JP2007244554A - Token feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a token feeder which can reduce burden on the work of replacing game tokens used while enabling the quick removal of the game tokens outside by regulating the transference of game tokens with a diameter larger than that of those regularly used without applying a load onto other members. <P>SOLUTION: The token feeder is provided with the first and second regulation members 300 and 340 which are supported being suspended and arrayed in the direction of transferring the game tokens. The first regulation member 300 has a clearance smaller than the thickness of one token between its lower end and a transfer means and an open part 304 at it lower end. The open part 304 is so formed as to have a width smaller than the diameter of the second game token and a height enough to disable the passage of the second game token being inclined. The second regulation member 340 is so formed as to make the distance between its lower end and the transfer means larger than the diameter of the second game token to enable the sidetracking of the first regulation member 300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal feeding device that is used to batch-insert game medals into 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). In this, a nozzle having a medal passage for guiding a game medal is formed.
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 insertion 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.

Here, in Patent Document 2 described above, the reverse rotation roller as the separating unit overlaps the belt so that the belt transfer direction and the rotational movement direction of the portion of the reverse rotation roller facing the belt are opposite to each other. A plurality of game medals are left on one side, leaving only one, and only one remaining on the belt is sent out in the belt transfer direction.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-299868 (FIG. 1) JP 2004-121809 A (FIG. 6)

Here, the game medals used in a conventional gaming machine as a slot machine include a normally used game medal with a diameter of 25 mm and a specially used game medal with a diameter of 30 mm. The game medals to be used are determined. And in the medal lending machine and medal feeder according to the above-mentioned prior art, a plurality of types having different diameters can be used for any of the game medals of different diameters or can be dealt with by simple specification changes. Of these game medals, the game medals having the maximum diameter were formed to have dimensions and shapes.
However, in the medal feeder, when a game medal with a diameter smaller than the maximum diameter game medal is used, the effective width that the transport belt can be transported is large, so that the position of the game medal on the transport belt is uneven. In this case, they are transported respectively. This is because an unnecessary collision or the like is likely to occur between the game medals and the well-known members or between the game medals at the time of transition from the conveyor belt to the next transfer process. Thus, there is a problem that it becomes an obstacle to the smooth transfer of game medals.

Here, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-213560 has been made by the applicant of the present application. In the invention according to the application, a protrusion that protrudes to match the diameter of a game medal that uses an effective width that can be conveyed on the conveyor belt at a position past the attachment position of the reverse rotation roller in the middle of feeding the conveyor belt. It is to have a body. Thereby, the above problems can be solved.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, a game medal having a larger diameter than a game medal to be used is prevented from being transferred by the projecting body, so that only the game medal to be used can be transferred.

However, in the present invention, since the protrusion is provided at a position past the reverse roller attachment position, when a game medal having a diameter larger than the game medal to be used is transferred, the medal at the reverse roller attachment position is provided. Clogging occurs, thereby restricting the transfer of the game medals. Therefore, every time a game medal with a diameter larger than the game medal to be used is transferred, the medal clogging occurs at the mounting position of the reverse rotation roller, so that the load on the motor that drives the reverse rotation roller and the roller increases, resulting in failure. There was a problem that it might cause.
Further, in the above invention, after a game medal having a diameter larger than the game medal to be used is caught on the projecting body, the game medal is moved in the reverse transfer direction by driving the conveyor belt in the reverse direction to move the game medal to the opposite direction. It is assumed that the foreign substance is discharged from the exit. However, since the distance from the position where the game medal is caught to the foreign matter payout exit is a relatively long distance, it takes time to pay out the game medal, and there is a problem that a quick payout process cannot be performed.

Furthermore, in the said invention, the effective width | variety which can be conveyed on a conveyance belt was switched by attachment and detachment of a protrusion, However, While this attachment and removal work is complicated, accommodation of the removed protrusion is inconvenient. There was also a problem.
Accordingly, each invention described in each claim has been made under the circumstances described above, and the object thereof is as follows.
In other words, the invention described in claim 1, 2 or 3 regulates the transfer of a game medal having a diameter larger than that of the game medal to be used without giving a load to other members. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medal feeding device capable of quickly taking out a game medal and reducing the work load corresponding to switching of the game medal to be used.

The invention described in the claims has been made to achieve each of the above-described objects, and features of each invention will be described below using embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
In addition, a code | symbol shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of this invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(Claim 1)
The invention described in claim 1 is inserted from the acceptance insertion unit 48 capable of receiving a plurality of game medals that are collectively input, a discharge unit (medal discharge unit 47) for discharging game medals, and the reception input unit 48. A transfer means (belt 53) movable toward the discharge section (medal discharge section 47) in a state where stacked game medals are stacked, and above the discharge section (medal discharge section 47) side of the transfer means (belt 53) And at least a return means (reverse roller 52) for returning game medals stacked on the transfer means (belt 53) in the direction opposite to the transfer direction, and the transfer means (belt 53) has a predetermined diameter. The first game medal and the second game medal having a larger diameter than the first game medal can be transferred, and the game medals can be sent to the discharge unit (medal discharge unit 47) one by one, In the medal feeding device 40 formed so that one game medal can be taken out from the side opposite to the discharge portion of the transfer means (belt 53), it is below the receiving input portion 48 and above the transfer means (belt 53). Is a medal storage part 44 that is a space capable of storing game medals inserted from the receiving input part 48, and is located closer to the discharge part (medal discharge part 47) than the medal storage part 44 and the return means (reverse rotation) A medal return portion 45 that is a space in which the game medals returned by the rollers 52 can stay, and between the medal storage portion 44 and the medal return portion 45, the transfer means (belt 53) A first restriction member 300 and a second restriction member 340 that are supported in a state of hanging down toward the upper surface and that are arranged in parallel in the game medal transfer direction are provided. The lower end of the regulating member 300 and the transfer It is arranged so as to have a gap smaller than the thickness of one game medal between the means (belt 53) and the lower end portion of the first regulating member 300 is directed toward the game medal transfer direction. The empty opening 304 has a width that is larger than the diameter of the first game medal and smaller than the diameter of the second game medal, and stands up the second game medal. The second game medal is formed so as to have a height that prevents the second game medal from passing through the open portion 304 when tilted in the horizontal direction from the state. The distance between the lower end of 340 and the upper surface of the transfer means (belt 53) is formed so as to be larger than the diameter of the second game medal. It is designed to be retractable at a position that does not hinder transfer. To.

Here, “batch insertion” of game medals is not to insert medals in the same direction or to insert them one by one, but to randomly throw game medals grabbed in the hand at random into the insertion opening. It's what you say. 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 can be, for example, a flat belt stretched around a pair of rollers 51 rotated by a drive motor 55, but is not limited to a belt as long as game medals can be loaded and transferred.
Further, the return means is installed in parallel on the upper surface of the transfer means, for example, with a delivery gap 54 that is larger than the thickness of one medal and smaller than the thickness of two medals, and the movement direction of the lower surface is transferred. It can be set as the roller (reversing roller 52) rotated so that it may become a direction opposite to the moving direction of the upper surface of a means. Then, the game medals located above the transfer means, that is, the game medals stacked on the upper surface of the transfer means, are flipped backward by rotation, so that the game medals are unified from the sending gap 54. Further, the first restricting member 300 and the second restricting member 340 may be provided with shaft support portions (first support members) on, for example, the bottom surface or the side wall surface of the cover member that covers the transfer means. It can be attached via a shaft 302, a second support shaft 342).

