JP2005040592A - Medal inputting apparatus and game machine equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medal inputting apparatus into which a number of medals can be easily and quickly inputted. <P>SOLUTION: This medal inputting apparatus A is equipped with an operation table 10 with a medal inputting port 12. On the operation table, a medal arranging groove 11 in which a plurality of medals M are erected and arranged is set. The medal inputting port 12 is communicated with the medal arranging groove 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides a medal game machine installed in a game center or the like and used for playing a medal game, and such a medal game machine or other medal handling apparatus / equipment handling a medal as a predetermined medal slot. The present invention relates to a medal insertion device used for insertion.

  As an example of the medal game machine, there is a so-called medal dropping game machine. In this game machine, for example, a medal inserted from a medal slot is sent to an upper part of a vertically standing game board, and the medal is dropped inadvertently along the game board. Then, when the dropped medal is supplied on a so-called medal pusher mechanism provided separately, the medals stuck on the medal pusher mechanism are pressed against each other, and the medal is dropped from the medal pusher mechanism to a predetermined position. , This medal is paid out to the player.

  In such a medal game machine, it is necessary to sequentially insert a plurality of medals into the medal slot. Therefore, conventionally, a medal depot and a medal insertion slot for detaining a plurality of paid-out medals are provided on the same table, and medals are inserted into the table from the medal depot. There is one provided with a passage for sliding medals one by one in a horizontal posture toward the mouth (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, the above prior art has the following problems.

  First, since medals can only be slid one by one from the medal depot to the medal slot, a large number of medals cannot be easily and quickly inserted into the medal slot. Operation was troublesome for the player.

  Secondly, although a number of medals can be arranged in advance on the passage so that medals can be immediately inserted into the medal slot, the medals are placed in a horizontal posture. You cannot place many medals in the passage. This is inconvenient when dealing with a large number of medals.

  Third, since the medal detainment unit and the medal insertion port are connected via a passage, even if the player does not have the intention to insert a medal, the player may be on the medal detention unit or on the passage. There is also a possibility that the medal is accidentally inserted into the medal slot due to touching the medal existing in the medal.

JP 2003-144741 A

  The present invention has been conceived under such circumstances, and provides a medal insertion device and a medal game machine capable of easily and quickly inserting a large number of medals into a medal insertion slot. That is the issue.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.

  The medal insertion device provided by the first aspect of the present invention is a medal insertion device provided with a table having a medal insertion slot, and a medal alignment in which a plurality of medals can be arranged upright on the table. A groove is provided, and the medal slot is provided in communication with the medal alignment groove.

  According to such a configuration, after a plurality of medals are accommodated in the medal alignment groove and are erected and aligned, when the plurality of medals are slid toward the medal slot, these medals become medals. It will be put into the inlet sequentially. Therefore, a large number of medals can be continuously and easily inserted into the medal insertion slot, and the trouble of medal insertion operation is reduced. In addition, since the medals alignment groove can store medals in an upright state, the number of stored medals is increased compared to the conventional technology in which the medals are laid down. It will be suitable for handling.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medal alignment groove is a concave groove opened at an upper portion and extending in a certain direction, and the width thereof is larger than the diameter of the medal. According to such a configuration, the medals can be freely moved to some extent in the medal alignment groove, and a large number of medals can be easily aligned.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medal slot is opened at the bottom of the medal alignment groove. According to such a configuration, a medal standing in the medal alignment groove can be dropped and inserted into the medal slot simply by moving it directly above the medal slot.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medal slot is located at an end of the medal alignment groove. According to such a configuration, it is possible to insert a medal by pushing a plurality of medals arranged upright in the medal alignment groove to the end in the longitudinal direction of the medal alignment groove, and the medal insertion operation becomes easier. .

