FR2510784A1 - RECREATIONAL MACHINE DITE "MACHINE A SOUS" - Google Patents

Abstract

A slot machine having an enclosing casing with a screen with luminous signs operable according to an electronic system, the operation of the signs being determined by chance to determine prizes paid out by the machine, the casing having gates 17, 13 at front and rear and lockable in closed positions, the general circuit of the machine having an input portion secured to the frame of the machine, a further part fixed to the interior of the rear gate 13 and a further part controlling the luminous signs and control and signalling elements fixed to the front gate 17.

Description

The present invention relates to a recreational machine called a "slot machine".

improvements

  brought to recreational machines.

  More precisely, the present invention relates to machines known as "slot machines" for

  be installed in bars, cafés, recreation centers

  sports halls and gyms,

  functioning by the introduction of coins or, possibly, cards or tokens

  predetermined value, and which, at each operating cycle,

  according to the data of chance, distribute batches consisting of multiples of the value of the coins or, possibly, securities or coupons exchangeable for such lots or for services included in the services of the institution even in

  the machine is placed, as, for example,

  som aticns of a determined value.

  More precise still, the improvements yes

  the subject of the present invention relate to

  of a type already known, which consists of a comolutely closed frame which has, from the front and at a height added to be conveniently observed, a screen

  formed of a reduced number of luminous numbers or, if

  other conventional signs or symbols of any kind whatsoever

  which, at the start of the assembly for a pre-established period of time, vary widely

  speed, continuously and independently, under the

  the use of an electronic system based on the use of digital techniques, by means of integrated circuits, to offer, by pure chance, during the shutdown, a determined combination of signs which the batches allocated by the machine spend. type of machines can be adapted

  with relative ease to the realization of different games.

  At present, the currently known machines comprise: a slot for the introduction of coins; a pusher

  to trigger the start of each cycle of operation

  once the piece has been introduced and duly accepted by the corresponding séleetaur device; and a battery

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  three pushers, each of which can be

  end, in each unit screen, the stop of a number or a symbol The lot is awarded by obtaining

  in said unit screens of certain combinations

  established - whose value differs according to a given table - and which basically consists in the repetition of the same

  sign in all, or, at least, in two of them.

  Moreover, the set includes a system that allows to retain, in a specific part, the desired signs to increase the probability of seeing them out at the

next part.

  The improvements which are the subject of the present

  The main purpose of the invention is to reduce the

  general braking of the machine, to facilitate and simplify

  both factory assembly and

  tion and repair to which the whole should be

  to make it more convenient to adapt to different

  operation and, finally, to increase the maximum

  robustness of the machine as well as safety and automation

ticity of its operation.

  The principle, the main characteristics and

  the advantages of the improvements in question appear to be

  will be easier to understand with the help of

  the following description and accompanying drawings on which

  in a schematic form and hence without limitation of any kind is represented a concrete example

  of a practical realization of these improvements.

In these drawings:

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a machine

  creative constructed according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view, from above, of the machine shown in the previous figure, with the two access doors inside in the open position; Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the same machine shown in the preceding figure; FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the

  same machine with closure or entire posterior door-

openly;

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  FIG. 5 is a front view in perspective, at

  a slightly larger scale, from the machine

  on the four preceding figures, with the closure or rear door in the open position; Figures 6 and 7 are details, seen from the front and from above, of the special room by which is introduced the introduction of coins in the machine; Figure 8 is a section taken along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 6;

  FIG. 9 is a general diagram of the electrical circuit

  and electronics that feeds the various mechanisms

  my and components making up the machine; Figure 10 is a detail showing the diagram of a

  output amplifiers that are part of the general schematic

  ral shown in the previous figure;

  Figure 11 shows, partially disassembled, in

  pective, one of the screens that produce the rapid succession of numbers, signs or luminous symbols; finally Figure 12 is a longitudinal section of the same assembly shown in the previous figure, once mounted.

  Although it may also apply to

  truction of large machines and arranged

  to rest directly on the ground, perfect them

  ments which are the subject of the present invention apply-

  preferable to the construction of

  are relatively small, intended for installation on a table, counter or similar support, or

  be attached to a wall or equivalent vertical surface.

  The machine comprises a support or a frame of general shape

  It is preferably a parallelepiped, made of sheet metal, denoted by the reference 1 as a whole and preferably having dimensions not exceeding in any sense 50 cm, for example dimensions of approximately 44.5 cm high, 34 cm wide and 38 cm wide. cm deep, said frame possibly comprising a set of four elastic feet or any other

  type of support or fixing elements.

