JP2005185821A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine and the like facilitating feeding operation of game tokens by raisingly carrying the game tokens positioned in the lower part of a token feed slot to the token feed slot by a token raising device and feeding them into the token feed slot. <P>SOLUTION: The token raising device 75 is characterized in having a token raising passage 80 connected to the token feed slot 18 from the lower part of the token feed slot 18, a shooting section 131 provided in the lower part in the token raising passage 80 and disposing a game token 20 to be shot, a shooting means 90 capable of shooting the game token 20 of the shooting section 131 toward the token feed slot 18 in the upper part, and a token feed means 100 positioned in the lower part of the token feed slot 18 and feeding the game token 20 to the shooting means 90. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of automatically inserting gaming media such as gaming medals and gaming balls, and more specifically, launching gaming media such as gaming medals and gaming balls from below, a medal slot, The present invention relates to a gaming machine that is inserted into a gaming medium slot.

Conventionally, disc-shaped game medals have been paid out by throwing banknotes or coins into medal lending machines in game halls. Then, it is set so that the game of the slot machine can be executed on condition that such a game medal is inserted into a gaming machine, specifically, a medal slot on the front side of the slot machine, for example.
At that time, the game medals paid out from the medal lending machine were discharged to the lending medal discharge port of the medal lending machine in a state of being separated one by one. Then, the player grabbed the game medal by hand and inserted it into the medal slot of the slot machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In recent years, slot machines are mainly used in which a predetermined number of game medals to be inserted are stored in the slot machine (so-called credits) and replaced with game medals by operating a bet switch.
In this way, in a slot machine that can be credited, there are many players who play a game after a certain number of cards are inserted in advance. For this reason, a guide recess is provided in front of the medal slot of a conventional slot machine so that a plurality of game medals can be arranged and gradually inserted into the medal slot. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). Then, a plurality of game medals stacked in a columnar shape are placed in such a guide recess and dropped into the medal insertion from the back side, so that the game medals are collectively inserted.

On the other hand, a so-called parrot is known in which a pachinko ball, which is a game ball having a spherical shape as a whole, is used as a game medium, and a game similar to a slot machine can be performed. This parrot has an upper tray discharge outlet for paying out game balls as a game medium above or above the upper plate, and the game balls inside the upper plate are inserted into the gaming machine at the lower portion of the upper plate. Therefore, there is a game media slot. Then, the paid-out game balls and the game balls lent out from the game medium lending machine are inserted from the game medium insertion port by a predetermined switch operation (for example, a bet switch pressing operation), and the start switch and the stop switch are operated. By rotating and stopping the rotating reel and aligning a predetermined pattern, the game balls are paid out from the upper plate discharge outlet to the upper plate. When the game balls are full on the upper plate, the game balls can be stored by moving to a lower plate that is located below the upper plate and can store the game balls.
JP 2002-95791 A (FIGS. 1 and 2)

However, in the conventional gaming machine described above, when a game medal is inserted for each game without using a credit, one game, one game medal, and one game medal are held by hand to insert the game medal into the game machine. To insert the medal into the medal slot, the medal insertion operation is very troublesome.
In addition, in a credit-enabled gaming machine, if a guide recess in front of the medal slot is used and a plurality of game medals are stacked in a cylindrical shape and placed in the guide recess, the medal is lent out Grab game medals that have been paid out by hand either by lending from a machine or by paying out as a result of winning a gaming machine, aligning them in a cylindrical shape, and holding them together with one hand One card had to be inserted, and the medal insertion operation became troublesome.

Also, the payout tray in which the game medals to be paid out as a result of winning is stored is usually arranged at the lower part of the gaming machine. Also, a resin-made medal box that can be carried with game medals overflowing from the payout tray is usually arranged at the lower part of the gaming machine near the payout tray. From the payout tray or medal box located at the bottom of these gaming machines, the player grabs the gaming medal by hand and lifts it up to the medal slot near the center of the gaming machine in the height direction. It had to be inserted into the medal slot. Such a throwing-in operation is troublesome as the frequency increases, and places a heavy burden on the player's muscular strength.
Also, so-called parrots that use game balls have the same problems as when using game medals as described above. That is, the game ball paid out to the upper plate of the parrot can be put into the game medium slot as it is, but when the upper plate is full, the game ball paid out to the lower plate is placed at the lower part of the gaming machine. To position. From these lower plates, the player grabs the game ball by hand, lifts it up to the game media slot on the upper plate near the center of the parrot height, and throws it into the game media slot. Had to do. Such a throwing operation is troublesome and burdensome for the player.

As described above, in any of the conventional gaming machines, there has been a problem that the game medal insertion operation is not easy and troublesome. Accordingly, each invention described in each claim has been made in view of the problems of the conventional techniques described above, and the object thereof is as follows.
(Claim 1)
That is, the invention described in claim 1 has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a game medal positioned below the medal slot as a medal raising device. Thus, the gaming machine can be moved up to the medal insertion slot and inserted into the medal insertion slot so that the game medal insertion operation can be facilitated.

(Claim 2)
The invention described in claim 2 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1 described above.
In other words, the invention according to claim 2 is to provide a gaming machine in which a game medal inserted into a medal supply slot can be supplied to a launching unit by driving a belt transfer unit.
(Claim 3)
The invention described in claim 3 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 2 described above.

That is, the invention described in claim 3 is intended to provide a gaming machine in which the gaming medals paid out inside the payout tray can be more easily thrown into the medal supply slot.
(Claim 4)
In addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the invention described in claim 4 has the following object.
That is, the invention according to claim 4 is a gaming machine in which game medals can be prevented from being missed and game medals can be reliably launched from the lower part of the medal rising passage toward the upper medal slot. It is something to be offered.

(Claim 5)
The invention described in claim 5 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4.
That is, the invention according to claim 5 is to provide a gaming machine that allows a player to select whether or not to supply game medal launching means.
Furthermore, the invention according to claim 5 is to provide a gaming machine that can determine the supply of the game medal to the launching means and the launching of the launching means by the player's intention. .

(Claim 6)
The invention described in claim 6 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 5 described above.
That is, the invention described in claim 6 can avoid that a part of the game medals supplied by the medal supply means is not left by the launching means and remains between the medal supply means and the launching means. An attempt is made to provide such a gaming machine.
(Claim 7)
The invention described in claim 7 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 2 to 4.

That is, the invention according to claim 7 is to provide a gaming machine that can easily supply game medals to the launching means.
(Claim 8)
The invention described in claim 8 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 7.
That is, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a part of the game medals supplied by the medal supply means from remaining between the medal supply means and the launching means without being launched by the launching means. An attempt is made to provide such a gaming machine.

(Claim 9)
That is, the invention described in claim 9 has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the invention is to provide a game medium positioned below the game medium insertion slot as a game medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine which can be moved up to a game medium slot by a lifting device and can be loaded into the game medium slot, thereby facilitating the game medium loading operation. It is.

(Feature point)
Each invention described in each claim has been made to achieve each of the above-mentioned objects, and features of each invention will be described below using embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings. .
In addition, the code | symbol in parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
The drawing numbers also indicate the drawing numbers used in the embodiments of the invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
(Claim 1)
The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points.

  That is, the insertion of the game medal (20) is set as a condition for starting the game, and the game medal (20) is set in the gaming machine (10) capable of executing a game in which the game medal (20) is paid out according to the game result. A medal slot (18) that can be inserted into the gaming machine (10), a payout tray (70) from which the game medal (20) is paid out, positioned below the medal slot (18), and the medal A medal raising device (75) for transferring a game medal (20) from below the insertion port (18) to the medal insertion port (18), and the medal raising device (75) includes the medal insertion port (18). A medal ascending passage (80) communicating with the medal insertion slot (18) from below and a launching portion (131) provided in a lower portion of the medal ascentment passage (80) for placing a game medal (20) to be launched The game medal (20) of the launch unit (131) can be launched toward the upper medal slot (18). And a medal supply means (100) that is located below the medal insertion slot (18) and supplies the game medal (20) to the launching means (90). Features.

