JP2005073748A - Rotating reel drive device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotating reel drive device for a game machine which can effectively utilize the internal space of the rotating reel. <P>SOLUTION: This rotating reel drive device for the game machine is equipped with a plurality of rotating reels 11 on the peripheral surfaces of which numbers, pictures or the like are drawn, and a rotation driving source which drives the rotating reels 11. In the rotating reel drive device, the plurality of rotating reels 11 are arranged in parallel along the rotational axis M, and the inner diameters or the outer diameters of the plurality of rotating reels 11 are rotatably supported through a plurality of rotatable spindles 15 which are arranged in parallel with the rotational axis M. A driving transmitting means which is provided for each rotating reel so that the rotation driving force of the rotation driving source may individually be transmitted to the rotating reel 11 is selectively provided on the spindles 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine provided with a plurality of rotary reels having numbers, patterns, and the like drawn on a peripheral surface.

  Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine that determines winning by symbol matching is equipped with a device that drives a rotating reel having symbols, such as figures and pictures, drawn on its peripheral surface. As such a rotating reel driving device, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like describe a structure in which three rotating reels are arranged in parallel along the axial direction in a frame that is a casing of the rotating reel driving device. .

  In Patent Literature 1, three sets of each of a rotating reel, a motor for rotating the rotating reel, and a motor mounting plate arranged substantially parallel to the rotation plane of the rotating reel for mounting the motor are provided. . Each motor mounting plate is disposed on one rotating plane side of each rotating reel and is fixed to the frame. And the motor attached to this motor mounting plate is protrudingly provided from the one rotation plane side of the rotation reel to the inner diameter side of the rotation reel. Spokes are formed radially from the rotation center of the rotation reel to the outer periphery on the other rotation plane side of the rotation reel, and the drive shaft of the motor is fixed to the spoke portion at the rotation center.

  On the other hand, in such a gaming machine, conventionally, an illumination device is provided on the inner diameter portion of the rotary reel and is widely used for various effects. By turning on the lighting device, the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of the rotating reel can be shown effectively, or the lighting device can be turned on at a predetermined time to confirm a winning or to give a notice of winning. This is done to enhance the decorativeness and unexpectedness and increase the added value of gaming machines.

For example, in the rotary reel drive device of Patent Document 2, as in Patent Document 1, four rotary reels respectively fixed to the drive shaft of the motor are arranged side by side, three of which are game reels and the remaining one is The reel tape has a mirror-finished front surface and a plurality of symbols printed on the back surface. And the illumination device arrange | positioned at the internal-diameter part of this production | presentation reel is comprised so that a design can be seen through a mirror surface by shining light from the back surface side of a reel tape, and the production effect is heightened.
JP 2002-248199 A (see FIGS. 3 and 4) JP 2002-136661 A (see FIG. 3)

  In a rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine as described in Patent Document 1, a motor occupies a space approximately in the center of the inner diameter portion of each rotary reel, and between adjacent rotary reels, motor mounting plates and spokes are used. It is partitioned. Therefore, even if an effect member such as a lighting device and other members are arranged in the internal space of the rotating reel, the mounting position and the mounting space are limited, and continuous over the inner diameter portions of the plurality of rotating reels. It was virtually impossible to arrange such a member.

  For this reason, when the production members are arranged in the gaming machine as in the rotary reel driving device described in Patent Document 2, the production members are provided in a part different from the three rotary reels necessary for the game. Often provided. In such a case, since a separate mounting space is required for the production member, it is a problem to increase the size of the gaming machine.

  Therefore, in order to increase the added value of the gaming machine without increasing the size of the gaming machine, it is possible to effectively utilize the internal space of the rotating reel and freely arrange the production members and other arbitrary members. It was desired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine that can solve such problems and can effectively use the internal space of the rotary reel.