  According to one of the features of the improvements

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  proposed, the frame is opened by its front and rear faces, which are closed by means of doors or lids which articulate on the frame along axes

  corresponding verticals, defined by sets of hinges

  2-2 ', of any suitable type, but preferably calculated so as to allow the doors to fold completely to parallel or

  roughly parallel, in the plan, to the corresponding bases

  In addition, these doors are locked in the closed position by safety locks 3, which can also be of a

  type or of any suitable model, the whole

  once closed, an isolated block from the outside, of the most

  high strength and, therefore, completely tamper-proof.

  On the surface or upper base of the frame are

  The slots for the introduction of the coins which will determine the operation of the apparatus According to the invention, these slots 5 are arranged in two bodies.

  molded 6, 6 ', equal to each other, suitably

  of the abovementioned base by means of, for example,

  lons fixed in corresponding holes 7, making them completely inaccessible from the outside Each of these parts is of a stepped form, having a section approximately L-shaped, which delimits a projecting vertical surface 8, in the alignment with the slot in the same plane vertical or slightly inclined, in

  to facilitate the introduction of coins.

  According to an accessory feature of the invention, the aforementioned money receiving bodies 6-6 'are able to receive coins of two distinct values, for example coins of i and 5 francs respectively, the latter body, receiver of 5 francs, being only intended to provide players with the exchange of these coins,

  in the normal case of a machine programmed for

  The two coin receiving elements are coupled with corresponding 9-9 'devices which ensure the same value.

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  control of format, weight and alloy, and which are associated with small tanks 10-1 O 'to which are expelled the defective or suspect parts, which are

  collected through lateral openings 11-11 'cor-

  According to an accessory feature of the invention, the coin control devices 9-9 'are fixed to the frame in an easily dismountable manner,

  for example embedded in fixed slides corresponding to

  and secured by means of bolts or latches 12-

  12 ', operable from the outside In this way, and following

  In a preferred embodiment, it will suffice not to use the body 6 'receiving parts of 5 francs and disassemble the two devices 9-9' eliminating the first and rising in its place the second, so that the the whole apparatus is able to function with coins of francs, without giving change of coins of higher value These adaptation operations can be carried out

  in all convenience and speed with no other penalty than

  open the front door which will be described later in detail.

  The door 14 which closes the base or opening

  the frame is flat to possibly allow the installation of the machine against a wall or an equivalent vertical wall and has at its periphery a continuous edge 13 which fits into a corresponding groove 15 provided in the edge of the base aforesaid of the frame forming a sufficiently hermetic closure

  to prevent the penetration of dust and other

  purities and all kinds of foreign elements with which

  one could try to carry out fraudulent manipulations

his.

  This lid or door, according to the invention,

  serves as a support for the control circuit board in the

  which will be made more reference thereafter.

  It is therefore sufficient to fully open this door in the

  in the position shown in Figure 4 of the

  sins, to make it convenient and easy access to this circuit, for any repair or verification that can be performed Preferably, this rear door

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  will also have a hollow area that is not visible in the drawings, in which will be the interlocking connection element through which the connection of the apparatus to the distribution network, a main switch and a fuse will be made general protection. The door 17, which closes the face or front base of the frame 1 has a substantially curved shape, preferably two inclined planes 18-18 ', connected

  by a rounded horizontal edge 19 According to a

  In this invention, it is to this door that is fixed, by its lower part, so that it is accessible once the door is open, a plate 20 which supports the

  luminous displays or "displays", which will be de-

  subsequently written and whose images will be

  from the outside through unit screens 21-21 '-

  21 ", which together form the game screen 22 On this door are furthermore the openings through which stand out, arranged to be set in motion, the control members of the pusher 23 by means of which is caused starting up the machine after the introduction of the corresponding coin by

  slot 5 and after this piece has been duly accepted

  as well as the battery of push-buttons 24-24 '-24 ", by means of which the double function is realized of interrupting at will the rapid succession of signs or symbols on the corresponding unit screen, and of retaining the symbol obtained, in a determined part, for the following part,

  under the conditions studied below.

  also one or more plates 25, on which the different combinations are indicated and represented.

