JP2006346325A - Token feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a token feeder which enables the tokens in the apparatus to be taken out easily and accurately in case of jamming with tokens. <P>SOLUTION: The token feeder is provided with an opening (49) so formed below a casting part (48) as to be freely opened or closed by an open/close member (82) and a detection means (64) capable of detecting the game tokens to be discharged from a discharge part (47). When the detection means (64) detects none of the game tokens during the drive by a drive means (55), the open/close member (82) is operated to open the opening (49) for discharge and the drive means (55) is driven to move a transfer means (53) and a return means (52) in the direction opposite to that of feeding the tokens. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a batch loading mechanism for batch loading of gaming medals, which is used in a gaming machine pedestal machine installed adjacent to a medal gaming machine such as a slot machine.

Conventionally, in gaming machines that use medals such as slot machines as gaming media, game medals are awarded based on a request to play an efficient game or to play a game without touching the game medals as much as possible. A gaming machine pedestal machine (medal lending machine) that can be directly supplied to gaming machines has been devised (see Patent Document 1). Also, a gaming machine (slot machine) has been devised that has a slot that allows batch insertion of game medals and a medal feeding device that can separate and transport the batched game medals one by one to a medal selector (patent) Reference 2). In this medal feeding device, game medals are dropped from a batch loading slot onto a belt stretched between a pair of rollers, and the game medals on the upper surface of the belt are separated and sent one by one by a reverse rotation roller.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-299868 (FIG. 1) JP 2004-121809 A (FIG. 6)

In the batch insertion mechanism having the transfer device as described above, when a clogged medal occurs inside the transfer device, or when a foreign object other than a medal is inserted from the batch input slot, the foreign object or the clogged medal Must be discharged out of the device.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medal feeding device that can easily and reliably take out medals in the device in the case of clogged medals. is there.

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.
(Claim 1)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points.
In other words, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an insertion portion (accepting opening (48)) capable of receiving a plurality of game medals inserted in a batch, and a discharge portion (medal discharge portion (47)) for discharging game medals A transfer means (transport belt (53)) movable toward the discharge section (47) in a state where game medals input from the input section (48) are stacked, and a discharge section of the transfer means (53) (47) A return means (reverse rotation roller (52)) for returning the game medals stacked on the transfer means (53) in the direction opposite to the transfer direction, and for moving the transfer means (53). The medal feeding device (40) is provided with at least driving means (driving motor (55)) and is formed so that game medals can be fed one by one.

Here, “batch insertion” of game medals refers to the case where the game medals grabbed by the hand are randomly thrown into the insertion opening instead of throwing medals in the same direction or throwing them one by one. That's what it says. Note that it is preferable to provide means (for example, a partition bar (100)) in the insertion portion (48) so that the directions of medals falling and moving inside the apparatus are aligned in a constant direction as much as possible.
The transfer means (53) can be, for example, a flat belt stretched around a pair of rollers (51) rotated by a drive motor (55), as long as game medals can be loaded and transferred. Not limited to belts.
The return means (52) is a means for assisting the game medals placed on the transfer means (53) to be discharged one by one from the discharge section (47). For example, the return means (53) ) On the upper surface (upper surface) with a feeding gap (54) that is larger than the thickness of one medal and smaller than the thickness of two medals, and the lower surface moves in the direction of the transfer means (53 ) To rotate in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the upper surface. Then, the game medals above the transfer means (53), i.e., the game medals stacked on the upper surface of the transfer means (53), are flipped backward by rotation to cause the delivery gap (54) can be formed so as to prevent two game medals from being sent while overlapping. The return means (52) is not limited to the above configuration as long as the game medal placed on the transfer means (53) can be returned to the anti-discharge part side.

The “drive means” may be, for example, a drive motor (55) for rotating a roller (51) around which a conveyor belt (53) as a “transfer means” is wound. The driving means may be formed so that the reverse rotation roller (52) as the “return means” can be rotated simultaneously with the transfer means.
Further, in the present invention, a medal storage part (44) capable of storing game medals is provided below the insertion part (48) and on the side opposite to the transfer means (53) in the transfer direction. The discharge opening (49) can be opened and closed freely by the operation of the discharge opening (cancellation opening (49)) and the operating means (solenoid (81)) that open downward below the section (44). A formed opening / closing member (opening / closing plate (82)) is provided. If the detection means (64) does not detect a game medal for a certain period of time during the drive of the drive means (55), the operation means (81) is operated to open the opening / closing member (82). The discharge means (49) is opened, and the drive means (55) is driven so that the transfer means (53) moves in the direction opposite to the movement direction when the medal is sent out.

The opening / closing member (82) can be, for example, a plate-like lid that can freely open and close the discharge opening (49), and the `` operating means '' is an operating device such as a solenoid or a motor, for example, The opening / closing member (82) can be slid or rotated.
The detection means (64) may be any means that can detect the movement of a game medal, and may be in any form, such as a light shielding sensor or a magnetic sensor. The detection means (46) may be installed downstream of the discharge section (47) (medal delivery side) in the route through which the game medals are transferred. For example, the game discharged from the discharge section (47) You may provide in a transfer path (nozzle part (60)) for guide | inducing a medal to a predetermined place (for example, medal slot of the game machine installed adjacently etc.).

