JP2003036461A - Device for sorting coin - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin sorting device capable of avoiding the occurrence of an emergency signal due to a malfunction of a coin detecting part in advance. SOLUTION: The prescribed number of coins C are changed in the path downward along an inner wall surface 2A of a base side plate 5 from an upper guide face 2C in the process where the normal coins are made to respectively pass through a coin ejection slot 2B of a coin ejecting part 2. Since the lower end part of each of the normal coins C is guided to a side face separating from the inner wall surface 2A of the base side plate 5 within a range from a vertical middle part of a curved concave surface-shaped lower part guiding surface to the lower part in the process where the each of the normal coins C is changed in the path downward by the upper guide face 2c, the normal coins C are stably and smoothly ejected to the side face separating from the inner wall surface 2A of the base side plate 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin sorter incorporated in a gaming machine such as a slot machine that uses coins and medals (collectively referred to as coins hereinafter), and more specifically, a coin sorting device The present invention relates to a coin sorting device improved so as to prevent all the functions of a gaming machine or the like from being stopped due to a malfunction of a coin detecting unit to be detected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine such as a slot machine which uses coins has a function of releasing surplus coins exceeding a predetermined number of inserted coins and foreign coins different in size from regular coins and returning them to the outside of the gaming machine. It has a built-in coin sorter. This type of coin sorting device receives coins dropped from above one by one and guides them to roll horizontally, and guides a predetermined number of regular coins to drop downward. The coins are configured to roll laterally in the coin rolling passage between the coin ejecting portion to be collected in the gaming machine. Then, between the coin receiving portion and the coin discharging portion, a different coin discharging portion that discharges different coins different in size from the normal coins and returns them to the outside of the gaming machine, and a passage of the normal coins to the coin discharging portion. It is provided with a surplus coin discharging unit for discharging surplus coins exceeding a predetermined number and returning them to the outside of the gaming machine in response to an operation signal from a coin detecting unit for detecting the number of coins (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-25963).

Here, the coin detecting section is provided with a pair of photoelectric sensors that sequentially output, for example, ON, ON, OFF, and OFF detection signals each time one regular coin passes. The number of passing genuine coins is detected based on the detection signal. Then, when the number of passing regular coins reaches a predetermined number, the coin detecting unit outputs an operation signal to the surplus coin discharging unit so as to discharge surplus coins exceeding the predetermined number. In such a coin detecting unit, the output signals of the pair of photoelectric sensors are different from, for example, on, on, off, and off in order to prevent a fraudulent act of operating the behavior of the inserted coin from the outside. When an abnormal signal is generated, it is configured to generate an emergency signal that stops all the functions of the gaming machine such as the slot machine.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional general coin sorting apparatus, when a plurality of coins are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving portion, it is extremely low, such as about once every tens of thousands of times. Although it is a probability, it has been pointed out that the coin detection unit malfunctions to generate an emergency signal and all the functions of a gaming machine such as a slot machine are stopped. Also, due to the operation delay of the surplus coin ejecting unit, the surplus coin is not reliably ejected, and the surplus coin enters the coin ejecting unit and is collected in the gaming machine.
It has been pointed out that a so-called surplus coin swallowing phenomenon occurs.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the inventors of the present application have found that the coin detecting section may occur when a plurality of coins are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving section. The cause of the malfunction of was researched earnestly, and the following causes were investigated. That is, when a plurality of coins are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving portion, the regular coins that have passed through the pair of photoelectric sensors of the coin detecting portion are
Since the coin ejecting portion vigorously enters and is suddenly turned downward, the reaction may violently disturb the posture. At that time, the following regular coin may collide with this regular coin violently and stop, or may return. This causes a pair of two photoelectric sensors to generate an abnormal signal, and the coin detection unit It was determined that an emergency signal was generated. Then, if the behavior of the regular coin that is turned downward by the coin ejecting unit and falls can be stabilized, it is possible to avoid the stoppage and the backward movement phenomenon of the subsequent regular coin and avoid the malfunction of the coin detecting unit. confirmed. Regarding the phenomenon of swallowing surplus coins, it was confirmed that by delaying the operation of the surplus coin discharging unit by improving the arrangement of the photoelectric sensor of the coin detecting unit, it is possible to prevent the swallowing phenomenon of surplus coins.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin sorter capable of avoiding the occurrence of an emergency signal due to a malfunction of the coin detection unit and, at the same time, preventing the excessive coin from being swallowed.

