JP2001299994A - Game medium detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium detector of a game medium capable of being accurately installed simply and at a short time without requiring no skill for a mounting work. SOLUTION: The detector detects a deposited state of a game medium (medal M) stored at a game medium storage part (medal storage part 303) in a box body (slot machine Y). In the detector, a plurality of conductive probes electrically conductable at the time when it comes into contact with the game medium deposited; a mounting base member 1 in which engagement apertures 3 for retaining their respective conductive probes 20 in parallel at predetermined spaces are previously formed; and a wiring (wiring cord 10) for transmitting a conductive signal from the conductive probes are integrally assembled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a detector for detecting a state of accumulation of game media stored in a game medium storage section and the like, and more particularly, to a game machine such as a slot machine using medals and coins as game media. And useful technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine such as a slot machine using metal medals or coins as a game medium includes a medal storing section capable of storing medals and the like inserted from a medal slot.
A hopper that can discharge medals and the like stored in the medal storage unit as a prize is provided inside.

[0003] Depending on the configuration of the island equipment in which a plurality of gaming machines are provided, when a medal or the like becomes insufficient in the medal storage section, a system for automatically replenishing the shortage is provided. There is a method performed by a clerk.

[0004] In the latter method, when all the medals and the like stored in the jackpot or the like have been paid out, the clerk manually replenishes the medals or the like to the medal storage unit to continue the game again. Becomes possible.

On the other hand, in this system, if the amount of medals supplied becomes excessive due to medals or the like inserted without a big hit or the like occurring, the medal storage portion becomes full, and the medals that cannot be filled cannot be accommodated. Are dropped from an overflow outlet formed at an upper portion of the medal storing portion to an overflow storing portion provided below the outlet. If such an overflow of medals or the like is left unchecked, medals or the like overflow inside the gaming machine, which may cause a malfunction of the gaming machine.

In view of the above, a game medium detector for detecting overflow of medals or the like has conventionally been provided when a medal or the like overflows into the gaming machine. Take appropriate measures such as taking out.

[0007]

However, the conventional game medium detector has a drawback that the mounting operation is troublesome.

Here, a configuration example of a conventional game medium detector will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view (a) and a front view (b) of a conventional game medium detector.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the conventional game medium detector, a pair of L-shaped conductive members 500 are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and are screwed to a back wall of the game machine.
When the L-shaped conductive members 500 are electrically connected to each other by an overflowed medal or the like, a current flows through the wiring cord 501. By converting this current into a voltage, the overflow is generated. It can be detected.

[0010] The pair of L-shaped conductive members 500 include:
In order to accurately detect medals and the like, they need to be mounted at predetermined intervals so that their heights are the same. Further, in order to prevent a medal or the like from being placed or pinched between the conductive members 500 and the conductive members 500 are prevented from being in a conductive state by only one medal, the conductive member 500 is used for the medal or the like. It must be installed at intervals larger than the diameter.

In order to attach the conductive member 500 in such a state, a cross-shaped jig 502 or the like in which a horizontal or appropriate interval is easily set is used, but the jig 502 is attached to the L-shaped conductive member 500. The work of accurately positioning while applying the screws, fixing them with screws, and attaching the wiring cords 501 requires skill, and is a laborious and labor-intensive installation work. There is a problem that such inferior work efficiency hinders a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a game medium detector which can be easily and accurately installed in a short time without requiring any skill in an attaching operation. And

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a game medium (medal M) stored in a game medium storage section (medal storage section 303, etc.) in a housing (slot machine Y). A detector for detecting a stacking state, wherein a plurality of conductive probes that can be electrically connected to the stacked game media are electrically held, and the conductive probes (20) are held in parallel at predetermined intervals. The mounting base member (1) in which the fitting hole (3) is formed in advance and a wiring (wiring cord 10) for transmitting a conduction signal from the conductive probe are integrally assembled.

Thus, since the game medium detector is configured as one unit, it is not necessary to perform the troublesome and skillful work of separately mounting a pair of conductive members using a jig or the like as in the related art. Work efficiency can be improved.

The game medium storage section includes a main storage section for storing a game medium to be used for a game, and an overflow storage section for storing a game medium overflowing from the main storage section. The overflow storage unit may be configured to detect a state of accumulation of the overflowing game media.

