JP2004113564A - Token dispenser and token game machine with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a token dispenser capable of dispensing a number of tokens in a short period of time, appropriately changing the number of tokens to be dispensed, and making the token dispensing motion interesting. <P>SOLUTION: The token dispenser has a plurality of storage parts 2 arranged and layered up/down in which tokens m can be stored. The bottom of each storage part 2 can be opened/closed so that tokens m in the storage part 2 can fall down, and the storage part 2 has an upper opening 20a so that the tokens m falling down from above can be received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medal payout device used for paying out medals by being incorporated in a medal game machine, and a medal game machine provided with the same. The term “medal” as used in the present specification is a concept including a coin and a similar metal circular plate.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a specific example of the conventional medal payout apparatus, there is one having a structure shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the present application (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003]
The medal payout device shown in FIG. 10 has a configuration in which a medal delivery rotor 91 is provided below a hopper 90 that stores a plurality of medals m. In this apparatus, every time the rotor 91 rotates by a certain angle, one medal m in the hopper 90 is sent to the shooter 92 one by one and paid out. Therefore, by controlling the amount of rotation of the rotor 91, a desired number of medals m can be paid out.
[0004]
The medal payout device shown in FIG. 11A has a configuration in which a tubular portion 94 is provided upright on a support member 93. A plurality of medals m inserted from above by a medal supply device (not shown) can be accommodated in the tubular portion 94 in a stacked state. The tubular portion 94 is arranged near a predetermined play field 95 for playing a game using the medal m, as shown in FIG. The tubular portion 94 is divided into two parts, and can be opened as shown in FIG. In this medal payout apparatus, a plurality of medals m stacked one above the other are played as shown in FIG. 4D by opening the tubular portion 94 and tilting the support member 93 as described above. It is configured to fall on the field 95 all at once.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-202089 (FIG. 5)
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-29643 A (FIGS. 14 to 20)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the former case shown in FIG. 10, since the medals m are paid out one by one, it takes a long time to pay out a large number of medals m, which is inconvenient. Also, in the former, since a large number of medals m cannot be paid out at once, when used for paying out medals in a medal game machine, the payout operation lacks the power and fun. I was
[0007]
On the other hand, in the latter shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of medals m accommodated in the cylindrical portion 94 can be paid out at the same time. It is possible to have fun. However, in the latter case, the payout number of medals m is limited to a fixed number accommodated in the tubular portion 94. Therefore, for example, it cannot be used for the purpose of making a difference in the number of paid out medals according to the winning contents of the game performed in the medal game machine. Further, if the number of medals paid out from the medal payout device of the amusement machine is limited to a certain value, the player's interest in paying out medals tends to decrease.
[0008]
The present invention has been conceived under such circumstances, and it is possible to appropriately pay out a number of medals in a short time and to appropriately change the number of paid out medals. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medal payout device that can make the payout operation interesting, and a medal game machine provided with the same.
[0009]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following technical means.
[0010]
The medal payout device provided by the first aspect of the present invention is capable of accommodating medals, and includes a plurality of accommodation units arranged in a vertically stacked manner. It is characterized in that the bottom is openable and closable so that the medals in the storage section can be dropped below, and has an upper opening that can receive medals falling from above.
[0011]
According to such a configuration, for example, when only the bottom of the lowermost layer of the first layer of the plurality of storage sections is opened, only the medals stored in the first layer of the storage section are paid out. . When the bottoms of the two accommodation units of the first and second layers are opened, the medals in the first accommodation unit are paid out and the medals are accommodated in the second accommodation unit. The medals are paid out after passing through the first storage section, and the medals stored in each of the two storage sections are paid out. When all the bottoms of the plurality of storage units are opened, all the medals stored in the plurality of storage units are paid out. As understood from the above, according to the present invention, the number of medals to be paid out can be changed in a plurality of steps by controlling the opening and closing of the bottoms of the plurality of storage sections, which is convenient.
[0012]
Further, when paying out the medals in the plurality of storage units, if the bottoms of the plurality of storage units are simultaneously or substantially simultaneously opened, the medals stored in the plurality of storage units are disposed below the respective storage units. All at once or almost all at once, and the payout operation is performed at once. Therefore, even if the number of medals to be paid out is large, the payout is quickly performed, which is more convenient. By paying out a large number of medals at once, the payout operation can be made more powerful and interesting.
[0013]
Furthermore, in the present invention, the medals stored in the upper-layer storage section of the plurality of storage sections are paid out to the outside after passing through the lower storage section. The way is unique and interesting.