(Function)
The game medals inserted into the insertion unit (48) are stored in the medal storage unit (44) located below the insertion unit (48). When the drive means (55) is driven by a predetermined operation start means (sensor or switch), the transfer means (53) is operated, and the stored game medals are transferred toward the discharge section (47). The game medals discharged from the discharge unit (47) are detected by passing through the installation site of the detection means (64). At this time, the controller of the medal feeder (40) monitors the drive of the drive means (55) and the detection of the detection means (64).
Open and close when the drive means (55) and the detection means (46) are normal (the drive means (55) is driven and the detection means (46) is normally detecting a game medal) Member (82) is closed. On the other hand, the detection means (46) detects the game medal for a certain period of time despite the drive means (55) being driven (or the command signal for driving the drive means (55) being output). If not, for example, a solenoid or the like is operated to open the opening / closing member (82), and thereafter or simultaneously, the driving means (55) is driven so that the transfer means (53) moves in the direction opposite to the medal feeding direction. . Specifically, for example, by reversely rotating the drive motor (55) as the driving means, the roller (51) around the conveying belt (53) as the transferring means is rotated in reverse, and the conveying belt (53) is Move in the opposite direction. Thereby, the game medals placed on the upper surface of the transfer means (53), for example, the game medals sandwiched between the return means (52) and the transfer means (53) are returned to the medal storage part (44) direction, Medal clogging is eliminated. Then, the game medals that have been turned back fall out of the apparatus through the open discharge opening (49).

In addition, after the transfer means (53) is moved in the reverse direction, the drive of the drive means (55) may be stopped automatically (for example, after a predetermined time elapses), or a predetermined operation stop means (switch or the like) ) May be operated to stop driving of the driving means (55).
According to the present invention, a game medal can be forcibly canceled from the discharge opening (49) when a medal jam occurs or when a foreign object is jammed. Further, when the driving means (55) is configured to automatically stop driving after the transfer means (53) is moved in the reverse direction, not only when the medal is jammed but also stored in the medal storage part (44). Even when all the game medals that have been transferred have been transferred, the transfer means (53) stops after the reverse movement. Therefore, in order to prevent unnecessary driving of the driving means (55), it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor for detecting the presence / absence of a game medal in the medal storage section (44).

(Claim 2)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 described above.
That is, according to the present invention, the drive means (55) moves the transfer means (53) in the medal feeding direction by forward rotation of the drive shaft and reversely rotates the drive shaft. The transfer means (53) is moved in the direction opposite to the medal delivery direction.When the detection means (64) does not detect a game medal during driving, the drive means is rotated reversely to move the transfer means (53). Before moving in the direction opposite to the movement direction at the time of sending out medals, the alternate driving in which the drive shaft is reversely rotated for a moment and then positively rotated for a moment is repeated at least once.

The present invention is formed such that the opening and closing member (82) is opened, the discharge opening (49) is opened, and the transfer means (53) is reversely moved, so that the transfer means (53) repeats reverse and forward rotation in small increments. Is.
Here, the “instant” is a time that is extremely shorter than the driving time of the normal driving means (55), and is preferably about 0.5 to 1 second, for example. In the “alternate drive”, it is preferable to repeat at least one turn, preferably several turns, with reverse rotation / forward rotation as one turn.
According to the present invention, when the detection means (64) opens the discharge opening (49) by not detecting a game medal while driving the drive means (55), before opening the opening and closing member (82), As the transfer means (53) moves back and forth in small increments, the pile of game medals stacked on the upper surface of the transfer means (53) collapses or is pinched between the return means (52) and the transfer means (53). Game medals and foreign objects can be easily removed, and clogging can be released more efficiently.

(Claim 3)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 3 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in claim 1 or 2.
That is, the invention described in claim 3 is attached to a medal lending machine having at least a medal paying device (lending medal paying device (23)) for paying out game medals lent to a player, and the medal paying device (23). It has a payout passage (42) for guiding medals to be paid out from the medal storage part (44).

Here, the medal lending machine (2) may have a bill insertion slot (21) and a bill counter (22) in addition to the medal payout device (23), or may include other devices. I do not care.
The payout passage (42) may be a tubular transfer path that leads from the vicinity of the medal discharge port of the medal payout device (23) to the medal storage part (44).
(Function)
When the medal payout device (23) is operated by inserting banknotes into the medal lending machine (2), the paid game medals pass through the payout passage (42), and the medal storage portion inside the medal feeder (40). Directly transferred to (44). Therefore, it is not necessary to manually receive game medals that are paid out to a certain extent from the medal lending machine (2) or move them to the game machine (for example, the lower plate of the slot machine) and touch the medals. The game can be started without. Further, when the game medals paid out from the gaming machine due to winning or the like are thrown into the gaming machine again, they may be put into the loading unit (48) in a lump.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to provide a medal feeding device that can easily and reliably take out medals in the device when a medal is jammed.

The best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a medal lending machine as an example.
(Explanation of drawings)
1 to 11 show an embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the batch loading mechanism 3, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the batch loading mechanism 3 and the medal slot 10, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of the medal feeding device 40, FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional perspective view of the medal feeding device 40, FIG. 7 is a perspective view with the nozzle portion 60 opened, and FIG. 8 is a discharge storage portion. FIG. 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the medal feeding device 40, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of medal feeding control.

