JP2013013546A - Game machine push button - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine push button which can move a button body.SOLUTION: The push button 1 comprises: the button body 3 movably arranged at a base 2; a biasing member 5 which biases the button body 3 to one direction of movement directions to the base 2; a stopper 4 which regulates the moving amount of the button body 3 to the one direction; and a protrusion amount-variable device 16 which changes a protrusion amount to the one direction of the button body 3 to the base 2. The protrusion amount variable device 16 has: a rotating mechanism 14 which relatively rotates the button body 3 and the stopper 4 with an axial line extending to the moving direction of the button body 3 as a center; an inclined part 4b formed at the stopper 4a; and an abutting member 9 arranged at the button body 3. The inclined part 4b is extended to the rotating direction and has an angle with respect to the axial direction, the abutting member 9 abuts on the inclined part 4b by an biasing force of the biasing member 5, and the abutting member 9 moves to the inclined part 4b when both the members of the button body 3 and the stopper are relatively rotated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a push button for a gaming machine provided in a pachinko machine or the like.

  The push button for gaming machines is provided, for example, in a ball tray unit of a pachinko machine. The ball tray unit has a recess for storing a sphere and an upward surface that faces the recess and faces upward. The push button protrudes from the upward surface and is pushed by the player during the production of the pachinko machine. The push button of Patent Document 1 includes a case main body, a sliding guide body that is slidably inserted in the case main body in a vertical direction, a button main body that is fixed to the upper portion of the sliding guide body, and a sliding guide body. An urging member that urges upward and a retaining ring that restricts upward movement of the sliding guide body are provided. The sliding guide body has an engaging portion that protrudes downward, and a rack that extends vertically on a side surface of the sliding guide body. The case main body is provided with an engaging means that releasably engages with the engaging portion, and a motor that rotates a pinion that meshes with the rack.

  When the button body is pushed, the sliding guide body moves downward against the urging force of the urging member, and the engaging means engages with the engaging portion in the middle of returning upward. As a result, the button body is held so that it can be pushed in the lower position. When the engaging means releases the engaging portion, the sliding guide body is raised by the urging force of the urging member, and the push button is held in the upper position so that it can be pushed. When the pinion is rotated by the motor, the push button moves downward.

JP 2008-125529 A

  However, the engaging means is complicated because it includes a pair of engaging pieces, a biasing member that biases the pair of engaging pieces, and a solenoid that opens the pair of engaging pieces against the biasing force of the biasing member. Structure. In addition, when the button body is moved by the motor, a large load is applied to the motor when the button body is pressed, and the button body cannot be pushed. Therefore, a push button for a gaming machine having a simple structure capable of moving the button body to a plurality of positions where the button body can be pushed is conventionally required.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a push button for a gaming machine having a configuration as described in each claim. According to one aspect, the present invention provides a base mounted on a gaming machine body, a button body movably provided on the base, and a biasing member that biases the button body in one direction of movement with respect to the base. And a stopper for restricting the amount of movement of the button body in one direction, and a protrusion amount varying device for changing the amount of protrusion of the button body in one direction relative to the base. The protrusion amount varying device includes a rotation mechanism that relatively rotates the button body and the stopper around an axis extending in the moving direction of the button body, an inclined portion provided in one of both the button body and the stopper, and both members. A contact member provided on the other one of the members. The inclined portion extends in the rotation direction and has an angle with respect to the axial direction, the contact member contacts the inclined portion by the biasing force of the biasing member, and the contact is made when the two members rotate relatively. When the member moves relative to the inclined portion and the button main body is pushed against the urging force of the urging member, the contact member is separated from the inclined portion.

  Therefore, when the button body and the stopper are rotated relative to each other about the axis, the contact member moves along the inclined portion. As a result, the button body moves in the axial direction with respect to the stopper. When the button main body is pushed at the moved position, the abutting member is separated from the inclined portion, so that the button main body can move against the biasing member. Thus, the button main body moves to a plurality of positions where the button main body can be pushed, and the configuration can be configured by a relatively simple structure of the inclined portion and the contact member. The contact member can be separated from the inclined portion when the button main body is pushed against the urging force of the urging member. Therefore, an impact when the button body is strongly pressed does not occur between the contact member and the inclined portion. Therefore, damage to the contact member and the inclined portion can be suppressed.

