JP2010075225A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve inducing medals into a hopper smoothly and alleviating the work volume associated with game movement without too much backlog or clog of medals. <P>SOLUTION: A slot machine is provided with a casing 1b which is open in a front direction A and includes the hopper 7a that is positioned inside where injected medals that are the game media are retained and a front door 1a which covers the opening in the front direction A of the casing 1b in an openable/closable manner and is provided with a medal cast slot 2 into which medals can be injected. The medal cast slot 2 is positioned on a straight line which extends towards the front direction A from the hopper 7a and is positioned at the center of the front door 1a so that the moving range during the game operation is narrowed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine, and more particularly, to a slot machine that can smoothly discharge inserted medals to a hopper and can reduce a work amount related to a game operation by an arrangement position of a medal insertion slot.

  Generally, in a slot machine, when a player inserts a medal as a game medium from a medal slot and presses a start lever, the reel starts to rotate, and the reel stops when the player presses a stop button. Then, a deviation or a hit is determined based on the combination of stop symbols when the reels are stopped, and in the case of a predetermined combination, medals are paid out, and this is repeated as one unit to advance the game operation.

In such a slot machine, the medal slot is usually provided at a position near the player's right hand, that is, on the right side when viewed from the front side of the slot machine body. When the player performs a game operation (such as inserting a medal, pressing a start lever, pressing a stop button, etc.) as described above, the movement range related to the game operation is wide and the amount of work increases. For this reason, when a game is played for a long time, a load is applied to fingers, shoulders, arms, and the like, and the willingness to play may be reduced due to fatigue. Furthermore, such a slot machine has a problem that it is difficult for a left-handed player to perform a game operation.
For example, there is an invention described in Patent Document 1 as a technique for reducing the work amount related to such a game operation. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the medal slot has a (I type) medal slot with the longitudinal direction of the medal slot being perpendicular to the front surface of the gaming machine. You can place medals in a natural posture.

JP 2000-167108 A

In general, in a slot machine, a medal selector having a selector section for detecting a medal inserted from a medal insertion slot by a sensor and the like, a selector rail section for discharging the medal from the selector section to a hopper, and a medal conveyed from the medal selector. A hopper for storage is provided.
The medal selector is arranged according to the position of the medal insertion slot, and since the positional relationship between this position and the hopper arranged inside the slot machine is far, the transfer direction is changed by about 90 ° using the selector rail portion. The medal had to be guided to the hopper. Therefore, when the selector rail part cannot be used due to failure, damage, etc., it is difficult to carry out the inserted medals to the hopper, and stagnation or clogging of medals occurs at the part where the transfer direction is changed. there were. In addition, the selector rail is long, and a lot of space is used in the housing.
Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since a medal slot having a longitudinal I shape is only formed in a conventional gaming machine, there are a wide range of start levers, stop buttons, and the like that are operating means related to gaming operations. Scattered. For this reason, the range of movement during the operation is widened, which increases the amount of work related to the game operation, which is not sufficient for the purpose of reducing the amount of work.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the problems of the conventional techniques as described above. The medal slot is arranged on a straight line from the hopper toward the front, and the medal selector is linearly formed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine capable of smoothly guiding medals from a medal slot having a long side of the opening disposed substantially parallel to the front direction to the hopper.
Furthermore, it aims at reducing the work amount which concerns on game operation | movement by arrange | positioning a medal insertion slot in the vicinity of the predetermined operation means which concerns on game operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, the slot machine of the present invention opens in the front direction, and opens and closes a case in which a hopper for storing medals serving as inserted game media is disposed, and a front direction opening of the case. A slot machine that includes a front door provided with a medal insertion slot capable of covering and allowing medal insertion, wherein the medal insertion slot is arranged on a straight line from the hopper toward the front.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a medal can be guide | induced to a hopper smoothly with few stagnation and clogging of medals. In addition, it is possible to reduce the work amount related to the game operation.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a slot machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front configuration of the slot machine according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the slot machine according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 1 includes a drum unit 4 having a plurality of reels 40 (40a to 40c), a medal payout device 7 having a hopper 7a for storing medals (game media), and a computer. And a front door 1a covering the front opening of the housing 1b so as to be openable and closable.
The front door 1a is a door body that can be freely opened and closed to a housing 1b of the slot machine 1 via a hinge or the like. The front door 1a is provided with a front panel and other parts to constitute a front portion of the slot machine 1. is doing.