Here, the “gaming machine (10)” is specifically a slot machine, for example, but includes a pachinko machine and other gaming machines.
In addition, here, “gaming medal (20)” is not limited to such a disk-shaped medal, but it may be a normal coin, a spherical ball, or a stick-shaped medal. It may be a thing. Furthermore, as long as some value is given to the player, it is not particularly limited to a specific shape.
Further, here, “the launching means (90) capable of launching the game medal (20) of the launching portion (131) toward the upper medal slot (18)” means the inside of the medal ascending passage (80). The game medal (20) located in the lower launching part (131) is hit, and the game medal (20) is forcibly moved upward from the lower part inside the medal ascending passage (80). Means that can be inserted into the medal slot (18) as a result.

(Function)
In the present invention, the game medal (20) is supplied to the launching means (90) by the medal supply means (100) of the medal raising device (75). Then, the launching means (90) launches the supplied game medal (20) toward the upper medal slot (18). Then, the game medal (20) launched by the launching means (90) is directed from the lower part of the medal raising passage (80) to the upper medal insertion slot (18) along the inside of the medal raising passage (80). Moving. Then, the game medal (20) moved upward is inserted into the medal insertion slot (18) from the medal ascending passage (80). Therefore, the game medal (20) supplied to the medal supply means (100) positioned below the medal insertion slot (18) can be raised to the medal insertion slot (18) and automatically inserted. As a result, the medal raising device (75) as described above simply supplies the game medal (20) to the medal supply means (100) located below the medal slot (18). It can be moved up to the medal insertion slot (18) and directly inserted into the medal insertion slot (18).

That is, in order to insert the game medal (20) into the medal insertion slot (18), it is not necessary to grab the game medal (20) one by one and lift it up to the medal insertion slot (18). , The labor can be reduced, the medal insertion operation can be made easy, and the player can be freed from the annoyance of the medal insertion so that the player can concentrate on the game. be able to.
Further, since the frequency with which the player directly touches the game medal (20) with the hand can be reduced, it is possible to prevent the hand from being soiled by oil, dirt, or the like attached to the game medal (20).
(Claim 2)
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 described above.

That is, the medal supply means (100) is opened upward, and a medal supply slot (110) into which a game medal (20) for providing to the launching means (90) can be inserted, and the medal supply Belt transfer means (120) for transferring game medals (20) inserted from the slot (110) by rotational movement of the belt (121), and game medals (20) transferred from the belt transfer means (120) And a guide passage (130) for guiding to the launch portion (131) of the launch means (90).
(Function)
In the present invention, a game medal (20) to be provided to the launching means (90) is inserted into the medal supply slot (110) opening upward. The game medal (20) inserted from the medal supply insertion port (110) is transferred by the rotational movement of the belt (121) of the belt transfer means (120). Then, the game medal (20) transferred from the belt transfer means (120) is guided to the launching means (90) through the guide passage (130).

As a result, the game medal (20) inserted into the medal supply slot (110) can be easily supplied to the launching means (90) simply by inserting the game medal (20) by driving the belt transfer means (120). can do.
(Claim 3)
The invention described in claim 3 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 2 described above.
That is, the medal supply inlet (110) is arranged on the bottom surface of the payout tray (70).

(Function)
In the present invention, since the medal supply insertion port (110) is arranged on the bottom surface of the payout tray (70), the game medal (20) paid out inside the payout tray (70) is replaced with the medal supply input port ( 110), the moving distance of the game medal (20) can be shortened, and the game medal (20) insertion process can be simplified.
Furthermore, the present invention eliminates the need to pick up the game medal (20) paid out inside the payout tray (70) with the palm, and the game medal (20) with the palm along the inside of the payout tray (70). By simply pushing and moving it, the medal supply slot (110) can be inserted more easily.

(Claim 4)
The invention described in claim 4 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3.
That is, the launching means (90) strikes the game medal (20) of the launching portion (131) provided at the lower part in the medal raising passage (80) toward the upper part in the medal raising passage (80). Whether the hammer (140), the hammer driving means (145) for driving the hammer (140), and the game medal (20) are arranged in the launching portion (131) in the medal raising passage (80) A medal detection means (150) capable of detecting whether or not the hammer is detected when the medal detection means (150) detects that the game medal (20) is arranged in the launch portion (131). The driving means (145) drives the hammer (140) to drive out the game medal (20) toward the medal slot (18).

(Function)
When the medal detection means (150) according to the present invention detects that the game medal (20) is arranged in the lower launching part (131) in the medal raising passage (80), the hammer driving means (145 ) Drives the hammer (140). Then, the hammer (140) drives out the game medals in the lower launching portion (131) in the medal ascending passage (80) toward the upper portion in the medal ascent passage (80). Thereby, the hammer (140) can be driven only when the game medal (20) is arranged in the lower launching part (131) in the medal raising passage (80). As a result, the game medal (20) can be securely inserted into the medal rising path (80) by suppressing the damage caused by driving the hammer (140) in a state where the game medal (20) is not arranged in the launch portion (131). ) Can be launched from the lower launching part (131) toward the upper medal slot (18). Therefore, the reliability of the launching means (90) can be increased.

(Claim 5)
The invention described in claim 5 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4.
That is, the medal supply means (100) includes a drive switch (101) that can be operated by a player, and the medal supply means (100) is a game on condition that the drive switch (101) is operated. The medal (20) is configured to start to be supplied to the launching means (90).
The launching means (90) is configured to be driven on condition that the drive switch (101) is operated.

(Function)
In the present invention, supply of the game medal (20) to the launching means (90) is started by the player's operation of the drive switch (101). Thereby, supply of the game medal (20) to the launching means (90) can be determined by the player's intention. Therefore, the player can select whether or not the game medal (20) is supplied to the launching means (90).
Furthermore, the present invention is configured to drive the launching means (90) when the drive switch (101) is operated. That is, the medal supply means (100) and the launching means (90) are interlocked with each other by operating the drive switch (101). Thereby, the supply of the game medal (20) to the launching means (90) and the launching of the launching means (90) can be determined by the player's intention.

(Claim 6)
The invention described in claim 6 has the following characteristics in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in claim 5.
That is, the medal supply means (100) is predetermined when the player operates the drive switch (101) in the OFF state after the supply of the game medal (20) to the launching means (90) is started. The driving means (90) is continuously driven until a predetermined time has elapsed, and the driving of the driving means (90) is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed.

(Function)
In the present invention, the driving of the launching means (90) is continued until a predetermined time has elapsed, and the driving of the launching means (90) is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed. For this reason, a part of the game medals supplied by the medal supply means (100) is not shot out by the launching means (90) and remains between the medal supply means (100) and the launching means (90). It can be avoided.
(Claim 7)
The invention described in claim 7 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 2 to 4.

That is, the medal supply means (100) includes a supply medal detection sensor (102) capable of detecting that a game medal (20) has been inserted into the medal supply insertion slot (110), and the belt transfer means (120 ) Is configured to start transfer driving of the belt transfer means (120) on condition that the insertion of the game medal (20) is detected by the supply medal detection sensor (102). And
(Function)
In the present invention, the transfer driving of the belt transfer means (120) is started on condition that the supply medal detection sensor (102) detects that the game medal (20) is inserted into the medal supply insertion slot (110). . For this reason, the player does not need to operate a switch or the like for starting driving the belt transfer means (120) separately, as long as the game medal (20) is inserted into the medal supply slot (110). However, the transfer drive can be automatically started. Thereby, supply of the game medal (20) to the launching means (90) can be facilitated.

(Claim 8)
The invention described in claim 8 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 7.
That is, the medal supply means (100), when the game medal (20) inserted by the supply medal detection sensor (102) is not detected after the belt drive means (120) transfer drive is started, The driving means (90) is continuously driven until a predetermined time has elapsed, and the driving of the driving means (90) is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed.

(Function)
In the present invention, the driving of the launching means (90) is continued until a predetermined time has elapsed, and the driving of the launching means (90) is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed. For this reason, a part of the game medals supplied by the medal supply means (100) is not shot out by the launching means (90) and remains between the medal supply means (100) and the launching means (90). It can be avoided.
(Claim 9)
The invention described in claim 9 is characterized by the following points.

  In other words, the game medium (20) is set as a condition under which the game can be started, and the game medium (20) is set in the gaming machine (10) capable of executing a game in which the game medium (20) is paid out according to the game result. A game medium slot (18) that can be thrown into the gaming machine (10), a lower plate (180) that is located below the game medium slot (18) and stores the game medium (20); A game medium elevating device (75) for transferring the game medium (20) from below the game medium input port (18) to the game medium input port (18), the game medium elevating device (75), A game medium rising passage (80) communicating with the game medium insertion opening (18) from below the game medium insertion opening (18), and a game medium to be launched and provided in a lower portion of the game medium increase passage (80) ( 20) and a striking portion (131) where the game medium (20) of the striking portion (131) can be launched toward the upper game medium insertion port (18). And a game medium supply means (100) for supplying the game medium (20) to the launching means (90) and positioned below the game medium insertion port (18). It is characterized by that.