  In order to achieve this object, a rotating reel drive device for a gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of rotating reels having numerals, patterns, and the like drawn on a peripheral surface, and a rotation for driving these rotating reels. In a rotary reel drive device of a gaming machine provided with a drive source, the plurality of rotary reels are arranged in parallel along the rotation axis, and via a plurality of rotatable support shafts arranged parallel to the rotation axis. Drive support means provided for each rotating reel so that the inner or outer diameter of the plurality of rotating reels is rotatably supported and the rotational driving force of the rotational driving source is individually transmitted to the rotating reels. Is selectively provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine according to the first aspect, the support shaft provided with the drive transmission means is other than the rotary reel corresponding to the drive transmission means. The rotary reel is supported without acting on the rotational drive.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, an inner peripheral gear portion is provided on an inner peripheral surface of each rotary reel, and Is provided with an outer peripheral gear as the drive transmission means at a portion meshing with an inner peripheral gear portion of a predetermined rotating reel, and the support shaft is integrated with a driving shaft of a rotational driving source for individually driving the predetermined rotating reel. The rotation driving force of a predetermined rotation drive source is transmitted to the predetermined rotation reel via the drive transmission means by rotating in a connected or connected manner.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, a plurality of the rotational drive sources are provided so as to individually drive the plurality of rotary reels. These rotational drive sources are characterized in that they are attached to the mounting plate so as to be collectively housed inside any one of the plurality of rotational reels arranged side by side.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the rotary drive sources are provided so as to individually drive the plurality of rotary reels. These rotational drive sources are characterized in that they are collectively attached to the mounting plate outside the one end rotation reel among the plurality of rotation reels arranged side by side.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the support shaft has both a function of rotatably supporting a plurality of rotating reels and a function of transmitting the rotational driving force of the rotational driving source to the rotating reels. And since the rotational driving force is transmitted to the rotating reels through the drive transmission means of the support shaft, the rotational driving source conventionally occupies a large amount of the internal space of each rotating reel, Not only the internal space of the rotating reel but also an arbitrary position can be installed, and the internal space of the rotating reel can be used effectively. In addition, since the support shaft supports the rotating reel without partitioning adjacent rotating reels, it is possible to use an internal space that is continuous with the plurality of rotating reels.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the support shaft can reliably transmit the rotational driving force only to the corresponding rotary reel.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the outer peripheral gear is provided on the support shaft as the drive transmission means and meshed with the inner peripheral gear portion of the rotary reel, in the transmission of the rotational driving force to the rotary reel via the support shaft. , Certainty is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since all the rotational drive sources are collectively stored inside one rotary reel, the remaining rotational drive source cannot be attached without expanding the mounting space of the entire rotary reel. The internal space of the rotating reel can be fully utilized.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the rotational drive source is attached to the mounting plate outside the rotating reel, the internal space of all the rotating reels can be used effectively.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a slot machine to which a rotary reel device of a gaming machine of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the front, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the internal configuration of the slot machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 (a) is the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a portion where the support shaft supports the rotary reel so as to freely rotate, and FIG. Is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical circuit configuration of the slot machine, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the game of the slot machine.

  The embodiment of the present invention is applied to a rotary reel drive device 10 mounted on a slot machine 100 as a gaming machine.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 100 includes a front panel 103 on the front surface of a box-shaped main body frame 102 on which various displays and switches are arranged. In the hollow interior of the main body frame 102, a reel block 10 corresponding to the rotary reel driving device of the present invention, a circuit board 105 including a control circuit, and the like are incorporated at the upper stage position, and a plurality of sheets are provided at the lower stage position. A medal discharge machine 106 for storing medals is incorporated.

  Although details of the reel block 10 will be described later, the reel block 10 is provided with three rotating reels 11 (a left rotating reel 11a, a central rotating reel 11b, and a right rotating reel 11c) having a pattern on the peripheral surface. . The reel block 10 is mounted on a mounting plate 150 provided in the main body frame 102 and arranged so as to be spanned in the frontage direction.

  The front panel 103 has a reel window 110 for displaying three symbols continuous to the left rotating reel 11a, the central rotating reel 11b, and the right rotating reel 11c to the outside, and for starting the rotation of each rotating reel 11. A starter 112 that is a lever or a switch, a medal slot 114, a medal payout opening 116, a medal tray 118, and a player to stop the left rotating reel 11a, the central rotating reel 11b, and the right rotating reel 11c, respectively. Stop buttons 121, 122, and 123 are provided. In addition to the manual stop based on the operation of the stop buttons 121 to 123, each rotary reel 11 is stopped automatically by a changeover switch (not shown) (based on an operation of the starter 112, by a control circuit, using a random number or the like). The symbols to be displayed on the reel window 110 may be determined and automatically switched to a mode in which the rotating reels 11 are sequentially stopped.

  Generally, a transparent member such as glass is used for the reel window 110, and as shown in FIG. 1, a winning line is displayed horizontally and diagonally. The player first inserts one or more medals into the medal insertion slot 114 and then operates the starter 112 to start rotation of the full-revolution reel 11. Next, when the stop buttons 121 to 123 are pressed, the rotation of the rotary reels 11 is stopped in an arbitrary order.

  The game is in a straight line according to the number of medals inserted (for example, one middle medal when three medals are inserted, three horizontal pay lines when two medals are inserted, and three medals when three medals are inserted. If a specific pattern is aligned on a total of 5 straight lines (3 horizontal winning lines and 2 diagonal winning lines), it will be a “role” or “hit” (bonus game or big bonus game). The game starts or a predetermined number of medals are discharged from the medal payout opening 116 to the medal tray 118. If the slot machine is set in the credit processing state instead of the medal discharge, the medal payout is a predetermined frequency (for example, 50) or until the end button on the front panel 103 is operated. The current credit level (corresponding to the number of medals) is displayed on a credit indicator (not shown) on the front panel 103.

