JP2004261507A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent dishonest actions using a clearance formed at the joint of a front surface door and a case body. <P>SOLUTION: A first cover 26 is provided on the inner side of the respective side wall surfaces of an upper front surface door 4 and a lower front surface door 5. Inside the case body 3, a second cover 27 and a moving mechanism for moving the second cover 27 are provided corresponding to the first covers 26. When the lower front surface door 5 is closed, a first solenoid 42 starts an operation and moves the second cover 27 upwards. When the second cover 27 is moved upwards for a prescribed amount, a second solenoid 43 starts the operation and the second cover 27 is moved to the rear surface side of the case body 3. The tip 26b of the first cover 26 is inserted to the groove part 27a of the second cover 27 and the tip 27c of the second cover 27 is inserted to the groove part 26a of the first cover 26 respectively. Thus, the clearance 65 formed at the joint of the respective front surface doors 4 and 5 and the case body 3 is covered from the inner side and the insertion of a foreign matter is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine used in a game arcade such as a pachinko parlor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A slot machine installed and used in a game room such as a pachinko parlor is called a pachislot machine, and when a medal serving as a game medium is given a certain value and a game (game) is played, a prize is won. Is obtained, game media for the winning is paid out. This slot machine has a housing in which various devices such as a reel unit and a hopper device, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of these devices are incorporated, a position covering the inside of the housing, and a position inside the housing. And a front door that is rotatable between the position and the position where the device is exposed. The front door can be opened only when starting the slot machine or performing maintenance or the like. A sponge, rubber, or the like is attached to the joint between the housing and the front door to suppress an impact when the front door is closed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the sponge or rubber attached to the housing has only a function as a shock absorbing material, a gap is formed at a joint between the housing and the front door. For this reason, a foreign object such as a wire is forcibly inserted from a gap generated at a joint between the housing and the front door, and a terminal of a control circuit provided therein, a harness connecting the control circuit to various devices, and the like are short-circuited. There is a problem that such illegal acts (so-called goto acts) are performed.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing fraudulent acts utilizing a gap between a housing and a front door.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine of the present invention includes a housing in which various devices operated during a game, and a control circuit device for controlling the operation of these various devices are incorporated, A front door rotatably provided on the front surface of the housing, and a gap formed between the front door and the housing and the vicinity thereof are formed inside the housing in response to the front door being located at the front of the housing. And cover means for covering the cover.
[0006]
Further, the cover means has two members, a member provided on a side wall surface of the front door and a member provided inside the housing, and by moving at least one of these members, the gap and its gap are formed. It is preferable to cover the vicinity from the inside of the housing. Further, at least one groove is formed at each of the two members, and when one of the two members is moved, one of the two members is inserted into the other groove. Preferably. Further, it is preferable that a plurality of the cover means are provided, and the gap formed on the side wall surface of the gaming machine by the plurality of cover means is covered from the inside of the housing over the entire circumference.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 2 has two front doors (hereinafter, referred to as an upper front door 4 and a lower front door 5) provided on the front of a housing 3. A display window 6 is provided in the upper front door 4 of these front doors, and a first reel 7a, a second reel 7b, and a third reel 7c are rotatably incorporated behind the display window 6. As is well known, various pictures are arranged at a constant pitch on the outer periphery of the first to third reels 7a to 7c, and three pictures per reel are observed through the corresponding display window 6 when the reels are stopped. You. As a result, a total of five (3) horizontal winning lines (two diagonal winning lines) each of which is composed of one picture on each reel are set. A liquid crystal display device 8 is provided beside the first to third reels 7a to 7c, and performs an effect using, for example, animation display. The number of the display windows 6 does not need to be limited to one, and for example, a display window may be provided for each reel.
[0008]
In the upper part of the lower front door 5, in addition to various operation buttons such as a single bet button 10, a MAX bet button 11, and a payout button that are operated at the start of the game, a medal slot 12 for inserting a medal is provided. Is provided. Since the functions of these operation buttons are all well known, the details thereof will be omitted. Below these operation buttons, a start lever 15 operated after a medal bet is made, and first to third stop buttons 16 to 18 for stopping reels rotated by operation of the start lever 15 are provided. Is provided. Reference numeral 19 denotes a medal tray, where a number of medals corresponding to the prize are paid out when a prize is obtained. The upper front door 4 cannot be opened unless the lower front door 5 is opened.