A medal payout port 8 is provided at the lower part of the front door 1a, and medals are paid out from the medal payout port 8. In addition, when a medal that is not of a predetermined standard is selected by a medal selector 30 described later, this medal passes through the chute 9 provided along the back surface of the front door 1a and passes through the medal payout opening 8. Returned to the player.
At the top of the front door 1a, there are provided a display L consisting of a liquid crystal panel and a lamp, and a speaker SP for outputting sound and sound effects.

A center portion of the front door 1a is provided with a start lever 3, a stop button 5 (5a to 5c), an insertion button 10 (10a, 10b), a medal insertion slot 2, and the like.
The start lever 3 is game start means for starting rotation of the three reels 40. Further, when the start lever 3 is pressed by a player's operation, a start signal is output to the control unit 50, and the reels 40a to 40c inside the main body are rotated simultaneously or sequentially.

The stop button 5 is a stopping means for stopping the rotating reel 40. The left stop button 5a, the middle stop button 5b, and the right stop button 5c provided corresponding to the left reel 40a, the middle reel 40b, and the right reel 40c are provided. It is provided. When each stop button 5 is pressed at any timing of the player, a stop signal is output to the control unit 50, and rotation of each corresponding reel 4 is stopped.
Therefore, when the player operates the start lever 3 and the stop button 5, the three reels 40a to 40c are rotated and stopped so that the symbols attached to the reels 40a to 40c become a predetermined winning arrangement. You can play slot machine games that match.

  The insertion button 10 is a switch for inserting a credit medal into the game when there is an internally stored credit medal. The MAX insertion button 10a that inserts the maximum number of medals (usually three) that can be inserted into a game by one press from the credit medal, and one insertion that inserts one medal from the credit medal by one press. Button 10b is provided.

The medal slot 2 is a receiving section for medals used in games, and a game can be played according to the number of medals inserted from the medal slot 2.
The medal slot 2 is provided with a wall portion 2 b that guides the medal to the medal slot 2. The wall 2b is formed with a notch 2c in which a part of the upper center is notched. By notching a part of the wall 2b in this way, for example, when the player holds a plurality of medals and presses the medal against the wall 2b and pushes the medal, the wall 2b The movement is not hindered and the throwing operation can be performed smoothly.
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the medal slot 2 includes an opening 2a having a long side and a short side, and the long side of the opening in the opening 2a is substantially parallel to the front direction A. And at the center of the front door 1a.

In this embodiment, the medal slot 2 is arranged at the center of the front door 1a in this embodiment because a hopper 7a described later is arranged at the center of the housing 1b. This is because when the medal slot 2 is arranged, it is naturally located at the center of the front door 1a. A specific arrangement relationship between the hopper 7a and the medal slot 2 will be described later.
In addition, by arranging the medal slot 2 in the center, in the case of a general slot machine, the medal slot 2 is positioned in the vicinity of a predetermined operation means related to other game operations. For example, the predetermined operation means includes a start lever 3, a stop button 5, and a closing button 10.
As a result, for example, when the right hand player performs an operation of inserting a medal, the start lever 3 can be operated as it is with the same amount of movement by the hand on the same side. Further, even if the dominant hand is a left hand player, the above-described operation can be performed in the same manner. In this way, the movement amount related to the operation can be reduced, and the work amount in the game operation can be reduced.

