JP2007296090A - Pushbutton switch for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pushbutton switch for a game machine, which can adequately give a strong impact to the player playing a game. <P>SOLUTION: According to the structure of the pushbutton switch for the game machine, a push button 6 is vertically movably held and energized upward by a first spring 24, and by depressing the pushbutton to descend the same against elasticity of the first spring, the switch 12 is operated. Herein the pushbutton switch is composed of an engaging means 26 which functions to engage with the depressed pushbutton on its descending way but before activation of the switch, and therefore only ascent of the pushbutton is inhibited. The push button switch is further composed of an electric actuator 25 for releasing the engagement between the engaging means and the pushbutton, and therefore by activating the electric actuator, the pushbutton is protruded upward by the elasticity of the first spring. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to the structure of a pushbutton switch for a gaming machine that is provided so that a player can operate a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball gaming machine, a slot machine, and a Parrot (trademark) gaming machine. Is.

  In general, gaming machines are provided with push buttons with various functions on the front, so that the player can obtain high scores by pushing the push buttons in a timely manner, leading to a situation that is advantageous to the player. Composed. Further, it is general that the push button has a built-in lamp, and the lamp is turned on in a timely manner so that the player is alerted.

  Further, for example, in a pachinko gaming machine that is a kind of gaming machine, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, the symbol variation display device provided on the game board surface is in a reach state (for example, two columns of three columns of variation symbols are When the game is in the same pattern), the player can operate the push button called the chance button to shorten the symbol variation time or change the symbol variation pattern. By allowing the player to influence the progress of the game screen, the game can be made diverse.

  In addition, the push button switch device of the gaming machine shown in Patent Document 2 below divides the push button into an inner movable body and an outer movable body, and supports both movable bodies with springs having different elasticity. The touch when the player presses is different.

Further, the multistage pushbutton switch shown in Patent Document 3 below supports the pushbutton with a weak spring and a strong spring, and when the pushbutton is pressed with a weak force, the first switch is turned on, The second switch is also turned on when pressed more strongly.
JP 2001-327703 A JP 2003-109463 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-300984

By the way, in general, a player who is playing a game pays attention to changes in the status of the display such as the symbol variation display device, and is not careful about other matters. For example, a push button can be operated. In some cases, the change may not be noticed, and even if the lamp is turned on, the situation can be informed, but the player could not be impacted. It was a thing.
Therefore, the present invention is intended to provide a push button switch for a gaming machine that can give a strong impact to a player who is playing at any time.

Therefore, the invention of the pushbutton switch for a gaming machine according to claim 1 supports the pushbutton so as to be movable up and down, urges the pushbutton upward by a biasing member, and pushes the pushbutton. In a push button switch for a gaming machine in which the switch is operated by lowering the push button against the elasticity of the urging member, before the switch is operated during the downward movement of the pushed push button An engagement means is provided for preventing only the push button from moving upward by engaging with the push button, and an electric actuator for releasing the engagement between the engagement means and the push button is provided. The push button protrudes by the elasticity of the biasing member by operating the electric actuator.
According to a second aspect of the invention, the pushbutton switch for a gaming machine supports the pushbutton so as to be movable up and down, and urges the pushbutton upward by a first spring as a biasing member. In a push button switch for a gaming machine in which the switch is operated by pushing down and moving the push button downward against the elasticity of the first spring, an engaging portion is formed in the push button and orthogonal to the push button An engagement piece is provided on an operating rod of a solenoid that is an electric actuator so as to advance and retreat in the direction, and either or both of the opposing surfaces of the engagement portion and the engagement piece are formed in a slope shape, and the engagement A second spring is provided as a second urging member for elastically advancing the engagement piece so that the piece can engage with the engagement portion, and the push button that has been pressed is moving down The engagement before actuating the switch By pressing the opposing surface of the engagement piece, the engagement piece retracts against the elasticity of the second spring, and then the engagement piece is engaged with the engagement portion by the elasticity of the second spring. Accordingly, only the upward movement of the push button is prevented, and the solenoid is energized to retract the engagement piece against the elasticity of the second spring so that the engagement piece and the push button The push button is protruded by the elasticity of the first spring after the engagement is released.
According to a third aspect of the invention, the push button switch for a gaming machine supports the push button so as to be movable up and down, and urges the push button upward by a first spring as a biasing member. In a pushbutton switch for a gaming machine in which the switch is operated by pushing down and moving the pushbutton downward against the elasticity of the first spring, an engaging portion is formed in the pushbutton, and a solenoid that is an electric actuator A pair of engaging pieces that are opened and closed by the actuator, and the opposing surfaces of the engaging portion and the engaging piece are formed in a sloped shape, or the engaging pieces engage with the engaging portion. A second spring which is a second urging member for elastically closing the engagement piece so as to obtain the engagement piece before the switch is operated in the middle of the downward movement of the pushed button. The joint part presses the opposing surface of the engagement piece As a result, the engaging piece opens against the elasticity of the second spring, and then the engaging piece engages with the engaging portion by the elasticity of the second spring, and only the push button is prevented from moving upward. When the solenoid is excited, the engagement piece is opened against the elasticity of the second spring, and the engagement between the engagement piece and the push button is released, so that the elasticity of the first spring is obtained. Thus, the push button protrudes.