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medal alignment groove is provided on an upper surface portion of the table, and a medal detaining portion for placing a plurality of medals is further provided on the upper surface portion. The medal detainment part and the medal alignment groove are separated from each other. According to such a configuration, it is possible to transfer the medals in the medal detention unit to the medal alignment groove and insert medals, which is convenient. Since the medal detainment part and the medal alignment groove are separated from each other, it is possible to prevent the medal retained in the medal detention part from being erroneously inserted into the medal insertion slot provided in the medal alignment groove.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a medal alignment auxiliary groove provided on the table so that a plurality of medals can be erected and aligned, and separated from the medal alignment groove. Yes. When a plurality of medals are accommodated in the medal alignment groove and these medals are aligned, the medals may be erroneously inserted into the medal insertion slot provided in the medal alignment groove. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the medals can be erected and aligned using the medal alignment auxiliary grooves, so that the above-described fear can be solved. Further, the medal alignment auxiliary groove can be effectively used as a space for standing and aligning a plurality of medals and stocking them, and it is convenient when a player handles a large number of medals.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medal aligning auxiliary groove is provided so as to be connected to a medal detaining part for placing a plurality of medals. According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily store the medals in the medal alignment auxiliary grooves by sliding the medals retained in the medal retaining section, which is more convenient.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medal alignment auxiliary groove is formed as a concave groove having an upper opening extending in a predetermined direction, and one side edge portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the medal alignment auxiliary groove is , Connected to the upper surface of the medal detainment unit. According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to drop a plurality of medals placed on the upper surface portion of the medal retaining portion at a stretch from the upper surface portion into the medal aligning auxiliary groove. It is easier to store medals inside.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medal alignment auxiliary groove is formed as a concave groove having an upper opening extending in a predetermined direction, and the bottom surface of the medal alignment auxiliary groove has one end in the longitudinal direction thereof. The portion is connected to the upper surface portion of the medal detainment portion, and is an inclined surface whose height decreases as it proceeds to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction. According to such a configuration, the medal placed on the upper surface portion of the medal retaining portion is slid onto the one end portion of the medal aligning auxiliary groove so that the medal is quickly placed in the medal aligning auxiliary groove. Can be accommodated. Since the bottom surface portion of the medal alignment auxiliary groove has a predetermined inclined surface, the medal can be easily raised in the medal alignment auxiliary groove.

  The medal game machine provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes the medal insertion device provided by the first aspect of the present invention.

  According to such a configuration, an effect similar to that described with respect to the medal insertion device provided by the first aspect of the present invention can be expected, and a large number of medals can be easily and quickly continued when performing a medal game. It is possible to improve the fun of the medal game.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a medal sending mechanism that sends out a medal inserted into the medal slot to a predetermined location, an inserted medal sensor that detects a medal inserted into the medal slot, and the inserted medal sensor Control means for controlling the medal delivery operation of the medal delivery mechanism by counting the number of medals inserted according to the detection signal from the medals and using the count as the upper limit number. According to such a configuration, if a large number of medals are inserted in advance into the medal insertion slot, then a large number of medals corresponding to the inserted number can be sent to a predetermined location. Therefore, there is no inconvenience that an additional medal must be inserted into the medal slot each time one medal is sent out.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 11 show an embodiment of the present invention. As shown well in FIG. 1, the medal game machine B of the present embodiment is a so-called arcade type, and includes a housing 1, an operation table 10 provided on a front surface portion (front portion) of the housing 1, A medal insertion device A including the operation table 10 and a front cover 17 are provided.

  Inside the housing 1 are provided a game field GF for playing a medal dropping game described later, medal sending mechanisms 30A to 30C for sending a medal M to the game field GF, and various devices described later. Yes. A plurality of casters 19 and a plurality of support legs 18 are provided at the bottom of the casing 1, and the plurality of casters 19 can be used when the casing 1 is moved. The plurality of support legs 18 can be adjusted in height, and when the casing 1 is fixed at a desired position on the floor, the height is adjusted so that the lower ends of the support legs 18 are in contact with the floor, Each caster 19 is raised from the floor.

  The front cover 17 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow Na, and is normally locked in a posture to cover the upper front portion of the housing 1 as shown in FIG. As a result, the outside of the housing 1 and the game field GF are partitioned by the front cover 17 so that the player cannot insert his / her hand into the game field GF without permission. The front cover 17 is formed at least partially using a transparent plate so that the game field GF can be seen through from the outside. In addition, a so-called pop advertising part (not shown) in which the name of a game executed by the medal game machine B is described is provided at the upper part of the front cover 17, and the advertising part is provided behind the so-called pop advertising part. A light source 29 is provided for illuminating from behind and illuminating the game field GF from above.