Here, the “gaming machine (10)” specifically includes, for example, a parrot.
Here, the game medium (20) includes a spherical game ball such as a pachinko ball.
Further, here, “the launching means (90) capable of launching the game medium (20) of the launch unit (131) toward the upper game medium insertion port (18)” means the game medium ascending passage (80). The game medium (20) located in the lower launching part (131) in the inside is hit, and the game medium (20) is forced upward from the lower part inside the game medium ascending passage (80). Means that can be moved as a result, and as a result, can be inserted into the game medium slot (18).

(Function)
In the present invention, the game medium (20) is supplied to the launching means (90) by the game medium supply means (100) of the game medium raising device (75). Then, the launching means (90) launches the supplied game medium (20) toward the upper game medium insertion slot (18). Then, the game medium (20) launched by the launching means (90) passes along the inside of the game medium rising path (80) from the lower part of the game medium rising path (80) to the game medium insertion port (18) above. Move towards. Then, the game medium (20) that has moved upward is inserted into the game medium input port (18) from the game medium ascending passage (80). Therefore, the game medium (20) supplied to the game medium supply means (100) located below the game medium insertion port (18) is raised to the game medium insertion port (18) and automatically inserted. Can do. As a result, the game medium raising device (75) as described above simply supplies the game medium (20) to the game medium supply means (100) located below the game medium insertion port (18). 20) can be lifted and transferred to the game medium slot (18) and can be directly loaded into the game medium slot (18).

That is, in order to insert the game medium (20) into the game medium insertion slot (18), it is necessary to grab one piece, one piece, the game medium (20) by hand and lift it up to the game medium insertion slot (18). The game media input operation can be made easier by reducing the labor, and the player can be freed from the hassle of inputting the game media so that the player can concentrate on the game. An environment can be formed.
In addition, since the frequency with which the player directly touches the game medium (20) with his / her hand can be reduced, it is possible to prevent the hand from being soiled by oil or dirt attached to the game medium (20).
Further, the game medium supply means (100) is opened upward, and a game medium supply input port (110) capable of supplying a game medium (20) for providing to the launching means (90), Belt transfer means (120) for transferring the game medium (20) input from the game medium supply input port (110) by the rotational movement of the belt (121), and game media transferred from the belt transfer means (120) ( 20) can be formed to include a guide passageway (130) for guiding to the launching portion (131) of the launching means (90).

When formed in this way, the game medium (20) input from the game medium supply input port (110) is transferred by the rotational movement of the belt (121) of the belt transfer means (120). The game medium (20) transferred from the belt transfer means (120) is guided to the launching means (90) through the guide passage (130). As a result, the game medium (20) loaded into the game medium supply slot (110) can be easily transferred to the launching means (90) simply by loading the game medium (20) by driving the belt transfer means (120). Can be supplied.
Furthermore, the game medium supply slot (110) can be formed to be disposed on the bottom surface of the lower plate (180).

When formed in this way, since the game medium supply slot (110) is arranged on the bottom surface of the lower plate (180), the game medium (20) paid out inside the lower plate (180) The moving distance of the game medium (20) when being loaded into the supply slot (110) can be shortened, and the loading process of the game medium (20) can be simplified. Furthermore, it is not necessary to pick up the game medium (20) paid out inside the lower plate (180) with the palm, and the game medium (20) is pushed and moved along the inside of the lower plate (180) with the palm. The game medium supply inlet (110) can be more easily inserted.
Further, the launching means (90) directs the game medium (20) of the launch portion (131) provided at the lower part in the game medium raising passage (80) toward the upper part in the game medium raising passage (80). Hammer (140) for hammering out, hammer driving means (145) for driving the hammer (140), and game media (20) are arranged in the launch portion (131) in the game media lift passage (80). A game medium detecting means (150) capable of detecting whether or not the game medium is detected, and the game medium detecting means (150) detects that the game medium (20) is arranged in the launching section (131). Sometimes, the hammer driving means (145) drives the hammer (140) so that the game medium (20) is driven out toward the game medium insertion slot (18).

  When formed in this way, the game medium detecting means (150) detects that the game medium (20) is arranged in the lower launching part (131) in the game medium rising passage (80). Driving means (145) drives the hammer (140). Then, the hammer (140) drives out the game medium in the lower launching part (131) in the game medium rising path (80) toward the upper part in the game medium rising path (80). Thereby, the hammer (140) can be driven only when the game medium (20) is arranged in the lower launching part (131) in the game medium ascending passage (80). Thereby, it is possible to suppress damage by driving the hammer (140) in a state in which the game medium (20) is not disposed in the launching part (131), and to reliably insert the game medium (20) into the game medium rising path ( 80) from the lower launching portion (131) to the upper game medium insertion slot (18). Therefore, the reliability of the launching means (90) can be increased.

Further, the game medium supply means (100) includes a drive switch (101) operable by a player, and the game medium supply means (100) is provided on condition that the drive switch (101) is operated. The game medium (20) is formed to start supply to the launching means (90), and the launching means (90) is driven on condition that the drive switch (101) is operated. Can be formed.
When formed in this way, supply of the game medium (20) to the launching means (90) is started by the player's operation of the drive switch (101). Thereby, the supply of the game medium (20) to the launching means (90) can be determined by the player's intention. Therefore, the player can select whether or not the game medium (20) is supplied to the launching means (90). Further, the drive means (90) is also driven when the drive switch (101) is operated. That is, the game medium supply means (100) and the launching means (90) are interlocked with each other by operating the drive switch (101). Thereby, the supply of the game medium (20) to the launching means (90) and the launching of the launching means (90) can be determined by the player's intention.

Further, the game medium supply means (100) is provided in advance when the player operates the drive switch (101) in the OFF state after the supply of the game medium (20) to the launching means (90) is started. The driving of the launching means (90) can be continued until a predetermined time has elapsed, and the driving of the launching means (90) can be stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed.
If formed in this way, the driving of the launching means (90) is continued until a predetermined time has passed, and the driving of the launching means (90) is stopped after the predetermined time has passed. For this reason, a part of the game medium supplied by the game medium supply means (100) is not driven out by the launching means (90) and remains between the game medium supply means (100) and the launching means (90). You can avoid that.

Further, the game medium supply means (100) includes a supply game medium detection sensor (102) capable of detecting that the game medium (20) has been input to the game medium supply input port (110), and the belt transfer The means (120) is configured to start transfer driving of the belt transfer means (120) on condition that the supply of the game medium (20) by the supplied game medium detection sensor (102) is detected. Can do.
When formed in this way, the transfer drive of the belt transfer means (120) is provided on condition that the supply of the game medium (20) to the game medium supply inlet (110) is detected by the supply game medium detection sensor (102). Is started. For this reason, the player operates a switch for starting the driving of the belt transfer means (120) separately as long as the game medium (20) is inserted into the game medium supply slot (110). Even without this, the transfer drive can be automatically started. Thereby, the supply of the game medium (20) to the launching means (90) can be facilitated.

Further, the game medium supply means (100) has not detected the inserted game medium (20) by the supply game medium detection sensor (102) after the belt drive means (120) starts to be driven to move. In this case, the driving of the driving means (90) can be continued until a predetermined time elapses, and the driving of the driving means (90) can be stopped after the predetermined time elapses.
If formed in this way, the driving of the launching means (90) is continued until a predetermined time has passed, and the driving of the launching means (90) is stopped after the predetermined time has passed. For this reason, a part of the game medium supplied by the game medium supply means (100) is not driven out by the launching means (90) and remains between the game medium supply means (100) and the launching means (90). You can avoid that.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
(Claim 1)
According to invention of Claim 1, there exist the following effects.
In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the game medals in the payout medal tray can be automatically inserted into the gaming machine, and the game medal insertion operation can be facilitated. A gaming machine configured as described above can be provided.
(Claim 2)
According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following effect is obtained.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can supply the game medals inserted into the medal supply slot to the launching means by driving the belt transfer means.
(Claim 3)
According to invention of Claim 3, in addition to the effect of invention of Claim 2, there exist the following effects.
That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that allows game medals paid out into the payout tray to be more easily inserted into the medal supply slot.