In this case, it is possible to easily mount the detector in the overflow storage section.

The game medium can be a metal medal or coin, and can be applied to a slot machine or the like.

The mounting base member is formed of an insulating resin, a screw receiving portion is formed in the fitting hole, and a male screw to be screwed into the screw receiving portion is formed in the conductive probe. A screw head may be formed at one end of the conductive probe. By this, just screw the conductive probe into the fitting hole of the mounting base member,
The conductive probe can be fixed easily and reliably.

Further, a terminal is formed at an end of the wiring, the terminal being sandwiched between the mounting base member and a screw head of the conductive probe when the conductive probe is screwed into the mounting base member. Can also. Thus, the wiring can be easily and reliably connected to the conductive probe.

It is preferable that the interval between the conductive probes attached to the attachment base member is set larger than the diameter of the medal or coin. This allows
A medal or the like is placed or pinched between the conductive probes, so that it is possible to avoid occurrence of an erroneous notification due to only one medal or the like in a state where overflow has not progressed much.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view (a) showing a configuration of a game medium detector S according to the present embodiment, and a perspective view (b) showing a state after assembly. FIG. 2 is a perspective view (a) showing the back shape of the mounting base member 1 and a perspective view (b) showing the back state after the game medium detector S is assembled.

The game medium detector S includes a mounting base member 1
, A wiring cord 10, and a conductive probe 20.

The mounting base member 1 is made of polyethylene or AB
It is made of a molded article of insulating plastic such as S resin. On the front side of the mounting base member 1, holding portions 2 and 2 for holding the two conductive probes 20 in a parallel state are protruded at predetermined intervals, and a fitting hole 3 is formed. A male screw portion 20 b is formed on the base side of the conductive probe 20, and the male screw portion 2 of the conductive probe 20 is
0b is formed with a female screw groove. Note that the female screw groove is not essential, and a screw receiving portion may be simply formed.

The distance between the holding parts 2 and 2 is
In a state where 0 is attached, the distance between the conductive probes 20 is provided to be slightly larger than the diameter of a medal used in the gaming machine. That is, for example, a diameter of 25 mm
When the medal is used, the interval between the conductive probes 20 is set to about 26 mm.

At substantially the center of the mounting base member 1, there is provided a screw hole 4 for screwing the mounting base member 1 to a back wall W in the gaming machine. On the back side of the mounting base member 1, positioning dowels 5, 5 to be engaged with positioning holes 400 provided in a back wall W in the gaming machine are formed. Further, a screw receiving recess 6 for inserting the screw head 20c of the conductive probe 20 is formed, and a wiring cord 10 is attached to the upper side (the upper side in FIG. 2A) or the lower side of the screw receiving recess 6. In this case, a notch 7 is formed to guide the wiring cord 10 upward or downward.

An O-ring type terminal 11 is attached to an end of each wiring cord 10, and a conductive probe 20 is inserted through the O-ring type terminal 11 to thereby connect the wiring cord 10.
Is to be attached. Note that a Y-type or U-type terminal or the like can be used instead of the O-ring type terminal 11.

The conductive probe 20 has, for example, 3
The detection part 20a is formed with a length of 0 mm, the male screw part 20b is formed with a length of, for example, 20 mm on the base side, and the screw head 20c is formed on the rear end part.

Next, the game medium detector S according to the present embodiment
Will be described briefly.

First, the wiring code 1 is connected to the conductive probe 20.
No. 0 O-ring type terminal 11 is inserted, and the tip of the conductive probe 20 is inserted into the fitting hole 3 of one holding portion 2 from the back side of the mounting base member 1. Then, the screw head 20c of the conductive probe 20 is screwed into the fitting hole 2 using a driver. At this time, the wiring cord 10 is made to protrude upward through the notch 7. When the conductive probe 20 is completely screwed into the fitting hole 2, the O-ring type terminal 11 of the wiring cord 10 is strongly clamped between the screw head 20 c of the conductive probe 20 and the mounting base member 1, and O-type terminal 11 and conductive probe 20 are electrically connected. By attaching the other conductive probe 20 in the same manner, the game medium detector S unitized in a state as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B is completed.