  The operation table 10 protrudes substantially horizontally from the front surface of the housing 1 toward the front side thereof. As shown well in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation table 10 is provided with a medal depot 15, a medal alignment groove 11, a medal insertion slot 12, and a plurality of operation switches 13 on the upper surface of the operation table 10. . A medal payout port 16 and a speaker SP are provided in a portion of the front surface of the housing 1 above the operation table 10. The speaker SP is used, for example, for producing a game sound effect or providing a voice guide such as a switch operation guide for a player. The medal detention unit 15 is a portion for receiving and detaining a plurality of medals M paid out from the medal payout opening 16, and is recessed in a concave shape having a rectangular shape in plan view.

  The medal alignment groove 11 is a part for aligning a plurality of medals M in a standing posture, and is provided in front of the medal detainer 15 (closer to the player). The medal alignment groove 11 and the medal detaining part 15 are provided apart from each other by an appropriate distance s1. The medal alignment groove 11 is a concave groove having an upper opening shape extending linearly in the left-right direction (the width direction of the housing 1), and its inner wall surface is outside the medal M as shown in FIGS. It includes a semicircular arc-shaped curved surface 110 having a radius of curvature larger than the peripheral radius of curvature. The width w of the medal alignment groove 11 is larger than the diameter of the medal M. A side wall 111 is formed in each of the longitudinal end portions 11 a of the medal alignment groove 11 as shown in FIG. 7, and a medal insertion slot 12 is formed in the bottom near the side wall 111. ing.

  The medal slot 12 has a slit-like shape with an elongated rectangular shape in plan view in which the medal M can be put upright. When a plurality of medals M that are erected and arranged in the medal alignment groove 11 are moved until they abut against the side wall 111 of the medal alignment groove 11, the medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 12 and dropped. Become. Below the medal slot 12, a guide member 120 is provided for receiving the medal M inserted into the medal slot 12, and sending the medal M to the medal sending mechanisms 30A and 30B. The medal M inserted into the medal insertion slot 12 (12a) at the left end of the medal alignment groove 11 is sent to the corresponding medal sending mechanism 30A, and the medal M inserted into the medal insertion slot 12 (12b) at the right end. Is sent to the medal delivery mechanism 30B. The guide member 120 is provided with a inserted medal sensor Sa for detecting the passage of the inserted medal M. When the medal M is detected by the inserted medal sensor Sa, the detection signal is configured using a microcomputer or the like. It is comprised so that it may transmit to the control part 6 (refer FIG. 8).

  The plurality of operation switches 13 are switches for driving the medal sending mechanisms 30A and 30B and sending the medal M from the medal sending mechanisms 30A and 30B to a predetermined position of the game field GF which will be described later. Specifically, the plurality of operation switches 13 include continuous fire switches 13a and 13b and single-shot switches 13c and 13d. When the continuous shooting switches 13a and 13b are pressed, the medal sending mechanisms 30A and 30B operate so as to continuously fire a plurality of medals M at a constant and relatively short time interval during the pressing operation period. . On the other hand, when the single switches 13c and 13d are operated, the same number of medals M are fired from the medal sending mechanisms 30A and 30B.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the game field GF includes a game board 2A and a pusher game mechanism 2B disposed on the lower front side of the game board 2A. The game board 2 </ b> A is provided with a transparent front cover (not shown) in front of the upright wall 20 erected in a substantially vertical shape, and a medal drop movement space is formed between the front cover and the upright wall 20. Has a structured. A pair of left and right medal entrances 21 are provided in the upper portion of the space portion, and medal supply guide members 31A and 31B are connected to the medal entrance 21. As will be described later, the guide members 31A and 31B are connected to the medal sending portions of the medal sending mechanisms 30A and 30B. When the medal sending mechanisms 30A and 30B are driven, the medal M in the guide members 31A and 31B enters the medal. It is sent toward the mouth 21 and dropped into the space.

  The game board 2A includes a plurality of swinging members 202, a plurality of nails (pins) 203, a pair of rotating bodies 205, a plurality of chuckers 204, a medal drop opening 206, and an image formed using, for example, a liquid crystal display. A display device 207 is provided. In the game board 2A, when the medal M falling in the space part enters any one of the plurality of chuckers 204, this is detected by the chucker sensor Sb, and the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 6 shown in FIG. The medal M is paid out, the electronic game is started using the image display device 207, or the posture of the pair of rotating bodies 204 is controlled according to the type of the winning.

