JP2004145432A - Push button with image display function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly general-purpose push button having image display function. <P>SOLUTION: The push button has a display part holder 7 which has a first neck part 8 and a display part retaining plate 9, which is fixed to the first neck part 8 and has a width spreading toward the first neck part 8; a button movable part 11, which has a second neck part 12a and accommodates the display holder 7; a housing 3 having a third neck part 3a to be inserted in a through-hole 2a provided on a base 2; a C ring 10, which is attached to the first neck part 8 and is made to contact the bottom face of the third neck part 8; and a nut 4 screwed with respect to the third neck part 8. The second neck part 12a is mounted in circular form with respect to the first neck part 8, the third neck part 3a is mounted in circular form with respect to the second neck part 12a, the bottom face of the housing 3 is made to contact the surface of the base 2, the upper end face of the nut 4 is made to contact the back face of the base 2, and the base 2 is got caught and held with the housing 3 and the nut 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a push button with an image display function having a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel (LCD) capable of displaying an image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a liquid crystal panel is provided on a push button to display images such as various characters and pictures. As such a push button, a change in color displayed on an image display panel (for example, a liquid crystal panel) alerts the operator, and the operator presses the liquid crystal to turn on / off the switch element. is there.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when trying to make the image display surface non-contact with the push button, the stroke of the push button must be taken into consideration, so that the push button needs to be designed specifically for the housing of the gaming machine.
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide a versatile push button with an image display function.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A push button with an image display function according to the present invention has a first neck portion, a display portion holder having a display portion holding plate fixed to the first neck portion and having a width wider than the first neck portion; A button movable portion for accommodating a display portion holder, a housing having a third neck inserted into a through hole provided in the base, a third neck attached to the first neck, A C-ring to be brought into contact with the lower end surface of the neck portion of the first neck portion, and a nut screwed into the third neck portion. The second neck portion is mounted on the first neck portion, and the second neck portion is mounted on the first neck portion. The third neck portion is mounted, the lower end surface of the housing is in contact with the surface of the base, and the upper end surface of the nut is in contact with the back surface of the base, and the base is sandwiched between the housing and the nut. .
[0006]
In the push button with the image display function, by using the wide display portion holding plate, the display portion holder, the button movable portion, and the housing can be easily and surely integrally integrated with the C ring and the nut. In addition, the use of the C-ring and the nut improves the assembling workability and facilitates the handling of the push button. At the same time, it is possible to easily cope with the difference in the thickness of the base while preventing the backlash of each member at the time of assembling. be able to. Moreover, it is possible to provide a versatile push button that does not change the button stroke.
[0007]
It is preferable that the outer diameter of the C-ring be smaller than the inner diameter of the nut. By adopting such a configuration, even when the thickness of the base is large, assembling can be achieved only by adjusting the tightening degree (tightening height) by the nut without changing the entire length of the third neck. Therefore, a versatile and space-saving push button can be realized.
[0008]
Further, it is preferable that an operation lever provided at a lower end of the button movable portion can be freely inserted into a slit portion of the C-ring. With this configuration, the switch element can be installed directly below the operating lever. Therefore, the switch element can be inserted into the through hole of the base from above in a state where the switch element is attached to the first neck of the display unit holder, so that the assembling workability is improved and the size is reduced.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a push button with an image display function and a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the push button 1 with an image display function has a housing 3 fixed to an operation panel (base) 2 of a gaming machine such as a slot machine. The housing 3 has a rectangular opening 3 a and a cylindrical male screw (third neck) 3 a inserted into the through hole 2 a of the operation panel 2. Then, the flat nut 4 is screwed (screwed) into the male screw portion 3a, and the operation panel 2 is sandwiched between the housing 3 and the nut 4, whereby the housing 3 is firmly fixed to the operation panel 2.
[0011]
In such a housing 3, a liquid crystal panel (display unit) 6 with a backlight, which can switch the display of an image according to a control signal from the control unit, is arranged. The housing 3 is fixed to the housing 3. The display unit holder 7 is provided with a hollow pipe (first neck) 8 inserted from above so as to penetrate the cylindrical male screw portion 3a, and is provided on the top of the hollow pipe 8 to bond and fix the liquid crystal panel 6. And a flat display-portion holding plate 9 formed wider than the diameter of the hollow pipe 8. Further, the liquid crystal panel 6 is prevented from falling off by the flange portions 9a provided at both ends of the display portion holding plate 9.
[0012]
Then, the fitting portion 10a of the plate-shaped C ring 10 is inserted from the side into the cut portion 8a provided at the lower end of the hollow pipe 8, and the upper surface side of the C ring 10 is pressed against the lower end surface of the male screw portion 3a. Thus, the display unit holder 7 is prevented from coming off and stopping. As a result, the display unit holder 7 is fixed to the housing 3, and as a result, the liquid crystal panel 6 is firmly fixed to the operation panel 2 inside the housing 3. The C-ring 10 is formed of an elastic resin, and attaches “click” to the cut 8a. In addition, by using the hollow pipe 8, the lead wire A of the liquid crystal panel 6 can be drawn downward. Further, the upper surface of the C-ring 10 fitted into the hollow pipe 8 is applied to the lower end of the male screw portion 3a of the housing 3, so that the display unit holder 7 is prevented from falling off.
