JP2004213199A - Device for preventing illegality of disk hopper - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a disk such as a token from being illegally acquired. <P>SOLUTION: This device for preventing the illegality of a disk hopper is provided with: a rotary disk for feeding a disk having a restraint body, a first guide arranged at the side of the rotary disk; a second guide positioned at the sides of the first guide and the rotary disk, made movable to a stand-by position isolated from the first guide by a distance which is the diameter of the disk or less and an ejecting position moved according to the disk, and formed to constitute a disk passage sensor; and a stopper to be projected to the moving path of the restraint body while being interlocked with the movement of the second guide, and to be retreated when abutted on the restraint body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disc hopper for dispensing discs one by one. More specifically, the present invention relates to a disk hopper that can prevent fraud by operating a disk passage sensor.
It should be noted that the term "disk" used in the present specification includes coins, which are currencies, as well as substitute coins such as medals and tokens of game machines or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The disk hopper is built in, for example, a game machine.
In FIG. 7, a game machine 100 has a disk hopper 101 built therein.
The disc D inserted into the disc insertion slot 103 is authenticated by a known selector, and the disc is guided to the disc hopper 101 and the fake disc is returned to the return slot 102.
The disk hopper 101 is disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,193,598.
[0003]
An outline of the disk hopper 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
A rectangular hopper base 112 is attached to a frame 111 fixed to a horizontally arranged base 110 and oblique to the horizontal.
On the front side of the hopper base 112, a disk-shaped rotating disk 114 constituting the disk feeding device 113 is arranged.
[0004]
The rotating disk 114 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown) via a speed reducer.
The rotating disk 114 has circular through holes 115 formed at equal intervals.
The rotating disk 114 is disposed in a circular mounting hole 116 formed in the hopper base 112.
[0005]
On the rear surface of the rotating disk 114, a disk pushing protrusion (not shown) is formed to face each of the through holes 115.
Further, regulating pins 117 and 118 extending through the hopper base 112 toward the rotating disk 114 are arranged.
The restriction pins 117 and 118 are fixed to the tip of a cantilever leaf spring 119 fixed to the back surface of the hopper base 112.
[0006]
A bucket-shaped disc bowl 120 is detachably fixed to the hopper base 112.
The lower end portion 121 of the disc bowl 120 has a diameter substantially the same as the mounting hole 116 and extends obliquely upward, and the upper end portion is formed with a storage portion 122 that expands in a square shape. Has become.
[0007]
An opening 141 is provided in one side wall of the mounting hole 116, and a first guide 124 is disposed therein.
The first guide 124 is a fixed roller 126 rotatably supported on a shaft 125 fixed to the hopper base 112.
A second guide 127 is arranged beside the rotating disk 114 and the first guide 124.
[0008]
The second guide 127 is a movable roller 130 rotatably attached to a shaft 129 that passes through the arc-shaped long hole 128 of the hopper base 112.
The shaft 129 is disposed below the hopper base 112, and is fixed to a lever 132 that can swing around a shaft 131.
The lever 132 is urged by a spring 134 hung between the lever 132 and a pin 133 fixed to the hopper base 112 so that the moving roller 130 approaches the fixed roller 126.
[0009]
When the disk D does not pass between the fixed roller 126 and the moving roller 130, the lever 132 is locked by the stopper 135.
At this time, the distance between the peripheral surfaces of the fixed roller 126 and the moving roller 130 is smaller than the diameter of the disk D.
The action piece 136 formed integrally with the lever 132 faces the sensor 137 when the moving roller 130 is moved by the disk D, and the sensor 137 outputs a pulse-like detection signal.
[0010]
That is, when the operation piece 136 is detected by the sensor 137 and then enters the non-detection state, a pulse signal is output.
The second guide 127, the action piece 136, and the sensor 137 constitute a disk passage sensor 138.
Based on the pulse signal of the passage sensor 138, it is determined that one disk has been paid out.
On the side surface of the hopper base 112, a payout port 139 for the disk is arranged.
[0011]
Next, the flow of the disc D in the game machine 100 will be described.
The player plays the game by inserting the disk D into the disk insertion slot 103.
The inserted disk D is guided by a duct (not shown) and reaches the storage unit 122 from the input opening 123.
Upon winning by playing, the control circuit (not shown) of the game machine 100 outputs a payout signal for the disk D.
[0012]
When a disc payout signal is received from the control circuit of the game machine 100, the motor (not shown) of the disc hopper 101 operates, and the rotating disc 114 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 9 (counterclockwise in FIG. 10). You.
