JP2012050725A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine that reliably prevents fraud on a hopper unit even if the distance from a token discharge slot to a token receiving slot is shortened.SOLUTION: A plurality of reinforcing ribs 62, 63 that cross each other are provided around the token receiving slot, i.e., an opening for receiving tokens from a token hopper, to form a plurality of cylindrical parts 64. One of the cylindrical parts 64 is used as a token passage 64A for guiding tokens to the token receiving slot, and the remaining cylindrical parts 64 are used as dummy passages 64B closed at ends. Thus, even if a slender instrument such as wire gauge is inserted from the token discharge slot 6B, it is caught by the dummy passage 64B closed at its end and cannot move further and cannot reach the token receiving slot regardless of the distance from the token discharge slot 6B to the token receiving slot. It is thus possible to reliably prevent a fraud on the hopper unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hopper unit formed so that medals stored therein can be sent out to the outside, a medal payout opening opened to pay out a medal sent out from the hopper unit to a player, and a hopper unit And a medal chute member formed in the passage for guiding the medal from the medal payout port, and a slot formed so that the medal delivered from the hopper unit is paid out from the medal payout port through the medal chute member About the machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a gaming machine that provides entertainment to people, a slot machine that performs a game of aligning symbols printed on a plurality of rotating reels has been used.
In this slot machine, when a predetermined number of medals are inserted into the medal slot and then a start switch is operated, a game is started and a rotating reel on which a plurality of types of symbols are written starts rotating. When the player operates the stop switch, the rotating reel stops. At this time, if the displayed symbols are in a predetermined combination, the player wins a prize and the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is given to the player. It is to be paid out.

In such a slot machine, a medal selector that determines whether or not a medal inserted into a medal slot is appropriate, a hopper unit that pays out a medal stored at the time of winning a prize, and a hopper A payout opening, which is an opening for discharging medals sent out from the unit to the outside, and a medal chute member in which a passage for guiding medals from the medal selector to the medal payout opening is formed.
When the medal selector determines that the medal inserted into the medal slot is appropriate, the medal passes the medal selector and is stored in the hopper of the hopper unit.
Also, if the medal selector determines that the medal inserted into the medal slot is inappropriate, the medal cannot pass the medal selector and is sent from the medal selector to the inside of the medal chute member. It is discharged to the outside of the slot machine through the payout opening.

Further, the medal chute member is provided with a medal receiving port for receiving a medal sent from the hopper unit. Through this medal receiving port, medals sent from the hopper unit are fed into the medal chute member.
Therefore, the medal sent out by the hopper unit at the time of winning is sent into the medal chute member from the medal receiving port, reaches the medal payout port through the medal chute member, and is sent out of the slot machine from the medal payout port, As a result, the payout is made to the player.

Here, as the medal chute member, a bent-shaped detour is provided in the middle of the passage formed inside, and a medal receiving port for receiving a medal from the hopper unit is provided in this detour, and the medal receiving port Further, there is known one in which a baffle plate is formed that protrudes downward from an inner surface located on the upstream side in the medal distribution direction toward a path for guiding a medal (for example, see Patent Document 1).
According to the slot machine provided with such a medal chute member, since the medal receiving port for receiving the medal from the hopper unit is provided in the bent-shaped detour, it is usually present at a position directly above the medal payout port. There is no power medal entrance at that position, and when searching for the medal entrance by groping, it will look for a misplaced position. The instrument cannot be allowed to reach the medal receiving port, and this can prevent unauthorized operation of the hopper unit by an unauthorized person.

  In addition, a baffle plate that protrudes downward from the inner surface toward the passage leading the medal is provided, so that a person who intends to cheat inserts an elongated instrument such as a wire from the medal payout opening into the medal chute member, Even if you try to reach the medal selector by going back the path of the medal chute member, it will be caught by the baffle plate on the way and further progress will be prevented, so that the elongated tool will not reach the medal selector, It is possible to prevent unauthorized operation of the medal selector by an unauthorized person.

Japanese Patent No. 3643418

  In the slot machine as described above, when the position of the medal slot is lowered due to the enlargement of the screen size of the liquid crystal display device provided for production, the length of the medal chute member is shortened. If the distance from the medal payout exit to the medal entrance is shortened, the search range will be narrowed even if there is no medal entrance directly above the medal payout exit. Therefore, it is impossible to prevent unauthorized operation of the hopper unit by a fraudulent person, and therefore, if the distance from the medal payout opening to the medal reception opening is shortened, the fraudulent act against the hopper unit cannot be reliably prevented. There's a problem.

Here, it is conceivable that a baffle plate is provided at a position downstream of the medal receiving direction with respect to the medal receiving direction, and this baffle plate prevents an elongated instrument such as a wire from entering, but if a baffle plate is provided on the inner surface below the passage, Since the baffle plate hinders the circulation of medals, the baffle plate cannot be provided on the inner surface below the passage.
On the other hand, it is possible to provide a baffle plate on the inner surface above the passage, but if you go back along the lower inner surface without the baffle plate, you will not be disturbed by the baffle plate. Therefore, it is not possible to reliably prevent an illegal act on the hopper unit, and the above-mentioned problem cannot be solved.

  Accordingly, each invention described in each claim has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the purpose of the invention is to determine the distance from the medal payout opening to the medal receiving opening. To provide a slot machine that can surely prevent an illegal act against a hopper unit even if shortened.

