JP2002140753A - Coin selector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin selector advantageous to smoothen the operation of a coin blocker and advantageous to restrain complicating of structure by avoiding adopting a turning movement system but adopting the coin blocker of a straight advancing movement system so as to improve foreign matter resistance. SOLUTION: The coin blocker 4 for the coin selector is switched to a falling mode for falling coins to be returned among coins flowing down a flow-down path 16 from a coin fall-down port 23. The blocker 4 is provided with a straight moving member 41 provided in the state of being capable of moving straight to a base part 1, a straight movement guiding member 45 for guiding the member 41 in the state of being capable of moving straight and a driving part 6 for moving the member 45 straight along the member 45. The part 6 is formed of an electromagnetic device 60 functioning as an actuator and a driving spring member 62 for energizing a straight moving bush 42 in a direction for moving away from a flow-down path opening/closing lid 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a coin selector having a coin slot. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a coin insertion device of a game machine such as a pachislo machine and a pachinko device, also called a slot machine, and a coin insertion device of a vending machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a coin selector having a function of selecting and discharging unnecessary coins has been used in a game machine such as a pachislot machine and a vending machine. The coin selector is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.
No. 77, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-1182, and Japanese Patent No. 2742756. This coin selector is provided in a coin insertion slot into which coins are inserted, a flow-down passage extending from the coin insertion slot and flowing down coins inserted from the coin insertion slot and guiding the coin to a regular coin passage, and a flow-down passage. A coin drop port for dropping coins flowing down the downflow passage. Further, the coin selector is provided with a coin blocker. When the power of the gaming machine is turned off, or when more coins than necessary are inserted from the coin slot, or when the coin inserted from the coin slot is not a genuine product, If the coin inserted from is to be returned, the coin blocker switches to the `` falling form '' where the coins flowing down the coin flow passage are dropped from the coin drop hole and guided to the regular coin passage. Can be If the coin does not need to be returned, the coin blocker can be switched to a "guidance mode" in which the coin that does not need to be returned is guided to the regular coin passage through the downflow passage without dropping from the coin drop opening. .

According to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-317686, a coin blocker 500 as shown in FIG.
Is a clapper 502 provided to be pivotable by a pivot shaft 501 and a discharge plate 50 connected to the clapper 502.
3 and a pivoting member 504
A spring member 506 for urging the clapper 502 in a direction in which the discharge plate 503 separates from the coin drop slot 600, that is, in the direction of the arrow M5, and an electromagnet device 508 capable of attracting the clapper 502 of the turning motion member 504. In this device, when the electromagnet device 508 is energized and excited, the clapper 502 of the turning motion member 504 is attracted to the electromagnet device 508 against the spring force of the spring member 506, so that the turning motion member 504 is pivotally supported. Arrow M about the shaft 501
Swivels in six directions. The tip 503 of the discharge plate 503 of the turning member 504 that has turned in the direction of arrow M6.
a is inserted into the insertion slot 602, and the tip end portion 503a of the discharge plate 503 closes the coin drop slot 600. Similarly, in a coin blocker according to another publication, a clapper or a component corresponding to the clapper is provided so as to be pivotable by a pivot shaft.

[0004] As described above, the swiveling member 504 is swiveled about the pivot shaft 501 so that the coin drop opening 600 is formed.
Is adopted, the opening amount d of the insertion port 602 into which the distal end portion 503a of the discharge plate 503 of the turning motion member 504 is inserted has to be large.
When the opening amount d of the insertion slot 602 becomes large in this manner, the coin 100 inserted from the coin insertion slot is
When flowing down along 9, the coin 100 may bite into the insertion slot 602 depending on the flowing down condition. When the coin 100 bites into the insertion slot 602 in this manner, the subsequent operation of the gaming machine such as the pachislo device is impaired. According to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-317885, a device in which a damper is provided between the clapper 502 and the discharge plate 503 is also disclosed. As a turning motion.

[0005]

As described above, according to the prior art, as described above, the pivot shaft 501 is provided on the clapper 502, and the pivot motion member 504 is pivoted about the pivot shaft 501. A pivotable structure is employed. In this pivoting motion system, a base end portion 502 of the clapper 502 of the pivoting motion member 504 which is close to the pivot shaft portion 501.
Even if the c-side turns slightly, the tip 50 of the clapper 502
The turning distance on the 2a side increases.

