EP1530176A2 - Reel unit for a gaming machine - Google Patents
Reel unit for a gaming machine Download PDFInfo
- 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- Withdrawn
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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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- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- 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. Generally, the reel unit of the slot machine, as disclosed in JP-A-10-71240, supports three reels on the same axis. When a player operates a start lever, all the reels are driven. when the player operates a stopping button, each reel is stop-controlled individually. When the exposed symbols of the stopped reels become prescribed symbols (when a prize symbol holds), a game media (medal, coin, etc.) is given for the player.
- As disclosed in JP-A-10-71240, 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.
- However, an inertial force acted on the reel to a certain degree in a rotating direction occasionally presents precisely stopping the symbols on the reel. This gives an inconvenience of giving a sense of visual disorder to the player such as the symbols when stopped slightly deviating from the positions to stop properly when seen from the player, the backlash state of the reel being visually recognized during stopping, etc.
- 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.
- In order to solve the above problem, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided 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.
- In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, since 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. specifically, since 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.
- In accordance with the reel unit according to this invention, since 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.
- These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of the slot machine incorporating a reel unit according to this invention;
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the schematic configuration of the reel unit;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of the frame body constituting a reel which is rotatably supported by the reel unit;
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting relationship between the frame body shown in Fig. 3 and a speed reduction gear;
- Fig. 5 is a view showing a modification of this invention which is a perspective view of a part of the frame body constituting the reel; and
- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting relationship between the frame body shown in Fig. 5 and a speed reduction gear.
-
- Now referring to the attached drawings, a detailed explanation will be given of an embodiment of the reel unit according to this invention.
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. - As seen from Fig. 1, 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 agame region 2a above a nearly central position on the front face. On the game region 2,square display windows respective reels display window - Beneath the
game region 2a, acontrol panel 5 which is a nearly horizontal face is formed. On the left side of thecontrol panel 5, aBET button 6 is provided for betting a credited medal by a button operation. On the right side of thecontrol panel 5, amedal insertion slot 7 in which a medal or a game medium is inserted is provided. At the left end of the front face, 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 amedal receiving portion 10. - On the right side of the C/P button 8, a
starting lever 12 is provided for rotating thereels starting lever 12 is attached to be movable within a predetermined angular range. Further, at the central portion on the front face of thecontrol panel 5 and on the right side of thestarting lever 12, threestopping buttons reels
Besides, the configuration can be modified, as the stopping buttons do not exist. - On the
game region 2a are provided a bonus gameinformation display segment 16,BET lamps 17a - 17c, a payingdisplay segment 18, acredit display segment 19, etc. These elements are displayed (lit) according the status of the game. - When the player inserts the medal(s) in the medal insertion slot and operates the
starting lever 12, therespective reels stopping button corresponding reel display windows 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.
In this embodiment, for the purpose of downsizing the stepping motor arranged to correspond to each reel, 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. In such a configuration, with 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.
Thereel unit 20 is provided with a base plate. On the base plate, three attachingplates 21 for rotatably supporting thereels plate 21, a driving motor (illustrated for only thereel 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 thedriving motor 22 is controlled. - Now, an explanation will be given of the configuration of the reel and that of the driving force transmission mechanism arranged between the output axis of the driving motor and the reel. Incidentally, since each
reel reel 3L. - The
reel 3L includes a pair of ring-shaped frame bodies symbol sheet 35 with a continuous symbol column drawn thereon which is provided on the outer periphery of eachframe body shaped frame body 30, as seen from Fig. 3, includes anouter ring 30a, acentral support 30b and a plurality ofspokes 30c coupled therebetween. These elements are integrally formed of synthetic resin. Theframe body 31 opposite to theframe body 30 includes no spoke so that it does not interfere with the drivingmotor 22 and driving force transmission mechanism attached to the attachingplate 21, and is construed of anouter ring 31a. Like theframe body 30, theframe body 31 is integrally formed of synthetic resin. incidentally, theouter rings frame bodies - A