It is a perspective view of a gaming machine. It is a disassembled perspective view of a pushbutton. It is a disassembled perspective view of a pushbutton. It is a partial perspective view of a pushbutton when a button main body exists in a sunk position. It is a partial perspective view of a pushbutton when a button main body exists in a protrusion position. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 5.

  One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The gaming machine 20 is a pachinko machine as shown in FIG. 1, and has an outer frame 21 and a front frame 22 that is rotatably connected to a side portion of the outer frame 21. A game board 23 is mounted on the back side of the front frame 22, and an upper plate 24, a lower plate 25, and a handle 26 are provided on the lower front side of the front frame 22.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper plate 24 has a recess 24a for storing a sphere, and an upward plate 24b facing upward at the right side of the recess 24a. A push button 1 is attached to the upper plate 24. The push button 1 penetrates the upward plate 24b, protrudes upward from the upward plate 24b, and can be pushed by the player.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the push button 1 has a base 2, a button body 3, and a stopper 4. The base 2 has a cylindrical tube portion 2a and a partition plate 2b. The cylinder part 2a is attached to the upper plate 24 shown in FIG. 1 with a screw. The partition plate 2b is located at the center in the height direction of the cylindrical portion 2a. At the center of the partition plate 2b, a mounting portion 2g that is cylindrical and protrudes upward is formed. The urging member 5 is attached to the mounting portion 2g, and the button body 3 is put on the urging member 5 from above. The urging member 5 is a coil spring and urges the button body 3 upward with respect to the base 2.

  A plurality of restricting members 2c are provided on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the partition plate 2b as shown in FIG. The regulating member 2c protrudes upward from the partition plate 2b. On the outer peripheral side of the regulating member 2c, a groove that opens to the outer peripheral side and extends in the vertical direction is formed. The leg 3c of the button body 3 is inserted into the groove from above. The restricting member 2c holds the leg 3c so as to be movable in the axial direction and restricts the leg 3c from moving in the rotational direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a stepped portion 2 e that extends radially outward is formed in the upper region of the cylindrical portion 2 a. A stopper 4 is installed on the stepped portion 2e from above. A flange 2d extending radially outward is formed on the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 2a. A mounting ring 8 is installed on the flange 2d from above.

  A substrate 11 is attached to the lower part of the base 2 as shown in FIGS. A switch 12 and a lighting tool 13 are attached to the substrate 11. The switch 12 has a transmitter that transmits light, a receiver that receives light, and a recess 12a formed between the transmitter and the receiver. When the blocking piece 3e provided on the button body 3 is inserted into the recess 12a, the light from the transmitter cannot reach the receiver, and at this time, the switch 12 transmits a signal to a control means (not shown).

  The illumination tool 13 is a light emitting diode as shown in FIGS. The light emitted from the illuminator 13 can reach the player through the button body 3 formed of a transparent or translucent material.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the button body 3 includes a cylindrical body 3 a and a cover 3 b that closes an upper portion of the body 3 a. A blocking piece 3e and a plurality of (for example, three) legs 3c are formed on the lower edge of the main body 3a. The leg 3c extends downward from the lower edge of the main body 3a. A contact member 9 is rotatably mounted by a pin 10 on the radially outer surface of the leg 3c. The leg 3c is inserted into the restriction member 2c of the base 2 from above. The leg 3c is restricted from moving in the circumferential direction by the restriction member 2c.

  The blocking piece 3e extends downward from the lower edge of the main body 3a as shown in FIG. The button body 3 is pushed against the urging member 5, and the blocking piece 3 e reaches the recess 12 a of the switch 12. When the button body 3 is raised by the urging force of the urging member 5, the blocking piece 3 e moves upward from the recess 12 a of the switch 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stopper 4 includes an annular (cylindrical) stopper body 4a and a flange 4e that projects radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the stopper body 4a. The stopper body 4a is slidably installed on the outer periphery of the button body 3, and the stopper 4 supports the button body 3 so as to be slidable. A plurality of inclined portions 4b and a plurality of stopper pieces 4c are formed on one end edge (lower end edge) of the stopper main body 4a.

