JP2009125388A - Token selector and game machine with token selector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a token selector eliminating a possibility of putting a player who has inserted tokens at a disadvantage by highly efficiently preventing the swallowing (passing through the inserted tokens without reflecting them in a game) of the tokens; and a game machine having the token selector. <P>SOLUTION: This token selector includes a sensor for detecting tokens passing a slope passage and a dropping means for dropping the passing tokens; wherein the dropping means consists of a dropper 910 provided to drop the tokens on the upstream side of a position where the sensor detects the tokens in the slope passage, and a blocker 920 provided to drop the tokens on the downstream side of the position where the sensor detects the tokens in the slope passage; the dropper 910 is configured to move between a first position for performing a function of dropping the tokens and a second position for non-performing the function of dropping the tokens; and the blocker 920 is configured to move between a third position for performing the function of dropping the tokens and a fourth position for non-performing the function of dropping the tokens. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal selector that selects medals to be used as a game medium, for example, and a game table including the medal selector.

  A conventional slot machine has a configuration in which, for example, a so-called medal blocker is operated to return a inserted medal to a medal tray when it is determined that the number of inserted medals has reached an upper limit number that can be stored. It was.

  However, after the medal is detected, the operation of the medal blocker starts, and it takes time for the medal blocker to move to a position where the medal blocker functions to drop the medal. For this reason, in the conventional medal selector, a so-called “swallowing” occurs in which medals inserted during this time are taken in through the medal passage. This “swallowing” is not a reflection of the medal in spite of having consumed the medal.In other words, it means that the medal was traced. It was.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a slot machine that can prevent this “swallowing”.

JP 2006-110188 A

  However, even with a conventional slot machine having a swallowing prevention function, it still takes time to move the medal blocker to a position where the medal is dropped. For this reason, medals inserted during this time may be taken in through the medal passage, and there is still a possibility that the player suffers a disadvantage.

  The present invention has been made based on the above problems, and a medal selector that efficiently prevents swallowing of medals and eliminates the possibility that a player who has inserted medals will suffer disadvantages, and a game including this medal selector The purpose is to provide a stand.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a detecting unit that detects a medal that passes through the medal inclined passage, and a dropping unit that drops the medal that passes through the medal inclined passage from the medal inclined passage. The drop-off means includes a first drop-out portion provided so as to drop the medal on the upstream side of the position where the detection means detects the medal in the medal inclination passage. The detection means comprises a second drop-out portion provided so as to drop the medal on the downstream side of the position where the medal is detected in the medal inclined passage.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the medal selector according to claim 1, wherein the drop-off means includes drive means for driving the first drop-out part and the second drop-off part, and the drive means is the first drop-out part. It is characterized by comprising a single drive unit that drives both the first dropout part and the second dropout part.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the medal selector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first drop-off section performs a function of dropping a medal from the medal inclined passage, and the medal is the medal. A second position that does not perform the function of dropping off the inclined passage, and the second dropping portion is configured to move the medal from the inclined passage of the medal, and the third position. It is configured to be movable between a fourth position that does not perform the function of dropping off from the medal inclined passage, and the driving means is an electric driving unit, and the electric driving unit is energized to perform the driving function. In the state, the first dropout part is moved to the second position, the second dropout part is moved to the fourth position, and the electric drive unit is not energized and does not perform a drive function. Serial with the first falling portion is moved to said first position, wherein the second falling portion is configured to be moved to the third position.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the medal selector according to claim 3, wherein the first drop-off portion is in the first position when the electric drive portion is not energized and does not perform a drive function, The electric drive unit is configured to move to the second position when the electric drive unit is energized to perform a drive function, and the second drop-off unit is urged to move to the third position by an urging unit. When the electric drive unit is not energized and does not perform a driving function, the electric drive unit is in the third position. When the electric drive unit is energized and performs a drive function, the electric drive unit is moved from the first position to the second position. The first drop portion that moves is configured to be moved to the fourth position.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the medal selector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a medal outlet for deriving a medal to the medal payout device at the most downstream portion of the medal inclined passage, The second drop-off portion is configured to move to the third position and close the medal outlet.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the medal selector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first drop-off portion forms at least a part of the medal inclination passage and is in the second position. It is characterized in that medals pass.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the medal selector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first dropout portion forms at least a part of the medal inclination passage and is in the second position. It is characterized in that medals pass.

  An invention according to claim 8 is a gaming machine comprising the medal selector according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the inserted medal can be surely discharged at a predetermined timing, and a medal insertion error can be prevented.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, a 1st drop-off part and a 2nd drop-off part can be made to interlock | cooperate, and cost reduction is possible by utilizing a single drive source.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, a 1st drop-off part and a 2nd drop-off part can be made to interlock | cooperate, the increase in a number of parts can be suppressed, and cost reduction is also possible.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, a 1st drop-off part and a 2nd drop-off part can be made to interlock | cooperate, and it can drive with a single drive source, reduction of a number of parts is possible, and reduction of cost is also possible. Is possible. Further, it is possible to stabilize the operation and improve the reliability.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the inserted medal is not discharged from the outlet of the medal selector. For this reason, medals are not taken into the machine where the medal selector is installed, and the inserted medals can be reliably returned.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6, it can drop out corresponding to the advancing direction of a medal, and a medal can be excluded reliably.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 7, the drop-off direction of the medal by the 1st drop-off part and the 2nd drop-off part can be made into the same direction, and it is possible to drop a medal reliably.

  According to the invention according to claim 8, for example, in a slot game, it is possible to reliably prevent so-called swallowing, in which medals are taken in unnecessarily, and to provide a gaming table that does not give dissatisfaction or distrust to the player. It is possible to provide.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows an external perspective view of the slot machine 100.

  The slot machine 100 includes a substantially box-shaped main body 101 and a front door 102 attached to the front opening of the main body 101. Inside the center of the main body 101 of the slot machine 100, three reels (left reel 110, middle reel 111, and right reel 112) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface for a predetermined number of frames are stored. It is configured to be able to rotate inside. Each of the symbols is printed on the belt-like member at an equal interval, and the belt-like member is attached to a predetermined circular frame member to constitute the reels 110 to 112. When viewed from the player, the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are generally displayed three in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 113 so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols that can be seen by the player varies. In this embodiment, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  Further, on the outer frame of the symbol display window 113, line display LEDs (not shown) for informing an effective line and a winning line, which will be described later, are arranged by lighting control such as blinking and lighting.