The medal selector 30 of the present invention is provided on the inside of the medal insertion slot 2 inside the main body. The medal selector 30 includes a vertical portion whose upper end communicates with the medal slot 2 and an inclined portion that is inclined obliquely from the lower end of the vertical portion. Then, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 2 are rolled and guided to the hopper 7a, and medals not conforming to the predetermined standard are guided to the medal payout opening 8 and returned.
The standard of medals inserted into the slot machine 1 is determined by the slot machine 1 in terms of diameter, thickness, and the like, and the predetermined standard is a standard determined by the slot machine 1. For example, a medal having a diameter smaller than a predetermined standard is converted to a medal that does not conform to the predetermined standard by the medal selector 30 and guided to the chute 9. On the other hand, medals determined to conform to a predetermined standard are guided to the hopper 7a.
The medal guided to the hopper 7a is detected by the sensor S. Specifically, the medal selector 30 is provided with a sensor S (FIG. 4) at a downstream position. This sensor S is composed of an optical sensor, and when a medal is inserted in a game standby state or the like, the medal flowing down is detected by detecting the blockage of light, and a medal detection signal is output to the control unit 50.
The medal selector 30 is provided with a solenoid SO (FIG. 4). In a game standby state or the like, the solenoid SO is excited, and a medal inserted in this state is detected by the sensor S and then stored in the hopper 7a. On the other hand, for example, in a predetermined gaming state such as when the reel is rotating or when a re-game is won, the excitation of the solenoid SO is released and the medal flow path is switched and returned from the medal payout port 8.

The hopper 7a is disposed in the center of the housing 1b, and medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 2 are guided from the medal selector 30 and stored. Usually, it is provided at a position lower than the height of the medal slot 2, and its upper part is opened. Further, for example, when a winning combination is established in a game or when an operation for adjusting a credited medal is performed, the medal stored in the hopper 7a is sent out.
The receiving part 31 is provided in the front direction A upper part of the hopper 7a. When the front door 1a is closed, the receiving unit 31 communicates with the end of the medal selector 30 and connects the medal selector 30 and the hopper 7a in a straight line so that the medal guided from the medal selector 30 can be obtained. This is a guideway that leads to the hopper 7a. By providing this receiving part 31, the selector rail part becomes unnecessary as in the prior art, and stagnation and clogging of medals can be reduced. Further, the receiving portion 31 is provided so that the medal selector 30 does not interfere with the side surface of the receiving portion 31 when the front door 1a is opened and closed.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the medal flow path of the slot machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a right side view in which the internal structure of the slot machine according to the present embodiment is partially cut away, and FIG.

First, the flow of medals in the medal flow path of the slot machine according to the present embodiment will be described.
When starting a game, the player inserts a medal from the medal slot 2. Then, the medals that have passed through the medal slot 2 are guided to the medal selector 30 and selected to meet a predetermined standard. If it is appropriate, the medal is guided to the hopper 7a via the receiving portion 31 by an excited solenoid. On the other hand, in a predetermined gaming state such as when the reel is rotating and when a re-game is won, the solenoid is de-energized and the medal flows down the chute 9 and is guided to the medal payout opening 8.

Next, the arrangement relationship of each part in the medal flow path, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described.
In FIG. 3, the medal slot 2 is arranged with the opening 2 a of the medal slot 2 so that the long side of the opening is substantially parallel to the front direction A as described above. That is, the medal slot 2 is arranged in an I shape with the opening 2a facing the slot machine from the player.
Further, since the upper end of the medal selector 30 communicates with the medal slot 2, the medal selector 30 is arranged in a vertical shape substantially parallel to the front direction A along with the shape of the medal slot 2. The
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the medal slot 2 is arranged on a straight line from the hopper 7a toward the front direction A. In addition, the medal selector 30 is formed in a straight line and is arranged to face the hopper 7a. That is, the medal insertion slot 2, the medal selector 30, the receiving portion 31, and the hopper 7a are arranged in a straight line. With such an arrangement, the medal inserted from the medal slot 2 rolls and flows down linearly to the hopper 7a.
Thereby, in the medal flow path until the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 2 is released to the hopper 7a, the medal can be guided easily with little stagnation and clogging.

