JP2009055951A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of reducing the dead space for a variable display device and easily changing individual symbols. <P>SOLUTION: An endless belt unit 4 as the variable display device is disposed inside a casing 2 to display a plurality of symbols in a direction of line, and a plurality of circularly travelling caterpillars 71 are disposed in the unit. A front door 3 has a display window 5 through which a plurality of symbols can be observed. The endless belt unit 4 comprises a driving wheel 72 winding the caterpillars 71 around to drive the caterpillars, a first driven wheel 73 wrapping the caterpillars 71 facing the driving wheel 72 to stretch the caterpillars 71 facing the display window 5, and second and third driven wheels 74 and 75 disposed separately from the driving wheel 72 or the first driven wheel to wrap the caterpillars 71 around. The driving wheel 72 and the first-third driven wheels 73-75 are disposed so that the caterpillars 71 travel along an approximately rectangular trajectory. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a structure of a gaming machine provided with a variable display device that displays a plurality of symbol sequences in a variable manner using mechanical means.

  A slot machine, which is a type of gaming machine, generally has a plurality of reels on which a symbol row having a plurality of types of symbols is drawn arranged in parallel in a horizontal direction. These symbols are arranged at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical reel. A variable display device (reel unit) that variably displays the plurality of symbols is arranged at the center of the main body of the slot machine. The player can observe the design of each reel through the display window in front of the main body.

  For such a gaming machine, while expanding the field of view of the entire display unit, it is covered with a reel cover so that the inside of each reel and the end face of the reel cannot be seen from the player, and the front cover is easy to attach the reel cover. There has been invented a gaming machine that can cope with a change in the specification of a housing to which the machine is attached (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the gaming machine according to Patent Document 1, a display portion on which a symbol of each reel is displayed is formed by a maskless window without a mask that masks a gap between adjacent reels. A plurality of reel covers made of a belt-like member having an arc surface covering the gap between adjacent reels are provided inward in the depth direction on the back side of the maskless window. These reel covers have a width larger than the gap between the reels.

Furthermore, these reel covers have a plurality of sandwiching pieces for sandwiching a cover attaching portion located in a gap between the reels, and a protrusion is provided on one of these sandwiching pieces and the cover attaching portion, and the other Is provided with a hole into which the protrusion is fitted. And the tip of the sandwiching piece of the reel cover is chamfered.
JP 11-114130 A

  In the gaming machine according to Patent Document 1, a reel unit in which a belt-like film on which a plurality of symbols are drawn is attached to the outer periphery of an annular reel is disposed inside the casing. The centers of the plurality of reels are directly connected to the rotation shaft of the motor. Such a reel unit that rotationally drives a plurality of reels occupies substantially the upper half space inside the housing. Therefore, it is difficult to cope with the expansion of the control panel for the expansion and diversification of the production. Here, there is a need for a new variable display device that can accommodate the expansion of the control panel.

  Also, in general, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, when the game specifications are changed, so-called model change, it is only necessary to change the software (program) and the symbol sequence without changing the device configuration and hardware. It is often done. Here, if the individual symbols can be easily changed without exchanging the belt-like film forming the symbol row, it is convenient that the existing symbols can be used. That is, there is a need for a new variable display device that can easily change individual symbols. The above can be said to be the subject of the present invention.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a gaming machine including a space-saving variable display device with a small dead space and a variable display device that can easily change individual symbols. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present inventor connects these caterpillar pieces for storing the design plate in a strip shape to form an endless track, and configures the variable display device so that the inside of the caterpillar is hollow, thereby Based on this finding, the inventors have invented a gaming machine equipped with a new variation display device as described below.