[0014]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least a part of each of the accommodation sections is transparent. According to such a configuration, it is possible to externally see how medals are stored in each of the storage units and how medals move in each of the storage units. Therefore, it is more preferable to pay attention to the operation of paying out medals and to enhance the fun.
[0015]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the housing sections is configured to include a side wall having an open top and a bottom, and a shutter plate capable of reciprocating in the horizontal direction below the side wall. According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately open and close the bottom of each of the storage portions with a simple configuration.
[0016]
A medal gaming machine provided by the second aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the medal payout device provided by the first aspect of the present invention.
[0017]
According to such a configuration, the same effect as described in the medal payout device provided by the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained. In particular, the medal payout device can change the payout number of medals in a plurality of stages, and can pay out a large number of medals at once or almost all at once. It is possible to change the number of medals to be paid out or to pay out a large number of medals in a powerful effect, which is suitable for enhancing the interest of the game.
[0018]
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
1 to 5 show an example of a medal payout apparatus according to the present invention. 1 and 2, the medal payout device A of the present embodiment includes a plurality of housing portions 2 (2a to 2g) along one side surface 50a of the base member 50 that stands upright. Are arranged side by side so as to be stacked vertically. The base member 50 has a columnar shape having a U-shaped cross section or a square pipe shape.
[0021]
Each accommodation section 2 has a configuration in which a shutter plate 21 is arranged below a side wall section 20 having an upper opening section 20a and a bottom opening section 20b. Each accommodation section 2 is configured by attaching a transparent member 22 made of synthetic resin to one side surface 50 a of the base member 50. The transparent member 22 has a substantially U-shape in plan view with one side face opened, and the opening on one side face is closed by one side face 50 a of the base member 50. Thus, the side wall portion 20 of each of the storage portions 2 has a closed cross-sectional structure that can appropriately store the medals m. Needless to say, a cylindrical member such as a square tube or a cylinder may be used as the transparent member 22.
[0022]
Each shutter plate 21 has a flat plate shape, and is reciprocally movable in a horizontal direction indicated by an arrow n1 below each side wall portion 20. As a result, the bottom of each storage section 2 can be opened and closed by the shutter plate 21. The plurality of housing sections 2 are positioned such that the two housing sections 2 vertically adjacent to each other are positioned such that the bottom opening section 20b of the upper housing section 2 is located immediately above the upper opening section 20a of the lower housing section 2. The shutter plate 21 can be in a state of partitioning between them and in a state of opening.
[0023]
The mechanism for supporting and reciprocating the shutter plate 21 is configured as a unit U as shown in FIGS. The unit U has a frame 52 and a motor M attached to the frame 52. The frame 52 is formed by pressing a thin metal plate or the like, and has a pair of guide rails 52a having a substantially U-shaped cross section. The shutter plate 21 is slidably supported by the pair of guide rails 52a. As means for smoothing the movement of the shutter plate 21, a plurality of rollers 21a are attached to the shutter plate 21.
[0024]
A connecting member 21b is provided at one end of the shutter plate 21, and one end of an arm 54 attached to a drive shaft 59 of the motor M is rotatably connected to the connecting member 21b. The connecting member 21b is movable in the width direction of the shutter plate 21 as indicated by the arrow n2. As a result, when the motor M is driven to rotate the arm 54 in the direction indicated by the arrow n3, the shutter plate 21 retreats toward the motor M with the rotation of the arm 54. When the motor M is rotated in the reverse direction, the shutter plate 21 moves forward in the opposite direction.
[0025]
2, the plurality of units U are assembled to the base member 50 by using a bracket 53 or the like. The driving of each of the plurality of motors M can be individually controlled, whereby the opening / closing operation of the bottom of each of the plurality of storage units 2 can be individually performed. A medal outlet 99 of a medal supply device provided separately from the medal payout device A is provided above the uppermost accommodation section 2g. From the medal outlet 99, the medal m can be supplied to the medal payout device A.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the medal payout apparatus A will be described.
[0027]
First, as shown in FIG. 2, as a preparation for paying out the medals m, the medals m are stored in the plurality of storage units 2 respectively. Such a preparation is performed by inserting medals m from the medal outlet 99 into the uppermost storage section 2g, and when the input amount becomes constant, sequentially transferring the medals m to the lower storage section 2. . That is, when the amount of medals in the uppermost storage section 2g becomes constant, the bottom of the storage section 2g is opened at that time. Then, the medal m in the storage section 2g falls into the storage section 2f below it. Next, when the bottom of the storage section 2f is opened, the medal m falls further into the storage section 2e thereunder. By repeating such a process, the medals m can be stored in all of the plurality of storage units 2a to 2g by a fixed amount.