Due to the rotation of the rotating disk 114, the disk D falls into the through hole 115, is pushed by the protrusion for pushing, slides on the upper surface of the hopper base 112, is guided by the peripheral surface of the mounting hole 116, and reaches the regulating pins 117 and 118. .
[0013]
The disc D is guided in the circumferential direction of the mounting hole 116 by the regulating pins 117 and 118, and reaches between the first guide 124 and the second guide 127.
Thus, since the fixed roller 126 is fixed, the moving roller 130 is moved obliquely upward to the right in FIG.
Immediately after the maximum diameter of the disk D has passed between the fixed roller 126 and the moving roller 130, the disk D is flipped out of the disk D by the spring 134 via the moving roller 130, and is discharged from the disk discharging port 139.
[0014]
When the second guide 127 is moved by the disc D, the action piece 136 pivotally moving together with the lever 132 is detected by the sensor 137 and then its detection is canceled. Output a signal.
The counter (not shown) that receives this detection signal counts the number of ejected disks “1”.
[0015]
When the control circuit of the game machine 100 receives the signal of the number of discharges from the counter, when the count value reaches the predetermined number of discharges, the rotation of the motor is stopped to end the discharge of the disk D.
The disc D paid out from the payout port 139 reaches the disc return port 102 through a duct (not shown).
[0016]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Fraud in the game machine 100 is performed by intentionally moving the second guide 127 by inserting a flexible rod from the return port 102 and continuing the detection state of the sensor 137 by the action piece 136.
That is, since the output of the sensor 137 is not pulsed, the counter does not count 1.
Therefore, the control circuit of the game machine 100 cannot determine the predetermined number of discharges, and does not output the motor stop signal, so that the disk D is continuously paid out.
As a result, the fraudulent person obtains a large number of disks D that is equal to or more than the predetermined number.
[0017]
A first object of the present invention is to prevent illegally obtaining a large amount of disks.
A second object of the present invention is to prevent illegal acquisition of a disk.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive disc hopper prevention device.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve this object, the disk hopper of the present invention is configured as follows.
A rotating disk for sending out a disk having a locking body, a first guide disposed on a side of the rotating disk, a first guide and a diameter of the disk located on a side of the rotating disk. A second guide that can move to a standby position separated by the following distance and a payout position that is moved by the disk, and constitutes a disk passage sensor; and a movement path of the locking body in conjunction with the movement of the second guide. And a stopper capable of retracting when colliding with the locking body.
[0019]
According to this configuration, when the second guide is intentionally moved, the stopper projects to the movement path of the locking body in conjunction with the movement.
Therefore, when the second guide is intentionally held at the dispensing position, the locking body that rotates integrally with the rotating disk collides with the stopper and is locked, and the rotating disk is stopped.
[0020]
Therefore, when locked by the stopper, the rotating disk cannot rotate, and the disk is not dispensed.
In addition, the stopper retreats and absorbs the impact due to the collision, so that the locking body and the stopper can be prevented from being damaged, and furthermore, the drive mechanism of the rotating disk can be prevented from being damaged.
When the rotating force of the rotating disk is large (when the rotating force of the motor is large), the locking body pushes the stopper, so that the rotating disk continues to rotate.
[0021]
As a result, the stopper is pushed forward and pushed out of the movement path of the locking body.
As a result, the locking body passes through the stopper.
When the stopper is pushed out of the movement path, the second guide constituting the disk passage sensor is forcibly moved to the standby position, so that the disk passage sensor outputs a disk passage signal, and the number of ejections of the disk is counted. .
[0022]
Thus, the disk passage sensor outputs one passage signal by the movement of the second guide.
As a result, the number of dispensed disks and the number of counts match.
That is, when the rotating disk does not rotate, the disk passing sensor does not output a passing signal, and when the rotating disk rotates, the passing sensor always outputs a passing signal.
[0023]
As a result, in one rotation of the rotating disk, the rotating disk is stopped at least once by the stopper, or the passage sensor outputs a passage signal, so that the disk is not unlimitedly dispensed and a large number of disks are illegally obtained. Can be prevented.
[0024]
In addition, since it has a simple configuration in which a stopper formed on the rotating disk and a stopper protruding from the movement path of the stopper in conjunction with the movement of the second guide are provided, it can be manufactured at low cost and can be retrofitted. There are advantages.
Further, when the rotational force of the rotating disk is large, the rotating disk is not stopped, so that the drive device can be prevented from being damaged.
[0025]
Further, the present invention provides a rotating disk, wherein a plurality of through holes formed at equal intervals, and a locking body formed on the same circle centered on the rotation axis, and formed relative to the through hole. It is preferred to have.
According to this configuration, since the locking members are disposed opposite to the through holes, the rotating disk is stopped for each disk, or a passage signal of the passage sensor is output.