speed reduction gear 40 is firmly fit, at its center, in thecentral support 30b of theframe body 30; thespeed reduction gear 40 is engaged with anoutput gear 22a fixed to the output axis of the drivingmotor 22 to constitute the driving force transmission mechanism. More specifically, thecentral support 30b of theframe body 30 includes afitting slot 30d formed in a non-circular shape (D-cut), a plurality ofribs 30e formed at nearly regular intervals so that they extend radially outward from the circumferential wall defining thefitting slot 30d with their one ends being connected to the circumferential wall, the ribs being formed in order to reinforce thefitting hole 30d, and acircular wall 30f to which the other end of eachrib 30e is connected. A fitting protrusion of thespeed reduction gear 40 is fit in thefitting slot 30d. - The
speed reduction gear 40, as seen from Fig. 4, includes afitting protrusion 40a protruded from its center and cut in a sectional non-circular shape (D-cut); thefitting protrusion 40a to be firmly fit in the abovefitting slot 30d. Incidentally, thefitting protrusion 40a has acircular slot 40b which axially passes therethrough and is adapted to be rotatably supported by a supporting shaft (not shown) fixed to the attachingplate 21. - The
frame body 30 and thespeed reduction gear 40 are adapted to be integrally rotatable because thefitting protrusion 40a is fit in the abovefitting slot 30d and the fitting shape is non-circular. Further, between theframe body 30 andspeed 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. - In this embodiment, the engaging portion formed in the
frame body 30 is composed of a plurality ofribs 30e formed to extend radially outward from the circumferential wall defining thefitting slot 30d. The engaged portion formed in thespeed reduction gear 40 is composed ofrecesses 40d formed at nearly regular intervals in acircular wall 40c formed protrusively around thefitting protrusion 40a. In this case, therecess 40d has a width enough for therib 30e to be fit tightly therein to produce no backlash therebetween (i.e. the width approximately equal to that of therib 30e). Therecesses 40c are at three positions formed at intervals of about 120 degrees so that they are engaged alternately of theribs 30e formed at the intervals of about 60 degrees. - The
reel 3L andspeed reduction gear 40 designed as described above are mounted on the attachingplate 21 of thereel unit 20 in the following procedure.
Thefitting protrusion 40a of thespeed reduction gear 40 is fit in thefitting slot 30d formed at the central portion of theframe body 30 constituting the reel. Therecesses 40d (engaged portion) of thespeed reduction gear 40 are engaged with the ribs (engaging portion) 30e of theframe body 30. Thus, thereel 3L and thespeed reduction gear 40 are integrated. With the supporting shaft (not shown) being fixed to the attaching plate, thecircular slot 40b of thespeed reduction gear 40 integrated with theframe body 30 is passed over the supporting shaft so that thespeed reduction gear 40 is rotatably supported by the attaching plate. In this state, thespeed reduction gear 40 is engaged with theoutput gear 22a of the drivingmotor 22. - By mounting a vibration damping (backlash preventing)
screw 50, acollar 51, a tighteningscrew 52, etc. for the supporting shaft from the protruding side, thereel 3L is rotatably supported on the attachingplate 21. It should be noted that thereels plates 21 by means of the same structure. - In accordance with the reel unit having the configuration described above, the
reel 3L (3C, 3R) and thespeed reduction gear 40 are adapted to be integrally rotatable by the engagingslot 30d and engagingprotrusion 40a at their centers and baffle-fixed radially outside there by theribs 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. Namely, at the time of stopping when high load acts on the reel, the inertial force of the reel is concentrated on the central fitting area, and also at the time of starting when the high load acts on the speed reduction gear, great force urging the reel to rotate occurs. Therefore, possible manufacturing error and/or secular change existing between the reel and the speed reduction gear gives rise to the backlash. However, in accordance with this embodiment, 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. - Further, in accordance with this embodiment, the engaging portion (
ribs 30e) of theframe body 30 and the engaged portion (recesses 40d) of thespeed 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 therespective ribs 30e so that the backlash between thereel 3L and thespeed reduction gear 40 can be effectively suppressed. In the configuration described above, since theframe body 30 generally constituting thereel 3L employs theribs 30e for reinforcement formed on the circumferential wall defining the centralfitting slot 30d as they are, therecesses 40d in which the ribs fit, respectively have only to be formed around the fitting protrusion of thespeed reduction gear 40. This reduces the manufacturing cost. - Further, in accordance with this embodiment, since the inertial force which circumferentially acts uniformly acts on the engaging portion and engaged portion uniformly, the backlash between the frame body of the reel and the speed reduction gear can be suppressed more effectively.
- Further, in accordance with this embodiment, since 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. Further, in the frame body generally constituting the reel, 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.
- Although the embodiment of this invention has been explained hitherto, this invention can be carried out in various modifications other than the embodiment explained above. For example, 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 thespeed reduction gear 40 to constitute the baffle therebetween. For example, as seen from Figs. 5 and 6, withrecess 30g serving as an engaging portion being formed in thecircular wall 30f on the side of theframe body 30,protrusion 40e to fit in therecesses 30g, respectively may be formed around thefitting protrusion 40a of thespeed reduction gear 40. If a plurality ofrecesses 30g andprotrusions 40e exists, it is needless to say that in such a configuration, therecesses 30g andprotrusions 40e are preferably formed at nearly regular intervals in the circumferential direction. - 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 theframe body 30 and thespeed 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 theframe body 30 andspeed 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.