  Next, the configuration of the reel block 10 corresponding to the rotary reel driving device of the present invention will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the reel block 10 includes a frame 12 that is a box-shaped housing having an opening on the front surface side, and the above-mentioned three pieces are disposed between the side walls 13 and 14 facing the front end of the frame 12. A rotating reel 11 is arranged along the rotation axis M.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each rotary reel 11 includes a thin cylindrical reel drum 17 that has been thinned (not shown), and on the outer peripheral surface of the reel drum 17, numbers, pictures, and other designs are surfaced. Alternatively, reel tape 17a drawn at a predetermined interval is wound around the back surface. The rotary reel 11 is provided with an inner peripheral gear portion 19 having inner peripheral teeth 19b formed at both end edges in the rotation axis direction on the inner peripheral surface thereof. In other words, the rotary reel 11 is formed as an internal gear having two rows of inner peripheral teeth 19b in the circumferential direction. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the inner peripheral gear portion 19 is formed on both sides of each inner peripheral tooth 19b in an annular shape having a larger diameter than the inner peripheral tooth 19b. Guide portions 19a and 19a are provided.

  A plurality of support shafts 15 parallel to the rotation axis M are inserted into the inner diameter side of the rotary reels 11, and the support shafts 15 are rotatably attached to the side walls 13 and 14 of the reel block 10 by bearings 16. (See FIG. 4). The support shaft 15 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rotating reel 11 via a rotating body 22 and an outer peripheral gear 20 described later, and supports the rotating reel 11 to be rotatable. In order to support the rotary reel 11, it is sufficient that at least two support shafts 15 are inserted. In this embodiment, the rotational drive force of the three motors 18 serving as the rotation drive sources is applied to the support shaft 15. Used to individually transmit to the three rotating reels 11. Therefore, the three support shafts 15 are inserted through the inner diameters of the three rotary reels 11.

  In the support shaft 15, a rotating body 22 as a support means is attached to a portion that supports the rotating reel 11 so as to freely rotate. However, in the portion that supports the rotating reel 11 and transmits the rotational driving force of the motor 18, An outer peripheral gear 20 as drive transmission means is attached. As described above, since the rotational driving force of the different motors 18 is transmitted to the different rotating reels 11, the outer peripheral gear 20 is selectively attached to the three support shafts.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the rotating body 22 is provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof in a ring shape on the support portion 22a and a support portion 22a that contacts the guide portion 19a of the rotary reel 11 and supports the rotary reel 11. There is provided a small diameter portion 22b which has a small diameter so as not to mesh with the opposed inner peripheral teeth 19b. In addition, although not shown in the figure, the support shaft 15 is provided with appropriate means for preventing the rotating body 22 from being displaced in the axial direction of the supporting shaft 15 (for example, an E-ring on both sides of the rotating body 22 in the support shaft 15). Mounting) is provided. Between the rotating body 22 and the rotating reel 11, the tip of the inner peripheral tooth 19 b of the rotating reel 11 is located within the small diameter portion 22 b of the rotating body 22, and therefore the position of the rotating reel 11 in the axial direction of the support shaft 15. Misalignment is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the outer peripheral gear 20 has outer peripheral teeth 20b formed on its outer peripheral surface so as to mesh with the inner peripheral teeth 19a of the rotary reel 11, and the outer peripheral gear 20b on both sides of the outer peripheral teeth 20b. It is an external gear provided with flanges 20a, 20a formed in an annular shape having a larger diameter than the outer peripheral teeth 20b, and is fixed so as to rotate integrally with the support shaft 15. When the outer peripheral teeth 20 b mesh with the inner peripheral teeth 19 b of the inner peripheral gear portion 19, the flange portions 20 a and 20 a of the outer peripheral gear 20 do not come into contact with the guide portion 19 a of the inner peripheral gear portion 19. It is configured to be separated. Between the outer peripheral gear 20 and the rotating reel 11, the outer peripheral teeth 20b of the outer peripheral gear 20 that mesh with the inner peripheral teeth 19b of the rotating reel 11 are formed with a smaller diameter than the flanges 20a on both sides thereof. 11 is prevented from being displaced in the axial direction.

  In order to transmit the rotational driving force, a motor 18 is connected to one end of the support shaft 15. For this purpose, a belt wheel 15d is connected to the support shaft 15, and a belt wheel 18e is connected to the drive shaft 18d of the motor 18. Are attached to each other, and the belt 21 is stretched over them. Note that a toothed belt wheel may be used instead of the belt wheels 15d and 18e, and a timing belt may be used instead of the belt 21.