  According to the pushbutton switch for a gaming machine of the present invention, the pushbutton protrudes by operating an electric actuator such as a solenoid, so that a strong impact is given in a timely manner to inform the player of the existence of the pushbutton. Can improve the gameability.

  Next, a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine. 1 is a gaming board covered with a front glass and provided with a symbol variation display device, a plurality of winning holes, a variable winning device, etc., and 2 and 3 are upper portions provided below the gaming board. A ball receiving tray and a lower ball receiving tray 4 are hitting ball launching handles. And the front overhang | projection part 5 is extended in the one side of the lower ball receiving tray 3, and the push button 6 which concerns on this invention is provided in this front overhang | projection part 5. FIG.

  2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a push button switch for gaming machines according to claims 1 and 2, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIGS. It is an operation state figure. The push button 6 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by translucent plastic, and its upper wall surface 6a is formed in a spherical shape, and characters 6b are formed by unevenness on the inner surface of the upper wall surface 6a. Further, a flange 6c is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the lower end portion, and an engaging portion 7 is formed by cutting a part of the outer peripheral edge of the flange linearly. 8 is a substantially circular printed circuit board, 9 is a substantially cylindrical sliding guide body, and the printed circuit board 8 and the sliding guide body 9 are fixed to the lower surface of the flange 6c by screws 10. An LED lamp 11 is provided on the upper surface of the printed board 8. A switch 12 is fixed to the lower surface of one side edge of the printed circuit board, and a switch for detecting the presence or absence of a light blocking object between the light projector and the light receiver is provided in combination. This is a wiring connector provided in the center of the lower surface. Further, the sliding guide body 9 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and longitudinal grooves 9a are formed on the outer periphery at appropriate intervals. Reference numeral 9b denotes a cut formed in the sliding guide body 9 in order to avoid interference with the switch 12 and to expose the engaging portion 7. An annular groove 9 c is formed on the lower surface of the sliding guide body 9. A lower folding edge 6d is formed on the outer periphery of the flange 6c, and the printed circuit board 8 is assembled so as to be accommodated in the lower folding edge 6d.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a substantially cylindrical plastic case body in which a circular opening 20a is formed at the upper edge so that the push button 6 can protrude. A sliding guide rib 20b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the case body. The push button 6 is provided so as to be movable up and down in the case body by loosely fitting the movement guide rib in the vertical groove 9a. Reference numeral 20c denotes a side opening formed on one side of the case body, and reference numerals 20d and 20e denote attachment pieces formed on the outer periphery of the case body. Reference numeral 22 denotes a plastic bottom plate fixed by screwing the screw 23 to the mounting piece 20e from the bottom surface of the case body 20, and is a biasing member for an annular groove 22c formed on the top surface of the bottom plate. The first spring 24 is loosely fitted, and the upper end of the first spring is loosely fitted in the annular groove 9c formed in the sliding guide body 9, whereby the first spring 24 is brought into a compressed state, and the push button is pressed by the elastic restoring force. Force 6 upward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper portion of the push button 6 can protrude greatly onto the case body 20. In addition, by assembling so that the printed circuit board 8 can be accommodated in the lower folded edge 6d, even if drinking water or the like enters the case body from the gap on the outer periphery of the push button 6, it adheres to the printed circuit board 8 and causes malfunction. There is no such thing.