(Claim 4)
According to invention of Claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3, there exist the following effects.
That is, according to the invention described in claim 4, the game medal is prevented from being missed, and the game medal can be surely launched from the lower part in the medal raising passage toward the upper medal slot. Machine can be provided.
(Claim 5)
According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the following effect is provided.

That is, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that allows the player to select whether or not to supply game medal launching means.
Furthermore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of determining the supply of game medals to the launching means and the launching of the launching means by the player's intention. .
(Claim 6)
According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, the following effect is obtained.

That is, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is avoided that a part of the game medals supplied by the medal supply means is not left by the launching means and remains between the medal supply means and the launching means. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can be used.
(Claim 7)
According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 2 to 4, the following effect is provided.
That is, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily supply gaming medals to the launching means.

(Claim 8)
According to invention of Claim 8, in addition to the effect of invention of Claim 7, there exist the following effects.
That is, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is avoided that a part of the game medals supplied by the medal supply means is not left by the launching means and remains between the medal supply means and the launching means. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can be used.
(Claim 9)
According to invention of Claim 9, there exist the following effects.

  That is, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the game medium located below the game medium slot can be moved up to the game medium slot by the game medium lifting device and can be thrown into the game medium slot. Thus, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can facilitate the operation of inserting the game medium.

(Explanation of drawings)
1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a medal raising device, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of launching means and medal supply means, FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of medal supply means, and FIG. 4 is a return medal discharge port and a return medal prevention valve. FIG. 5 shows an external front view of the gaming machine.
(Game machine 10)
The gaming machine 10 sets the insertion of the game medal 20 as a condition for starting the game. Further, the gaming machine 10 is configured to be able to execute a game in which a game medal 20 is paid out according to a game result.

The gaming machine 10 is roughly divided into a box-shaped housing 11 having a front opening that opens to the front side, and a front door 3 for closing the front opening of the housing 11. Various devices for playing games are arranged inside the housing 11 and on the back side of the front door 3.
(Case 11)
The casing 11 has a substantially box shape as a whole, and has a top plate that covers the top, a side plate that covers the left and right side surfaces, a bottom plate that covers the bottom, and a back plate that covers the back side. The part is covered by the front door 3. Although not particularly illustrated, an intermediate plate is passed in the lateral direction at the approximate center of the housing 11. A reel unit 60 comprising a rotating reel 40 having a plurality of symbols drawn around it and a driving motor for rotating the rotating reel 40 is disposed on the upper portion of the casing 11 on the middle plate. doing. The rotary reel 40 is formed of a total of three pieces, a left rotary reel 43, a central rotary reel 44, and a right rotary reel 45. A control device for controlling the internal components of the gaming machine 10 is fixed to the upper side of the housing 11 on the back side. And in the lower part of the middle plate of the housing 11, a power supply device for supplying power to each component, a player throws in and stores a game medal 20 for paying out to the player, A payout device 65 capable of paying out the game medal 20 to the player in the case of a predetermined winning is provided.

In the present embodiment, the “front side” means that the player is in front of the player when the player is positioned facing the gaming machine 10 in front of the front door 3 of the gaming machine 10. Means side. Therefore, the near side direction means a direction from the back of the gaming machine 10 toward the front. Further, the “back side” means the back side when viewed from such a player when the player is positioned facing the gaming machine 10 on the front side of the gaming machine 10. Therefore, the back side direction means a direction from the front of the gaming machine 10 to the back.
(Front door 3)
The front door 3 is a plate-like door formed on the left side of the housing 11 so as to be rotatable and lockable.

In the substantially central part of the upper part of the front door 3, there is a symbol display window 13 through which the symbol of the rotating reel can be seen from the front side, and a notification lamp 69 is provided around it for performing various displays. A display device 68 composed of a liquid crystal display device is provided.
Further, a box-shaped payout tray 70 for storing game medals 20 paid out by the payout device 65 is formed at the lower part of the front door 3. A front panel 55 for displaying game contents and other guidance is fitted on the payout tray 70 below the front door 3.
A medal slot 18 for a player to insert a game medal 20 to play a game is formed at the right end of the center of the front door 3. A bet switch 16 is formed on the left side of the front door 3 in the approximate center. The bet switch 16 can replace the gaming medals 20 (so-called credits) stored in the gaming machine 10 up to a predetermined number (for example, 50) by inserting the gaming medals 20 by operation. A lever-type start switch 30 for starting the rotation of the rotary reel 40 by an operation is formed on the left front side toward the center of the front door 3. A button-type stop switch 50 that can stop each of the three rotary reels 40 by an operation is formed on the front side of the substantially center of the front door 3.

Furthermore, a medal selector 21 for determining whether the game medal 20 is correct or not while guiding the game medal 20 inserted from the medal insertion slot 18 is provided on the back side of the front door 3. Inside the medal selector 21, there is provided an insertion switch 15 for generating an electric signal when an appropriate game medal 20 is inserted.
On the right side of the front door 3, a medal raising device 75 for transferring the game medal 20 from below the medal insertion slot 18 to the medal insertion slot 18 is formed.
(Medal slot 18)
The medal slot 18 is a hole having a substantially rectangular opening, and the width of the medal slot 18 is set to be slightly larger than the thickness of the game medal 20, and the medal slot 18 Is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the game medal 20. The medal slot 18 has a passage for transferring the game medal 20 to the medal selector 21 arranged at the lower part thereof. Therefore, the game medal 20 inserted from the medal insertion slot 18 is guided to the medal selector 21.

An upper discharge port 81 of the medal raising device 75 is disposed on the medal insertion port 18. The game medal 20 discharged from the upper discharge port 81 of the medal raising device 75 is formed at a position where it falls into the medal insertion port 18.
(Medal selector 21)
The medal selector 21 can determine whether or not the game medals 20 inserted from the medal insertion slot 18 are appropriate ones made of predetermined dimensions and materials. Then, if the game medal 20 inserted from the medal insertion slot 18 is a proper game medal 20 determined in advance, the medal selector 21 turns on the insertion switch 15 inside the medal selector 21. Then, the appropriate game medal 20 is stored in the payout device 65. On the other hand, if the game medal 20 inserted from the medal slot 18 is inappropriate, the game medal 20 is formed to be discharged to the payout tray 70 below.

(Dispensing device 65)
The payout device 65 is for paying out the game medal 20 to the player based on the result of the game, and can store the inserted game medal 20, and in the case of a predetermined winning, The game medal 20 can be paid out to the payout tray 70 toward the player. This payout device 65 is also referred to as a hopper unit.
The payout device 65 is not particularly shown, but has a hopper-like shape that opens upward, a disk that can feed game medals 20 one by one to the lower part thereof, and a drive motor for rotating the disk. And. A circular hole is formed on the surface of the disk so that the game medals 20 can enter one by one. The game medals 20 are pushed out one by one by a pin protruding toward the lower part of the disk, and a predetermined number of game medals 20 can be paid out to the payout tray 70 through the payout outlet 71. It is.

(Dispensing tray 70)
The payout tray 70 is located at the lower part of the front side of the front door 3 and has a box shape for storing the game medals 20 paid out from the payout device 65 toward the player. A payout outlet 71 through which the game medal 20 paid out from the payout device 65 is discharged toward the payout tray 70 is formed substantially at the center of the payout tray 70.
The bottom surface of the payout tray 70 is located on the left side when viewed from the front of FIG. 1 and has a payout main body bottom surface 72 for storing game medals 20. The bottom surface of the payout tray 70 has a payout transfer bottom surface 74 that is positioned on the right side when viewed from the front of FIG. And between the payout transfer bottom surface 74 and the payout main body bottom surface 72, a payout inclined surface 73 formed of an inclined surface connecting the two is formed. The payout transfer bottom surface 74 is formed with a medal supply insertion port 110 of the medal supply means 100 of the medal raising device 75 on the right side when viewed from the front.