  of signs winning lots, as well as the amount of those

  ci, in tabular form, and one or more plates 26 containing the instructions for the use of the machine, and a bright screen 27 with the desired indication that lights up to notify the public when the machine is out

  of service, for example as a result of damage, exhaustion

  the provision of money necessary for the

  lots or any other cause Finally to the inferior part

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  the machine is a tank 28 of large

  In this reservoir, the coins are arranged so that they can be collected, the coins corresponding to the batches that the players will obtain in the following parts. In the corresponding part of the frame itself, separated from the receiving elements of money, described above, is housed, in the lower zone of

  this part, a drawer 29, which can slide horizontally

  30-30 ', so that it can be extracted partially, for example to the front of the machine, after opening the door 17 by simply pulling

  on a handle 31 of any suitable type

  roir is intended to collect the coins that constitute the recipe corresponding to the operation of the machine, and remains immobilized in the closed position by means of a safety lock 32, so that it is necessary to have access to its contents, to have at least two keys corresponding respectively to the latter lock and to the lock of the front door

of the machine.

  According to an important characteristic of

  In accordance with the invention, the guides 30-30 'are

  to slide, in turn, relative to a guide systems attached to the frame 1, forming part of a frame 33 which, preferably, may be partially or completely extracted from the frame, by horizontal sliding, both by the front part by the rear part of said frame in

  to facilitate any repairs, inspections or

  or maintenance that should be performed On this chassis is mounted, in the first place, a transformer 35,

  with a primer designed to operate at any high voltage

  normally, that is to say, normally at 125 or 220 volts, and

  three independent secondary units of 9, 14 and 24 volts, respectively

  which determine the working tensions of the different

  Components The transformer outputs are connected

  to a plate 34 which supports the input or supply circuit

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  It comprises at least one dissipator, for example black anodized aluminum, for the removal of heat.

  On the chassis 33 is also installed a

  speaker 36 which emits different sounds during the operation of the machine, punctuating, in a special way, by duly selected melodies, obtaining by the player

  different lots, and also emitting

  advertising dies determined when the machine is at rest for a preset time In addition, this speaker is used for the emission of alarm sounds, for example in the form of a siren, when the assembly is subjected to blows, thrusts, inclines or any other kind

fraudulent manipulation.

  Finally, on the chassis 33 are also mounted the elements that guide and control the passage of coins from the entrance slots to the drawer 29 or

  to tank 28, accessible from the outside, o come

  These elements are basically made up of a mechanism for counting and expelling pieces of coins.

  currency 37, rotary type, already known per se, which,

  governed by the electronic control circuit, directs to the tank 28 the quantities corresponding to the different batches obtained by the player, as well as the

  exchange of money relating to coins of higher value than

  to the amount of bet, which are introduced by the corresponding slot, that is to say by the slot provided in the body 6 'which is directly connected to the drawer 29 through

  a duct 40 in which the sensory elements

  who detect the introduction of each coin in order to make change and to count all the coins corresponding to the amount of each bet (eg 1 franc, as indicated) which are introduced by the

  groove 6, accumulate in a storage tank

  connected to the counting device which feeds it, and when this deposit reaches the maximum of its capacity, the following coins introduced by said slot, meeting

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  said filled tube, fall into the tube 39 which directs them

  to the drawer 29 The tube 38 comprises a separating device

  which cooperates with the electronic accounting systems

  tabilization of the coins of the machine, and which may, for example, consist of a microswitch 41, or a

  analogous element, which functions by pressure, being

  born by the very weight of the coins so that, when the coin stock is reduced below a predetermined level, this security device

  stops the operation of the machine and prevents the

  new bids, thus avoiding that the existing reserve does not allow to pay the batches that would be

  possibly attributed to the player In addition, and in

  with the guidance, distribution and control of

  currency, the machine is equipped with three counters 42-42 '-

  42 ", mounted, for example, on a support plate 43

  directly attached to the building, which account for, respectively,

  coins of higher value (that is, 5 francs, in the most common example of realization), the number of bets made (and not the number of coins introduced, so that the calculation of earnings is not distorted by the introduction of coins

  which will then be returned as a result of

  accumulated credit), and the number of coins that

  the counter-unloader rotates because of a lot, without counting those that go out to make change of coins of a higher value, so as not to alter the

calculation of earnings.

