JP2005034628A - Game machine and game medium dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine such as a slot machine having an automatic supplying mechanism supplying game media such as game tokens without touching the game media with the hand if possible in supplying them and preventing the supply of the game media despite the intention of a player. <P>SOLUTION: The slot machine is provided with a token plate 15 movable in a state of storing game tokens and is so constituted that the game tokens stored in the token plate 15 are supplied in a token slit 11 by moving the token plate 15 to the adjacency of the token slit 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides a medal receiving unit and a slot machine having a ball receiving unit capable of inserting a large amount of gaming media such as gaming medals and gaming balls at once, a gaming machine such as a parrot, and the gaming media to those gaming machines. The present invention relates to a game media lending machine.

Conventionally, in slot machines, the medal slot is configured to insert game medals one by one (see Patent Document 1). In recent years, slot machines that store a predetermined number of medals to be inserted in the gaming machine (so-called credits) and replace medals by operating a bet switch have become mainstream. For this reason, it is possible to insert a large number of medals at a time and transfer medals one by one to the medal selector in view of the fact that there are many players who play games after a certain number of medals have been inserted into the gaming machine in advance. A medal delivery device has been devised (Patent Document 2, Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-126885, etc.). Furthermore, in view of the player's request to avoid touching game medals as much as possible for reasons such as dirty hands, an invention that allows game medals paid out from medal lending machines to be inserted directly into the slot machine medal slot, (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-138492), an invention has been made in which a game medal paid out on a payout medal tray can be automatically transferred to a medal slot (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-125149).
JP 2002-95791 A JP 2002-282414 A

However, if the medals are transferred directly from the medal lending machine or the payout medal tray to the medal slot of the slot machine, there is a problem that the game medals are thrown in against the will of the player. Such a problem also applies to a parrot game machine that uses a game ball as a game medium and plays a game similar to a slot machine.
Accordingly, the invention described in each claim has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object thereof is a gaming machine such as a slot machine having an automatic insertion mechanism, such as a game medal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be inserted without touching the game medium as much as possible, and in which no game medium is thrown against the will of the player.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gaming medium lending machine suitable for supplying gaming media to the gaming machine.
In this specification, “automatic insertion” means that a game medium is inserted into a slot or a medal via some drive control component regardless of whether or not the player manually moves the game medium to the slot. That is, it is inserted into a game medium detection unit such as a selector.

The invention described in the claims has been made to achieve each of the above-described objects, and features of each invention will be described below using embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
In addition, the code | symbol in parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(Claim 1)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points.
That is, the invention described in claim 1 includes a medal insertion slot (11) having a medal receiving section for inserting game medals, and a medal selector (50) for selecting game medals inserted from the medal insertion slot (11). Further, the present invention relates to a slot machine having at least a medal feeding device for transferring a game medal inserted into the medal slot (11) to the medal selector (50).

  A slot machine (S) according to the present invention inserts a game medal from a medal slot (11), and rotates and stops a plurality of rotating reels displaying the plurality of symbols by operating a start switch and a stop switch. When the display of a plurality of stopped symbols is in a predetermined position mode, a prize is won and a game medal corresponding to the type of prize is paid out. Accordingly, in addition to the above components, a reel unit (4) having a rotating reel and a motor for driving the reel, a payout device (hopper unit (5)) for storing and paying out game medals, a reel A control device for controlling the operation of the internal device such as the unit (4) and the hopper unit (5) is provided.

Further, in the present invention, the `` medal feeder '' is a separating means for separating a plurality of game medals inserted simultaneously from the medal slot (11) one by one, and the separated game medals to the medal selector (50). It is a means capable of automatically inserting so-called game medals having a driving device for transferring. For example, a feeding disk having a medal hole or a belt-driven medal feeding device (40) can be used.
Here, it is preferable that the medal slot (11) has a shape that allows a large number of game medals to be loaded at once. For example, an opening (111) through which a plurality of game medals can pass can be provided below a funnel-shaped medal receiving part (110) having a large opening on the upper surface.

The medal selector (50) is provided in the transport path until the game medal inserted from the medal insertion slot (11) is transferred to the hopper unit (5), and the appropriate medal is eliminated. This is for transferring game medals to the hopper unit (5). Furthermore, the medal selector (4) may be formed so that the number of inserted game medals can be counted, and in the state where the inserted medals can be stored (credited) inside the gaming machine, the maximum possible credit number is exceeded. When game medals are inserted, excess medals may be formed so as to be excluded from the machine.
The game medals inserted into the front medal slot (11) are transferred to the hopper unit (5) by the operation of the medal feeding device.

The present invention provides a medal tray (upper medal tray (15)) that can be moved in a state where game medals are stored, and moves the medal tray to the vicinity of the medal insertion slot (11). The game medal stored in the dish is inserted into the medal slot (11).
The medal tray (upper medal tray (15)) is a container that opens on the side or front side of the medal slot (11) and opens upward, and stores game medals to be inserted into the slot machine. Is something that can be done. Here, when storing game medals in the medal tray (15), the player can pick up and move the game medals paid out from the medal payout means such as the medal lending machine (20) into the tray. Of course, a game medal discharged from a medal discharge port (for example, a medal drop hole (27)) of a medal supply means (for example, a medal transfer nozzle (25) provided in a medal lending machine (20)) The medal plate (15) can be installed at a position where can be received directly.

When the player moves the medal tray (15), the game medals stored in the tray can be inserted into the medal slot (11). “Movement” includes rotation, rotation, sliding, lifting and the like. Further, the medal tray (15) may be removable or may be movably fixed in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot (11).
(Function)
According to the present invention, a game medal paid out from a medal payout means such as a medal lending machine (20) can be temporarily stored in a medal tray (15) and then inserted into a medal slot (11). . At this time, the player can perform the insertion action without touching the game medal. If it is not desired to insert all the game medals in the tray, the player can adjust the insertion amount by adjusting how the medal tray (15) is moved.

(Claim 2)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 described above.
In other words, the invention according to claim 2 allows the medal tray (15) to move from a position where game medals can be stored to a position where the stored game medals can be inserted into the medal slot (11). It is characterized in that a supporting means for supporting is provided.
Here, the “position where game medals can be stored” means a fixed position of the medal tray (15). The “position where the stored game medals can be inserted into the medal slot (11)” means that the game medals in the medal tray (15) are not directly scraped or taken out by hand, ) To the medal receiving part (110) of the insertion slot (11). For example, in the case of the medal tray (15) opening upward, it is a position where the inside game medal can be discharged out of the opening, that is, the position where the opening faces sideward or downward.

The `` supporting means '' supports the medal tray (15) from a fixed position to a position where the medal can be inserted when the game medals stored in the medal tray (15) are inserted into the medal insertion slot (11). Specifically, for example, a shaft support portion that allows the medal tray (15) to be rotated upward, or a guide means (17) that allows the medal tray (15) to slide horizontally. Etc.
(Claim 3)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 3 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 2 described above.