The medal lending machine 2 in the present embodiment is installed adjacent to the slot machine 1 and is provided so as to correspond to each slot machine.
(Slot machine 1)
As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 has a housing and a front door 13 attached to the front side of the housing, and a symbol display on which the symbols of a rotating reel (not shown) are visible on the front side. A window 14 is formed. Further, below the symbol display window 14 and in the approximate center of the slot machine 1 is an operation unit 16 provided with operation means such as a start switch and a stop switch. A medal slot 10 for inserting game medals is provided at the right front end of the operation unit 16. Although not particularly shown, a medal selector for determining the authenticity of the game medal and counting the inserted medals is provided below the medal insertion slot 10. Further, a lower plate 15 capable of storing a payout medal is provided at the lower part of the slot machine 1.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the medal insertion slot 10 includes an upper insertion opening 11 through which game medals can be inserted one by one from above, and a side transfer passage 12 communicating with the side of the upper insertion opening 11. Have. This side transfer passage 12 is a bowl-shaped passage extending from the upper insertion opening 11 to the front right side (medal lending machine 2 side), and accepts game medals sent from a nozzle part 60 described later. It is for transferring to the input opening 11.
Then, a game medal is inserted from the medal slot 10, the rotating reel is rotated by operating the start switch, and the rotating reel is stopped by operating the stop switch. At this time, the symbols displayed on the plurality of rotating reels are predetermined. When the position mode is stopped, a prize is won, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out.

(Medal lending machine 2)
The medal lending machine 2 is a box-type device installed adjacent to the side surface of the slot machine 1, renting out game medals in exchange for money, and renting medals and medals to be inserted by the players. Is to be inserted into the medal slot 10 of That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the medal lending machine 2 includes a bill counter 22 and a lending medal payout device 23 built in the outer box 20, and a batch insertion mechanism 3 attached to the front side. It is.
The bill counter 22 is for reading a bill inserted from a bill insertion slot 21 provided at the lower front of the outer box 20 and causing the lending medal dispensing device 23 to pay out a predetermined number of game medals. The medal lending machine may have a coin insertion slot, a coin counter, a change dispensing slot, etc. in addition to the banknote insertion slot 21 and the banknote counter 22. Moreover, you may have a prepaid card slot and a card reader.

  The rental medal payout device 23 is a so-called hopper device for paying out game medals, and although not particularly shown, a tank for storing game medals and a game medal stored in the tank are discharged one by one. It has a possible delivery disk. The delivery disk is rotatably supported by a drive motor and has a hole into which a game medal can be inserted. The game medals that have entered the hole are discharged one by one out of the device as they rotate. The rental medal payout device 23 is provided with a sensor for counting discharged medals, and is configured to stop the drive motor when a predetermined number of game medals are paid out.

(Batch input mechanism 3)
The batch insertion mechanism 3 is a mechanism for batch-inserting game medals paid out from the lending medal payout device 23 and game medals inserted by the player into the medal slot 10 of the slot machine 1.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the batch loading mechanism 3 is roughly divided into a main body cover 30 attached to the front surface of the outer box 20 of the medal lending machine 2, and an inside of the main body cover 30. The medal feeder 40 is provided, and a nozzle portion 60 attached to the front side of the main body cover 30.