  The general scheme, electrical and electronic; of the

  different elements and mechanisms of the apparatus has been

  FIG. 9 shows one of the output amplifiers shown in greater detail in FIG. 10. In this diagram, because of its complexity,

  of the circuit supported by the plate 16, that is to say the circuit

  cooked or control card, signaling only, apart from the previously mentioned items such as battery

  pushbuttons 24-24 '-24 "and the central push-button for

  23, the microswitches 43-43 ', actuated by both

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  types of money admitted by the machine, the microswitch 43 "of lack of money, the output amplifiers 44, 44 ', 44", 45 and 46 which correspond respectively to the stops,

  when decommissioning and putting on, the safety coils

  Coin mechanism mechanisms 47-47 ', coil 48 of coin unloader and coils 49-49' -49 "of counters

  mentioned above; finally, the references 50-50 '-50 "correspon-

  decoders by means of which the 51-51 '-51 "displays or" displays "integrated in table 22 are fed,

  which will be studied in detail later.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the aforementioned drawings, the screens or "displays" are devices producing the rapid succession of luminous signs or symbols which take on a structure already known in its general lines, and comprise a certain number of transparent plates 52 carrying signs and

  mounted in parallel on a chassis This chassis is,

  according to the present invention, constituted by a

  53, of insulating material, of rectangular shape, on which rest and are fixed by means of bolts,

  two metal blocks 54-54 'placed face to face, which

  take horizontal grooves 55 separated by nerves

  corresponding vests 56, in number equal to half plus one of the number of transparent plates 52 which must be mounted and located so that each of these plates is embedded in one of the grooves of said blocks and simply rested by its head against a rib the opposite block, which facilitates substantially the assembly Also according to the invention, each of the aforementioned metal blocks has a recessed area, opposite to the above-mentioned grooves, in which is snapped and fixed by a single screw 57, a 58-58 'Each of these plates has on one of its faces a printed circuit 59, while on the other side it has, salient at right angles, a number of lamps 60 (as much as the "display" "comprises transparent plates) connected to said circuit When mounting the lamps 60 are housed in corresponding holes 61 provided in the metal block 2510784

  corresponding, and are able to illuminate the trans-

  parent that corresponds to their position, with the possible interposition of filters of different colors, nested on the edges of said plate With this arrangement, each of said transparent plates is, at the moment when it must appear on the screen, illuminated by two edges

  opposite and not by one of these edges as it is usual.

  We thus obtain much better visibility conditions

  signs from outside and, in addition, and especially

  Thanks to an adequate distribution of the lamps on the whole, we obtain a practically total uniformity in the intensity of illumination of the successive signs. Finally, the assembly is covered by a cover 62, for example of stamped metal sheet, which fits snugly in the mounting position and attaches, for example, by means of screws, and has a large central window

  63 through which are visible from the outside, when

  that they are properly illuminated,

parents bearing signs.

-12-

Claims (10)