  (1) A gaming machine comprising: a casing that opens and closes a front door; and a variable display device that is arranged inside the casing and that arranges a plurality of caterpillars that circulate while displaying a plurality of symbols in a row direction. The front door has a display window through which the plurality of symbols stopping on a predetermined display line can be observed, and the variable display device drives the caterpillar by winding the caterpillar. A first driven vehicle that winds the caterpillar facing the driving vehicle, the first driven vehicle spanning the caterpillar so as to face the display window, the driving vehicle, and the first driven vehicle 2nd and 3rd driven vehicles arranged apart from the vehicle, the second and third driven vehicles around which the caterpillar is wound, and the driving vehicle and the first to third driven vehicles Is an abbreviation for the caterpillar Gaming machine characterized in that it is arranged to travel a trajectory of shape.

  The gaming machine according to the invention of (1) includes a housing and a variable display device. The housing opens and closes the front door. The variable display device is disposed inside the housing. Further, the variation display device arranges a plurality of caterpillars. The caterpillar displays a plurality of symbols in the row direction and circulates.

  In the gaming machine according to the invention of (1), the front door has a display window. The display window can observe a plurality of symbols that stop on a predetermined display line. Further, the fluctuation display device has a driving vehicle and first to third driven vehicles. The prime mover winds the caterpillar and drives the caterpillar.

  The first driven vehicle is wound with a caterpillar facing the driving vehicle. The first driven vehicle stretches the caterpillar so as to face the display window. The second and third driven vehicles are arranged apart from the driving vehicle and the first driven vehicle. The second and third driven vehicles are wound around a caterpillar. The driving vehicle and the first to third driven vehicles are arranged so that the caterpillar travels on a substantially rectangular track.

  For example, a caterpillar is defined as a device that connects steel plates in a band shape and surrounds front and rear wheels. Caterpillar is translated into endless orbit and Japanese. The caterpillar is deformable in its endless track, and the tension of the endless track is maintained firmly. Therefore, the caterpillar is used for a vehicle traveling on a rough road, a conveyor for transporting heavy objects, and the like.

  In terms of mechanism, the caterpillar belongs to a winding transmission device that transmits the rotation of the driving vehicle to a driven vehicle separated from the driving vehicle. And a caterpillar can acquire the reliable transmission without a slide like a chain drive. Caterpillar is similar to gear transmission because each of the chained caterpillar pieces may be hooked on the sprocket teeth. Since the caterpillar can reliably transmit rotation at a constant rotation ratio, it is suitable for a variable display device that moves or stops a plurality of symbols.

  Here, the variable display device may arrange a plurality of caterpillars on which a symbol row having a plurality of types of symbols is drawn in a horizontal direction so as to be able to circulate freely. For example, three caterpillars are arranged in parallel. The fluctuation display device may be a winding transmission device that spans the caterpillar between the separated driving vehicle and the first to third driven vehicles, and can circulate the caterpillar. By rotating the prime mover with a motor, the symbols displayed on the caterpillar can be translated and displayed in the column direction (vertical direction).

  The gaming machine according to the invention of (1) may be, for example, a slot machine or a pachislot machine, and the start lever is arranged on the front surface of the front door. When the player tilts the start lever, a plurality of symbols change all at once. The front door is provided with a display window through which a plurality of symbol rows in a predetermined area can be observed. As the display lines, a top line (display line located in the upper stage), a center line, and a bottom line may be provided in the horizontal direction, and further, a cross-up line and a cross-down line are provided in an oblique direction. These display lines are increased or decreased according to the number of game media such as medals that a player inserts in one game. A winning combination is determined based on a combination of predetermined symbols on the active line.

  The caterpillar may be parallel belt (Open Belting) in which the rotation direction of the driving vehicle and the first to third driven vehicles is the same, and is at least spanned between the driving vehicle and the first driven vehicle. And a plane trajectory (vertical trajectory) that moves down on the plane substantially parallel to the plane.

  The driving vehicle and the first to third driven vehicles may be arranged so that the caterpillar travels on a substantially rectangular track, and the rotation centers of the first to third driven vehicles are positioned at the four corners of the rectangle. Be placed. The prime mover may be arranged in front lower of the variable display device, and the first driven vehicle may be arranged in front upper of the variable display device and can be stretched without loosening the vertical track.