  Normally, the game medals 20 paid out from the payout device 65 are stored on the bottom face 72 of the payout main body. When the player wants to insert a part of the game medals 20 stored on the payout main body bottom 72 into the medal insertion slot 18 using the medal raising device 75, A part of the stored game medals 20 is pushed to the right side by hand and transferred to the payout transfer bottom surface 74. Here, between the payout transfer bottom surface 74 and the payout main body bottom surface 72, an upwardly inclined payout inclined surface 73 is formed toward the payout transfer bottom surface 74 side. The formed game medal 20 can be prevented from moving automatically to the payout transfer bottom surface 74 and being automatically inserted by the medal raising device 75 against the will of the player. . That is, in order to be inserted by the medal raising device 75, the player's intention is always present and the player's action is required.

(Medal raising device 75)
The medal raising device 75 is for transferring the game medal 20 from below the medal insertion slot 18 to the medal insertion slot 18. Specifically, the game medal 20 is transferred from the payout transfer bottom surface 74 of the payout tray 70 below the medal insertion slot 18 to the medal insertion slot 18.
The medal raising device 75 includes a medal raising passage 80 that communicates from below the medal insertion slot 18 to the medal insertion slot 18, and a launching portion 131 that is provided in the lower part of the medal raising passage 80 to place the game medal 20 to be launched. The launching means 90 is capable of launching the game medal 20 of the launching portion 131 toward the upper medal insertion slot 18, and the medal for positioning the game medal 20 to the launching means 90 and located below the medal insertion slot 18. Supply means 100.

(Medal ascending passage 80)
The medal ascending passage 80 is a hollow passage that communicates from a launch portion 131 provided in the lower portion of the medal ascent passage 80 to a position directly above the medal insertion slot 18. A cross section of the medal ascending passage 80 has a rectangular frame shape that is slightly larger than the cross section of the game medal 20. The medal ascending passage 80 has a hollow space through which a single game medal 20 can be transferred, and has a rectangular tube shape as a whole.
The upper part of the medal raising passage 80 is formed in a substantially inverted U shape as a whole. At the upper end of the medal raising passage 80, an upper discharge port 81 that is open so that the game medal 20 can be discharged is formed. The upper discharge port 81 is positioned so that the game medal 20 discharged from the upper discharge port 81 is directly inserted into the medal insertion port 18 by its own weight fall with respect to the medal insertion port 18. Is arranged.

  A hammer hitting hole 82 cut downward is formed in the lower part of the medal raising passage 80. The hammer hitting hole 82 is an opening hole for driving the hammer 140 of the launching means 90 toward the game medal 20 of the launching portion 131 inside the medal raising passage 80. The opening width of the hammer striking hole 82 is set to a size smaller than the diameter of the game medal 20, so that the game medal 20 does not fall downward from the hammer striking hole 82. The position where the hammer hit hole 82 of the medal raising passage 80 is formed is defined as the launching portion 131. That is, the launching part 131 is provided in the lower part in the medal raising passage 80, and is used for arranging the game medal 20 to be launched from now on. Then, the game medal 20 arranged in the launching portion 131 is formed so that the hammer 140 of the launching means 90 launches.

Thus, the medal ascending passage 80 is formed by the straight portion 83 extending linearly upward from the launch portion 131, and the curved portion 84 on the curve that is bent in an inverted U shape from the upper portion of the straight portion 83. It is what.
In the middle of the straight portion 83 of the medal raising passage 80, a reverse feed preventing means 158 for preventing the game medal 20 from being transferred to the launching portion 131 in the reverse direction is formed.
(Reverse feed prevention means 158)
The above-mentioned reverse feed preventing means 158 is used for launching the game medal 20 that is launched from the launching portion 131 upward in the medal raising passage 80 by the launching means 90 without being vigorously discharged from the upper outlet 81. This is for preventing reverse feeding toward the section 131.

  Specifically, the reverse feed preventing means 158 is formed in the vicinity of the approximate center of the straight portion 83 of the medal raising passage 80 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the reverse feed preventing means 158 can deform the return medal discharge port 161 in which the plate on the front side of the straight portion 83 is cut into a substantially fan shape, and the inside of the return medal discharge port 161. And a thin strip-shaped return medal prevention valve 160. The return medal outlet 161 is formed such that its opening length is longer than the diameter of the game medal 20, and the game medal 20 is set to be discharged. The lower end portion of the return medal prevention valve 160 is fixed to the valve fixing portion 162 of the medal raising passage 80. The return medal prevention valve 160 is specifically a stainless steel strip, and the inside of the return medal outlet 161 can be freely moved even when the lower end is fixed to the valve fixing portion 162. It is formed to be deformable. The band width of the return medal prevention valve 160 is formed so as to be larger than the thickness of the cavity of the medal ascent passage 80, and the return medal prevention valve 160 of the medal ascent passage 80 other than the return medal discharge port 161 is formed. It is formed so as not to enter the cavity. The return medal prevention valve 160 is formed in advance so as to maintain the state of the symbol A shown in FIG. 4 in a normal state where the game medal 20 is not transferred in the medal raising passage 80. In this state, when the game medal 20 is launched upward from the launch portion 131 at the lower part of the medal raising passage 80, the game medal 20 launched from below returns and the medal prevention valve 160 faces the front of FIG. And push it to the right. Thereby, the return medal prevention valve 160 is elastically deformed to the position of the symbol A in FIG. When the game medal 20 that has been launched passes, the return medal prevention valve 160 returns to the position of symbol B in FIG. 4 again. That is, the game medal 20 launched from below is transferred toward the upper discharge port 81 without being discharged from the return medal discharge port 161.

  On the other hand, there is no momentum toward the upper side of the game medal 20 launched from the launch portion 131, and the part of the return medal discharge port 161 has passed, but the game medal 20 that has not reached the upper discharge port 81 is It falls downward due to its own weight, and returns downward in the medal rising passage 80. Then, the game medal 20 returning downward is guided by the return medal prevention valve 160 at the position of symbol B in FIG. 4 and discharged from the return medal discharge port 161 to the outside of the medal ascending passage 80. The game medal 20 discharged from the return medal discharge port 161 is formed so as to be guided into a drop passage communicating with the payout tray 70 and fall into the payout tray 70, although not particularly shown.

As a result, it is possible to prevent a plurality of game medals 20 from accumulating in the launching part 131 and clogging the game medals 20.
(Launching means 90)
The launching means 90 is capable of launching the game medal 20 of the launching portion 131 provided at the lower part in the medal raising passage 80 toward the upper medal slot 18.
The launching means 90 includes a hammer 140 for launching the game medal 20 of the launching portion 131 provided at the lower part in the medal raising passage 80 toward the upper part in the medal raising passage 80, and a hammer driving means 145 for driving the hammer 140. And medal detection means 150 capable of detecting whether or not the game medal 20 is arranged in the launching portion 131 in the medal raising passage 80.

When the medal detection means 150 detects that the game medal 20 is arranged in the launch portion 131, the hammering means 90 drives the hammer 140 to drive the game medal 20 into the medal. It is formed so that it can be ejected toward the mouth 18.
The hammer 140 is formed to rotate about the hammer rotation shaft 143 by the hammer driving means 145. A hard elastic portion 141 made of a hard elastic resin is attached to the tip of the hammer 140. The hard elastic portion 141 is attached to prevent noise when the hammer 140 strikes the game medal 20 and to prevent the game medal 20 from being lost. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the hammer 140 is rotated counterclockwise, an impact prevention unit 142 is formed for stopping at a predetermined position. The impact prevention unit 142 also has noise prevention and loss prevention. Therefore, a hard elastic resin is used.

The hammer driving means 145 uses a rotary solenoid. This rotary solenoid is capable of instantaneously rotating the hammer 140 by rotating the central axis of the rotary solenoid instantaneously by a predetermined angle.
The medal detection means 150 has an approximately U-shaped overall shape that straddles both sides of the medal ascending passage 80. The medal detection means 150 is an optical sensor that emits light from an LED from one end of a U-shape, and is formed so that the light from the LED can be received by a phototransistor that is a light-receiving element at the other end of the U-shape. It is what has been. When the game medal 20 is present in the launching portion 131, the presence of the game medal 20 is blocked by the presence of the game medal 20 and does not reach the phototransistor, and the presence of the game medal 20 can be estimated. Is.