That is, the invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the supporting means supports the medal tray (15) so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction about the shaft support portion (16).
The invention up to and including the fifth aspect of the present invention limits the mode of the support means, that is, the mode of movement of the medal tray (15).
Here, the shaft support (16) can be, for example, a shaft and a bearing provided in the vicinity of the medal slot (11) and the bottom of the medal tray (15). Can be rotated.
(Function)
In the present invention, the medal plate (15) is stored in the plate by lifting the opposite side of the shaft support (16) and rotating the medal plate (15) upward about the shaft support (16). The game medals can be slid down to the medal receiving part (110) of the medal slot (11). At this time, the amount of game medals inserted can be adjusted according to the rotation angle of the medal tray (15), that is, the inclination. After inserting the medal, the medal plate (15) is rotated downward to return to the original position.

When the medal tray (15) is tilted, the depth gradually decreases toward the medal slot (11) on the bottom plate (150) of the tray so that game medals stored inside can easily slide down. It is preferable to provide such an inclination.
(Claim 4)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 4 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 3 described above.
That is, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the supporting means supports the medal plate (15) so as to be rotatable in a horizontal direction around a shaft support portion.

In the present invention, the medal tray (15) is formed so that it can be moved upward and horizontally. Specifically, a joint that can perform horizontal rotation and vertical rotation at the same time is used as the pivot support (16), or the medal tray (15) can be freely rotated using a universal joint. is there.
(Function)
According to the present invention, the medal tray (15) can be lifted upward after being pulled toward the front. Further, when the medal transfer nozzle (25) is arranged above the dish as the medal supply means, it can be moved so as to avoid this and turn upward, so that the medal transfer nozzle (25) is positioned at a low position. The game medals falling on the medal plate (15) will not bounce off and jump out of the plate.

(Claim 4)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 4 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 described above.
That is, in the invention according to claim 4, the medal tray (15) has a medal drop hole (bottom hole (153)) in the bottom (bottom plate (150)), and the support means includes the medal tray (15). ) Is slidably supported above the medal receiving portion (110) of the medal slot (11).
In the present invention, the medal tray (15) is slid horizontally to allow the game medals stored in the tray to be inserted into the medal slot (11). The sliding direction is preferably the left-right direction, but may be formed to be slidable in the front-rear direction or the oblique direction. Further, as means for enabling sliding, for example, a guide means (17) such as a protrusion or groove formed horizontally on the front door (2), and the guide means (17) provided on the upper medal tray (15) It can be set as the engaging part (154) which can be engaged.

(Function)
When the medal tray (15) is in a fixed position, the medal drop hole is blocked by the installation surface on which the medal tray (15) is installed. When the medal tray (15) is slid onto the medal insertion slot (11), a gap is formed between the medal receiving portion (110) and the game medals stored in the tray fall from the medal drop hole. At this time, by adjusting the distance by which the medal tray (15) is slid, it is possible to insert game medals little by little or at once.
(Claim 6)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 6 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

That is, in the invention described in claim 6, a lower medal tray (12) capable of storing game medals is provided below the medal tray (15), and the game medals paid out from the slot machine (S) are used as the medal. A payout which is formed so as to be payable to the plate (15) and the lower medal plate (12) and which allows the player to select whether to pay out the game medal to the medal plate (15) or the lower medal plate (12). The selection means (80) is provided.
Here, the lower medal tray (12) can be a tray that can store game medals paid out from the hopper unit (5) by winning or the like.
As means for enabling game medals to be paid out to both the lower medal tray (12) and the medal tray (15), for example, the medal outlet of the hopper unit (5) is provided above the medal tray (15) and the lower A medal transfer path (83) communicating with both the medal tray (12) and the medal tray (15) is provided. The medal transfer path (83) is provided with medal flow path switching means (for example, an on-off valve) so that the game medal is transferred to either the lower medal tray (12) or the medal tray (15). be able to.

The payout selection means (80) may be a selection switch (81) for operating the medal flow path switching means.
(Function)
According to the present invention, game medals paid out from the hopper unit (5) due to winning etc. are paid out to the lower medal tray (12) and the upper medal tray (15) using the payout selection means (80). be able to.
When the payout medal is discharged to the medal tray (15), it can be inserted into the medal slot (11). Since the payout medals are temporarily stored in the medal tray (15), the player can arbitrarily move the medal tray (15) to adjust the throwing action. When the medal tray (15) is full, it may be discharged to the lower medal tray (12). Therefore, it is possible to play the game with almost no hand touching the game medal.

(Claim 7)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 7 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5.
That is, the invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that there is provided a raising means (6) capable of transferring game medals stored in the lower medal tray (12) to the medal tray (15).
Here, the lifting means (6) can be, for example, a screw type lifting device, a belt conveyor, a push-up type moving rail, etc., and can lift game medals from the lower medal tray (12) to the medal tray (15). If so, the form is not limited. Further, the ascending means (6) may be activated automatically by detecting a game medal, for example, or may be activated by an operation of an operation start switch or the like.

(Function)
According to the present invention, when the game medals paid out to the lower medal tray (12) and stored again are reinserted into the medal insertion slot (11), the game medals need not be lifted by hand. No game medals are dropped or dropped along the way.
(Claim 8)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 8 is characterized by the following points.
That is, the invention described in claim 8 is a medal insertion slot (11) having a medal receiving section (110) for inserting game medals, and a medal selector for selecting game medals inserted from the medal insertion slot (11). 50) and a medal feeding device that transfers at least the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot (11) to the medal selector (50), and a medal tray that is movable in a state where the game medals are stored ( 15) is moved to the vicinity of the medal slot (11), and adjacent to the slot machine (S) configured to throw the game medals stored in the medal tray (15) into the medal slot (11). Related to medal lending machines.

That is, the present invention is a medal lending machine (20) usable for the slot machine (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The medal lending machine (20) is provided at the side of the slot machine (S), and is preferably arranged so that one medal lending machine (20) is installed in one slot machine (S). .
The medal lending machine (20) is configured to pay out a predetermined number of game medals when a bill or coin is inserted, and the bill counter (22), the lending medal dispensing device (24), and the operation of these internal devices A control device for controlling.
The medal lending machine (20) has a transfer passage (for example, a medal transfer nozzle (25)) capable of discharging (15) game medals in the medal tray. The transfer passage is formed so that a game medal discharged from the rental medal discharge port (23) is guided above the medal tray (15) and can be dropped or slid on the medal tray (15).

The transfer passage further includes a confirmation sensor (upper plate confirmation sensor (70)) for detecting that the medal tray (15) is in a position where the game medal discharged from the transfer passage can be received. (70) pays out game medals on condition that the medal tray (15) is detected.
The confirmation sensor (70) can be a reflection sensor capable of detecting the presence of an object at a predetermined position, and can be provided, for example, on the lower surface of the transfer passage.
(Function)
When the upper medal tray (15) is in a fixed position, the confirmation sensor (70) detects the upper medal tray (15), and when a bill or the like is inserted, the medal lending machine (20) pays out a game medal. . On the other hand, when the upper medal tray (15) is moved from the fixed position, the confirmation sensor (70) cannot detect the upper medal tray (15), and the medal lending machine (20 ) Does not pay out game medals.