  Like the conventional reel, 21 symbols are preferably displayed on the track surface of the caterpillar, but 20 symbols may be displayed. For example, the symbols that stop on a predetermined display line are three symbols in the column direction. Therefore, the vertical trajectory only needs to have a length in the moving direction that can display three or more symbols. In consideration of a sliding symbol, the vertical trajectory displays about five symbols. It is preferable to set an inter-axis distance between the moving vehicle and the first driven vehicle.

  The gaming machine according to the invention of (1) variably displays the driving vehicle that drives the caterpillar and the first to third driven vehicles that are driven by the caterpillar so that the trajectory of the caterpillar that displays the symbol row is substantially rectangular. Since they are arranged at the four corners of the device, predetermined cavities can be provided inside the variable display device. Therefore, it becomes easy to cope with the expansion of the control panel using this cavity.

  (2) The caterpillar comprises an endless belt in which a plurality of caterpillar pieces are linked to each other, and the caterpillar piece accommodates a rectangular symbol board on which the symbols are displayed in an exchangeable manner. (1) The gaming machine described.

  The gaming machine according to the invention of (2) is composed of an endless belt in which the caterpillar links a plurality of caterpillar pieces to each other. And the caterpillar piece has accommodated the rectangular symbol board in which the symbol was displayed so that replacement | exchange was possible.

  The caterpillar piece is preferably molded from a lightweight synthetic resin, and the inertia load of the endless belt in which the caterpillar pieces are linked to each other can be reduced, so that the caterpillar can be easily started or stopped.

  The caterpillar piece may constitute a frame body in which a rectangular window is provided so that the symbols displayed on the rectangular symbol board can be visually recognized, and a slit-like opening can be provided in the frame body to insert the symbol board. For example, this frame can be provided with a lance so that the symbol plate does not fall off easily. Alternatively, the symbol plate may be slightly bent and accommodated so that the symbol plate is not easily dropped by the elastic force inside the frame.

  In the gaming machine according to the invention of (2), the caterpillar is composed of an endless belt in which a plurality of caterpillar pieces are linked to each other, and the caterpillar piece accommodates a rectangular symbol board on which symbols are displayed in an exchangeable manner. Individual designs can be easily changed. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a model change that is completed only by changing the symbol row.

  (3) The variation display device includes a stepping motor having an output shaft that transmits rotation to the prime mover, and the caterpillar piece is a pair of pins protruding in a direction opposite to a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction. The prime mover includes: a rotating shaft; a pair of sprockets fixed to both blades of the rotating shaft and meshing with the pair of pins; a first timing pulley fixed between the rotating shafts; And the stepping motor has a second timing pulley fixed to the output shaft, and a timing belt wound around the second timing pulley and the first timing pulley. (2) The gaming machine described.

  In the gaming machine according to the invention of (3), the variable display device has a stepping motor. The stepping motor has an output shaft that transmits rotation to the prime mover. The caterpillar piece has a pair of pins. The pair of pins protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the caterpillar piece.

  In the gaming machine according to the invention of (2), the prime mover has a rotating shaft, a pair of sprockets, and a first timing pulley. The pair of sprockets are fixed to both wings of the rotating shaft and can mesh with a pair of pins. The stepping motor has a second timing pulley and a timing belt. The second timing pulley is fixed to the output shaft. The timing belt is wound around the second timing pulley and the first timing pulley.

  Here, the connection relationship between the caterpillar that links the caterpillar pieces and the sprocket is similar to the connection relationship between the chain that links the saddle-shaped links and the chain gear. In the chain transmission device, the teeth of the chain gear mesh with the pins housed in the pair of links, whereas in the caterpillar according to the present embodiment, the teeth of the pair of sprockets are arranged on a pair of pins protruding from both wings of the caterpillar piece. There is a difference of meshing. However, when the external teeth of the pair of sprockets and the pair of pins mesh with each other, the caterpillar does not slide with the prime mover, and the rotation of the prime mover is reliably transmitted.

