JP2009285500A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of removing causes of trouble by taking measures to prevent mingling of foreign objects such as tokens in a ball storage tray. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine has an opening 32 which communicates with a ball discharge hole 13 when an opening/closing member 21 is in the opened position. A barrier 38 for preventing mingling of foreign objects coming from a gap between the ball discharge hole 13 and the opening 32 is disposed in the periphery of the opening 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention comprises a tray in which a ball hole for storing the game ball and extracting the game ball on the bottom surface portion is formed, and an opening and closing device disposed on the lower side of the tray to open and close the ball hole, The opening / closing device is provided with a ball storage tray having an opening / closing member arranged below the bottom surface of the tray and capable of opening / closing the ball punching hole, and biasing means for biasing the opening / closing member in the closing direction. Related to gaming machines.

  Conventionally, as a ball storage tray in this type of gaming machine, a circular hole has been formed on the bottom wall of the ball storage tray and beside the ball hole, and the circular hole is a closed position where the opening / closing member closes the ball hole. The game ball in the ball storage tray is opened so that the game ball in the ball storage tray is closed so that it does not fall in, and the opening and closing member is slid to a position to open the ball release hole. There is known a ball storage dish in which the opening and closing member is stopped and held at a position where the ball extraction hole is opened via a game ball falling into the circular hole (for example, (See Patent Document 1).

  In addition, when the opening / closing member of the ball storage tray is in an open state, it is provided with a locking means corresponding to the position of the engaged portion provided on the opening / closing member, and the locking means is always engaged by a spring force or its own weight. While moving away from the position of the joint portion, when the ball box is made to face below the ball hole, the locking means is pressed by the ball box to enable engagement with the engaged portion of the opening and closing member, and opening and closing There is also known a ball storage dish in which a member can be maintained in an open state (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 2957379 Japanese Patent No. 2640833

  However, in any of the ball storage dishes described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 as described above, no measures have been taken to prevent foreign matters such as coins from entering the ball removal mechanism. There was also a risk of failure.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the problems of the prior art as described above, and a gaming machine capable of removing the cause of failure by taking measures to prevent foreign matters such as coins from being collected in the ball storage dish. The purpose is to provide.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the above-described object resides in the invention of the following section.
[1] A tray (11) having a ball hole (13) in which a game ball is stored and a game ball is extracted from the bottom surface portion (12), and a ball tray (11) disposed below the tray (11). An opening / closing device (20) for opening and closing the hole (13), and the opening / closing device (20) is arranged below the bottom surface portion (12) of the tray (11) and can open and close the hole (13). In a gaming machine (1) provided with a ball storage tray (10) having a movable opening / closing member (21) and a biasing means (40) for biasing the opening / closing member (21) in the closing direction,
An opening (32) communicating with the ball hole (13) when the open / close member (21) is in the open position;
A gaming machine characterized in that a barrier portion (38) is provided around the opening (32) to prevent foreign matter from entering through the gap between the ball hole (13) and the opening (32). .

The present invention operates as follows.
According to the ball storage tray (10) of the gaming machine (1) described in [1], the game balls stored in the tray (11) can be extracted by the opening / closing member (21) of the opening / closing device (20). The ball punching hole (13) in the bottom surface (12) of the tray (11) that is normally closed may be opened against the urging force of the urging means (40).

  An opening (32) communicating with the ball hole (13) when the opening / closing member (21) is in the open position is formed, and a ball hole (13) is formed around the opening (32). Since the barrier portion (38) for preventing foreign matter from entering from the gap with the opening portion (32) is provided, when the opening and closing member (21) is in the open position, the ball hole (13) and the opening portion (32) Even if a foreign substance such as a coin is to be mixed through the gap, the foreign substance such as a coin can be prevented from entering the ball storage dish (10) because it comes into contact with the barrier portion (38).

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to remove the cause of failure by taking measures to prevent foreign matters such as coins from being mixed in the ball storage tray.