[0006] In the coin selector, there is a possibility that foreign matter enters when coins are inserted. In the above-described turning motion method, even when a small foreign object is caught on the side of the pivot shaft portion 501, the tip portion 502a of the clapper 502 having the larger turning radius has a turning distance in the direction of the arrow M6. Is considerably constrained. For example, assuming that a small foreign matter having a size of about 0.3 mm is caught in the vicinity of the pivot 501, the amount of restriction on the pivot distance on the pivot 501 near the pivot center is about 0.3 mm. However, the restriction amount of the turning distance of the tip 502a of the clapper 502 away from the turning center is amplified according to the turning radius of the clapper 502,
It becomes several times to several tens of 0.3 mm, which is considerably large. That is, in the turning motion method, the shortage of the moving distance of the turning motion member 504 is amplified.

[0007] Since the signal is amplified in this manner, the electromagnet device 5
08 to excite the swiveling member 504 in the direction of the arrow M6.
03 tends to be insufficient in the amount of insertion of the leading end 503a into the insertion port 602. Since the thickness of the coin is thin, even if the insertion amount is insufficient, the influence is large. In such a case, the coin 100 may fall in the direction of the arrow C1 or may not flow down normally, and may interfere with the normal function of the gaming machine such as the pachislot machine. Further, in the prior art employing the above-described turning motion method, it is necessary to provide the pivot shaft 501 on the clapper 502 of the turning motion member 504, which tends to complicate the structure and increase the cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and adopts a straight-moving type coin blocker instead of a swiveling type in which the shortage of the moving distance is amplified. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin selector which is advantageous for smooth operation and which is advantageous for suppressing a complicated structure.

[0009]

A coin selector according to the present invention has a flow passage that extends from a coin insertion slot and allows a coin inserted from the coin insertion hole to flow down and guides the coin to a regular coin passage. A coin selector body provided with a coin drop opening for dropping coins flowing down the downflow passage, and a coin to be returned, which is provided in the coin selector body and which is to be returned among coins flowing down the downflow passage, is dropped from the coin drop hole and is regular. Switch to a guide mode that prevents coins that do not need to be returned from falling through the coin drop slot and guide the coins to the regular coin channel via the downflow channel while preventing the coins that do not need to be returned from falling through the coin drop hole. And a coin blocker comprising: It is movably provided, and is switched to the falling form with one-way linear motion to open the coin drop port, and is switched to the guide mode with the other straight-movement to prevent coins falling from the coin drop port. A linear motion guide member that guides the linear motion member so as to be able to linearly move for switching between a falling mode and a guiding mode; and (c)
A drive unit that causes the linear motion member to move linearly along the linear motion guide member, switches the linear motion member to the falling mode with the linear motion in one direction, and switches the linear motion member to the guide mode with the linear motion in the other direction; It is characterized by having.