As described above, the game medium detector S according to the present embodiment can securely fix the conductive probes 20 at predetermined intervals simply by screwing the conductive probes 20 into the mounting base member 1. It is not necessary to perform a skillful operation for attaching the L-shaped conductive member 500 by using a special jig 502 as in the related art, so that the cost can be reduced and the reliability can be improved by using the same standard unit. Can be improved.

Next, an example in which the game medium detector S according to the present embodiment is applied to a slot machine Y as a game machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows a front frame 300 of the slot machine Y.
It is a front view of the state which opened. A rotating reel 301 is provided substantially at the center of the internal mechanism, and a medal discharge device 302 is provided below the rotating reel 301.

A medal discharge device 302 stores a medal inserted from a medal insertion slot on the front side of the slot machine Y by executing a game (a main storage unit) 303.
And a hopper 304 constituting a medal carrying-out mechanism. The medal storing unit 303 is provided with an overflow outlet 303a for discharging overflowing medals to the outside when the stored medals reach a predetermined amount or more.

In FIG. 3, at the lower right corner inside the slot machine Y, below the overflow exit 303a, an overflow medal storage (overflow storage) 305 for storing overflowed medals is arranged. The overflow medal storage device 305 is a kind of container formed of, for example, transparent plastic or the like, has an upper opening, and is adapted to receive a medal M discharged from the overflow outlet 303a and falling. The overflow storage section and the main storage section constitute a game medium storage section.

Here, the mounting state of the game medium detector S will be described with reference to FIG. A guide hole 400 for positioning the game medium detector S is preliminarily formed below the back wall W inside the slot machine Y, and the guide hole 400 has a back surface of the mounting base member 1 of the game medium detector S. The positioning dowel 5 on the side is inserted to perform positioning. Next, the game medium detector S is fixed at a predetermined position by inserting a screw into the substantially central screw hole 4 of the mounting base member 1 and screwing it into the back wall W.

As described above, the game medium detector S can be easily and surely attached by screwing with one screw, and the L-shaped conductive member 500 can be attached by using a special jig as in the prior art. Eliminates the need for skilled installation work,
The efficiency of the mounting operation can be greatly improved.

The wiring code 10 of the game medium detector S
Is connected to the control device of the notification means such as the speaker 306, and when the conductive probe 20 is turned on by the medal M, turns on an alarm lamp based on the conduction signal, or notifies the overflow of the medal from the speaker 306 or the like. It emits a warning sound.

FIG. 4 shows one side of the medal accumulator 305 for overflow (the side facing the back wall W when installed).
As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5A, an insertion hole 3 through which the conductive probe 20 of the game medium detector S is inserted to protrude inside the overflow medal accumulator 305.
05a has been established. In addition, a handle portion 305b is formed on the front side of the overflow medal storage device 305 to take a hand when pulling out the overflow medal storage device 305.

Since the overflow medal accumulator 305 is configured as described above, when the overflow medal accumulator 305 is pushed deep into the lower right corner in the slot machine Y, FIG. 4B and FIG. As shown in b), the conductive probe 20 of the game medium detector S is installed so as to protrude into the overflow medal accumulator 305 through the insertion hole 305a.

The distance between the conductive probes 20 is
Since the diameter of the medal M is slightly larger than the diameter of the medal M, even if the medal M falls between the conductive probes 20, as shown in FIG. It is possible to avoid erroneous notification that the conductive probes 20 are electrically connected by one medal M at a stage where the amount of accumulated medals due to overflow is small without being caught between the sex probes 20.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the game medium detector S. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the number of medals M overflowing from the medal storage unit 303 is small, the conduction is not performed. The sex probe 20 is not conducted and no notification is made yet. The medals M overflowing from the medal storage unit 303 are gradually stored to a predetermined amount or more, and the space between the conductive probes 20 is two or more medals M.
Then, a conduction signal is transmitted to the control device via the wiring cord 10, and a warning sound or the like is generated from a notification unit such as the speaker 306 to notify the occurrence of a medal overflow. Thus, the clerk of the game store can take appropriate measures such as removing extra medals from the medal storage unit 303 or removing medals stored in the overflow medal storage unit 305.