Further, it is possible to detect the size of the amount of game medals stored in the medal tray (15) so that the game medals are not paid out when a predetermined amount or more of game medals are stored. Good.
(Claim 9)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 9 is characterized by the following points.
That is, the invention described in claim 9 is a game medium insertion port having a game medium receiving unit into which a game medium is inserted, a game medium detection unit that selects a game medium input from the game medium input port, and the game medium. The present invention relates to a gaming machine having at least a game medium feeding device that transfers a game medium thrown into a slot to the game medium detection unit.

Here, the game medium includes a game medal, a coin, a pachinko ball, and the like, and the present invention relates to a game machine such as a parrot game machine in which a game medium is inserted to play a game. Accordingly, in addition to the above components, the reel unit (3) having a rotating reel and a motor for driving the rotating reel, a control device for controlling the operation of the reel unit (3), and the like may be included. .
Here, the game medium insertion port can be a ball insertion unit that can take a game medium (for example, a game ball) into the game machine. The game medium detection unit is provided in a conveyance path from the ball insertion unit to a ball circulation device installed on the back side of the gaming machine, for example, and removes the non-conforming game balls to input the appropriate game balls. It can be set as a sphere detection part for counting as.

Further, in the present invention, the “game medium feeding device” includes a separation unit that separates a plurality of game balls that are simultaneously inserted from the game medium insertion port, and a drive for transferring the separated game balls to the ball detection unit. It can be set as the ball feeder which has an apparatus.
In the present invention, a medium tray that can be moved in a state where the game medium is stored is provided, and the game medium stored in the medium tray is moved to the vicinity of the game medium insertion port so that the game medium stored in the medium tray is the game medium. It is characterized in that it is configured to be fed into the slot.
Here, the medium tray can be a ball tray that can receive a game ball, and when the player moves the medium tray, the game medals stored in the tray are thrown into the game medium slot. can do. “Movement” includes rotation, rotation, sliding, lifting and the like. Further, the medium tray may be removable or may be movably fixed in the vicinity of the game medium slot.

(Function)
According to the present invention, the game medium paid out from the game medium payout means such as a ball lending machine can be stored in the medium tray and then inserted into the game medium slot. At this time, the player can perform the throwing action without touching the game medium. When it is not desired to insert all the game media in the tray, the amount of insertion can be adjusted by the player himself / herself adjusting how the media tray is moved.
By the way, in the present invention, there is provided support means for movably supporting the medium tray from a position where the game medium can be stored to a position where the stored game medium can be input into the game medium insertion port. Can do. And the said support means shall support the said medium saucer so that rotation to an up-down direction centering on a shaft support part is possible. Alternatively, the support means may support the medium tray so as to be rotatable in a horizontal direction around a shaft support portion.

  Further, the medium tray may have a medal drop hole at the bottom, and the support means may be formed to support the medium tray so as to be slidable to above the medal receiving portion of the game medium slot. good. In addition, a lower medium tray that can store game media is provided below the medium tray, and a game medium that is paid out from a gaming machine is formed so as to be payable to the medium tray and the lower medium tray. The payout selection means can be provided so that the player can select which of the lower medium trays the game medium is to be paid out. And the raising means which can transfer the game medium stored by the said lower medium saucer to the said medium saucer may be provided.

(Claim 10)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 10 is characterized by the following points.
That is, the invention according to claim 10 is a game medium slot having a game medium receiving portion into which a game medium is inserted, a game medium detecting unit for selecting a game medium inserted from the game medium slot, and the game medium. A game medium feeding device that transfers at least the game medium loaded into the slot to the game medium detection unit, and a medium tray that is movable in a state where the game medium is stored is located near the game medium slot. A game medium lending machine installed adjacent to a gaming machine configured to allow the game medium stored in the medium tray to be inserted into the game medium slot by moving the game medium, and the game medium can be discharged to the medium tray. A transfer sensor, and the transfer path includes a confirmation sensor for detecting that the medium tray is in a position where the game medium discharged from the transfer path can be received. On condition that the detects the medium pan, characterized in that paying out game media.

  The present invention is a gaming medium rental machine usable for the gaming machine according to claim 9. For example, it may be a ball lending machine for providing game balls to parrot gaming machines.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
In other words, according to the first to sixth aspects of the invention, a slot machine having an automatic insertion mechanism can be inserted without touching the game medal as much as possible when the game medal is inserted, and the medal is contrary to the intention of the player. A slot machine that is never thrown in can be provided.
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, a medal lending machine suitable for supplying game medals to the slot machine can be provided.
Furthermore, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine having an automatic loading mechanism can be loaded without touching the gaming medium as much as possible when the gaming medium is loaded, and the gaming medium is contrary to the will of the player. A gaming machine that is not thrown in can be provided. According to the invention described in claim 10, a gaming medium lending machine suitable for supplying gaming media to the gaming machine can be provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described by dividing them into a first embodiment and a second embodiment based on the drawings.
(Explanation of drawings)
1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a front perspective view of a slot machine and a medal lending machine, FIG. 2 is an external front view of the slot machine and a medal lending machine, FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged front views showing a medal transfer nozzle and an upper medal tray, FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of the upper medal plate, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a medal transfer nozzle, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing a medal insertion device.

The slot machine S in the present embodiment is installed adjacent to the medal lending machine 20, and a plurality of slot machines are arranged so that the medal lending machine 20 corresponds to one slot machine S one by one. It is arranged so as to sandwich it.
(Slot Machine S)
As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine S includes a box-shaped housing 1 that opens to the front side and a front door 2 that is attached to the front side of the housing 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, a reel unit 4 having a plurality of rotating reels and a hopper unit 5 for storing game medals and paying out game medals at the time of winning are installed inside the housing 1. Further, although not particularly shown, a control device for controlling the operation of the reel unit 4 and the hopper unit 5, a power supply device, and the like are provided.

The front door 2 is a plate-like door capable of closing the opening of the housing 1 so as to be openable and closable, and forms the front structure of the slot machine S in a closed state. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a symbol display window 10 is formed on the front side of the front door 2 so that the symbol of the rotary reel can be visually recognized. The central part is an operation unit 14 provided with operation means such as a start switch 141 and a stop switch 142. At the end of the operation unit 14, a medal insertion slot 11 and an upper medal tray 15 for inserting game medals are provided.
In addition, a medal discharge port 13 for discharging game medals is formed in the lower part of the front door 2, and a lower medal tray 12 capable of storing game medals discharged from the medal discharge port 13 is provided. Yes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a medal insertion device 3 is provided on the back side of the front door 2 for selecting, counting, and transferring game medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 11 to the hopper unit 5. This will be described later.
Then, the slot machine S inserts game medals from the medal insertion slot 11, rotates the rotating reels one by one by operating the start switch 141, stops the rotating reels by operating the stop switch 142, and rotates a plurality of rotating reels. When a predetermined symbol displayed on is stopped and displayed in a predetermined position mode, a winning is achieved, and a predetermined number of game medals are paid out from the medal outlet 13.