  The configuration of the game board 2A will be described in more detail. The plurality of swinging members 202 are constantly swinging below the medal entrance 21, and the medal M dropped downward from the medal entrance 21 By making contact with the moving member 202, it is possible to largely distribute in the left-right direction in the space. The plurality of nails 203 are for causing the medals M to move irregularly. The pair of rotary plates 204 normally rotate continuously in one direction at a constant speed, but when there is a predetermined prize, the rotation stops for a certain time in a posture as shown in FIG. Guide the medal M so that it is easy to enter the chucker 204 (204a), or guide the medal M to easily enter the chucker 204 (204b) in the center. The progress of an electronic game executed using the image display device 207 changes, for example, when a medal M enters a plurality of chuckers 204, and there is a predetermined “winning” in this electronic game. Then, the medal M is paid out from the medal drop opening 206 onto the pusher game mechanism 2B. The payout of the medal M is performed, for example, by driving the medal sending mechanism 30C shown in FIG. Further, as a payout method for the medal M, the medal sending mechanisms 30A and 30B are driven to supply the medal M in the guide 31 to the game board 2A in the same manner as the medal insertion operation to the game board 2A. A method can also be adopted. The medal M that has passed through the pair of chuckers 204 (204a) is received and stored on the medal receiving part 214 below the medal M. For example, when there is a predetermined “winning” in the electronic game, the medal receiving unit 214 causes an operation of inserting all the medals M stored on the medal receiving unit 214 onto the pusher game mechanism 2B. It has become.

  The pusher game mechanism 2B is configured such that a movable table 212 is stacked on a fixed table 211, and the movable table 212 reciprocates with a constant stroke by driving a motor (not shown). When the movable table 212 moves forward, when a plurality of medals M placed on the fixed table 211 are pressed against each other toward the front of the fixed table 211, the leading edge 211a of the fixed material 211 The medal M is dropped at the front lower side. The reciprocating motion of the movable table 212 is configured to be executed repeatedly at all times. Instead, the movable table 212 is operated intermittently in accordance with, for example, a game result executed on the game board 2A. It doesn't matter if you do. The medal M dropped from the fixed base 211 is guided to the medal payout port 16 and finally paid out to the medal depot 15 on the operation table 10. A medal recovery port 213 is provided on both sides of the fixed base 211, and the medal M that has entered the medal recovery port 213 is recovered by the medal delivery mechanism 30C.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the medal delivery mechanisms 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B are provided at the bottom of the hopper 31 that can store a relatively large number of medals M, and the hopper 31. The rotor 32 that rotates to feed the medals M one by one to the guide members 31A and 31B, the motor 33 for driving the rotor, and a signal are output each time the medals M are fed to the guide members 31A and 31B. A sending medal sensor (not shown). While the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 is sent to the hopper 31, the medal M is appropriately supplemented when the administrator of the game machine performs maintenance or the like. Inside the guide members 31A and 31B, a plurality of medals M are always accommodated in a state of being in contact with each other.

  In the medal delivery mechanisms 30A and 30B, when the rotor 32 rotates by a certain angle and one medal M in the hopper 31 is fed out to the guide members 31A and 31B, the medal M inside the guide members 31A and 31B is pushed up. Thus, one medal M located at the head of these is sent out to the medal entrance 21 of the game board 2A. During continuous firing, the rotor 32 continuously rotates, so that the operation of feeding the medal M from the guide members 31A and 31B to the medal entrance 21 is continuously performed. The medal sending mechanism 30C has the same basic configuration as the medal sending mechanisms 30A and 30B for sending out the medal M, and can send out a desired number of medals M to the medal drop opening 206 accurately. However, the medal M collected through the medal collection port 213 is fed into the hopper portion 31 of the medal sending mechanism 30C. Further, although detailed description thereof is omitted, in the medal game machine B, the number of medals M stored in the hopper portions 31 of the medal sending mechanisms 30A to 30C is adjusted, and the medal M is insufficient. Are connected to each other by using a medal transport mechanism, and when the number of stored medals in any one of the plurality of hopper parts 31 is equal to or less than a certain number, A configuration in which the medal M is supplied to 31 can also be adopted.