According to the coin selector of the present invention, the coin blocker employs not the turning motion system but the rectilinear motion system. For this reason, even if foreign matter is caught, the linear movement distance of the coin blocker is greatly restricted due to the foreign matter being caught, as compared with the prior art that employs the turning movement method. And can be suppressed.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coin selector according to the present invention can employ at least one of the following embodiments. The drive unit includes a drive spring member having a spring force for urging the linear motion member in one of a falling form and a guide form, and a linear motion member against the spring force of the drive spring member with operation. An embodiment including an actuator for switching to the other of the fall mode and the guide mode can be adopted. Typical driving spring members include a coil spring and a leaf spring. Typical actuators include an electromagnet device and a small motor device. -The coin selector body generally has a base for holding each component. The base may be constituted by a base plate forming a flow passage, or may be constituted by a base plate forming a flow passage and a flow passage opening / closing lid for opening and closing at least a part of a side of the flow passage. good. In the latter case, a coin blocker may be attached to the downflow passage opening / closing lid, or may be attached to the base plate. In particular, the coin blocker can be mounted on the side of the downflow opening / closing lid that faces away from the downflow passage. As the linear guide member, an embodiment formed of a cylindrical body having a cylindrical wall defining a hollow chamber can be adopted. The cylinder may be a cylinder or a square cylinder. The cross section of the cylindrical body may be a perfect circle or an ellipse. The rectangular cylindrical body is a cylindrical body having a rectangular cross section, and may have a rectangular or polygonal cross section. Incorporating the components of the coin blocker into the hollow chamber of the cylinder is advantageous for unitizing and compacting the coin blocker. Alternatively, the linear motion guide member may have a non-cylindrical shape. The linear motion member includes a sliding portion slidably fitted in the hollow chamber of the cylindrical body, and a protruding portion protruding from the sliding portion toward the coin drop opening and capable of opening and closing the coin drop opening. Can be adopted. In this case, since the inner wall surface defining the hollow chamber of the cylindrical body serves as a sliding surface, a sliding area is secured, which is advantageous for stabilizing the linear motion of the linear motion member. The embodiment in which at least one of the actuator and the driving spring member is disposed in the hollow chamber of the cylindrical body can be adopted. In this case, coin blocker unitization,
This is advantageous for downsizing. Here, one of the actuator and the spring member may be arranged in the hollow chamber of the cylinder, or both the actuator and the spring member may be arranged in the hollow chamber of the cylinder. Coins also include medals.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a coin selector according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a side view of the coin selector. 2 and 3 show cross sections of the coin blocker 4. FIG. The coin selector is built in a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine also called a slot machine. First, the overall configuration of the coin selector will be described. Coin selector body A constituting the coin selector
Is fixed to a game machine main body such as a pachislot machine, and has a base 1. The base 1 includes a base plate 10 having an opening that opens to the side, and a flow-down passage opening / closing lid 14 pivotally supported by a horizontally extending shaft 13 provided on an upper portion of the base plate 10 so as to be vertically pivotable. And As shown in FIG. 1, the downflow opening / closing lid 14 includes lid portions 14 a and 14 e that cover the sides of the base plate 10, and a stopper portion 14 that suppresses excessive closing of the lid portions 14 a and 14 e.
b, 14c. The stopper portion 14b contacts a side surface 24p of the coin rail 24 described later. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the downflow passage opening / closing lid 14 and the base plate 10 form a downflow passage 16 through which coins (indicated by reference numeral 100) flow down. As shown in FIG. 1, a first spring member 17 is coaxially arranged on the shaft portion 13. Due to the relatively strong spring force of the first spring member 17, the downflow passage opening / closing cover 14 is urged in a direction (arrow W1 direction in FIG. 2) to close the side of the downflow passage 16 of the pace plate 10. Therefore, when the coin flows down the flow-down passage 16, even if friction or collision with the coin occurs, the flow-down passage opening / closing lid 14 does not open. When the coin 100 is clogged in the downflow passage 16, the downflow passage opening / closing lid 14 is closed (arrow W in FIG. 2).
An operator or a robot performs an opening operation in two directions), and the clogged coin 100 is removed from the downflow passage 16. The first spring member 17 is formed of a torsion coil spring, but is not limited to this, and various springs such as a leaf spring can be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a coin insertion slot 20 into which coins are inserted and a coin guiding member 21 for guiding the coins to the downflow passage 16 are provided at one end 1s side of the base 1. On the other end 1t side of the base 1, a coin outlet 22 for sending coins to a regular coin passage 26 of a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine is formed. A coin rail 24 functioning as a flow-down member extends along a direction connecting the coin slot 20 and the coin slot 22, that is, from the coin slot 20 to the coin slot 22. The rail surface 24 w of the coin rail 24 forms the bottom surface of the downflow passage 16. A coin drop port 23 for dropping one coin is formed at an intermediate portion of the coin rail 24 so as to open downward. The coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 20 moves down the downflow passage 16, that is, the coin rail 24 by the arrow S1.
It flows down in the direction and is discharged from the coin feeding port 22 and is sent to a regular coin passage 26 of a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine. A plurality of sensors 28 for detecting and counting coins sent to a legitimate coin passage 26 are provided on the side of the coin feed slot 22 in the base 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gap 29 is formed between the coin rail 24 forming the bottom surface of the flow-down passage 16 and the lower portion 14k of the flow-down passage opening / closing cover 14. The gap 29 is formed along substantially the entire length of the coin rail 24 along the coin rail 24. The width H of the gap 29 is set to such an extent that a cleaning tool such as a cotton swab can be inserted, and is set substantially equal over the entire length of the gap 29.