[0007]

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a coin sorting device according to the present invention comprises a predetermined number of regular coins that roll laterally from a coin receiving part and pass through a surplus coin discharging part. In a coin sorting device having a coin discharging part for dropping and discharging a coin, the coin discharging part has a coin discharging port opened in a slot shape along an inner wall surface of a side plate, and a process of passing through the coin discharging port. The upper guide surface for diverting the regular coin downward along the inner wall surface of the side plate, and the lower edge of the regular coin in the process of being diverted downward by the upper guide surface is separated from the inner wall surface of the side plate. And a lower guide surface having a curved concave surface that guides laterally.

In the coin sorting device according to the present invention,
A predetermined number of regular coins that have rolled laterally from the coin receiving part and passed through the surplus coin discharging part are attached to the inner wall surface of the side plate by the upper guide surface in the process of passing through the slot-shaped coin discharging port of the coin discharging part. The lower edge portion is guided laterally away from the inner wall surface of the side plate by the curved lower concave guide surface in the process of being turned downward along the direction. In this way, each regular coin is smoothly ejected in a stable posture in a lateral direction away from the inner wall surface of the side plate while being guided by the coin outlet, the upper guide surface and the lower guide surface. Therefore, even when a plurality of coins are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving part, each regular coin that has entered the coin discharging part is smoothly discharged from the coin discharging part in a very stable posture without disturbing the posture. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the phenomenon that the succeeding regular coin violently collides with the preceding regular coin to stop or return. As a result, a situation in which the sensor of the coin detection unit generates an abnormal signal and the coin detection unit malfunctions to generate an emergency signal is avoided.

In the coin sorting apparatus of the present invention, when a retracting surface that bends toward the outer surface of the side plate is provided between the upper part of the curved concave lower guide surface and the lower part of the inner wall surface of the side plate, it is normal. After the coin is surely turned downward by the upper guide surface, the coin contacts and is guided in the range from the vertically middle portion to the lower portion of the curved concave lower guide surface, so that the coin has a more stable posture. It is smoothly discharged in the direction away from the inner wall surface of the side plate.

Further, in the coin sorting apparatus of the present invention,
When the intersection angle between the virtual plane extending from the upper portion to the lower portion of the curved concave lower guide surface and the plane including the inner wall surface of the side plate is smaller than 130 degrees, or the radius of curvature of the lower guide surface is 50% of the diameter of the regular coin. If it is smaller, the contact resistance of the regular coin with respect to the lower guide surface increases, and the throwing posture of the regular coin may become unstable. On the other hand, if the intersection angle is greater than 150 degrees or the radius of curvature is greater than 70% of the diameter of the regular coin, the throwing distance of the regular coin may not be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, in the coin sorting device of the present invention, in order to smoothly throw the regular coin in a stable posture in a lateral direction away from the inner wall surface of the side plate, a virtual concave portion extending from the upper portion to the lower portion of the lower guide surface is formed. It is preferable that the angle of intersection between the plane and the plane including the inner wall surface of the side plate is set to 130 to 150 degrees, and the radius of curvature of the lower guide surface is set to 50 to 70% of the diameter of the regular coin.

Further, in the coin sorting apparatus of the present invention, a rail member for opening a part of the coin rolling passage so as to discharge the surplus coin in response to an operation signal from a coin detecting section for detecting the number of passing regular coins. When the surplus coin discharging unit has a sensor forming the coin detecting unit above the terminal end of the rail member, when a predetermined number of regular coins pass through the sensor,
The surplus coin that follows is located in front of the end of the rail member. Therefore, when a predetermined number of regular coins pass through the sensor and the rail member opens a part of the coin rolling passage, the surplus coins that follow fall from the rail member and are reliably discharged. The delay in the operation of the surplus coin ejecting unit is eliminated when a plurality of coins are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving unit.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a coin sorting device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view showing the entire structure of a coin sorting apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the coin sorting apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Coin sorting device A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Is a synthetic resin molded part, and the inserted coin C is coined from the coin-side receiving section 1 on the left side to the coin-side discharging section 2 on the right side. It is configured to roll laterally in the rolling passage. Then, between the coin receiving portion 1 and the coin discharging portion 2, a different coin discharging portion 3 and a surplus coin discharging portion 4 are provided.