[0026]
Therefore, the number of discs paid out and the number of passing signals of the pass sensor become the same, so that the disc cannot be illegally obtained.
In addition, since it has a simple structure of a locking body and a stopper, it can be manufactured at low cost and can be mounted on an existing disk hopper.
[0027]
Further, according to the present invention, a lever rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to the rotating disk, a second guide attached to the lever, and attached to the lever via a retraction device, and It is preferable to have a stopper protruding in the movement path of the locking body.
According to this configuration, since the second guide is attached to the lever, and the stopper is attached to the lever with the intermediary of the retraction device, there is an advantage that the structure is simple and inexpensive and small.
[0028]
Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the retreating device has a retreat lever pivotally supported by the lever and a biasing unit for biasing the retreat lever in a predetermined direction.
With this configuration, the retracting device is constituted by the retracting lever pivotally supported by the lever and the biasing means for biasing the lever in a predetermined direction. There is an advantage that it is durable.
[0029]
Further, according to the present invention, the retracting lever is pivotally supported by a support shaft fixed to the lever, and receives a biasing force in a predetermined direction by a spring hooked between the retracting lever and the lever. It is preferable that the lever is stopped by a stopper and held at a predetermined position.
In this configuration, the retracting device is configured by urging the retractable lever rotatable on the support shaft fixed to the lever with a spring, so that the structure is simple, inexpensive, small, and It has the advantage of durability.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a front view of a rotating disk and a hopper base in a state where a disk bowl of an embodiment is removed.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the rotating disk and the lever according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the state where the stopper of the embodiment has moved to the movement path of the locking body.
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the state in which the stopper of the embodiment has been buffered.
[0031]
The same functional components as those of the conventional device are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the conventional device, and different structures will be described.
The rotary disk 114 has seven through holes 115 formed at equal intervals.
On the back surface 212 of the rotating disk 114, a locking body 215 is arranged on a circle 214 having a predetermined radius centered on the rotation axis 213.
[0032]
The locking body 215 is formed integrally with the rotating disk 114 by resin.
The locking body 215 may be formed separately from the rotating disk 114 and integrally with a ring-shaped body made of sheet metal, and fixed to the rotating disk 114 by fixing means (not shown) such as a screw.
[0033]
The locking body 215 has a semi-cylindrical shape protruding downward from the lower surface of the rotating disk 114 at right angles, and has a locking plane 216 on the front surface in the rotation direction.
A triangular reinforcing plate 117 is formed on the rotation rear side of the locking body 215 to reinforce the locking body 217.
The locking plane 216 is located on a straight line 235 passing through the rotation axis 213, and is slightly ahead of the straight line 236 connecting the rotation rear edge of the through hole 115 and the rotation axis 213 in the rotation direction. It is arranged to be.
Further, the locking members 215 are provided to face each of the through holes 115.
[0034]
The locking body 215 moves in a circular groove 219 formed on the upper surface of the hopper base 112.
This circular groove 219 is the movement path 220 of the locking body 215.
The hopper base 112 of the present embodiment can be integrally formed of resin.
In this case, since the locking member 215 can be formed in a plate shape in which only a portion described below that protrudes into the movement path 220 is opened, the component strength is high and the assembling property is excellent.
[0035]
On the back surface 212 of the rotating disk 114, there is formed an extrusion protrusion 221 which extends in the circumferential direction from the rotation rear side edge of the through hole 115 and slightly projects downward.
A clearance groove 222 for the restriction pin 117 and a clearance groove 223 for the restriction pin 118 are formed on the back surface 212.
[0036]
A substantially triangular lever 224 is attached to a fixed shaft 131 projecting downward from the back surface of the hopper base 112 so as to be pivotable.
The shaft 129 of the moving roller 130 is fixed to the first arm 225 of the lever 224.
The distal end of the second arm 226 is an operation piece 136 formed in an arc shape with the fixed shaft 131 as the center.
[0037]
A retreating device 240 is attached to the third arm 227.
The retracting device 240 includes a stopper 228 and an urging device 242 for urging the stopper 228 in a predetermined direction.
The stopper 228 is formed on a triangular evacuation lever 243 that is rotatable on a support shaft 241 fixed to the third arm 227 in a plane parallel to the lever 224.
The retracting levers 243 have their tops bent at right angles to the side opposite to the base 112, and one of them is a stopper 228.
[0038]
One is a spring retaining piece 244, and the other is a retracting lever stopper 245.
The spring locking piece 244 and the retreat lever stopper 245 are arranged so as to sandwich the third arm 227.