Each invention described in each claim is made to achieve the above-mentioned object. The features of each invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
In addition, a code | symbol shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of this invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.

(Claim 1)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points.
In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a hopper unit (20) formed so that medals stored inside can be sent out to the outside, and medals sent out from the hopper unit (20) are given to the player. A medal payout opening (6B) opened for paying out and a medal chute member (50) in which a passage (52) for guiding medals from the hopper unit (20) to the medal payout outlet (6B) is formed. A slot machine (1) formed so that a medal delivered from the hopper unit (20) is paid out to the outside from the medal payout opening (6B) through the medal chute member (50), The medal chute member (50) is formed with a medal receiving port (51B) for receiving a medal delivered from the hopper unit (20), and at least the medal receiving port (in the inner surface of the medal chute member (50)) ( 51B) is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs (62, 63) that intersect with each other to form a plurality of cylindrical portions (64), and are formed by these reinforcing ribs (62, 63). One of the plurality of cylindrical portions (64) is formed as a passage (64A) for guiding a medal to the medal receiving port (51B), and the remaining cylindrical portion (64) has an entrance opened. It is formed as a dummy passage (64B) of a bag path with an outlet closed, and the medal receiving port (51B) is a rectangular opening and surrounds the medal receiving port (51B) of the medal chute member (50). Of the four sides of the rectangular peripheral portion, at least two sides arranged on the back side when viewed from the medal payout opening (6B), flange portions (65A, 65B) projecting toward the opposite sides from each other Is formed.

(Claim 2)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, and has the following characteristic points.
That is, the invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that at least one dummy passage (64B) is formed between the medal receiving port (51B) and the medal paying port (6B). It is.

(Effect of Claim 1)
The present invention configured as described above has the following effects.
That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of reinforcing ribs that intersect with each other to form a plurality of cylindrical portions are provided upright at least around the medal receiving port on the inner surface of the medal chute member, and One of the plurality of cylindrical portions formed by these reinforcing ribs is used as a passage for guiding the medal to the medal receiving port, and the remaining cylindrical portion is a bag path in which the inlet is opened and the outlet is closed. The dummy passage is arranged in the vicinity of the medal entrance, and if the position of the dummy passage is appropriately set, an elongated instrument such as a wire inserted from the medal payout opening becomes a dummy passage that becomes a bag path. It will be difficult to proceed beyond that, and it will be difficult to reach the medal receiving port regardless of the distance from the medal paying port to the medal receiving port.
In particular, if a dummy passage is formed around the passage for guiding the medal to the medal receiving port so as to surround the passage, the inner surface of the medal chute member is operated by operating a long and narrow instrument such as a wire inserted from the medal payout opening. Therefore, even if the tip of the instrument is intended to reach the medal receiving port, the tip of the elongated tool must be in the dummy passage provided around the medal receiving port before reaching the medal receiving channel. It will not be able to move in any further, and it will be surely prevented from reaching the medal entrance.
For this reason, even if a fraudulent person who has inserted a thin tool such as a wire into the medal payout exit tries to reach the hopper unit by moving the tip of the long tool back through the inner surface of the passage of the medal chute member. The tip of the elongated instrument is caught in the dummy passage on the way, and further progress is prevented, so that the tip of the elongated instrument does not reach the hopper unit, thereby the distance from the medal payout opening to the medal receiving slot Even if this is shortened, unauthorized operation of the hopper unit by an unauthorized person can be reliably prevented.

In addition, even if a fraudster notices that the tip of a long and narrow instrument has been caught in a bag path (dummy passage), it does not always immediately start searching for another route. If a plurality of dummy passages are provided in the periphery, it is difficult to reach a real passage that guides a medal to the medal receiving port in a short time even when searching for another route.
Here, each of the two sides arranged at least on the back side when viewed from the medal payout port among the four sides in the rectangular peripheral portion surrounding the medal receiving port of the medal chute member with the medal receiving port as a rectangular opening In addition, since the flange portion that protrudes toward the opposite side is formed, even if the tip of the elongated instrument reaches the entrance of the real passage that guides the medal to the medal receiving port, the tip of the elongated tool is the medal receiving port. Before entering, the hand abutting against the flange portion formed on the periphery of the medal receiving port is blocked, and it can be deceived that the vehicle has entered the dummy passage by abutting against the flange portion.
For this reason, even if it reaches the real passage that leads the medal to the medal entrance, it is difficult to determine whether it is reaching the real passage or the dummy passage at that time, and it is more than the tip of the instrument tip by groping As a result, the tip of the elongated tool does not reach the hopper unit. From this point, even if the distance from the medal payout opening to the medal acceptance is shortened, the fraudulent acts of fraud The operation can be reliably prevented, and the above-described object is achieved by the above.

(Effect of claim 2)
According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following effect is obtained.
That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since at least one dummy passage is formed between the medal receiving opening and the medal paying exit, the elongated instrument such as a wire inserted from the medal paying exit is provided with the medal receiving opening. Before reaching the real aisle that leads the medal to the inside, it enters the inside of the dummy aisle that becomes a dead end, making it impossible to proceed further, so that the distance from the medal payout exit to the medal acceptor is increased. Even if it is shortened, it is possible to surely prevent the medal reception from reaching, and from this point, it is also possible to reliably prevent unauthorized operation of the hopper unit by an unauthorized person.