As shown in FIG. 2, a coin blocker 4 is provided on a rear surface 14t of the downstream passage opening / closing lid 14 which faces away from the downstream passage 16. When the power of the gaming machine is not turned on, or when an unnecessary number of coins are inserted into the coin slot 20, or when the coin inserted into the coin slot 20 is not a genuine product, In some cases, coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 20 should be returned. When the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 20 is to be returned, the coin blocker 4 drops coins flowing down the flow passage 16 from the coin drop opening 23 as described later. The mode is switched to the “falling form” (see FIG. 3). As a result, when the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 20 flows down the downflow passage 16, the coins fall through the arrow C1
Fall in the direction (gravity direction). Therefore, the coin is prevented from being guided to the regular coin passage 26. When the power of the gaming machine such as the pachislot machine is turned on and the coin does not need to be returned, the coin blocker 4 flows down the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 20 as described later. Regular coin passage 2 via passage 16
The mode is switched to the “guidance mode” (see FIG. 2), which is a mode for guiding the user 6. In this case, coins that do not need to be returned are prevented from falling from the coin drop opening 23 when flowing down the downflow passage 16.

Further, the coin blocker 4 having a function of dropping coins from the coin drop opening 23 using gravity will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coin blocker 4 that achieves the above-described function is arranged in a horizontal direction (directions of arrows M1 and M2) with respect to the base plate 10 and the downflow opening / closing lid 14 that are the components of the base 1. A linear motion member 41 provided so as to be able to linearly move, a linear motion guide member 45 for guiding the linear motion member 41 to be able to linearly move in a horizontal direction (directions of arrows M1 and M2), and along the linear motion guide member 45 And a drive unit 6 for causing the linear motion member 41 to move linearly.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a bottom wall 4 fixed to a rear surface 14t of the downstream passage opening / closing lid 14 facing the downstream passage 16 by a fixture 14i.
It is formed of a cylindrical body 46 having a cylindrical shape with 6w.
The cylindrical body 46 has a cylindrical wall 46x forming a cylindrical hollow chamber 46x having an opening on the lateral side, and extends radially outward integrally with the cylindrical wall 46m and is fixed to the downflow passage opening / closing lid 14. It has a fixed flange portion 46n.

The linear motion member 41 is for opening and closing the coin drop opening 23 of the base 1 with the linear motion.
A linear motion bush 42 functioning as a sliding portion slidable along the cylindrical wall 46m, and a projecting portion 43 protruding downward integrally with the linear motion bush 42. The linear motion bush 42 is formed of a magnetically permeable material ( generally, a steel) , and has a cylindrical portion 42 a slidably fitted in the hollow chamber 46 x of the cylindrical body 46, and a cylindrical portion 42 a. A lid 42b for closing the shaft end of the portion 42a, and an extended flange 42c extending radially outward from the lid 42b. The projecting portion 43, which is a main element of the linear motion member 41, is formed by an L-shaped plate having an L-shaped cross section, and has a fixing plate portion 43b having a fixing hole 43a fixed to the linear motion bush 42 by welding or the like. And the base plate 1 integrally with the fixed plate portion 43b.
And a linear motion plate portion 43c bent at a substantially right angle toward the 0 insertion port 10c. The distal end portion 43e of the linear motion plate portion 43c is capable of being linearly moved in the horizontal direction (the direction of the arrow M1) and inserted into the insertion port 10c of the base plate 10.

The center axis of the cylindrical body 46 and the center axis of the linear motion bush 42 are set in a direction (specifically, a direction orthogonal to) the direction in which the flow passage 16 extends. Therefore, the direction in which the linear motion bush 42 and the protruding portion 43 are linearly moved, that is, the direction in which the linear motion member 41 is linearly moved, is a direction (specifically, a direction orthogonal to) the direction in which the flow-down passage 16 extends.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a stopper member 5 is attached to the base 1. The stopper member 5 is
A horizontal shaft 51 fixed to the downflow opening / closing lid 14 and inserted through a central region of the hollow chamber 46x of the cylindrical body 46;
A stopper 53 is provided at the distal end of the first bushing 1 for locking the linear motion bush 42 moving in the direction of the arrow M2 to prevent the linear motion bush 42 from coming off. The stopper 53 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 51.