The first restricting member 300 and the second restricting member 340 are arranged in parallel in the game medal transfer direction, but the arrangement order is not particularly limited, and the game medal transfer direction is The first restriction member 300 may be arranged in the order of the second restriction member 340, or the second restriction member 340 and the first restriction member 300 may be arranged in order.
The first restricting member 300 can also be formed so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around a fulcrum provided at the upper end of the first restricting member 300.
Further, the empty opening 304 formed in the first restricting member 300 can pass through the first game medals transferred by the transfer means (belt 53) while being stacked.

Further, as described above, the first restricting member 300 is formed to be retractable at a position that does not hinder the transfer of the second game medal. Here, “can be retracted to a position that does not hinder the transfer of the second game medal” does not mean that the first restricting member 300 is removed from the medal feeding device 40 so that the transfer of the second game medal is not obstructed. In other words, the first restricting member 300 is moved to the above position by moving. Further, the position that does not hinder the transfer of the second game medal is not particularly limited, and examples include the position above the transfer means and the side of the transfer means.
(Function)
In the medal feeding device 40 according to the present invention, between the medal storage unit 44 and the medal return unit 45, that is, closer to the medal storage unit 44 side than the return unit (reverse rotation roller 52), on the upper surface of the transfer unit (belt 53). A first restricting member 300 and a second restricting member 340 that are supported in a state of hanging down are arranged side by side. The first restricting member 300 is disposed so as to have a gap smaller than the thickness of one game medal between the lower end of the first restricting member 300 and the upper surface of the transfer means (belt 53). Further, the lower end portion of the first restricting member 300 has an empty opening portion 304 that is cut out in the game medal transfer direction. The empty opening 304 has a width larger than the diameter of the first game medal and smaller than the diameter of the second game medal, and the second game medal is tilted in the horizontal direction from the standing state. The second game medal is formed to have such a height that it cannot pass through the empty opening 304.

As a result, the first game medal can pass below the open portion 304 and the second restriction member 340 formed in the first restriction member 300. On the other hand, the second game medal can pass under the second restricting member 340 but cannot pass through the open portion 304 formed in the first restricting member 300. Therefore, when the second game medal is mixed with the first game medal inserted from the accepting and inserting unit 48, only the second game medal cannot pass through the first restricting member 300. At the attachment position of the restriction member 300, medals are clogged with the second game medal.
Further, as described above, the first restricting member 300 is provided closer to the medal storage portion 44 than the return means (reverse rotation roller 52). In other words, the above-mentioned medal clogging due to the second game medal occurs on the medal storage part 44 side with respect to the return means (reverse rotation roller 52).

Accordingly, the medal clogging due to the second game medal does not occur at the mounting position of the return means (reverse rotation roller 52). Therefore, the return means (reverse rotation roller 52) and the members (roller 51 and drive motor) accompanying the medal clogging are eliminated. 55) can be prevented from applying a load.
Further, the medal feeding device 40 according to the present invention is formed so that a game medal can be taken out from the side opposite to the discharge portion (medal discharge portion 47) of the transfer means (belt 53). Therefore, when a token jam occurs, the jammed token can be taken out from the side opposite to the discharge portion (medal discharge portion 47) of the transfer means (belt 53).

Here, the 1st control member 300 is arrange | positioned in the position near the said taking-out position rather than the return means (reverse rotation roller 52). Therefore, the second game medal can be taken out to the outside more quickly than when the medal clogging occurs in the return means (reverse rotation roller 52).
Further, as described above, the first restricting member 300 is formed to be retractable at a position that does not hinder the transfer of the second game medal.
Thereby, when the game medal used for the slot machine 1 is switched from the first game medal to the second game medal, the first restricting member 300 may be retracted.

Therefore, since the switching work in the medal feeder 40 can be performed easily and efficiently without removing the first restricting member 300, the work load can be reduced.
(Claim 2)
According to a second aspect of the invention, in addition to the feature of the first aspect of the invention, the first restricting member 300 is a horizontal shaft (first support shaft 302) provided at an upper end portion of the first restricting member 300. The medal storage part 44 or the medal return part 45 can be rotated around the center, and the first restricting member 300 can be rotated to be fixed at a position that does not hinder the transfer of the second game medal. It is characterized by.

  Here, when the first restriction member 300 and the second restriction member 340 are arranged in the order of the first restriction member 300 → the second restriction member 340 in the game medal transfer direction, that is, the second restriction member 340 is arranged. When the member 340 is provided on the medal return part 45 side and the first restriction member 300 is on the medal storage part 44 side, the first restriction member 300 can be rotated from the suspended state toward the medal storage part 44. Will be formed. When the game medals are transferred in the order of the second restricting member 340 and the first restricting member 300, that is, the first restricting member 300 is on the medal return part 45 side, the second restricting member 340. Is provided so as to be on the medal storage part 44 side, the first regulating member 300 is formed to be rotatable from the suspended state to the medal return part 45 side.

Further, the fixing method of the first restricting member 300 is not particularly limited. For example, the first restricting member 300 is obtained by fixing the horizontal shaft (first support shaft 302) with a fixing tool (fixing pin 362). The first restricting member 300 itself can be fixed by being supported by a fixing member (fixing protrusion 351).
(Function)
According to the present invention, the first restricting member 300 is rotated in the direction of the medal storage portion 44 or the medal return portion 45 around the horizontal axis (first support shaft 302) provided at the upper end portion. 2 It can be fixed at a position that does not hinder the transfer of game medals.

Thereby, when the game medal used for the slot machine 1 is switched from the first game medal to the second game medal, the first restricting member 300 may be rotated and fixed.
Therefore, since the switching operation in the medal feeder 40 can be performed easily and efficiently without removing the first restricting member 300, the work load can be reduced and the space inside the medal feeder 40 can be reduced. Can be used efficiently.
(Claim 3)
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the features of the first or second aspect of the invention, the first restricting member 300 includes a vertical shaft (engagement protrusion) provided at a side end of the first restricting member 300. It is possible to turn the medal storage part 44 or the medal return part 45 around the piece), and to fix the second restricting member 300 at a position that does not hinder the transfer of the second game medal. It is formed.

The vertical shaft (engagement protrusion) may be provided at the right end or the left end as long as it is a side end of the first restricting member 300.
(Function)
According to the present invention, the first regulating member 300 is rotated in the direction of the medal storage part 44 or the medal return part 45 around the vertical axis (engagement protrusion) provided at the side end, 2 It can be fixed at a position that does not hinder the transfer of game medals.
Thereby, when the game medal used for the slot machine 1 is switched from the first game medal to the second game medal, the first restricting member 300 may be rotated and fixed.

  Therefore, since the switching operation in the medal feeder 40 can be performed easily and efficiently without removing the first restricting member 300, the work load can be reduced and the space inside the medal feeder 40 can be reduced. Can be used efficiently.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
In other words, the invention described in claim 1, 2 or 3 regulates the transfer of a game medal having a diameter larger than that of the game medal to be used without giving a load to other members. It is possible to provide a medal feeding device capable of quickly taking out the game medals to the outside and reducing the work load corresponding to the switching of the game medals to be used.

Hereinafter, embodiments 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 6 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the medal transfer mechanism 3. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the medal slot 10 and the medal transfer mechanism 3. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the medal feeder 40. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view showing the medal feeding device 40 to which the first restriction member 300 and the second restriction member 340 are attached. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional side view (a) and a schematic top view (b) showing the medal feeder 40 in a state where the first regulating member 300 is retracted.