(Medal slot 11)
Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the medal insertion slot 11 is attached to the upper surface of a notch step portion 140 that is cut out on the right side of the operation portion 14, and an opening 111 through which a game medal can pass is provided at the bottom. It has a funnel-shaped medal receiving portion 110 formed (see FIG. 5B).
The opening 111 is a rectangular hole and has a width that is sufficiently larger than the thickness of a game medal, for example, about five medals. However, since this width is formed smaller than the diameter of the game medal, the game medal is not inserted in the vertical direction. Even when it is inserted in the vertical direction, it slides on the funnel-shaped slope of the medal receiving portion 110 and enters the opening 111 in the horizontal direction. In other words, the opening 111 restricts the direction in which game medals to be transferred to the medal insertion device 3 described later are inserted. Also, since the length of the opening 111 is about 1.6 times the diameter of the medal, two game medals will not be placed side by side, but there is plenty of room even if multiple medals overlap. (See FIG. 6B). Therefore, medals randomly inserted into the medal receiving unit 110 can be inserted without clogging at the entrance.

(Upper medal plate 15)
The upper medal tray 15 is a box-shaped container installed on the right side of the medal slot 11, and receives and stores game medals lent out from the medal lending machine 20. It is desirable that the capacity of the upper medal tray 15 is set so that the maximum amount of game medals paid out by the medal lending machine 20 can be stored.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the upper medal tray 15 is formed so as to be able to store game medals in a recess 151 surrounded by a bottom plate 150 and four vertical surfaces. That is, the concave portion 151 is installed at a place where a game medal falling from a medal transfer nozzle 25 described later can be received. Further, on the left side of the bottom plate 150, a slope 152 is formed so that the depth gradually decreases from the bottom plate 150 toward the upper edge, and the shaft support portion 16 provided below the slope 152 is formed. It is attached so that it can rotate up and down around the center.

Here, the slope 152 is for making it easy to take out the game medals stored in the recess 151 to the outside. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the shaft support portion 16 includes a shaft 160 provided in the front-rear direction on either the upper medal plate 15 or the notch step portion 140, and the notch step portion 140 or the upper medal plate 15. It comprises a receiving portion 161 such as a shaft hole or a bearing provided in either of which the shaft 160 can be inserted or fitted. By engaging the shaft 160 with the receiving portion 161, the upper medal tray 15 is moved to the front door 2. The upper medal tray 15 is rotated in the left-right direction by being fixed to the notch step portion 140 and rotating the shaft 160 in the receiving portion 161 (or vice versa).
Then, when the upper medal plate 15 is rotated upward with the bottom plate 150 in the opposite direction to the pivot support portion 16, the slope 152 is positioned on the lower side, and the game medals stored in the recess 151 slide down the slope 152. Thus, the token is inserted into the medal receiving part 110 of the medal slot 11.

(Other examples of upper medal plate 15)
By the way, the upper medal tray 15 may be configured as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. FIG. 5 shows that the upper medal tray 15 also rotates to the near side. That is, a universal joint 162 is used as the shaft support portion 16, and the upper medal tray 15 is formed so as to rotate both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. The universal joint 162 may be, for example, a ball protruding from the upper surface of the notch step 140 and a ball receiver provided on the lower surface of the upper medal tray 15. Alternatively, it may be a joint that combines a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.
The advantage of forming in this way is that even if the height distance between the medal transfer nozzle 25 and the upper medal tray 15 is short, the medal transfer nozzle 25 is moved so as to avoid it, and the upper medal tray 15 is rotated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a trouble that the game medals discharged from the medal transfer nozzle 25 located at a high position bounce off the bottom plate 150 and jump out of the plate.

On the other hand, what is shown in FIG. 6 is that the upper medal tray 15 is slid horizontally to insert the game medals in the tray into the medal slot 11. That is, a guide means 17 such as a guide rail or a guide groove is provided laterally on the front side vertical surface 140a of the notch step portion 140 of the front door 2, and the guide side 17 of the upper medal tray 15 is provided on the back side vertical surface 15a. An engaging portion 154 such as a groove or ridge that can be engaged with the means 17 is provided. Then, by engaging the engaging portion 154 with the guide means 17, the upper medal tray 15 is formed so that the upper surface of the notched step portion 140 can slide to the left and right.
Further, a bottom hole 153 having an inner diameter sufficiently larger than the diameter of the game medal is formed in the bottom plate 150 of the upper medal tray 15. The bottom hole 153 is closed from below by the upper surface 140b of the notch step 140 when the upper medal tray 15 is in a fixed position, but the upper medal tray 15 is located above the medal insertion slot 11 (FIG. 6B ) In the white arrow direction), a gap is generated between the medal receiving portion 110 and the bottom hole 153. That is, the bottom hole 153 is opened downward. Therefore, the game medals stored in the dish fall from the bottom hole 153 to the medal receiving part 110.

If formed in this way, when the upper medal tray 15 is rotated upward, the game medals will not be zeroed, and the upper medal tray 15 is gradually moved to gradually insert the game medals. You can also Further, it does not interfere with the medal transfer nozzle 25 during movement.
The upper medal tray 15 may be moved manually, but may be appropriately rotated or slid using known means including a motor, a solenoid, or the like as a drive source.
(Medal insertion device 3)
Next, details of the medal insertion device 3 will be described.

The medal insertion device 3 is for properly sending out game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 11 to the hopper unit 5 and for automatically inserting game medals. The medal insertion device 3 is installed below the medal insertion slot 11 on the back side of the front door 2.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the medal insertion device 3 identifies the authenticity of the medals, guides the appropriate medals to the hopper unit 5 to check the inserted medals, and puts the incorrect medals on the lower medal tray 12. A medal selector 50 for discharging the game medals, a medal stacking unit 30 for stacking and storing game medals inserted from the medal slot 11 in one row and one direction, and the game medals stacked and stored in the medal stacking unit 30 It consists of a medal feeding device 40 for feeding one by one to the selector 50. Further, although not particularly shown, a control board for controlling the medal feeder 40 is provided.

The medal stacking unit 30 and the medal selector 50 are attached to the back side of the front door 2 so that when the medal clogging occurs, the front door 2 is opened and these devices are operated. Be able to.
(Medal stacking part 30)
The medal stacking unit 30 is for stacking and arranging the gaming medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 11 in a horizontal state above the belt 41 of the medal feeding device 40. As shown in FIG. The stack storage section 32 is provided above the feeding device 40, and the lid section 31 is mounted above the stack storage section 32.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lid portion 31 is a horseshoe-shaped cover member formed in a semicircular shape in the front (referring to the game medal delivery direction; hereinafter the same in the explanation of the medal insertion device 3). As shown in the figure, a stack storage section 32, which will be described later, is closed from above, and an insertion opening 31a and a guide piece 31b for feeding game medals from the back of the stack storage section 32 are provided. The guide piece 31b is formed to have a distance slightly larger than the diameter of the game medal, and guides the game medal in a line to the inclined part in front of the insertion opening 31a, and the inclined part is from above or obliquely rearward. The falling game medal is received and slid down to the insertion opening 31a.
The stacked reservoir 32 is a cylinder having a semicircular curved upright surface 34 on the inner surface on the front side. The inner diameter of the stacked storage portion 32 in the width direction (W in FIG. 8) is slightly larger than the diameter of the game medal, and the inner diameter in the length direction (L in FIG. 9) is slightly larger than the inner diameter in the width direction. Largely formed. That is, the stacked storage unit 32 is sized so that exactly one game medal M can be inserted in the horizontal direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the curved upright surface 34 has a gap between its lower end and the upper surface of the belt 41 that is larger than the thickness of one game medal and smaller than the thickness of two game medals. 35 is formed. This is for sending out game medals on the upper surface of the belt 41 one by one forward (in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 9).