  Further, in the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112, and the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of this optical sensor. A light-shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between them. Based on the detection result of this sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line 114.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp that indicates an effective winning line. An effective winning line is determined in advance by the number of medals inserted into the slot machine 100. Of the five winning lines 114, for example, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line is valid, and when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are added. When three medals are inserted and three medals are inserted, the five added with the right-down winning line and the upper-right winning line become effective as the winning line. Note that the number of winning lines 114 is not limited to five.

  The start lamp 121 is a lamp that informs the player that the reels 110 to 112 are in a state of being able to rotate. The replay lamp 122 informs the player that the current game can be replayed (the medal insertion is not required) when a replay game that is one of the winning games in the previous game is won. It is a lamp to inform. The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (for example, a bonus such as BB (Big Bonus) or RB (Regular Bonus)) is won internally in the internal lottery. The medal insertion lamp 124 is a lamp that notifies that a medal can be inserted. The payout number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination. The game number display 126 is an indicator for displaying an error display at the time of inserting a medal, the number of games during the big bonus game (in the BB game), the number of winnings of a predetermined winning combination, and the like. The stored number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100. The reel panel lamp 128 is an effect lamp.

  The medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, every time the medal insertion button 130 is pressed, a maximum of three are inserted one by one, and when the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, three are inserted. The medal slot 134 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the medal insertion button 130 or 131, or an actual medal can be inserted from the medal insertion slot 134. The medal slot 134 is configured so that medals can be selected according to the diameter of the medals inserted. Specifically, in the case where the slot machine 100 is designed to play using φ25 medals, the slot shape is such that φ25 medals can pass and φ30 medals do not pass. The payment button 132 is a button for adjusting the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the bet medals and discharging them to the medal tray 156 from the medal payout opening 155. The medal return button 133 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is jammed.

  The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch for performing a game start operation. That is, when a desired number of medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 134 and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 are rotated as a trigger, and the game is started. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are buttons for performing a stop operation on the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by operating the start lever 135, and are provided corresponding to the reels 110 to 112. When any one of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is operated, any one of the corresponding reels 110 to 112 is stopped.

  The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted. The medal payout exit 155 is a payout exit for paying out medals. The medal tray 156 is a container for collecting medals paid out from the medal payout opening 155. The medal tray 156 employs a tray that can emit light in this embodiment.

  The upper lamp 150, the side lamp 151, the center lamp 152, the waist lamp 153, and the lower lamp 154 are decorative lamps for exciting games. The effect device 190 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device 157 having a door (shutter) 163 that can be freely opened and closed, and various information such as a small role notification is displayed on the effect device 190. The sound hole 160 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. On the title panel 162, a pattern for decorating the slot machine 100 is drawn.

<Control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The control unit of the slot machine 100 is roughly divided into a main control unit 300 that controls the central part of the game, and a sub control unit 400 that controls various devices in accordance with commands transmitted from the main control unit 300. Has been.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows a circuit block diagram of the main control unit 300.

  The main control unit 300 includes a CPU 310 that is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire main control unit 300, a data bus and an address bus for the CPU 310 to transmit and receive signals to and from each IC and each circuit, It has the structure described below. The clock correction circuit 314 is a circuit that divides the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and supplies it to the CPU 310. For example, when the frequency of the crystal oscillator 311 is 12 MHz, the divided clock is 6 MHz. The CPU 310 operates by receiving the clock divided by the clock correction circuit 314 as a system clock.

  The CPU 310 is connected to a timer circuit 315 for setting a timer interrupt processing cycle for constantly monitoring the sensor and switch states and a motor drive pulse transmission cycle via a bus. When the power is turned on, the CPU 310 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 312 to the timer circuit 315 via the data bus. The timer circuit 315 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 310 at each interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 310 executes monitoring of each sensor and transmission of drive pulses. For example, when the system clock of the CPU 310 is set to 6 MHz, the frequency division value of the timer circuit 315 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 312 is set to 44, the reference time for this interrupt is 256 × 44 ÷ 6 MHz = 1. 877 ms.

  Further, the CPU 310 stores a ROM 312 for storing various data such as a program for controlling each IC, lottery data used for internal winning lottery, reel stop position, and temporary data. A RAM 313 is connected. Other storage means may be used for these ROM 312 and RAM 313, and this is the same in the sub-control unit 400 described later. The CPU 310 is connected to an input interface 360 for receiving an external signal, and a start lever sensor 321, a stop button sensor 322, a medal insertion button sensor 323, a checkout switch via the input interface 360 every interrupt time. The state of the sensor 324, the medal payout sensor 326, and the power supply determination circuit 327 is detected, and each sensor is monitored.

  The medal insertion sensor 320 is a sensor for detecting a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 134. The start lever sensor 321 is a sensor for detecting the operation of the start lever 135. The stop button sensor 322 is a sensor for detecting which stop button is pressed when any of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is pressed. The medal insertion button sensor 323 is a sensor for detecting which medal insertion button is pressed when one of the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 is pressed. The settlement switch sensor 324 is provided on the settlement button 132, and when the settlement button 132 is pressed once, the stored medals and the bet medals are settled and paid out. The medal payout sensor 326 is a sensor for detecting a payout medal. The power determination circuit 327 is a circuit for detecting the interruption of the power supplied to the slot machine 100.

  Further, an input interface 361 and output interfaces 370 and 371 are connected to the CPU 310 via the address decoding circuit 350 to the address bus. The CPU 310 exchanges signals with external devices via these interfaces. An index sensor 325 is connected to the input interface 361. The index sensor 325 is installed at a predetermined position on the mounting base of each of the reels 110 to 112, and becomes a high level every time the light shielding piece provided on the reels 110 to 112 passes through the index sensor 325. When detecting this signal, the CPU 310 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero. The output interface 370 drives a motor of a reel motor driving unit 330 that controls a motor for driving the reel and a hopper (a device for paying out medals accumulated in the bucket from the medal payout outlet 155). Hopper motor drive unit 331, a game lamp 340 (specifically, a winning line display lamp 120, a start lamp 121, a replay lamp 122, a notification lamp 123, a medal insertion lamp 124, etc.), and a 7 segment (SEG) display A device 341 (a payout number display 125, a game information display 126, a stored number display 127, etc.) is connected.

  A random number generation circuit 317 is connected to the CPU 310 via a data bus. The random number generation circuit 317 is an increment counter capable of incrementing a value within a certain range based on a clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and the crystal oscillator 316 and outputting the count value to the CPU 310, which will be described later. Used for various lottery processes, including internal lottery for winning positions. An output interface 371 for transmitting a command to the sub control unit 400 is connected to the data bus of the CPU 310. Information communication between the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400 is a one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 transmits a command to the sub control unit 400. Cannot be sent.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure shows a circuit block diagram of the sub-control unit 400.