  4 and 5, the inclined portion 4b extends along one end edge of the stopper body 4a and has an angle in the axial direction (vertical direction). The inclined portion 4b has a first position 4b1 positioned at the lowermost position at one end and a second position 4b2 positioned at the uppermost position at the other end. The first position 4b1 extends substantially horizontally in a region of one end of the inclined portion 4b. Therefore, the contact member 9 is difficult to move away from the first position 4b1.

  A stopper piece 4c is formed at a position adjacent to the second position 4b2 as shown in FIGS. The stopper piece 4c extends downward from the second position 4b2. Therefore, the contact member 9 can be held at the second position 4b2 by the stopper piece 4c.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the abutting member 9 is elastically abutted against the inclined portion 4b from below when the button body 3 is biased upward (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The inclined portion 4b moves relative to the contact member 9 when the stopper 4 is rotated about the axis with respect to the button main body 3 by the rotation mechanism 14. Thereby, the contact member 9 moves along the inclined part 4b. The contact member 9 may slide with respect to the inclined portion 4b or may roll.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation mechanism 14 includes a gear 4 d, a pinion 7, and a drive source 6. The gear 4d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the stopper main body 4a and in a region above the flange 4e. The gear 4d is formed in the stopper body 4a in a circumferential length region that is substantially the same length as the circumferential length of the inclined portion 4b. The drive source 6 is a motor and is attached to the attachment piece 2 f of the base 2. A pinion 7 is attached to the output shaft 6 a of the drive source 6. The pinion 7 is meshed with the gear 4 d, and the pinion 7 is rotated by the drive source 6, whereby the stopper 4 rotates with respect to the button body 3.

  A mounting ring 8 is mounted above the stopper 4 as shown in FIGS. The attachment ring 8 has an annular shape, covers the upper end edge of the stopper 4, and is attached to the flange 2 d of the base 2 by the attachment screw 15. The stopper 4 is restricted from moving upward by the mounting ring 8 and is restricted from moving downward by the step portion 2 e of the base 2. The stopper 4 can be rotated in the circumferential direction around the axis while sliding with respect to the mounting ring 8 and the stepped portion 2e.

  The rotation mechanism 14, the inclined portion 4 b, and the contact member 9 constitute a protrusion amount varying device 16 that moves the button body 3 in the axial direction. In the protrusion amount varying device 16, the drive source 6 of the rotation mechanism 14 is controlled by control means (not shown). The drive source 6 generates a rotational force to rotate the pinion 7, the pinion 7 rotates the stopper 4, and the inclined portion 4 b of the stopper 4 moves relative to the contact member 9.

  When the contact member 9 is positioned at the first position 4b1 of the inclined portion 4b, the button body 3 is positioned at the sinking position (downward position) as shown in FIG. At this time, the abutting member 9 is pressed against the first position 4b1 extending in the horizontal direction by the urging member 5. Therefore, even when the output of the drive source 6 is stopped, the contact member 9 can be held at the first position 4b1.

  The button body 3 is normally held at the sinking position shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, but when the control means determines that the gaming machine 20 is in the stage of reach or the like, for example, the protruding position shown in FIGS. Moved to. When the button body 3 is moved from the sinking position to the protruding position, the stopper 4 is rotated counterclockwise by controlling the driving source 6 by the control means.

  Thereby, the contact member 9 moves from the first position 4b1 of the inclined portion 4b to the second position 4b2. The button body 3 moves upward with respect to the stopper 4 and the base 2 and is located at the protruding position. At this time, the abutting member 9 is urged to the second position 4b2 by the urging member 5 and pressed against the stopper piece 4c. Therefore, even when the output of the drive source 6 is stopped, the contact member 9 can be held at the second position 4b2.

  The button body 3 can be pushed at the protruding position shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 and the sinking position shown in FIGS. The pushing amount (stroke amount) by the pushing operation is small, for example, 3 mm at the sinking position, and is large, for example, 10 mm at the protruding position. When the button body 3 is pushed against the urging force of the urging member 5, the contact member 9 moves away from the inclined portion 4b. The blocking piece 3e of the button body 3 reaches the recess 12a from above the recess 12a of the switch 12.