The driving unit 6 includes an electromagnet device 6 functioning as an actuator disposed in a hollow chamber 46x of the cylinder 46.
0 and a drive spring member 62 that urges the lid 42b of the linear motion bush 42 in a direction away from the flow-down passage opening / closing lid 14, that is, in the direction of arrow M2. Drive spring member 6
Numeral 2 is formed of a coil spring, and is disposed in the hollow chamber 46x of the cylinder 46 so as to be substantially coaxial with the cylinder 46 and the linear motion bush 42. Due to the spring force of the drive spring member 62, the linear motion bush 42 is constantly urged in a direction away from the flow-down passage opening / closing cover 14, that is, in the direction of the arrow M2. Since the electromagnet device 60 has a cylindrical shape, the stopper member 5 is provided in the central hole 60x opened in the lateral direction of the electromagnet device 60.
Shaft 51 is inserted.

When the power of the gaming machine such as a pachislot machine is not turned on, even if coins are inserted through the coin insertion slot 20, the coins are not sent to the regular coin passage 26 side, that is, the coin hopper device. , It is necessary to eject the coin out of the machine. This is because the game cannot be played with a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine that is not turned on. As described above, when the power of the gaming machine such as the pachislo machine is not turned on, the coin blocker 4 is switched to the "falling form" shown in FIG. That is, the electromagnet device 60 is not energized, and the lid 42 b of the linear motion bush 42 is urged in the direction of the arrow M <b> 2 by the spring force of the drive spring member 62 so as to move away from the flow-down passage lid member 14, and from the cylinder 46. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the distal end portion 43e of the linear motion plate portion 43c of the projecting portion 43 constituting the linear motion member 41 is inserted into the insertion port 10c of the base plate 10. The coin drop port 23 is open. That is, the linear moving plate portion 43c of the projecting portion 43
Does not constitute the bottom surface of the flow-down passage 16, and the linear motion member 41 of the coin blocker 4 is in the “falling form”.
Has been switched to. Like this, coin blocker 4
In the state where the linear motion member 41 is switched to the “falling form”, when the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 20 flows down the flow-down passage 16, the coin falls from the coin falling slot 23 in the direction of arrow C1 and the Is discharged to Therefore, the coin is not sent to the regular coin passage 26.

On the other hand, when a game machine such as a pachislo machine is powered on, the coin blocker 4 is switched to the "guidance mode" shown in FIG. That is, since the electromagnet device 60 is energized by the control device of the gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, the electromagnet device 60 is excited to generate a magnetic field, and the magnetic field direct-acts against the spring force of the drive spring member 62. The bush 42 is located on the side of the downflow passage 16, that is, the arrow M1.
Is sucked in the direction. In this case, as shown in FIG.
As the linear motion bush 42 linearly moves in the direction of the arrow M1 with the suction, the distal end 43e of the linear motion plate portion 43c is inserted into the insertion port 10c of the base plate 10, and the linear motion plate portion 43c is formed. Of the flow passage 16 is closed by closing the coin drop opening 23. In such a case, the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 20 does not fall from the coin drop slot 23, flows down on the coin rail 24 along the flow-down passage 16, and the linear motion
The coin outlet 2
2 and is discharged from the coin feed slot 22 toward the regular coin passage 26.

In general, a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine cannot use coins exceeding a specified number. Even if the power of the gaming machine is turned on, if the sensor 28 constituting the coin counter detects that more than the specified number of coins have been inserted through the coin insertion slot 20, the gaming machine such as a pachislot machine can be used. Control device cuts off the power supply to the electromagnet device 60, the electromagnet device 6
0 is cut off and demagnetized. As a result, the linear motion bush 4
3 is urged in the direction of arrow M2 by the spring force of the drive spring member 62 to be separated from the cylindrical body 46, and as shown in FIG.
The leading end 43e of c opens the coin drop slot 23. Accordingly, the coin blocker 4 is switched to the "falling form", and the linear motion plate portion 43c of the protrusion 43 constituting the linear motion member 41 is formed.
Does not constitute the bottom surface of the flow-down passage 16.
In such a state, as described above, when the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 20 flows down the flow-down passage 16, the coin falls from the coin falling slot 23 in the direction of arrow C1 (gravity direction) and is discharged outside the machine. You. Therefore, the coin is not sent to the regular coin passage 26.