(Medal supply means 100)
The medal supply means 100 is located below the medal insertion slot 18 and supplies the game medal 20 to the launching means 90. Specifically, the medal supply means 100 is located below the payout transfer bottom surface 74 and supplies the game medal 20 on the payout transfer bottom surface 74 to the payout means 90.
The medal supply means 100 has an upward opening and a medal supply insertion port 110 into which a game medal 20 for providing the launching means 90 can be inserted, and the game medal 20 inserted from the medal supply insertion port 110 as a belt. There are provided belt transfer means 120 for transferring by the rotational movement of 121, and a guide passage 130 for guiding the game medal 20 transferred from the belt transfer means 120 to the launching portion 131 of the launching means 90.

The medal supply slot 110 is disposed inside the payout tray 70. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the medal supply insertion port 110 is formed at the right end portion from the front of the payout tray 70. The medal supply insertion port 110 is disposed on the payout transfer bottom surface 74 and is formed in an open state upward.
The belt transfer means 120 includes two rotary shafts 122 that can be rotated by a rotary drive source including a motor, and a belt 121 that spans between the two rotary shafts 122. Of the two rotating shafts 122, the rotational driving force of the motor is transmitted to the rear rotating shaft 122, and the front rotating shaft 122 is rotationally driven via the belt 121. Power is transmitted.

The belt transfer means 120 is disposed below the medal supply slot 110 and can transfer the game medals 20 inserted into the medal supply slot 110 to the guide passage 130. Specifically, a gap larger than the thickness of one game medal 20 and smaller than the thickness of two cards is formed between the belt 121 and the lower end of the medal supply insertion port 110. Thereby, only one gaming medal 20 inserted into the medal supply insertion port 110 can be dropped into the guide passage 130 by the rotation of the belt 121.
(Supply medal detection sensor 102)
The medal supply means 100 includes a supply medal detection sensor 102 that can detect that the game medal 20 has been inserted into the medal supply insertion slot 110. Specifically, the supply medal detection sensor 102 is an optical sensor, and an LED and a phototransistor are arranged on the left and right of the medal supply insertion slot 110.

The belt transfer means 120 is configured to start the transfer drive of the belt transfer means 120 on condition that the supply medal detection sensor 102 detects the insertion of the game medal 20 into the medal supply insertion slot 110. . Thereby, only when the game medal 20 is inserted into the medal supply insertion slot 110, the belt 121 of the belt transfer means 120 can be started to rotate, thereby reducing the power consumption and extending the life of the motor. Can be planned.
Then, the medal supply means 100 launches until the predetermined predetermined time elapses when the inserted game medal 20 is not detected by the supply medal detection sensor 102 after the transfer driving of the belt transfer means 120 is started. The driving of the means 90 is continued and the driving of the launching means 90 is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed. Specifically, a timer is provided inside the medal supply means 100. Then, when the supply medal detection sensor 102 detects the presence of the game medal 20, the rotation of the belt transfer means 120 is started, and the game medal 20 inside the medal supply insertion port 110 is transferred to the launching means 90. This is performed by sending a detection signal from the supply medal detection sensor 102 to the belt transfer means 120. The belt transfer unit 120 is configured to rotate and drive a motor that is a drive source of the rotating shaft 122 on condition that a detection signal from the supply medal detection sensor 102 is input. At this time, the launching means 90 is configured to be driven on condition that the supply medal detection sensor 102 detects the presence of the game medal 20. Specifically, the detection signal of the supply medal detection sensor 102 is also sent to the launching means 90, and the driving of the hammer driving means 145 of the launching means 90 can be started by inputting the detection signal. is there. After that, when the supply medal detection sensor 102 does not detect the storage of the game medals 20 inside the medal supply insertion slot 110, that is, all the game medals 20 inside the medal supply insertion slot 110 are transferred to the launching means 90. Thus, when the game medals 20 in the medal supply slot 110 are lost, the timer described above is set. Then, it is set so that the detection signal of the supply medal detection sensor 102 is continuously sent to the launching means 90 until a predetermined time elapses. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the medal supply means 100 stops sending the detection signal from the supply medal detection sensor 102 to the launching means 90. As a result, the medal supply unit 100 determines that a predetermined time elapses when the player does not detect the inserted game medal by the supply medal detection sensor 102 after the belt transfer unit 120 starts the transfer drive. Until then, the rotation of the hammer drive means 145 of the launching means 90 is continued, and then the drive of the launching means 90 is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed.

  Note that the predetermined time is set in advance to the time until all game medals 20 lined up from the launching portion 131 to the entrance of the guide passage 130 are completed. Specifically, it is set so that it takes 1 second to launch one game medal 20. Then, a total of five game medals 20 are arranged from the launching portion 131 to the entrance of the guide passage 130. At this time, the predetermined time set by the timer is set to be 5 seconds. That is, after the belt driving means 120 is started to be transferred, the game medal 20 is launched by the launching means 90 for 5 seconds from when the game medal 20 is not detected by the supply medal detection sensor 102. Is done. In this way, even if there are no game medals 20 in the medal supply insertion slot 110, the launching means 90 is driven until the game medals 20 arranged inside the guide passage 130 are launched, so the game medals 20 remain in the guide passage 130. It is possible to avoid the game from ending in a state where the game has been completed.

(Drive switch 101)
In the present embodiment, the supply medal detection sensor 102 is provided inside the medal supply insertion port 110, and the medal supply means 100 and the launching means 90 are driven by the detection signal from the supply medal detection sensor 102. However, a manual drive switch 101 may be provided without providing the supply medal detection sensor 102.
The drive switch 101 can be operated by the player. Specifically, the drive switch 101 is a push button type switch provided at a position as indicated by a dotted line on the left side of the medal slot 18 in FIG.

The medal supply means 100 is configured to start supplying the game medal 20 to the launching means 90 on the condition that the drive switch 101 is operated. This is configured such that the operation of the medal supply means 100 is started when an operation signal from the drive switch 101 is sent to the medal supply means 100. As a result, the medal supply means 100 can be driven and supply of the game medal 20 to the launching means 90 can be started by the player's intention.
The launching means 90 is driven on the condition that the drive switch 101 is operated. This is set so that the driving of the launching means 90 can be started by the operation signal from the drive switch 101 being input to the launching means 90.

  Then, the medal supply means 100, when the player operates the drive switch 101 in the OFF state after the supply of the game medal 20 to the launching means 90 is started, the launching means 90 until a predetermined time elapses. The driving of the launching means 90 is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed. Specifically, a timer is provided inside the medal supply means 100. Then, based on the operation signal from the drive switch 101, the rotation driving of the belt transfer means 120 is started, and the game medal 20 inside the medal supply insertion slot 110 is transferred to the launching means 90. This is performed by sending an operation signal of the drive switch 101 to the belt transfer means 120. The belt transfer means 120 is formed to rotate and drive a motor that is a drive source of the rotating shaft 122 on condition that an operation signal from the drive switch 101 is input. At this time, the launching device 90 is configured to be driven on condition that an operation signal from the drive switch 101 is input. Specifically, the operation signal of the drive switch 101 is also sent to the launching means 90, and the driving of the hammer drive means 145 of the launching means 90 is started by the input of the operation signal. After that, when the drive switch 101 is operated in the OFF state, the above-described timer is set, and the operation signal from the drive switch 101 is set to continue to be sent to the launching unit 90 until a predetermined time elapses. Yes. Then, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the medal supply unit 100 stops sending the operation signal to the launching unit 90.

As described above, when the player operates the drive switch 101 in the OFF state after the driving of the belt transfer unit 120 is started by the operation of the drive switch 101, the medal supply unit 100 determines a predetermined predetermined time. The rotation of the rotary shaft 122 of the launching device 90 is continued until the elapsed time has elapsed, and then the drive of the launching device 90 is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed.
Note that the predetermined time is set in advance to the time until all game medals 20 lined up from the launching portion 131 to the entrance of the guide passage 130 are completed. Specifically, it is set so that it takes 1 second to launch one game medal 20. Then, a total of five game medals 20 are arranged from the launching portion 131 to the entrance of the guide passage 130. At this time, the predetermined time set by the timer is set to be 5 seconds. That is, the game medal 20 is launched by the launching means 90 for 5 seconds after the driving of the belt transfer means 120 is started and then the drive switch 101 is turned off. Thus, even after the operation of the drive switch 101 being turned off, the launching means 90 is driven until the game medals 20 arranged in the guide passage 130 are driven, so that the game medals 20 remain in the guide passage 130. It is possible to avoid the game from ending in a state where the game has been completed.