FIG. 7 shows a first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention, and is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the medal feeding device 40 in a state where the first restricting member 300 is retracted upward. FIG. 8 shows a second modification of the embodiment of the present invention, in which a right side view (a) showing the operation groove 361 of the first support shaft 302 and the first support shaft 302 are fixed. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram (b) which shows the state which carried out.
9 and 10 show another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional side view (a) and a top schematic view (b) showing the medal feeder 40 with the first restricting member 300 retracted to the side. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the first regulating member 300.

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.
Here, “front”, “forward”, and “front” refer to the replacement operator (or player) facing the slot machine 1 in front of the front side of the slot machine 1. This means the direction from the back to the front when viewed from such an exchange operator (or player) when sitting or standing. Therefore, the forward direction and the forward direction mean a direction from the back of the slot machine 1 toward the front.
In addition, “rear”, “rearward” and “backward” are cases where the replacement operator (or player) is positioned facing the slot machine 1 on the front side of the slot machine 1 This means the direction from the front to the back when viewed from an exchange operator (or player). Therefore, the rear direction means a direction from the front of the slot machine 1 to the back (back). In addition, the left and right directions such as “left direction” and “right direction” in this specification also mean the right direction and the left direction when viewed from the person facing the front of the slot machine 1. To do.

The game medals used in the slot machine 1 include a game medals having a diameter of 25 mm (hereinafter referred to as “first game medals”) and a game medals having a special specification of 30 mm in diameter (specially used). Hereinafter, it is referred to as “second game medal”. In the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first game medal is normally used.
(Slot machine 1)
As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 has a rectangular box-shaped casing whose front is open and a front door 13 attached to the front side of the casing, and a rotary reel (not shown) on the front side. The symbol display window 14 is formed so that the symbol (1) can be visually recognized. 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 has an upper insertion opening 11 through which gaming medals can be inserted one by one from the upper side, and a lateral transfer that communicates in the form of a concave groove on the side of the upper insertion opening 11. And a passage 12. 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 a game medal sent from the insertion port introduction path 60 described later is received. For receiving and transporting to the upper 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 game medals are paid out.

(Medal lending machine 2)
The medal lending machine 2 is a box-type device installed adjacent to the side of the slot machine 1 and rents game medals in exchange for money, and rents medal and game medals to be inserted by the player. This is for insertion into the medal slot 10 of the machine 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the medal lending machine 2 includes an outer box 20, a bill counter 22 that detects and stores inserted bills, a medal lending unit 25 that lends game medals according to the inserted bills, Specifically, the rental medal payout device 23, the medal transfer mechanism 3 that is located on the front side of the outer box 20 and transfers game medals to the slot machine 1, and the control for controlling the operation of the medal lending machine 2 Device (not shown).

The bill counter 22 is for reading a bill inserted from a bill insertion slot 21 provided on the lower front side of the outer box 20 and causing the rented medal payout device 23 to pay out a predetermined number of game medals.
The bill counter 22 is provided with a bill sensor (not shown) that detects a bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 21 and outputs a bill detection signal. The medal lending unit 25, specifically, the lending medal dispensing device 23, is for lending a game medal to a player with the input of a bill detection signal from the bill sensor.
The medal lending machine 2 may have a coin insertion slot, a coin counter, a change dispensing slot, and the like 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 lending medal payout device 23 as the medal lending unit 25 is for lending a game medal to a player with the input of a bill detection signal from the bill sensor. The rental medal payout device 23 is a so-called hopper device for paying out game medals. Although not particularly shown, a tank for storing game medals and one game medal stored in the tank are provided. And a delivery disk that can be discharged one by one. The delivery disk is rotatably supported by a drive motor and has a hole into which a game medal can enter. And it forms in the mechanism which can discharge | emit the game medal which entered this hole one by one outside the apparatus with rotation. 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.

(Medal transfer mechanism 3)
The medal transfer 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 medal transfer 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. A medal feeding device 40 (see FIG. 4) for sending out game medals provided on the front side of the main body cover 30 and the game medals sent from the medal feeding device 40 on the side of the slot machine 1 An input port introduction path 60 for guiding to the transfer passage 12 is provided.

(Main unit cover 30)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body cover 30 is a box that protrudes from the front center of the outer box 20 of the medal lending machine 2 toward the front side (the front side when the slot machine 1 is viewed from the front side). As shown in FIG. 1, a medal feeding device 40 is built in a collective opening 31 that is a shape member and opens upward.
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 projecting portion 32 projects toward the front side and the side of the collective charging opening 31, and is formed in a substantially U shape when viewed from above. Further, a standing portion 272 is formed around the collective charging opening 31 so as to stand in a U shape extending from both sides to the front as viewed from above. The collective loading opening 31 is set so as to be positioned above the dropping hole 271 of the receiving loading portion 48 of the main body block 41 described later, and as a result, the standing portion 272 is positioned above the dropping hole 271. Is formed. The standing portion 272 is provided with a contact sensor 274 made of conductive metal for operating and stopping the transport device 50. Then, by touching the contact sensor 274 of the overhanging portion 32, the drive motor 55 of the transfer device 50 is driven, and by releasing the hand touching the contact sensor 274 of the overhanging portion 32, the drive motor of the transfer device 50 is driven. 55 stops driving. Specifically, when the touch sensor 274 is touched for a predetermined time less than a predetermined time, three game medals are sent to the side transfer passage 12, and when the touch sensor 274 is continuously touched for a predetermined time or longer, More than three game medals are formed to be sent out to the side transfer passage 12.

The means for operating the transport device 50 is not limited to the contact sensor 274, 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. 1, a medal removal tray 90 having a discharge storage portion 93 that receives foreign matter discharged from the medal feeder 40 and a canceled medal is formed on the back side of the bottom of the main body cover 30. This medal removal tray 90 is located below the opening / closing hole 85 on the front surface of the medal lending machine 2, and when the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharge mechanism 80 is opened, the medal storage unit 44 received through the opening / closing hole 85 is provided. The game medal can be taken out from the outside. As shown in FIG. 1, the medal removal tray 90 is pivotally supported by a tray hinge 95 so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction on the back side of the bottom of the main body cover 30. Normally, it is in a closed state and is configured to be able to store discharged trash etc. When the game hall manager collects trash etc., it is rotated by the front side and easily by hand from the front side It is formed so that the stored matter can be taken out.

The main body cover 30 may be formed with a rotation display unit that displays the operating state of the belt 53 of the transport device 50.
(Medal feeder 40)
The medal feeding device 40 is a device for feeding out game medals built in the main body cover 30.
As shown in FIG. 1, the medal feeding device 40 includes a box-shaped main body block 41 provided inside the main body cover 30, and a transport device 50 (belt transfer unit) for transporting game medals into the main body block 41. 200) and a discharge mechanism 80 that discharges remaining game medals and the like that are located at the lower back side of the transfer device 50.

(Main body block 41)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the main body block 41 has a receiving input portion 48 that opens upward at a substantially central portion in the length direction. The receiving and inserting portion 48 is provided with a drop hole 271 that is opened in a quadrangle and allows a game medal to drop.
In addition, a payout passage 42 that opens upward and communicates with the receiving input portion 48 is provided inside the receiving input portion 48. Then, a gaming medal for lending is inserted from the lending medal payout device 23 into a portion opened above the payout passage 42.