The coin receiving portion 1 has a left-side inner end portion of a horizontally elongated base side plate 5 screwed into the main body of a gaming machine (not shown), and a coin passes through the inner side end portion of the base side plate 5. It is configured between the left half portion of the in-side movable side plate 6 which is disposed opposite to the in-side movable side plate 6 with a possible predetermined interval. The coin receiving unit 1 has a slot-shaped coin receiving port 1A for receiving the inserted coins C dropped from above and a different coin discharging unit for laterally diverting the inserted coins C entering the coin receiving port 1A. It is provided with a chute-shaped coin rolling rail 1B that rolls to the 3 side. In the vicinity of the opening of the coin receiving opening 1A, the coin receiving guide 1C formed in the left half portion of the in-side movable side plate 6 is inclined so as to be slightly separated from the base side plate 5 and protrudes upward. ,
It has a funnel-shaped cross section in which the facing distance is slightly widened.

The coin ejecting unit 2 ejects a predetermined number of regular coins C that roll laterally from the coin receiving unit 1 through the different coin ejecting unit 3 and the surplus coin ejecting unit 4 into the game machine. Has the function of collecting. This coin ejector 2
Is the inner wall surface 2 of the right side out-side end of the base side plate 5.
A coin ejection opening in a slot shape between A and the inner wall surface of the right end portion of the out-side movable side plate 7 that is opposed to the out-side end portion of the base side plate 5 with a predetermined gap allowing coins to pass therethrough. It has an outlet 2B.

The heterogeneous coin ejecting portion 3 has a function of ejecting a heterogeneous coin having a size different from that of the regular coin C and returning it to the outside of the gaming machine. The different coin discharging portion 3 is mainly composed of an intermediate portion of the base side plate 5 and a right half portion of the in-side movable side plate 6. A coin rolling rail 3A, which is continuous with the coin rolling rail 1B of the coin receiving portion 1, is formed at the lower edge of the middle portion of the base side plate 5. on the other hand,
The right side half of the in-side movable side plate 6 is pivotally attached to the upper end of the intermediate portion of the base side plate 5, so that the lower side of the inside movable side plate 6 can swing in a direction away from the base side plate 5. Has been done. Since the in-side movable side plate 6 is urged by swinging toward the base side plate 5 and held at a steady position where a coin can pass, a space between the middle part of the base side plate 5 and the right half part of the in-side movable side plate 6 is held. Is provided with a return spring 3B. A coin discharge window 3C for discharging different coins is formed in the lower portion of the right half portion of the in-side movable side plate 6 as described above.

When the number of passing normal coins C rolling laterally from the different coin discharging unit 3 toward the coin discharging unit 2 reaches a predetermined number, the surplus coin discharging unit 4 discharges a surplus coin exceeding the predetermined number. Then, it has a function of returning it to the outside of the gaming machine. The surplus coin discharging unit 4 is a solenoid device 4A whose excitation state is switched and controlled according to a signal from the coin detecting unit 8 which detects the number of passing regular coins C, and a coin device according to the excitation state of the solenoid device 4A. And a rail member 4B that closes or opens the rolling passage.

The coin detector 8 and the solenoid device 4A
The rail member 4B is installed on the out-side movable side plate 7, which is opposed to the base side plate 5 with a predetermined space for allowing coins to pass therethrough. The out-side movable side plate 7 is configured such that the upper end portion is pivotally attached to the upper end portion of the intermediate portion of the base side plate 5 so that the lower end portion thereof can swing in the direction away from the base side plate 5. . A return spring 4C is stretched between the base side plate 5 and the out side movable side plate 7 in order to urge the out side movable side plate 7 to swing toward the base side plate 5 and hold it at a steady position. .