(Main unit cover 30)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body cover 30 protrudes from the front substantially central portion of the outer box 20 of the medal lending machine 2 to the front side (the front side when the slot machine 1 is viewed from the front, the same applies hereinafter). As shown in FIG. 1, a medal feeding device 40 is built in the box-shaped member.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a counter-like overhanging portion 32 having a flat portion on the upper surface is formed on the front side of the collective charging opening 31. The overhanging portion 32 protrudes toward the front side and the side of the collective loading opening 31 and is formed in a substantially U shape when viewed from the plane. Here, a touch sensor for operating and stopping the conveying device 50 is provided. Is laid. The drive motor 55 of the transport device 50 is driven by touching the overhanging portion 32, and the drive motor 55 of the transport device 50 is stopped driving by releasing the hand touching the overhanging portion 32. It has become. Note that means for operating the transport device 50 is not limited to a touch sensor, and a button-type switch or other operation means may be provided. Further, a switch for starting the drive of the drive motor 55 and a switch for stopping the drive may be provided separately.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a discharge storage portion 90 that receives foreign matter discharged from the medal feeding device 40 or a cancel medal is formed on the back side of the bottom of the main body cover 30.
(Medal feeder 40)
The medal feeding device 40 is a device for feeding out a medal built in the main body cover 30 and, as shown in FIG. 1, a transfer device is provided inside a box-shaped main body block 41 provided inside the main body cover 30. 50 is provided, and a discharge device 80 is provided below the back side of the transfer device 50.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the main body block 41 has a receiving opening 48 that opens upward at a substantially central portion in the length direction, and opens to the back side of the receiving opening 48. A payout passage 42 communicating with the receiving opening 48 is provided. In addition, a conveyance device 50 is built in the lower front part of the main body block 41, and the front side of the main body block 41 is a medal discharge for discharging the medals sent out by the conveyance device 50 to the nozzle portion 60 one by one. Part 47. As shown in FIG. 5, a discharge device 80 is provided at the bottom of the inner wall that forms the payout passage 42.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge device 80 is a solenoid that moves the substantially cylindrical movable shaft 83 protruding upward in accordance with a predetermined operation command signal (opening operation signal, closing operation signal). 81, and an opening / closing plate 82 that is pivotally supported by the movable shaft 83 at one end and swings in the vertical direction with a fixed shaft 84 fixed to the main body block 41 as a fulcrum. When the movable shaft 83 is located below, the opening / closing plate 82 is closed (see FIG. 1), and when the movable shaft 83 is located above, the opening / closing plate 82 is opened (see FIG. 10). It is formed so that. Then, by opening the opening / closing plate 82 by the operation of the solenoid 81, medals, foreign objects, etc. inside the medal feeder 40 can be discharged from the cancel opening 49 formed on the bottom surface of the main body block 41. Yes. The discharge device 80 is formed so as to open the opening / closing plate 82 when a clogged medal occurs in the transport device 50 or by operating a reset switch (not shown), which will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the receiving opening 48 is an opening for receiving game medals inserted from the collective inserting opening 31, and is provided in the center of the opening width in the lateral direction. A partition bar 100 is provided. This is to align the inserted game medals in the same direction as much as possible. In other words, the presence of the partition rod 100 prevents the game medals from being inserted vertically in the receiving opening 48 (the orientation in which the front and back surfaces of the medals are in the horizontal direction). Is dropped sideways (the direction in which the front and back sides of the medal are in the front-rear direction). In this case, since the medals are aligned, the medal storage unit 44, which is a space located below the receiving opening 48, can store the game medals so that they can be stacked and transported. The device 50 facilitates conveyance.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, at the front side end portion of the receiving opening 48, an upper space of the transport device 50 is arranged in front of the medal storing portion 44 and a medal storage portion 44 positioned below the receiving opening 48. The movement adjusting valve 43 is attached to the medal return portion 45 located at the position. The movement adjustment valve 43 prevents the movement of medals from the medal storage unit 44 to the medal return unit 45, and allows the movement of medals from the medal return unit 45 to the medal storage unit 44 as appropriate, thereby allowing the transport device 50 to transfer medals. This is to make it smooth.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the movement adjusting valve 43 has a configuration in which a square-shaped rotating plate 43A is attached to a support portion 43B having pins 46 protruding laterally from both ends. . Then, by engaging the pin 46 with the long hole 411 formed on both side surfaces of the main body block 41, the pin 46 is attached so as to be pivotable in the front-rear direction and is movable in the vertical direction. It is what. Further, a protrusion 431 protruding in the lateral direction is formed below the pin 46. On the other hand, a stopper 412 is provided on the inner surface of the main body block 41 so as to abut on the medal return portion 45 side of the protrusion 431 in a state where the movement adjustment valve 43 is suspended. Thereby, the movement adjustment valve 43 can be rotated from the suspended state to the medal storage unit 44 side, but is prevented from rotating from the suspended state to the medal return unit 45 side.

  The payout passage 42 is for accepting a game medal lent out from the rented medal payout device 23 of the medal lending machine 2 and guiding it to the medal storage unit 44. The bottom surface of the payout passage 42 is inclined downward from the back side toward the front side, and the front end portion of the inclination is formed so as to be openable and closable by an opening / closing plate 82. When the open / close plate 82 is closed, game medals are stored in the medal storage unit 44, and when the open / close plate 82 is opened, foreign matter such as dust on the medal storage unit 44 or the transport belt 53 of the transport device 50 or The game medals fall from the cancellation opening 49. The foreign matter and game medals dropped from the cancel opening 49 are once stored in the discharge storage section 90, and can be taken out by opening the slide lid 92 of the discharge storage section 90.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge storage unit 90 includes a case 91 that communicates with the cancellation opening 49 and opens up and down, and a slide lid 92 that can open and close the lower opening of the case 91. Then, with the slide lid 92 closed, a discharge storage portion 93 capable of storing cancel medals and foreign objects is formed inside. Further, the slide lid 92 is formed so as to be automatically closed after being opened by the self-return mechanism 94. The self-return mechanism 94 includes a spring that biases the slide lid 92 in the closing direction, and the slide lid 92 is closed in a normal state. Then, the downward opening of the case 91 is opened by pushing the slide lid 92 back in the opening direction against the biasing force of the spring, that is, the back side. When the slide lid 92 is opened, a game medal or the like stored in the discharge storage section 93 is received by hand while holding the slide lid 92. When the storage is completely discharged, the slide lid 92 is automatically closed by releasing the hand from the slide lid 92.

(Transfer device 50)
The transfer device 50 is built in the lower front part of the main body block 41, and game medals inserted or paid out in the medal reservoir 44 are placed one by one in a horizontal state (a state where the front and back surfaces of the game medals are up and down). , For feeding to the nozzle part 60. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the transport device 50 includes a pair of rollers 51 (51A, 51B), a transport belt 53 stretched between the rollers 51A, 51B, and a front of the transport belt 53. The reverse rotation roller 52 installed with a delivery gap 54 above the side, the drive motor 55 for rotating the rollers 51, 52, and the transmission for transmitting the rotation of the motor shaft of the drive motor 55 to the rollers 51, 52 Means 56 are provided.