It is a front view showing the whole one embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the inside of the housing | casing which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the medal chute member which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a front view which shows the medal chute member which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a front view which shows the inside of the medal chute member which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a top view which shows the medal chute member which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the medal chute member which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the cylindrical part periphery which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the medal acceptance area surrounding the said embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment, which is a mode for carrying out the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Overview of slot machine 1)
FIG. 1 shows a slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 performs a game of stopping the rotating reel 11 so that a plurality of types of symbols written on each of the three rotating reels 11 are in a predetermined combination. . As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 includes a housing 2 that houses various devices of the slot machine 1 and has a rectangular front shape.
The housing | casing 2 is a box-shaped member by which the whole front surface was opened. And the front opening of the housing | casing 2 is block | closed with the front door 3 attached to the said housing | casing 2 so that rotation was possible. The front door 3 is automatically locked when it is closed.

The front door 3 includes an upper panel portion 4 and a lower panel portion 5 that substantially bisect the front surface. Below the lower panel portion 5, there is provided a tray unit 6 integrally formed with a tray portion 6A for storing medals to be paid out at the time of winning a prize. Moreover, between the upper panel part 4 and the lower panel part 5, the console 7 for performing operation which concerns on a game is formed so that it may protrude to the player side.
Here, the upper panel portion 4 and the lower panel portion 5 have a decorative plate made of synthetic resin attached to the surface in order to ensure an excellent appearance in terms of design.

(Upper panel part 4)
The upper panel portion 4 is provided with a display window 4A formed in a rectangular shape above the console 7 and in the center in the width direction in FIG.
Here, each of the three rotating reels 11 provided inside the housing 2 is marked with a plurality of types of symbols on its outer peripheral surface. The symbols of each rotary reel 11 are visible from the outside of the housing 2 through the display window 4A.

At the upper edge portion of the upper panel portion 4, there is provided an effect lighting device 4B whose front shape is formed in an inverted trapezoidal shape. The effect lighting device 4B is disposed substantially at the center of the upper edge portion of the upper panel portion 4. Both end portions of the lighting device for effect 4B are broken at positions in front of the upper panel portion 4 without reaching the corners.
Further, on both side edges of the upper panel portion 4, a pair of effect lighting devices 4 </ b> C are provided which are each formed in an elongated strip shape and arranged to form a “eight” shape. Each of these lighting devices for effect 4C extends obliquely downward from the upper end edge of the upper panel portion 4 and reaches a height level position slightly higher than the upper end edge of the display window 4A.
Furthermore, another side lighting device 4D connected to the lower end of the lighting device for effect 4C is provided on both side edges of the upper panel portion 4, respectively. Each of these effect lighting devices 4D is formed in a strip shape elongated in the vertical direction, similar to the effect lighting device 4C. From the lower end of the effect lighting device 4C to the side edge of the upper panel portion 4 It extends along and reaches the immediate vicinity of the console 7.
Each of these lighting devices for production 4B to 4D includes a light source such as a high-intensity light emitting diode disposed inside a red lens, and the visual in the game is turned on or blinking according to the progress of the game. This enhances the production effect.

A liquid crystal display device 4E for displaying a game effect image is provided between the display window 4A and the effect lighting device 4B. The liquid crystal display device 4E displays various images including moving images as the game progresses.
On both sides of the liquid crystal display device 4E, audio output units 4F each having a speaker that generates sound effects relating to the game are provided.

(Operating console 7)
The console 7 is provided with various switches necessary for operations in the game.
That is, a key hole 7A into which a key for unlocking the front door 3 is inserted is provided at the right end portion in FIG. A medal insertion portion 7C having a medal insertion slot 7B for inserting medals is provided obliquely above and to the left of the keyhole 7A.
Three stop buttons 7D that are operated to stop each of the three rotary reels 11 are provided obliquely to the lower left of the medal slot 7B. Among these three stop buttons 7D, a max bet button 7E that can bet the maximum number of medals by one operation is provided obliquely above and to the left of the stop button 7D arranged at the left end.
In addition, a start lever 7F that is operated when the three rotary reels 11 are simultaneously rotated is provided at a position to the left of the leftmost stop button 7D and obliquely to the left of the max bet button 7E. Yes. A single bet switch 7G that can bet on one medal stored in one operation, that is, a single bet switch 7G that is operated when betting one medal at a time, is provided on the upper left side of the start lever 7F. ing.
Further, a settlement button 7H for paying out medals stored at the time of settlement is provided obliquely to the left of the single bet switch 7G.

(Lower panel part 5 and saucer unit 6)
The lower panel portion 5 is provided with a panel 5A on which a character or the like representing a model type of the slot machine 1 is drawn.
The saucer unit 6 is provided with a medal payout opening 6B for discharging medals paid out toward the saucer unit 6A when winning a prize, and a speaker for generating sound effects relating to the game, in addition to the above-described saucer unit 6A for storing medals. And an audio output unit 6C.

(Case 2)
Next, the housing 2 will be briefly described.
The housing 2 is a box-shaped housing that accommodates a plurality of types of internal devices having functions necessary for the progress of the game. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 includes a top plate 41, a bottom plate 42, a pair of side plates 43, and a back plate 44 arranged on the top surface, the bottom surface, both side surfaces, and the back surface. And a hexahedron having an open front surface.
The housing 2 is provided with an intermediate plate 45 that is spanned between a pair of side plates 43. By the middle plate 45, the internal space of the housing 2 is partitioned vertically.