  As described above, the push button 1 includes the base 2 attached to the gaming machine body, the button body 3 movably provided on the base 2, and the moving direction of the button body 3 with respect to the base 2 as shown in FIG. An urging member 5 that urges the button body 3 in one direction, a stopper 4 that restricts the amount of movement of the button body 3 in one direction, and a protrusion amount varying device 16 that changes the protrusion amount of the button body 3 in one direction relative to the base 2 Have The protrusion amount varying device 16 includes a rotation mechanism 14 that relatively rotates the button body 3 and the stopper 4 around an axis extending in the moving direction of the button body 3, an inclined portion 4 b provided on the stopper 4, and the button body 3. It has the contact member 9 provided. The inclined portion 4b extends in the rotational direction and has an angle with respect to the axial direction, the contact member 9 contacts the inclined portion 4b by the urging force of the urging member 5, and both the button body 3 and the stopper are relatively When the button body 3 is pushed against the urging force of the urging member 5, the abutting member 9 moves away from the inclined portion 4b. .

  Accordingly, when the button main body 3 and the stopper 4 are relatively rotated about the axis, the contact member 9 moves along the inclined portion 4b. Thereby, the button body 3 moves in the axial direction with respect to the stopper 4 (moves up and down). When the button main body 3 is pushed at the moved position, the abutting member 9 is separated from the inclined portion 4b, so that the button main body 3 can move against the biasing member 5. Thus, the button main body 3 moves to a plurality of positions where the button main body 3 can be pushed, and the configuration can be configured by a relatively simple structure of the inclined portion 4 b and the contact member 9. Further, the abutting member 9 can be separated from the inclined portion 4b when the button body 3 is pushed against the urging force of the urging member 5. Therefore, an impact when the button body 3 is strongly pressed does not occur between the contact member 9 and the inclined portion 4b. Therefore, damage to contact member 9 and inclined part 4b can be controlled.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base 2 is provided with a restricting member 2c that restricts the button body 3 from rotating about the axis. The rotation mechanism 14 rotates the stopper 4 with respect to the button body 3. Therefore, the button body 3 can move in the axial direction without rotating. Therefore, when the button body 3 is not desired to be rotated, for example, when the pattern provided on the button body 3 is not desired to be rotated, the button body 3 can be suitably moved in the axial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stopper 4 has a stopper body 4 a that is annular and supports the outer peripheral surface of the button body 3 in a slidable manner. Therefore, the stopper 4 regulates the inclination of the button body 3 when the button body 3 moves in the axial direction.

  A plurality of the inclined portions 4b are formed along the edge of the stopper 4 as shown in FIG. A plurality of abutting members 9 are provided in the button body 3, and each abutting member 9 abuts on each inclined portion 4b. Therefore, a plurality of inclined portions 4b can be easily formed by utilizing the edge of the stopper 4. The button body 3 and the stopper 4 are supported by a plurality of inclined points 4b and a contact member 9 at a plurality of power points. Therefore, the button body 3 can be stably supported with respect to the stopper 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation mechanism 14 transmits a rotational force centered on a parallel axis parallel to the rotational axis of the button body 3, and transmits the rotational force of the drive source 6 to the stopper 4. And a force transmission mechanism (pinion 7 and gear 4d) for rotating the stopper 4 about the axis. Therefore, the output of the drive source 6 and the rotation of the stopper 4 are orthogonal to the axial movement of the button body 3. Therefore, the frictional force generated when the button body 3 is pushed in the axial direction and the button body 3 slides with respect to the stopper 4 is orthogonal to the output of the drive source 6 and the rotation of the stopper 4. Therefore, the rotation mechanism 14 is not easily affected by the force generated when the button body 3 is pressed, and can stably rotate the button body 3 and the stopper 4 relative to each other.

  When the button body 3 is pushed against the urging force of the urging member 5, the contact member 9 is separated from the inclined portion 4b. When the force applied to the button body 3 is released, the abutting member 9 hits the inclined portion 4 b by the urging force of the urging member 5. Therefore, since the impact when the contact member 9 hits the inclined portion 4b is determined by the urging force of the urging member 5, the strength required for the contact member 9 and the inclined portion 4b is determined by the urging force of the urging member 5. Can be done. Thus, the shapes and materials of the contact member 9 and the inclined portion 4b can be easily determined.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be the following form. For example, the push button 1 may be provided in a pachinko machine as described above, or may be provided in a ball game machine such as a sparrow ball game machine, a smart ball game machine, or an arrangement ball game machine, or a slot machine. .