(Operation of this embodiment)
In the invention according to the present embodiment, the game medal 20 to be provided to the launching means 90 is inserted into the medal supply slot 110 that opens upward.
At this time, in the invention according to the present embodiment, since the medal supply insertion port 110 is arranged inside the payout tray 70, the game medal 20 paid out into the payout tray 70 is replaced with the medal supply input port 110. Can be easily inserted.
In the invention according to the present embodiment, since the medal supply slot 110 is arranged on the bottom surface of the payout tray 70, it is necessary to grab the game medal 20 paid out inside the payout tray 70 with a palm. Instead, the game medal 20 can be inserted into the medal supply slot 110 more simply by pushing and moving the game medal 20 with the palm along the inside of the payout tray 70.

The game medals 20 inserted from the medal supply insertion slot 110 are transferred by the rotational movement of the belt 121 of the belt transfer means 120. The game medal 20 transferred from the belt transfer means 120 is guided to the launching means 90 through the guide passage 130.
As a result, the game medal 20 inserted into the medal supply slot 110 can be easily supplied to the launching unit 90 simply by inserting the game medal 20 by driving the belt transfer unit 120.
In the invention according to the present embodiment, the game medal 20 is supplied to the launching means 90 by the medal supply means 100 of the medal raising device 75. Then, the launching unit 90 launches the supplied game medal 20 toward the upper medal slot 18. Then, the game medal 20 launched by the launching means 90 moves from the lower part of the medal raising passage 80 toward the upper medal slot 18 along the inside of the medal raising passage 80. Then, the game medal 20 that has moved upward is inserted into the medal insertion slot 18 from the medal ascending passage 80. For this reason, the game medal 20 supplied to the medal supply means 100 located below the medal insertion slot 18 can be raised to the medal insertion slot 18 and automatically inserted. Thereby, the medal raising device 75 as described above simply moves the game medal 20 up to the medal insertion slot 18 by supplying the game medal 20 to the medal supply means 100 located below the medal insertion slot 18, It can be inserted into the medal slot 18 as it is.

That is, in order to insert the game medal 20 into the medal slot 18, it is not necessary to grab the game medal 20 by hand and lift it up to the medal slot 18 and easily insert the medal. In addition, it is possible to create an environment where the player can concentrate on the game by releasing the player from the troublesomeness of inserting medals.
In addition, since the frequency with which the player directly touches the game medal 20 with the hand can be reduced, it is possible to prevent the hand from being soiled by oil, dirt, or the like attached to the game medal 20.
In the medal detection means 150 according to the present embodiment, the hammer driving means 145 drives the hammer 140 when detecting that the game medal 20 is arranged in the lower launching portion 131 in the medal raising passage 80. Then, the hammer 140 strikes the game medals at the lower launching portion 131 in the medal raising passage 80 toward the upper portion in the medal raising passage 80. Thereby, the hammer 140 can be driven only when the game medal 20 is disposed in the lower launching portion 131 in the medal raising passage 80. Accordingly, the game medal 20 is reliably moved upward from the lower launching part 131 in the medal rising passage 80 by suppressing the damage caused by driving the hammer 140 in a state where the game medal 20 is not arranged in the launching part 131. Can be launched towards the medal slot 18. Therefore, the reliability of the launching means 90 can be increased.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to a slot machine that uses a disk-shaped game medal as the game medium as described above. For example, the present invention can be applied to a so-called parrot that uses a spherical game ball such as a pachinko ball used for a pachinko instead of a disc-shaped game medal as a game medium.
6 and 7 show other embodiments, in which FIG. 6 is an external front view of the parrot, and FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the game medium supply means.
A parrot is a gaming machine that uses a gaming ball, which is a spherical metal ball that can also be used as a pachinko ball, to perform a game similar to a slot machine. Hereinafter, the case where this invention is applied to this parrot is demonstrated.

In the parrot according to the present embodiment, the same part number is assigned to the same part as that described in the above-described slot machine, and will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 6, this parrot has a door 3 that can be opened and closed on the front side, and a game ball as a game medium is inserted into a game medium insertion port 18 below the upper plate 170 of the door 3. A game is started as a condition, and a game ball is paid out according to a game result. A game medium lending machine (not shown) for lending game balls to the player is disposed between the plurality of parrots.
In the parrot, a display window 12 is formed on the front of the housing so that the symbol of the rotary reel 40 can be visually recognized. An operation unit provided with operation means such as a start switch 30 and a stop switch 50 is formed below the display window 12 and at a substantially central portion of the parrot. In the upper part of the operation part, there is an upper plate 170 for temporarily storing game balls to be thrown into the parrot, and the upper part of the upper plate 170 is located on the upper plate 170. There are provided an upper tray discharge outlet 76 which is paid out into the upper plate 170, and a game medium input port 18 which is located at the lower part of the upper plate 170 and is used to start a game ball as a condition for starting the game inside the parrot. ing. A lower plate 180 is formed in the lower part of the housing for dropping and storing the game balls stored in the upper plate 170. In addition, a lower tray discharge outlet 77 for discharging game balls from inside the parrot to the inside of the lower plate 180 is formed at the upper part of the lower plate 180. It is to be noted that the game balls stored in the upper plate 170 can be moved from the lower plate discharge outlet 77 to the lower plate 180 through the inside of the gaming machine by the player's operation. When the plate 170 is filled with game balls and the game ball from the upper plate discharge outlet 76 of the upper plate 170 is not discharged to the upper plate 170, the game balls to be paid out are transferred to the upper plate 170. It overflows from the middle of the passage and is formed so as to be discharged to the lower plate 180 through the lower plate discharge port 77.

  Then, when a game ball is put into the upper plate 170, the game ball is provided at the bottom of the upper plate 170 and moves to the game medium insertion port 18 communicating with the inside of the parrot. This game medium slot 18 corresponds to the medal slot 18 described in the above-described embodiment. Then, when the bet switch 16 of the operation unit is operated, a predetermined number of game balls are inserted from the game medium insertion port 18, and the game can be started. Therefore, the rotary reel 40 is rotated by operating the start switch 30, and the rotary reel 40 is stopped by operating the stop switch 50. At this time, when the symbols displayed on the plurality of rotating reels 40 are stopped in a predetermined position mode, a winning is won, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out from the upper plate discharge outlet 76 to the upper plate 170.

Here, the parrot housing 11 is a frame member having an opening at the front and the back, and is fixed in parallel with a so-called island facility of a game arcade. Inside the island, although not shown in particular, a ball circulation device is provided between the housing 11 and the housing 11 for supplying a winning ball for paying out when winning or sucking the throwing ball. Is equipped with a game media rental machine. The game medium lending machine lends game balls in exchange for money when a bill is inserted.
In this parrot, setting of the game ball is set as a condition for starting the game, and a game in which the game ball as the game medium 20 is paid out based on the game result can be executed. The parrot includes a game medium insertion port 18 into which a game ball can be inserted into the parrot, a lower plate 180 that is located below the game medium input port 18 and stores game balls, and a game medium input port 18. And a game medium raising device 75 for transferring a game ball from the lower lower plate 180 to the game medium insertion port 18 of the upper plate 170. The game medium raising device 75 is provided in a lower part of the game medium raising passage 80 and a game medium raising passage 80 communicating from the lower plate 180 below the game medium loading port 18 to the game medium loading port 18 of the upper plate 170. A launching portion 131 for placing a game ball to be launched, launching means 90 capable of launching the game ball of the launching portion 131 toward the upper game medium insertion port 18, and a lower plate 180 below the game media insertion port 18. And a game medium supply means 100 for supplying game balls to the launching means 90.

  Specifically, in place of the above-described medal slot 18 in the description of the embodiment of the slot machine using the gaming medals described above, a gaming medium that is at the bottom of the upper plate 170 and is used to throw gaming balls inside. The slot 18 is used, and a game medium selector 21 for selecting an appropriate game ball is used instead of the medal selector 21 in the slot machine. Instead of the medal raising device 75, a game medium raising device 75 for transferring a game ball from the lower plate 180 below the game medium loading port 18 to the upper plate 170 of the game medium loading port 18 is used. Instead of the ascending passage 80, a game medium ascending passage 80, which is a hollow passage that communicates from the launch portion 131 near the lower plate 180 to the game medium input port 18 of the upper plate 170, is used. Instead of the payout discharge port 71, an upper plate payout discharge port 76 for paying out game balls to the upper plate 170 and a lower plate discharge port 77 for paying out game balls to the lower plate 180 are provided. Instead of the medal supply means 100, a game medium supply means 100 is used which is located on the lower plate 180 below the game medium insertion port 18 and supplies a game ball to the launching means 90. As shown in FIG. 7, the game medium supply means 100 has a game medium supply input port 110 that is open upward and allows a game ball in a lower plate 180 to be supplied to the launching means 90, and a game medium. Belt transfer means 120 for transferring game balls thrown from the supply slot 110 by rotational movement of the belt 121, and a guide passage 130 for guiding game balls transferred from the belt transfer means 120 to the launching portion 131 of the launching means 90. And. As shown in FIG. 7, a partition 190 extending outward from the outer peripheral surface of the belt is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the belt transfer means 120. One game ball is inserted into each of the partitions 190.

