JP2002186776A - Game medium dispenser for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium dispenser capable of moving a nozzle part protruded from a surface panel out of the way in the non-lending time of a game medium. SOLUTION: In an inter-machine ball dispenser, a discrimination unit 21 for discriminating coins, a return unit 22 for returning illicit coins, and a counting unit 23 for counting and lending pachinko balls on the basis of the discrimination information of the discrimination unit 21 are provided within a body case 2. A nozzle unit 4 for delivering the counted pachinko balls to an upper tray and a fixing means for attachably/detachably or movably mounting the nozzle unit 4 are provided on the front panel 3 of the body case 2, so that the nozzle unit 4 is moved from a delivery position where the nozzle unit 4 communicates with the counting unit 23 to allow the lending of pachinko balls, when the lending is unnecessary, or removed from the front panel 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for renting out game media used for a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, and more particularly to a device for renting game media between tables arranged between game machines. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to play a game with a pachinko machine, a slot machine, or the like, a game medium such as a pachinko ball or a medal is lent from a game store. For this reason, a game medium lending device is installed between gaming machines on a gaming island where gaming machines in a gaming store are arranged. For example, on a pachinko island where a pachinko game is played, a game medium renting device (hereinafter, referred to as a taima ball lending machine) for renting a pachinko ball is installed between the pachinko machines. The pachinko ball lending machine is used exclusively by a player playing with the pachinko machine on the right side, and for this purpose, a nozzle for discharging pachinko balls without spilling on the upper plate of the pachinko machine located on the right side. It has. However, the nozzles are annoying when not in use,
In particular, when performing maintenance or cleaning of a pachinko machine, light work is hindered.

[0003]

In order to prevent a member such as a nozzle from protruding from the front side surface of the lending device, a device which can be accommodated in the lending device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-3.
No. 08759, for example. However, this lending device requires a space and a mechanism for storing it, and the device is large, particularly, the depth is extended, the width is widened, and it cannot be installed on a normal pachinko island, or the cost increases. There were many problems, such as getting lost. Further, in this lending device, it was difficult to provide a money return mechanism. The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and provides an inexpensive game medium lending device in which a nozzle portion protruding from a front panel can be moved to a position where it does not get in the way when lending game media is not performed. The purpose is to do.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game medium lending apparatus installed between game machines for renting a game medium used for a game, comprising: In the case, an identification unit that identifies the validity of money or a card and accepts only a valid one, a return unit that returns an incorrect currency or card based on the identification of the identification unit, and identification information of the identification unit. At least a counting unit for counting and renting out game media based on the game media counted by the counting unit on a front panel provided on the front side of the main body case.
A nozzle unit for paying out to a saucer of a gaming machine, a fastening means for detachably or movably attaching the nozzle unit,
When the lending of the game media is unnecessary, the nozzle unit is moved from the dispensing position where the counting unit and the nozzle unit communicate with each other and the lending of the game media is possible, or the game medium lending device is detached from the front panel It is. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the fastening means includes a pair of engagement grooves provided on both side edges of the front panel and an engagement receiving portion provided in the engagement grooves. Game media for a gaming machine, which comprises an engagement projection provided on a substrate portion of the nozzle unit, and the nozzle unit is vertically movable along the engagement groove on the front panel and is detachable. Device. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the fastening means is provided with a lock receiving portion on the main body side and a lock portion on the nozzle unit side, and the nozzle unit is attached to and detached from the main body. A game medium lending device for a gaming machine which is capable of locking and unlocking, and further includes a sensor for detecting a detached state of the nozzle unit, outputs a sensor signal to the management device, and monitors the detached state of the nozzle unit. .

[0005]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a part of a pachinko island in which pachinko machines P as game machines are arranged.
In the following, the game medium will be described as a pachinko ball using the pachinko machine P as an example, but the same applies to medals or coins in slot machines and the like.

[0006] Taima ball lending machine 1 as a game media lending device
Is basically configured as shown in FIG.
That is, in the box-shaped main body case 2, an identification unit 21 that identifies the authenticity or denomination of a 100-yen or 500-yen coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 11 and accepts only a valid one.
And an illegal coin based on the identification of the identification unit 21,
And a return unit 22 for returning coins inserted when the return button 12 is pressed from the return port 13, and a counting unit 23 for counting and lending pachinko balls based on identification information relating to the amount of the identification unit 21. And at least.