[0009]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where an upper front door and a lower front door are opened, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a cover means and a moving mechanism thereof. In FIG. 2, various devices such as a reel unit, a hopper device, and the like, which are assembled inside the housing 3, and a control circuit board for controlling the operation of these devices are omitted for simplicity. .
[0010]
The cover means includes two covers, a first cover 26 and a second cover 27. A cross section of one end of the first cover 26 has a substantially hook shape, and a groove 26a is formed. The first cover 26 is attached to each of the side walls of the upper front door 4 and the lower front door 5 inside. Thus, four first covers 26 are attached to the front doors 4 and 5 respectively. When the upper front door 4 and the lower front door 5 are closed, a part of the first cover 26 is inserted into the housing 3. Note that when the front door is closed, a part of the first cover 26 does not have to be inserted into the housing.
[0011]
A total of eight second covers 27 are incorporated in the housing 3 so as to correspond to the first covers 26 attached to the upper front door 4 and the lower front door 5, respectively. The second cover 27 is mounted inside the housing 3 together with a moving mechanism 28 described later. The second cover 27 has a crank-shaped cross section, and one end of the second cover 27 has a substantially hook-shaped cross section like the first cover 26 to form a groove 27a. Further, both ends of the second cover 27 in the longitudinal direction are bent, and two guide pins 30 are formed inside each of the bent portions 27b (see FIG. 4). The guide pins 30 are inserted into guide holes 40d and 40e formed in a holder 40 of the moving mechanism 28 described later. When the second cover 27 moves, the tip 27c of the second cover 27 is inserted into the groove 26a of the first cover 26. Similarly, the tip 26b of the first cover 26 is inserted into the groove 27a of the second cover 27. Thereby, the gap generated at the joint between the front door and the housing 3 is covered from the inside. Reference numeral 27d denotes a contact surface, which is a portion that comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the housing 3 when the second cover 27 moves. Note that the shapes of the first cover and the second cover and the tip shapes of the first cover and the second cover are not limited to the present embodiment, and are appropriately formed.
[0012]
The moving mechanism 28 includes a support plate 35 and two driving units 36 provided at both ends of the support plate 35. Since the configuration of the driving unit 36 is the same, only one driving unit will be described below. Further, the number and the arrangement position of the drive units incorporated in the moving mechanism are not limited to the above, and may be appropriately arranged in consideration of the internal configuration of the slot machine.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 4, the driving unit 36 includes a holder 40, a bracket 41, a first solenoid 42, and a second solenoid 43. The holder 40 has a substantially square shape, and a first solenoid 42 is assembled inside. A tongue 40a is provided on the front surface of the holder 40, and one end of a coil spring 46 is attached thereto. Guide pins 40b and 40c are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the holder 40, respectively. Of these guide pins, the guide pin 40 b is inserted into a guide hole 41 a formed in the bracket 41, and the guide pin 40 c is inserted into a guide hole 35 b formed in the support plate 35. Further, in addition to the guide pin 40c, two guide holes 40d and 40e are formed on the right side surface (the front side in FIG. 4) of the holder 40. The guide pins 30 of the second cover 27 are inserted into the guide holes 40d and 40e, respectively. An opening 40f is formed in the rear surface of the holder 40, and the driving iron core of the second solenoid 43 is inserted therethrough.
[0014]
The bracket 41 is provided for positioning the holder 40 at a predetermined position, and is assembled on the upper surface of the support plate 35. A guide hole 41a is formed in the bracket 41, and a guide pin 40b formed on a side surface of the holder 40 is inserted into the guide hole 41a. Thereby, the moving direction of the holder 40 is restricted in the depth direction of the housing 3.
[0015]
The first solenoid 42 is assembled inside the holder 40 via a bracket 42a. One end of the driving iron core 42b has a rectangular contact portion 42c, and the contact portion 42c contacts the bottom surface of the second cover 27. When power is supplied to the first solenoid 42, the drive iron core 42b projects from the bobbin 42d, and slides the second cover 27 upward. When the power supply to the first solenoid 42 is stopped, the driving iron core 42 moves into the bobbin 42d under the bias of the coil spring 46 attached to the second cover.