The solenoid device 4A is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the solenoid 4D fixed to the outer surface of the out-side movable side plate 7 with the suction surface facing outward, the suction plate 4E attracted to the suction surface of the solenoid 4D, and the upper portion of the suction plate 4E are shaken. It is provided with a support stay 4F that is movably supported, and a return spring 4G that is stretched between the support stay 4F and the upper end of the suction plate 4E. In this solenoid device 4A, when the number of passing normal coins reaches a predetermined number and the coin detecting unit 8 outputs a degaussing signal as an operation signal, the solenoid 4D is degaussed by the degaussing signal. As shown in b), the suction plate 4
E is separated from the attraction surface of the solenoid 4D by the return spring 4G.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rail member 4B is made of a sheet metal member which is bent in a substantially L shape, one piece of which is fixed to the suction plate 4E and the other piece is a solenoid. It faces below 4D. In the other piece of the rail member 4B, a stopper hole 4I into which a stopper piece 4H protruding from the lower edge of the out-side movable side plate 7 is fitted is formed. As shown in FIG. 3B, the stopper hole 4I regulates the swing position of the rail member 4B that swings in the direction away from the suction surface of the solenoid 4D together with the suction plate 4E. Then, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the base side plate 5 is attached to the tip edge of the other piece of the rail member 4 B when the suction plate 4 E is sucked by the solenoid 4 D.
A coin rolling rail 4J forming a rolling passage for the regular coin C is formed between the outer movable side plate 7 and the outer movable side plate 7.

As shown in FIG. 4, the coin detecting section 8 is provided with a photoelectric sensor 8A composed of two pieces and an electronic circuit board 8B for processing a detection signal from these photoelectric sensors 8A. There is. The set of two photoelectric sensors 8A each have a light emitting element and a light receiving element that face each other with a predetermined gap between which a regular coin can pass. A pair of photoelectric sensors such that the light emitting element and the light receiving element are located on both sides of the passage of the regular coin so as to face the inner space of the cutout portion or the cutout portion formed on the out-side movable side plate 7. 8A is fixed to the out-side movable side plate 7 via a support member 8C. Then, the photoelectric sensor 8A of such a set of two pieces outputs an ON, ON, OFF, OFF detection signal, for example, each time the regular coin C passes by the electronic circuit board 8B.
Output to.

On the other hand, the electronic circuit board 8B counts the passing number of the regular coins C based on the detection signals from the photoelectric sensor 8A of two sets, and the passing number of the regular coins is a predetermined number (for example, three). When it reaches, a demagnetization signal as an operation signal is output to the solenoid device 4A of the surplus coin ejecting unit 4 so as to eject surplus coins exceeding a predetermined number. The coin detecting unit 8 including the electronic circuit board 8B and the pair of photoelectric sensors 8A has a set of the pair of photoelectric sensors 8A in order to prevent a fraudulent act of operating the behavior of the inserted coin from the outside. When the output signal of the photoelectric sensor 8A generates an abnormal signal different from the order of ON, ON, OFF, OFF, for example, an emergency signal for stopping all the functions of the gaming machine such as the slot machine is generated.

The pair of photoelectric sensors 8A of the coin detecting section 8 are arranged above the terminal end (right end) of the rail member 4B of the surplus coin ejecting section 4, that is, on the rail member 4B. It is arranged above the terminal end (right end) of the rail 4J. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a coin rolling rail 4K having a short front-rear length is formed at the lower edge portion of the out-side movable side plate 7 located immediately to the right of the terminal end portion of the coin rolling rail 4J. . This coin rolling rail 4K
In order to suppress the rolling speed of the regular coin, the coin rolling rail 3A and the rail member 4B of the different coin discharging unit 3 are provided.
Is formed with a rising inclination of 5 to 8 degrees with respect to the coin rolling rail 4J.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the coin ejecting portion 2 of the coin sorting apparatus A of the first embodiment.
Includes an upper guide surface 2C for diverting the regular coin C in the process of passing through the slot-shaped coin outlet 2B downward along the inner wall surface 2A of the outer side end of the base side plate 5 as a side plate. A curved concave lower guide surface 2D for guiding the lower edge of the regular coin C in the process of being turned downward by the upper guide surface 2C to the side away from the inner wall surface 2A is provided.