  The sub-control unit 400 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire sub-control unit 400 based on a main control command or the like transmitted from the main control unit 300, and the CPU 410 transmits and receives signals to and from each IC and each circuit. It has a data bus and an address bus for performing, and has a configuration described below. The clock correction circuit 414 is a circuit that corrects the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 411 and supplies the corrected clock to the CPU 410 as a system clock.

  Further, a timer circuit 415 is connected to the CPU 410 via a bus. The CPU 410 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 412 to the timer circuit 415 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The timer circuit 415 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 410 at each interrupt time. The CPU 410 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  Further, the CPU 410 temporarily stores a ROM 412 in which commands and data for controlling the entire sub-control unit 400, line lighting LED lighting patterns and data for controlling various displays, and the like are stored. A RAM 413 for storage is connected via each bus.

  Further, an input / output interface 460 for transmitting and receiving external signals is connected to the CPU 410. The input / output interface 460 is disposed on the outer frame of the symbol display window 113 and controls lighting such as blinking and lighting. Are connected to a line display LED 420 for notifying an active line or a winning line, a door sensor 421 for detecting opening / closing of the front door 102, and a reset switch 422 for clearing data in the RAM 413.

  An input interface 461 for receiving a main control command from the main control unit 300 is connected to the CPU 410 via a data bus, and an effect process that excites the entire game based on the command received via the input interface 461. Etc. are executed. A sound source IC 480 is connected to the data bus and address bus of the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 controls sound according to a command from the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 is connected to a ROM 481 that stores sound data. The sound source IC 480 amplifies the sound data acquired from the ROM 481 by the amplifier 482 and outputs the sound data from the speaker 483. The CPU 410 is connected to an address decoding circuit 450 for selecting an external IC, similar to the main control unit 300, and the input interface for receiving a command from the main control unit 300 is connected to the address decoding circuit 450. 461, a clock IC 423, an output interface 472 for outputting signals to the 7-segment display 440, and the like are connected.

  The CPU 410 can acquire the current time by connecting the clock IC 423. The 7-segment display 440 is provided inside the slot machine 100 so that, for example, predetermined information set in the sub-control unit 400 can be confirmed by an attendant of a game store or the like. Further, a demultiplexer 419 is connected to the output interface 470. The demultiplexer 419 distributes the signal transmitted from the output interface 470 to each display unit and the like. In other words, the demultiplexer 419 receives the upper lamp 150, the side lamp 151, the center lamp 152, the waist lamp 153, the lower lamp 154, the reel panel lamp 128, the title panel lamp 172, and the payout exit strobe 171 according to the data received from the CPU 410. To control. The title panel lamp 172 is a lamp that illuminates the title panel 162, and the payout exit strobe 171 is a strobe type lamp installed inside the medal payout opening 155. The CPU 410 performs signal transmission to the door / liquid crystal screen control unit 490 via the demultiplexer 419. The door / liquid crystal screen control unit 490 is a control unit that controls the liquid crystal display device 157 and the door 163.

<Basic control of games>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the basic control of the game in the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment.
Basic control of the game is performed mainly by the Main CPU 310, and the process shown in FIG.

  First, in S101, as the medal insertion process, the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on according to the number of inserted medals. Note that the credit insertion by the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 is processed in the same manner when an actual medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 134 of the medal insertion slot block. Furthermore, the number of medals inserted is the total number (53) of the maximum number of bets set for the current game (for example, 3) and the maximum number of medals that can be credited (for example, 50). ), Or when the symbol combination “Rep-Rep-Rep” relating to the re-gamer is on the winning line 114 as a result of the previous game, the process of prohibiting the acceptance of medals is performed. Execute.

  In S102, processing related to a game start operation is performed. When the start lever 135 is operated, the number of inserted medals is determined. Next, in S103, an effective winning line 114 is determined based on the determined medal number. Furthermore, processing for prohibiting the acceptance of medals is executed.

In S104, the random value generated by the random number generator 311 is acquired.
In S105, using the lottery data table stored in the ROM 312, and the random value acquired in S104, an internal lottery that determines whether or not the internal winning of the winning combination is determined. In the lottery data table, data corresponding to the lottery probabilities of BB, RB, small combination, re-playing combination, etc. prepared as winning combinations is stored in advance.

  In S <b> 106, for example, an effect lottery process is performed in which an effect is performed in the effect device 190 or a character or the like appears to make the game more exciting.

  In S107, the reel stop control table is selected using the random number value acquired in S104, and rotation of each reel 110-112 is started.

  In S108, the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be accepted. When any one of the stop buttons is pressed, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped based on the reel stop control table selected in S105.

  In S109, a winning determination is performed. Here, when a pattern combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the winning combination is won. For example, if “bell-bell-bell” is arranged on the validated winning line 114, for example, it is determined that a bell is won. Further, for example, if “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7” are prepared, it is determined that the BB winning is achieved.

  In S110, if any winning combination with payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out.

  In S111, the gaming state is controlled. For example, when the BB winning is made, preparation is made so that the BB game is started from the next game, and when the BB is finished, preparation is made so that the normal game is started from the next game. Further, a process for permitting acceptance of medals is executed.

<Body internal structure>
Next, the internal configuration of the slot machine 100 of this embodiment will be briefly described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view in which the front door 102 showing the outline of the internal configuration of the slot machine 100 is opened. Inside the cabinet 101 as the main body, there are a main board storage case 210, a sub control board storage case 220 and a reel unit 185, a power supply box (not shown), a medal payout device 180, a medal auxiliary storage section 240, a central speaker unit. Various devices such as an external relay terminal plate are provided.

  The reel unit 185 is configured by individually detachably attaching reels 110 to 112 driven by a stepping motor in a resin case 221. The reel unit 185 is configured such that three reels are unitized by the case 221 and can be easily attached to and detached from the reel unit mounting table 278 provided in the cabinet 101. In addition, a sound path 277 is attached to the lower part of the reel unit mounting table 278 so that the front door 102 is combined with the sound path 268 attached to the front door 102 in a state where the front door 102 is closed to the cabinet 101. . The sound output from the central speaker unit passes through the sound path 277 and the sound path 268 and is output to the outside.

  Inside the cabinet 101, a substrate storage case made of a transparent resin case is attached to the upper part of the rear plate constituting the cabinet 101. In the internal space of the main board storage case 210, a main control board on which electric parts constituting the main control unit 300 that performs overall control of the slot machine 100 is mounted is stored.

  The power supply box (not shown) is mounted on the wall of the rear plate of the cabinet 101, and a power supply board for supplying necessary power to the various devices of the slot machine 100 is housed inside the metal case. .