  The center-to-center distance between a pair of pins projecting on both wings of the caterpillar piece may define the pitch of the caterpillar, and the caterpillar pieces are pinned to each other so that they smoothly mesh with a sprocket having a pitch that matches the pitch of the caterpillar. Connected. The caterpillar pieces are connected to each other with a length approximately three times the pitch.

  The caterpillar piece may have a pair of first connecting arms facing one traveling wing, and a second connecting arm inserted between the pair of connecting arms on the other traveling wing. The pair of first connecting arms and the second connecting arms are rotationally coupled with pins so that a bendable caterpillar can be obtained.

  The timing belt may be a flat endless belt, and has internal teeth arranged continuously. The timing pulley may be a chain gear and is provided with a plurality of external teeth that mesh with the timing belt. Since the timing belt is wound around the second timing pulley and the first timing pulley, the rotation of the stepping motor can be reliably transmitted to the rotating shaft. Generally, since the timing belt is formed of a rubber body, the impact when the stepping motor is stopped can be reduced.

  In the gaming machine according to the invention of (3), since the output shaft of the stepping motor and the sprocket for driving the caterpillar are connected by the timing belt, the rotation angle (including the rotation speed) of the stepping motor can be reliably transmitted to the caterpillar.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a driving vehicle that drives a caterpillar and first to third driven vehicles that are driven by the caterpillar so that the track of the caterpillar that displays a symbol row is substantially rectangular. Therefore, a predetermined cavity can be provided inside the variable display device. Therefore, it becomes easy to cope with the expansion of the control panel using this cavity.

  In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the caterpillar is composed of an endless belt in which a plurality of caterpillar pieces are linked to each other, and the caterpillar piece accommodates a rectangular symbol board on which symbols are displayed in an exchangeable manner. Can be easily changed. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a model change that is completed only by changing the symbol row.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective external view showing the internal structure of the housing of the gaming machine according to the embodiment, and is a state diagram in which the front door is opened.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the endless belt unit provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment, and a part thereof is shown broken away. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the endless belt unit provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment, and a part thereof is broken away. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the endless belt unit provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment, and is viewed from the right side of FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of an endless belt unit provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment.

  First, the configuration of an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described. 1 and 2, the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine or a so-called pachislot machine. The gaming machine 1 includes a housing 2 and a front door 3 that opens and closes the housing 2. An endless band unit 4 serving as a variable display device is arranged inside the housing 2. The inside of the housing 2 is partitioned vertically by a shelf 43, and the endless belt unit 4 is placed on the shelf 43.

  In FIG. 2, below the shelf 43, a hopper 42 for storing inserted medals or paying medals to the medal tray 41, and a power supply box 46 including a return rate setting switch 46a are arranged. Above the shelf 43, a control board 47 including a main board (printed board) for controlling the gaming machine 1 and a sub board (printed board) is disposed.

  1 or 2, a rectangular display window 5 is provided on the front panel formed on the front door 3. The display window 5 is divided into individual display windows 5L, 5C, and 5R. The endless belt unit 4 is provided with three endless belts 6L, 6C and 6R. A plurality of types of symbols are drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the endless bands 6L, 6C, and 6R, and these symbols are movable. Part of each outer surface of the endless belts 6L, 6C, and 6R is arranged to be observable through the display window 5.

  In FIG. 1, a substantially horizontal pedestal 48 is provided below the display window 5, and a slot 49 is provided on the upper right side of the pedestal 48 for a player to insert a medal as a game medium. It has been. Here, the medal is a valuable value called a coin, a medal, or a token.