[0028]
Next, when paying out the medals m, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, when only the bottom of the lowermost storage section 2a is opened, only a predetermined amount of medals m stored in the storage section 2a is positioned below the storage section 2a. Is discharged. On the other hand, when the bottoms of the two lowermost and upper layers of the storage sections 2a and 2b are opened, the medals m stored in the two storage sections 2a and 2b fall below the storage section 2a and are discharged. Is done. In this case, the medals m stored in the storage portion 2b are discharged below the storage portion 2a after passing through the storage portion 2a. When all the bottoms of the storage sections 2a to 2g are opened, the entire amount of the medals m stored in the storage sections 2a to 2g is discharged.
[0029]
As described above, in the medal payout apparatus A, the payout amount of the medal m can be adjusted in a plurality of steps depending on the number of layers from the lowermost storage section 2a to the bottom of the storage section. . Since the opening and closing of the bottom of each storage unit 2 is performed by on / off control of each motor M, the control is also facilitated. Further, when the bottoms of the housing sections 2a to 2g are opened substantially simultaneously or at the timing when the housing section 2a is most likely to be delayed, the medal m housed in the housing sections 2a to 2g becomes: It is discharged one after another below the storage part 2a. Therefore, even when the payout amount of the medals m is increased, the payout is quickly performed.
[0030]
Since each storage unit 2 is configured using the transparent member 22, the medals m stored in each storage unit 2 are visible. Also, the manner in which the medals m fall in the respective housing portions 2 when the medals m are paid out is unique, but this manner can also be visually observed. For this reason, when paying out the medals m, it is possible to obtain visual fun that cannot be seen with the conventional payout device. When a predetermined amount of the medals m is paid out, some of the storage units 2 become empty. To refill the empty storage units 2 with the medals m, the medals m described above are paid out. The procedure may be performed by sequentially transferring the medals m in the upper-layer accommodation section 2 to the lower-layer accommodation section 2 in the same procedure as in the previous preparation stage.
[0031]
6 to 9 show an example of a medal game machine according to the present invention. The medal gaming machine B of the present embodiment includes the above-described medal payout device A.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 6, the medal game machine B has a configuration in which a transparent showcase 1b is provided on a lower housing 1a. The lower housing 1a and the showcase 1b are divided into a plurality of zones 11 in their circumferential direction so that, for example, 8 to 10 players can play at the same time. In each zone 11, a medal slot 39 is provided at two places on the left and right, and a medal slot 12 is provided in the lower housing 1a.
[0033]
As well shown in FIG. 7, each zone 11 in the showcase 1b is provided with a play field in which the pusher game mechanism 3 and a plurality of targets 7 are arranged. A medal slot 39 is provided in front of the play field.
[0034]
The medal insertion slot 39 is provided with a tubular or groove-shaped guide member 38 that can give the initial speed by rolling up the medal m. The guide member 38 is freely swingable in the horizontal and vertical directions, so that the player can freely select the direction in which the medal m is sent out.
[0035]
The pusher game mechanism 3 has a fixed first table 31 and a second table 32 stacked on the first table 31. The second table 32 is configured to repeatedly advance forward and backward in the depth direction at a position deeper than the side edge 31a of the first table 31. In the pusher game mechanism 3, for example, when a large number of medals m are paid out from the medal payout device A on the first table 31, or when the second table 32 retreats, the second table 32 and the medal group If the medal m enters successfully during the movement, the medal m falls from the side edge 31a of the first table 31 when the second table 32 advances. The medals m dropped from the side edge 31a are guided to the medal outlet 12 and are acquired by the player.
[0036]
However, in the present embodiment, the first table 31 is provided with a plurality of balance gates 4 for receiving medals m falling from the side edge 31a. The plurality of balance gates 4 can swing about a shaft 41 extending in the lateral direction, and as shown in FIG. 8, a portion to which a weight 42 is attached and a medal accommodating portion 43 having a medal receiving opening 43a. Are formed so as to sandwich the shaft 41. In a normal state, the balance gate 4 is in an inclined state in which the medal accommodating portion 43 is raised by the weight of the weight 42 as shown by a solid line in the figure, and can receive the medal m falling from the first table 31. It has become. On the other hand, when a certain amount or more of medals m accumulate in the medal accommodating portion 43, the balance gate 4 is rotated by the weight so that the medal accommodating portion 43 is positioned downward as indicated by a virtual line in FIG. Then, the medals m stored in the medal accommodating portion 43 are collectively dropped and discharged downward. When the ejection of the medals m is completed, the balance gate 4 returns to the original posture by the weight of the weight 42. If such a balance gate 4 is provided, for example, only a small number of medals m enter the balance gate 4 in which the medal accommodating portion 43 is almost full, and a large number of medals m stored in the medal accommodating portion 43 can be transferred. Players can be acquired. Therefore, with a small number of inserted medals, a chance to receive payout of many medals is created, and the medal games are more interesting.
