GB2203604A

GB2203604A - A connector-adaptor having a diode

Info

Publication number: GB2203604A
Application number: GB08808888A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Partridge
Original assignee: Starpoint Electrics Ltd
Current assignee: Starpoint Electrics Ltd
Priority date: 1987-04-15
Filing date: 1988-04-15
Publication date: 1988-10-19
Also published as: GB8808888D0

Abstract

A connector-adaptor 9, for use with a micro-switch (7, Fig 1 not shown), comprises a body which on one side has sockets 12A, 13A, 14A for the reception of terminals of the micro-switch and, on the other side, has twin-jaw IDCs (insulation displacement connectors) for the reception of electrical wiring 12B, 13B, 14B, the switch terminals being connectible to the wiring 12B, 13B, 14B through the connector-adaptor 9, or selected switch terminals being connectible to appropriate wiring through the connector-adaptor including a diode (10). <IMAGE>

Description

GAMING ASCHINES This invention relates to gaming machines, sometimes referred to as fruit machines, or amusement machines. Modern gaming machines are exclusively electrically operated, the reels which carry the symbols such as fruit being driven by individual electric motors under the control of push buttons which are operated by the user of the machine. The electric motors are usually stepper motors which respond to pulses from a pulse generator which, in its turn, is controlled b the push button switches. Large numbers of electrical components are required, primarily indicator lamps and switches, usually in the form of micro-switches. For example, micro-switches are included as part of the coin storage mechanism so as to provide an indication when the level of coins in a storage tube falls below a predetermined minimum level.Micro-switches are also used as the switching component in the push button switches referred to above.

As a consequence, when a gaming machine is first assembled, very large numbers of electrical connections have to be made, and it is an important objective to simplify the making of these connections as much as possible so as to facilitate the assembly process. One form of connection which can be made with the minimum of time and trouble is the so-called insulation displacement connector (IDC) in which the connection is made merely by forcing an insulated wire into a pair of jaws which cut through the insulation to contact the conductor and, at the same time, anchor the wire in position. Such connectors are used for a variety of purposes and in our GB patent publication 2168860, for example, the external connections for a lampholder are each constituted by a twin-jaw IDC arranged with its jaws in line with one another at opposite sides of the base of the lampholder.When such lampholders are included in a gaming machine, the electrical connections may be made very simply and quickly merely by laying an insulated conductor across the base and forcing it into the jaws of the connector. Unfortunately, no similar system has proved to be practicable for use with micro-switches.

The design of the terminals in a micro-switch is dictated by the internal switch construction and this coupled with the need to allow for various sizes of wires renders the proposition quite impracticable. Any attempt to construct a micro-switch in this way would render the price quite prohibitive.

According to the present invention, a connector-adaptor for use with a micro-switch comprises a body which on one side has sockets for the reception of terminals of the micro-switch and, on the other side, has twin-jaw IDCs for the reception of electrical wiring, the terminals being connectlble to the wiring through the connector-adaptor.

In making the connections to the switch it is therefore necessary only to slide the sockets of the connector-adaptor onto the terminals of the switch and then to connect each wire to the respective twin-jaw IDC as already described, i.e. b laying the w're across the jaws and then forcing it into the jaws to complete the connection. It is a matter of convenience whether the connector-adaptor is first connected to the switch and the wires then connected to the connector-adaptor or whether the wires are first connected to the connector-adaptor and the sockets of the connector-adaptor are then fitted over the terminals of the switch.

There are a number of different types of micro-switch which are suitable for use in this way. The sockets of the connector-adaptor must of course be designed to suit the terminals of the micro-switch.

Depending on the type of operation required the connector-adaptor may include a diode connected between two of the conductors.

For example, there may be three sockets, each of which is connected to a respective twin-jaw IDC.

Alternatively, there may be two sockets, of which one is connected to a twin-jaw IDC and the other is connected to one terminal of a diode whose other terminal is connected to another twin-jaw IDC. In either case, the micro-switch may have a pivoted contact connected to one terminal of the micro-switch and two change-over contacts either or both of which are connected to respective other terminals of the micro-switch, there obviously being a need for the sockets to be designed to suit the terminals as already mentioned.