[0016]
The second solenoid 43 is mounted on the support plate 35. The driving iron core 43a of the second solenoid 43 is inserted into an opening 40f formed on the rear surface of the holder 40, and a locking portion 43b formed at one end of the driving iron core 43a contacts the inner wall surface of the holder 40. The driving iron core 43 a is inserted into a coil spring 47, and one end of the coil spring 47 contacts the rear surface of the holder 40, and the other end contacts the bracket 43 c of the second solenoid 43. Since the bracket 43c of the second solenoid 43 is assembled to the support plate 35, the coil spring 47 urges the holder 43d toward the front door. When power is supplied to the second solenoid 43, the driving iron core 43a is drawn into the bobbin 43d. Since the locking portion 43b of the driving iron core 43a is in contact with the inner wall of the holder 40, when the driving iron core 43a is pulled into the bobbin 43d, the holder 40 moves to the second solenoid 43 against the bias of the coil spring 47. Move toward.
[0017]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for operating the moving mechanism 28 having the above configuration. The first detection sensor 50 is provided to detect whether or not the upper front door 4 is located on the front surface of the housing 3. Similarly, the second detection sensor 51 is provided to detect whether the lower front door 5 is located on the front surface of the housing 3. Upon receiving the outputs from the detection sensors 50 and 51, the CPU 52 starts supplying power to the first solenoid 42.
[0018]
The first photo interrupter (hereinafter, PI) 53 is provided to detect whether or not the second cover 27 that moves upward by the first solenoid 42 has moved to a predetermined position. In response to the detection of the second cover 27 by the first PI 53, the CPU 52 starts supplying power to the second solenoid 43. The second PI 54 is for detecting whether or not the second cover 27 has moved to a predetermined position when the second solenoid 43 operates.
[0019]
The lock release switch 55 is incorporated in a key cylinder provided on the lower front door 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the key cylinder 60 has an initial position (two-dot chain line A shown in FIG. 6) and a stop position (2 shown in FIG. 6) for stopping power supply to the first solenoid 42 and the second solenoid 43. A broken line B) and a release position (two-dot chain line C shown in FIG. 6) for releasing the engagement between the lower front door 5 and the housing 3 are provided. For example, when the key 61 is inserted into the key cylinder 60 and rotated to the stop position (two-dot chain line B shown in FIG. 6), the lock release switch 55 is turned on. In response to this, the CPU 52 stops power supply in the order of the second solenoid 43 and the first solenoid 42. By rotating the key 61 and moving it to the release position (two-dot chain line C shown in FIG. 6), the engagement between the lower front door 5 and the housing 3 is released, and the lower front door 5 can be opened. Become. That is, the engagement and disengagement of the first cover 26 and the second cover 27 are configured to be performed in conjunction with the operation of the key 61.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the slot machine embodying the present invention will be described. When the key 61 is inserted into the key cylinder 60 and turned to the release position (two-dot chain line C shown in FIG. 6) to turn on the main power supply of the slot machine, the engagement between the lower front door 5 and the housing 4 is stopped. It is released and the lower front door 5 can be opened. Then, the lower front door 5 is opened, a main power supply (not shown) is turned on, and the lower front door 5 is closed. When the main power supply is turned on, the detection signal from the first detection sensor 50 is input to the CPU 52 because the upper front door 4 is closed. When the lower front door 5 is closed, a detection signal is output from the second detection sensor 51 to the CPU 52. Thereby, the detection signals from the first detection sensor 50 and the second detection sensor 51 are output toward the CPU 52, respectively. In response, the CPU 52 starts supplying power to the first solenoid 42. At this time, a part of the first cover 26 is inserted inside the housing 3.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 7, when power is supplied to the first solenoid 42, the driving iron core 42b of the first solenoid 42 is driven to push the second cover 27 upward. Since the guide pins 30 of the second cover 27 are inserted through the guide holes 40d and 40e provided on the side wall surface of the holder 40, the guide pins 30 are guided by the guide holes 40d and 40e, and the second cover is moved upward ( It moves in the direction of arrow D in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, when the guide pins 30 abut on the ends of the guide holes 40d and 40e, the movement of the second cover 27 stops. When the movement of the second cover stops, the contact surface 27d of the second cover comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the housing 3. Then, when the position of the second cover 27 is detected by the first PI 53, the CPU 52 starts supplying power to the second solenoid 43.