The upper guide surface 2C is a coin outlet 2
It is formed in a concave shape that is curved obliquely downward from the upper portion of the coin discharge port 2B so that the upper right portion of the regular coin C comes into contact with the regular coin C during the passage. This upper guide surface 2
In the coin sorting apparatus A of the first embodiment, C is formed by the lower edge of the strip-shaped protrusion that is integrally molded with the outer end of the base side plate 5 and projects from the inner wall surface 2A thereof. The upper guide surface 2C is arranged closer to the coin rolling rail 4K so that the regular coin C passing through the coin outlet 2B can be swiftly turned downward from the vicinity of the coin rolling rail 4K.

On the other hand, the lower guide surface 2D is provided so as to project downward from the out-side end portion of the base side plate 5 so that the lower edge portion of the regular coin C comes into contact with the upper guide surface 2C in the process of being turned downward. A wide curved concave surface is integrally formed on the inner surface side of the formed portion. The upper portion of the lower guide surface 2D has an outer end portion of the base side plate 5 so that the lower edge portion of the regular coin C contacts and is guided in a range extending from the vertical middle portion of the lower guide surface 2D to the lower portion. Facing the position retracted to the outer surface side of. That is, between the upper part of the lower guide surface 2D and the lower part of the inner wall surface 2A of the outer side end of the base side plate 5, a strip-shaped withdrawal surface 2E is formed which is inclined downward toward the outer surface side of the outer side end. ing.

The radius of curvature of the curved concave lower guide surface 2D can be set to about 50 to 70% of the diameter of the regular coin C, and the diameter of the regular coin C is 25 mm, For example, it is set to about 15% of 60%. Also, the curved concave lower guide surface 2
An intersection angle θ between an imaginary plane extending from the upper part to the lower part of D and a plane including the inner wall surface 2A of the out side end of the base side plate 5 (see FIG. 6).
(See (c)) can be set to 130 to 150 degrees, for example, about 140 degrees. further,
The lower guide surface 2D is arranged so that the loci of drops of the regular coins C overlap each other in the central portion in the width direction, and the width dimension thereof is set to about 30 mm, which is larger than the diameter of the regular coins C. The central axis of the curved concave surface of the lower guide surface 2D corresponds to the falling trajectory of the regular coin C corresponding to the drop miracle of the regular coin C, which is turned by the upper guide surface 2C, slightly to the right. It is slightly inclined so as to be orthogonal to the direction.

In the coin sorting device A of the first embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, when a coin is inserted into the coin slot of a gaming machine such as a slot machine (not shown),
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inserted coins C enter the coin receiving portion 1A of the coin receiving portion 1 one by one, and are laterally changed by the coin rolling rails 1B to dissimilar coin discharging portion 3 Roll to the side. Then, among the inserted coins C rolled into the different coin discharging unit 3, the small diameter different coins are discharged from the coin discharging window 3C, and the different coin discharging unit 3
The large-diameter foreign coins packed inside are forcibly operated from between the base side plate 5 and the in-side movable side plate 6 by swinging the in-side movable side plate 6 in the direction in which the in-side movable side plate 6 is separated from the base side plate 5 by lever operation. Is released.

The regular coin C which is not ejected by the different coin ejecting section 3 rolls on the coin rolling rail 3A and enters the surplus coin ejecting section 4, and moves on the coin rolling rail 4J formed on the rail member 4B. 2 pieces of coin detector 8 rolling
It passes through the set of photoelectric sensors 8A. At this time, the pair of photoelectric sensors 8A outputs, for example, on, on, off, and off detection signals to the electronic circuit board 8B each time one regular coin C passes, and based on this detection signal. Electronic circuit board 8
B counts the number of passing regular coins C. And
Until the number of regular coins C that have passed reaches a predetermined number (for example, three coins), the electronic circuit board 8B is operated by the solenoid device 4
An excitation signal is output to A and the attraction plate 4E is attracted to the solenoid 4D to hold the rail member 4B at the swing position shown in FIG. Therefore, a predetermined number (for example, three) of regular coins C roll on the coin rolling rail 4J of the rail member 4B and enter the coin ejecting unit 2.