Furthermore, the stacking storage part 32 is provided with two input sensors 33 on the front and rear sides of the hollow part. The insertion sensor 33 is for detecting a game medal passing through the insertion opening 31a, and rotates or stops the belt 41 by detecting a medal or not detecting a medal for a certain period of time. Is for.
(Medal feeder 40)
The medal feeding device 40 is for sending out game medals stacked and stored in the medal stacking unit 30 to the medal selector 50. As shown in FIG. 9, a belt 41 for transporting game medals, and a belt 41 A pair of rollers 42 for rotating the roller 42 and a drive motor (not shown) for rotating the roller 42 are provided.

  The rollers 42 are provided in parallel in the front-rear direction when viewed from the front side, and one of the rollers 42 is attached with a transmission means such as a belt for transmitting the drive of the drive motor. The belt 41 is a flat belt hung on the two rollers 42, and the surface is covered with rubber or the like so as to increase the frictional resistance with the game medal. Then, by rotating the roller 42 in the direction of the black arrow shown in FIG. 9, the upper surface of the belt 41 is moved in the forward direction (the back direction when viewed from the front of the slot machine S). The front side of the belt 41 is close to the medal receiving port 51 of the medal selector 50, and the game medals on the upper surface of the belt 41 are carried to the medal receiving port 51 through the gap 35 while adhering to the surface of the belt 41. It is what

(Transfer of game medals)
Here, the transfer process of the game medals inserted into the medal stacking unit 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the game medals inserted into the medal receiving part 110 of the medal insertion slot 11 are guided to the opening 111 by sliding on the slope. The opening 111 is not wide enough for two game medals to pass side by side, and does not have enough width for a game medal to enter vertically, so a game medal that passes through the opening 111 is inevitable One line and one direction. Furthermore, since the guide piece 31b is positioned below the opening 111, the game medal that has passed through the opening 111 is further restricted in the width direction by the guide piece 31b and falls to the entrance inclined portion.

The game medal that has fallen to the entrance slope portion slides down to the stacked storage portion 32 through the insertion opening 31a while tilting so as to fall backward along the downward slope. At this time, the insertion sensor 33 detects a game medal, and the drive motor of the medal feeder 40 starts driving.
Since the stacked storage section 32 has a width and a length that allow a single game medal to be installed in a horizontal state, the game medals that have fallen down and slid down are stacked in a horizontal state. The game medals stacked and stored above the belt 41 in this manner are sent out from the gap 35 as the belt 41 rotates. Here, since the gap 35 is only as high as one game medal, the game medals stored in the stacked storage section 32 are sent out to the medal receiving port 51 one by one. At this time, the game medals stacked on the lowermost game medals are similarly subjected to the forward force, but are prevented from moving by the curved vertical surface 34, so that only the lowermost game medals have a gap. Dive 35 and go out of the stacked reservoir 32.

When the lowermost game medal passes through the gap 35 and is ejected from the stack storage section 32, the game medal just above falls onto the belt 41 and is placed in a horizontal state, and similarly, the gap 35 Go out from. In other words, the game medals are separated one by one by the curved upright surface 34 and the gap 35, and are carried on the belt 41 to the medal receiving port 51 of the medal selector 50.
(Medal selector 50)
As shown in FIG. 8, the medal selector 50 is a box-like member provided below the medal feeder 40, and a medal receptacle for receiving a game medal delivered from the medal feeder 40 on the upper surface. 51 is formed, and a medal discharge port 52 for discharging medals is provided on the side. A medal guiding path 53 is formed between the medal receiving port 51 and the medal discharging port 52, and a blocker device (not shown) and a medal sensor 54 are provided in the medal guiding path 53.

Here, the blocker device has a claw portion called a blocker, and normally, the game medal can pass through the medal guiding path 53 without the blocker protruding from the surface of the medal guiding path 53. However, the solenoid operates to cause the blocker to protrude from the surface of the medal guiding path 53 at a predetermined time such as when credit is exceeded, so that the game medal is repelled from the medal guiding path 53 and dropped before being detected by the medal sensor 54. It is.
The medal sensor 54 is a sensor for detecting a game medal that has passed through the blocker device, that is, a game medal that is sent to the hopper unit 5, and is for counting the number of game medals inserted. The game medals that have passed through the medal sensor 54 are discharged from the medal discharge port 52 and stored in the medal tank of the hopper unit 5.

(Insertion medal control)
By the way, the medal feeder 40 can be formed to stop the operation when the slot machine S is not in the medal acceptance state. In other words, when a medal is inserted exceeding 50, which is the maximum possible credit number, or when the blocker device of the medal selector 50 is activated, such as when a predetermined gaming state is entered, the medal is sent. Control is performed to stop the drive motor of the device 40.
Specifically, when a signal (blocker signal) for operating the blocker device of the medal selector 50 transmitted from the control device of the slot machine S is received, a program or an electric program that stops driving the drive motor Circuit means are used. During reception of the blocker signal, the drive motor of the medal feeder 40 is not driven even if the insertion sensor 33 detects a game medal. By forming in this way, it is possible to eliminate the waste of the operation that the game medal continues to be inserted by the medal feeding device 40 while the cancel medal is discharged from the medal discharge port 13.

Note that the resumption of the operation of the medal feeder 40 once stopped due to reception of the blocker signal may be automatically restarted when the blocker signal is released, or by operating a predetermined operation means, for example, a drive start switch. It may be formed to resume.
(Medal lending machine 20)
The medal lending machine 20 is a box-type device installed adjacent to the side surface of the slot machine S, and is for lending game medals in exchange for money. In the present embodiment, the rental medals are formed so as to be discharged to the upper medal tray 15 of the slot machine S. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the medal lending machine 20 is provided with a bill counter 22, a lending medal dispensing device 24, and a medal transfer nozzle 25 on the outer box.

The banknote counter 22 reads banknotes inserted from a banknote insertion slot 21 provided in the lower part on the front side of the outer box and causes the rental medal payout device 24 to pay out a predetermined number of game medals. The medal lending machine may have a coin insertion slot, a coin counter, a change dispensing slot, etc. in addition to the banknote insertion slot 21 and the banknote counter 22. Moreover, you may have a prepaid card slot and a card reader.
The rental medal payout device 24 is a so-called hopper device for paying out game medals. Although not particularly shown, a tank for storing game medals and a game medal stored in the tank are discharged one by one. It has a possible delivery disk. Then, the medals paid out from the rented medal payout device 24 are discharged from a lent medal discharge port 23 formed at a substantially central portion on the front side of the outer box.