As described above, in this embodiment,
The linear motion member 41 that constitutes the coin blocker 4 is provided so as to be able to move linearly, is switched to the “falling form” with the linear movement in one direction (the direction of the arrow M2), and opens the coin dropping port 23, It is switched to the “guidance mode” with the rectilinear movement in the other direction (the direction of the arrow M1), and the coin drop port 2
Prevent the coin from falling from 3. As described above, the coin blocker 4 is not of the swivel movement type, but has a coin drop opening 23.
The linear motion member 41 is used to move straight. Therefore, even if foreign matter is caught in the vicinity of the linear motion member 41, the moving distance is insufficient due to the pivotal motion method. Unlike the related art in which the moving distance of the linear motion member 41 is reduced due to the biting of the foreign matter, it is possible to suppress the amplification. Therefore, it is advantageous in improving the durability of the coin blocker 4 against entry of foreign matter. Further, since the pivot shaft for pivoting does not have to be provided in the coin blocker 4, the structure of the coin blocker 4 due to the pivot shaft is not complicated, and the manufacturing cost of the coin blocker 4 can be reduced. It is advantageous.

Further, in this embodiment, the cylindrical wall 46m of the cylindrical body 46 is provided.
The linear motion bush 42 slides along the axis, so that the coaxiality of the motion of the linear motion bush 42 is ensured, and the fluctuation of the axial runout of the central axis of the linear motion bush 42 is suppressed. Therefore, when the translation bush 42 moves linearly in the direction of the arrow M1, the distal end 43e of the translation plate 43c can be satisfactorily inserted into the insertion port 10c of the base plate 10. This is advantageous in reducing the opening width K (see FIG. 3) of the insertion port 10c.

Further, in this embodiment, the electromagnet device 60, the driving spring member 62 and the stopper member 5 are connected to the hollow chamber 46 of the cylindrical body 46.
Since the coin blocker 4 is formed by assembling in the x, the coin blocker 4 can be made compact and unitized. In this embodiment, the linear motion bush 42 having the protruding portion 43, the electromagnet device 60, the driving spring member 62, and the stopper member 5 are assembled in the hollow chamber 46x of the cylindrical body 46 to form the coin blocker 4, and thereafter, It is possible to adopt a manufacturing process in which the downflow passage opening / closing lid 14 having the compact and unitized coin blocker 4 attached thereto is integrally assembled to the base plate 10 having a large size. That is, it is possible to separately manufacture the downflow passage opening / closing lid 14 having the coin blocker 4 and the base plate 10 and then assemble them together. This improves the assemblability and is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing cost. Become.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the driving spring member 62
Are seated on the downflow passage opening / closing lid 14 and the bottom wall 4 of the cylindrical body 46.
6w and the structure is strengthened. Therefore, the spring constant of the drive spring member 62 can be increased to contribute to improving the quick response of the coin blocker 4 in the direction of the arrow M2. Further, since the downflow passage opening / closing cover 14 is reinforced by the bottom wall 46w of the cylindrical body 46, it is advantageous in making the downflow passage opening / closing cover 14 thinner and lighter, and is advantageous in smoothing the opening / closing operation of the downflow passage opening / closing cover 14. It is.