It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the ball | bowl storage tray which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the game machine equipped with the ball | bowl storage tray which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles the ball | bowl storage tray which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows it from another angle. In the ball storage tray concerning an embodiment of the invention, it is a perspective view explaining the state where an opening-and-closing member moves from a closed position to an open position. In the ball storage tray concerning an embodiment of the invention, it is a top view explaining the state where an opening-and-closing member moves from a closed position to an open position. In the opening / closing apparatus of the ball | bowl storage tray which concerns on embodiment of this invention, it is a back view explaining the state which an opening / closing member moves from a closed position to an open position. In the ball storage tray concerning an embodiment of the invention, it is a longitudinal section explaining the state where an opening-and-closing member moves from a closed position to an open position. In the sphere storage tray concerning an embodiment of the invention, it is an operation explanatory view showing signs that foreign materials, such as a coin, cannot enter from a crevice between a ball extraction hole and an opening by a barrier part in a storage member. In the opening / closing device of the ball storage tray according to the embodiment of the present invention, the barrier portion of the opening / closing member is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state in which foreign matter such as coins cannot enter from the gap between the back surface side of the opening / closing member and the opening. is there. It is a longitudinal section showing a gaming machine island including a gaming machine equipped with a ball storage tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment that represents the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
1 to 10 show a gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a ball storage tray 10 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of a gaming machine 1 equipped with the ball storage tray 10, and FIG. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles the dish 10 and shows from another angle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ball storage tray 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as a lower tray 11 disposed in the lower front portion of the gaming machine 1. Here, the gaming machine 1 includes a game board 2 that forms a game area in which various winning holes and the like for moving the launched game ball and advancing the game are arranged, and a glass plate 3 that covers the front side of the game area. It has a glass frame 4 or the like that is fixed and has decorative lamps, LEDs, speakers, and the like attached thereto.

  Below the glass frame 4, there are an upper tray 5 for storing game balls, a lower tray 11 for receiving game balls overflowing from the upper tray 5, and a handle 6 for a player to perform a game ball launch operation. Etc. are provided. When game balls launched by operating the handle 6 win various winning holes on the gaming area, a predetermined number of winning balls assigned to each winning hole are paid out to the upper tray 5. The ball storage tray 10 is covered with an outer cover body 7 attached to the lower front portion of the gaming machine 1 with only the opening of the lower tray 11 and a knob 25 described below exposed to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the ball storage tray 10 that forms the basis of the present invention is the lower tray (reception tray) 11 in which a ball release hole 13 for storing a game ball and extracting the game ball from the bottom surface portion 12 is formed. And an opening / closing device 20 disposed on the lower side of the lower tray 11 for opening and closing the ball punching hole 13. The opening / closing device 20 is disposed below the bottom surface portion 12 of the lower tray 11 and can open and close the ball hole 13. The opening / closing device 21 houses the opening / closing member 21 slidably in the opening / closing direction. And a coil spring which is a biasing means for biasing the opening / closing member 21 in the closing direction in the housing member 30. 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, on the lower back side of the bottom surface portion 12 of the lower tray 11, it extends in the opening / closing direction of the opening / closing member 21 (corresponding to the left-right direction in the drawing), and A guide member 14 that is guided while sliding is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, the guide member 14 is composed of ribs protruding so as to extend in a straight line parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 7, each rib-shaped guide member 14 gradually moves from the start end side (right end in the drawing) located in the closing direction of the opening / closing member 21 to the terminal end side (left end in the drawing) located in the opening direction. A rounded portion 14a that is inclined upward and is curved on the end side so as to guide the opening direction upper portion of the opening and closing member 21 in sliding contact from the upper side to the lower side is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the storage member 30 is formed in a box frame shape having an open upper surface side, and a screw for attaching to the lower back surface side of the bottom surface portion 12 of the lower tray 11 around the side surface thereof. A plurality of stoppers 31 are provided. The storage member 30 is screwed to the lower back surface side of the bottom surface portion 12 of the lower tray 11 through the screw fixing portions 31 in a state where the opening / closing member 21 is stored, and overlaps below the ball release hole 13. Is formed with an opening portion 32 that is in communication with the hole 13. Note that a pair of positioning grooves 37 for fitting the guide member 14 is provided at the upper end of the front wall in the opening direction of the storage member 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the opening / closing member 21 is housed in the housing member 30 so as to be movable in the opening / closing direction, and has an upper surface portion 21 a interposed between the ball punching hole 13 and the opening 32. Have. When the upper surface portion 21a is in the closed position shown in FIG. 4 (a), the upper surface portion 21a overlaps and closes the ball extraction hole 13 and the opening 32. When the upper surface portion 21a is in the open position shown in FIG. The hole 13 and the opening 32 are opened without overlapping.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a groove-shaped recess 22 into which one end of the coil spring 40 is fitted is formed on the lower back side of the upper surface portion 21 a in the opening direction of the opening / closing member 21. A pin portion 33 for fitting one end of the coil spring 40 is formed on the inner side of the front wall in the opening direction. The opening / closing member 21 is urged so as to be normally maintained at the closed position by the coil spring 40 that is contracted between the recess 22 and the pin portion 33.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a pair of downward projecting portions 23, 23 are provided on both sides of the lower end (lower portion) of the front wall in the opening direction of the opening / closing member 21. On the other hand, on both sides of the bottom surface in the opening direction of the storage member 30, there are provided inclined portions 34 that are guided upward at least halfway in the opening direction while the projecting portions 23 are in sliding contact with each other. Specifically, the inclined portion 34 includes an ascending inclined surface 34a that gradually inclines upward, and a descending inclined surface 34b that slightly inclines downward from its maximum height position. Further, a stepped portion 35 that is recessed substantially vertically downward is formed at the tip of the descending inclined surface 34b that is the terminal side of the inclined portion 34.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the opening / closing member 21 is moved in the opening direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 40, the protrusion 23 is guided while being in sliding contact with the inclined portion 34, and the entire opening / closing member 21 is moved. After the guide member 14 is guided along the guide member 14, the projecting portion 23 falls into and engages with the step portion 35, so that the opening / closing member 21 is held in the open position against the biasing force of the coil spring 40. Is set to