(Medal transfer nozzle 25)
The medal transfer nozzle 25 is an input transfer means for transferring the rented medals discharged from the lent medal outlet 23 to the upper medal tray 15 of the slot machine S.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the medal transfer nozzle 25 is a substantially L-shaped transfer passage attached to the lower front side of the rental medal discharge port 23. A tip nozzle 25a for dropping, a guide portion 25b for guiding the game medal discharged from the rental medal outlet 23 to the tip nozzle 25a, and a hinge provided at a joint portion between the tip nozzle 25a and the guide portion 25b It consists of 26.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tip nozzle 25a can be folded upward with the hinge 26 as a fulcrum. This is so that when the front door 2 of the slot machine S is opened, it does not get in the way. Accordingly, the tip nozzle 25a is formed so as not to protrude from the side end of the medal lending machine 20 in the folded state.
Also, a medal drop hole 27 through which one game medal can pass is formed at the lower end of the tip nozzle 25a, and a recess 151 of the upper medal tray 15 is located below the medal drop hole 27. Is set to
(Top plate confirmation sensor 70)
The medal transfer nozzle 25 is provided with an upper plate confirmation sensor 70 for detecting whether or not the upper medal plate 15 to receive the lent medal is in an appropriate position. Then, the medal lending machine 20 performs control so that the lent medal is paid out only when the upper plate confirmation sensor 70 detects the upper medal plate 15. This is because the medal lending machine 20 pays out the rented medal even though the upper medal plate 15 is not in a position where it can receive the game medals, and the game medals must be scattered on the floor or received by the player by hand. This is to prevent this.

Here, the upper plate confirmation sensor 70 can be a reflection sensor having a transmission / reception unit 71 provided in the medal transfer nozzle 25 and a reflection unit 72 provided in the upper medal plate 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission / reception unit 71 is provided on the lower surface of the tip nozzle 25a of the medal transfer nozzle 25 and transmits a radio signal to the reflection unit 72 provided on the upper edge of the right end of the upper medal tray 15, The signal reflected by the reflection unit 72 can be received. Then, the reception of the reflected signal confirms that the upper medal tray 15 is in an appropriate position. Upon receiving the reflection signal, the upper plate confirmation sensor 70 outputs a tray confirmation signal to the control unit of the medal lending machine 20.
The medal lending machine 20 pays out the lent medal by inserting the banknote when it receives the tray confirmation signal from the upper plate confirmation sensor 70, and inserts the banknote when it does not receive the tray confirmation signal. However, the rental medal payout device 24 is not operated. Further, when the receiving tray confirmation signal is interrupted during the medal payout, the payout of the rental medal is stopped.

In addition, the medal lending machine 20 is provided with a medal discharge port other than the medal discharge port 23 and another tray that can store the loaned medal paid out from the medal discharge port, and the banknote without receiving the tray confirmation signal. When the token is inserted, the rental medal may be paid out to the other tray.
(Introduction of game medals)
Next, the insertion of game medals in the slot machine S and the medal lending machine 20 having the above configuration will be described.
First, a bill is inserted into the medal lending machine 20 to obtain a game medal. At this time, if the upper medal tray 15 is not in an appropriate position, the upper tray confirmation sensor 70 does not output a tray confirmation signal, so that the lent medal is not paid out. The same applies to the case where the tip nozzle 25a of the medal transfer nozzle 25 is flipped up because the pan confirmation sensor 70 does not output a tray confirmation signal. Receiving the tray confirmation signal from the upper plate confirmation sensor 70, the medal lending machine 20 pays out the rented medal. The rented medals are discharged from the lent medal outlet 23, fall through the medal transfer nozzle 25 to the upper medal tray 15, and are stored in the recess 151 (FIG. 3).

Next, to insert game medals into the medal insertion slot 11 at once, if the right side of the upper medal tray 15 is lifted and rotated upward, the game medals stored in the recess 151 slide down the slope 152. Then, it flows down to the medal receiving part 110 of the adjacent medal slot 11 (FIG. 4). At this time, even if the upper medal plate 15 is not turned upside down, the bottom plate 150 has the slope 152, so the game medals stored in the recess 151 need to move naturally and be scraped by hand. Absent. It is also possible to insert a part of the game medals in the recess 151 into the medal insertion slot 11 by adjusting the inclination of the upper medal tray 15.
Further, when it is desired to insert several game medals into the medal insertion slot 11, the game medals stored in the upper medal tray 15 may be picked and thrown into the adjacent medal receiving unit 110. This insertion method is easier than putting a game medal into the conventional medal slot, and the game medal lent from the medal lending machine 20 is moved to the lower medal tray 12 of the slot machine S and from there again. This saves you the trouble of picking up game medals and inserting them into the medal slot 11.

A game medal inserted into the medal slot 11 moves from the opening 111 to the medal slot device 3. The insertion sensor 33 detects a game medal that has fallen on the medal stacking unit 30, and the medal feeding device 40 starts operating. The game medals stored in the stack storage unit 32 are sent one by one to the medal selector 50 and transferred to the hopper unit 5. When all the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 11 have been sent out, the medal feeder 40 stops operating.
Here, the slot machine S can operate the start switch by inserting at least one medal and can rotate the rotating reel, but can store up to 50 game medals as credits. When credit is given, a game can be played by operating a bet switch (not shown) instead of inserting medals. When the bet switch is operated, a predetermined bet number is subtracted from the credit. Further, when the number of inserted medals exceeds 50, the blocker device of the medal selector 4 is activated, and game medals to be inserted thereafter are discharged from the medal discharge port 13.

When a game is played and a predetermined winning is achieved, a game medal is paid out from the hopper unit 5. The payout medal is discharged from the medal discharge port 13 and stored in the lower medal tray 12. In addition, when there is no credit medal and the game medal stored in the lower medal tray 12 is reinserted, the game medal stored in the lower medal tray 12 can be picked up and inserted into the medal insertion slot 11. Then, a new rental medal may be paid out from the medal lending machine 20.
(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment relates to a slot machine provided with a game medal raising means 6.

(Explanation of drawings)
FIG. 10 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows an external front view of the slot machine S and the medal lending machine 20.
Here, since the basic configuration of the slot machine S and the medal lending machine 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted, and only the characteristic points of the present embodiment will be described.
(Slot Machine S)
The slot machine S according to the present embodiment incorporates ascending means 6 for lifting game medals from the lower medal tray 12 to the upper medal tray 15. That is, it is possible to insert game medals without manually lifting the game medals stored in the lower medal tray 12 to the medal insertion slot 11.

The slot machine S has a lower medal slot 18 and a raised medal outlet 19 in order for the lifting means 6 to function properly.
(Lower medal slot 18)
As shown in FIG. 10, the lower medal slot 18 is an opening provided at the right end of the lower medal tray 12 and having the bottom surface of the lower medal tray 12 formed higher than the lower medal tray 12. This is for inserting game medals.
The reason why the lower medal slot 18 is formed higher in this way is to prevent the game medals stored in the lower medal tray 12 from flowing into the lower medal slot 18 against the will of the player. is there. In addition, the bottom surface of the lower medal slot 18 is inclined downward toward the back so that the game medal inserted into the lower medal slot 18 can easily move to the lifting means 6 provided on the lower back side. May be.