[0013]
A non-contact operation button (button movable section) 11 that accommodates the display section holder 7 and moves independently is disposed between the housing 3 fixed in this way and the display section holder 7, The operation button 11 is surrounded by the housing 3 from the side (side) in a non-contact state. The operation button 11 is resiliently supported by a compression helical spring 14 as an example of an elastic mechanism, and is connected to the pusher 12 for pressing the spring 14 during operation. A transparent cap portion 13 covering a display surface (upper surface) 6a of the liquid crystal panel 6. At the center of the pusher portion 12, a guide tube (second neck portion) 12a for guiding the vertical movement of the operation button 11 along the outer peripheral surface of the hollow pipe 8 is provided, and at the upper end of the guide tube 12a, A main body portion 12b that creates the accommodation space S by being connected to the transparent cap portion 13 is integrally formed.
[0014]
The body portion 12a is provided with four L-shaped ribs 12d, and the ribs 12d are fitted into the four key grooves 3d of the crown 3c provided at the center of the housing 3, so that a guide function is provided. At the same time, the rotation of the pusher 12 is also stopped. At this time, it is preferable to minimize the gap between the rib 12d and the wall surface of the key groove 3d. Then, the operation button 11 can be moved up and down independently by the accommodation space S. Note that the transparent cap portion 13 is fixed so as to be fitted with an adhesive at a peripheral portion of the main body portion 12b.
[0015]
Further, a compression helical spring 14 is disposed between the upper surface of the C-ring 10 and the main body 12b of the pusher portion 12, and the operation panel 6 is elastically supported by the compression helical spring 14, so that the operation button 11 After the pressing operation, the operation button 11 is returned to the natural state. The operation button 11 is independently movable along the hollow pipe 8 in a direction orthogonal to the display surface 6 a of the liquid crystal panel 6. The image such as characters and pictures on the liquid crystal panel 6 is recognized by the operator through the transparent cap 13 made of resin or glass.
[0016]
Further, an L-shaped operating lever 12c extending in the movable direction of the liquid crystal panel 6 is formed integrally with the main body 12b of the pusher unit 12, and the operating lever 12c pushes and operates the detecting unit 16a of the switch element 16. As described above, it is in contact with the top of the detection unit 16a. Such a switch element 16 is fixed to the hollow pipe 8 via a plate-shaped L-shaped bracket 17. The bracket 17 has an opening 17a to be fitted into the fitting groove 8b of the hollow pipe 8, and the switch element 16 is provided with a mounting portion 17b for fixing via an eyelet. Therefore, first, the switch element 16 is fixed to the mounting portion 17b of the bracket 17, and in this state, the bracket 17 is fitted from below so that the hollow pipe 8 is inserted into the opening 17a of the bracket 17, whereby the switch is mounted. The element 16 can be mounted on the push button 1 at a predetermined position.
[0017]
Furthermore, since the operating lever 12c integrally provided at the lower end of the operation button 11 can be inserted into the slit portion 10b of the C-ring 10, the switch element 16 can be installed directly below the operating lever 12c. . Therefore, since the switch element 16 can be inserted into the through hole 2a of the operation panel 2 from above with the switch element 16 fixed to the hollow pipe (first neck) 8 of the display unit holder 7, assembling workability is improved, It also contributes to downsizing.
[0018]
In the push button 1 configured as described above, the guide pipe (second neck) 12a is annularly mounted on the hollow pipe (first neck) 8, and the male screw is mounted on the guide pipe (second neck) 12a. The lower end surface of the housing 3 is brought into contact with the surface of the operation panel (base) 2 by using the nut 4 and the C-ring 10 described above. The upper end surface of the nut 4 is in contact with the back surface, and the operation panel 2 is held between the housing 3 and the nut 4.
[0019]
Therefore, by utilizing the wide display unit holding plate 9, the display unit holder 7, the operation button (button movable unit) 11, and the housing 3 can be easily and reliably integrally integrated with the sub-assembly by the C ring 10 and the nut 4. Can be In addition, the use of the C-ring 10 and the nut 4 makes it easier to handle the push button 1 and, at the same time, prevents the members from rattling at the time of assembly and copes with the difference in the thickness of the operation panel (base) 2. Can be. Moreover, it is possible to provide a versatile push button that does not change the button stroke.
[0020]
Further, since the outer diameter of the C-ring 10 is smaller than the inner diameter of the nut 4, even when the thickness of the operation panel 2 is large, the nut 4 can be used without changing the total length of the male screw portion (third neck) 3a. By simply adjusting the tightening degree (tightening height), the assembling is achieved, so that a highly versatile and space-saving push button 1 can be realized.