  In FIG. 1, three BET switches 50, 51, 52 by push button operation are arranged on the left side of the upper surface of the pedestal 48. With the BET switch 50, one medal is bet on one game. The BET switch 51 can bet two medals on one game. The BET switch 52 can bet three medals on one game. A start lever 53 is tiltably provided on the left side of the front surface of the pedestal portion 48. When the player tilts the start lever 53, the symbol movement of the three endless belts 6L, 6C, and 6R is started simultaneously. When the three endless bands 6L, 6C, and 6R circulate, a plurality of symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the endless bands 6L, 6C, and 6R are variably displayed on the display window 5.

  In FIG. 1, three stop buttons 54 </ b> L, 54 </ b> C, and 54 </ b> R are provided in the center of the front surface of the pedestal portion 48. The stop button 54L corresponds to the endless belt 6L, the stop button 54C corresponds to the endless belt 6C, and the stop button 54R corresponds to the endless belt 6R. When the player pushes the stop button 54L, the endless belt 6L stops. When the player pushes the stop button 54C, the endless belt 6C stops, and the player pushes the stop button 54R. When done, the endless belt 6R stops.

  In FIG. 1, a payout button 55 is provided on the left side of the start lever 53. When the player pushes the payout button 55, the inserted medals are paid out from the medal payout outlet 56 at the lower front, and the payout medals are stored in the medal tray 41.

  In FIG. 1, the display window 5 is provided with three display lines 61 (center and top and bottom) on the side indicated by the solid line and two display lines 61 obliquely. The display line 61 includes a horizontal top line, a center line, and a bottom line provided at the uppermost, middle, and lowermost levels, and diagonal cross-up lines and cross-down lines.

  Prior to the start of the game, when the player inserts one medal from the slot 49, only the center line is activated, and when two medals are inserted, the top and bottom top and bottom lines When three medals are inserted, all display lines are activated. Such activation of the display line 61 is displayed to the player when the activation line display lamps (not shown) arranged at both ends of each display line are turned on.

  3 to 5, the endless belt unit 4 includes a box-shaped case 70 that houses three endless belts 6L, 6C, and 6R. The case 70 accommodates an individual case in which the endless belts 6L, 6C, and 6R are rotatably held by an angle member 70a and a flat plate member 70b having an L-shaped cross section. As shown in FIG. 5, the angle member 70 a and the flat plate member 70 b are connected to each other by a square bar-like stay 800 and a pair of round bar-like stays 801 and 801 with a predetermined interval.

  In the present invention, each endless belt 6L, 6C, 6R is constituted by a caterpillar 71 that links the caterpillar pieces 76 together. A plurality of symbols are displayed on the caterpillar 71. The caterpillar 71 is arranged to circulate in the row direction. The endless belt unit 4 includes a motor vehicle 72 corresponding to each of the endless belts 6L, 6C, and 6R. A caterpillar 71 is wound around the prime mover 72, and the caterpillar 71 is driven in the column direction by the prime mover 72. The prime mover 72 is disposed at a lower corner when viewed from the front side.

  Further, the endless belt unit 4 includes a first driven vehicle 73 disposed at the upper corner facing the driving vehicle 72 on the front side. A caterpillar 71 is wound around the first driven vehicle 73, and the caterpillar 71 is stretched so as to face the display window 5. Further, the endless belt unit 4 includes second and third driven vehicles 74 and 75 that are spaced apart from the driving vehicle 72 and the first driven vehicle 73, and these second and third driven vehicles 74. For example, 75 is disposed at the lower corner and the upper corner on the rear surface side, respectively.

  Then, the caterpillar 71 is wound around the second and third driven vehicles 74 and 75 so that the caterpillar 71 travels on a substantially rectangular track by the driving vehicle 72 and the first to third driven vehicles 73 to 75. Will be placed.

  The rotation shaft 72a of the prime mover 72 and the rotation shafts 73a to 75a of the first to third driven vehicles 73 to 75 are supported on both ends of the angle member 70a and the flat plate member 70b so as to be rotatable via bearings. The stay 800 is disposed between the driving vehicle 72 and the first driven vehicle 73. One of the pair of stays 801 and 801 is disposed in the vicinity of the second driven vehicle 73. On the other hand, the other of the pair of stays 801 and 801 is disposed in the vicinity of the third driven vehicle 74. Thus, by arranging a plurality of stays, a cavity 87 described later is widely defined, and distortion of the individual case due to the rotational drive of the caterpillar 71 is prevented.