By the way, in a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine,
Due to the fact that many coins flow down the flow-down passage 16, foreign substances such as dirt adhering to the coin tend to accumulate in the flow-down passage 16. Therefore, the cleaning of the downflow passage 16 has to be performed regularly. However, the number of pachislot machines installed in a game arcade is generally quite large, and it is not easy to clean many pachislot machines. In this regard, in the present embodiment, as described above, the gap 29 is formed between the coin rail 24 forming the bottom surface of the flow-down passage 16 and the lower portion 14k of the flow-down passage opening / closing lid 14. Although the downflow passage opening / closing lid 14 is incorporated in the inside of the game machine, the downflow passage opening / closing cover 14 is exposed when the game machine is opened when cleaning, so that a cleaning tool such as a cotton swab is used to open / close the downflow passage. The coin rail 24 can be inserted into the coin rail 24 through a gap 29 formed below the lid 14 and wiped off with a cleaning tool such as a cotton swab. In addition, since the gap 29 is formed along substantially the entire length of the coin rail 24, even if the length of the flow-down passage 16 is long, the coin rail 24 forming the flow-down passage 16 can be easily cleaned. it can. With this configuration, the coin rail 24 can be easily cleaned without greatly moving the configuration mechanism of the coin selector, and the load of the cleaning operation can be greatly reduced. When the diameter of the coin 100 is D, the width H of the gap 29 is D / 3 or less, and D /
4 or less.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the surface 10r of the base plate 10 and the surface 14r of the downflow passage opening / closing cover 14 face each other, and form a downflow passage 16 through which coins flow down. When cleaning these surfaces 10r and 14r, the flow-down passage opening / closing lid 14 may be opened in the direction of the arrow W2 to expose the surfaces 10r and 14r.

(Others) In the above-described embodiment, the drive spring member 62 is built in the hollow chamber 46x of the cylindrical body 46, but is not limited to this.
6 and the extended flange 42c of the linear motion bush 42. The linear motion member 41 is formed by the linear motion bush 42 and the protruding portion 43, but is not limited to this, as long as it can open and close the coin drop slot 23, other structures and other shapes can be used. The good thing is, of course. In the above-described embodiment, the coin blocker 4 is attached to the downflow passage opening / closing lid 14.
However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be attached to the base plate 10. In some cases, the coin blocker 4 may be attached to an attachment member other than the downflow opening / closing lid 14, the base plate 10, and the base 1. In the above-described embodiment, the linear motion guide member 45 has a cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited to this, and may be a non-cylindrical shape. I just want it. In the above-described embodiment, the cylindrical body 46 and the linear motion bush 42 have a cylindrical shape, but are not limited thereto, and may have a rectangular cylindrical shape. While the linear motion member 41 is switched to the “guide mode” by the excitation attraction action of the electromagnet device 60,
When the electromagnet device 60 is demagnetized, the linear motion member 41 of the coin blocker 4 is switched to the “falling form” by the drive spring member 62, but conversely, the linear motion member 41 of the coin blocker 4 is moved by the excitation attraction of the electromagnet device 60. The linear member 41 of the coin blocker 4 may be switched to the “guide mode” by the drive spring member 62 when the electromagnet device 60 is demagnetized.
The stopper member 5 is not limited to the above-described structure, but may have a function of preventing the linear motion member 41 from coming off. The linear motion member 41 linearly moves in a direction intersecting the coin flowing direction, but is not limited to this, and may linearly move in a direction parallel to the coin flowing direction. The shapes and structures of the components described in the above embodiments are not limited to those shown in the drawings, but can be changed as appropriate as long as the functions can be exhibited. Although the above-described embodiment is applied to a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, it is needless to say that the embodiment may be applied to a vending machine. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, but can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. The phrases described in the embodiments and examples can be described in each claim even if only a part.

(Supplementary Note) The following technical idea can be understood from the above description. A coin selector according to any one of the claims, wherein the driving spring member coaxially surrounds the periphery of the actuator. A coin selector according to any one of the claims, wherein the stopper member, the driving spring member, and the actuator for preventing the linear motion member from coming off are coaxially arranged. A coin selector according to any one of the claims, wherein the coin blocker is fixed to one of a base plate forming a base and a flow-down passage opening / closing lid. -In each claim, the linear guide member is fixed to one of the base plate forming the base and the flow-down passage opening / closing lid. -In each claim, the coin selector, wherein the drive unit is fixed to one or both of the base plate and the opening / closing lid constituting the base. -In each claim, a coin selector characterized in that at least one of an actuator and a driving spring member forming a driving unit is fixed to one of a base plate and a cover which forms a base unit. -In each claim, the direct-moving direction of the direct-moving member is a direction crossing the extending direction of the flow-down passage. A coin selector according to any one of the claims, wherein the linear member moves linearly along a horizontal direction. -In each claim, a coin selector is formed between the coin rail forming the bottom surface of the downflow passage and the lower portion of the downflow passage opening / closing lid, into which a cleaning tool such as a cotton swab can be inserted. .