  In the first embodiment, the three support shafts 15 are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of the radius R1 centered on the rotation axis M as viewed from the side, as shown in FIG. However, this arrangement is not necessarily symmetrical. Of the three support shafts 15, the support shaft located at the upper part is the support shaft 15a, the support shaft located at the rear side in the depth direction of the reel block 10 is the support shaft 15b, and the support shaft located at the front side in the depth direction is also used. It is described as a support shaft 15c.

  In this embodiment, the support shaft 15a is provided with an outer peripheral gear 20 at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the left rotating reel 11a, and the inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the central rotating reel 11b and the right rotating reel 11c. A rotating body 22 is provided at a position corresponding to. The support shaft 15b is provided with an outer peripheral gear 20 at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the central rotating reel 11b, and at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the left rotating reel 11a and the right rotating reel 11c. The rotating body 22 is provided. The support shaft 15c is provided with an outer peripheral gear 20 at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the right rotating reel 11c, and at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the left rotating reel 11a and the central rotating reel 11b, The rotating body 22 is provided.

  The three motors 18 that individually drive the rotary reels 11 are attached to one side wall of the frame 12. In this embodiment, the three motors 18 are attached to the inner side of the side wall 13 with screws or the like, and the inner diameter portion of the left side rotary reel 11 a. (See FIG. 4). The three motors 18 are arranged such that the shaft centers of the respective drive shafts 18d are equally spaced on the circumference of a radius R2 (R2 <R1) centered on the rotation axis M in a side view and the support shafts 15 are arranged. The positions are shifted from each other (see FIG. 5). The value of the radius R2, the arrangement position and the arrangement interval of the motor 18 on the circumference of the radius R2 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 5, but are used for setting various members arranged on the inner diameter portion of the rotary reel 11. It can be determined arbitrarily (not necessarily symmetrical). Of these three motors 18, a motor connected to the support shaft 15a is referred to as a motor 18a, a motor connected to the support shaft 15b is referred to as a motor 18b, and a motor connected to the support shaft 15b is referred to as a motor 18c.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the reel block 10 is provided with a sensor for detecting the rotational position of the rotating reel 11 for each rotating reel 11 (not shown). This sensor is composed of a light emitting element that emits light and a light receiving element that receives the light, and a shielding plate (not shown) provided on the rotary reel 11 blocks the light of the light emitting element by rotation. The origin position of the rotary reel 11 is grasped.

  Next, an outline of a control circuit configuration of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The circuit board 105 has an input interface connected to at least a CPU 222, a read only memory (ROM) 228, a random access memory (RAM) 229, a medal sensor 223, a stop switch 224, and other various switches. 227, an input / output interface 232 connected to the motor control unit 230 and the hopper control unit 231, an output interface 234 connected to the lamp control unit 233, and a sound output unit 236 connected to the speaker 235 are provided. Has been.

  A CPU 222 which is a microprocessor constituting the entire control circuit of the slot machine 100 exchanges control signals and data with peripheral units via the bus 250. The medal sensor 223 detects a game medal inserted through the medal slot 114. The stop switch 224 operates when stop buttons 121, 122, and 123 for stopping the rotating reel 11 are pressed. The start sensor 225 senses that the starter 112 has been operated. The bet (insertion) switch 226 is a switch for designating the number of bets (insertion) at the time of credit processing by the player's operation on the front panel 103. These sensors and switches are connected to the CPU 222 via the input interface 227 and the bus 250.

  The ROM 228 includes a program for controlling the slot machine 100, a control data table for performing stop control of the rotating reel 11, and the like. The RAM 229 functions as a work area for various programs stored in the ROM 228. These ROM 228 and RAM 229 are connected to the CPU 222 via the bus 250.

  The motor control unit 230 controls the rotation of the rotary reel 11. The hopper control unit 231 controls the payout of medals. The motor control unit 230 and the hopper control unit 231 are connected to the CPU 222 via the bus 250 via the input / output interface 232.

  The lamp control unit 233 is a control unit for turning on / off various lamps in accordance with the state of the game, and is controlled to be turned on / off from the CPU 222 via the bus 250 and the output interface 234 based on the control of the CPU 222. Is done. The speaker 235 outputs various sounds according to the game state based on the control of the CPU 222 via the sound output unit 236.

  The automatic / manual stop changeover switch 240 is provided on the front or back surface of the front panel 103 or on the circuit board 105 or in the main body frame 102 and is connected to the CPU 222 via the input interface 227 to stop the rotary reel 11. Based on the player's operation of the stop buttons 121 to 123, it is operated to set to either the manual stop mode or the automatic stop mode.

  Next, the operation of the slot machine 100 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the automatic / manual stop changeover switch 240 displays on the front panel 103 by a display means such as a lamp whether the stop mode of the rotary reel 11 is set to the manual stop mode or the automatic stop mode (S01).

  Next, the player inserts (bets) one or several medals from the medal insertion slot 114 (S02). The number of winning lines is determined in accordance with the number of medals inserted at this time.