  By the way, in general, the caterpillar is defined as a device that connects steel plates in a band shape and surrounds the front and rear wheels. The caterpillar is translated into an endless track and Japanese. Further, the caterpillar is deformable in its endless track, and the tension of the endless track is maintained firmly. Therefore, the caterpillar is used for a vehicle traveling on a rough road, a conveyor for transporting heavy objects, and the like.

  In terms of mechanism, the caterpillar belongs to a winding transmission device that transmits the rotation of the driving vehicle to a driven vehicle separated from the driving vehicle. And a caterpillar has the advantage which can obtain the reliable transmission without a slide like a chain drive.

  Caterpillar is similar to gear transmission because each of the chained caterpillar pieces is hooked on the teeth of the sprocket. Since the caterpillar can reliably transmit rotation at a constant rotation ratio, it is suitable for a variable display device that moves or stops a plurality of symbols.

  3 to 6, the caterpillar 71 has a plurality of substantially rectangular caterpillar pieces 76, and these caterpillar pieces 76 are formed of, for example, a lightweight synthetic resin. These caterpillar pieces 76 are chained together to form an endless belt. As shown in FIG. 6, the caterpillar piece 76 accommodates a rectangular symbol plate 77 on which symbols are displayed in an exchangeable manner (this will be described later).

  The case 70 has a stepping motor 78, and the stepping motor 78 is attached to the angle member 70 a in the vicinity of the prime mover 72. A timing pulley (second timing pulley) 79 is attached to the output shaft 78 a of the stepping motor 78. On the other hand, a timing pulley (first timing pulley) 80 is fixed in the middle of the rotation shaft 72 a of the prime mover 72, and a timing belt 81 is wound between the timing pulley 79 and the timing pulley 80.

  The timing belt 81 is, for example, a flat endless belt, and internal teeth are continuously provided. The timing pulley 79 and the timing pulley 80 are, for example, chain gears, and are provided with a plurality of external teeth that mesh with the timing belt 81. By winding the timing belt 81 around the timing pulley 79 and the timing pulley 80, the rotation of the stepping motor 78 can be reliably transmitted to the rotating shaft 72a. That is, the rotation angle of the stepping motor 78 can be reliably transmitted to the caterpillar 71. And since the timing belt 81 is formed, for example with the rubber body, it can relieve | impact the impact when the stepping motor 78 stops.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the caterpillar piece 76 has a rectangular main body portion 76 a, and a first holding portion (first connecting arm) 76 b is formed at one end on the back side of the main body portion 76 a, A second holding portion (second connecting arm) 76c is formed at the other end. The first holding portion 76b has a pair of connecting portions 76d and 76e formed at a predetermined distance in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the caterpillar piece 76. The connecting portions 76d and 76e are cylindrical. It is molded into a shape.

  Similarly, the second holding portion 76c has a cylindrical connecting portion 76f. Further, a pair of pins 76g and 76h that protrude in directions opposite to the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction are disposed on the back surface of the main body portion 76a.

  When the plurality of caterpillar pieces 76 are connected to each other, the connecting portions 76f of the adjacent caterpillar pieces 76 are inserted between the connecting portions 76d and 76e forming a pair provided on the individual caterpillar pieces 76. Then, the pin 76 i is press-fitted into the connecting holes of the connecting portions 76 d to 76 f, and the caterpillar pieces 76 and 76 are connected to each other to form a linked caterpillar 71. By assembling in this way, a bendable caterpillar 71 can be obtained.

  Further, the main body 76a is a holder, and a window 76j is formed on the surface of the main body 76a so as to be spaced apart from the back surface and project in the radial direction to form a flange portion formed over the outer periphery. The main body portion 76a is provided with a storage portion 76k whose front surface is open. A slit 76m that opens in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction is formed at the upper edge of the main body 76a, and the symbol board 77 can be taken in and out of the storage portion 76k through the slit 76m.