(Internal device housed in the housing 2)
Next, an internal device provided inside the housing 2 will be briefly described.
Inside the housing 2, as shown in FIG. 2, a board case 2C containing a main control board (not shown) having a CPU comprising a microcomputer for controlling the gaming operation of the slot machine 1, three rotating reels 11 The reel unit 10 is provided with a motor (not shown) for driving each of the rotary reels 11 and the container unit 21 for storing a large number of medals therein, and the medals are directed toward the tray 6A. A hopper unit 20 for discharging, a power supply device 9 for supplying power to these devices, and the like are provided.
Among these, the reel unit 10 has a plurality of rotating reels 11 each formed in a cylindrical shape. A plurality of kinds of symbols are written on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary reels 11 although not particularly shown.

On the back side surface of the front door 3, it is arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal display device 4E with the screen exposed on the front side, and the liquid crystal display device 4E, the lighting devices for production 4B to 4D, and the audio output units 4F and 6C. There is provided a substrate case 2D containing a sub-control substrate (not shown) for controlling the operation.
Further, a medal selector 8 for determining the suitability of the inserted medal corresponding to the medal insertion slot 7B opened on the front surface is discharged to the rear surface of the front door 3 and the medal selector 8 is discharged. A medal chute member 50 in which a passage for guiding the medal to the medal payout opening 6B is formed is provided.

In the above, the medal selector 8 determines whether or not the inserted medal is appropriate, and if it is determined that the inserted medal is inappropriate, the medal determined to be inappropriate. It has a cancel port (not shown) for discharging the water.
The cancel port is formed on the lower surface of the medal selector 8 (not shown). The medal determined to be inappropriate by the cancel port is dropped below the medal selector 8.

The medal payout opening 6B is opened in the lower part of the front face of the front door 3 in order to pay out to the player the medal sent out from the hopper unit 20 at the time of winning (see FIG. 1).
Here, the hopper unit 20 is an apparatus formed so that medals stored inside the container part 21 can be sent out to the outside of the container part 21. In other words, the hopper unit 20 includes an ejection port 22 that is opened to launch an internal medal to the outside, and an unillustrated launching mechanism that launches the internal medal from the ejection port 22.

The medal chute member 50 has an upper end surface opened to receive a medal falling from above, and this opening serves as a medal introduction port 51A.
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end surface of the medal chute member 50 is coupled to the lower surface of the medal selector 8, and the medal introduction port 51A is connected to a cancel port (not shown) of the medal selector 8.
Thus, the passage formed inside the medal chute member 50 is a passage for guiding medals from the medal selector 8 to the medal payout port 6B.
In other words, the medal determined to be inappropriate by the medal selector 8 passes through the inside of the medal chute member 50 and is discharged to the outside from the medal payout opening 6B.

Further, the medal chute member 50 is an intermediate position from the medal selector 8 to the medal payout opening 6B, and a medal receiving opening 51B is opened at a position corresponding to the injection port 22 of the hopper unit 20. is there.
That is, the medal chute member 50 is located midway from the medal selector 8 to the medal payout opening 6B, and receives the medal received from the medal that is fired by the firing mechanism of the hopper unit 20 and sent out from the injection port 22 of the hopper unit 20. It is to be received from the entrance 51B. Of the passage formed in the medal chute member 50, the portion from the medal receiving port 51B to the medal payout port 6B is a passage for guiding medals from the hopper unit 20 to the medal payout port 6B.
As a result, medals delivered from the hopper unit 20 pass through the medal chute member 50 and are paid out to the outside from the medal payout opening 6B.

(Medal chute member 50)
The medal chute member 50 in the present embodiment is based on the present invention, and the medal chute member 50 will be described in detail below.
As shown in FIG. 3, the medal chute member 50 is a bowl-shaped member that is formed in a substantially “h” shape and has a groove-shaped cross section.
That is, inside the medal chute member 50, three straight portions 52A, 52B, and 52C that are connected to each other and extend linearly, and a bent crank portion that connects these straight portions 52A, 52B, and 52C to each other A passage 52 having 52D and 52E is provided.

The straight portion 52A has the largest length dimension among the three straight portions 52A, 52B, 52C, and is the most upstream position in the medal distribution direction among the three straight portions 52A, 52B, 52C. In other words, it is provided at the uppermost position of the passage 52 in FIG.
Further, when the medal chute member 50 is attached to the front door 3, the straight portion 52A is formed so as to be provided with a downward gradient from the left side toward the right side as shown in FIG.
The upper end surface of the straight portion 52A in FIG. 3 is opened as the above-described medal introduction port 51A. As a result, the straight portion 52A allows the medal that has entered from the medal introduction port 51A to the right in FIG. It is an inclined passage that leads downward.

The straight portion 52B has a length dimension that is significantly smaller than the straight portion 52A, and is provided between the straight portion 52A and the straight portion 52C.
Further, when the medal chute member 50 is attached to the front door 3, the straight portion 52B is formed so as to be provided with a gradient descending from the right side to the left side as shown in FIG. It is an inclined passage that leads medal from the side to the lower left.