(Rising medal outlet 19)
The ascent medal outlet 19 is an outlet for discharging the game medal lifted by the ascending means 6 to the upper medal tray 15, and is located on the front side of the front door 2 as shown in FIG. It is provided above the medal plate 15.
(Raising means 6)
The ascending means 6 is a mechanism for lifting a game medal to be inserted into the medal insertion slot 11 upward from the lower medal insertion slot 18 and automatically inserting it into the upper medal tray 15. In other words, the payout medals accumulated on the lower medal tray 12 of the slot machine S can be transferred to a position where they can be inserted into the medal insertion slot 11 without lifting by hand.

The raising means 6 includes a medal feeding device 60 and a raising device 61.
(Medal feeder 60)
As shown in FIG. 10, the medal feeding device 60 is installed at the bottom back side of the lower medal insertion slot 18, and sends out game medals inserted into the lower medal insertion slot 18 to the ascending device 61 one by one. Is for. Specifically, it is provided with a delivery disk having a plurality of medal holes and a drive motor for rotating the delivery disk, and by rotating the delivery disk, one game medal fitted in the medal hole is obtained. They are designed to be discharged one by one.
Further, although not particularly illustrated, the medal feeding device 60 is provided with a medal confirmation sensor for detecting the presence of a game medal, and when this medal confirmation sensor detects a game medal, the drive motor Is driven to rotate the delivery disk, and when no game medal is detected, the drive motor is not driven. That is, the medal feeder 60 can be operated according to the presence or absence of medals.

The medal feeding device 60 may be a belt drive type other than the rotary disk type described above.
(Climbing device 61)
The ascending device 61 is for transferring the game medals sent from the medal feeding device 60 upward, and the upper end portion is higher than the front medal slot 11 of the slot machine S as shown in FIG. It is a screw type lifting machine formed so as to be slightly higher.
Specifically, the lifting device 61 includes a screw shaft 62 and a medal transfer path 63, and the screw shaft 62 having a spiral projecting portion is incorporated in the square-shaped medal transfer path 63. It is what. Then, a game medal sent out by the medal feeding device 60 is taken in from a medal intake (not shown) provided in the lower part of the medal transfer path 63, and the screw shaft 62 is rotated in the downward inclination direction of the spiral of the overhanging portion. By doing so, the game medal is moved above the medal transfer path 63. The medal transfer path 63 may be a guide rail that can hold both ends of the game medal in addition to the rectangular tube.

By the way, the raising device 61 is configured to lift the game medal in a standing state. Therefore, when the game medal is sent out in a horizontal state from the medal feeding device 60, the game medal in the horizontal state is raised. It is desirable to provide a standing means for this purpose. Further, as the ascending device 61, a game medal sent out in a horizontal state can be discharged in a standing state, for example, a medal in a horizontal state is accepted, and a game medal is gradually raised in a lifting process and discharged in a standing state. You may use what has a transfer rail. The ascending device 61 is not limited to the one having the above-described configuration, and may be in any form as long as it can lift game medals.
The game medals lifted by the ascent device 61 are discharged from a medal discharge port (not shown) provided at the upper end portion of the medal transfer path 63, and discharged from the rising medal discharge port 19 to the outside of the housing.

(Introduction of game medals)
In the present embodiment, when there are no credit medals during the game and the game medals stored in the lower medal tray 12 are reinserted, the appropriate amount of game medals are scraped out from the lower medal tray 12, and the lower medal slot is inserted. Just move it to 18. Since the lower medal slot 18 is juxtaposed with the lower medal tray 12, it is much simpler and simpler than picking up a game medal from the lower medal tray 12 and inserting it into the upper medal slot 11. Further, there is no inconvenience of dropping the game medal on the way to the medal insertion slot 11.
The game medals inserted into the lower medal slot 18 are lifted by the ascending means 6 and stored in the upper medal tray 15. Here, the raised game medal is not directly inserted into the medal slot 11, but is temporarily stored in the medal tray 15, so that it is possible to prevent the medal insertion against the player's will.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the medal is paid out from the medal lending machine 20, the medal can be inserted without touching the game medal and is stored in the lower medal tray 12 during the game. Even when game medals are reinserted, there is no need to lift the game medals to the medal insertion slot 11, and the game can be performed more efficiently.
(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment relates to a slot machine in which game medals paid out from the hopper unit 5 at the time of winning a prize are formed so as to be transportable to the upper medal tray 15.
(Explanation of drawings)
11 and 12 are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an external front view of the slot machine S and the medal lending machine 20, and FIG.

Here, since the basic configuration of the slot machine S and the medal lending machine 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description of the overlapping parts is omitted. Also, the description of the same parts as those in the second embodiment is omitted, and only the feature points of the present embodiment are described.
(Slot Machine S)
The slot machine S according to the present embodiment has a transfer rail 64 for transporting game medals paid out from the hopper unit 5 to the upper medal tray 15, and game medals paid out from the hopper unit 5 at the lower part. A payout selection means 80 is provided that allows the player to select whether to discharge to the medal tray 12 or to the upper medal tray 15.

(Transfer rail 64)
As shown in FIG. 11, the transfer rail 64 in the present embodiment is a plate-like rail that rises obliquely upward from the hopper unit 5. The transfer rail 64 is formed so that game medals can be stored in parallel in a row. Although not shown in the drawing, when the game medals are sent out from a delivery disk provided below the transfer rail 64 and enter the rails. The game medals are formed so as to be discharged from the upper end. Then, the game medals discharged from the upper end portion of the transfer rail 64 are discharged to the medal discharge port 13 or the rising medal discharge port 19, as shown in FIG.

(Payout selection means 80)
The payout selection means 80 has a selection switch 81 and a flow path changing valve 82.
As shown in FIG. 11, the selection switch 81 is a pressing switch provided in the vicinity of the rising medal discharge port 19, and is used to select a medal discharge path by operating this switch.
As shown in FIG. 12, the flow path changing valve 82 is a flat plate-like member provided on the lower side of the rising medal outlet 19. This flow path changing valve 82 is biased upward by a spring below the transfer passage 83 for transferring game medals discharged from the upper end of the transfer rail 64 to the rising medal discharge port 19, It is pivotally attached. Further, a drop hole 84 having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the game medal is formed below the transfer passage 83, and the flow path changing valve 82 is attached at a position for closing the drop hole 84. Normally, the drop hole 84 is closed by the pushing-up force of the spring, but when the selection switch 81 is pressed, the distal end portion of the selection switch 81 is a pressing piece (not shown) provided on the flow path change valve 82. And the flow path changing valve 82 is rotated downward to open the drop hole 84.

The game medals that have dropped from the drop hole 84 are discharged from the medal discharge port 13 to the lower medal tray 12 through the medal transfer path provided on the back surface of the front door 2.
In the present embodiment, normally, game medals paid out by winning are discharged from the tip of the transfer rail 64, rolled down the transfer passage 83, and inserted into the upper medal tray 15. If the upper medal plate 15 is filled with game medals, if the selection switch 81 is pressed, the flow path change valve 82 is opened, and the game medals passing through the transfer passage 83 fall from the drop hole 84 and move to the lower part. It is transferred to the medal tray 12.
Or, normally, the game medals paid out by winning a prize may be paid out to the lower medal tray 12 and inserted into the upper medal tray 15 when the selection switch 81 is pressed. In this case, the flow path change valve 82 is normally open, and the flow path change valve 82 is formed so as to close the drop hole 84 by the operation of the selection switch 81. In such a case, the selection switch 81 may be operated only when it is desired to re-insert a game medal paid out by winning.

