GB2382783A

GB2382783A - Coin pusher gaming machine with accurate takings

Info

Publication number: GB2382783A
Application number: GB0128819A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin John Page; Charles Edward Holland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-01
Filing date: 2001-12-01
Publication date: 2003-06-11
Also published as: GB0128819D0

Abstract

A gaming machine comprises a means by which a player can insert a coin 1, a means of detecting the coin, a reciprocating pusher table 2 on which a coin lands, a barrier means 3 to partially enclose the playing area 5, means to pass coins leaving the playing area to the player 6 and means to retain coins at a predetermined rate 7, which form the operator's takings. The means to retain coins preferably comprises two circular holes which form the top entry to tubes acting as coin magazines. The top edges of the tubes are level with the top surface of the playing area. At the start of play the tubes are full. During the course of play coins are ejected from the base of the tubes in a predetermined ratio to the coins being accepted by the coin entry validator. In the course of the coin movement on the playing area coins refill any drop in the tube level.

Description

COIN PUSHER GAMING MACHINE This invention relates to Coin Pusher gaming machines.

Gaming machines of the coin pusher type are common in Amusement Arcades.

These consist of a horizontal playfield surface having an opening at one edge, Drawings 1/5, 2/5 refer. A pusher table reciprocates back and forth across part of the playfield surface (5). Players insert coins through a coin entry and validator system which then drop onto the top surface of the pusher table (2). The reciprocating motion causes any build up on this surface to force the coins onto the playfield surface. Progressive movement of coins on the playfield surface cause coins to drop over the open edge and provide the players'winnings.

. Apertures (A or B) are provided in the playfield surface through which some coins fall to be retained in the machine as the machine operators'takings. To alter the percentage of coins retained by the machine entails altering the size and/or position of the apertures.

This may not always be possible with any degree of accuracy and can have an adverse effect on the play appeal of the game.

The object of this invention seeks to provide a coin pusher type gaming machine where the percentage of the machine operators'takings relative to the coins played is accurately adjustable.

Drawings 1/5 and 2/5 show current types of access ports through which operators takings are achieved. Drawing 3/5 indicates the component parts as follows :- (I) coin entry; (2) pusher table top, (3) barrier wall, (4) pusher face, (5) playfield area, (6) open edge.

In a preferred arrangement the machine comprises a coin entry validator or multiple coin entry validator through which players insert coins. The coin entry validator is fitted with a means of detecting each coin accepted and passed into the machine. Each time an accepted coin is detected it is registered by a counter. In the arrangement there are machined in the horizontal playfield surface two circular holes (7) Drawing 4/5 which form the top entry to tubes acting as coin magazines. The top edges of the tubes are level with the top surface of the playfield. At the start of play the tubes are full. During the course of play coins are ejected from the base of the tubes in a predetermined ratio to the coins being accepted by the coin entry validator. In the course of the coin movement on the playfield area coins refill any drop in the tube level. The remainder of the coins on the playfield move across the surface and force spillage from the open edge and become the winnings for the player.

There is an electronic control unit which counts the accepted coins and a means to supply electrical pulses in a strict ratio to coins accepted. The magazine tubes are fitted at their bases with ejector mechanisms operated by the electrical pulses from the control unit.

By way of an example each time a pulse is received by the ejector mechanism one coin is ejected from the base of the coin tube, the coin stack now drops down the tube the thickness of one coin. Movement of coins on the playfield can now refill the tube from the top. Coins ejected from the base of the tubes are routed to the machine cashbox to provide the aggregated takings for the machine operator.

Examples of percentages, for say ten coins are accepted by the validator and three coins are ejected from the magazines then the machine takings is 30%, similarly if fifteen coins are accepted by the validator and three coins are ejected from the magazines the takings will be 20%.

Drawings 5/7, and 6/7 show two forms of magazine ejector mechanisms. Drawing 5/7 is a motor powered system, and 6/7 is a solenoid powered system.

Drawing 7/7 shoes in block diagram form the electrical functions as follows :- D is the coin validator.

C is the control unit receiving signal from the validator of coins accepted.

Ml and M2 are the magazine units operated by signals from the control unit.

R is the register to preset the percentage takings as required by the operator.

P is the power supply for all units.

Claims

CLAIMS I A Coin Pusher gaming machine where the percentage of the machine Operators'takings relative to coins played is accurately adjustable by The operator.