[0022]
When the power supply to the second solenoid 43 is started, the sliding starts in the direction (the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 8) in which the driving iron core 43a of the second solenoid 43 is inserted into the bobbin 43d. Since the locking portion 43b of the driving iron core 43a is in contact with the inner wall surface of the holder 40, when the driving iron core 43a is pulled into the bobbin 43d, the holder 40 resists the bias of the coil spring 47. Slide in the direction of the arrow in the figure. At this time, the guide pins 40b and 40c provided in the holder 40 move in the guide hole 41a of the bracket 41 and the guide hole 35b of the support plate 35. When the guide pins 40b and 40c abut against the end portions 41a and 35b of the respective guide holes, the slide of the holder 40 stops.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 9, when the second cover 27 is slid to the rear surface of the housing 3, the tip 27 c of the second cover 27 is inserted into the groove 26 a of the first cover 26 and the groove of the second cover 27 is inserted. The tip 26b of the first cover 26 is inserted into 27a. Thus, the first cover 26 and the second cover 27 cover, for example, the gap 65 formed between the upper front door 4 and the housing 3 from the inside. In this case, although the gap 65 is covered from the inside by the first cover, the gap can be more firmly covered by these covers. Further, even when a foreign substance such as a wire is forcibly inserted from the gap 65 by pushing the first cover 26, since the first cover 26 and the second cover are intricately combined, the insertion of the foreign substance such as a wire is difficult. Can be difficult. Thereby, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts utilizing the gap between the front door and the housing.
[0024]
In the case where the gap 65 is covered from the inside by the first cover 26 and the second cover 27 and the setting change and the maintenance of the slot machine 2 are performed, first, the key 60 is inserted into the key cylinder 61 and the stop position is set. (Two-dot chain line B in FIG. 6). When the key 60 is rotated to the stop position, the lock release switch 55 is turned on, and the power supply to the second solenoid 43 is stopped. In response, the second cover 27 slides under the bias of the coil spring 47. As a result, the second cover 27 is detected by the first PI 53, and the CPU 52 stops supplying power to the first solenoid. When the power supply to the first solenoid 42 is stopped, the second cover moves to the position shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the key 60 is rotated to the release position, the lock mechanism for engaging the lower front door 5 and the housing 3 is released, and the lower front door 5 can be opened. When the work is completed and the lower front door 5 is closed, the moving mechanism 28 operates again, and the gap between the housing 3 and the upper front door 4, and the gap between the housing 3 and the lower front door 5 becomes the first cover 26 and the lower front door. It is covered from the inside by the two covers 27.
[0025]
Although the gap between the first cover and the housing is not described in the present embodiment, the gap between the first cover and the housing may be eliminated using an electromagnet. The members having the same functions as those of the present embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the electromagnet 70 is attached to the side wall surface of the housing 3 and over the entire circumference. Then, power is supplied to the electromagnet 70 after the second cover 27 slides, and the first cover 26 is attracted toward the housing 3 by magnetic force. Thereby, the first cover 26 can be attracted to the housing 3, and it becomes difficult to forcibly insert a foreign object. Note that, in this case, the same applies even when a solenoid that presses the first cover 26 toward the inner wall surface of the housing is attached to the front door.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the second cover is moved in the up-down direction and the front-back direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first cover and the second cover may be moved. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the first cover 76 and the first solenoid 77 are attached to the front door 75. When the front door 75 is closed, the first solenoid 77 is operated, and the driving iron core 77a is drawn into the bobbin 77b against the bias of the coil spring 78. Accordingly, the first cover 77 is pressed by the engaging portion 77c of the driving iron core 77a, and moves in the X direction in the drawing.
[0027]
When the first cover 76 moves by a predetermined amount, the second solenoid 79 operates. When the second solenoid 79 operates, the drive iron core 79a is drawn into the bobbin 79b against the bias of the coil spring 80. At this time, the second cover 81 is pressed by the engaging portion 79c formed at the tip of the driving iron core 79a, and moves in the Y direction in the figure. Thus, the tip 76a of the first cover 76 is combined with the groove 81b of the second cover 81, and the tip 81a of the second cover 81 is combined with the groove 76b of the first cover 76. In this case, it is not necessary to move one cover in two directions, so that the configuration of the drive unit can be simplified. Note that the same applies even when the front door 75 is closed and the first cover 76 is not inserted into the housing 82. Reference numeral 83 denotes a bracket. In this case, the first and second covers 76 and 81 constitute a cover unit. Reference numeral 84 denotes a support plate.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, it is detected that the upper front door and the lower front door are closed, and the moving mechanism is operated to move the second cover. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Accordingly, the moving mechanism may be operated to move either the first cover or the second cover. Further, although the driving unit of the moving mechanism is constituted by a plurality of solenoids, it is not limited to this, and may be a mechanical moving mechanism using a cam mechanism, a gear mechanism or the like. In addition, although the moving mechanism is provided by the number of the second covers, it is not necessary to limit to this, and the moving mechanism is provided with an interlocking unit in addition to the driving unit so that all the second covers are moved in conjunction with each other. Is also good.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the description of the corner portions formed by the adjacent first covers is omitted, but the corner portions are cut out in advance so that the first and second covers do not interfere with each other, and different cover means are used. May be used to shield adjacent parts. Further, a time difference may be provided at the start of the operation of each moving mechanism to prevent interference of the moving second cover.