  A medal storage unit 44 for temporarily storing game medals inserted from the receiving input unit 48 or the payout passage 42 is formed below the receiving input unit 48. In addition, a belt transfer unit 200 (conveyance device 50) having a belt 53 for transferring game medals stored in the medal storage unit 44 is incorporated in the lower front portion of the main body block 41. The front side of the main body block 41 is a medal discharge unit 47 for discharging the game medals sent out by the transport device 50 to the insertion port introduction path 60 one by one. A discharge mechanism 80 having an openable / closable opening / closing hole 85 is provided at the bottom of the inner wall forming the payout passage 42 and on the bottom surface of the medal storage portion 44.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the receiving insertion portion 48 is an opening for receiving game medals inserted from the collective insertion opening 31, and is a partition provided in the lateral direction at a substantially central portion of the opening width. It has a bar 100. 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 medal from being inserted in the receiving and throwing portion 48 in the vertical direction (the direction in which the front and back surfaces of the game medal are in the left-right direction). Is turned sideways (the direction in which the front and back surfaces of the game medal are in the front-rear direction) and dropped. When dropped in this way, the orientation of the game medals is aligned, so that the game medals can be stored in a stack in the medal storage part 44, which is a space located below the receiving insertion part 48. It becomes easier to carry by the carrying device 50.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, on the front side of the receiving and inserting unit 48, an upper space of the transport device 50 is formed by a medal storing unit 44 positioned below the receiving and inserting unit 48 and the medal storing unit 44 The first restricting member 300 and the second restricting member 340 are attached to the medal return portion 45 located on the front side. More specifically, the two members are attached side by side so that the first restricting member 300 is on the back side and the second restricting member 340 is on the near side (see FIGS. 1 and 5). The first restricting member 300 and the second restricting member 340 are for restricting the movement of the game medals from the medal accumulation part 44 to the medal return part 45. The first restricting member 300 and the second restricting member 340 are located on the back side with respect to the reverse rotation roller 52 described later.

  The payout passage 42 is for accepting game medals lent out from the rented medal payout device 23 of the medal renting machine 2 and guiding them to the medal storage unit 44. The bottom surface of the payout passage 42 is inclined downward from the back side toward the near side, and an opening / closing hole 85 that can be opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 82 is formed at the front end portion of the inclination. When the opening / closing plate 82 closes the opening / closing hole 85, game medals are stored in the medal storage section 44. When the opening / closing plate 82 is opened from the opening / closing hole 85, foreign matters such as dust and game medals on the medal storage section 44 or the belt 53 of the transport device 50 fall from the cancel opening 49. Foreign matters and game medals that have dropped from the cancel opening 49 are once stored in the medal removal tray 90, and can be removed to the outside by opening the medal removal tray 90 toward the front as shown in FIG. It has become.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the medal removal tray 90 is pivotally supported by the lower portion of the medal transfer mechanism 3 so as to be rotatable by a tray hinge 95. Then, with the medal removal tray 90 closed, a discharge storage portion 93 capable of storing cancel medals, foreign matter, dust, and the like is formed inside. Further, although not particularly shown, the medal removal tray 90 is formed so as to be automatically closed after being opened by a self-returning mechanism. The self-return mechanism includes a spring that biases the medal removal tray 90 in the closing direction, and the medal removal tray 90 is normally closed. Then, by pulling down the medal removal tray 90 in the opening direction against the biasing force of the spring, that is, the front side, the discharge storage portion 93 of the medal removal tray 90 is opened as shown in FIG. When opening the medal removal tray 90, the game medals and the like stored in the discharge storage section 93 are received by hand while holding the medal removal tray 90. When the stored matter is completely discharged, the medal removal tray 90 is automatically closed by releasing the hand from the medal removal tray 90. Of course, the medal removal tray 90 may be temporarily fixed by the concavo-convex portion in two stages of the closed state and the open state without providing such a self-returning mechanism.

(First restriction member 300)
The first restricting member 300 is for restricting passage of a second game medal having a diameter larger than that of the first game medal. In other words, the first restricting member 300 is for restricting the movement of the second game medal from the medal accumulation part 44 to the medal return part 45.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first restricting member 300 has a configuration in which a rectangular first restricting plate 303 is attached to a first support portion 301 having a first support shaft 302 protruding laterally from both ends. ing. Then, the first support shaft 302 is engaged with holes formed on both side surfaces of the main body block 41 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around the first support shaft 302.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6A, the inner surface of the main body block 41 is in contact with the medal return portion 45 side of the first restricting member 300 in a state where the first restricting member 300 is suspended. A stopper 306 is protruded. As a result, the first restricting member 300 can rotate 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.
Further, the first restriction plate 303 is formed with an open portion 304 whose lower end is cut out in a square shape from the front surface to the rear surface of the first restriction plate 303. As shown in FIG. 5, when the first restriction plate 303 is viewed from the front-rear direction with the first restriction member 300 inserted into the restriction member insertion groove 331, a downward “concave” shape is formed. Yes.

The empty portion 304 is formed so that the lateral width is larger than the diameter of the first game medal and smaller than the diameter of the second game medal. Further, the empty opening 304 is formed so that the distance from one lower end to the other upper end (that is, the distance between the end portions located diagonally) is smaller than the diameter of the second game medal. is there. In other words, when the height of the empty portion 304 is h (mm) and the diameter of the second game medal is d (mm), the opening portion 304 is formed to satisfy h <√2 × d / 2.
Further, in the first regulating member 300, the distance from the lower end portion of the regulating plate 303 to the upper surface of the belt 53 of the transfer device 50 described later is larger than the thickness of one game medal when the first regulating plate 303 is in the suspended state. Is also formed to be smaller.

By forming as described above, the first game medal can pass through the empty opening 304, but the second game medal can be performed even when the game medal is in a standing state, a tilted state, and a lying state. It cannot pass through the empty part 304.
The first restricting member 300 is formed to be rotatable about the first support shaft 302 toward the medal storage portion 44 until the first restricting plate 303 is substantially horizontal. Further, fixing holes 352 penetrating from the outer surface to the inner surface are formed on both side surfaces of the main body block 41 corresponding to the lower portion of the first restricting plate 303 which is rotated and becomes almost horizontal (FIG. 4). And FIG. 6). Then, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a fixed protrusion that can be engaged with the fixed hole 352 from the outside of the main body block 41 in a state where the first restricting plate 303 is horizontal. When the 351 is engaged, the first restricting plate 303 is caught on the fixed protrusion 351, and the first restricting member 300 can be fixed.

(Second regulating member 340)
As described above, the second restriction member 340 is attached to the front side of the first restriction member 300 so as to be juxtaposed with the first restriction member 300.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the second restricting member 340 includes a second restricting plate 343 having a rectangular shape on a second support portion 342 having a second support shaft 341 protruding laterally from both ends. It is the installed configuration. A hole is formed at a position on both sides of the main body block 41 in front of the mounting position of the first restricting member 300, and the second support shaft 341 and the second support shaft 341 are engaged with the hole. Thus, the second support shaft 341 is formed so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 1 and 6A).

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6A, the second inner surface of the main body block 41 comes into contact with the medal return portion 45 side of the second restricting member 340 while the second restricting member 340 is suspended. A stopper 346 is projected. As a result, the second restricting member 340 can rotate 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.
Further, the second restricting member 340 is such that the distance from the lower end of the second restricting plate 343 to the upper surface of the belt 53 of the transport device 50 is smaller than the diameter of the second game medal when the second restricting plate 343 is suspended. It is formed to be long. Thereby, the second game medal can pass below the second restriction plate 343 even when the medal is standing upright.

(Conveyance device 50 (belt transfer unit 200))
The transport device 50 (belt transfer unit 200) is built in the lower front part of the main body block 41, and the game medals inserted or paid out into the medal storage unit 44 are placed in a horizontal state (the front and back surfaces of the game medals are up and down. In this state, that is, a state where the front or back surface of the game medal faces upward or downward), the game medals are sent one by one to the insertion port introduction path 60. Specifically, the transport device 50 includes a pair of rollers 51, a belt 53 stretched over the rollers 51, a reverse rotation roller 52 installed with a delivery gap 54 above the front side of the belt 53, a roller And a drive motor 55 for rotating 51 and 52.