  Further, a medal payout device 180 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a hopper 180) for paying out medals is disposed inside the cabinet 101. The medal payout device 180 is driven by a DC motor to pay out medals one by one, outputs a detection signal every time the medals are paid out, supplies medals to the payout device main body 182 and accumulates medals. And a medal tank 181. Next, a medal auxiliary storage unit 240 is placed beside the medal payout device 180. When the medal payout device 180 is filled with medals, excess medals flow down and are accumulated in the medal auxiliary storage unit 240. The

  A sub-board storage case 220 storing a sub-control board is disposed on the side plate of the main control board and reels 110 to 112, that is, on the left side plate.

  On the other hand, the front door 102 hinged to the side plate of the cabinet 101 via the hinge device 276 has the effect device 190, an effect control board storage case 274 storing an effect control board for controlling the effect device, an upper speaker 272, A reel panel 270 having a symbol display window 113, a medal selector 170 for selecting inserted medals, a passage 266 through which medals pass when the medal selector 170 drops illegal medals on the medal tray 156, and the like are provided. It is. The medal selector 170 further includes a medal transport rod 711 serving as a passage for guiding inserted medals to the medal tank 181.

<Medal selector>
Next, the medal selector 170 that selects inserted medals will be described. FIG. 6A is a front view of the medal selector 170, and FIG. 6B is a schematic view of a main part of a medal passage to be described later. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the medal selector 170 as seen from the front or right side, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the medal selector 170 as seen from the left side. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the medal selector 170.

  The medal selector 170 selects medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 134 of the medal insertion slot block. The medal selector 170 selects an illegal medal with a small size and discharges it to the medal tray 156, and takes in a regular medal. This is a unitized device that sends out to the medal tank 181 of the hopper 180. Therefore, the medal selector 170 is formed with a medal passage 800 through which medals pass.

  For the sake of explanation, this medal passage 800 is curved so that the inserted medal is a portion formed so that the inserted medal falls in the vertical direction, and the medal passage direction is converted to the horizontal direction. It may be divided into a curved passage 820 which is a formed portion and an inclined passage 830 which is a portion formed in an inclined shape where a medal rolls.

  First, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the medal selector 170 includes a selector body unit 720 and a side guide unit 730 (hereinafter referred to as a front cover 730) that is detachably and rotatably provided on the selector body unit 720. And a medal dropout cover 740. The medal selector 170 according to this embodiment is detachably attached to a predetermined position on the back surface side of the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 via the attachment substrate 710, similarly to the conventional medal selector 170.

  The selector body unit 720 is configured around a selector base bent into a generally U-shape. The selector base is a member having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional view including left and right side plate portions 722 that stand up from the left and right side edges of the substrate portion 721, respectively. A mounting portion 723 for detachably mounting the side guide unit 730 is formed at the center of the upper portion of the substrate portion 721 in the selector base.

  A medal drop cover 740 is attached to the selector base so as to be rotatable and detachable. The medal dropout cover 740 is a member for guiding a medal dropped from an inclined passage 830 described later to a medal discharge bowl 266 that guides the medal tray 156.

  The medal insertion slot 134 is provided between the mounting portion 723 and one side plate portion 722, that is, the left side plate portion 722 in the drawing, and the first side plate portion 7221 located on the upstream side when viewed from the medal flow. A fixed guide wall 724 which is one wall portion for forming an upper passage 810 for introducing the inserted medal and a curved passage 820 for changing the passing direction of the medal is provided. The upper passage 810 and the curved passage 820 are a part of the medal passage 800. In the upper passage 810, the medals pass almost vertically, and in the curved passage 820, the medals pass almost horizontally.

  In addition, a medal insertion sensor 320 (hereinafter simply referred to as a sensor 320) for detecting a passing medal is provided between the mounting portion 723 and the right second side plate portion 7222 which is the other side plate portion 722. It is. The second side plate portion 7222 on the downstream side is provided with a medal outlet 725 for sending medals to the medal tank 181 of the hopper 180. That is, the medal outlet 725 is located at the most downstream portion of the medal inclined passage 830. The medal outlet 725 communicates with a medal transport rod 711 for sending medals to the hopper tank 181 (see FIG. 8).

  The medal insertion sensor 320 is detachably attached to a sensor attachment portion 320a formed in a window frame shape at the opening of the selector base substrate portion 721. 9 and 10, the front cover 730 and the sensor 320 are removed.

  On the other hand, a second dropout portion 920, which will be described later, faces the medal outlet 725 opened in the second side plate portion 7222 so as to drop the medal here. In addition, this 2nd drop-off part may be called the blocker 920.

  On the wall surface of the fixed guide wall 724 that is located upstream of the mounting portion 723 and forms the upper passage 810 and the curved passage 820, a protrusion 726 for reducing contact resistance with the medal is provided. The number and shape of the protrusions 726 may be formed in any way as long as the contact area with the medal is reduced so as not to prevent the medal from rolling.

  On the other hand, a side guide unit 730 (to be described later) that forms the upper passage 810 facing the wall surface of the selector main unit 720, that is, a wall surface of the front cover 730, has a plurality of protrusions in the same manner as the wall surface of the fixed guide wall 724. 736 is provided (see FIG. 11A). The protrusion 736 on the side guide unit 730 may be provided as appropriate so that medals can pass smoothly and speedily.

  On the back side of the selector base (substrate portion 721) constituting the selector body unit 720, for example, as shown in FIG. 04 (b), a blocker solenoid 931 and a pull plate 932 constituting driving means described later are arranged. The selector base is formed with a sensor mounting portion 320a for mounting the medal insertion sensor 320 described above. The detection signal of the medal insertion sensor 320 is sent to the main control unit 300 which is a control device via a sensor harness.

  The selector body unit 720 is formed with a medal inclination passage 830 that is a part of the medal passage 800 and is connected to the downstream side of the curved passage 820 described above. That is, an inclined passage 830 having an inclined bottom portion inclined downward toward the medal outlet 725 of the downstream side plate portion 7222 is formed at a substantially middle position of the base plate portion 721 of the selector base. And the bottom part of this inclination channel | path 830 has a medal passage surface which the periphery of a medal contacts.

  The inclined passage 830 is configured to select and discharge medals having a diameter smaller than that of regular medals. Therefore, this medal selector 170 is provided with a locking portion (not shown) for locking the upper edge portion of this medal when the medal that tilts and rolls is a medal having a regular diameter. In the case of a small medal whose diameter is less than a prescribed diameter, the medal is configured to fall and be ejected without being locked to the locking portion.

  Note that a wedge-shaped guide portion 731 is provided in the side surface guide unit 730 so that the small-diameter medal can be surely discharged when the small-diameter medal continues to advance (FIG. 13). Therefore, when a small medal that has progressed hits the guide portion 731, the medal traveling direction is changed, so that the medal is surely dropped.