  That is, the main body 76a is formed in a frame having a rectangular window 76j so that the symbols displayed on the rectangular symbol plate 77 can be visually recognized, and the symbol plate 77 is inserted into the frame from the slit 76m. It will be. If the frame is provided with a lance, the symbol plate 77 can be accommodated so as not to easily fall off. Note that the design plate 77 may be slightly curved so that the design plate is not easily dropped by the elastic force inside the frame.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the prime mover 72 has a pair of sprockets 72b and 72c fixed to both wings of the rotating shaft 72a. The sprockets 72b and 72c are a pair of pins of the caterpillar piece 76. Can mesh with 76g and 76h.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, the first driven vehicle 73 has a pair of sprockets 73b and 73c fixed to both wings of the rotating shaft 73a. The sprockets 73b and 73c are one-to-one of the caterpillar pieces 76. It can mesh with the pair of pins 76g and 76h.

  In FIG. 5, the second driven vehicle 74 has a pair of sprockets 74b and 74c fixed to both wings of the rotating shaft 74a. The sprockets 74b and 74c are a pair of pins 76g and a pair of pins 76g and a caterpillar piece 76, respectively. Can mesh with 76h.

  Similarly, in FIG. 5, the third driven vehicle 75 has a pair of sprockets 75b and 75c fixed to both wings of the rotating shaft 75a. These sprockets 75b and 75c are a pair of pins 76g of the caterpillar piece 76.・ Can mesh with 76h.

  Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. In the endless belt unit 4 described above, the rotation is transmitted to the prime mover 72 via the timing pulley 79 and the timing belt 81 by the rotation control of the stepping motor 78. Since the pair of sprockets 72b and 72c of the prime mover 72 are engaged with the pair of pins 76g and 76h of the caterpillar piece 76, the rotation of the prime mover 72 is transmitted to the caterpillar 71, and the caterpillar 71 becomes a rectangular track. You can drive along. As a result, the symbol viewed through the display window 5 varies (see FIG. 1).

  That is, the caterpillar 71 is parallel-belt (Open Belting) in which the rotational direction of the driving vehicle 72 and the first to third driven vehicles 73 to 75 is the same, and is displayed between the driving vehicle 72 and the first driven vehicle 73. It has a plane trajectory (vertical trajectory) that moves down on a plane substantially parallel to the window 5. As described above, since the first driven vehicle 73 has a pair of sprockets 73b and 73c around which the caterpillar 71 is wound, the caterpillar 71 is stretched between the driving vehicle 72 and the first driven vehicle 73. You can pass it to the state. That is, the vertical trajectory facing the display window 5 can be stretched without loosening.

  In this way, the caterpillar 71 is circulated and the symbols displayed on the caterpillar 71 can be displayed in parallel in the row direction (vertical direction). The outer teeth of the pair of sprockets 72b and 72c and the pair of pins 76g and 76h mesh with each other so that the caterpillar 71 does not slide with the prime mover 72 and the rotation of the prime mover 72 is reliably transmitted to the caterpillar 71. The

  In addition, it is preferable that 21 symbols are displayed on the track surface of the caterpillar 71 as in the conventional reel, but 20 symbols may be displayed. Further, the symbols that stop on a predetermined display line are three symbols in the column direction. Therefore, the vertical trajectory only needs to have a length in the moving direction that can display three or more symbols, and considering the symbols that slide, the original trajectory is displayed so that about 5 symbols are displayed on the vertical trajectory. It is preferable to set an inter-axis distance between the moving vehicle 72 and the first driven vehicle 73.

  As described above, the driving vehicle 72 that drives the caterpillar 71 and the first to third driven vehicles 73 to 75 that are driven by the caterpillar 71 so that the trajectory of the caterpillar 71 that displays the symbol row is substantially rectangular. Since they are arranged at the four corners of the case 70, predetermined cavities 87 can be provided inside the case 70 as shown in FIG. Therefore, if this cavity 87 is utilized, it becomes easy to cope with the expansion of the control panel.