  Further, a blocking piece 22 a is provided on the upper surface of the bottom plate 22 so as to face the switch 12 so as to face upward. Reference numeral 22b denotes a mounting base integrally formed on one side of the bottom plate 22. Reference numeral 25 denotes a solenoid as an electric actuator fixed horizontally on the mounting base. The coupling piece 26 is fixed, and a coiled second spring 27 as a second urging member is provided on the outer periphery of the operating rod 25a. The second spring is weak between the solenoid body and the engagement piece 26. It is in a compressed state. Note that the distal end portion 26a of the engagement piece 26 is formed in a slope shape that is inclined downward toward the distal end edge. Then, the solenoid 25 is fixed on the mounting base 22b, and when the solenoid 25 is actuated, the engagement piece 26 moves forward and backward in a direction perpendicular to the push button 6 as shown by an arrow in FIG. At the same time, when the solenoid 25 is in a non-excited state, the base 26b of the engagement piece 26 comes into contact with the upper edge of the side opening 20b of the case body 20 by the elasticity of the second spring 27, and in this state, the engagement piece The sloped tip portion 26 a of 26 can face the engaging portion 7 of the push button 6.

For this reason, when the player pushes the push button 6 in the state shown in FIG. 4 and moves the push button downward against the elasticity of the first spring 24, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when the portion 7 abuts against the inclined tip portion 26 a of the engagement piece 26, the engagement piece 26 is retracted against the elasticity of the second spring 27 and the push button 6 is further pushed down. Further, since the blocking piece 22a is interposed between the light projector and the light receiver of the switch 12 provided on the lower surface of the push button 6, the switch 12 is operated. In this state, the engagement piece 26 is restored by the elasticity of the second spring 27. That is, as shown in FIG.
When the player releases his hand from the push button 6, the push button 6 is moved upward by the elasticity of the first spring 24 as shown in FIG. When the engaging portion 7 is engaged, the push button 6 is prevented from moving upward during the upward movement. At that time, as shown in FIG. 7, the projector 12 and the light receiver of the switch 12 are separated from the blocking piece 22a. It will be in a detached state. Therefore, the switch 12 can be actuated many times if the player again pushes the push button 6 in this state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the engagement portion 7 is engaged with the lower surface of the engagement piece 26, the push button 6 does not completely protrude upward (when the push button 6 is in a state of being lowered halfway). When the solenoid 25 is excited and the engagement piece 26 is retracted against the elasticity of the second spring 27, the engagement between the engagement piece 26 and the engagement portion 7 is released, and the first spring 24 Due to elasticity, the push button 6 protrudes completely upward as shown in FIG. For this reason, it is possible to inform the player of the presence of the push button 6 by exciting the solenoid 25 by passing a current in a timely manner during the game. For example, if a push button 6 is pushed during a game and a chance to obtain a privilege is reached, if the push button 6 protrudes greatly in this way, a strong impact is given to the player, and the push button 6 is Immediately press the button. In addition, the LED lamp 11 is lighted in a timely manner, so that the upper part of the push button 6 is lit and can be made more conspicuous.

In this embodiment, the upper surface of the distal end portion 26a of the engagement piece 26 is formed in a slope shape, but the lower surface of the engagement portion 7 facing the engagement piece 26 may be formed in a slope shape. Moreover, you may form both in the shape of a slope.
Further, in order to release the engagement between the engagement piece 26 and the engagement portion 7 as described above, the solenoid 25 is energized by applying a current for a short time to release the engagement with the engagement portion 7. The current may be cut off, and there is no need to keep the current flowing through the solenoid 25. Therefore, there is no possibility that the solenoid 25 is overheated by the current. Then, when the solenoid 25 is demagnetized, the engagement piece 26 is again advanced due to the elasticity of the second spring 27.