  Next, operations of the medal insertion device A and the medal game machine B will be described.

  In order for the player to play the medal game, it is necessary to insert the medal M into the medal slot 12. In order to insert the medal, the player first picks up the medal M stored in the medal detention unit 15 by hand and moves the medal M to the medal alignment groove 11. When a plurality of medals M are transferred to the medal alignment groove 11, the plurality of medals M are in a state of falling down horizontally, but the player stands up and superimposes them in the thickness direction. Align. Since the medal alignment groove 11 has a curved surface 110 suitable for standing up and holding a plurality of medals M, the alignment of a large number of medals M can be easily performed.

  Next, when a plurality of medals M that are erected and aligned in the medal alignment groove 11 are moved to the left by, for example, moving to the left, as shown in FIG. 7, one medal M located at the left end is aligned. It strikes against the side surface 111 of the groove 11. Then, the single medal M that hits the side surface 111 falls into the medal insertion slot 12 (12a) by its own weight, and thereby the medal insertion into the medal insertion slot 12 is performed. When the plurality of aligned medals M are continuously pushed to the left, the next medal M is inserted into the medal slot 12. As described above, by simply pressing the plurality of medals M aligned in the medal alignment groove 11, the plurality of medals M are sequentially inserted into the medal slot 12 one by one. Therefore, the player can easily and quickly perform the insertion operation of a large number of medals M. Of course, when a plurality of aligned medals M are pressed to the right in the medal alignment groove 11, they are easily and quickly inserted into the medal insertion slot 12 (12 b) at the right end of the medal alignment groove 11. be able to.

  The number of medals M inserted into the pair of left and right medal insertion slots 12 is counted by the control unit 6 as the number of credits separately on the left and right. For example, when ten medals M are continuously inserted into the left medal slot 12A, the number of credits on the left becomes “10”. When the left continuous fire switch 13 (13a) is continuously pressed, the medal M is sent out until the left medal sending mechanism 30A reaches the same number as the credit number “10”, and the control unit 6 further determines that the medal M is not more than that. Control so that it is not sent out. When the left single-shot switch 13 (13c) is operated, the left medal sending mechanism 30A sends out the medal M in a single manner corresponding to the number of times of operation, and the number of credits is increased every time one medal M is sent out. However, as long as the number of credits does not become “0”, the medal M can be sent out continuously. For this reason, the player can concentrate on the game thereafter by inserting a large number of medals M in advance and increasing the number of credits. In a medal dropping game, there are cases where it is advantageous to send a large number of medals M to the game field GF, but this medal insertion device A can accurately meet such a demand, Will be more interesting. Even when the medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 12 on the right side, the medal M is sent out by the same principle as described above.

  12 to 17 show another embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, the same or similar elements as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the operation table 10 is provided with a medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 in addition to a pair of medal alignment grooves 11 provided with a medal slot 12. Similar to the medal alignment groove 11, the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 is a concave groove having an upper opening shape that can align a plurality of medals M upright, and is sandwiched between the pair of medal alignment grooves 11 and left and right. Extending in the direction. However, the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 does not include the medal slot 12.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of medals M placed in the medal placement section 15 are put into the medal aligning auxiliary groove 5 and arranged upright, and the plurality of medals M arranged upright are then placed. The medal insertion into the medal insertion slot 12 can be performed by the procedure of moving to the medal alignment groove 11. When the medals in the medal depot 15 are suddenly moved to the medal alignment groove 11 and the medals M are erected and aligned in the medal alignment groove 11, the medals M are erroneously inserted into the medal slot 12 during the alignment. However, in this embodiment, the medal M can be erected and aligned by using the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5, so that such a fear is prevented. Further, the plurality of medals M that are erected and aligned in the medal aligning auxiliary groove 5 are stocked as they are, and are quickly transferred to the medal aligning groove 11 as necessary to the medal insertion slot 12. It is also convenient because it can be input. Further, since the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 is provided between the pair of left and right medal alignment grooves 11, the medal M that is erected and aligned in the vicinity of the left end in the longitudinal direction of the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 is the left side. It is possible to immediately transfer to the medal alignment groove 11 and to the right medal alignment groove 11 for the medal M that is erected and aligned near the right end.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 are provided so as to sandwich the medal detainment portion 15. The plurality of medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 extend in the left-right direction, and the pair of left and right medal alignment grooves 11 also extend in the same direction.

