-11-10 Walzenmechanismus für einen Spielautomaten Withdrawn EP1530176A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2003379937A JP2005137765A (ja) 2003-11-10 2003-11-10 リールユニット
JP2003379937 2003-11-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1530176A2 true EP1530176A2 (de) 2005-05-11
EP1530176A3 EP1530176A3 (de) 2006-08-30

Family

ID=34431389

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04026722A Withdrawn EP1530176A3 (de) 2003-11-10 2004-11-10 Walzenmechanismus für einen Spielautomaten

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20060091602A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1530176A3 (de)
JP (1) JP2005137765A (de)
CN (1) CN100522297C (de)
AU (1) AU2004229025A1 (de)
ZA (1) ZA200409106B (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8469795B2 (en) 2008-05-05 2013-06-25 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Method of gaming and a gaming system

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4791507B2 (ja) * 2008-05-16 2011-10-12 株式会社バンダイ 回転体を備える玩具
KR101250974B1 (ko) * 2010-06-16 2013-04-04 주식회사 네오리스 룰렛 게임기의 구동장치 및 구동방법

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020180147A1 (en) 2000-02-17 2002-12-05 Wing Co., Ltd. Symbol displaying unit used for a game machine
US20030146571A1 (en) 2002-02-06 2003-08-07 Wing Co., Ltd. Symbol display device for game machine

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US2857722A (en) * 1954-12-20 1958-10-28 Cloyd D Smith Bar wrapping machine
US2987099A (en) * 1957-03-28 1961-06-06 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Apparatus for mounting films and other inserts in cards
NL271667A (de) * 1960-12-06
JPS5889088U (ja) * 1981-12-10 1983-06-16 株式会社ユニバ−サル スロツトマシン用リ−ル
US4711452A (en) * 1984-10-24 1987-12-08 International Game Technology (Igt) Amusement machine
JPH0190298U (de) * 1987-12-04 1989-06-14
JP4108147B2 (ja) * 1996-04-01 2008-06-25 株式会社三共 弾球遊技機
JPH09327553A (ja) * 1996-06-11 1997-12-22 Samii Kk パチンコ機用の図柄変動表示装置
US6896216B2 (en) * 2001-08-27 2005-05-24 Daiwa Seiko, Inc. Fishing reel
US20040018869A1 (en) * 2002-02-06 2004-01-29 Fumio Inoue Symbol display device for game machine
US6998805B2 (en) * 2003-05-09 2006-02-14 Aruze Corp. Motor stop control device
JP2005052420A (ja) * 2003-08-05 2005-03-03 Aruze Corp モータ停止制御装置
JP2005081059A (ja) * 2003-09-11 2005-03-31 Aruze Corp モータ駆動制御装置
JP4455866B2 (ja) * 2003-11-21 2010-04-21 株式会社ユニバーサルエンターテインメント モータ停止制御装置
JP2005230130A (ja) * 2004-02-17 2005-09-02 Aruze Corp 遊技機

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020180147A1 (en) 2000-02-17 2002-12-05 Wing Co., Ltd. Symbol displaying unit used for a game machine
US20030146571A1 (en) 2002-02-06 2003-08-07 Wing Co., Ltd. Symbol display device for game machine

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8469795B2 (en) 2008-05-05 2013-06-25 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Method of gaming and a gaming system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1530176A3 (de) 2006-08-30
AU2004229025A1 (en) 2005-05-26
CN100522297C (zh) 2009-08-05
US20060091602A1 (en) 2006-05-04
CN1616129A (zh) 2005-05-18
ZA200409106B (en) 2005-09-28
JP2005137765A (ja) 2005-06-02

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