  Then, when the player operates the starter 112, the rotation reels 11 (the left rotation reel 11a, the center rotation reel 11b, and the right rotation reel 11c) start to rotate (S03). Specifically, by operating the starter 112, the motor control unit 230 instructs the three motors 18 to rotate. Of the three motors 18, the motor 18 a is connected to the support shaft 15 a, the motor 18 b is connected to the support shaft 15 b, and the motor 18 c is connected to the support shaft 15 c via the belt 21. The force is transmitted to each spindle 15.

  Of the three support shafts 15, the support shaft 15a is connected to the outer peripheral teeth of the outer peripheral gear 20 provided on the support shaft 15a on the inner peripheral teeth 19b of the inner peripheral gear portion 19 with respect to the left rotating reel 11a. 20b meshes. Further, the support shaft 15a has a support portion 22a of the rotating body 22 provided on the support shaft 15a on the guide portion 19a of each inner peripheral gear portion 19 with respect to the central rotation reel 11b and the right rotation reel 11c. The rotating body 22 makes free rotation (idle rotation). Therefore, the rotational driving force of the motor 18a is transmitted to the left rotation reel 11a, but not transmitted to the center rotation reel 11b and the right rotation reel 11c, and the support shaft 15a rotates to the center rotation reel 11b and the right rotation. It is not affected by the rotation of the reel 11c. Similarly, the support shaft 15b of the three support shafts 15 has an outer periphery of an outer peripheral gear 20 provided on the support shaft 15b on an inner peripheral tooth 19b of the inner peripheral gear portion 19 with respect to the central rotary reel 11b. The teeth 20b are engaged. Further, the support shaft 15b has a support portion 22a of the rotating body 22 provided on the support shaft 15b on the guide portion 19a of each inner peripheral gear portion 19 with respect to the left rotation reel 11a and the right rotation reel 11c. The rotating body 22 makes free rotation (idle rotation). Therefore, the rotational driving force of the motor 18b is transmitted to the central rotating reel 11b, but not transmitted to the left rotating reel 11a and the right rotating reel 11c, and the support shaft 15b rotates to the left rotating reel 11a and the right rotating reel 11a. It is not affected by the rotation of the reel 11c. Similarly, of the three support shafts 15, the support shaft 15 c is connected to the outer peripheral gear 20 provided on the support shaft 15 c on the inner peripheral teeth 19 b of the inner peripheral gear portion 19 with respect to the right rotating reel 11 c. The teeth 20b are engaged. Further, the support shaft 15c has a support portion 22a of a rotating body 22 provided on the support shaft 15c on the guide portion 19a of each inner peripheral gear portion 19 with respect to the central rotation reel 11b and the right rotation reel 11c. The rotating body 22 makes free rotation (idle rotation). Therefore, the rotational driving force of the motor 18c is transmitted to the right rotation reel 11b, but not transmitted to the left rotation reel 11a and the center rotation reel 11b, and the support shaft 15c is rotated to the left rotation reel 11a and the center rotation reel. It is not affected by the rotation of the reel 11b.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the stop mode of the rotary reel 11 is set to the automatic stop mode or the manual stop mode (S04). As a result, when it is not the automatic stop mode (manual stop mode: S04 = NO), S05 to S07 are executed, and when it is the automatic stop mode (S04 = YES), the process proceeds to S10.

  In the manual stop mode (S04 = NO), the player presses the stop buttons 121, 122, 123 in random order to perform the operation of stopping the corresponding left rotation reel 11a, center rotation reel 11b, and right rotation reel 11c. And each motor 18 stops according to it. Of the three motors 18 provided, when the motor 18a stops, the rotation of the support shaft 15a stops and the rotation of the left rotation reel 11a stops. When the motor 18b stops, the rotation of the support shaft 15b stops. When the rotation of the central rotating reel 11b stops and the motor 18c stops, the rotation of the support shaft 15c stops and the rotation of the right rotating reel 11c stops. As a result, each rotating reel 11 stops (S05, S06, S07).

  In this embodiment, in order to correctly arrange the symbols arranged at equal intervals on the peripheral surface of each rotary reel 11 along each winning line in the reel window 110, the center of each symbol is a horizontal center. Each rotary reel is controlled to stop so as to coincide with the winning line.