  The inclined passage 830 communicating with the curved passage 820 has a bottom inclined downward toward the medal outlet 725 so that the medal flows down while rolling. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the inclined passage 830 is formed, for example, in a V shape so as to support the medal.

  Therefore, the inclined passage 830 supports the medal by contacting the bottom of the V-shaped cross section with the corner of the medal. Therefore, the contact resistance between the medal and the bottom surface of the inclined passage 830 is small. In addition, in order to discharge the small-diameter medals described above, the section where the medals are tilted has a flat bottom surface. This is a consideration for facilitating the defeat of medals and reliably discharging small medals.

  And although the inclined channel | path 830 in this Example has the bottom face to which the upstream part was fixed, it becomes a movable bottom face from the middle. The movable bottom surface constitutes drop-off means provided for dropping off the medal. Note that the entire length of the inclined passage 830 can be a movable bottom surface.

  The dropout means includes a first dropout portion 910 provided to drop the medal on the upstream side of the position where the medal insertion sensor 320 detects the medal in the inclined passage 830, and the medal insertion sensor 320 includes the medal. And a second dropout portion 920 provided so as to drop the medal on the downstream side of the position where the medal is detected in the inclined passage 830.

  The movable bottom surface is positioned below the medal insertion sensor 320. When the bottom surface moves, the medal falls, so that the movable bottom surface constitutes the first dropout portion 910. The first dropout part 910 is for dropping a medal from the medal passage 800, and hence may be referred to as a dropper 910 hereinafter.

  The outline of the first drop-off portion 910, that is, the dropper 910 is configured such that a medal is dropped by a blocker solenoid 931 constituting the drive means. That is, the dropper 910 shown in FIG. 12 includes a main body portion 912 extending from a bottom portion 911 formed in a V shape having a cross-sectional shape opened at about 90 degrees so as to support a rolling medal from below. Yes. Further, a cam portion 913 is provided at the upstream end portion of the main body portion 912 so as to link with the blocker solenoid 931. On the other hand, an interlocking portion 914 for interlocking with a blocker 920 as a second dropout portion 920 described later is formed at the downstream end of the main body portion 912.

  The dropper 910 is a member that is rotatably attached to the selector base. The dropper 910 includes a support plate 943 having a shaft hole 942 for receiving a shaft pin 941 serving as a rotation shaft. In preparation. These support plates 943 are paired on the upstream side and the downstream side, and a shaft hole 942 is also formed in the cam piece 914a forming the interlocking portion 914 on the downstream side.

  The shaft pins 941 are inserted into the plurality of shaft holes 942 in series, both ends are sealed by fastening members 944 such as an E ring, and the dropper 910 is pivotally attached to the selector base. A bottom portion 911 formed in the main body portion 912 is configured to be able to appear and disappear in the medal passage 800 from an opening window portion opened in the selector base substrate portion 721.

  The cam portion 913 is one part of the blocker 920 that abuts on the tip end portion 932a of the pull plate 932 of the blocker solenoid 931, which will be described later, and includes a cam surface formed in a desired curved shape as shown in FIG. ing.

  The side guide unit 730 including the removal guide wall 734 that forms the upper passage 810 and the curved passage 820 opposite to the fixed guide wall 724, that is, the front cover 730 is attached to and detached from the selector base substrate portion 721. It is a rotatable member. Therefore, the front cover 730 is mounted on the mounting portion 723 with a plate spring 750 having a substantially S-shaped cross section (FIG. 13).

  For this reason, the front cover 730 can rotate with the upper edge portion fitted to the plate spring 750 as a fulcrum, and normally, the front cover 730 is attached to the fixed guide wall 724 by the bias of the plate spring 750. An upper passage 810 and a curved passage 820 are formed while maintaining a predetermined distance from the outer guide wall 734.

  On the other hand, when the front cover 730 is rotated against the bias of the leaf spring 750, for example, when the medal return button 133 is operated and a predetermined portion is pressed by a not-shown pressing rod, the front cover 730 is rotated. To do. Then, a space between the fixed guide wall 724 and the removal guide wall 734 is opened, and medals in the upper passage 810 and the curved passage 820 are discharged to the medal tray 156.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the downstream side edge of the front cover 730 is cut out into a semicircular shape corresponding to the outer shape of the medal. That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 6 (b), when this notch 732 is present in the portion where the curved passage 820 is switched to the inclined passage 830, the point of the medal reaches the end of the curved passage 820. There is no member covering the entire side of the medal. For this reason, when the rear end of the medal passes through the end of the curved passage 820 as in the prior art, the side guide unit 730 does not support the medal. When the end of 820 is reached, the medals in the passage can be discharged. In other words, the passage of the curved passage 820 is surely guided, and more areas where small medals can be discharged are secured.

  Therefore, if the side guide unit 730 is provided in the cutout portion 732 having such a shape, that is, a discharge portion, a small-diameter medal can be discharged quickly. The medals supported by the fixed guide wall 724 and the removal guide wall 734 are configured to pass through the passage in a tilted state.

  The blocker solenoid 931 is provided with a pull plate 932 that is attracted when energized. That is, the pull plate 932 is pivotally attached at one end and is biased in a direction away from the blocker solenoid 931 by a coil spring 933 as biasing means. In other words, the pull plate 932 and the blocker solenoid 931 are separated from each other in a normal state where no current is supplied. However, when the blocker solenoid 931 is energized, the pull plate 932 is attracted by electromagnetic action, and the pull plate 932 is connected to the blocker solenoid 931. Approach 931.

  At this time, the tip end portion 932a of the pull plate 932 acts on the cam portion 913 of the dropper 910 to rotate the dropper 910. That is, the dropper 910 is rotated to a position where the medal can pass. In other words, if the blocker solenoid 931 is not energized, the medal cannot pass through the inclined passage 830 formed by the dropper 910.

  That is, the cam portion 913 of the dropper 910 has a predetermined cam surface corresponding to the pull plate 932, and the tip portion 932a of the pull plate 932 contacts the cam surface, so that the dropper 910 is rotated to a predetermined position. Move.

  The dropper 910 is movable between a first position that performs the function of dropping the medal and a second position that does not perform the function of dropping the medal, in other words, a second position through which the medal can pass. .

  Specifically, when the process of prohibiting the reception of medals is being performed, when the blocker solenoid 931 is not energized, the dropper 910 is in the first position. This is because the pressure by the pull plate 932 is not applied to the cam portion 913, and the blocker 920 constituting the second dropout portion 920 to be described later comes into contact with the cam piece 914a of the interlocking portion 914, and the cam piece This is because 914a is pressed downward to rotate.