The rollers 51 are provided in parallel in the front-rear direction as viewed from the front side. The conveyor belt 53 is a flat belt that is stretched between two rollers 51A and 51B, and the surface thereof is covered with rubber or the like so as to increase the frictional resistance with the game medal. As shown in FIG. 1, the front roller 51A is attached at a slightly higher position than the rear roller 51B, so that the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 is slightly upwardly inclined toward the front. By rotating the roller 51 in the direction of the black arrow shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 is moved to the front side.
The roller 51 and the reverse roller 52 are rotated simultaneously by the transmission means 56. As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission means 56 includes a drive shaft of the drive motor 55, a gear provided on each of the rollers 51A and the reverse rotation roller 52, and a belt connecting these gears. Since it rotates in the same direction as 41, the traveling direction of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 and the moving direction of the lower surface of the reverse rotation roller 52 are reversed. Further, due to the difference in diameter between the roller 51 and the reverse roller 52, the linear speed of the reverse roller 52 (moving speed of the roller surface) is formed to be faster than the linear speed of the roller 51.

As shown in FIG. 1, a delivery gap 54 between the lower end of the reverse rotation roller 52 and the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 is larger than the thickness of one game medal and smaller than the thickness of two game medals. Is formed. Thereby, the game medals on the upper surface of the transport belt 53 are sent one by one to the front side, and the game medals above the transport belt 53 and behind the reverse rotation roller 42 are kicked out to the medal return section 45. It is like that.
In the reverse rotation roller 52 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a stirring groove 58 having a substantially trapezoidal cross section is formed along the axial direction. The agitation groove 58 plays a role of effectively kicking back the game medals stacked above the transport belt 53 by hooking the game medals at the end of the groove.

Also, above the reverse rotation roller 52, the game medals at the top of the medal return portion 45 are moved forward by being dragged by the rotation of the upper surface of the reverse rotation roller 52, and between the reverse rotation roller 52 and the front plate of the main body block 41. A medal pinching prevention piece 57 for preventing pinching is attached. In the reverse rotation roller 52, a pressing groove 59 is formed over the circumferential surface in accordance with the position of the medal pinching prevention piece 57.
The front side of the conveyor belt 53 is close to the medal receiving port 67 of the nozzle unit 60, and the game medals on the upper surface of the belt are carried from the medal discharge unit 47 to the nozzle unit 60 through the delivery gap 54. .

(Nozzle part 60)
The nozzle unit 60 is for transferring the game medals sent out from the transfer device 50 to the medal slot 10 of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the nozzle portion 60 is attached via a mounting portion 62 attached to the lower portion on the front side of the main body cover 30 and a self-returning hinge 63 provided at the lower end portion of the mounting portion 62. The lid portion 61 is pivotally attached to the attachment portion 62 in the front-rear direction. The lid portion 61 covers the attachment portion 62 from the front side, that is, the lid portion 61 is closed. A medal transfer path 65 having a thickness slightly larger than the thickness of one game medal and having a width slightly larger than the diameter of the game medal is formed between the attachment portions 62.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end portion of the attachment portion 62 is a curved portion 62A that curves in the back direction from the bottom to the top, and this curved portion 62A communicates with the medal discharge portion 47 of the medal feeder 40. A medal socket 67 is formed. Further, the medal transfer path 65 is bent from the medal receiving portion 67 toward the slot machine 1 side of the nozzle portion 60, and an end thereof serves as a medal discharge port 66 (see FIG. 7). That is, the nozzle unit 60 receives the game medals discharged from the medal discharging unit 47 from the medal receiving port 67, and discharges them one by one from the medal discharging port 66 through the medal transfer path 65.
The self-returning hinge 63 includes a spring that urges the lid 61 in a direction in which the lid 61 is rotated toward the mounting portion 62, and normally closes the lid 61. Then, the lid portion 61 is opened by rotating the lid portion 61 in the opposite direction to the mounting portion 62, that is, the front side against the urging force of the spring. This is to enable the player to resolve the clogging himself / herself without calling a store clerk when the game medal is jammed inside the medal transfer path 65. After the lid 61 is opened and the game medals are taken out, the lid 61 is automatically rotated by the self-returning hinge 63 to return to the closed state.

In order to prevent the lid 61 from opening unintentionally due to contact or the like, it is preferable to provide locking means such as a hook and a recess in the lid 61 and the mounting portion 62.
As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle portion 60 is installed such that the medal discharge port 66 is aligned with the end portion of the side transfer passage 12 of the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1. In this case, the medal discharge port 66 and the end portion of the side transfer passage 12 do not necessarily abut and coincide with each other, and the medal discharged from the medal discharge port 66 can move to the side transfer passage 12 with a gap or height. There may be an error.
Furthermore, a medal detection sensor 64 is provided on the front side of the attachment portion 62 and the back side of the lid portion 61 so as to face each other when the lid portion 61 is closed. The medal detection sensor 64 includes a light receiving portion 64A provided on the lid portion 61 and a light emitting portion 64B provided on the mounting portion 62, and detects passage of a game medal by blocking light emission of the light emitting portion 64B. It is. The medal detection sensor 64 detects the game medal while the medal feeding device 40 sends out the game medal.