[0030]
Alternatively, the seam between the front door and the housing may be brought into close contact with each other to detect a change in pressure at the contact portion. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, a portion of the casing 90 which is a joint with the front door 91 is formed from a metal member (reference numeral 92 in FIG. 14) over the entire circumference. A groove 92a is formed in the metal member 92 over the entire circumference. Seal members 93 and 94 such as O-rings and packing are attached to the inside and outside of the groove 92a. Then, when the front door 91 is closed, the vacuum pump 95 provided inside the housing 90 is operated, and the inside of the groove 92a is evacuated. A pressure sensor 96 is provided in the groove 92a. For example, when a foreign object is inserted from a gap between the front door 91 and the housing 90, the pressure in the groove 92a changes. The detection signal from the pressure sensor 96 is always output to the CPU, and the CPU 97 activates the alarm device 98 when the pressure change exceeds a predetermined value. By doing so, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained, and the sealing force between the front door 91 and the housing 90 can be increased. The pressure sensor 96 can measure from vacuum to atmospheric pressure. Although the number and locations of the conduits (pipes) from the vacuum pump 95 are not described, they are provided as appropriate.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, an example of a slot machine having two doors, an upper front door and a lower front door, has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is effective for a slot machine having one front door. is there. Further, the present invention is not limited to the slot machine, and the present invention may be applied to other gaming machines such as a pachinko machine.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, a housing incorporating a variety of devices operated during a game, and a control circuit device for controlling the operation of these various devices, A front door rotatably provided on the front surface, and in response to the front door being located at the front of the housing, a gap formed between the front door and the housing and the vicinity thereof are viewed from the inside of the housing. Since the cover means is provided, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts utilizing the gap formed at the joint between the front door and the housing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a slot machine embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where an upper front door and a lower front door are opened.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a cover unit and a moving mechanism.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a driving unit.
FIG. 5 is an electrical block diagram showing a configuration for operating a moving mechanism.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an initial position, a stop position, and a release position of the key.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the front door is closed.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a first solenoid is operated.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a state where a second solenoid is operated.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where an electromagnet is provided on a side wall surface of a housing.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the front door is closed when the first cover and the first solenoid are provided on the front door.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a first solenoid is operated.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a state where a second solenoid is operated.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment in which a metal member is provided at the joint between the front door and the housing and on the housing side and fraud is detected based on a change in pressure inside a groove provided in the metal member. It is.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Slot machine 3 Housing 4 Upper front door 5 Lower front door 26 First cover 27 Second cover 28 Moving mechanism 36 Drive unit 42 First solenoid 43 Second solenoid 50 First detection sensor 51 Second detection sensor 52 CPU
53 first phototransistor 54 second phototransistor 55 lock release switch 60 key cylinder 61 key

Claims (4)

A housing in which various devices operated during a game, and a control circuit device for controlling the operation of these various devices are incorporated, a front door rotatably provided on a front surface of the housing, and the front surface A gaming machine comprising: cover means for covering a gap formed between the front door and the housing and the vicinity thereof from the inside of the housing in response to the door being located on the front surface of the housing. . The cover means has two members, a member provided on a side wall surface of the front door, and a member provided inside the housing, and moving at least one of these members reduces the gap and the vicinity thereof. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is covered from the inside of the housing. At least one groove is formed at each of the two members, and one of the two members is inserted into the other groove when one of the two members is moved. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein: The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the cover means are provided, and the plurality of cover means covers a gap formed on a side wall surface of the gaming machine from the inside of the housing over the entire circumference. .

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