  According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to accommodate a large number of medals M in the plurality of medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5, and it is suitable for preparing a large number of medals M that are arranged upright. Of course, as in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, when the medals M are erected and aligned in the medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5, the possibility that the medals M will be erroneously inserted into the medal slot 12 is eliminated. Can do. As can be understood from the present embodiment, in the present invention, it is possible to provide a plurality of auxiliary grooves for medal alignment, and the specific number and arrangement thereof are matters that can be appropriately selected.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 14, the medal aligning auxiliary groove 5 is provided so as to be connected to the medal detaining part 15. Specifically, as shown well in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 is formed as a concave groove having an upper opening extending in the left-right direction. One side edge portion 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 is connected to the upper surface portion 15 a of the medal detention portion 15.

  According to such a configuration, a plurality of medals M placed in the medal placement section 15 can be slid and dropped into the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5. Therefore, it is not necessary to pick up the medal M in the medal detention unit 15 by hand and transfer it to the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5, and the work of standing up and aligning the medal M using the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 can be performed more quickly. You can do it. Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 14, the direction in which the pair of medal alignment grooves 11 extends is the depth direction of the medal game machine unlike the above-described embodiment. However, in the present invention, such a configuration is used. It can also be. When the medal alignment groove 11 is formed to extend in a certain direction, the direction in which the medal alignment groove 11 extends may be appropriately determined in consideration of the space of the operation table 10.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 15, two medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 are provided so as to be connected to the medal detainment portion 15. Each medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 is formed as a concave groove extending in the depth direction of the medal game machine, and one end portion 51 a in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface portion 51 is connected to the upper surface portion 15 a of the medal placement portion 15. . And the bottom face part 51 inclines so that the height may become low gradually as it progresses to the other end part 51b of the longitudinal direction.

  According to such a configuration, the medal M retained in the medal retaining section 15 can be moved into the medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 by sliding. Further, since the bottom surface portion 51 of the medal aligning auxiliary groove 5 is inclined, the medal M is easily raised in the process of moving the medal M closer to the other end portion 51b of the medal aligning auxiliary groove 5. . Therefore, the workability of standing and arranging the medals M using the medal aligning auxiliary grooves 5 is good.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 16, for example, six medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 are provided so as to be connected to the medal detainment portion 15. The configuration of each medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 is the same as that shown in FIG. 15, and adjacent medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 are partitioned by a partition wall 52.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to increase the number of medals M that can be accommodated in the plurality of auxiliary grooves 5 for aligning medals, and it is suitable for preparing a large number of medals M that are arranged upright. Become. Of course, compared to the case shown in FIG. 15, the operability of moving the medals M from the medal detention unit 15 to the respective medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 and the stand-up alignment of the medals M in the respective medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 are facilitated. There is no loss of sex.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 17, the concave dish-shaped medal detainer 15 is not provided on the operation table 10, and instead, a plurality of medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 are provided over a wide area.

  According to such a configuration, for example, the medal M paid out from the medal payout opening is immediately accommodated in the plurality of medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 or the partition portion for partitioning the plurality of medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5. Will be placed on top. Therefore, the medal M is accommodated in the medal aligning auxiliary groove 5 and is erected and arranged quickly. Further, as compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 16, the number of medals M that can be accommodated in the plurality of medal alignment auxiliary grooves 5 can be further increased.

  As will be understood from these embodiments, the present invention enables easy and quick insertion of medals M that are erected and arranged by providing a medal insertion slot 12 in communication with the medal alignment groove 11. However, as a means for assisting this, a medal alignment auxiliary groove 5 that does not have the medal slot 12 may be additionally provided.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part of the medal insertion device and the medal game machine according to the present invention can be modified in various ways.

  The medal slot may be formed on, for example, side surfaces (portions corresponding to the side surface 111 in the above embodiment) at both left and right ends of the medal alignment groove instead of the configuration provided at the bottom of the medal alignment groove.

  Although the medal slot is preferably provided at both ends or one end in the longitudinal direction of the medal alignment groove, it may be configured to be provided at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction.