Here, since the medal detection sensor 64 is provided at a position slightly shifted in the width direction from the center of the medal transfer path 65, the detection signal of the light receiving unit 64A repeats a certain waveform when the circular game medal passes. Become. Therefore, by monitoring this waveform in the control unit of the medal lending machine 2, an abnormality in medal transfer can be detected. For example, when the medal detection sensor 64 continues to detect game medals, it is assumed that game medals are jammed inside the medal transfer path 65. In such a case, it is preferable to perform an alarm or the like for opening the lid 61 to urge the clogging of medals.
On the other hand, if the medal detection sensor 64 does not detect the game medals for a certain time or longer, it depends on whether all the inserted game medals have been sent, or whether the medal lending machine 2 has been clogged. It is assumed that either the medal feeder 40 does not send out a game medal, or the lid 61 is open and the light beam from the light emitter 64B does not reach the light receiver 64A. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even though the touch sensor is ON (that is, the drive command signal is output to the drive motor 55 of the transport device 50), the medal detection sensor 64 keeps the game medal for a certain time or more. If not detected, the drive motor 55 is driven in the reverse direction and the opening / closing plate 82 of the discharge device 80 is opened to discharge the game medal to the outside of the device. Details of these controls will be described later.

(Transfer of game medals)
Next, the process of transferring game medals in the batch insertion mechanism 3 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, when game medals are inserted from the collective insertion opening 31, as shown in FIG. 9A, the game medals fall so as to be stacked on the upper surface of the rear part of the conveyor belt 53 and the upper surface of the opening / closing plate 82, and the medal storage part 44 It is stored in. When a bill is inserted into the medal lending machine 2, the game medal is paid out from the lending medal payout device 23 and is stored in the medal storage unit 44 through the payout passage 42. Next, when the projecting portion 32 of the batch loading mechanism 3 is touched by hand, the touch sensor reacts and the transport device 50 starts operating. That is, the drive motor 55 is driven, and the conveyor belt 53 starts to rotate forward.

When the transport belt 53 starts moving, the game medals riding on the upper surface of the rear part of the transport belt 53 move forward, and the medals stored above the drag medals are also dragged, dive below the movement adjustment valve 43 and return to the medals. Move to section 45. Here, since the movement adjustment valve 43 does not rotate forward (toward the medal return portion), the medal stored at the upper portion of the medal storage portion 44 is prevented from falling into the medal return portion 45 at once. Can do.
Of the game medals transferred forward by the conveyor belt 53, the game medals riding on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 are between the conveyor belt 53 and the lower surface of the reverse roller 52, as shown in FIG. The paper passes through the delivery gap 54 and is transferred one by one to the medal discharge unit 47. On the other hand, the game medals overlying the transport belt 53 are brought into contact with the reverse rotation roller 52, thereby being caught in the stirring groove 58 provided in the reverse rotation roller 52 and kicked back to the medal return portion 45 at the upper rear portion. Since the reverse rotation roller 52 rotates faster than the roller 51, the medal can be kicked out efficiently.

Here, if the amount of medals staying in the medal return portion 45 is large, it may hinder kicking backward by the reverse rotation roller 52, and the clogging of the medals may occur in the sending gap 54. However, since the movement adjusting valve 43 is pivotably attached to the rear (medal storage part side), the medal in the medal return part 45 flows back to the medal storage part 44 as shown in FIG. Thus, a space is formed above the medal return portion 45. As a result, the kicking-out of medals by the reverse rotation roller 52 is performed smoothly.
The game medals sent out from the transport device 50 are discharged from the medal discharge portion 47, enter the medal receiving port 67 while being guided by the curved portion 62A of the nozzle portion 60, and are discharged from the medal discharge port 66 through the medal transfer path 65. The Since the medal discharge port 66 is aligned with the side transfer passage 12 of the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1, the game medal is inserted into the upper insertion opening 11 through the side transfer passage 12.

(Outline of control of medal feeder 40)
Next, an outline of the operation control of the medal feeder 40 of the medal lending machine 2 having the above configuration will be described based on the flow of FIG. In the present embodiment, when it is assumed that a medal clogging has occurred, that is, when the medal detection sensor 64 does not detect a game medal for a predetermined time or more despite the touch sensor being ON, the drive motor 55 Is configured to open a cancel opening 49 by repeating reverse rotation and forward rotation for a predetermined number of times (specifically, N times) and then reversely driving.
Here, in the operation control of the medal feeding device 40, the medal feeding control device (not shown) controls the operations of the transport device 50 and the discharging device 80 based on the detection signal of the medal sensor 64 and the motor drive signal of the drive motor 55. To do. The medal feeding control device is a control board provided inside the medal feeding device 40 or inside the medal lending machine 2 and receives signals from the touch sensor and the medal sensor 64 of the overhanging portion 32 of the batch insertion mechanism 3. Thus, the drive motor 55 of the transport device 50 and the solenoid 81 of the discharge device 80 are configured to be operable.

In the initial state, the touch sensor is in an OFF state, and a motor drive command signal for driving the drive motor 55 is not output. Therefore, the medal sensor 64 is also in the OFF state. The solenoid 81 of the discharge device 80 is in an inoperative state, and the opening / closing plate 82 is in a state in which the cancel opening 49 is closed.
In the figure, “N” is a preset natural number of “1” or more. “X”, “Y”, and “Z” are positive numbers including a preset small number. The value “Z” is set larger than the values “X” and “Y”. Among these, “X” and “Y” may be different numerical values or the same numerical values.