The straight portion 52C extends vertically in a state where the medal chute member 50 is attached to the front door 3.
Here, the lower end portion of the straight portion 52C is formed in a flat plate shape and is an inclined bottom portion 53 installed in an inclined posture. The inclined bottom portion 53 is opposed to the medal payout opening 6B, and is inclined so that the upper end edge is positioned in front of the lower end edge in FIG.
As a result, the length of the straight portion 52C as a passage is set only slightly. Then, the medals circulating in the straight part 52C finally slide on the surface of the inclined bottom part 53, move obliquely rearward in FIG. 3, and are discharged to the outside from the medal payout opening 6B.

The crank portion 52D connects the straight portion 52A and the straight portion 52B to each other, and is a bent path that changes the traveling direction of the medal when the medal advances from the straight portion 52A to the straight portion 52B.
More specifically, the crank part 52D converts the traveling direction of the medals traveling diagonally right and downward in the straight part 52A into the diagonally lower left part, and then sends the medals whose traveling direction has been converted to the straight part 52B. It has become a thing.

The crank portion 52E connects the straight portion 52B and the straight portion 52C to each other, and is a bent path that changes the traveling direction of the medal when the medal advances from the straight portion 52B to the straight portion 52C.
More specifically, the crank portion 52E converts the traveling direction of the medals traveling diagonally downward to the left in the straight portion 52B to the vertical downward direction, and thereafter sends the medals whose traveling direction has been converted to the straight portion 52C. It has become a thing.

Note that the conversion angle of the direction of movement of the medals by the crank portion 52E is about 50 degrees in the rear view in FIG.
On the other hand, the conversion angle of the moving direction of the medal by the crank portion 52D is 280 degrees in the rear view in FIG. 3, which is significantly larger than the conversion angle of the moving direction of the medal by the crank portion 52E.
As described above, the medal chute member 50 is formed with the bent crank portions 52D and 52E between the cancel port of the medal selector 8 and the medal payout port 6B.

As shown in FIG. 4, the medal chute member 50 is provided with a lid member 54 that covers the straight portions 52A and 52B and the crank portion 52D in the passage 52 formed inside.
At this time, the medal chute member 50 has a rectangular cross section that intersects the medal distribution direction in the straight portion 52A. In other words, the straight portion 52A has a rectangular cross section that intersects the medal distribution direction.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the straight portion 52A has a rectangular long side in the cross section set to a dimension H corresponding to the diameter D of the medal M, and a short rectangular shape in the cross section. The side is set to a dimension W corresponding to the thickness T of the medal M.
In other words, in the cross section formed in the rectangular shape of the medal chute member 50, the inner method in the long side direction is set to the dimension H corresponding to the diameter D of the medal M, and the inner method in the short side direction is the medal M. The dimension W is set according to the thickness T.

The straight portion 52A having such a cross-sectional dimension prevents the medal from lying down so that the internal medal does not slide.
In other words, the straight portion 52A is configured to convey medals by rolling it downstream with the internal medals standing upright. Such a straight portion 52A is capable of reliably transporting medals even on a gentle slope.
The medal chute member 50 can extend the straight portion 52A and the straight portion 52B by sufficiently relaxing the gradient of the straight portion 52A.

Thereby, when the distance from the cancellation port of the medal selector 8 to the medal payout port 6B is short, the medal chute member 50 reduces the slope of the straight portion 52A and extends the straight portion 52A and the straight portion 52B. It is possible to secure a long enough path to 52.
On the other hand, the medal chute member 50 reduces the gradient of the straight portion 52A and extends the straight portion 52A and the straight portion 52B when the distance from the cancel port of the medal selector 8 to the medal payout port 6B is sufficiently secured. Thus, the path of the passage 52 can be extended further.

Further, in the middle of the medal chute member 50 from the cancel port of the medal selector 8 to the medal payout port, more specifically, in the vicinity of the end portion of the straight portion 52A on the downstream side in the medal distribution direction, FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, return portions 56A and 56B having step surfaces 55A and 55B that intersect the medal distribution direction and face the downstream side in the medal distribution direction are formed.
These step surfaces 55A and 55B are formed on two inner surfaces 57A and 57B on the back side and the upper side as viewed from the medal payout exit 6B, as shown in FIG. 7, among the four inner surfaces of the medal chute member 50. ing.
The step surfaces 55A and 55B are continuous with each other to form an L-shaped plane.
Here, the step surfaces 55A and 55B intersect each of the inner surfaces 57A and 57B of the medal chute member 50 located downstream in the medal distribution direction at an acute angle, that is, 90 degrees.
Further, of the return portions 56A, 56B, the return portion 56A, located on the back side, has a surface that extends in a direction intersecting the step surface 55A and is gently inclined with respect to the medal circulation direction. It intersects with the inner surface 57C of the medal chute member 50 located upstream in the medal distribution direction at an obtuse angle.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the medal chute member 50 is provided with a medal receiving chamber 60 for receiving medals sent from the hopper unit 20 and for transporting the received medals to the medal payout opening 6B. ing.
That is, the side wall 58 located at the back side of the medal chute member 50, that is, the upper side in FIG. 6, is a portion where the portion covering the crank portion 52D and the straight portion 52B bulges to the back side (upward in FIG. 6). ing. The bulged portion is a bulged portion 61 having a predetermined volume inside, and a medal receiving chamber 60 for receiving medals from the hopper unit 20 is provided in the bulged portion 61. It has been.