  Further, since the caterpillar piece 76 is formed of a lightweight synthetic resin, when the caterpillar pieces 76 are linked to each other, the inertia load of the endless belt can be reduced, and the caterpillar 71 can be easily started or stopped. In addition, since the symbol plate 77 is exchangeably accommodated in the caterpillar piece 76, individual symbols can be easily changed. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a model change that is completed only by changing the symbol row.

  The distance between the centers of the pair of pins 76g and 76h protruding from both wings of the caterpillar piece 76 defines the pitch of the caterpillar 71. And the caterpillar piece 76 is mutually connected by the pin 76i so that it may mesh | engage smoothly with the sprocket 72b * 72c which has a pitch corresponding to the pitch of the caterpillar 71. FIG. For example, the caterpillar pieces 76 are connected to each other with a length approximately three times the pitch.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the driving vehicle 72 and the first to third driven vehicles 73 to 75 are arranged at the four corners of the case 70 so that the track of the caterpillar 71 displaying the symbol row is substantially rectangular. Therefore, a predetermined cavity can be provided inside the case 70, and if this cavity is used, the expansion of the control panel can be accommodated.

  In the present embodiment, the caterpillar 71 is an endless belt in which a plurality of caterpillar pieces 76 are linked to each other, and the design plates are exchangeably accommodated in the caterpillar pieces 76, so that individual symbols can be easily changed. As a result, it is possible to easily cope with a model change that can be done only by changing the symbol row.

It is a front view which shows one Embodiment of the game machine by this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective external view showing an internal structure of a housing of the gaming machine according to the embodiment, in which a front door is opened. It is a front view of the endless belt unit with which the gaming machine by the above-mentioned embodiment is equipped, and a part is broken and shown. It is a top view of the endless belt unit with which the gaming machine by the above-mentioned embodiment is equipped, and a part is broken and shown. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an endless belt unit provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment, viewed from the right side of FIG. 3. It is a perspective exploded view which shows the principal part of the endless belt unit with which the game machine by the said embodiment is equipped.

Explanation of symbols

1 gaming machine 2 front door 3 front door 4 endless belt unit (variable display device)
5 display window 71 caterpillar 72 prime mover 73-75 first to third follower

Claims (3)

A gaming machine comprising: a casing that opens and closes a front door; and a variable display device that is arranged inside the casing and displays a plurality of symbols in a row direction and arranges a plurality of caterpillars that circulate.
The front door has a display window through which the plurality of symbols that stop on a predetermined display line can be observed,
The fluctuation display device is a driving vehicle that winds the caterpillar and drives the caterpillar, and a first driven vehicle that winds the caterpillar facing the driving vehicle, and faces the display window. A first driven vehicle over which the caterpillar is stretched, and second and third driven vehicles disposed apart from the driving vehicle and the first driven vehicle, wherein the second and third are wound around the caterpillar. A follower vehicle,
The gaming machine, wherein the driving vehicle and the first to third driven vehicles are arranged so that the caterpillar travels on a substantially rectangular track.   2. The caterpillar includes an endless belt in which a plurality of caterpillar pieces are linked to each other, and the caterpillar piece accommodates a rectangular symbol board on which the symbols are displayed in an exchangeable manner. The gaming machine described. The fluctuation display device has a stepping motor having an output shaft that transmits rotation to the prime mover,
The caterpillar piece has a pair of pins protruding in opposite directions in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction,
The prime mover has a rotating shaft, a pair of sprockets fixed to both blades of the rotating shaft and meshed with the pair of pins, and a first timing pulley fixed between the rotating shafts,
3. The stepping motor includes a second timing pulley fixed to the output shaft, and a timing belt wound around the second timing pulley and the first timing pulley. Game machines.

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