  The blocker 920 is a member that closes the medal outlet 725 and is formed as shown in FIG. 14, for example, and constitutes a second dropout portion 920 that drops the medal from the inclined passage 830. That is, the blocker 920 is slidable in the vertical direction at the medal outlet 725, and at the third position where the blocker 920 is lowered, the medal rolling on the medal passage 800 enters the obstacle 920 a protruding from the blocker 920. Due to the collision, the medal exit 725 cannot be exited and falls off the inclined passage 830. Of course, you may make it provide the structure which collides with the blocker 920 itself, without providing the obstruction part 920a.

  On the other hand, in the fourth position where the blocker 920 is raised, the medal rolling on the inclined passage 830 passes through the opened medal outlet 725 and does not collide with the obstacle 920a, and goes toward the medal transport rod 711.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the blocker 920 has a coil spring 922 wound around a columnar spring mounting portion 921 provided at the upper end portion, and biases the blocker 920 downward. Therefore, in a state where the blocker solenoid 931 is not energized, the blocker 920 is lowered and faces the obstacle 920 a in the vicinity of the medal outlet 725. This is the third position where the blocker 920 drops off the medal.

  On the other hand, when the process for permitting the reception of medals is performed, when the blocker solenoid 931 is energized, the pull plate 932 is sucked and the dropper 910 described above is rotated. At this time, since the lower end 923 of the blocker 920 that is in contact with the cam piece 914a of the dropper 910 is pushed up by the cam piece 914a, the blocker 920 rises to open the medal outlet 725. In other words, the blocker 920 moves to the fourth position where the blocker 920 does not function and drops the medal.

  Locking claws 924 are alternately provided at appropriate positions of the blocker 920. These locking claws 924 are locked at predetermined positions of the selector base, thereby restricting the moving direction of the blocker 920. , Preventing falling out.

  Next, the passing and dropping of medals by the dropper 910 and the blocker 920 will be described. When the blocker solenoid 931 is not energized, for example, when the slot machine is not connected to an outlet or when the medal reception is prohibited, as shown in FIGS. 15B and 15D, A dropper 910 that is the first dropout portion 910 is in the first position, and a blocker 920 that is the second dropout portion 920 is in the third position.

  In this state, medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 134 reach the inclined passage 830 from the upper passage 810 through the curved passage 820. However, since the dropper 910 forming the inclined passage 830 is in the first position, the medal is dropped from the inclined passage 830 because the bottom of the passage is in a state of being pulled out. Even if a medal that jumps out of the curved path 820 reaches the end of the inclined path 830, the blocker 920 blocks the medal outlet 725, so that the obstacle 920a is actually near the medal outlet 725. Since it is facing, the medal does not enter the medal transport rod 711 through the medal exit 725.

  By the way, when the player has inserted a medal into the medal insertion slot 134 and the number of credits of the medal reaches a specified number (for example, when it reaches 53 as described above), no more medals. The insertion will be canceled and the extra medals will be returned.

  On the other hand, when the blocker solenoid 931 is energized, the dropper 910 is in the second position and the blocker 920 is in the fourth position, so that the insertion of a medal is accepted. The medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 134 in this state reaches the inclined passage 830 through the upper passage 810 and the curved passage 820. In the inclined passage 830, since the dropper 910 is in the second position, the medal rolls on the upper surface of the dropper 910 and reaches the medal outlet 725 without dropping. At the medal exit 725, since the blocker 920 is raised and is in the fourth position, the medal exit 725 is open.

  Therefore, the medal that has reached the medal outlet 725 passes through the medal outlet 725, moves to the medal transport rod 711, is transferred to the medal tank 181 of the hopper 180 by the medal transport rod 711, and is stored in the medal tank 181.

  By the way, even when a medal is being inserted, the blocker solenoid 931 may not be energized. Start when the number of inserted medals exceeds the maximum number of bets set for the current game (for example, 3) but does not reach the maximum number of medals that can be credited (for example, 50) This is when the lever 135 is operated. Therefore, when the blocker solenoid 931 is not energized, the dropper 910 is immediately rotated to move to the first position, and the medal in the inclined passage 830 should be immediately dropped.

  However, in the conventional medal selector, since the sensor detects the medal and determines that this medal is the last medal of the credit, the energization to the solenoid is stopped, so the blocker drops the medal. There is a time lag.

  For this reason, the medal in the middle of the passage reaches the medal outlet, passes through the medal outlet, and is stored in the medal tank from the transport basket. However, since it is not counted as a credit, it becomes a useless medal consumed meaninglessly for the player.

  Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the dropper 910 and the blocker 920 configured as described above are arranged before and after the medal insertion sensor 320. For this reason, when the blocker solenoid 931 is de-energized as described above, the dropper 910 is immediately rotated to drop the medal, and even if there is a medal that reaches the medal outlet 725, this medal is removed. It is possible to drop off without going out from the medal exit 725.

  Therefore, for example, even if the state changes to a state in which the insertion of medals is prohibited, such as when the credit is full, the inserted medals are returned to the player without being wasted. Note that the dropped medal naturally falls downward and moves to the medal tray 156 via the medal transport rod 711.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the medal that is in contact with the end surface 831 of the fixed-side passage corresponding to the downstream end of the dropper 910 in the vicinity of the downstream end of the inclined passage 830 is opposed to the medal advancing direction. It is inclined so as not to go to 725. For this reason, the medal dropped from the dropper 910 collides with the inclined lower end surface 831 and the course direction is changed, so that it is surely dropped. Therefore, the medal bounces and does not jump into the medal outlet 725, and the medal can be surely dropped.

  When the dropper 910 is in the second position and the medal can pass therethrough, an opening window portion in which a bottom portion 911 formed in a V shape is opened in the selector base substrate portion 721 as shown in FIG. Projecting to the passage side. On the other hand, when the dropper 910 is in the first position, as shown in FIG. 16D, the bottom portion 911 of the dropper 910 moves backward to the back side of the selector base substrate portion 721, and the medal path disappears.

  FIG. 17 is a front view of the medal selector 170 with the front cover 730, that is, the side guide unit 730 removed. The medal selector 170 also selects medals larger than the standard. That is, if the width of the medal slot 134 is slightly larger than the diameter of a regular medal, for example, 25 mm, it is not possible to insert a medal with a diameter of 30 mm having a different standard. On the other hand, in the case of a medal having a diameter smaller than that of a regular medal, when the medal passage 800 rolls, the medal is formed to fall down and be discharged. The medals that have not been discharged are surely discharged by the guide portion 731 provided in the side guide unit 730 as described above.