[0037]
The plurality of targets 7 are arranged above the pusher game mechanism 3 while being supported by the bracket 73. Each target 7 has a central through-hole 71, and the player inserts the medal m into the medal insertion slot 39 with an aim so that the medal m enters the central through-hole 71. Each target 7 is provided with a sensor, and when a medal m hits the target 7, that is, when the medal m enters the central through hole 71, this can be detected by the sensor. . The detection signal of the medal m by the sensor is used as a signal for paying out the medal m from the medal payout device A or activating a lottery mechanism 8 described later. The medal m that has passed through the center through hole 71 falls onto the pusher game mechanism 3. Also, the medals m that have not entered the center through hole 71 may fall on the pusher game mechanism 3. Therefore, these medals m may be useful for dropping the medals m from the first table 31. For this reason, the player can have a sense of expectation of medal acquisition, regardless of whether the medal m hits the target 7 or not.
[0038]
A run-up surface 37 and a medal jump member 6 are provided between the guide member 38 and the target 7. The running surface 37 is a part for rolling the medal m sent from the tip of the guide member 38 further toward the back of the play field. The medal jump member 6 has, for example, an upward surface formed as a concave curved surface, and swings at a constant cycle. When the medal jump member 6 is fed at a timing approaching the approach surface 37 as shown by a solid line in FIG. 8, the medal m jumps well. In this case, there is a high possibility that the medal m will hit the target 7. On the other hand, when the medal jump member 6 is fed with the medal m at a timing separated from the approach surface 37 as shown by a virtual line in FIG. The above progress is hindered. According to such a configuration, in order to hit the target 7 with the medal m, it is necessary to appropriately set the sending timing of the medal m in addition to the sending direction of the medal m, and it is interesting that a high skill is required for the player. Is born. If the configuration is such that each target 7 is swung about an appropriate axis 72, it is more difficult to hit the medal m on each target 7, but such a configuration may be employed.
[0039]
The medal payout device A is installed in the showcase 1b adjacent to the two zones 11. As shown in FIG. 7, a medal distribution mechanism 97 is provided below the lowermost accommodation section 2a of the medal payout apparatus A. The medal distributing mechanism 97 is a mechanism for guiding the medal m paid out from the medal payout device A to one of two selected adjacent zones 11 on one side. The medal distribution mechanism 97 is configured to be able to switch the sliding direction when the medal m slides on the plate, for example, by changing the inclination of a plate disposed below the housing portion 2a. If one medal payout device A is also used for payout to two zones 11 as in the present embodiment, it is preferable to reduce the total number of medal payout devices A and reduce the cost of the medal game machine B. . The medal payout device A is used to pay out a medal m toward the first table 31 of the pusher game mechanism 3.
[0040]
The medal game machine B of the present embodiment further includes a lottery mechanism 8 that performs a lottery operation when the medal m hits the target 7, and an effect mechanism C that exerts a predetermined effect based on the result of the lottery by the lottery mechanism 8. ing.
[0041]
The lottery mechanism 8 is for performing a lottery operation while enjoying the visual fun of moving the ball, and is set further behind the pusher game mechanism 3. In the lottery mechanism 8, when a medal m hits the target 7, a ball 98 is discharged onto a ball swing table 82 from a ball discharge hole 81 opened at an appropriate position in front of the sub machine frame 80. Has become. As shown in FIG. 9, the ball 98 basically moves toward the front of the ball swing table 82 while swinging slowly left and right along the plurality of ribs 82 a on the ball swing table 82. It is supposed to. In front of the ball swing table 82, there is provided a chance gate member 84 that can guide the ball 98 in the entrance pocket 85 to the next route, and the ball 98 moves onto it. The chance gate member 84 has a substantially truncated cone shape having a plurality of guide grooves 84a formed on the outer surface thereof, and rotates so that the positions of the plurality of guide grooves 84a change slowly. When the ball 98 successfully rides on any of the guide grooves 84a of the chance gate member 84, the ball 98 reaches the entrance pocket 85 with a relatively high probability. The ball 98 that has fallen on the way from the chance gate member 84 without reaching the entrance pocket 85 is out.