The retracting lever 243 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 by the spring 230 hooked on the lever locking portion 246 having the side edges of the spring locking piece 244, the second arm 226, and the third arm 227 bent.
The biasing device 242 is a spring 230.
[0039]
However, the spring locking member 244 is stopped at a predetermined position by the locking portion 237 on the side edge of the third arm 227.
At this time, the evacuation lever stopper 245 is separated from the third arm 227 by a predetermined distance.
When the retracting lever 243 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2, the retracting lever stopper 245 comes into surface contact with the lever locking portion 246 of the third arm 227 and stops, and the further rotation of the retracting lever 243 is performed. Is stopped.
The third arm 227 extends from the fixed shaft 131 toward the rotation axis 213.
[0040]
The plane 229 of the stopper 228 is opposed to the locking plane 216, and when the stopper 228 is located on the movement path 220, the planes substantially contact each other, so that the impact at the time of collision is reduced and durability is improved.
A spring 134 is hung between the first arm 225 and the pin 133, and the lever 224 is urged clockwise in FIG.
That is, the moving roller 130 is urged to approach the fixed roller 126.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the disk D does not pass between the fixed roller 126 and the moving roller 130, the locking piece 231 of the first arm 225 is locked by the stopper 135.
At this time, the moving roller 130 is held at the standby position S which is separated from the fixed roller 126 by a distance equal to or less than the diameter of the disk D.
The action piece 136 is located at a non-detection position away from the sensor 137.
[0042]
Further, the retracting lever 243 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 by the spring 230, the spring locking body 244 is locked to the locking portion 237 of the third arm 227, and the plane 229 is the axis of the fixed shaft 131. Are located on a straight line B passing through.
With this configuration, the plane 229 can make surface contact with the locking plane 216 of the locking body 215.
At this time, the stopper 228 of the evacuation lever 243 is located immediately outside the movement path 220 of the locking body 215.
[0043]
When the diameter portion of the disk D is located between the fixed roller 126 and the moving roller 130, as shown in FIG. 5, the lever 224 is rotated counterclockwise, and the action piece 136 faces the sensor 137, The stopper 228 protrudes into the movement path 220 of the locking body 215.
However, at this time, the locking body 215 is located immediately before the stopper 228, and the locking body 215 is not stopped by the stopper 228.
[0044]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
First, the normal delivery of the disk D will be described.
The rotating disk 114 rotates counterclockwise, and the disk D is prevented from moving by the regulating pins 118 and 117, and is guided in the peripheral direction of the rotating disk 114.
[0045]
The moving roller 130 is moved clockwise in FIG. 1 by the disk D guided on one side edge by the fixed roller 126.
When the diameter portion of the disk D is located between the fixed roller 126 and the moving roller 130, the lever 224 is rotated to the payout position P in FIG.
[0046]
Immediately after the diameter portion of the disk D passes, the lever 224 is rotated clockwise by the spring force of the spring 134, so that the moving roller 130 causes the disk D to be vigorously blown to the disk payout port 139.
Thereafter, the lever 224 is locked by the stopper 135 and is held at the standby position S.
[0047]
That is, the action piece 136 returns to the standby position S after being opposed to the sensor 137, so that the sensor 137 outputs a pulse signal.
A counter (not shown) counts this pulse signal and outputs a count signal.
[0048]
The stopper 228 returns to the standby position S after protruding to the movement path 220 of the locking body 215.
When the stopper 228 projects into the movement path 220, the locking member 215 is located immediately before the stopper 228.
Immediately after that, the stopper 228 is quickly disengaged from the movement path 220 by the return movement, so that the locking body 215 is not locked by the stopper 228.
[0049]
Next, an illegal case in which the moving roller 130 is held in the vicinity of the payout position P by a bar will be described.
The movement of the moving roller 130 causes the lever 224 to rotate counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, and the stopper 228 projects to the moving path 220 of the locking body 215.
Further, the action piece 136 faces the sensor 137, and the sensor 137 keeps ON.
[0050]
Due to the rotation of the rotating disk 114, one disk D is dispensed and the locking member 215 collides with the flat surface 229 of the stopper 228. (See Fig. 5)
At this time, since the locking plane 216 and the plane 229 are almost in surface contact, the impact is received on the entire surface.
Therefore, since the impact force is distributed over the entire surface, the impact force per unit area is small, and even if a resin having low strength is employed, the resin is not damaged.
[0051]
The retracting lever 243 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 5 by the collision, and the retracting lever stopper 245 is stopped by the lever locking portion 246, and the state shown in FIG. 6 is obtained.
The resilient rotation of the retracting lever 243 by the spring 230 further reduces the impact at the time of the collision, and prevents the locking body 215 and the stopper 228 from being damaged.