In this embodiment, the game medium detector S
Although the case where a pair (two) of the conductive probes 20 are provided has been described, two or more pairs may be provided. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where coins are used instead of medals, and a case where an overflow of a game medium such as a pachinko ball is detected in a pachinko game machine.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the game medium detector is provided in the overflow storage unit, but it may be provided in the main storage unit. In this case, when the accumulation amount cannot be detected by the game medium detector, a notification of replenishment or the like is performed and a store clerk or the like performs replenishment work. In addition, the game medium detector according to the present embodiment is provided not only with a gaming machine but also with a plurality of slot machines and the like, and is provided in a game medium storage section of a slot island capable of circulating medals and the like and supplying the slot machines and the like. The case is also applicable.

Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative in all aspects and are limited to the disclosed technology. It should not be considered a thing. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be interpreted in accordance with the description of the claims. It includes all modifications within the scope of the appended claims and equivalent technology.

[0046]

According to the present invention, there is provided a detector for detecting a state of accumulation of game media stored in a game medium storage section in a housing, wherein a plurality of the electrically conductive media can be electrically contacted with the accumulated game media. A conductive probe, a mounting base member in which a fitting hole for holding the conductive probes in parallel at predetermined intervals is formed in advance, and a wiring for transmitting a conduction signal from the conductive probe. Since the detector is assembled, the detector is configured as a single unit, which eliminates the need for troublesome and skillful work of separately mounting a pair of conductive members using a jig or the like as in the conventional case, thereby improving work efficiency. There is an effect that can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a game medium detector S for game media according to the present embodiment.
3A and 3B are an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example and a perspective view showing a state after assembly.

FIG. 2 is a game medium detector S for game media according to the present embodiment.
3A is a perspective view showing the back shape of the mounting base member of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the back state of the game medium detector S after assembly.

FIG. 3 is a game medium detector S for game media according to the present embodiment.
52 is a front view showing an internal mechanism in a case where is applied to a slot machine Y. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a game medium detector S for game media according to the present embodiment.
It is a side view which shows the positional relationship of the medal storage device for overflows.

FIG. 5 is a game medium detector S for game media according to the present embodiment.
It is a top view which shows the positional relationship with the medal storage device for overflow.

FIG. 6 is a game medium detector S for game media according to the embodiment.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the detection state of the medal by.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view and a front view showing a configuration of a conventional game medium detector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Attachment base member 2 Holding part 3 Fitting hole 4 Screw hole 5 Dowel for positioning 6 Screw receiving concave part 7 Notch 10 Wiring code 11 O-ring type terminal 20 Conductive probe 20a Detecting part 20b Male screw part 20c Screw head S Game media Detector Y Slot machine (gaming machine) 300 Front frame 301 Spindle reel 302 Medal ejection device 303 Medal storage unit 303a Overflow outlet 304 Hopper 305 Overflow medal reservoir 306 Speaker 400 Positioning guide hole M Medal (game media) W Back Wall 500 L-shaped conductive member 501 Wiring code 502 Cross-shaped jig

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A detector for detecting a state of accumulation of game media stored in a game medium storage section in a housing, comprising: a plurality of conductive probes that can be electrically conducted when contacted with the accumulated game media. And a mounting base member in which a fitting hole for holding the conductive probes in parallel at a predetermined interval is formed in advance, and a wiring for transmitting a conduction signal from the conductive probe. A game medium detector characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The game medium storage section includes a main storage section for storing game media to be used for games, and an overflow storage section capable of storing game media overflowing from the main storage section. 2. The game medium detector according to claim 1, wherein the game medium detector is provided in the overflow storage unit, and detects a state of accumulation of the game media overflowing. 3. The game medium detector according to claim 1, wherein the game medium is a metal medal or a coin. 4. The mounting base member is formed of an insulating resin, a screw receiving portion is formed in the fitting hole, and a male screw to be screwed into the screw receiving portion is formed in the conductive probe. 4. A screw head is formed at one end of the conductive probe.
The game medium detector according to any one of the above. 5. An end of the wiring is formed with a terminal which is held between the mounting base member and a screw head of the conductive probe when the conductive probe is screwed into the mounting base member. 5. The game medium detector according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an interval between the conductive probes attached to the attachment base member is set to be larger than a diameter of the medal or the coin. Game media detector.