[0042]
The ball 98 that has reached the entrance pocket 85 passes through the ball guide pipe 87 and is guided to a ball rolling table 86 below the ball swing table 82. The ball rolling table 86 has a form similar to roulette, and the ball 98 moves in a spiral shape in a dish-shaped ball rolling field 86a, and is finally provided near the center thereof. Into any one of the plurality of winning holes 86b. The plurality of winning holes 86b have different sizes of awards. When the ball 98 enters the winning hole 86b, the number of medals m corresponding to the size of the prize given to the winning hole 86b is paid out from the medal payout device A. The ball 98 that has entered the winning hole 86b is collected together with the out ball near the chance gate member 84, and is raised to a position near the ball discharge hole 81 by a ball elevation mechanism (not shown) before being put on standby.
[0043]
As described above, in the lottery mechanism 8, the lottery is performed while the ball 98 passes through various paths, and the player can see such an operation. Further, only when the ball 98 passes over the chance gate member 84 safely, the final lottery is executed. Therefore, the visual fun and the fun of the game are further doubled.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 6, the effect mechanism C is provided at the center of the showcase 1b and includes a motion model 13 imitating, for example, an alien which is one of characters appearing in a movie. ing. The operation model 13 is hidden inside a rotary cylinder 14 having a slide shutter 15. If the result of the lottery by the lottery mechanism 8 is the largest prize, the rotary cylinder 14 rotates so that the slide shutter 15 faces forward. At an appropriate position in the showcase 1b, an LCD display 16 is provided. On the LCD display 16, an image display for instructing any one of the three targets 7 to hit the medal m is displayed. Done. For this reason, the player who sees this image display inserts the medal m into the medal insertion slot 39 and aims at the target 7. The slide shutter 15 gradually descends in accordance with the number of times the medal m hits the target 7, and the motion model 13 appears. Until the time is up, such a mode is continued. In this way, every time the medal m hits the target 7, if the entire contents of the motion model 13 are gradually revealed, the fun of the game is further enhanced for a player who wants to see the entire contents of the motion model 13. It becomes.
[0045]
When the medal m hits the target 7 a certain number of times or more to the extent that the entire contents of the motion model 13 are exposed, for example, the entire amount of the medal m stored in the plurality of storage units 2 of the medal payout device A is paid out. As described above, since the payout of the entire amount of the medals m can be performed at the same time, the medals m are powerful, and the state of the medals m falling in each storage unit 2 can be visually checked. The medal payout operation itself is also interesting. Further, by providing the medal payout device A, the player can receive all the medals m stored in the medal payout device A when the player wins the largest prize. The expectation of is born. This is also one factor that enhances the interest of medal games.
[0046]
The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the medal payout device and the medal amusement machine according to the present invention can be variously changed in design.
[0047]
In the medal payout device according to the present invention, the mechanism for opening and closing the bottom of each storage section is not limited to a mechanism using a sliding shutter plate. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a member for closing the bottom of the housing rotates like a butterfly valve, and the bottom of the housing is opened and closed by this rotating operation.
[0048]
The medal game machine according to the present invention may be configured to have a different mechanism instead of the one having the pusher game mechanism or the lottery mechanism using balls.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a medal payout apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the medal payout apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a unit used in the medal payout apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the unit shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the operation of the medal payout apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 6 is an external view showing an example of a medal gaming machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of the medal gaming machine shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of the medal gaming machine shown in FIG.
9 is a perspective view of a main part of the medal gaming machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional technique.
FIGS. 11A to 11D are explanatory diagrams showing another example of the related art.
[Explanation of symbols]
A Medal payout device
B Medal game machine
m medal
2 accommodation
20 Side wall
20a upper opening
20b Bottom opening
21 Shutter plate

Claims (4)

It is capable of storing medals, and has a plurality of storage units arranged so as to be stacked vertically,
Each of the storage sections has a bottom portion that is freely openable and closable so that medals in the storage sections can be dropped below the storage section, and has an upper opening that can receive medals that fall from above. A medal payout device, characterized in that: The medal payout device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of each of the storage units is transparent. 3. The medal payout according to claim 1, wherein each of the housing portions includes a side wall having an open top and a bottom, and a shutter plate capable of reciprocating in a horizontal direction below the side wall. apparatus. A medal game machine comprising the medal payout device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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