  On the other hand, FIGS. 8 to 11 show an embodiment of a pushbutton switch for gaming machines according to claims 1 and 3, and this embodiment will be described with reference to an LED lamp 11 and a switch 12 as described below. The engagement means is configured such that the printed circuit board 8 provided with is fixed to the case body 20 side and the pair of engagement pieces 26 are opened and closed by the operation of the solenoid 25 to engage with the push button 6. Other than the provision, there is no significant difference in structure from the above embodiment, and the operation thereof is also the same as in the above embodiment. In this embodiment, a slide guide body 9 is fixed to the lower part of the push button 6, a pair of vertical guide shafts 9 c are formed on both sides of the slide guide body 9, and the vertical guide shafts are formed on the peripheral wall of the case body 20. The vertical guide hole 9f is loosely fitted, and a vertically long spring chamber 20g is formed integrally with the lower portion of the vertical hole 20f, and the vertical guide shaft 9c is formed by a coil-shaped first spring 24 accommodated in the spring chamber 20g. By supporting the push button 6, the push button 6 can be moved up and down and urged upward to be supported. Reference numeral 30 denotes an annular retaining ring which is fixed to the upper end opening of the case body 20 by a screw 29 and restrains the push button 6. The printed circuit board 8 on which the LED lamp 11 and the switch 12 are mounted is fixed to the case body 20 with screws 10 together with the substrate case 8a. Thus, by fixing the printed board 8 to the case body 20 side instead of the push button 6 side, the printed board 8 can be easily wired without moving up and down.

  Further, the structure of the engagement means of this embodiment is a wedge-shaped engagement in which a hanging shaft 23 is formed at the center of the lower sliding guide body 9 of the push button 6 and the lower surface is formed in a tapered shape on the hanging shaft 23. The joint portion 7 is provided, and a pair of bearing portions 22f are formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 22, and the pair of support shafts 24 are vertically supported by the bearing portions, and the pair of engaging pieces 26 are placed on the respective support shafts in a horizontal plane. The solenoid 25 is fixed horizontally on the bottom plate 22 and a bifurcated operating piece 25b is fixed to the tip of the operating rod 25a of the solenoid 25, and a pair of engaging pieces is attached to the operating piece. 26 are respectively connected by a pair of connecting shafts 25c, and the solenoid 25 is operated to move the operating rod 25a forward and backward, whereby the pair of engaging pieces 26 are opened and closed. The opposing inner peripheral edges of the engagement pieces 26 are formed in an arc shape into which the hanging shaft 23 can be inserted. Reference numeral 31 denotes a cover plate that covers the bottom plate 22 with screws 32.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, when the push button 6 is pushed down, the pair of engaging pieces 26 are opened against the elasticity of the second spring 27 by the tapered inclined lower surface of the engaging portion 7, and then, FIG. As shown, the engagement piece 26 can be closed by the elasticity of the second spring to clamp the engagement portion 7. In this state, when the push button 6 is further pushed, the blocking piece 22a formed on the sliding guide body 9 is lowered and the switch 12 is operated. In addition, when the solenoid 25 is excited in a timely manner in this state, the pair of engagement pieces 26 are opened and the engagement with the engagement portion 7 is released, and the push button 6 is moved by the elasticity of the first spring 24 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, it can project greatly. As described above, in this embodiment, the pair of engaging pieces 26 are opened and closed so that the push button 6 is engaged with and released from the engaging portion 7 provided at the center of the lower portion. Since the lateral force associated with the above is not exerted on the push button 6, the push button 6 smoothly moves up and down, and a stable operation can be expected.

  In this embodiment, too, the solenoid 25 only needs to be excited for a short time in order to cancel the release, so that overheating is prevented. In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure shown in the said embodiment, A various change is possible. For example, in this embodiment, the lower surface of the engagement portion 7 is formed in a slope shape, but the upper surfaces of the inner peripheral edges of the pair of engagement pieces 26 facing the engagement portion 7 may be formed in a slope shape. Both may be formed in a slope shape.

  In the above description and claims, the push button is moved up and down for the sake of convenience and easy understanding of the invention. In the present invention, the vertical movement does not necessarily reciprocate in the vertical direction. Does not mean. That is, it goes without saying that if the push button switch according to the present invention is provided vertically on the front surface of the gaming machine, the push button moves back and forth by a push operation, and if provided on a slope, the push button moves in an oblique direction. Yes. Therefore, it is needless to say that expressions such as upward movement and downward movement described in the claims do not mean movement in the vertical direction.