Here, the coin sorting apparatus A of the first embodiment
In FIG. 4, up to a predetermined number (for example, 3) of regular coins C that have passed through the surplus coin discharging unit 4 and have entered the coin discharging unit 2 are respectively connected to the coin discharging ports 2B as shown in FIG.
When the upper right portion of the base side plate 5 contacts the upper guide surface 2C in the process of passing through, the inner wall surface 2A of the out side end of the base side plate 5 is swiftly turned downward from the vicinity of the coin rolling rail 4K. . Then, in the process in which each regular coin C is turned downward by the upper guide surface 2C, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the lower guide surface 2D has a lower edge portion with a curved concave surface. The inner wall surface 2A of the base side plate 5 in contact with a range extending from the intermediate portion in the vertical direction to the lower portion of
Is guided laterally away from. In this way, each regular coin C is guided to the coin outlet 2B, the upper guide surface 2C and the lower guide surface 2D, and to the side away from the inner wall surface 2A of the base side plate 5 as shown in FIG. 6C. It is thrown smoothly with a stable posture.

Therefore, the coin sorting apparatus A of the first embodiment
According to this, even when a plurality of coins are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving portion 1, each regular coin C that has entered the coin discharging portion 2 is smoothly maintained in an extremely stable posture without disturbing the posture. The coin is discharged from the coin discharge port 2B. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the phenomenon that the succeeding regular coin C violently collides with the preceding regular coin C to stop or return. As a result, the situation where the photoelectric sensor 8A of the coin detection unit 8 generates an abnormal signal different from the order of ON, ON, OFF, OFF, for example, and the coin detection unit 8 malfunctions to generate an emergency signal. This can be avoided in advance, and a situation in which all the functions of a gaming machine such as a slot machine having the coin sorter A built therein can be prevented can be prevented.

On the other hand, as described above, the photoelectric detecting unit 8A of the coin detecting unit 8 enters the surplus coin ejecting unit 4 and is paired with the coin detecting unit 8.
When the number of passing regular coins C passing through reaches a predetermined number (for example, three), the electronic circuit board 8B outputs a degaussing signal as an operation signal to the solenoid device 4A, and the return spring 4G together with the attraction plate 4E rail member. Figure 4B
Coin rolling rail 4J by swinging to the position shown in (b)
To retreat. Therefore, a predetermined number (for example, 3)
Excess coins that exceed the limit are released by the withdrawal movement of the coin rolling rails 4J and the base side plate 5 and the out side movable side plate 7 are released.
It is released by dropping downward from between.

Here, the coin sorting apparatus A of the first embodiment
In the case of the coin detector 8, the photoelectric sensor 8
Since A is arranged above the terminal end of the coin rolling rail 4J of the rail member 4B, when a predetermined number of regular coins C pass through a pair of photoelectric sensors 8A, they follow it. The surplus coin to be placed is located in front of the end portion of the coin rolling rail 4J. Therefore, when a predetermined number of regular coins pass through the photoelectric sensor 8A and the coin rolling rail 4J of the rail member 4B opens a part of the coin rolling passage, the surplus coins that follow roll on the coin. The rail 4J is reliably dropped and discharged downward between the base side plate 5 and the out side movable side plate 7 which are opened by the retreat movement of the rail 4J. That is, according to the coin sorting device A of the first embodiment, the operation delay of the surplus coin discharging part 4 when a plurality of coins C are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving part 1 is eliminated, The surplus coin can be surely discharged, and the swallowing phenomenon of the surplus coin into the coin discharge part 2 can be surely prevented.

Next, a coin sorter according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The coin sorting apparatus B of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 has a main body made of press-worked parts such as a stainless steel plate, and is different in shape or structure from the coin sorting apparatus A of the first embodiment. Although there are some points, they are functionally configured similarly.
Therefore, in this coin sorting device B, the parts having the same functions as those of the coin sorting device A of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals for easy understanding.