  FIG. 18 is a front view of the medal selector 170 in a state where the inserted medal is dropped and the side guide unit 730 is removed. Further, FIG. 18 shows a state where the dropper 910 which is the first dropout portion 910 is rotated and is in the first position. Therefore, the medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 134 reaches the inclined passage 830 through the upper passage 810 and the curved passage 820, but the dropper 910 does not support the medal in the inclined passage 830 and falls downward.

  FIG. 19 is a front view of the medal selector 170 showing a case where medals are not completely dropped by only turning the dropper 910. The side guide unit 730 is removed. If a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 134 passes through the medal passage 800 or bounces in the middle of the passage, there is a possibility that the dropper 910 alone cannot be removed. Therefore, in the illustrated medal selector 170, the blocker 920 faces the medal outlet 725. That is, the blocker 920 prevents the medal from entering the medal exit 725. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 19, even if the medal bounces and reaches the medal outlet 725, the medal collides with the obstacle 920a of the blocker 920 and bounces down and falls downward. Become.

  FIG. 20 is a side view showing another shape of the dropper 910. In this embodiment, the bottom 911 of the dropper 910, in other words, the cross section of the support surface T of the medal M is formed in an arc shape in FIG. When the bearing surface T is formed in an arc shape in this way, the bearing surface T is formed by a straight line S when the medal is going to move in the direction of increasing the inclination of the bearing surface T as shown in FIG. In this case, the angle of inclination is constant from the center of the bearing surface T toward the left and right edges, whereas when the bearing surface T is formed in an arc shape, it corresponds to the movement of the bearing surface T from the center to the left and right edges. The inclination angle increases. In other words, there is an effect of suppressing the lateral movement of the rolling medal with respect to the traveling direction, and the medal passes stably through the bottom 911 of the dropper 910.

  The bearing surface T may have another shape as long as the inclination angle near the upper end is large. For example, as shown in FIG. 20 (c), the shape in which the curvature continuously changes. The so-called reel shape may be used. Further, as shown in FIG. 20 (d), for example, the bearing surface T can be formed by step inclined bottom surfaces t1 and t1 that intersect each other at an obtuse angle and the inclination angle increases in the middle of the inclined surface.

  By the way, when the medal M has been used for many years, the corners wear. In the medal in which the corner R is worn, the distance between the contact point with the bearing surface T is narrowed, and further, the thickness of the medal M is also thinned. Therefore, the worn medal M enters the bottom of the bearing surface T. The selection of small medals uses the fact that the upper edge portion of the medal M falls over during rolling without being locked to a locking portion (not shown). By entering the bottom of T, there is a possibility that even a medal M that is allowed to pass and that has been worn out and thinned may be discharged.

  Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 21A, the bottom surface portion of the bearing surface T is slightly raised. A convex portion T2 is formed as a convex bearing surface T ′ so that the outer peripheral surface m of the medal M is also in contact with the bottom surface. According to such a bearing surface T ′, even if the medal M has a worn corner R, the medal M does not pass through the bottom of the bearing surface T, so the worn medal M is surely eliminated. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, as described above, the convex portions T2 provided on the bearing surface T may be provided in two strips as shown in FIG. 21B, and a plurality of convex portions T2 may be further provided.

  By the way, when the sensor 320 detects a dropped medal, for example, a disadvantage may occur such as counting medals that have not been captured. For example, when a plurality of sensors 320 are provided in the inclined passage 830 and only one of the sensors 320 detects the passage of the medal M, it may be determined as a passing error. Therefore, in the embodiment of the blocker 920 shown in FIG. 22, in order to drop the medal before the medal acts on the sensor 320, the preceding abutting portion that abuts on the medal on the upstream side of the detection unit 320 b of the sensor 320. 925 is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 22A, the preceding abutting portion 925 is a portion extending in a generally U-shape so as to avoid the sensor 320 from the blocker 920. More specifically, the sensor 320 is a transmissive photosensor, and the two sensors 320 are arranged so that the medal M passes between the light emitting sensor and the light receiving sensor in the inclined passage 830. A leading contact portion 925 extending from the blocker 920 is formed between the light emitting sensor and the light receiving sensor in the vicinity of the upstream side of the sensor 320 disposed on the upstream side of the inclined passage 830 of the two sensors 320. The medal M is disposed so as to be movable between a position where the medal M can enter the gap and a position where the medal M cannot enter.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22B, when the blocker 920 is in the raised position, the medal M acts on the sensor 320 and flows out from the medal outlet 725 to a medal transport rod 711 (not shown).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22C, when the blocker 920 is in the lowered position, the blocker 920 not only closes the medal outlet 725 but also the preceding contact portion 925 formed integrally with the blocker 920. And the preceding contact portion 925 is positioned upstream of the detection portion 320b of the sensor 320.

  For this reason, the medal M that has rolled in the inclined passage 830 contacts the tip of the preceding contact portion 925, changes its course, and falls off without being detected by the sensor 320. Therefore, according to the blocker 920 provided with such a preceding contact portion 925, the frequency of occurrence of errors can be reduced, and the chances of having to interrupt the game can be reduced.

  Further, in another embodiment of the blocker 920 shown in FIG. 23, the preceding contact portion 925 is positioned in the detection gap 320c provided in the sensor 320, that is, the gap through which the medal passes. That is, the preceding contact portion 925 is configured to move up and down within the detection gap 320c of the sensor 320, and when the blocker 920 is raised, the preceding contact portion 925 and the medal are not in contact with each other, and the sensor 320 The medal passing through the detection gap 320c can be detected by the detection unit 320b.

  On the other hand, when the blocker 920 is lowered, the preceding contact portion 925 is also lowered in the detection gap 320c of the sensor 320, and the preceding contact portion 925 closes the detection gap 320c of the sensor 320. For this reason, the medals that flow down come into contact with the preceding contact portion 925, change the flow direction, and drop off. Further, although the preceding contact portion 925 hides the detection portion 320b of the sensor 320, no medal is detected by the sensor 320. It should be noted that when the preceding contact portion 925 is lowered, the sensor 320 is set to be invalid so that the sensor 320 does not detect the preceding contact portion 925.

  By the way, the side guide unit 730 can be attached and detached very easily as described above. That is, the side guide unit 730 is detachably attached and pivotable by a leaf spring 750 attached to the base unit, and is configured to be detached when the side guide unit 730 is pulled downward (see FIG. 13 and FIG. 13). FIG. 24 (a)).

  In addition, in the embodiment of the side guide unit 730 shown in FIG. 24B, a knob 735 serving as a clue is provided in a projecting manner when attaching and detaching. In addition, the knob 735 displays a note of work, for example, “Please pull down”.