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 7, a locking portion 24 that protrudes in a downward hook shape is provided at the approximate center of the upper end of the front wall in the opening direction of the opening / closing member 21. On the other hand, at the upper end of the front wall of the storage member 30 in the opening direction, an engaged portion 36 to which the locking portion 24 can be engaged and disengaged is provided. More specifically, the engaging portion 24 has a reinforcing rib 24a formed inside the hook shape, and the engaged portion 36 avoids the reinforcing rib 24a when the engaging portion 24 is engaged. A concave groove 36b is formed at substantially the center.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the opening / closing member 21 is moved in the opening direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 40, the protrusion 23 is guided while being in sliding contact with the inclined portion 34, and the entire opening / closing member 21 is moved. After the guide is guided along the guide member 14, the engaging portion 24 is engaged with the engaged portion 36 separately from the above-described engagement between the protruding portion 23 and the stepped portion 35. The opening / closing member 21 is set to be held in the open position against the biasing force of the coil spring 40. Further, the engaged portion 36 is provided with an inclination 36a for guiding the engaging portion 24 in a direction in which the engaging portion 24 is released.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a knob 25 is provided outside the side wall in the front direction of the opening / closing member 21 so as to extend to the outside of the storage member 30 and receive an operation force from the outside. The knob 25 is disposed so as to be movable upward and downward, which is an opening / closing direction of the opening / closing member 21 and an engagement releasing direction in which the opening / closing member 21 is released from the state where the opening / closing member 21 is held at the open position. Here, the opening / closing member 21 is arranged so as to be movable to some extent in the vertical direction using the gap between the storage member 30 and the bottom surface portion 12 of the lower tray 11 while being stored in the storage member 30. By moving the opening / closing member 21 held in the open position upward through the knob 25 in the disengagement direction, the engagement between the protruding portion 23 and the stepped portion 35 and the locking portion described above are performed. 24 and the engaged portion 36 are set so as to be released in synchronization with each other.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the knob 25 is bent from the rear surface side of the operation portion 26 having a long width in the left-right direction and a thickness in the height direction, and the upper surface portion. It consists of the connection part 27 which continues to the side wall upper end edge of 21a. In the operation section 26, an inclined surface 26a inclined toward the center is formed on one end side in the closing direction, and a curved surface 26b gently curved to substantially the vicinity of the center is formed on the other end side in the opening direction. A finger contact surface 26c that is curved and recessed is formed between the curved surface 26b and the curved surface 26b. Each of the inclined surface 26a, the curved surface 26b, and the finger contact surface 26c has a shape for facilitating the finger. The operation unit 26 also has a predetermined width in the front-rear direction so that it can be easily put on with a finger when the operation unit 26 is lifted upward in the disengagement direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the protruding portion 23 rides on the maximum height position of the inclined portion 34 in the lower portion of the opening / closing member 21 (see FIG. 7B), the bottom surface of the storage member 30 is contacted. An incline 28 for reducing the overlap height is provided at the contacting portion, that is, at the lower end in the closing direction of the both side walls of the storage member 30.