The coin sorting apparatus B according to the second embodiment is
The coins C are configured to roll laterally from the coin-side receiving section 1 on the left side to the coin-side discharging section 2 on the right side located on the left side in FIG. In the rolling path of the inserted coin between the coin ejecting unit 2 and the coin ejecting unit 2, the different coin ejecting unit 3 and the surplus coin ejecting unit 4 are provided.
Is provided. Further, a base side plate 5, an in-side movable side plate 6 and an out-side movable side plate 7 are provided as members constituting the coin receiving portion 1, the coin discharging portion 2, the different coin discharging portion 3 and the surplus coin discharging portion 4. And
Coin detection unit 8 for detecting the number of passing regular coins
Is equipped with.

Here, the coin sorting apparatus B of the second embodiment
In contrast to the coin sorting device A of the first embodiment, the pair of photoelectric sensors 8A of the coin detecting unit 8 are located closer to the coin ejecting unit 2 side than the end of the coin rolling rail 4J of the surplus coin ejecting unit 4. It is installed in a close position. Also,
The upper guide surface 2C is formed by an inner surface of a portion obtained by bending the right end portion of the outer movable side plate 7 forming the coin outlet 2B toward the inner wall surface of the outer end portion of the base side plate 5. The upper guide surface 2C is used for the coin outlet 2
It is slanted linearly obliquely downward from above B toward the right end of the coin outlet 2B.

In the coin sorting device B according to the second embodiment having the above-described structure, a predetermined number (for example, 3) of regular coins C that have passed through the surplus coin discharging part 4 and have entered the coin discharging part 2. As shown in FIG. 7, when the coins are discharged from the coin discharge port 2B, their upper right portions come into contact with the upper guide surface 2C, so that the lower portions are moved downward along the inner wall surface 2A of the outer side end portion of the base side plate 5. Is turned to.
Each regular coin C is changed downward by the upper guide surface 2C in the process of (a) and (b) of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the lower edge portion of the lower guide surface 2D having a curved concave surface contacts a range extending from the central portion in the up-down direction to the lower portion and is guided laterally away from the inner wall surface 2A of the base side plate 5. . In this way, each regular coin C is transferred to the coin outlet 2
While being guided by B, the upper guide surface 2C and the lower guide surface 2D, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the base side plate 5 is smoothly discharged in a stable posture laterally away from the inner wall surface 2A. .

That is, also in the coin sorting apparatus B of the second embodiment, each regular coin C discharged from the coin outlet 2B is the same as the coin sorting apparatus A of the first embodiment.
Is smoothly released in a stable posture laterally away from the inner wall surface 2A of the end portion on the out side of the base side plate 5. Therefore,
According to the coin sorting device B of the second embodiment, even when a plurality of coins are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving unit 1, each regular coin C that has entered the coin discharging unit 2 is inserted.
Is ejected smoothly from the coin outlet 2B in an extremely stable posture without disturbing the posture, and a phenomenon in which the succeeding regular coin C violently collides with the preceding regular coin C and stops or returns is avoided. It as a result,
It is possible to avoid a situation in which the pair of photoelectric sensors 8A of the coin detection unit 8 generate an abnormal signal that is different from the order of ON, ON, OFF, and OFF, for example, and the coin detection unit 8 malfunctions to generate an emergency signal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the situation where all the functions of the gaming machine such as the slot machine having the coin sorter A built therein are stopped.

In the coin sorting devices of the first and second embodiments, the outer side end is located between the upper part of the lower guide surface 2D and the lower part of the inner wall surface 2A of the outer side end of the base side plate 5. The strip-shaped retracting surface 2E is formed so as to descend downward toward the outer surface of the portion.
The shape may be such that it is inclined upward toward the outer surface side of the out-side end portion, or it may be bent substantially horizontally. Further, the strip-shaped retracting surface 2E is not always necessary and may be omitted.

[0040]

As described above, in the coin sorting apparatus according to the present invention, the predetermined number of regular coins that have rolled laterally from the coin receiving portion and passed through the surplus coin discharging portion are each coin discharging portion. When passing through the slot-shaped coin outlet, the upper guide surface is turned downward along the inner wall surface of the side plate, and in the process of being turned downward, its lower edge is curved by the curved lower guide surface. It is guided laterally away from the inner wall surface of the side plate. In this way, each regular coin is smoothly ejected in a stable posture in a lateral direction away from the inner wall surface of the side plate while being guided by the coin outlet, the upper guide surface and the lower guide surface. Therefore, even when a plurality of coins are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving part, each regular coin that has entered the coin discharging part is smoothly discharged from the coin discharging part in a very stable posture without disturbing the posture. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the phenomenon that the succeeding regular coin violently collides with the preceding regular coin to stop or return. That is, according to the coin sorting device of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the sensor of the coin detecting unit generates an abnormal signal and the coin detecting unit malfunctions to generate an emergency signal. It is possible to prevent the situation where all the functions of the game machine such as the built-in slot machine are stopped.