[0033]

According to the coin selector of the present invention,
The coin blocker does not use the swivel movement method, but uses a method in which the linear motion member that closes the coin dropper is moved linearly.Therefore, even if foreign matter is caught in the vicinity of the linear motion member, the swivel motion method is used. In contrast to the related art in which the shortage of the moving distance is greatly amplified due to the adoption, it is possible to prevent the shortage of the moving distance of the linear motion member from being amplified due to the bite of the foreign matter. Therefore, in a coin selector in which a foreign object is likely to be inserted when coins are inserted, it is advantageous in improving the durability of the coin blocker against foreign object entry. Further, according to the coin selector according to the present invention, the pivot block which induces a complicated structure and an increase in cost does not have to be provided in the coin blocker, so that the structure of the coin blocker caused by the pivot block becomes complicated. Suppression,
This is advantageous in reducing the cost of the coin blocker.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a coin selector.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coin blocker, showing a state in which the coin blocker is set to a “guidance mode”.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the coin blocker, showing a state where the coin blocker is set to a “falling state”.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which a coin falls from a coin drop slot.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, A is a coin selector body, 1 is a base, 10 is a base plate, 14 is a downflow passage opening / closing lid, 16 is a downflow passage,
20 is a coin slot, 23 is a coin drop slot, 26 is a regular coin passage, 29 is a gap, 4 is a coin blocker, 4
1 is a linear motion member, 45 is a linear motion guide member, 46 is a cylinder, 6 is a drive unit, 60 is an electromagnet device (actuator), and 62 is a drive spring member.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor: Manabu Yamamoto No.11, Nodacho, Kariya, Aichi Prefecture Inside Aisin Kiko Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A downflow passage extending from a coin insertion slot and flowing down a coin inserted from the coin insertion slot to guide the coin into a regular coin passage, and a coin provided in the downflow passage for dropping coins flowing down the downflow passage. A coin selector body with a falling port, and a falling form that is provided in the coin selector body and drops coins to be returned among the coins flowing down the downflow path from the coin dropping port and prevents guidance to the regular coin path A coin blocker that is switched to a guide mode for preventing coins that do not need to be returned from falling out of the coin dropper slot and guiding the coins to a regular coin passage through a downflow passage. The blocker is (a) provided so as to be able to move linearly with respect to the coin selector body, A linear motion member that is switched to a form to open the coin drop opening, and is switched to a guide form in accordance with the rectilinear movement in the other direction to prevent the coin from falling from the coin fall port; and (b) a drop form and a guide form. (C) linearly moving the linear motion member along the linear motion guide member, and
A coin selector comprising: a driving unit that switches a linear moving member to a falling form in accordance with a linear movement in one direction and switches a linear moving member to a guiding form in accordance with a linear movement in another direction. 2. The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit includes a drive spring member having a spring force for urging the linear motion member in one of a falling form and a guide form, and a spring of the drive spring member accompanying operation. An actuator for switching the linear motion member between a falling form and a guiding form in response to a force. 3. The coin selector body according to claim 1, wherein the coin selector body has a base, the base having a base plate forming a flow-down passage, and a flow-down passage opening / closing lid for opening and closing at least a part of a side of the flow-down passage. Wherein the coin blocker is held by a base plate or a flow-down passage opening / closing lid. 4. The coin blocker according to claim 3,
A coin selector, which is held on the side of the downflow passage opening / closing lid that faces away from the downflow passage. 5. A coin selector according to claim 1, wherein said linear guide member is formed of a cylindrical body having a cylindrical wall defining a hollow chamber. 6. The coin moving device according to claim 5, wherein the linear motion member has a sliding portion slidably fitted in the hollow chamber of the cylindrical body, and a coin falling hole projected from the sliding portion toward the coin falling hole. A coin selector comprising: an opening and closing protrusion. 7. The drive unit according to claim 5, wherein the drive unit includes a drive spring member having a spring force for urging the linear motion member in one of a falling form and a guide form, and a spring of the drive spring member accompanying operation. An actuator for switching the linear motion member to one of the falling form and the guiding form against the force, and at least one of the actuator and the driving spring member includes:
A coin selector, which is disposed in a hollow chamber of a cylindrical body.