  As shown in FIG. 9, foreign matter such as coins is prevented from entering the back surface side of the upper surface portion 21 a located at the opening portion 32 of the storage member 30 by the opening / closing member 21 from the gap between the back surface side and the opening portion 32. A barrier portion 29 is provided. Specifically, the barrier portion 29 is composed of a rib extending linearly in the diameter direction of the opening portion 32 and in the opening / closing direction of the opening / closing member 21. Due to the presence of the opening 32, a flat foreign substance such as a coin cannot be overlapped with the back side of the top surface 21a in the closed position, and the gap between the back side of the top surface 21a and the periphery of the opening 32 Is set not to intrude. Although not shown in the drawings, a narrow concave groove for inserting the barrier portion 29 when the opening / closing member 21 is opened / closed is formed on the periphery of the opening portion 32.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a barrier portion for preventing foreign matter from entering from the gap between the ball extraction hole 13 and the opening portion 32 around the opening portion 32 at the upper end edge (upper portion) of the storage member 30. 38 is provided. Specifically, the barrier portion 38 includes a flange-shaped barrier portion 38a further protruding on the upper end edge of the rear wall, and upper end edges of both side walls, of the upper end edge of the storage member 30 surrounding the opening 32. Furthermore, it comprises flange-shaped barrier portions 38b and 38c that are provided in a protruding manner. Due to the presence of the barrier portion 38, a flat foreign substance such as a coin cannot enter from the gap between the ball hole 13 and the opening 32 beyond the barrier portion 38 to the inside when the opening / closing member 21 is in the open position. Is set.

  Furthermore, the screwing part 31 between the barrier part 38a and the barrier part 38b, and the screwing part 31 between the barrier part 38b and the barrier part 38c are also similar to the barrier part 38, respectively. It serves as a barrier for preventing foreign matter from entering through the gap between the punched hole 13 and the opening 32.

Hereinafter, an operation of the ball storage tray 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
At normal times when no operation is performed on the knob 25 on the opening / closing member 21, the opening / closing member 21 is moved to the ball of the lower tray 11 by the urging force of the coil spring 40 as shown in FIGS. It is held in a closed position that closes the hole 13. In such a state, game balls can be stored in the lower tray 11. In order to extract the game balls stored in the lower tray 11, the ball holes 13 of the lower tray 11 closed by the opening / closing member 21 may be opened.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, a finger is put on the inclined surface 26a or finger contact surface 26c of the operation portion 26 of the knob 25, and the opening / closing member 21 is opened in the opening direction (left in the drawing). When the operation of pushing in the direction is performed, the opening / closing member 21 moves in the opening direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 40. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the protrusion 23 at the bottom of the opening / closing member 21 is guided while being in sliding contact with the inclined portion 34 on the bottom surface side of the storage member 30, and the opening / closing member 21. The whole is guided along the guide member 14 on the lower back side of the bottom surface portion 12 of the lower tray 11.

  At this time, the protrusion 23 of the opening / closing member 21 is in sliding contact with the inclined portion 34 of the storage member 30, and the upper portion of the opening / closing member 21 is in sliding contact with the guide member 14, so that the opening / closing member 21 is guided in the opening direction and the front end side is By gradually moving upward, the lower end of the locking portion 24 of the opening / closing member 21 climbs over the upper end of the engaged portion 36 of the storage member 30, and then along the rounded portion 14 a on the terminal side of the guide member 14. The front end side of the opening / closing member 21 is now guided from the upper side to the lower side to reach the open position.

  After the opening / closing member 21 is guided in the opening direction in this way, as shown in FIG. 7D, when the opening position is reached, the projecting portion 23 of the opening / closing member 21 is inclined to the storage member 30 along with the movement. The opening / closing member 21 is held in the open position against the urging force of the coil spring 40 by falling and engaging with the stepped portion 35 on the end side of 34.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7 (d), when the release position is reached, the engaging portion 24 in the opening / closing member 21 is separated from the housing member 30 in addition to the engagement between the protruding portion 23 and the step portion 35 described above. By engaging with the engaged portion 36, the opening / closing member 21 is not displaced and can be reliably held in the open position. In such a state, the ball removal hole 13 of the lower tray 11 and the opening 32 of the storage member 30 communicate with each other, and the game balls stored in the lower tray 11 can be extracted. Note that the extracted game ball is introduced into the ball box 102 placed on the top plate 101 of the gaming machine island 100 in FIG.

  Thereafter, in order to close the ball punching hole 13 of the lower tray 11 again, for example, in FIG. 4C, an operation of lifting the operation portion 26 of the knob 25 upward, which is the disengagement direction, may be performed. When the opening / closing device 20 moves upward via the knob 25, the protruding portion 23 is detached upward from the step portion 35, and the locking portion 24 is also detached from the engaged portion 36 upward. In particular, since the engaged portion 36 has an inclination 36a for guiding the engaging portion 24 in the direction in which the engaging portion 24 is released, the engaging portion 24 can be released from the engaged portion 36 without requiring an excessive force. Can do.