Here, the medal receiving port 51B for receiving the medal from the hopper unit 20 is opened at a portion covering the back side (upper side in FIG. 6) of the bulging portion 61 on the side wall 58 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the hopper unit 20 ejects medals from an inclined ejection port 22. For this reason, medals fired from the hopper unit 20 enter the medal receiving port 51B with one side facing obliquely downward, and enter the medal receiving chamber 60 through the medal receiving port 51B. Yes.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the medal receiving chamber 60 accepts the medal in the same posture without changing the posture of the medal with one side facing obliquely downward, and enters the downstream crank portion 52E and the straight portion 52C. Has internal law that can be sent.
Further, like the medal receiving chamber 60, the crank portion 52E and the straight portion 52C can send medals to the medal payout opening 6B in the same posture without changing the posture of the medal with one side facing diagonally downward. It has a possible internal law.
Thus, the medal chute member 50 can smoothly transfer the medals from the hopper unit 20 to the medal payout opening 6B without changing the posture of the medals sent from the hopper unit 20.
On the other hand, the medal chute member 50 gives momentum to the medals rolled from the medal selector 8 with the gradient of the straight portion 52A, so that the medals from the medal selector 8 can be reliably conveyed to the medal payout opening 6B.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, more specifically, the medal receiving port 51B is opened on the inner surface of the bulging portion 61 on the inner side in FIG. Has been. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 62 and 63 are formed upright around the medal receiving port 51B on the inner surface so as to intersect with each other to form a plurality of cylindrical portions 64.
Among these reinforcing ribs 62 and 63, the reinforcing rib 62 is inclined downward to the right in FIG. 5, and the reinforcing rib 63 is inclined upward to the right in FIG. Further, these reinforcing ribs 62 and 63 intersect in a cross beam shape.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the cylindrical portion 64 is a plurality of small chambers formed by partitioning the space on the back side in FIG. 5 of the bulging portion 61 with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 62 and 63.
Among such cylindrical portions 64, those communicating with the medal receiving port 51B are formed as medal passages 64A for guiding medals to the medal receiving port 51B.
The remaining cylindrical portion 64 is formed as a dummy passage 64B having an inlet opening and an outlet closing, thereby forming a bag path.
These dummy passages 64B are formed around the medal passage 64A so as to surround the medal passage 64A. As shown in FIG. 5, one of a plurality of dummy passages 64B is arranged between the medal receiving port 51B and the medal payout port 6B.

  Here, nine dummy passages 64B are provided around one medal passage 64A, and one of the nine dummy passages 64B is between the medal receiving port 51B and the medal payout port 6B. Is provided. As a result, an elongated instrument such as a wire inserted from the medal payout opening 6B enters the inside of the dummy passage 64B, which becomes a bag path, with a very high probability, and cannot proceed further. It does not reach the entrance 51B.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the medal receiving port 51B is a rectangular opening, and the dimensions of the long side and the short side are slightly larger than the diameter and thickness of the medal. As a result, medals can smoothly pass through the medal receiving port 51B.

  At this time, in FIG. 5, among the four sides of the rectangular peripheral portion surrounding the medal receiving port 51B of the medal chute member 50, two sides arranged on the back side when viewed from the medal payout port 6B, in other words, FIG. Flange portions 65A and 65B projecting toward the opposite sides are formed on the two sides arranged in the middle left oblique upper part and right oblique upper part, respectively.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the medal receiving opening 51B is opened on the rear side of the bulging portion 61, in other words, on the side wall 61A on the front side in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the medal passage 64A communicating with the medal receiving port 51B has a rectangular cross section and is surrounded by four inner surfaces 66A to 66D.
Of the four inner surfaces 66A to 66D, the inner surfaces 66A and 66C are opposed to each other formed along the short side of the rectangular cross section of the medal passage 64A.
On the other hand, the inner surfaces 66B and 66D are opposed to each other formed along the long side in the rectangular cross section of the medal passage 64A.

Here, of the inner surfaces 66A and 66C facing each other, the inner surface 66A is disposed on the back side when viewed from the medal payout exit 6B with respect to the inner surface 66C, and the inner surface 66C is viewed from the medal payout exit 6B with respect to the inner surface 66A. It is arranged on the back side.
Of the inner surfaces 66A and 66C facing each other, the inner surface 66A is disposed on the back side with respect to the inner surface 66C when viewed from the medal payout opening 6B, and the inner surface 66C is viewed from the medal payout port 6B with respect to the inner surface 66A. It is arranged on the back side.

,
Further, flat flange portions 65A and 65B projecting toward the inner surfaces 66C and 66D facing each other correspond to the edge portions of the inner surfaces 66A and 66B arranged on the inner side on the medal receiving port 51B side. It is erected so as to be substantially perpendicular to the inner surfaces 66A, 66B.
Due to these flange portions 65A and 65B, the medal receiving port 51B is smaller than the sectional size of the medal passage 64A. In other words, when viewed from the medal payout port 6B, the medal receiving port 51B is an outlet of the medal passage 64A, and this outlet is narrowed by the flange portions 65A and 65B.

  As a result, even if an elongated instrument such as a wire inserted from the medal payout opening 6B enters the medal passage 64A, the inner surface disposed on the back side when viewed from the medal payout opening 6B is used for groping. 66A, 66B, the tip of the elongated instrument must be advanced to the back, so before the tip of the elongated instrument enters the medal receiving port 51B, the flange portion 65A, formed on the periphery of the medal receiving port 51B, The hand that comes in contact with 65B is blocked. Then, when it comes into contact with the flange portions 65A and 65B, it feels as if it has entered the dummy passage 64B. With this feeling, it is possible to deceive that the player has entered the dummy passage 64B instead of the medal passage 64A.