First, in step 100 in FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the touch sensor is turned on. If the touch sensor is not ON, the process returns to step 100. If the touch sensor is turned on, the process proceeds to the next step 101.
In step 101, the drive motor 55 is rotated forward. That is, the drive shaft of the drive motor 55 is rotated so that the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 moves in the direction in which the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 moves in the medal transfer direction (the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 1). Then, the process proceeds to the next step 102.
In step 102, it is determined whether or not the touch sensor is turned off. If the touch sensor is turned off, the process proceeds to step 105.

In step 105, the forward drive of the drive motor 55 is stopped. Then, the operation control of the medal feeder 40 is finished.
If it is determined in step 102 that the touch sensor is not OFF, the process proceeds to the next step 103.
In step 103, it is determined whether or not the medal detection sensor 64 is ON, that is, whether or not the medal detection sensor 64 is detecting a game medal. If the medal detection sensor 64 is ON, the process returns to step 101. That is, when the touch sensor is ON (the player remains in contact with the overhanging portion 32) and the medal detection sensor 64 has normally detected the game medal, the drive motor 55 continues to rotate forward, The conveyor belt 53 is continuously moved. On the other hand, if the medal detection sensor 64 has not detected a game medal, the process proceeds to step 104.

In step 104, it is determined whether or not a certain time has elapsed. This is because when the transport device 50 starts driving, the game medal is taken into account due to some trouble that the transport device 50 is not jammed due to the time taken for the game medal to be transferred from the medal storage unit 44 to the position of the medal detection sensor 64. This is to cope with the case of discontinuously sending.
Here, whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed is not particularly shown, but when the clock means provided in the medal feed control device first determines in step 103 that the medal detection sensor 64 has not detected a game medal. It is possible to make a judgment based on whether or not the time-up signal is received. Further, the fixed time may be a time that is necessary and sufficient for the game medals to be transferred from the medal storage unit 44 to the medal detection sensor 64. And when fixed time has not passed, it returns to step 101. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to the next step 110.

In step 110, the drive motor 55 is driven in the reverse direction for X seconds (for example, 0.5 seconds). Then, the process proceeds to the next step 111.
In step 111, the drive motor 55 is driven forward for Y seconds (for example, 0.5 seconds). Then, the process proceeds to the next step 112.
In step 112, “N = N−1” is set. That is, in the control device, “1” is decremented from the N value stored in the memory and stored. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 113.
In step 113, it is determined whether N = 0. If N = 0 is not true, the process returns to step 110. That is, until the predetermined number of turns “N” is reached, the drive motor 55 is rotated alternately in the reverse direction and the forward direction, whereby the transport belt 53 is in the direction opposite to the medal transfer direction (the medal discharge unit 47 direction). The operation of moving slightly in the medal transfer direction again after repeating the movement slightly is repeated N times. If N = 0, the process proceeds to the next step 114.

In step 114, the solenoid 81 of the discharge mechanism 80 is opened. As a result, the movable shaft 83 protrudes upward, and the opening / closing plate 82 rotates to open the cancel opening 49 (see FIG. 10). Then, the process proceeds to the next step 115.
In step 115, the drive motor 55 is driven reversely for Z seconds (for example, 3 seconds). As a result, game medals and foreign objects on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 fall downward from the end of the conveyor belt 53 on the medal storage section 44 side, and pass through the cancellation opening 49 to the discharge storage section 93 of the discharge storage section 90. Stored. At this time, if the slide lid 92 is opened, game medals and the like are discharged to the outside of the batch insertion mechanism 3 (see FIG. 10). Then, the process proceeds to the next step 116.

In step 116, the drive of the drive motor 55 is stopped. As a result, the conveyance belt 53 stops moving. Then, the process proceeds to next Step 117.
In step 117, the solenoid 81 is closed. As a result, the movable shaft 83 moves downward, the opening / closing plate 82 rotates and the cancel opening 49 is closed. Then, the operation control of the medal feeder 40 is finished.
By the way, when the operation of the transport device 50 is stopped before all the inserted game medals are transferred (when the hand is released from the touch sensor), the game medals are placed on the upper surface of the transport belt 53 or the medal storage unit 44. Remains. In this case, a predetermined reset switch is operated when it is not desired to insert the remaining game medals into the slot machine 1 by ending the game. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the solenoid 81 of the discharge device 80 is activated to open the opening / closing plate 82, and the drive motor 55 of the transport device 50 is driven in reverse. As a result, the game medals on the upper surface of the transport belt 53 move rearward, and when the opening / closing plate 82 is opened, the game medals fall downward from the cancel opening 49 opened at the bottom of the medal storage section 44. The game medals stored in the medal storage unit 44 also fall from the cancel opening 49 in the same manner.