Examples of micro-switches suitable for use in connection with the Invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in conjunction with an indicator device for a coin storage tube. In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation showing a micro-switch in relation to the indicator device in readiness for connection; Figures 1A, 113 and 1C show different forms of connector-adaptor; and Figure 2 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 1.

Turning first to Figure 1, a coin storage tube 1 has a slot 2 in its wall through which a piastic actuator 3 projects. The actuator is pivoted at 4 and is normally forced to the right from the position shown in Figure 1 by the presence of the coins shown as 5. When the level of coins drops to the position shown in Figure 1, the actuator 3 swings in a clockwise direction to the position shown, thus allowing the lever 6 of a micro-switch 7 to move to the position shown. The lever bears against the plunger 8 of the micro-switch and when it moves to the position shown it releases the plunger.

This is a well known form of mechanism which is illustrated for sake of example.

The micro-switch illustrated is designed for change-over operation having a pivoted contact connected te a terminal 12 and two change-over contacts connected to terminals 13 and 14 respectively. In the position illustrated, the switch connects the terminal 12 to the terminal 14 and in the alternative operative position, it connects the terminal 12 to the terminal 13.

A connector-adaptor 9 shown in Figure 1A is intended to make use of these facilities and has at its left hand side three sockets 12A, 13A and 14A for the reception respectively of the terminals 12, 13 and 14 of the micro-switch. These three sockets are directly connected to respective IDC connectors at the right hand side of the connector-adaptor. These connectors themselves are not illustrated, but instead, three lengths of cable 12B, 13B and 14B are illustrated as fitted into these connectors. Accordingly, when the connector-adaptor is fitted to the terminals of the micro-switch, the cables 12B, 13B and 14B are connected to the respective terminals of the micro-switch for normal change-over operation. The actual making of the connections is simple in the extreme in that the three cables merely have to be pressed into the corresponding IDC connectors, after which the connector-adaptor complete with cables is pressed onto the terminals of the micro-switch.

The connector-adaptor illustrated in Figure 1B is intended for normally open switching. In other words, in the normal, unoperated position of the switch, no connection is made between the terminals 12 and 13 and the cable 12B shown in Figure 1A is omitted. In addition a diode 10 is connected between the socket 12A and the cable 1413. When the switch is operated, connection is made between the terminals 12 and 13 and the cables 13B and 14B are thus connected together through the diode 10.

The connector-adaptor shown in Figure 1C is similar to that of Figure 1B in that the cable 12B is omitted and a diode 10 is included. In this arrangement, however, the diode 10 is connected between the socket 12A and the cable 13B. Accordingly, when the switch is in the unoperated position, the cables 13B and 14B are connected together, i.e. giving normally closed switching and when the switch is operated, this connection is broken since there is no connection to the other contact of the micro-switch.

Figure 2 illustrates the mechanical components of Figure 1 in plan view and shows that the assembly including the actuator 3 and the micro-switch 7 is mounted on the outside of the coin tube 1 where it may be held by means of a clip passing round the tube and engaging lugs 20. Two alternative arrangements of terminal for the micro-switch are illustrated. In the full-lne position indicated as 12, 13, 14, the terminals extend at right angles to the body of the micro-switch and the connector-adaptor 9 therefore has to be fitted from this direction. In the alternative position shown in dotted lines as 12', 13', 14', the terminals extend along the axis of the assembly and the connector-adaptor shown in dotted lines as 9' has to be fitted from the appropriate direction. In either case, the making of the connections is extremely simple and the assembly as a whole is correspondingly facilitated.

Claims

1. A connector-adaptor, for use with a micro-switch, comprises a body which on one side has sockets for the reception of terminals of the micro-switch and, on the other side, has twin-jaws IDCs for the reception of electrical wiring, the terminals being connectible to the wiring through the connector-adaptor.

2. A connector-adaptor according to claim 1, in which there are three sockets, each of which is connected to a respective twin-jaw IDC.

3. A connector-adaptor according to claim 1, in which there are two sockets, of which one is connected to a twin-jaw IDC and the other is connected to one terminal of a diode whose other terminal is connected to another twin-jaw IDC.

A A connector-adaptor according to any preceding claim, in combination with a micro-switch which has a pivoted contact connected to one terminal of the micro-switch and two change-over contacts either or both of which are connected to respective other terminals of the micro-switch.

5. A connector-adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 1A and 2, or Figures 1B or 1C, of the accompanying drawings.