  The push button 1 may be provided on the upper plate 24, or may be provided on the lower plate 25 or other places where the player can operate. The push button 1 may be provided at a place where the push button 1 can be pushed from the top to the bottom, or may be provided at a place where the push button 1 can be pushed from the near side to the back side (the gaming machine side).

  The inclined portion 4b may be provided in the stopper 4 and the contact member 9 may be provided in the button body 3, or the inclined portion may be provided in the button body and the contact member may be provided in the stopper. For example, an inclined portion facing upward may be formed on the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface of the button body, and the stopper may be provided with a contact member that contacts the inclined portion from above.

  The contact member 9 may be a separate member from the button body 3, or may be formed integrally with the button body 3 and protrude from the button body 3.

  The button body 3 may be restricted from rotating with respect to the base 2, and the rotating mechanism 14 may rotate the stopper 4 relative to the base 2, or the stopper 4 may be restricted from rotating relative to the base 2, and the button body 3 may be The rotation mechanism 14 may rotate the button main body 3 with respect to the base 2.

  The rotation mechanism 14 may include the drive source 6, the pinion 7, and the gear 4 d, or may have another configuration that relatively rotates the stopper and the button body about the axis.

  The urging member 5 may be a coil spring, an air spring, a dust or the like.

  The restricting member 2c may be formed integrally with the base 2 or may be formed separately.

  Three each of the inclined portion 4b and the contact member 9 may be provided, or one, two, or four or more of each may be provided.

  The button body 3 may move between the sinking position and the protruding position, or may be moved to the lowest position where the button main body 3 is pushed further than the sinking position and cannot be pushed.

  The inclined portion 4b may have a linear shape, a curved shape, a step shape, or the like as long as the abutting member 9 is movably contacted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Push button 2 Base 2c Restriction member 3 Button main body 4d Gear 4 Stopper 4a Stopper main body 4b Inclination part 4b1 First position 4b2 Second position 5 Energizing member 6 Drive source 7 Pinion 8 Mounting ring 9 Contact member 12 Switch 14 Rotation mechanism 16 Protrusion variable device 20 Game machine 24 Top plate

Claims (5)

A push button for a gaming machine, a base mounted on the gaming machine body, a button body movably provided on the base, and an urging force of the button body in one direction of movement with respect to the base A biasing member, a stopper that regulates the amount of movement of the button body in the one direction, and a protrusion amount variable device that changes the amount of protrusion of the button body relative to the base in the one direction,
The protrusion amount varying device is provided in one of a rotation mechanism that relatively rotates the button body and the stopper around an axis extending in the moving direction of the button body, and both the button body and the stopper. An inclined portion and an abutting member provided on the other one of the two members, the inclined portion extending in the rotation direction and having an angle with respect to the axial direction, The urging force of the urging member abuts on the inclined portion, and when the two members rotate relatively, the abutting member moves relative to the inclined portion, and the button main body urges the urging force of the urging member. A push button for a gaming machine in which the abutting member is separated from the inclined portion when pressed against the inclination. A push button for a gaming machine according to claim 1,
The base is provided with a restricting member that restricts the button body from rotating about the axis,
A push button for a gaming machine in which the rotation mechanism rotates the stopper with respect to the button body. A push button for a gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The stopper is a push button for a gaming machine having a stopper body that is annular and has a stopper body that slidably supports an outer peripheral surface of the button body. A push button for a gaming machine according to claim 3,
A plurality of the inclined portions are formed along an edge of the stopper,
A plurality of the abutting members are provided on the button body, and the push buttons for gaming machines in which the abutting members abut on the inclined portions. A push button for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The rotation mechanism includes a drive source that outputs a rotational force centered on a parallel axis parallel to the axis, and a force transmission that transmits the rotational force of the drive source to the stopper and rotates the stopper about the axis. A push button for a gaming machine having a mechanism.

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