The roller 51 is provided in parallel in the front-rear direction as viewed from the front side. The belt 53 is a flat belt stretched around two rollers 51, and the surface thereof is covered with rubber or the like so as to increase the frictional resistance with the game medal. Since the front roller 51 is mounted at a slightly higher position than the back roller 51, the upper surface of the belt 53 is slightly upwardly inclined toward the front side. 1 is rotated in the direction of the black arrow shown in FIG. 1 (the arrow whose inside is painted black), the upper surface of the belt 53 is moved to the near side.
The roller 51 and the reverse roller 52 are rotated simultaneously by a transmission means (not shown). Although not specifically shown, the transmission means is a gear provided on each of the drive shaft of the drive motor 55, the roller 51, and the reverse roller 52, and a belt that connects these gears. The reverse roller 52 is the same as the roller 51. Therefore, the traveling direction of the upper surface of the 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 rotational speed of the reverse roller 52 is formed to be faster than the rotational speed of the roller 51.

A delivery gap 54 is formed between the lower end of the reverse rotation roller 52 and the upper surface of the belt 53, which is larger than the thickness of one game medal and smaller than the thickness of two game medals. As a result, the game medals on the upper surface of the belt 53 are sent one by one to the front side, and the game medals above the belt 53 and behind the reverse rotation roller 52 are kicked out to the medal return section 45. It has become.
In this embodiment, the reverse rotation roller 52 is formed with a stirring groove 58 having a substantially trapezoidal cross section along the axial direction. The stirring groove 58 plays a role of effectively kicking back the game medals stacked above the belt 53 so that the game medals are hooked at the end of the groove.

The front side of the belt 53 is close to the medal receiving port 67 of the insertion port introduction path 60. The game medals on the upper surface of the belt 53 are carried from the medal discharge unit 47 to the insertion port introduction path 60 through the delivery gap 54.
The belt transfer unit 200 rotates the belt 53 in the forward direction (forward rotation, that is, in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 1), thereby rotating the belt 53 in the reverse direction (reverse rotation). In other words, the game medals in either direction of the reverse feed direction in which the game medals are fed back to the medal storage section 44 on the side opposite to the insertion port introduction path 60 by performing the reverse rotation direction of the black arrow direction in FIG. It is formed to be transportable. That is, when the belt 53 is rotated forward, the belt transfer unit 200 transfers the one on the belt 53 to the inlet introduction path 60, and when the belt 53 is reversed, the belt transfer unit 200 transfers the one on the belt 53 to the opening / closing hole 85. It is configured to be transported.

When the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is rotated in the reverse direction, the reverse rotation roller 52 is formed so as not to be rotated by the internal mechanism.
(Discharge mechanism 80)
The discharge mechanism 80 can discharge medals and foreign matter in the medal feeder 40 from the cancel opening 49 formed on the bottom surface of the main body block 41 by opening the opening / closing plate 82 by the operation of the solenoid 81. It is like that. The discharge mechanism 80 can be formed such that the opening / closing plate 82 is opened by operating a reset switch (not shown), for example. As described above, on the back side of the bottom of the main body cover 30, a medal removal tray 90 having a discharge storage portion 93 that receives foreign matter discharged from the medal feeder 40 and a canceled medal is formed.

(Input port introduction path 60)
The slot 60 is provided in the vicinity of the medal slot 10 of the slot machine 1 in order to introduce a game medal into the medal slot 10 of the slot machine 1, and the game medal is inserted from the side of the slot machine 1 to the medal. The game medal is guided from the belt transfer unit 200 to the side transfer passage 12 that guides to the insertion port 10.
That is, the insertion port introduction path 60 is for transferring the game medals sent out from the transfer device 50 to the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion port introduction path 60 includes a base member 62 attached to the lower front side of the main body cover 30, and a medal transfer slit that is positioned on the front side of the base member 62 and through which game medals can pass. And a cover member 61 rotatably attached to the base member 62 via a hinge (not shown) provided at the lower end of the base member 62. The passage portion 65 is visible from the front side.

The insertion port introduction path 60 is installed such that the medal discharge port 66 is arranged in line with the end 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 of the side transfer passage 12 do not necessarily abut and coincide with each other, and the gap between the game medal discharged from the medal discharge port 66 and the side transfer passage 12 can be moved. There may be a height error.
(Passage section 65)
The passage portion 65 is for guiding game medals falling from the belt 53 to the side transfer passage 12.
The passage portion 65 is located on the front side of the base member 62, a movable plate 250 that is movable on the front side of the fixed plate 251, and a lower portion of the fixed plate 251, so that the game It has a projecting portion 252 that projects to the near side by a width slightly larger than the thickness of one medal.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a protrusion 252 is sandwiched between the fixed plate 251 and the movable plate 250, and has a thickness that is slightly larger than the thickness of one game medal, which is larger than the diameter of the game medal. By having a slightly larger width, a passage portion 65 capable of transferring game medals is formed. The passage portion 65 is formed by a fixed plate 251, a movable plate 250, and a protrusion 252 that form a medal transfer slit through which a game medal can pass.
The passage portion 65 is bent in a substantially L shape from the medal receiving port 67 toward the slot machine 1, and an end thereof serves as a medal discharge port 66. That is, the passage unit 65 receives the game medals discharged from the medal discharge unit 47 from the medal receiving port 67, one by one from the medal discharge port 66, and the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1 through the side transfer passage 12. It is designed to discharge toward the side.

(Fixed plate 251)
The fixing plate 251 is fixed to the front side of the base member 62 and is formed in a substantially L shape in a front view.
As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end portion of the fixed plate 251 is a curved portion 62A that curves in the back direction from below to above, and this curved portion 62A is connected to the medal discharge portion 47 of the medal feeder 40. A medal receiving port 67 communicating therewith is formed.
(Movable plate 250)
The movable plate 250 is positioned on the front side of the fixed plate 251 and forms a wall on the near side of the passage portion 65. All the movable plates 250 of the passage portion 65 are made of transparent resin.

  Normally, since the lower end of the movable plate 250 is in contact with the protruding portion 252, the movable plate 250 maintains a state in which it is erected in the vertical direction. When a clogging release button 260 described later is pressed, the clogging release button 260 pushes the upper part of the movable plate 250 into the back side, and the movable plate 250 is slightly below the upper end of the side end of the movable plate 250. A movable plate rotating shaft (not shown) that pivotally supports the movable plate 250 is used as a center of rotation, and the upper end is rotated to the back side and the lower end is rotated to the front side. As a result, when game medals are clogged inside the passage 65 between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251, a gap between the lower end of the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 is opened. The clogged medal outlet 68 of the cover member 61 is discharged to the outside.

A passing sensor that can detect the passing of a game medal can be provided on the front side of the movable plate 250. The passage sensor includes an optical sensor that can detect the passage of a game medal by blocking light, a magnetic sensor that can detect the passage of a game medal by magnetic fluctuation, and the passage of a game medal by directly contacting the game medal. A contact-type sensor or the like that detects the above can be used.
For example, when the passage sensor continues to detect game medals, it is assumed that game medals are jammed inside the passage portion 65. In such a case, it is preferable to issue an alarm or the like for pressing the clog release button 260 to cancel the clogging of medals. On the other hand, if the passing sensor does not detect game medals for a certain period of time, the medal feeding device 40 is determined depending on whether all the inserted game medals have been sent or whether medals are clogged inside the transfer device 50 or the like. Either a case where a game medal is not sent out or a case where the movable plate 250 is moving and deviates from the detection range of the passage sensor is assumed. Therefore, in such a case, the driving motor 55 of the conveying device 50 is set to stop driving or the rotation of the belt 53 is reversed. In such a case, control is performed so that the drive motor 55 is not driven even if the contact sensor 274 is turned ON.