Claims (6)
- A reel unit comprising:a reel equipped with a frame body, on the outer periphery of which a plurality of symbols are formed;a driving motor for driving the reel; anda speed reduction gear for reducing an output from the driving motor, arranged at center of the frame body so that the reel is rotated integrally to the frame body, whereinan 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 a corresponding position of the speed reduction gear.
- The reel unit according to claim 1, wherein
the engaging portion and the engaged portion are formed at nearly uniform positions in a circumferential direction. - The reel unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the frame body and the speed reduction gear are baffle-fixed by a fitting slot formed at the center of the frame body and a fitting protrusion formed at the center of the speed reduction gear and to be fit in the fitting slot; and
the engaging portion including a plurality of ribs formed to radially outward from a circumferential wall defining the fitting slot, and the engaged portion including a plurality of recesses to be fit over the plurality of ribs, respectively formed around the fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear. - The reel unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the frame body and the speed reduction gear are baffle-fixed by a fitting slot formed at the center of the frame body and a fitting protrusion formed at the center of the speed reduction gear and to be fit in the fitting slot; and
the engaging portion includes a recess formed to radially outward from a circumferential wall defining the fitting slot; and
the engaged portion includes a rib to be fit over the recess formed around the fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear. - The reel unit according to claim 1, further comprising
a circumferential wall defining a fitting slot formed at the center of the frame body, wherein
the engaging portion is defined in an outer peripheral surface of the circumferential wall. - A gaming machine comprising
a reel unit, wherein
the reel unit comprises:a reel equipped with a frame body, on the outer periphery of which a plurality of symbols are formed;a driving motor for driving the reel; anda speed reduction gear for reducing an output from the driving motor, arranged at center of the frame body so that the reel is rotated integrally to the frame body, whereinan 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 a corresponding position of the speed reduction gear.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003379937A JP2005137765A (en) | 2003-11-10 | 2003-11-10 | Reel unit |
JP2003379937 | 2003-11-10 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1530176A2 true EP1530176A2 (en) | 2005-05-11 |
EP1530176A3 EP1530176A3 (en) | 2006-08-30 |
Family
ID=34431389
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04026722A Withdrawn EP1530176A3 (en) | 2003-11-10 | 2004-11-10 | Reel unit for a gaming machine |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060091602A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1530176A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2005137765A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100522297C (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004229025A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200409106B (en) |
Cited By (1)
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)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4791507B2 (en) * | 2008-05-16 | 2011-10-12 | 株式会社バンダイ | Toy with a rotating body |
KR101250974B1 (en) * | 2010-06-16 | 2013-04-04 | 주식회사 네오리스 | Drive for roulette game machine and method thereof |
Citations (2)
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 |
Family Cites Families (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
BE610627A (en) * | 1960-12-06 | |||
JPS5889088U (en) * | 1981-12-10 | 1983-06-16 | 株式会社ユニバ−サル | Reel for slot machine |
US4711452A (en) * | 1984-10-24 | 1987-12-08 | International Game Technology (Igt) | Amusement machine |
JPH0190298U (en) * | 1987-12-04 | 1989-06-14 | ||
JP4108147B2 (en) * | 1996-04-01 | 2008-06-25 | 株式会社三共 | Bullet ball machine |
JPH09327553A (en) * | 1996-06-11 | 1997-12-22 | Samii Kk | Variable picture pattern display device for pachinko machine |
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 (en) * | 2003-08-05 | 2005-03-03 | Aruze Corp | Motor stoppage controller |
JP2005081059A (en) * | 2003-09-11 | 2005-03-31 | Aruze Corp | Motor drive controller |
JP4455866B2 (en) * | 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 | Motor stop control device |
JP2005230130A (en) * | 2004-02-17 | 2005-09-02 | Aruze Corp | Game machine |
-
2003
- 2003-11-10 JP JP2003379937A patent/JP2005137765A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2004
- 2004-11-10 CN CNB2004100954001A patent/CN100522297C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-11-10 AU AU2004229025A patent/AU2004229025A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-11-10 EP EP04026722A patent/EP1530176A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-11-10 US US10/985,025 patent/US20060091602A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-11-10 ZA ZA2004/09106A patent/ZA200409106B/en unknown
Patent Citations (2)
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)
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 |
---|---|
US20060091602A1 (en) | 2006-05-04 |
EP1530176A3 (en) | 2006-08-30 |
ZA200409106B (en) | 2005-09-28 |
AU2004229025A1 (en) | 2005-05-26 |
CN1616129A (en) | 2005-05-18 |
JP2005137765A (en) | 2005-06-02 |
CN100522297C (en) | 2009-08-05 |
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