The main body case 2 is a thin vertically long box formed of a metal plate.
And a counting unit 23 are provided. When the pachinko balls can be lent out by bills, or the pachinko balls can be lent by prepaid cards or the like, a bill appraisal unit, a card reader / writer unit, etc. are installed.

A front panel 3 is provided on the front side of the main body case 2.
Is provided. The front panel 3 is provided with the coin insertion slot 11 and the return button 12, the nozzle unit 4 described later, and the coin return slot 13.

The nozzle unit 4 includes the counting unit 2.
3 is for paying out the counted pachinko balls to the upper plate P1 of the pachinko machine P, and the nozzle 43 is provided rotatably in the horizontal direction on the cylindrical shaft portion 42 provided on the substrate portion 41. . The nozzle 43 is configured to be rotatable upward with the base end as a fulcrum. Although not shown, a spherical passage communicating with the counting unit 23 is provided in the cylindrical shaft portion 42. Further, a switching mechanism for switching the ball passage between the nozzle 43 and the ball discharge port below is provided. Further, a shutter mechanism (not shown) for preventing the remaining balls from flowing out is provided at the ball outlet of the counting unit 23. These mechanisms are the same as those provided in the conventional tama ball lending machine 1.

On the other hand, an engagement projection 51 constituting the fastening means 5 is provided on the substrate portion 41 of the nozzle unit 4. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
A part of a side edge of the elastic arm 52 is cut off to form an elastic arm 52 having a free end on the distal end side, and an engaging protrusion 51 protruding outward is provided at the distal end of the elastic arm 52.

An engagement receiving portion 53 corresponding to the engagement projection 51
Are formed on the front panel 3. That is, the front panel 3
A pair of engaging grooves 53a are formed on both side edges of the engaging groove 53a, and engaging holes 53b are opened at appropriate intervals in the engaging grooves 53a to form an engaging receiving portion 53.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the engaging groove 53a has a locking piece 32 extending substantially parallel to the panel surface via a standing piece 31 at the front side of the front panel 3, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The upright piece 31 has a laterally engaging hole 53b.

Since the upper and lower ends of the engaging groove 53a are open, the substrate portion 41 of the nozzle unit 4 can be inserted therefrom. When the board portion 41 is inserted, the elastic arm 52 bends inward so that the engaging projection 51 escapes in a portion where the engaging hole 53b does not exist. Is the engagement hole 53b
And the nozzle unit 4 can be fixed.

On the other hand, in order to move the nozzle unit 4, a slight force may be applied upward or downward to the nozzle unit 4. If a force greater than the repulsive force of the elastic arm 52 is applied, the engagement protrusion 51 is disengaged from the engagement hole 53b, and moves to the position of the next engagement hole 53b to be fitted. Therefore, if the engagement hole 53b is selected, the nozzle unit 4 can be fixed at a desired position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening means 5 is formed by fitting the engaging projection 51 with the engaging hole 53b. Mating groove 5
3a. Also in this case, the engagement protrusion 51 is engaged with the unevenness, and the nozzle unit 4 can be movably fixed. In addition, the position can be adjusted at irregular intervals, and the nozzle unit 4 can be fixed at almost any position. Therefore, even a pachinko machine P in which the position of the upper plate P1 is different due to a different maker can be easily handled.

According to the ball lending machine 1 having the above-described fastening means 5 and capable of moving and detaching the nozzle unit 4, lending of pachinko balls is not required for maintenance and cleaning of the pachinko machine P. When the nozzle unit 4 is in the way, the nozzle unit 4 can be moved to a position that does not hinder the operation, and can be removed if necessary. Therefore, when performing nail adjustment, maintenance work, etc. on the board surface, the metal frame and upper plate set can be opened widely, and the opening angle becomes larger, and work can be freely performed without being restricted by the metal frame and upper plate set. Can be performed, so that the work efficiency is significantly improved.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part of a betting machine lending machine 1 showing another embodiment of a game medium lending device according to the present invention. By providing a lock receiving portion 54 on the main body side and a lock portion 55 on the nozzle unit 4 side as the fastening means 5, the nozzle unit 4 is attached to the front panel 3 on the main body side. It is configured to be removable and lockable. Further, in this embodiment, a sensor S for detecting the state of attachment / detachment of the nozzle unit 4 is provided, and this sensor signal is output to a management device such as a management computer of a game arcade to monitor the state of attachment / detachment of the nozzle unit 4. ing.