(Protrusion 252)
The projecting portion 252 forms the bottom of the passage portion 65, and the game medal sandwiched between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 on the projecting portion 252 rolls toward the side transfer passage 12. Is formed.
(Cover member 61)
The cover member 61 is rotatable about a hinge (not shown) below the cover member 61 and covers the front surface of the passage portion 65.
The hinge can pivotally support the cover member 61 and the base member 62 in a rotatable manner. As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided locking means 290 for locking the cover member 61 to the base member 62 side so that both the cover member 61 and the base member 62 are not opened.

As described above, the passage portion 65 is visible from the front side. That is, the passage portion 65 is visible through the cover member 61. Thereby, the movement of the game medal can be followed with a line of sight.
Specifically, by providing the cover member 61 with a through-hole penetrating the front and back surfaces of the cover member 61, the passage portion 65 can be formed so as to be visible through the cover member 61. Further, by forming the cover member 61 corresponding to the front side of the passage portion 65 with a transparent member such as glass or transparent resin, the same operation and effect can be obtained.
A clogging release button 260 for moving the movable plate 250 is formed on the upper portion of the cover member 61.

In the lower part of the cover member 61, a clogged medal discharge port 68 opening downward is formed. The clogged medal discharge port 68 is opened to move the movable plate 250 when the clogging release button 260 is pressed and to discharge the game medals clogged between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 to the outside. Is.
(Clogging release button 260)
The clog release button 260 pushes the upper part of the movable plate 250 to rotate the movable plate 250 when the game medals are jammed in the passage portion 65, and removes the game medals jammed in the passage portion 65 below the clogged medal. It is for discharging from the outlet 68.

The clogging release button 260 maintains a state in which the game medals normally protrude through the insertion port introduction path 60 without being operated by the player. In addition, the urging force of the spring is applied to the clogging release button 260 in a direction in which the clogging release button 260 protrudes toward the near side by an urging means including an internal spring. Therefore, it is formed so as to automatically return to the near side even if it is pushed in by the hand.
When a plurality of game medals are jammed inside the passage portion 65 of the insertion port introduction path 60, for example, at the medal receiving port 67, the player pushes the clog release button 260 toward the back side. Then, in the clogging release button 260, the portion that protruded toward the front side is pushed toward the back side, and the tip on the back side of the clogging release button 260 pushes the upper part of the movable plate 250 toward the back side. . As a result, the movable plate 250 rotates around a horizontal movable plate rotation shaft (not shown) at the center of the side end, and is opened downward. Then, game medals clogged between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 fall downward, and are discharged outward from the clogged medal discharge port 68. As a result, the clogging of game medals in the passage portion 65 can be easily released.

(Transfer of game medals)
Next, the process of transferring game medals in the medal transfer mechanism 3 having the above configuration will be described. Here, the description will be made assuming that the first game medal is used in the slot machine 1.
First, when a first game medal is inserted from the collective insertion opening 31, the first game medal falls so as to be stacked on the rear upper surface of the belt 53 and the upper surface of the opening / closing plate 82 and is stored in the medal storage unit 44. When a bill is inserted into the medal lending machine 2, the first 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 contact sensor 274 of the overhanging portion 32 of the medal transfer mechanism 3 is touched by hand, the transport device 50 starts operating. That is, the drive motor 55 is driven, and the belt 53 starts to rotate forward.

When the belt 53 starts to move, the first game medal on the upper surface of the rear part of the belt 53 moves forward, and the medals stored above it are dragged. Then, the first game medal moves to the medal return unit 45 after passing through the empty opening portion 304 of the first restriction member 300 and the second restriction member 340. Here, if the second game medal is mixed in the inserted first game medal, the second game medal cannot pass through the empty part 304 of the first restriction plate 303, Movement will be hindered by the 1st control member 300, and medal clogging will arise in this position.
Since the first restricting member 300 does not rotate forward (toward the medal return portion 45), the first game medal stored in the upper portion of the medal storage portion 44 suddenly falls into the medal return portion 45. Can be prevented.

Among the first game medals transferred forward by the belt 53, the medals riding on the upper surface of the belt 53 pass through the feeding gap 54 between the belt 53 and the lower surface of the reverse rotation roller 52, one by one. It is transferred to the discharge unit 47. On the other hand, the medals overlying the belt 53 are brought into contact with the reverse rotation roller 52 and caught by the stirring groove 58 provided in the reverse rotation roller 52, and are kicked back by the medal return portion 45 at the upper rear part. Since the reverse roller 52 rotates at a higher speed than the roller 51, the medal can be kicked out efficiently.
The first game medal sent out from the transport device 50 is discharged from the medal discharge portion 47, enters the medal receiving port 67 while being guided by the curved portion 62A of the insertion port introduction path 60, passes through the passage portion 65, and passes the medal discharge port 66. Discharged from. 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 first game medal passes through the side transfer passage 12 of the slot machine 1 and passes through the medal of the slot machine 1. It is introduced into the upper introduction opening 11 of the introduction port 10.

  By the way, when the operation of the transfer device 50 is stopped before all the inserted first game medals are transferred (when the hand is released from the contact sensor), the upper surface of the belt 53 and the medal storage unit 44 are One game medal remains. In this case, if the remaining medals are not to be inserted into the slot machine 1 due to the end of the game or the like, a predetermined reset switch is operated. Then, the solenoid 81 of the discharge mechanism 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 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, and the medal takeout tray 90 is discharged. It is stored in the storage section 93. The game medals stored in the medal storage unit 44 also fall from the cancel opening 49 in the same manner.

The game medals discharged from the medal feeder 40 in this way are stored in the discharge storage section 93 of the medal extraction tray 90. Therefore, the medal extraction tray 90 is rotated toward the front side to enter the discharge storage section 93. All you have to do is take out the game medals you have collected.
It should be noted that even when a medal clogging occurs due to the second game medal as described above, or when foreign matter such as dust enters the medal feeder 40, it can be taken out in the same manner as described above. .
(Switching of restriction members)
As described above, when the first game medal is used in the slot machine 1, both the first restricting member 300 and the second restricting member 340 may be suspended, but when the second game medal is used. The first restricting member 300 is retracted from the movement path of the second game medal by rotating the first restricting member 300 backward and fixing it in a horizontal state (FIG. 6A and FIG. 6). 6 (b)).

Specifically, as described above, the first restricting member 300 is rotated backward about the first support shaft 302 until the first restricting plate 303 is in a substantially horizontal state. In this state, the fixed protrusions 351 are engaged with the fixing holes 352 formed on both side surfaces of the main body block 41 from the outside of the main body block 41 (see FIG. 6B). As a result, the first restricting member 300 is supported by the fixed protrusion 351 and fixed in a horizontal state.
Therefore, the second game medals inserted from the collective insertion opening 31 can pass under the second restricting member 340 and move to the medal return unit 45 without being blocked by the first restricting member 300. It becomes.