(Effect of embodiment)
According to this embodiment as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, a passage 52 having a rectangular cross section having four inner surfaces is provided in the medal chute member 50, and among the four inner surfaces of the passage 52, two inner surfaces on the back side and the upper side as viewed from the medal payout outlet 6B, Step portions 55A, 55B facing the downstream side are provided in the middle part from the cancellation port of the medal selector 8 to the medal payout port 6B, specifically, in the vicinity of the downstream end portion of the straight portion 52A, and these Since the step surfaces 55A and 55B are continuously formed to form an L-shaped surface, an elongate instrument is inserted into the medal payout exit 6B, and one of the two inner surfaces on the back side and the upper side as seen from the medal payout exit 6B. Even when trying to reach the medal selector 8 along the path 52, the tip of the elongated tool abuts against the step surfaces 55A and 55B, and the step surfaces 55A and 55B further extend beyond the tip of the tool. Going back to the medal selector 8 Thus, the illegal operation of the medal selector 8 by an unauthorized person can be prevented.
Therefore, even if the distance from the medal payout exit 6B to the cancel opening leading to the medal selector 8 is shortened, the step surfaces 55A and 55B prevent the tip of the elongated tool from going backward, and the distance from the medal payout exit 6B to the cancel opening is increased. Regardless, the tip of the elongate instrument does not reach the medal selector 8, and the unauthorized operation of the medal selector 8 by an unauthorized person can be reliably prevented.
Here, the surface extending in the direction intersecting with the step surface 55A in the return portion 56A, is gently inclined with respect to the medal distribution direction, and the inner surface 57C of the medal chute member 50 positioned upstream of the medal distribution direction Since the crossing is made at an obtuse angle, even if the return part 56A protruding from the inner surface is provided on the medal chute member 50, the return part 56A may become an obstacle to the medal circulating inside the medal chute member 50. Therefore, the medal clogging does not occur, and the smooth distribution of medals within the medal chute member 50 can be ensured.

  In addition, since the bent crank portions 52D and 52E are formed between the cancel opening of the medal selector 8 and the medal payout exit 6B, an unauthorized person inserts an elongated instrument into the medal chute member 50 from the medal payout exit 6B. However, even if the medal selector 8 is illegally operated with this elongate device, the tip of the elongate device is not located in the back of the aisle 52 that is out of reach until the medal selector 8 reaches the medal selector 8 by tracing back. The direction of travel must be changed, and even if the elongate instrument is flexible, it becomes very difficult to fold the elongate instrument in the unreachable passage 52. For this reason, it becomes very difficult to make the tip of the elongate instrument reach the medal selector 8, and also from this point, the illegal operation of the medal selector 8 by an unauthorized person can be prevented.

  Further, since the two crank portions 52D and 52E are formed between the cancel port of the medal selector 8 and the medal payout exit 6B, the entire medal chute member 50 is bent, and the medal payout exit 6B Even when the straight distance to the cancellation port is short, the medal chute member 50 having a bent shape as a whole can sufficiently secure the path of the passage 52 formed in the inside thereof. It is difficult to reach the medal selector 8, and also from this point, the illegal operation of the medal selector 8 by an unauthorized person can be prevented.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the straight portion 52A of the medal chute member 50 is a rectangular shape, and the long side of the rectangular shape in the cross section is set to a dimension H corresponding to the diameter D of the medal M, and the rectangular shape in the cross section is set. Since the short side is set to the dimension W corresponding to the thickness T of the medal M, the medal M that circulates in the straight portion 52A is maintained in an upright state that is easy to roll and rolls in the straight portion 52A.
For this reason, in order to enlarge the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4E installed in the slot machine 1, the medal chute member must be shortened if the linear distance from the medal payout port 6B to the cancel port of the medal selector 8 must be shortened. In addition to making the entire 50 bent, the straight section 52A can be slanted to extend the path from the medal payout exit 6B to the cancel opening of the medal selector 8 in the passage 52. By lengthening the path from the exit 6B to the cancellation port, it is difficult to reach the medal selector 8 with the tip of the elongated tool, and also from this point, the illegal operation of the medal selector 8 by an unauthorized person is prevented. Can do. In addition, even if the inclination of the straight portion 52A is relaxed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as stagnation of medals within the straight portion 52A.

Further, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 62 and 63 are formed on the inner surface of the medal chute member 50 at least around the medal receiving port 51B so as to intersect with each other to form a plurality of cylindrical portions 64, and for reinforcing these One of the plurality of cylindrical portions 64 formed by the ribs 62 and 63 is used as a medal passage 64A for guiding a medal to the medal receiving port 51B, and the remaining cylindrical portion 64 is opened at the inlet and closed at the outlet. Since a dummy passage 64B is formed around the medal receiving port 51B, an elongated instrument such as a wire inserted from the medal payout opening 6B is placed inside the dummy passage 64B. It cannot enter any further and cannot reach the medal receiving port 51B regardless of the distance from the medal paying port 6B to the medal receiving port 51B.
In particular, since a plurality of dummy passages 64B are formed around the medal passage 64A leading the medal to the medal receiving port 51B so as to surround the medal passage 64A, an elongated instrument such as a wire inserted from the medal payout opening 6B is operated. Then, even if it is attempted to reach the medal receiving port 51B through the inner surface of the medal chute member 51, the dummy passage provided around the medal passage 64A before reaching the medal passage 64A. The distal end of the elongated instrument always enters the inside of 64B, and this prevents further advancement and reliably prevents reaching the medal receiving port 51B.
For this reason, a fraudster who has inserted a thin tool such as a wire into the medal payout opening 6B travels along the inner surface of the passage 52 of the medal chute member 51 and retraces the tip of the thin tool by hand to reach the hopper unit 20. Even if it is attempted to do so, the tip of the elongated instrument is caught in the dummy passage 64B in the middle, and further progress is prevented, so that the tip of the elongated instrument does not reach the hopper unit 20, and thus the medal payout port 6B Even if the distance from the medal reception port 51B is shortened, unauthorized operation of the hopper unit 20 by an unauthorized person can be reliably prevented.