That is, the lock portion 5 having the rotation locking piece 55a is provided in the mounting hole 44 provided in the substrate portion 41 of the nozzle unit 4.
5 and a locking groove 54 corresponding to the rotation locking piece 55a.
The lock receiving portion 54 having a is provided on the back side of the front panel 3. Then, the nozzle unit 4 faces the dispensing position where the ball passage of the nozzle unit 4 communicates with the ball outlet 23a on the counting unit 23 side.
The lock unit 55 is rotated so that 5a is locked in the locking groove 54a, and the nozzle unit 4 is fixed to the front panel 3. On the other hand, when the nozzle unit 4 is to be removed, the lock portion 55 is rotated to rotate the locking piece 55a and the locking groove 5a.
What is necessary is just to release the lock with 4a.

In the illustrated embodiment, when the nozzle unit 4 is detached, the portion to which the nozzle unit 4 is attached is replaced with a biasing means such as a spring 61 or the like, including the ball outlet 23a of the counting unit 23. There is provided a shutter mechanism 6 that closes the closing plate 62 by sliding. With such a configuration, even if the nozzle unit 4 is removed, there is no risk of mischief by a player. Also, in this embodiment,
Members having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Further, in this embodiment, a sensor S for detecting the state of attachment / detachment of the nozzle unit 4 is provided. The sensor S is, for example, an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and is set so that the rotation locking piece 55a of the lock unit 55 crosses the optical axis of the optical sensor. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the nozzle unit 4 is attached and the rotation locking piece 55a is locked in the locking groove 54a in a so-called locked state, a detection signal is output from the sensor S, and the nozzle unit 4 is reset. In the detached state, the detection signal from the sensor S is interrupted. Then, the sensor signal from the sensor S is output to a management device such as a hall computer, and the state of attachment and detachment of the nozzle unit 4 can be monitored.

The detachable nozzle unit 4 as described above
And the sensor signal obtained as described above, for example,
It can be used as follows.

For example, when a so-called lucky number is adopted to allow a ball game, a game shop clerk removes the nozzle unit 4 of the player who has won a jackpot with the lucky number. Then, in the pachinko machine P corresponding to the tama ball lending machine 1 without the nozzle unit 4, it can be seen at a glance that the player playing with the ball is the one who has permitted the ball game. Become like

On the other hand, when a ball game is started, the ball held by the customer is input to the management device, for example, "2000", and this is displayed on the monitor screen. By the way, the display of the possessed ball becomes "0" when 2,000 balls are exhausted. However, in the conventional management device, the customer who was playing at the gaming table with the ball display changes, and even if another player plays at this gaming table, the remaining number of balls is not exhausted. In order to set the ball display to “0” instead of “0”, the movement of the player is monitored by a monitor camera or the like, and if a change of the player is discovered, the “0” is forcibly detected. I had no choice but to reset. Therefore, in the conventional management apparatus, management is troublesome, and a trouble may occur with the player.

Therefore, if the nozzle unit 4 provided with the sensor S as described above is used, the management device can easily perform business management. That is, no signal is output from the sensor S in a state where the pachinko ball is lent out with the nozzle unit 4 attached.

On the other hand, when a jackpot is played with a lucky number and a ball game is started, a clerk removes the nozzle unit 4. Then, as described above, it is obvious at a glance that a ball game is being played, and a sensor signal is output from the sensor S to the management device, so that the management device can also recognize that the ball game is being played. When the pachinko ball needs to be rented out and the nozzle unit 4 is attached, the sensor signal is interrupted, so that the management device immediately knows that the nozzle unit 4 has been attached. Therefore, the number of balls held by the management device can be immediately set to “0”.

By the way, the necessity of the nozzle unit 4 means that the pachinko ball needs to be lent out, and the player has exhausted the ball, or the player who owns the ball stops the game, and releases the ball. A new player who does not have a come,
It means that the player has been replaced. Therefore, the movement of the player can be grasped based on the attachment / detachment state of the nozzle unit 4 and the sensor signal.

[0027] When the trend of the player can be grasped, the sales strategy can be easily set. That is, for example, a model in which a jackpot stops a game at the gaming table in spite of conducting unlimited business is not popular, so that a model to be replaced next can be determined.