(Summary)
The medal feeder 40 according to the present embodiment includes a first restricting member 300 and a second restricting member 340 that restrict the movement of the game medals from the medal storage unit 44 to the medal return unit 45. Further, the first restricting member 300 and the second restricting member 340 are on the front side of the receiving input portion 48 and on the far side of the reverse rotation roller 52, the first restricting member 300 is on the far side, and the second restricting member 340 is They are mounted side by side so that they are on the front side. Further, the first restricting member 300 is formed with an open portion 304 for restricting passage of a second game medal having a diameter larger than that of the first game medal.
As a result, when the second game medal is mixed with the first game medal inserted from the acceptance insertion unit 48, the first game medal passes through the empty opening 304 formed in the first restricting member 300. On the other hand, the second game medal cannot pass through the empty portion 304. That is, the medal clogging with the second game medal occurs at the attachment position of the first restricting member 300 on the back side of the reverse rotation roller 52.

Therefore, the medal clogging due to the second game medal does not occur at the attachment position of the reverse rotation roller 52, and therefore it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the reverse rotation roller 52 and the drive motor 55 that drives the roller due to the medal clogging. It becomes.
Further, as described above, when a medal clogging occurs due to the second game medal at the mounting position of the first restricting member 300, the transport device 50 is driven in reverse by the operation of the reset switch so that the jammed second game medal is removed. It is possible to discharge from the rear cancellation opening 49.
Here, as described above, since the first restricting member 300 is located behind the reverse rotation roller 52, the cancel opening 49 is located at the attachment position of the first restriction member 300 rather than the attachment position of the reverse rotation roller 52. It will be close to. Therefore, the second game medal can be canceled more quickly than when the medal clogging occurs at the position where the reverse rotation roller 52 is attached.

In addition, when changing the medal used for the slot machine 1 from the first game medal to the second game medal, the first restricting member 300 is rotated and fixed backward until it becomes horizontal, The first restricting member 300 can be retracted from the moving path of the second game medal.
Therefore, the work corresponding to the change of medals used in the slot machine 1 becomes easy, and the load of the work can be reduced. Further, since the first restricting member 300 can be retracted in the main body block 41, the space inside the main body block 41 can be used efficiently.
(First modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the first restricting member 300 and the second restricting member 340 are attached so that the first restricting member 300 is on the back side and the second restricting member 340 is on the near side. As shown in FIG. 3, the first regulating member 300 may be attached on the near side, and the second regulating member 340 may be on the far side.

In such a configuration, because of the presence of the second restricting member 340, the first restricting member 300 cannot be rotated and fixed in the backward direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It is desirable to fix by rotating forward.
Even with such a configuration, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
(Second modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the first restricting member 300 is fixed by engaging the fixing protrusions 351 with the fixing holes 352 formed on both side surfaces of the main body block 41. The first restricting member 300 can be fixed by fixing the first support shaft 302 and the side surface of the main body block 41.

Specifically, as in the above-described embodiment, the first restricting member 300 is a rectangular first restricting plate 303 formed on a first support portion 301 having a first support shaft 302 protruding laterally from both ends. It becomes the structure which attached. The first restricting member 300 is supported by the main body block 41 by inserting the first support shaft 302 into the through holes 364 formed on both side surfaces of the main body block 41, and the front and rear are centered on the first support shaft 302. It is formed to be rotatable in the direction.
In addition, a protrusion 353 protruding outward is provided at the upper portion of the through hole 364 on the right side surface of the main body block 41. The protrusion 353 is formed with a protrusion through-hole 354 that penetrates from the upper surface to the lower surface.

Further, a shaft through hole 363 that penetrates the first support shaft 302 is formed in the right end portion of the first support shaft 302 in a direction orthogonal to the free end direction of the first restriction plate 303. That is, the shaft through-hole 363 is oriented in the horizontal direction when the first regulating plate 303 is suspended, and is oriented in the vertical direction when the first regulating plate 303 is rotated horizontally. (See FIG. 8B).
The shaft through hole 363 is formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion through hole 354 of the protrusion 353 in a state where the first restricting plate 303 is rotated and is horizontal. Thereby, in the state in which the 1st control board 303 is horizontal, the shaft through-hole 363 and the protrusion through-hole 354 will communicate (refer FIG.8 (b)).

In addition, on the right end surface of the first support shaft 302, as shown in FIG. 8A, in a direction orthogonal to the shaft through hole 363 (that is, in the same direction as the free end direction of the first regulating plate 303). An operation groove 361 that is a concave line is formed. As a result, the first restricting member 300 can be rotated in the front-rear direction by inserting a tool such as a flathead screwdriver into the operation groove 361.
Hereinafter, the fixing operation of the first restricting member 300 in the above configuration will be described. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the first restriction member 300 and the second restriction member 340 are attached so that the first restriction member 300 is on the near side and the second restriction member 340 is on the back side. To do.
First, in a state where the first restricting plate 303 is suspended, the tip of a minus driver is inserted into the operation groove 361 and rotated 90 degrees in the forward direction. Then, along with this rotation, the first restricting plate 303 is also rotated 90 degrees in the forward direction, and the first restricting plate 303 is in a horizontal state (see FIG. 7). When the first restricting plate 303 becomes horizontal, the first through hole 363 formed in the first support shaft 302 of the first restricting member 300 and the protrusion 353 on the right side surface of the main body block 41 are formed as described above. The positions of the projected through holes 354 coincide with each other, and the shaft through holes 363 and the projected through holes 354 communicate with each other (see FIG. 8B). In this state, the protrusion 353 and the first support shaft 302 are fixed by inserting the fixing pin 362 that can be inserted into the protrusion through hole 354 and the shaft through hole 363 from above the protrusion through hole 354. Is done. Thereby, the 1st control member 300 will be fixed in a horizontal state (refer FIG.8 (b)).

In addition, what is necessary is just to perform operation contrary to the above, when making the 1st control member 300 the state which hangs down again.
Therefore, even with such a configuration, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the first restricting member 300 rotates backward about the first support shaft 302 provided in the upper part inside the main body block 41 and is fixed above the transport device 50. The first restricting member 300 is formed so as to be retracted from the moving path of the second game medal. However, the first restricting member 300 rotates in the left-right direction around the side end of the first support shaft 302, By fixing, the first restricting member 300 can be formed to be retracted from the moving path of the second game medal.

Specifically, as in the above-described embodiment, the first restricting member 300 is a rectangular first restricting plate 303 formed on a first support portion 301 having a first support shaft 302 protruding laterally from both ends. It becomes the structure which attached.
Here, as shown in FIG. 10, a fixed protrusion 371 that protrudes to the right is formed at the attachment position of the first restriction member 300 on the left side surface inside the main body block 41. Further, on the upper surface and the lower surface of the fixed protrusion 371, engagement protrusions are formed that protrude upward and downward, respectively.
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a pair of rotating pieces 372 capable of sandwiching the fixed protrusion 371 from above and below are formed at the left end portion of the first support shaft 302 of the first regulating member 300. . In addition, the rotation piece 372 is formed with an engagement hole that can be engaged with the engagement protrusion of the fixed protrusion 371.

Then, with the rotating piece 372 sandwiching the fixed protrusion 371 from above and below, by engaging the engaging protrusion of the fixed protrusion 371 with the engaging hole formed in the rotating piece 372, the first 1 The restricting member 300 is formed so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction around the engaging protrusion (see FIGS. 9B and 10).
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, an engagement stopper 376 that can be housed in the first support shaft 302 is provided at the right end of the first support shaft 302. The engagement stopper 376 is normally biased outward and protrudes from the right end of the first support shaft 302. Then, by applying a force toward the inside of the first support shaft 302 to the engagement stopper 376, the engagement stopper 376 is pushed into the inside of the first support shaft 302.