  The CPU 222 captures that the shielding plates (not shown) respectively disposed on the left rotating reel 11a, the central rotating reel 11b, and the right rotating reel 11c block the optical path of each sensor (not shown). The origin of each rotating reel is grasped. Even if the player operates the stop buttons 121 to 123 in order to stop each rotary reel 11, if the approximate center position of the symbols on each rotary reel 11 at that time is deviated from the horizontal winning line, immediately. Each rotating reel 11 cannot be stopped, and the CPU 222 first performs motor operation until the approximate center of a symbol coincides with the central horizontal winning line after operating the stop buttons 121 to 123 via the motor control unit 230. After the motor 18 is rotated, the motor 18 is controlled to stop. For example, when the motor 27 is a stepping motor, the motor drive pulse count value is held in the RAM 229 or the memory provided in the motor control unit 230, and the origin is detected by a sensor (not shown). If this occurs, the count value is reset. Then, the count value (this is referred to as a reference value) when the approximate center of the symbol coincides with the central horizontal winning line is determined from 0 at equal intervals. Therefore, when it is detected that the stop buttons 121 to 123 are operated, the motor 18 is controlled to be stopped after being driven until the pulse count value reaches the next reference value.

  When all the rotating reels 11 are stopped (S08 = Yes), it is determined whether or not a medal has been paid out according to the combination of symbols on the winning line at that time. Medals are paid out to the tray 118 and the game for that time is finished (S09).

  In the case of the automatic stop mode (S04 = Yes), the process proceeds to S10, waits for the elapse of a predetermined time (a time corresponding to a normal game) set in the game machine, and proceeds to the next S11. In S11, all the rotation reels 11 are automatically stopped, and the process proceeds to S08. After confirming the stop of all the rotation reels 11, in S09, medals are paid out according to the presence or absence of winning. In this automatic stop mode, the stop positions of the left rotating reel 11a, the central rotating reel 11b, and the right rotating reel 11C are determined by generating random numbers in the CPU 222. In this case, each reel 11 stop control is the same as that described in the manual stop mode.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, since the rotary reel 11 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 15 inserted through the rotary reel 11, as in the conventional case, the rotary reel 11 is supported. There is no need to use a motor mounting plate, spokes, or the like for partitioning adjacent rotating reels. Further, since the support shaft 15 transmits the rotational driving force of each motor 18 to the rotary reel 11, there is no need to individually arrange each motor 18 on each rotary reel 11 at the inner diameter portion as in the prior art. As described above, all the motors 18 can be collectively stored in the inner diameter portion of one rotary reel 11.

  Thereby, not only can a large empty space be secured in the internal space 23 of the rotating reel 11, but also an empty space that extends across the plurality of internal spaces 23 can be used. The present invention can be greatly utilized for arrangement of production members such as lighting devices and other arbitrary members.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotary reel device (reel block) of the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, in place of the three motors 18 mounted in the left rotation reel 11a in the first embodiment, the three motors 18 rotate leftward. The reels 11a are collectively attached to the side wall 13 of the reel block 10 outside the reel 11a. Further, in the first embodiment, instead of the support shaft 15 being connected to the drive shaft 18d of the motor 18 by the belt 21, the support shaft 31 of the second embodiment is the drive shaft of the first embodiment. It is assumed that the support shaft 15 is directly connected to the shaft 18d through the coupling 32. That is, the support shaft 31 of this embodiment extends the drive shafts of the three motors 18 attached to the side wall 13 and inserts them into the inner diameter side of the three rotary reels 11 so that the tips of the drive shafts are inserted. It is attached to the side wall 14 via a bearing 16 so as to be freely rotatable. These drive shafts (support shafts 31) support the three rotary reels 11 so as to be rotatable on their inner peripheral surfaces (inner diameters).