[0021]
Since the push button 1 has the liquid crystal panel 6 capable of switching the display of an image arranged in a non-contact state in the accommodation space S of the operation button 11, the operator presses the operation button 11. The liquid crystal panel 6 can maintain the state without being affected by the operation of the operation button 11. Thus, the detection unit 16 a of the switch element 16 can be operated by the operation button 11 without transmitting the pressing force of the operator to the liquid crystal panel 6.
[0022]
Therefore, since no external force is applied to the liquid crystal panel 6, even when the liquid crystal panel 6 having a structure that is extremely easily damaged is employed as the display unit, the durability thereof is improved, and as a result, the push button 1 is improved in durability. Moreover, since the influence of external force on the liquid crystal panel 6 is extremely reduced, it is possible to easily and surely promote the enlargement of the liquid crystal panel 6 without applying a special design to the liquid crystal panel 6 itself. it can.
[0023]
Next, an application example of the above-described push button 1 will be briefly described. The gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 5 is configured such that the same model can switch between a 5-reel game and a poker game. In this gaming machine 20, an operation panel 2 used as a base is disposed on the front surface of a housing 22, and the operation panel 2 has push buttons 1 of various sizes arranged thereon. Further, a monitor 21 is attached to the housing 22 in front of the operation panel 2.
[0024]
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, by pressing a “CHANGE” button, “5REEL” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 6, and an image accompanying the display is displayed on the monitor 21. At the same time, "LINE1" to "LINE5" are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 6 of the five push buttons 1 arranged at the upper center of the operation panel 2, and the five lower buttons arranged at the lower center of the operation panel 2 are displayed. “BET1” to “BET5” are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 6 of the push button 1. Further, "SPIN" and "BETMAX" are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 6 of the other push buttons 1, and preparation for the 5-reel game is completed.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the player wants to select the poker game, by pressing the “CHANGE” button, “POKER” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 6 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. At the same time, “BET1” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 6 of the lower left push button 1. Further, “HOLD WIN” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 6 of the center push button 1 among the five push buttons 1 arranged in the upper center of the operation panel 2. On the other hand, "A" to "E" are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 6 of the five push buttons 1 arranged in the lower center of the operation panel 2. Further, "DEAL / DRAW" and "BETMAX" are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 6 of the other push buttons 1 to prepare for the poker game.
[0026]
Although not shown, three rows of push buttons 1 each having a 5 × 10 cm liquid crystal panel 6 can be used as a reel. For example, when the player stops the reel, the reel to be stopped is directly pressed instead of the stop button, so that the stop button can be eliminated from the gaming machine. Then, by changing the color and display at the moment when the reel is pressed, a gaming machine with high preference is realized. Furthermore, various reel games can be provided only by changing the display pattern of the liquid crystal panel 6 by electric control.
[0027]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the display unit 6 is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, and may be an EL (electro luminescence) display or the like. Further, the switch element 16 may be optical. Further, the gaming machine 20 can realize various complex gaming machines by changing the arrangement and size of the push buttons 1 on the operation panel 2.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
Since the push button with an image display function according to the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects are obtained. A display holder having a first neck, a display holding plate fixed to the first neck and having a width wider than the first neck, and a display holder having a second neck. , A housing having a third neck inserted into a through hole provided in the base, and a C attached to the first neck and brought into contact with the lower end surface of the third neck. A ring, a nut screwed onto the third neck, a second neck mounted on the first neck, a third neck mounted on the second neck, and a base. The lower end of the housing is in contact with the top surface of the housing, and the upper end of the nut is in contact with the back of the base, and the base is sandwiched between the housing and the nut, enabling a versatile push button with an image display function To
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a push button with an image display function according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the push button shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a gaming machine to which the push button shown in FIG. 1 is applied.
6 is a plan view showing one display mode of an operation panel in the gaming machine shown in FIG.
7 is a plan view showing another display mode of the operation panel in the gaming machine shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... push button, 2 ... base (operation panel), 3 ... housing, 3a ... male screw part (third neck), 4 ... nut, 6 ... liquid crystal panel (display part), 7 ... display part holder, 8 ... hollow Pipe (first neck), 9: display holding plate, 10: C ring, 10b: slit, 11: operation button (button movable part), 12: pusher, 12a: guide cylinder (second neck) 12c: operating lever, 13: transparent cap portion, 14: spring (elastic mechanism), 16: switch element

Claims (3)

A display holder having a first neck and a display holding plate fixed to the first neck and having a width wider than the first neck;
A button movable section having a second neck and accommodating the display section holder;
A housing having a third neck inserted into a through hole provided in the base;
A C-ring attached to the first neck and abutting against a lower end surface of the third neck;
A nut screwed onto the third neck,
A second neck is attached to the first neck, a third neck is attached to the second neck, a lower end surface of the housing is brought into contact with a surface of the base, and a back surface of the base is provided. A top end surface of the nut is abutted on the base, and the base is sandwiched between the housing and the nut. The push button with an image display function according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the C ring is smaller than an inner diameter of the nut. 3. The push button with an image display function according to claim 1, wherein an operation lever provided at a lower end of the button movable portion is freely inserted into a slit portion of the C-ring.

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