Also, even if a fraudster notices that the tip of a long and narrow instrument has been caught in a dummy passage 64B, it does not always start exploring another route promptly. Since there are a plurality of dummy passages 64B around the entrance 51B, it is difficult to reach the medal passage 64A for guiding medals to the medal entrance 51B in a short time even if searching for another route is started. Become.
In addition, it is a part surrounding the medal receiving port 51B in the side wall 61A of the bulging portion 61 where the rectangular medal receiving port 51B is opened, and is seen from the medal paying port 6B among the four sides of the medal receiving port 51B. Since the flanges 65A and 65B projecting toward the opposite sides are formed in the part corresponding to the two sides arranged on the back side, the tip of the elongated tool should reach the entrance of the medal passage 64A. Even so, if the tip of the elongate instrument is searched for, before the tip of the elongate instrument enters the medal receiving port 51B, the hand that comes in contact with the flanges 65A and 65B formed on the peripheral edge of the medal receiving port 51B may be removed. As a result, it is possible to deceive that the vehicle has entered the dummy passage 64B.
For this reason, even if it reaches the medal passage 64A, which is a real passage that leads the medal to the medal receiving port 51B, it is difficult to determine whether it has reached the medal passage 64A or the dummy passage 64B at that time, In addition, since the flange portions 65A and 65B prevent further advancement of the tip of the elongated instrument, the tip of the elongated instrument does not reach the hopper unit 20 by groping. From this point also, the medal payout opening 6B Even if the distance from the medal reception port 51B is shortened, unauthorized operation of the hopper unit 20 by an unauthorized person can be reliably prevented.

  Further, since the dummy passage 64B is formed between the medal receiving port 51B and the medal payout port 6B, the elongated instrument such as a wire inserted from the medal payout port 6B is not allowed to reach the entrance of the medal passage 64A. The inside of the dummy passage 64B that has become, it is impossible to proceed further, and even if the distance from the medal payout opening 6B to the medal receiving opening 51B becomes short, the arrival to the medal receiving opening 51B is reached. From this point as well, it is possible to reliably prevent unauthorized operation of the hopper unit 20 by an unauthorized person.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The deformation | transformation in the range which can achieve the objective of this invention, improvement, etc. are included.
For example, in the above embodiment, the flange portions are formed on the two sides arranged on the back side when viewed from the medal payout port, among the four sides in the rectangular peripheral portion surrounding the medal receiving port. In addition to the two sides described above, a flange portion may be formed on one or both of the two sides arranged on the near side when viewed from the medal payout opening.

  In the above embodiment, the number of dummy passages provided between the medal reception opening and the medal payout opening is one, but not limited to this, two or more dummy passages are provided between the medal reception opening and the medal payout opening. A passage may be provided.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the step surfaces are formed on the two inner surfaces on the back side and the upper side when viewed from the medal payout exit among the four inner surfaces of the medal chute member, but not limited to this, on the two inner surfaces described above. In addition, a step surface may be formed on one or both of the two inner surfaces arranged on the front side when viewed from the medal payout opening.

1 slot machine
6B medal payment exit
20 Hopper unit
50 Medal chute material
51 Dal Entrance
52 Passage
64 Tube
64A Medal passage, which is a passage that leads medal to the medal entrance
64B dummy passage
65A, 65B flange

Claims (2)

A hopper unit formed so that medals stored inside can be sent out to the outside, a medal payout opening opened for paying out a medal sent out from the hopper unit to the player, and a medal payout from the hopper unit A medal chute member formed therein with a passage for guiding a medal to the outlet, and a slot formed so that a medal fed out from the hopper unit is paid out from the medal payout port through the medal chute member A machine,
The medal chute member is formed with a medal receiving port for receiving a medal sent from the hopper unit.
A plurality of reinforcing ribs that intersect with each other to form a plurality of cylindrical portions are provided upright at least around the medal receiving port on the inner surface of the medal chute member,
One of the plurality of cylindrical portions formed by these reinforcing ribs is formed as a passage for guiding medals to the medal receiving port,
The remaining cylindrical portion is formed as a dummy passage of a bag path having an open inlet and a closed outlet,
The medal receiving port is a rectangular opening,
Of the four sides of the rectangular peripheral portion surrounding the medal receiving port of the medal chute member, at least two sides arranged on the back side when viewed from the medal payout port protrude from the opposite sides. A slot machine having a flange portion to be formed.   2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one dummy passage is formed between the medal receiving port and the medal paying port.

Images