According to the present embodiment, the payout medal can be directly transferred to the upper medal tray 15, and the player can select the medal flow path. If the selection switch 81 is used well, the game medal can be used once during the game. It is possible to play a game without touching it. In addition, since an existing escalator hopper can be used and the payout selection means 80 is formed only by a mechanical configuration, it can be easily manufactured without the need for control or the like.
(Application to other gaming machines)
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above by taking the slot machine as an example of the gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to gaming machines other than the slot machine. For example, the present invention can be used for a parrot gaming machine in which a game ball such as a pachinko ball is used as a game medium and a game similar to a slot machine is performed.

  Although the parrot gaming machine is not particularly illustrated, a symbol display window is formed on the front surface of the casing so that the symbol of the rotating reel can be visually recognized. The parrot game machine has a start switch below the symbol display window. And an operation unit provided with operation means such as a stop switch. The upper part of the operation unit is provided with a ball discharge port through which game balls are paid out and an upper plate for temporarily storing the paid out game balls. A ball throwing portion communicating with the inside of the gaming machine is formed at the bottom of the upper plate, and when a start switch or a predetermined throwing switch is operated, a game ball in the upper plate is thrown from the ball throwing portion. ing. In other words, the upper plate also serves as a game medium slot.

In addition, a lower plate is provided at the lower part of the housing for dropping and storing the game balls stored in the upper plate. In addition, you may provide the ball raising apparatus for raising and moving a game ball from a lower plate to an upper plate.
If a medium tray (a tray corresponding to the upper medal tray 15 in the first and second embodiments) capable of receiving a game ball paid out from an adjacent ball lending machine is provided above the upper tray, In the same manner as described in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to move (i.e., throw) game balls as much as the player's favorite amount to the upper plate.

1 is a front perspective view of a slot machine and a medal lending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external front view of a slot machine and a medal lending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is 1st embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a front view of a medal transfer nozzle and an upper medal plate. FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention in which the upper medal tray of FIG. 5 is rotated. It is 1st embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is the front sectional view and top view which show the other example of an upper medal plate. It is 1st embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a front sectional view which shows the other example of an upper medal plate. 1 is a perspective view showing a medal transfer nozzle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a medal insertion device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is 1st embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a medal insertion apparatus. It is 2nd embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an external appearance front view of a slot machine and a medal lending machine. FIG. 6 is a front view of the appearance of a slot machine and a medal lending machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the slot machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

S slot machine 1 housing 2 front door 3 medal insertion device 4 reel unit 5 hopper unit 6 lifting means
10 Symbol display window 11 Front medal slot
12 Lower medal tray 13 Medal outlet
14 Operation unit 15 Upper medal plate
16 Shaft support 17 Guide means
18 Lower medal slot 19 Rising medal outlet
20 Medals lending machine 21 Banknote slot
22 Banknote counter 23 Rental medal outlet
24 Rental medal dispensing device 25 Medal transfer nozzle
26 Hinge 27 Medal drop hole
30 Medal stack 31 Cover
32 Stack storage 33 Feed sensor
34 Curved elevation 35 Gap
40 Medal feeder 41 Belt
42 Laura
50 medal selector 51 medal socket
52 Medal outlet 53 Medal taxiway
54 Medals sensor
60 Medal feeder 61 Lifting device
62 Screw shaft 63 Medal transfer path
64 Transfer rail
70 Plate check sensor 71 Transmitter / receiver
72 Reflector
80 Dispensing selection means 81 Selection switch
82 Channel change valve 83 Transfer passage
84 Fall hole
110 Slope 111 Opening
140 Notch step
150 Bottom plate 151 Recess
152 Slope 153 Bottom hole
154 Engagement part
160 Axis 161 Receiving part
162 Universal joint

Claims (10)

A medal insertion slot having a medal receiving section for inserting game medals;
A medal selector for selecting game medals inserted from the medal slot;
In a slot machine having at least a medal feeding device for transferring a game medal inserted into the medal slot to the medal selector,
A medal tray that can be moved in a state where game medals are stored,
A slot machine characterized in that a game medal stored in a medal tray is inserted into the medal slot by moving the medal tray in the vicinity of the medal slot.   2. The supporting means for movably supporting the medal tray from a position where the game medals can be stored to a position where the stored game medals can be inserted into the medal insertion slot is provided. The described slot machine.   3. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the supporting means supports the medal tray so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction around a shaft support portion.   4. The slot machine according to claim 3, wherein the supporting means supports the medal tray so as to be rotatable in a horizontal direction around a shaft support portion. The medal tray has a medal drop hole at the bottom,
3. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the support means supports the medal tray so as to be slidable to above a medal receiving portion of the medal slot. Below the medal plate, a lower medal plate capable of storing game medals is provided,
A game medal to be paid out from the slot machine is formed so as to be payable to the medal plate and the lower medal plate,
The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a payout selection means that allows a player to select which of the medal tray and the lower medal tray is to be paid out. .   The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a lifting means capable of transferring game medals stored in the lower medal tray to the medal tray. A medal slot having a medal receiving part for inserting game medals, a medal selector for selecting game medals inserted from the medal slot, and a medal for transferring game medals inserted into the medal slot to the medal selector A medal tray that has at least a feeding device and is movable in a state where game medals are stored is moved to the vicinity of the medal insertion slot, thereby inserting the game medals stored in the medal tray into the medal insertion slot. A medal lending machine installed adjacent to the configured slot machine,
The medal tray has a transfer passage capable of discharging game medals,
The transfer passage includes a confirmation sensor for detecting that the medal tray is in a position where the game medal discharged from the transfer passage can be received,
A slot machine medal lending machine characterized in that a game medal is paid out on condition that the confirmation sensor detects the medal tray. A game medium slot having a game medium receiving section for loading the game medium;
A game medium detection unit for selecting a game medium input from the game medium input port;
In a gaming machine having at least a game medium feeding device for transferring a game medium inserted into the game medium insertion slot to the game medium detection unit,
Provide a medium tray that can be moved while the game medium is stored,
A gaming machine characterized in that the game medium stored in the medium tray is inserted into the game medium slot by moving the medium tray near the game medium slot. A game medium slot having a game medium receiving part for throwing in game media, a game medium detection part for sorting out game media thrown from the game medium slot, and a game medium thrown into the game medium slot are described above. A medium receiving device that has at least a game medium feeding device that transfers the game medium to the game medium detecting unit, and the medium tray that is movable in a state where the game medium is stored is moved to the vicinity of the game medium insertion port, and is stored in the medium tray. A gaming medium lending machine installed adjacent to a gaming machine configured to throw gaming media into the gaming medium slot,
A transfer passage capable of discharging the game medium in the medium tray;
The transfer path includes a confirmation sensor that detects that the medium tray is in a position where the game medium discharged from the transfer path can be received.
A gaming medium lending machine for gaming machines, wherein the gaming medium is paid out on condition that the confirmation sensor detects the medium tray.

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