  The type of game executed on the medal game machine is not limited to the medal dropping game. The medal game machine according to the present invention may be configured as, for example, a slot machine or a medal game machine that performs a lottery or the like using a medal and pays out a prize different from the medal when a winning or the like occurs as a result of the lottery. it can. Of course, it can also be configured as a game machine that combines a medal game and a game using a medium (such as a ball) other than a medal. On the other hand, the medal insertion device according to the present invention is not limited to a game machine and can be applied to various applications as long as it is a device that requires medal insertion.

1 is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of a medal game machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which a front cover of the medal game machine shown in FIG. 1 is closed. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the medal insertion apparatus applied to the medal game machine shown in FIG. It is a principal part top view of FIG. It is VV sectional drawing of FIG. It is VI-VI sectional drawing of FIG. It is VII-VII sectional drawing of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main part relevant to the control part built in the medal game machine shown in FIG. It is a principal part front view which shows the game field of the medal game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a medal sending mechanism used in the medal game machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a side view of the medal delivery mechanism shown in FIG. (A) is a principal part top view which shows the other example of a medal insertion apparatus, (b) is XIIa-XIIa sectional drawing of (a), (c) is XIIb-XIIb of (a). It is sectional drawing. (A) is a principal part top view which shows the other example of a medal insertion apparatus, (b) is XIIIa-XIIIa sectional drawing of (a), (c) is XIIIb-XIIIb of (a). It is sectional drawing. (A) is a principal part top view which shows the other example of a medal insertion apparatus, (b) is XIVa-XIVa sectional drawing of (a), (c) is XIVb-XIVb of (a). It is sectional drawing. (A) is a principal part top view which shows the other example of a medal insertion apparatus, (b) is XV-XV sectional drawing of (a). It is a principal part top view which shows the other example of a medal insertion apparatus. It is a principal part top view which shows the other example of a medal insertion apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

A medal insertion device B medal game machine M medal Sa insertion medal sensor 5 medal alignment auxiliary groove 6 control unit 10 operation table (table)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Medal alignment groove 12 Medal insertion slot 13 Operation switch 15 Medal detainment part 16 Medal payout port 30A-30C Medal sending mechanism

Claims (11)

A medal insertion device including a table having a medal insertion slot,
The table is provided with a medal alignment groove that allows a plurality of medals to stand and be aligned,
The medal insertion device, wherein the medal insertion slot is provided in communication with the medal alignment groove.   The medal insertion device according to claim 1, wherein the medal alignment groove is a concave groove that is open at an upper portion and extends in a certain direction, and has a width larger than a diameter of the medal.   The medal slotting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the medal slot is opened at the bottom of the medal alignment groove.   The medal insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the medal insertion slot is located at an end of the medal alignment groove. The medal alignment groove is provided on the upper surface portion of the table, and the upper surface portion is further provided with a medal detention portion for placing a plurality of medals,
The medal insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the medal detention unit and the medal alignment groove are separated from each other.   The medal alignment auxiliary groove provided on the table so as to be able to stand up and align a plurality of medals and to be separated from the medal alignment groove, according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The medal insertion device described in 1.   The medal insertion device according to claim 6, wherein the medal alignment auxiliary groove is provided so as to be connected to a medal detaining unit for placing a plurality of medals.   The auxiliary groove for medal alignment is formed as a concave groove having an upper opening extending in a predetermined direction, and one side edge portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary groove for medal alignment is connected to the upper surface portion of the medal detaining part. The medal insertion device according to claim 7.   The auxiliary groove for medal alignment is formed as a concave groove having an upper opening extending in a predetermined direction, and one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface portion of the auxiliary groove for medal alignment is formed on the upper surface portion of the medal detention portion. The medal throwing device according to claim 7, wherein the medal throwing device is connected and has an inclined surface whose height decreases as it goes to the other end in the longitudinal direction.   A medal game machine comprising the medal insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A medal sending mechanism for sending medals inserted into the medal slot to a predetermined location;
An inserted medal sensor for detecting a medal inserted into the medal slot;
Control means for counting the number of inserted medals based on a detection signal from the inserted medal sensor, and controlling the medal sending operation of the medal sending mechanism with the counted number as an upper limit number;
The medal game machine according to claim 10, comprising:

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