  The engagement stopper 376 is inserted into and engaged with a through hole 364 formed on the right side surface of the main body block 41 so that the first restriction member 300 crosses the internal space of the main body block 41 from side to side. Attached to. Specifically, when the first restricting member 300 is rotated rightward about the engagement protrusion, the right end of the engagement stopper 376 of the first support shaft 302 is brought to the right side surface of the main body block 41. Abut. When the first restricting member 300 is further rotated in the right direction, a force toward the inside of the first support shaft 302 is applied to the engagement stopper 376 by the right side surface of the main body block 41. The engagement stopper 376 is pushed into the first support shaft 302. When the engagement stopper 376 reaches the through hole on the right side surface of the main body block 41, the engagement stopper 276 is urged toward the outside, so that the engagement stopper 276 is inserted into the through hole. It will be engaged (see FIG. 9B). In order to release the engagement, a pin or the like is inserted into the through hole from the outside of the main body block 41, and the engagement stopper 276 is pushed into the first support shaft 302. Then, the engagement stopper 276 is pushed out from the through hole, and the engagement is released.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a locking portion 374 that is a convex body is formed on the upper rear surface of the first regulating plate 303 in the first regulating member 300. Then, the locking portion 372 engages with the locked portion 375 formed on the left side surface of the main body block 41, whereby the first regulating member 300 is fixed to the left side surface of the main body block 41 (FIG. 9). (See (a) and FIG. 9 (b)).
Hereinafter, the fixing of the first restricting member 300 in the configuration as described above will be described.
When the first game medal is used in the slot machine 1, both the first restriction member 300 and the second restriction member 340 may be suspended in such a manner as to cross the inner space of the main body block 41 from side to side. . That is, as described above, the first restricting member 300 inserts the engagement stopper 376 of the first support shaft 302 into the through hole formed on the right side surface of the main body block 41 and engages it. Fix the interior space so that it crosses from side to side.

In this state, the first game medal passes below the empty opening portion 304 and the second restriction member 340 of the first restriction member 300 and moves to the medal return portion 45. Here, if the second game medal is mixed in the inserted first game medal, the second game medal cannot pass through the empty part 304 of the first restriction plate 303, Movement will be hindered by the 1st control member 300, and medal clogging will arise in this position.
When the medal used in the slot machine 1 is switched to the second game medal, the first restricting member 300 is retracted from the movement path of the second game medal. In the configuration as described above, the first restricting member 300 is retracted to the left of the internal space of the main body block 41.

Specifically, the first restricting member 300 is rotated in the left direction around the engaging protrusion. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the locking portion 374 formed on the first regulating plate 303 of the first regulating member 300 is engaged with the locked portion 375 formed on the left side surface of the main body block 41. Match. As a result, the first restricting member 300 is fixed to the left side surface of the main body block 41, and is retracted from the movement path of the second game medal (see FIGS. 9A and 9B).
Therefore, the second game medals inserted from the collective insertion opening 31 pass below the suspended second restricting member 340 and move to the medal return unit 45 without being blocked by the first restricting member 300. Will be able to.

  Therefore, even with such a configuration, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows a medal transfer mechanism. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a slot machine and a 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 showing a medal slot and a medal transfer mechanism. 1 is an external perspective view showing a medal feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view showing a medal feeding device to which a first restriction member and a second restriction member are attached. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The longitudinal cross-section side view (a) and upper surface schematic diagram (b) which show the medal feeder of the state which made the 1st control member retract. It is a 1st modification in embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a longitudinal cross-section side view which shows the medal feeder of the state which made the 1st control member retreat upwards. It is a 2nd modification in embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The right view which shows the operation groove of a 1st support shaft (a), The longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the state which fixed the 1st support shaft (b) It is. It is other embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The longitudinal cross-section side view (a) and upper surface schematic diagram (b) which show the medal feeder of the state which made the 1st control member retracted to the side. It is other embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an expansion perspective view which shows a 1st control member.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine 2 medal lending machine
3 Medal transfer mechanism
10 Medal slot 11 Upper slot
12 Side transfer passage 13 Front door
14 Symbol display window 15 Lower plate
16 Operation unit 20 Outer box
21 banknote slot 22 banknote counter
23 Rental medal payout device
25 Medal rental section 30 Body cover
31 Collective opening 32 Overhang
40 Medal feeder 41 Body block
42 Payout passage 44 Medal storage
45 Medal return part 47 Medal discharge part
48 Acceptance input part 49 Cancel opening
50 Conveyor 51 Roller
52 Reverse roller 53 Belt
54 Delivery gap 55 Drive motor
58 Stirring groove 60 Input port
61 Cover member 62 Base member
62A Curved part 65 Passage part
66 Medals outlet 67 Medals receiver
68 Clogged medal outlet 80 Discharge mechanism
81 Solenoid 82 Open / close plate
85 Opening and closing hole 90 Medal tray
93 Discharge storage 95 Plate hinge
100 Divider 200 Transfer section
250 Movable plate 251 Fixed plate
252 Projection 260 Clogging release button
271 Drop hole 272 Standing part
274 Contact sensor 290 Locking means
300 First restriction member 301 First support portion
302 First support shaft 303 First restriction plate
304 Empty part 306 First stopper
340 Second restriction member 341 Second support part
342 Second support shaft 343 Second restriction plate
346 Second stopper
351 Fixed protrusion 352 Fixed hole
353 Protrusion 354 Protrusion through hole
361 Operation groove 362 Fixing pin
363 Shaft through hole 364 Through hole
371 Fixed projection 372 Rotating piece
374 Locking part 375 Locked part
376 Engagement stopper

Claims (3)

An acceptance input unit capable of receiving a plurality of game medals to be input at once;
A discharge section for discharging game medals;
Transfer means movable toward the discharge unit in a state in which game medals input from the receiving input unit are stacked;
At least a return means provided above the discharge means side of the transfer means and returning the game medals stacked on the transfer means in the direction opposite to the transfer direction;
The transfer means is capable of transferring a first game medal having a predetermined diameter and a second game medal having a diameter larger than the first game medal,
In the medal feeding device formed so that the game medals can be sent one by one to the discharge unit, and the game medals can be taken out from the opposite side to the discharge unit of the transfer means,
Below the receiving input and above the transfer means,
A medal storage part that is a space capable of storing game medals input from the receiving input part,
A medal return portion that is a space in which the game medal returned by the return means is located closer to the discharge portion than the medal storage portion and can be retained;
Between the medal storage part and the medal return part,
A first restriction member and a second restriction member that are supported in a state of hanging down toward the upper surface of the transfer means, and are arranged in parallel in the transfer direction of the game medal;
The first regulating member is
Between the lower end of the first restricting member and the upper surface of the transfer means is arranged so as to have a gap smaller than the thickness of one game medal,
At the lower end of the first restricting member, there is an open portion cut out in the direction of game medals transfer,
This empty part is
The second game medal has a width larger than the diameter of the first game medal and smaller than the diameter of the second game medal, and the second game medal is tilted in the horizontal direction from the standing state. Is formed to have a height that cannot pass through
The second regulating member is
The distance between the lower end of the second restricting member and the upper surface of the transfer means is formed to be larger than the diameter of the second game medal,
The medal feeding device, wherein the first restricting member is formed to be retractable at a position that does not hinder the transfer of the second game medal. The first regulating member is
Pivotable in the direction of the medal storage part or the medal return part around the horizontal axis provided at the upper end of the first restricting member, and
2. The medal feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the medal feeding device is formed so as to be able to be fixed at a position that does not hinder the transfer of the second game medal by rotating the first restricting member. The first regulating member is
Pivotable in the direction of the medal storage part or the medal return part around the vertical axis provided at the side end of the first restricting member, and
3. The medal feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the medal feeding device is formed so as to be fixed at a position where the first restricting member is rotated to prevent the second game medal from being transferred.

Images