When grasping the trend of the patrons, not only the sensor signal from the above-mentioned pachinko ball lending machine 1 but also the operation of judging from the pachinko machine P whether or not the pachinko machine P is operating. A signal can be obtained and grasped by taking this operation signal into account. As the operation signal, for example, a detection signal of an out-sphere which has been conventionally detected can be used.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately implemented without changing the configuration described in the claims. For example, although the pachinko ball lending device has been described, the present invention can be similarly applied to medals or coins of a slot machine or the like. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to coins but also to a game medium lending apparatus utilizing bills, prepaid cards, and the like.

[0030]

In summary, the present invention relates to a game media lending device installed between gaming machines to lend game media used for games, and to identify the validity of money or cards in a main body case. An identification unit that accepts only legitimate ones, a return unit that returns incorrect money or a card based on the identification of the identification unit, and a count for renting out game media based on the identification information of the identification unit. A nozzle unit for dispensing the game media counted by the counting unit to a tray of the gaming machine, and a detachably or movably attached nozzle unit on a front panel provided on a front side of the main body case. When the lending of the game media is unnecessary, the nozzle unit is connected to the counting unit and the nozzle unit. The media is moved from the dispensing position where it can be lent, or it is removed from the front panel, so pachinko ball lending is not required, such as when pachinko machines are maintained or cleaned, and if the nozzle unit is in the way, the relevant nozzle The unit can be moved to a position where it does not interfere with the work and can be removed if necessary, so when performing nail adjustment or maintenance work on the board,
The metal frame and the upper plate set can be widely opened, and the work can be performed freely without being disturbed by the metal frame and the upper plate set, thereby significantly improving the work efficiency. Also, in the fastening means,
A lock receiving section on the main body side and a lock section on the nozzle unit side are provided, and the nozzle unit is detachably mounted on the main body and can be locked, and a sensor for detecting a detached state of the nozzle unit is provided. When the information is output to the management device and the state of attachment / detachment of the nozzle unit is monitored, the trend of the player can be grasped based on the attachment / detachment state of the nozzle unit and the sensor signal. And, if you can grasp the trends of the players, it will be easier to make a sales strategy, for example, a model that, despite conducting unlimited sales, a big hit player stops playing at the gaming table is popular Since there is no such model, it can be determined that the next replacement target model will be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a part of a pachinko island in which pachinko machines are arranged as gaming machines.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a betting machine for lending pachinko balls as a game medium.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a nozzle unit provided in a table ball lending machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the front panel.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a front panel.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the tama ball lending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 inter-ball lending machine 2 main body case 3 front panel 4 nozzle unit 5 fastening means 21 identification unit 22 return unit 23 counting unit 41 substrate unit 42 cylinder shaft unit 43 nozzle 51 engagement protrusion 52 elastic arm 53 engagement reception unit 53a Engagement groove 53b Engagement hole 54 Lock receiving part 54a Engagement groove 55 Lock front part 55a Rotation lock piece P Pachinko machine P1 Upper plate S Sensor

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A game media lending device installed between gaming machines to lend game media used in a game, wherein only a legitimate currency or card is identified in a main body case. An identification unit for receiving a coin, a return unit for returning an incorrect money or card based on the identification of the identification unit, and a counting unit for counting and renting out game media based on the identification information of the identification unit. On the front panel provided on the front side of the main body case, a nozzle unit for paying out the game media counted by the counting unit to a saucer of the gaming machine, and fastening means for detachably or movably attaching the nozzle unit, When it is not necessary to rent out game media, the nozzle unit can be linked to the counting unit and nozzle unit to rent out game media. A game medium lending device for a gaming machine, wherein the game medium lending device is moved from a proper payout position or removed from a front panel. 2. A fixing device comprising: a pair of engagement grooves provided on both side edges of a front panel; an engagement receiving portion provided in the engagement grooves; and an engagement projection provided on a substrate of the nozzle unit. 2. The game medium lending device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle unit is vertically movable along the engagement groove on the front panel and is detachable. 3. The locking means is provided with a lock receiving part on the main body side and a lock part on the nozzle unit side to make the nozzle unit detachable and lockable with respect to the main body. The game medium lending device for a gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a sensor for detecting the state of the nozzle unit, and outputting a sensor signal to the management device to monitor a state of attachment / detachment of the nozzle unit.