  Specifically, of the three support shafts 31, the support shaft 31 a is a drive shaft of the motor 18 a of the three motors 18 and at the same time a position corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the left rotation reel 11 a. The outer peripheral gear 20 is provided to transmit the rotational driving force of the motor 18a to the left rotating reel 11a. The support shaft 31a includes a rotating body 22 at positions corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portions 19 of the central rotating reel 11b and the right rotating reel 11c, and supports the central rotating reel 11b and the right rotating reel 11c. It does not affect the rotational drive. Similarly, the support shaft 31b is a drive shaft of the motor 18b, and at the same time has an outer peripheral gear 20 at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the central rotary reel 11b, and the rotational driving force of the motor 18b is supplied to the central rotary reel 11b. To communicate. The support shaft 31b includes a rotating body 22 at positions corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portions 19 of the left rotating reel 11a and the right rotating reel 11c, and supports the left rotating reel 11a and the right rotating reel 11c. It does not affect the rotational drive. Similarly, the support shaft 31c is a drive shaft for the motor 18c, and at the same time has an outer peripheral gear 20 at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the right rotation reel 11c, and rotates the rotational driving force of the motor 18c to the right. It is transmitted to the reel 11c. The support shaft 31c includes a rotating body 22 at a position corresponding to each inner peripheral gear portion 19 of the left rotating reel 11a and the central rotating reel 11b, and supports the left rotating reel 11a and the central rotating reel 11b. It does not affect the rotational drive.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, since the motor 18 is not disposed in any of the internal spaces 23 of the three rotary reels 11, the first embodiment is provided in the internal space 23 of the rotary reel 11. An even larger empty space can be secured. Therefore, by utilizing this empty space, it is possible to freely set and arrange effects members such as lighting devices and other various members.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotary reel device (reel block) of the third embodiment. FIG. 10A is a view corresponding to FIG. 5, and FIG. 11A is a diagram showing the rotational driving force applied to the rotary reel by the support shaft of the third embodiment. FIG. 11B is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a portion where the support shaft supports the rotary reel so as to freely rotate. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the third embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of each rotary reel 11 is replaced by the fact that the inner peripheral surface (inner diameter) of each rotary reel 11 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 15 in the first embodiment. (Outer diameter) is rotatably supported by the support shaft 41. Note that the support shaft 41 of the third embodiment is a shaft integrated with the drive shaft of the motor 18 in the same manner as the support shaft 31 of the second embodiment, and is outside the left rotating reel 11a. It is assumed that the side wall 13 is fixed. Of course, also in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the support shaft is configured separately from the drive shaft of the motor and connected by a belt, or the entire motor is housed in the inner diameter portion of the rotary reel 11. It is good also as a form attached to.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the rotary reel 42 in the third embodiment, outer peripheral gear portions 43 each having outer peripheral teeth 43b are provided at both end edges in the rotation axis direction. That is, the rotary reel 42 of the third embodiment is formed as an external gear having two rows of outer peripheral teeth 43b in the circumferential direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the outer peripheral gear portion 43 is provided with guide portions 43a formed in an annular shape having a smaller diameter than the outer peripheral teeth 43b on both sides of each outer peripheral tooth 43b. It has been.

  On the other hand, on the support shaft 41 in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the rotating body 22 as a support means for supporting the rotating reel 42 without acting on the rotational driving of the rotating reel 42, and An outer peripheral gear 20 is provided as drive transmission means for transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor 18 to the rotary reel 42.

  The rotating body 22 is a member having the same configuration as that of the rotating body 22 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11B, the rotating body 22 includes a support portion 22a and a smaller diameter portion 22b smaller than the support portion 22a. It is attached to the outer peripheral surface of this so as to freely rotate. The support portion 22 a of the rotating body 22 contacts the guide portion 43 a of the outer peripheral gear portion 43 of the rotating reel 42 and supports the rotating reel 42. Further, the outer peripheral teeth 43b of the outer peripheral gear portion 43 of the rotary reel 42 are positioned in the small diameter portion 22b of the rotating body 22 without meshing. Although not shown, the support shaft 41 is provided with appropriate means for preventing the rotating body 22 from being displaced in the axial direction. Between the rotating body 22 and the rotating reel 42, the tips of the outer peripheral teeth 43b of the rotating reel 42 are located in the small diameter portion 22b formed in the rotating body 22 with a smaller diameter than the support portion 22b. A positional shift of the shaft 41 in the axial direction is prevented.

  The outer peripheral gear 20 is a member having the same configuration as the outer peripheral gear 20 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11 (a), the outer peripheral teeth 20b formed on the outer peripheral surface and the both sides of the outer peripheral teeth 20b. The flange portions 20a and 20a formed in an annular shape larger in diameter than the outer peripheral teeth 20b are provided and fixed so as to rotate integrally with the support shaft 41. The outer peripheral teeth 20b of the outer peripheral gear 20 mesh with the outer peripheral teeth 43b of the outer peripheral gear portion 43 of the rotary reel 42. At this time, the flange portions 20a and 20a of the outer peripheral gear 20 are not in contact with the guide portions 43a of the outer peripheral gear portion 43. They are separated without touching. Between the outer peripheral gear 20 and the rotating reel 42, the outer peripheral teeth 20 b having a smaller diameter than the flange portion 20 a and the outer peripheral teeth 43 b of the rotating reel 42 mesh with each other, and therefore the position of the rotating reel 42 in the axial direction of the support shaft 41. Misalignment is prevented.

  An arbitrary number of support shafts 41 that support the rotating reel 42 on its outer peripheral surface (outer diameter) may be arranged as long as the rotating reel 42 can be supported. In this third embodiment, there are three support shafts 41, and as shown in FIG. 10, the shaft centers of the support shafts 41 are arranged at equal intervals along the outer periphery of the rotary reel 42 in a side view. .

  The outer peripheral gear 20 is selectively provided on the support shaft 41 in order to individually drive the three rotary reels 42 by the three motors 18. The rotating body 22 is attached to the portion where the support shaft 41 simply supports the rotating reel 42 corresponding to the outer peripheral gear portion 43 of the rotating reel 42. The outer peripheral gear 20 corresponding to the outer peripheral gear portion 43 of the rotary reel 42 is attached to a portion where the support shaft 41 supports the rotary reel 42 and transmits the rotational driving force of the motor.