  1 Improvements made to the machines   creative "slot machines", including   creatives that include a completely closed frame   both on its front face and at a height appropriate to be conveniently observed a screen formed by a reduced number of figures or other agreed signs of any kind which, when the assembly is started during a period   established time, vary at high speed, under the   of an electronic system based on the use of digital techniques and by means of integrated circuits, in a continuous and independent way to offer, by chance,   when the shutdown occurs, a combination of   its determinate of signs on which depend the batches allocated by the machine; said machine being characterized in that   the frame 1 is completely open on its front and rear faces.   re presenting in these faces doors 14-17, rotating about vertical axes 2-2 'which can be immobilized   in the closed position by means of safety locks cor-   3 and folded approximately to the plane of these faces, and in that the general circuit of the machine is divided into a circuit portion 34-35 for the input or   which is fixed to the frame itself, a part   circuit 16 for the control that is attached to the face   internal of the rear door 14 and a circuit part 22-   23-24-27 for the signals and control elements and   which is attached to the front door 17.   2 improvements according to claim 1,   characterized in that the building has at its lower part   a drawer 29 which can slide on horizontal guides 30-30 'which can be extracted by the front part and which is kept in the closed position by means of a safety lock 32, a drawer in which accumulate gains corresponding to the operation of the machine, said guides forming part of a frame 33 suitably fixed once mounted, which, in turn, can slide on guides fixed to the frame 1 and be partially extracted from said frame   at least by one of the two doors that includes the latter.   3 improvements according to claim 2,   characterized in that the aforementioned chassis 33 supports the   appears from the 34-35 input or supply circuit of the   China, the speaker 36, the 40 elements that guide the   circuit of the coins to the drawer 29 which   picks and to the depot 28, accessible from the outside, for the payment of the lots and to make change coins.   higher value, through the repository of accumulation   and the rotating counting and dispensing device coinage 37.   4 Improvements according to one of the claims   1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the upper base   The frame carries two 6-6 'protruding bodies provided with   5 for the introduction of two-coin coins   their different, connected to devices 9-9 'for the control of the weight, the format and the alloy of these coins and to the side slots 11-11' for the expulsion of the defective parts, one of these slots being opposite   to the duct-fixed to the frame which directs the pieces of   to the drawer 29, where the profits accumulate, with the interposition of sensitive elements which determine a cycle of operation of the machine and which make the change of the coins of higher value, while the other slot -par   which are introduced coins of equal value.   the amount of bet remains opposed to a tubular reservoir 38, also attached to the chassis o accumulate reserves, and communicating in turn with the rotary mechanism -14- batch distribution and currency exchange,   the coins being, when this tank is total-   completely diverted to the accumulation drawer of the   aforesaid fictions, through a corresponding conduit 39.   5 improvements according to claim 4,   characterized in that in the tubular accumulator   tion of reserves 38 is interposed a sensitive element 41, actuated by the weight of the accumulated parts which, when this weight decreases below a predetermined safety limit,   prevents further operation of the machine.   6. Improvements according to claim 4, characterized in that the coin selection devices 9-9 'are fixed in a mounting position so as to be easily disassembled, so that it is sufficient to   do not use the coin introduction slot   a higher value and replace with the selector corresponding to this slot the one that is mounted in the other, so that the machine is able to function normally, accepting only parts of a higher value and paying with these pieces the lots that can get the players to the following shots.   7 Improvements according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the front door 17 has a generally convex general shape, having two opposite and unequal inclined planes 18- 18 'joined by a rounded horizontal edge 19, and having on the lower plane a wide opening through which appears partially   outside, with a view to facilitating the collection of   these coins, the reservoir 28 for taking gains, while in the upper plane are: the control members protruding from the general push 23 to start the part, the pushers 24-24 '-24 "which allow to act on each of the "displays 22" or devices producing the rapid succession of light signals, determining their -15-.   stop at will or their detention with a view to the following   20-21 '-21 "unit screens through which these signals are visible, a luminous screen 27 advising of non-operation of the machine and the plates 25 containing, respectively, the instructions for use and the tables i-   identifying lots and indicating their values.   8 Improvements according to one of the   cations 1 to 7, characterized in that the rear door 14 is completely flat and has, fixed parallel to its inner face, the plate 16 supporting the circuit or control card 44-45-46-47-48-49-50, this door having a hollow zone in which are located, accessible from the outside, the elements through which is made the connection of the machine to the power grid, the general operating switch and at least one general safety circuit breaker .   9 Improvements according to one of the claims   cations 1 to 8, characterized in that the input circuit,   attached to the chassis 33 supported by the frame 1 is powered by   to the outputs of a transformer 35 itself attached to this frame, which includes a primary intended to operate at   two different voltages -normally 125 or 220 volts-   and three independent secondary schools that provide the   separate voltages -normally 9,14 and 24 volts corres-   the working voltages of the different elements.   Improvements according to one of the   1 to 9, characterized in that each of the   tifs producing the rapid succession of luminous signs   comprises an insulating plate 53, to which are fixed, op-   placed together, two metallic bodies 54-54 'which   on their opposite faces there is a series of grooves 55 parallel to the base, so that, once mounted, each of the transparent sign-bearing plates 52 is interlocked by one of its edges in one of the grooves of a -16- blocks, while its opposite edge is simply supported against the rib 56 of separation between two successive grooves 55 of the other block insulating plates 58-58 'being attached to the opposite faces of these blocks   and having on their outer surfaces an im-   59 and the internal surfaces from which emerge right-angle lamps 60 housed in corresponding holes   61 provided in the blocks for the illumination of   aforementioned transparencies, all so that each of these plates is illuminated simultaneously, at the entrance   in operation, by two of its opposite edges, as a result of   by means of an adequate distribution of the lamps   overall, virtually uniform conditions   lighting of all the plates and a maximum of regular   as well as optimal lighting conditions for signs,   and vision of these from the outside.