[0052]
On the other hand, the lever 224 receives a clockwise moment in FIG. 5, but does not rotate when the holding force of the moving roller 130 is large.
Since the rotating disk 114 is further rotated by the motor, the locking member 215 pushes the stopper 228.
[0053]
Normally, this movement cannot be received by the rod, and the lever 224 is rotated in the same direction integrally with the retraction lever 243, and the moving roller 130 is also moved in the same direction.
That is, since the retracting lever 243 is rotated clockwise by the locking body 215 via the stopper 228, the stopper 228 is pushed out of the movement path 220.
[0055]
At this time, since the retreat lever stopper 245 is locked by the lever locking portion 246 of the third arm 227, the lever 224 is rotated clockwise from the state of FIG. 6 to almost the position of FIG.
As a result, the action piece 136 comes off the position facing the sensor 137.
As a result, one disk D is dispensed, and the sensor 137 outputs a pulse signal.
[0056]
Therefore, when the moving roller 130 is held at the dispensing position P, the disc D is not ejected, or when the disc is ejected, the disc passing sensor outputs one pulse signal per disc D. Cannot be obtained illegally.
[0057]
If this condition persists, the motor overload detector will detect it and automatically stop the motor.
In addition, when the output interval of the sensor 137 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time for a predetermined number of times or more, the motor can be stopped as an abnormal state.
[0058]
The present invention can be modified.
For example, the locking members 215 may not be arranged one by one relative to the through hole 115, but may be provided every other or every two or even one.
In this case, the number of discs to be paid out does not match the number of pulse signals of the sensor 137, but the number of illegally paid outs can be limited to a small number, which has an effect of preventing fraud.
[0059]
The locking body 215 may be a recess formed in the rotating disk 114, and a stopper 228 projecting from the retreat lever 243 may be inserted into the recess.
Further, as the rotating disk 114, a type in which locking pins of the disk are arranged at equal intervals on the disk surface, for example, a rotating disk disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,458,943 may be used.
[0060]
The structure may be such that the first guide 124 and the second guide 127 are rotated by the disk D at substantially the same angle.
In this case, the sensor 137 may detect rotation of either the first guide 124 or the second guide 127.
[0061]
As the sensor 137, a proximity switch, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a limit switch, or the like can be used.
Further, the stop of the rotating disk 114 may be detected, and either one of the turning on of the warning lamp and the sounding of the warning speaker may be activated.
Further, an alarm may be issued by another alarm means.
[0062]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a rotary disk and a hopper base in a state where a disk bowl of an embodiment is removed.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a rotating disk and a lever according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the state in which the stopper of the embodiment has moved to the movement path of the locking member.
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the embodiment in a state in which the stopper is buffered and moved.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a game machine having a built-in disk hopper.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional disk hopper.
FIG. 9 is a front view of a rotating disk of a conventional disk hopper with a disk bowl removed.
FIG. 10 is a rear view of a hopper base of a conventional disk hopper.
[Explanation of symbols]
D disk
P Payout position
S Standby position
114 rotating disc
124 First Guide
127 Second Guide
138 Disk passage sensor
215 Lock body
220 Travel Route
224 lever
228 Stopper
241 spindle
230 spring
237 Lock
240 evacuation device
242 biasing means
243 Evacuation lever

Claims (4)

Rotating disk (114) for sending out a disk (D) having a locking body (215),
A first guide (124) arranged on the side of the rotating disk (114),
A standby position (S) located beside the first guide (124) and the rotating disk (114) and separated from the first guide (124) by a distance equal to or less than the diameter of the disk (D); ), And a second guide (127) that can be moved to the payout position (P) and that constitutes the disk passage sensor (138).
A stopper (228) that projects to the movement path (220) of the locking body (215) in conjunction with the movement of the second guide (127) and that can retract when colliding with the locking body (215). ,
Device for preventing discrimination of a disk hopper. A lever (224) rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to the rotating disk (114),
A second guide (127) attached to the lever (224),
The disk hopper according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper (228) attached to the lever (224) via a retreating device (240) and protruding from a movement path (220) of the locking body (215). Anti-fraud device. The retraction device (240) has a retraction lever (243) pivotally supported by the lever (224), and a biasing means (242) for urging the retraction lever (243) in a predetermined direction. 2. Disc hopper fraud prevention device. The retracting lever (243) is fixed to the lever (224), is pivotally supported by a support shaft (241), and is hooked between the retracting lever (243) and the lever (224). 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the lever receives the urging force in a predetermined direction by the lever, and is locked at a predetermined position by being locked by the locking portion of the lever.

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