  In the third embodiment, in the reel window 110 shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral gear portion 43 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary reel 42 from the reel window 110 is visible to the player side. It is desirable to use a reel window that blinds.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, since not only the motor 18 but also the support shaft 41 is not arranged in the internal space 23 of the rotary reel 42, the interior of the rotary reel 42 is further increased than the configuration of the first and second embodiments. The space 23 can be effectively used as an empty space, and a production member such as a lighting device and other various members can be freely set and arranged.

  In the above-described embodiment, three support shafts are used to individually drive the three rotary reels 11. However, in order to improve the stability in supporting the rotary reels 11, the rotary reels are rotationally driven. As an auxiliary member for supporting the rotating reel without acting on the auxiliary shaft, an auxiliary supporting shaft parallel to the supporting shaft, an auxiliary support body partially disposed on the inner or outer diameter of the rotating reel, or the like may be added. Good.

  The present invention is not only applied to the slot machine, but also when a rotating reel is provided in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine (for example, when a hit ball enters a predetermined winning hole or when a hit ball passes a predetermined position) The present invention can also be applied to a rotating reel or the like that rotates in a rotating manner.

It is the external view which looked at the slot machine to which the rotary reel apparatus of the game machine of this invention was applied from the front. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine of FIG. 1. 1 is an external perspective view of a rotary reel device (reel block) according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. (A) is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a portion where the support shaft of the first embodiment transmits a rotational driving force to the rotary reel, and (b) is an enlarged view showing a portion where the support shaft supports the rotary reel so as to freely rotate. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the electric circuit structure of a slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the game of a slot machine. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rotary reel apparatus (reel block) of 2nd Embodiment, and is a figure equivalent to FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rotary reel apparatus (reel block) of 3rd Embodiment, and is a figure equivalent to FIG. (A) is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a portion where the support shaft of the third embodiment transmits a rotational driving force to the rotary reel, and (b) is an enlarged view showing a portion where the support shaft supports the rotary reel so as to freely rotate. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view.

Explanation of symbols

10 reel block (rotary reel drive)
11 rotating reel 11a left rotating reel 11b central rotating reel 11c right rotating reel 12 frame 13, 14 side wall 15 (15a, 15b, 15c) support shaft 15d belt wheel 16 bearing 17 reel drum 17a reel tape 18 (18a, 18b, 18c) Motor 18d Drive shaft 18e Belt wheel 19 Inner peripheral gear part 19a Guide part 19b Inner peripheral tooth 20 Outer gear 20a collar part 20b Outer peripheral tooth 21 Belt 22 Rotating body 22a Support part 22b Small diameter part 23 Internal space 31, 41 Support shaft 32 Coupling 42 rotating reel 43 outer peripheral gear portion 43a supporting portion 43b outer peripheral tooth 100 slot machine 102 main body frame 103 front panel 105 circuit board 106 medal discharger 110 reel window 112 starter 114 medal insertion port 116 medal payout port 118 medal tray 121- 23 stop button 150 mounting plate

Claims (5)

In a rotary reel drive device of a gaming machine provided with a plurality of rotary reels on which a number, a pattern, etc. are drawn on a peripheral surface, and a rotary drive source for driving those rotary reels,
The plurality of rotating reels are juxtaposed along a rotation axis thereof,
Via a plurality of rotatable support shafts arranged in parallel with the rotation axis, the inner diameter or the outer diameter of the plurality of rotating reels is rotatably supported,
A rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine, wherein a drive transmission means provided for each rotary reel is selectively provided on the spindle so that the rotary drive force of the rotary drive source is individually transmitted to the rotary reel.   The said support shaft with which the said drive transmission means was provided is supported to rotation reels other than the rotation reel corresponding to the said drive transmission means, without acting on the rotation drive. Rotating reel drive device for gaming machines. An inner peripheral gear portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of each rotary reel, and an outer peripheral gear serving as the drive transmission means is provided on the support shaft at a portion that meshes with the inner peripheral gear portion of a predetermined rotary reel.
The support shaft rotates integrally with or connected to a drive shaft of a rotary drive source that individually drives the predetermined rotary reel, so that the rotational drive force of the predetermined rotary drive source is transmitted through the drive transmission means. 3. The rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotary reel drive device is transmitted to a predetermined rotary reel.   A plurality of the rotation drive sources are provided to individually drive the plurality of rotation reels, and the rotation drive sources are collectively placed inside any one of the rotation reels arranged in parallel. 4. A rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotary reel drive device is attached to a mounting plate so as to be stored.   A plurality of the rotation drive sources are provided to individually drive the plurality of rotation reels, and the rotation drive sources are collectively arranged outside the rotation reel on one end side among the plurality of rotation reels arranged side by side. The rotary reel drive device for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotary reel drive device is attached to a mounting plate.

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