  Thus, it is not necessary to bend the transfer direction and transfer medals toward the hopper 7a as in the prior art, and the transfer direction can be provided linearly. Therefore, the medal selector 30 can be configured shorter than the conventional mechanism, and it is possible to reduce costs and save space.

The medal slot 2 is disposed in the vicinity of a predetermined operation means related to the game operation. Specifically, the medal slot 2 is provided on the right side when viewed from the front side of the front door 1a in the conventional slot machine, but the operating means (start lever) provided at the center of the front door 1a. 3, stop button 5, input button 10, etc.).
As a result, since the operation means for performing a series of game operations including the medal slot 2 is located in the vicinity, the operation range related to the game is narrowed, and the work amount in the game operation is reduced. The operation is smoothly performed even in a long game, and the game can be continued comfortably.

In FIG. 3, the hopper 7 a includes a buffer absorber 60. Specifically, the buffer absorber 60 prevents the medals released from the medal selector 30 and passing through the receiving unit 31 from dropping directly to the bottom of the hopper 7a, and guides it to the hopper 7a. Further, the buffer absorbing portion 60 is formed by suspending a banner-like belt, and the medal collides with the buffer absorbing portion 60 and shakes in the direction opposite to the colliding side to buffer the collision. The medal is guided to the bottom of the hopper 7a.
This produces a silencing effect that prevents noise generated by the collision sound of medals. The buffer absorption part 60 is comprised, for example with the sound deadening member, such as the cloth made from nylon. In addition, the buffer absorption part 60 should just be a thing which can mute a collision sound, For example, you may use a synthetic resin, a rubber material, etc.
In this way, the player can concentrate and play the game by preventing the collision sound due to the fall of the medal.

  As described above, according to the slot machine of the present embodiment, the opening 2a of the medal slot 2 is arranged so that the long side of the opening is substantially parallel to the front direction A, and the medal selector 30 and the hopper 7a are provided. They are connected in a straight line. As a result, there is little stagnation or clogging of medals, and the medals can be smoothly guided to the hopper 7a. Furthermore, since the medal slot 2 is arranged in the vicinity of the predetermined operation means related to the game operation, the work amount related to the game operation can be reduced.

The preferred embodiment of the slot machine of the present invention has been described above. However, the slot machine according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the hopper 7a is provided at the central portion of the housing 1b. However, the hopper 7a may be provided on the right side or the left side. Along with this, the medal slot 2 is also provided on the right or left side, and the operation means is also provided in the vicinity of the medal slot 2, so that the player can perform the game operation efficiently.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for devices and devices that play games using medals as game media, and in particular, can be suitably used for a slot machine that includes a hopper for storing medals and a medal flow path. .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a front configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a right side view in which a part of the internal structure of the slot machine according to the present embodiment is cut away. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention near the top of the medal slot.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 1a Front door 1b Case 2 Medal insertion slot 2a Opening 7a Hopper 30 Medal selector 31 Receiving part 60 Buffer absorption part

Claims (5)

A housing having a hopper that opens in the front direction and stores medals that serve as inserted game media is disposed inside, and a medal insertion port that covers the front opening of the housing in an openable and closable manner and can insert medals. A slot machine having a front door provided,
The slot machine, wherein the medal slot is arranged on a straight line from the hopper toward the front. A medal selector that detects medals inserted from the medal slot and guides them to the hopper;
The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the medal selector is formed linearly.   The slot machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening of the medal slot is arranged so that the long side of the opening is substantially parallel to the front direction.   The slot machine as described in any one of Claims 1-3 which has arrange | positioned the said medal insertion slot in the vicinity of the predetermined operation means which concerns on game operation.   The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a buffer absorbing portion that collides with a medal released from the medal selector, wherein the buffer absorbing portion includes a silencer member that relieves an impact sound of the medal.

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