  Then, instead of the supply medal detection sensor 102 in the slot machine described above, a supply game medium detection sensor 102 capable of detecting that a game ball has been input to the game medium supply input port 110 is used in the parrot. Then, instead of the medal detection means 150 in the slot machine described above, the game medium detection means 150 capable of detecting whether or not the game ball is arranged in the launching portion 131 in the game medium rising path 80 is used in the parrot. Yes. Further, instead of the return medal discharge port 161 in the slot machine described above, the parrot uses a return game medium discharge port 161 for discharging the game ball to be fed back from the game medium rising passage 80. Further, instead of the return medal prevention valve 160 in the slot machine described above, the return game medium prevention valve 160 for guiding the game ball to be fed back to the return game medium discharge port 161 is used in the parrot.

Here, each component constituting the parrot gaming medium raising device 75 is substantially the same as the medal raising device 75 of the slot machine already described, and the dimensions inside the cross-section of each passage through which the game ball as a gaming medium moves Compared to the case of a game medal, the shape has a width dimension and a height dimension to which a spherical game ball can be transferred, and is formed in a passage having a substantially square cross-sectional shape as a whole. Each part of the parrot is formed in the same manner as the slot machine using the game medal described above.
The belt transfer means 120 of the medal supply means 100 uses a partition 190 (FIG. 7), but the medal supply means 100 is not limited to such a shape. For example, Although not particularly illustrated, a sprocket having a concave recess capable of storing a game ball around may be used instead of the belt transfer means 120. This sprocket is formed so that game balls are housed in recesses around the sprocket and can be forcibly delivered to the guide passage 130 one by one.

Other specific configurations are the same as those described in the above-described slot machine using game medals, and the same operation and the same effect are exhibited also in the parrot, and the same components as those described above. Will not be described.
In the parrot, one game medal in the above-described game medal insertion or payout is set to correspond to five game balls that can be used as pachinko balls. Of course, the conversion rate is not limited to this, and other conversion rates may be set.
As described above, in the parrot according to the present embodiment, a game ball made of a spherical metal ball used in a pachinko gaming machine or the like is used as a game medium, not a disc-shaped game medal. In the present embodiment, except for a slight difference in the structure of the passage shape of the game medium for using the game ball, the other basic configuration has been described in the slot machine using the game medal. It is the same as that. The parrot using this game ball has the same action as the slot machine using the game medal and has the same effect. However, since the game medium is a spherical game ball used for a pachinko machine or the like from a disk-shaped game medal, it is formed to adapt to it.

It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view which shows a medal raising apparatus. It is an embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic front view showing launching means and medal supply means. It is an embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing medal supply means. FIG. 2 is an external front view showing a return medal discharge port and a return medal prevention valve according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external front view showing a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is other embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an external appearance front view which shows a game machine. It is other embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a game media supply means.

Explanation of symbols

3 Front door 10 Gaming machine
11 Housing 12 Display window
13 Symbol display window 15 Input switch
16 Bet switch 17 Checkout switch
18 Medal slot (game media slot) 19 Single bet switch
20 Game medals (game media) 21 Medal selector (game media selector)
30 Start switch 40 turn reel
42 Reel tape 43 Left-hand rotating reel
44 Center rotation reel 45 Right rotation reel
50 Stop switch 55 Front panel
60 reel unit 61
65 Dispensing device 66 Notification device
68 Display 69 Notification lamp
70 Discharge tray 71 Discharge outlet
72 Bottom of payout body 73 Payout inclined surface
74 Payout transfer bottom 75 Medal lift device (game media lift device)
76 Upper tray discharge outlet 77 Lower tray discharge outlet
80 Medal climbing passage (game media climbing passage) 81 Upper discharge port
82 Hammer hit hole 83 Straight section
84 Curved section 90 Launching means
100 medal supply means (game medium supply means) 101 drive switch
102 Supply medal detection sensor (Supply game media detection sensor)
110 Medals supply slot (game media supply slot)
120 Belt transfer means 121 Belt
122 Rotating shaft 130 Guide passage
131 Launching part 140 Hammer
141 Hard elastic part 142 Impact prevention part
143 Hammer rotary shaft 145 Hammer drive means
150 Medal detection means (game medium detection means) 158 Reverse feed prevention means
160 Return medal prevention valve (return game media prevention valve)
161 Return medal outlet (return game medium outlet)
162 Valve fixing part 170 Upper plate
180 Lower plate 190 Partition

Claims (9)

In a gaming machine capable of executing a game in which a game medal is paid out according to a game result while setting a game medal to be set as a condition for starting the game.
A medal slot that allows a gaming medal to be thrown into the gaming machine;
A payout tray on which a game medal is paid out, located below the medal slot;
A medal raising device for transferring game medals from below the medal slot to the medal slot;
The medal raising device
A medal ascending passage communicating with the medal slot from below the medal slot;
A launching portion provided at a lower portion in the medal ascending passage to place a game medal to be launched;
Launching means capable of launching the game medal of the launching portion toward the upper medal slot;
A gaming machine, comprising: a medal supply means that is positioned below the medal slot and that supplies game medals to the launching means. The medal supply means includes
A medal supply slot that opens upward and allows a game medal to be provided to the launching means;
Belt transfer means for transferring game medals inserted from the medal supply input port by rotational movement of the belt;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a guide passage for guiding the game medal transferred from the belt transfer means to the launch portion of the launch means. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the medal supply slot is arranged on a bottom surface of the payout tray. The launching means is
A hammer that strikes a game medal of the launching portion provided at a lower portion in the medal ascent passage toward an upper portion in the medal ascent passage;
Hammer driving means for driving the hammer;
Medal detection means capable of detecting whether or not a game medal is arranged in the launching portion in the medal ascending passage,
When the medal detection means detects that a game medal is arranged at the launching portion, the hammer driving means drives the hammer to strike the game medal toward the medal slot. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gaming machine is characterized in that: The medal supply means includes a drive switch operable by a player,
The medal supply means is formed to start supplying game medals to the launching means on condition that the drive switch is operated,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the launching unit is configured to be driven on condition that the drive switch is operated. The medal supply means includes
When the player operates the drive switch to the off state after the supply of the game medal to the launching unit is started,
6. The game according to claim 5, wherein the driving of the launching unit is continued until a predetermined time elapses, and the driving of the launching unit is stopped after the predetermined time elapses. Machine. The medal supply means includes a supply medal detection sensor capable of detecting that a game medal has been inserted into the medal supply slot.
3. The belt transfer means is configured to start transfer driving of the belt transfer means on condition that insertion of a game medal is detected by the supply medal detection sensor. 4. The gaming machine according to any one of 3 above. The medal supply means includes
When the game medal inserted by the supply medal detection sensor is not detected after the belt drive means has started the transfer drive,
8. The game according to claim 7, wherein the driving of the launching unit is continued until a predetermined time elapses, and the driving of the launching unit is stopped after the predetermined time elapses. Machine. In the gaming machine capable of executing a game in which the game medium is set as a condition for starting the game and the game medium is paid out according to the game result.
A game medium insertion port through which a game medium can be inserted into the gaming machine;
A lower plate that is positioned below the game medium slot and from which the game medium is paid out;
A game media raising device for storing game media from below the game media slot to the game media slot;
The game medium raising device is
A game medium ascending passage communicating with the game medium slot from below the game medium slot;
A launching portion provided at a lower portion in the game medium rising passage and for placing a game medium to be launched;
Launching means capable of launching the game medium of the launch unit toward the upper game medium insertion port;
A game machine, comprising: a game medium supply means for supplying a game medium to the launching means and located below the game medium insertion port.

Images