  When the engagement relationship between the opening / closing member 21 and the storage member 30 is released in this way, the opening / closing member 21 is now guided in the closing direction by the biasing force of the coil spring 40 while the protruding portion 23 is in sliding contact with the inclined portion 34. The entire opening / closing member 21 is guided along the guide member 14 to return to the original closed position. As a result, the game ball can be stored in the lower tray 11 again.

  Moreover, according to the ball storage tray 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the protruding portion 23 rides on the maximum height position of the inclined portion 34 in the lower portion of the opening / closing member 21 (FIG. 7). (B) is provided with a slope 28 inclined in the direction opposite to the guide member 14 at the lower end in the closing direction of both side walls of the storage member 30 in contact with the bottom surface side of the storage member 30. Is moved, the opening / closing member 21 is inclined in the same direction as the inclination of the guide member 14.

  Thereby, the overlap height of the opening / closing device 20 and the storage member 30 can be reduced as much as possible, and it is not necessary to take a large space between the opening / closing member 21 and the lower tray 11 (guide member 14). A sufficient space in the height direction can be secured between the top plate 101 of the gaming machine island 100 and the lower tray 11 (ball storage tray 10). Therefore, it is possible to place the ball box 102 on the top plate 101 without difficulty.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, since the barrier portions 38a, 38b, and 38c protrude from the upper end edge (upper portion) of the storage member 30 around the opening portion 32, the opening portion 32 is in the open position. Even if it tries to mix foreign matter such as coins from the ball punching hole 13 and the opening 32 at a certain time, it can come into contact with the barrier portions 38a, 38b, and 38c to prevent foreign matters such as coins from entering the ball storage tray 10. it can. Also, the screwing part 31 between the barrier part 38a and the barrier part 38b, and the screwing part 31 between the barrier part 38b and the barrier part 38c, respectively, It plays a role in preventing foreign matter from entering through the gap between the hole 13 and the opening 32.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, by providing a barrier portion 29 for preventing foreign matter from entering from the gap between the back surface side and the opening 32 on the back surface side of the opening 32 in the opening / closing member 21. The flat foreign material such as coins cannot be overlapped with the back surface side of the upper surface portion 21a in the closed position, and the foreign material such as coins is generated from the gap between the back surface side of the upper surface portion 21a and the periphery of the opening 32. Mixing can be prevented.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention can be modified or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, as a configuration for holding the opening / closing member 21 in the closed position, the engagement relationship between the protruding portion 23 and the stepped portion 35 and the engagement between the locking portion 24 and the engaged portion 36 are provided. For example, only the engagement relationship between the protruding portion 23 and the stepped portion 35 or only the engagement relationship between the locking portion 24 and the engaged portion 36 is provided. You may comprise.

  The present invention provides a ball comprising: a tray in which a ball hole for storing the game ball and extracting the game ball on the bottom surface portion is formed; and an opening / closing device disposed below the tray to open and close the ball hole. The present invention can be particularly applied to a gaming machine provided with a storage tray.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine 2 ... Game board 3 ... Glass board 4 ... Glass frame 5 ... Upper tray 6 ... Handle 7 ... Outer cover body 10 ... Ball storage tray 11 ... Lower tray 12 ... Bottom part 13 ... Ball hole 14 ... Guide member 14a ... Earl part 20 ... Opening / closing device 21 ... Opening / closing member 21a ... Upper surface part 22 ... Recess 23 ... Protruding part 24 ... Locking part 24a ... Reinforcing rib 25 ... Knob 26 ... Operation part 26a ... Inclined surface 26b ... Curved surface 26c ... Finger-facing surface 27 ... connecting portion 28 ... tilt 29 ... barrier portion 30 ... housing member 31 ... screwing portion 32 ... opening portion 33 ... pin portion 34 ... tilted portion 35 ... stepped portion 36 ... engaged portion 36a ... tilted 36b ... Recessed groove 37 ... Positioning groove 38 ... Barrier part 40 ... Coil spring 100 ... Game machine island 101 ... Top plate 102 ... Ball box

Claims (1)

A receiving tray in which a ball hole for storing the game ball and extracting the game ball on the bottom surface portion is formed, and an opening and closing device disposed on the lower side of the tray to open and close the ball opening hole, In a gaming machine provided with a ball storage tray, comprising an opening / closing member disposed below a bottom surface portion of the tray and capable of opening and closing the ball hole, and an urging means for urging the opening / closing member in a closing direction. ,
When the opening / closing member is in the open position, an opening communicating with the ball punching hole is formed,
A gaming machine characterized in that a barrier portion for preventing foreign matter from entering through a gap between the ball hole and the opening is provided around the opening.

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