  The push button switch according to the present invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machine shown in the embodiment, but can be provided in various gaming machines such as a sparrow ball gaming machine, a slot machine, and a video game machine. FIG. 12 is a front view of a slot machine provided with a pushbutton switch according to the present invention on the front surface. 40 is a bet switch button, 41 is a settlement button, and 42a to 42c are stop buttons. As described above, the push button switch of the present invention is provided in the gaming machine in various modes.

The front view of the pachinko gaming machine provided with the push button switch for gaming machines according to the present invention. The external appearance perspective view of the pushbutton switch for game machines which concerns on this invention. The disassembled perspective view of the pushbutton switch for game machines which concerns on this invention. The line sectional view of the pushbutton switch for game machines concerning this invention. The operation state figure of FIG. The operation state figure of FIG. The operation state figure of FIG. The external appearance perspective view of the pushbutton switch for game machines which concerns on this invention. The disassembled perspective view of the pushbutton switch for game machines which concerns on this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pushbutton switch for game machines which concerns on this invention. The operation state figure of FIG. The front view of the slot machine provided with the pushbutton switch for game machines concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

6 Push Button 7 Engagement Section 12 Switch 20 Case Body 24 First Spring 25 Electric Actuator (Solenoid)
26 Engagement piece (engagement means)
27 Second spring

Claims (3)

  The push button is supported so as to be movable up and down, and the push button is urged upward by a biasing member, and the push button is pushed to move the push button downward against the elasticity of the biasing member. In the pushbutton switch for gaming machines in which the switch is operated by the above, only the upward movement of the pushbutton can be achieved by engaging the pushbutton before the switch is operated during the downward movement of the pushed pushbutton. In addition to providing an engaging means for blocking, an electric actuator for releasing the engagement between the engaging means and the push button is provided, and by operating the electric actuator, the pushing member is operated by the elasticity of the biasing member. A pushbutton switch for a gaming machine, characterized in that the button protrudes.   The push button is supported so as to move up and down, and the push button is urged upward by a first spring as a biasing member, and the push button is pushed to resist the elasticity of the first spring. In a pushbutton switch for a gaming machine, where the switch is operated by being moved downward, an engaging portion is formed on the pushbutton, and the solenoid is actuated by a solenoid that is an electric actuator so as to advance and retreat in a direction orthogonal to the pushbutton. An engaging piece is provided, and either or both of the opposing surfaces of the engaging portion and the engaging piece are formed in a slope shape, and the engaging piece is engaged with the engaging portion. A second spring as a second urging member for elastically moving the push-button, and the push-button that has been pushed is in the middle of moving downward and before the switch is operated, By pressing the opposite surface, the engagement piece is moved to the second spring. Retreating against the elasticity of the hook, and then the engaging piece engages with the engaging portion by the elasticity of the second spring so that only the upward movement of the push button is prevented, and the solenoid By exciting the second spring, the engagement piece moves backward against the elasticity of the second spring, the engagement between the engagement piece and the push button is released, and the push button protrudes by the elasticity of the first spring. A pushbutton switch for gaming machines, characterized in that   The push button is supported so as to move up and down, and the push button is urged upward by a first spring as a biasing member, and the push button is pushed to resist the elasticity of the first spring. In a pushbutton switch for a gaming machine in which the switch is operated by being moved downward, an engaging portion is formed on the pushbutton, and a pair of engaging pieces that are opened and closed by a solenoid that is an electric actuator is provided. Either or both of the opposing surfaces of the engaging pieces are formed in a slope shape, and the engaging pieces are elastically closed so that the engaging pieces can engage with the engaging portions. A second spring as an urging member is provided, and the engaging portion presses the opposing surface of the engaging piece before the switch is operated during the downward movement of the pressed button. The piece moves against the elasticity of the second spring The engagement piece engages with the engagement portion by the elasticity of the second spring so that only the upward movement of the push button is prevented, and the elasticity of the second spring is obtained by exciting the solenoid. Accordingly, the engaging piece is opened, the engagement between the engaging piece and the push button is released, and the push button protrudes by the elasticity of the first spring. Button switch.

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