Since the game medals discharged from the medal feeder 40 in this way are stored in the discharge storage unit 93 of the discharge storage unit 90, as described above, the slide lid 92 is slid to the back side, and the discharge storage unit Just take out the medals stored in 93. Needless to say, even if foreign matter such as dust enters the medal feeder 40, it can be taken out using the reset switch as described above.
According to the present embodiment, the game medals lent out from the medal lending machine 2 do not have to be moved to the slot machine 1 in hand, or the medals paid out from the slot machine 1 by winning are handed one by one. Therefore, even if the token is not inserted into the medal slot 10, the batch slot mechanism 3 can be inserted into the medal slot 10 and the game can be performed efficiently. Further, since the batch insertion mechanism 3 is provided with a movable adjustment valve 43 that can move up and down, the medal clogging hardly occurs in the medal feeding device 40, and the medal clogging occurred when the medal feeding device 40 was discharged. Even in this case, the clogging can be easily eliminated by opening the nozzle portion 60. Since the discharge device 80 and the discharge storage section 90 are provided, the remaining medals and foreign matters in the medal feeder 40 can be easily taken out. Furthermore, since the agitating groove 58 is formed in the reverse rotation roller 52 of the transport device, and the expanding portion 410 is provided in front of the transport belt 52, the game medals staying inside the transport device 50 are collected. It can be sent out efficiently and medal clogging can be prevented.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the medal detection sensor 64 does not detect a game medal for a predetermined time or more even though the touch sensor is ON, the transport belt 53 is moved back and forth in small increments. Therefore, when game medals are placed on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53, they can be shaken and dispersed. In addition, even when game medals or foreign objects are caught between the conveyor belt 53 and the reverse rotation roller 52, the game medals etc. that are sandwiched are easily swung back and forth between the conveyance belt 53 and the reverse rotation roller 52, so that it is easy to come out from the gap. This can be successfully removed by the last reverse drive.
Furthermore, even when all the game medals inserted or paid out to the medal storage unit 44 have been transferred, the drive motor 55 is stopped after the reverse rotation / forward rotation operation. Therefore, even if the player does not see the inside of the medal feeding device 40, the player continues to touch the touch sensor and the transport device 50 automatically stops operating, so that all the game medals have been transferred to the slot machine 1. Can be confirmed.

It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing of a batch injection | throwing-in mechanism. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the slot machine and the medal lending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged perspective view of a medal slot and a batch slot mechanism. 1 is a perspective view of a medal feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of a medal feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a cross-sectional perspective view of a medal feeder. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view in which a nozzle portion is opened. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded sectional view of a discharge storage part. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is action | operation explanatory drawing of a medal feeder. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is action | operation explanatory drawing of a medal feeder. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the flow of medal feeding control.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine
10 Medal slot 11 Upper slot
12 Side transfer passage 13 Front door
14 Symbol display window 15 Lower plate
16 Operation part 2 Medal lending machine
20 Outer box 21 Bill slot
22 Bill counter 23 Lending medal dispensing device 3 Collective loading mechanism
30 Main unit cover 31 Collective opening
32 Overhang
40 Medal feeder 41 Body block
42 Discharge passage 43 Movement adjustment valve
43A Rotating plate 43B Support section
44 Medal storage 45 Medal return
46-pin 47 medal discharge section (discharge section)
48 Reception opening (input part) 49 Cancel opening
50 Conveyor 51 Roller
52 Reverse roller (return means) 53 Conveyor belt (transfer means)
54 Delivery gap 55 Drive motor
56 Transmission means 57 Anti-medal piece
58 Stirring groove 59 Holding groove
60 Nozzle 61 Lid
62 Mounting part 63 Self-reset hinge
64 Medal detection sensor 65 Medal transfer path
66 Medals outlet 67 Medals receiver
62A Curved part
80 Discharge mechanism 81 Solenoid (actuating means)
82 Open / close plate 83 Movable shaft
84 Fixed shaft
90 Discharge storage 91 cases
92 Slide lid 93 Discharge storage
94 Self-recovery mechanism
100 Divider
410 Expanded part 411 Long hole
412 Stopper 431 Protrusion

Claims (3)

A loading section that can accept a plurality of game medals that are batch-loaded, a discharge section that discharges game medals, and a transfer that is movable toward the discharge section in a state where the game medals loaded from the loading section are stacked. And a return means for returning the game medals stacked on the transfer means in a direction opposite to the transfer direction, and a drive means for moving the transfer means. In the medal feeding device formed so that game medals can be sent out one by one,
A medal storage part that can store game medals is provided below the insertion part and on the side opposite to the transfer means of the transfer means, and below the medal storage part, a discharge opening that opens downward, An opening / closing member formed so as to freely open and close the discharge opening by operation of an operating means;
A detection means capable of detecting a game medal discharged from the discharge unit is provided,
If the detecting means does not detect a game medal for a certain period of time during the driving of the driving means, the operating means is operated to open the opening / closing member to open the discharge opening, and the transfer means sends out the medal. A medal feeding device, wherein the driving means is driven so as to move in a direction opposite to the moving direction at the time. The drive means is configured to move the transfer means in the medal delivery direction when the drive shaft rotates forward and to move the transfer means in the direction opposite to the medal delivery direction when the drive shaft rotates reversely. And
If the detecting means does not detect a game medal during driving of the driving means, the driving shaft is reversely rotated momentarily before the driving shaft is rotated in the reverse direction to move the transfer means in the direction opposite to the moving direction when the medal is sent out. 2. The medal feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the alternating drive for momentarily positive rotation is repeated at least once.   It is attached to a medal lending machine having at least a medal payout device for paying out game medals to be lent to a player, and has a payout passage for guiding medals paid out from the medal payout device to the medal storage unit. The medal feeder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

Images