  For this reason, even an inexperienced worker can easily and reliably attach and detach the side guide unit 730. If the side guide unit 730 is removed, the cleaning work becomes easier, and more reliable cleaning work and maintenance work can be performed.

  The present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately implemented without changing the configuration described in the claims. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the medal selector for selecting medals to be used in the slot machine has been described. However, this medal can be applied not only to the slot machine but also to medals used in a game center or the like. . Note that medals in this specification include not only pseudo coins used for slot machines, game machines, and the like, but also coins (coins).

It is a perspective view of the slot machine which is an example of a game stand. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a main control unit of the slot machine. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a sub-control unit of the slot machine. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the main process by the main control part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slot machine with a front door opened. It is a front view of a medal selector. (A) is the perspective view which looked at the medal selector from the front or the right side, and (b) is the perspective view which looked from the left side similarly. It is a disassembled perspective view of a medal selector. (A) is a front view of the medal selector with the side guide unit removed, and (b) is a rear view of the medal selector. The medal selector with the side guide unit removed is shown, (a) is a perspective view as seen from the front or right side, and (b) is a perspective view as seen from the left side. (A) is a top view of a medal selector, (b) is a front view, (c) is a BB line sectional view in (b). The dropper which comprises the 1st drop-off part is shown, (a) is a side view seen from the downstream side, (b) is a side view seen from the upstream side, (c) is a perspective view seen from the front side, (d) Is a perspective view seen from the back side, (e) is a plan view, and (f) is a bottom view. The attachment method of a side guide unit is shown, (a) is a perspective view which attaches a leaf | plate spring, (b) is a perspective view which attaches a side guide unit. The blocker which comprises a 2nd drop-off part is shown, (a) is the perspective view seen from the front side, (b) is the perspective view seen from the back side, (c) is a front view, (d) is a rear view. . It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a 1st drop-off part and a 2nd drop-off part, Comprising: (a) And (b) is the side view seen from the upstream, (c) And (d) is the side view seen from the downstream. . FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first dropout unit, in which (a) and (b) show a second state where the medal is not dropped, and (c) and (d) show a function of dropping the medal. One state is shown respectively. It is a front view of a medal selector which shows the state where a medal passes. It is a front view of a medal selector which shows the state where a medal falls off at the 1st dropout part. It is a front view of a medal selector which shows the state where a medal drops off at the 2nd dropout part. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the other Example of the bottom part of a 1st drop-off part. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows other Example of the bottom part of a 1st drop-off part. The other example of a 2nd drop-off part is shown, (a) is a perspective view of a blocker, (b) is an operation explanatory view in the case of letting a medal pass, and (c) is an operation explanatory view in the case of dropping a medal. . The other example of a 2nd drop-off part is shown, (a) is a perspective view of the blocker in the position which can pass a medal, and (b) is a perspective view of the blocker in the position which drops a medal. It is a perspective view which shows the other Example of a side surface guide unit.

Explanation of symbols

100 slot machine 101 cabinet 102 front door 110 left reel 111 middle reel 112 right reel 130 medal insertion button 131 medal insertion button 132 checkout button 133 medal return button 134 medal insertion port 135 start lever 137-139 stop button 155 medal payout exit 156 medal Receptacle 157 Liquid crystal display device 180 Medal payout device 181 Medal tank 190 Production device 300 Main control unit 400 Sub control unit 710 Mounting substrate 711 Medal transport rod 720 Selector main unit 721 Substrate unit 722 Side plate unit 723 Mounting unit 724 Fixed guide wall 725 Medal exit 726 Projection 730 Side guide unit 731 Guide part 732 Notch part 734 Removal guide wall 735 Knob 736 Projection 740 Medal drop cover 750 Leaf spring 800 Medal passage 810 Upper passage 820 Curved passage 830 Inclined passage 831 Inclined lower end surface 910 First dropout portion 911 Bottom portion 912 Main body portion 913 Cam portion 914 Interlocking portion 920 Second dropout portion 921 Spring mounting portion 922 Coil spring 923 Lower end 924 Stopper 925 Pre-contact part 931 Blocker solenoid 932 Pull plate 933 Coil spring 941 Shaft pin 942 Shaft hole 943 Support plate 944 Fastening member

Claims (8)

A medal selector comprising detection means for detecting a medal passing through the medal inclination passage, and dropout means for dropping the medal passing through the medal inclination passage from the medal inclination passage,
The drop-off means includes a first drop-out portion provided so as to drop the medal on the upstream side from the position where the detection means detects the medal in the medal inclination passage, and the detection means in the medal inclination passage. A medal selector comprising: a second drop-off portion provided so as to drop the medal on the downstream side of the position where the medals are detected. The medal selector according to claim 1,
The drop-off means includes drive means for driving the first drop-off part and the second drop-off part,
The medal selector, wherein the driving means is composed of a single driving unit that drives both the first drop-off part and the second drop-off part. The medal selector according to claim 1 or 2,
The first dropout part is configured to be movable between a first position that functions to drop a medal from the medal inclination passage and a second position that does not fulfill the function of dropping a medal from the medal inclination passage. ,
The second drop-off portion is configured to be movable between a third position that functions to drop a medal from the medal inclined passage and a fourth position that does not fulfill the function of dropping a medal from the medal inclined passage. ,
The drive means is an electrical drive unit, and when the electrical drive unit is energized to perform a drive function, the first drop-off portion is moved to the second position and the second drop-off portion Is moved to the fourth position, and when the electric drive unit is not energized and does not perform a drive function, the first dropout unit is moved to the first position, and the second dropout unit is moved to the third position. A medal selector characterized by being configured to be moved to The medal selector according to claim 3,
The first drop-off portion is in the first position when the electrical drive unit is not energized and does not perform a drive function, and is in the second position when the electrical drive unit is energized and performs a drive function. Configured to move,
The second drop-off portion is urged to move to the third position by the urging means, and is in the third position when the electric drive portion is not energized and does not perform a drive function, The medal selector is configured to be moved to the fourth position by the first dropout portion that moves from the first position to the second position when the target drive portion is energized to perform the drive function. . The medal selector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A medal outlet for deriving medals to the medal payout device is provided at the most downstream part of the medal inclined passage,
The medal selector, wherein the second dropout unit is configured to move to the third position and close the medal outlet. The medal selector according to claim 4 or 5,
The medal selector, wherein the first drop-off portion forms at least a part of the medal inclined passage and is configured to pass a medal when the medal is in the second position. The medal selector according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The medal selector, wherein the first dropout part and the second dropout part are configured to drop a medal below the medal inclined passage. A game table comprising the medal selector according to any one of claims 1 to 7.