Further, in the coin sorting apparatus of the present invention,
The surplus coin discharging part has a rail member that opens a part of the coin rolling passage so as to discharge the surplus coin in response to an operation signal from the coin detecting part that detects the number of passing regular coins. When the sensor that constitutes the coin detecting unit is arranged above the terminal end portion, when a predetermined number of regular coins pass through the sensor, the surplus surplus coins that follow are in front of the terminal end portion of the rail member. Is located in. Therefore, when a predetermined number of regular coins pass through the sensor and the rail member opens a part of the coin rolling passage, the surplus coins that follow fall from the rail member and are reliably discharged. Therefore, even when a plurality of coins are continuously and vigorously inserted into the coin receiving part, the operation delay of the surplus coin discharging part can be eliminated and the surplus coin can be surely discharged, and the surplus coin is swallowed to the coin discharging part. The phenomenon can be reliably prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view showing the overall structure of a coin sorting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the coin sorting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2 showing the function of the surplus coin discharging part of the coin sorting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front side partial perspective view showing a surplus coin discharging part and a coin discharging part of the coin sorting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial rear view showing a surplus coin discharging part and a coin discharging part of the coin sorting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view schematically showing the function of the lower guide surface of the coin sorting device according to the first embodiment together with the behavior of the coin.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the coin sorting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Coin receiving part 2: coin ejector 2A: Inner wall surface 2B: coin outlet 2C: Upper guide surface 2D: Lower guide surface 2E: Retreat surface 3: Dissimilar coin ejector 4: Surplus coin ejector 4A: Solenoid device 4B: Rail member 4J: Coin rolling rail 5: Base side plate 6: Inner side movable side plate 7: Out side movable side plate 8: Coin detector 8A: Photoelectric sensor 8B: Electronic circuit board

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hisaaki Hiraiwa             Takawako 2-3-2 Kamisawa, Fujimi City, Saitama Prefecture             Machine Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Susumu Toyota             Takawako 2-3-2 Kamisawa, Fujimi City, Saitama Prefecture             Machine Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3E001 AA01 AA04 AB03 BA01 BA03                       CA08 EA02 FA07 FA22 FA57

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A coin sorter having a coin ejecting unit for laterally rolling a coin from a coin receiving unit and passing a surplus coin ejecting unit to drop and eject a predetermined number of coins. The portion is a coin outlet opening in a slot shape along the inner wall surface of the side plate, and an upper guide surface for diverting a regular coin in the process of passing through the coin outlet downward along the inner wall surface of the side plate, A coin selection having a curved concave lower guide surface for guiding the lower edge of the regular coin in the process of being turned downward by the upper guide surface to the side away from the inner wall surface of the side plate. apparatus. 2. The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the lower edge portion of the regular coin is contacted and guided in a range extending from an intermediate portion in a vertical direction to a lower portion of the curved concave lower guide surface. As described above, the retracting surface that bends toward the outer surface of the side plate is provided between the upper part of the lower guide surface and the lower part of the inner wall surface of the side plate. 3. The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein a virtual plane extending from an upper portion to a lower portion of the curved concave lower guide surface intersects with a plane including an inner wall surface of the side plate. The angle is set to 130-150 degrees,
Also, the radius of curvature of the lower guide surface is 5 times the diameter of the regular coin.
A coin sorting device characterized by being set to 0 to 70%. 4. The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the surplus coin discharging part is
It has a rail member that opens a part of the coin rolling passage so as to discharge surplus coins in response to an operation signal from the coin detection unit that detects the number of passing regular coins, and is located above the end portion of this rail member. A coin sorting device, wherein a sensor that constitutes the coin detecting unit is arranged.