JP2014239764A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine preventing clogging of tokens in a token guide passage regardless of difference in the thickness of tokens entering the token guide passage.SOLUTION: A slot machine includes a token insertion slot in which a token as a game medium can be inserted, a hopper for storing tokens, and a token guide passage 20 for guiding the token inserted into the token insertion slot to the hopper. When the token is a 25 mm-diameter type or a 30 mm-diameter type, a part or the whole of the token guide passage 20 includes a curve guide part 22 that is formed of a circular arc part having a radius of the curvature of not less than 50 mm and not more than 60 mm or formed of a circular arc part having a radius of the curvature of not less than 60 mm but more than 70 mm.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a medal insertion slot into which medals can be inserted, a hopper for storing medals, and a medal guidance path for guiding medals inserted into the medal insertion slot to the hopper, and in particular, a medal guidance path. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that prevents medal clogging in a medal guide passage regardless of the difference in the thickness of medals entering the game.

Generally, a plurality of gaming machines such as a slot machine and a pachinko machine that advance a game by a predetermined operation are installed in a game hall.
For example, in a slot machine, a player displays a pattern such as a predetermined pattern, number, or character on the outer peripheral surface by inserting a game medal as a game medium from a medal slot and pressing a start lever. Reels (usually three reels) start rotating, and after rotating at a constant speed, the stop button is pressed at an arbitrary timing to stop the reels, and depending on the combination of symbols on the reels displayed as stopped A gaming machine in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out from a medal payout exit.

Such a slot machine is provided with a medal selector for detecting a medal inserted from a medal slot. The medal selector is formed with a medal flow path for guiding a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot into the slot machine, and the medal flow path includes an insertion detection means such as a photosensor for detecting the inserted medal. Is provided.
In addition, the slot machine is provided with a medal guide passage (medal transfer unit) that communicates with the medal selector and guides the medal that has passed through the medal selector to the medal storage hopper in an upright state (for example, Patent Document 1).

Such a medal guiding path includes a curve guiding portion having a three-dimensionally curved shape from the end portion of the medal selector (medal channel) toward the hopper.
The medal guide passage is curved because the medal slot and the medal selector are usually located close to the player's right hand in the slot machine, that is, near the right side of the front door of the slot machine. On the other hand, since the hopper is arranged near the center inside the housing of the slot machine, from these arrangement relationships, in order to guide the medal inserted from the medal slot to the hopper, the transfer direction of the medal is set to the hopper. This is because it is necessary to change in the direction in which. Further, by providing the curve guiding portion, it is difficult to insert illegal tools such as a wire from the medal payout opening and prevent illegal profits from being obtained.
Thereby, when a medal is inserted from the player into the medal slot, the medal passes through the medal flow path of the medal selector and is sent to the hopper through the curve guiding portion of the medal guiding path.

JP 2007-44333 A

However, the above technique has the following problems.
In general, two types of medals used in slot machine games are used with a diameter of 25 mm or 30 mm. One of the medals is used according to the type of slot machine. The thickness of the medal is freely set within a usable range such as a logo is engraved on the surface of the medal so that each game hall has its own store characteristics. In addition, medals with different thicknesses due to wear due to use or adhesion of dust, dust, etc. are actually used in amusement halls.
In other words, the medals inserted from the medal slot by the player are not necessarily the same thickness, and medals with different thicknesses may be inserted. May enter the aisle.

However, the medal guide path of the slot machine described in Patent Document 1 is not intended for cases where medals having different thicknesses enter.
Therefore, when a medal with a thickness that is not assumed by design enters the medal guide passage (curve guide portion), there is a problem that a medal clogging occurs in the medal guide passage.
As a result, when medals are jammed, the medals that roll continuously from behind are jammed one after another until the clerk in the game hall forcibly removes them, I had to interrupt the game.

The reason why such a situation occurs is due to the relationship between the thickness of the medal and the bending state (curvature radius) of the curve guiding portion.
For example, when a medal thicker than a medal that is expected to enter the medal guide passage by design enters the medal guide passage (curve guide portion), the medal is jammed without being able to bend the curve guide portion. May end up.
This is because when a thick medal enters a curved guiding portion with a large degree of bending (a small radius of curvature), the surface on the left side in the traveling direction of the medal comes into contact with the right wall surface of the curved guiding portion. This is because the medal is sandwiched in the curve guiding portion, and medal clogging occurs.

Therefore, in order to prevent such a thick medal from being jammed, it is conceivable to sufficiently reduce the degree of bending of the curve guiding portion (the radius of curvature is sufficiently large). In this case, a thick medal can pass through. However, this time, medals that are expected to enter the medal guiding path by design may overlap and clog in the front and rear directions.
This is because, for example, when a plurality of the medals enter a curved guiding portion having a small degree of bending (a large radius of curvature), the medal that rolls the curved guiding portion in advance (hereinafter referred to as a leading medal). ) Is separated from the side surface of the curve guiding portion, and a gap of about the thickness of the medal or more is formed. If this happens, the tip of a medal (hereinafter referred to as a subsequent medal) that rolls continuously from behind enters the gap, and the preceding medal and the succeeding medal overlap in the forward and backward direction, resulting in clogging of medals. .

  Therefore, the present inventors pay attention to the radius of curvature in the curve guiding portion of the medal guiding passage, and if the optimum value of the curvature radius of the curve guiding portion is specified, it depends on the difference in the thickness of medals entering the curve guiding portion. Thus, the present inventors have found that medals can be prevented from being jammed and have completed the present invention.

  That is, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a gaming machine that prevents medal clogging in the medal guiding path regardless of the difference in thickness of medals entering the medal guiding path. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a medal insertion slot into which a medal as a game medium can be inserted, a hopper for storing medals, and a medal guidance for guiding the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot to the hopper. And, when the medal is a 25 mm diameter medal, a curved guiding portion comprising a circular arc portion having a radius of curvature larger than 50 mm and smaller than 60 mm in a part or all of the medal guiding passage. It is set as the structure provided with.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a medal insertion slot into which a medal serving as a game medium can be inserted, a hopper for storing medals, and a medal guide passage for guiding the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot to the hopper. In a gaming machine, when a medal is a 30 mm diameter medal, a part or all of the medal guiding passage is provided with a curve guiding portion including a circular arc portion having a radius of curvature larger than 60 mm and smaller than 70 mm. is there.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, since the curve guiding portion having a radius of curvature consisting of a specific numerical value is provided, medal clogging in the curve guiding portion is prevented regardless of the difference in the thickness of medals entering the curve guiding portion. Can do.

It is a front view showing the configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing each composition of a medal selector, a medal detection device, and a medal guide passage. 1 shows a configuration of a medal guide passage according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a perspective view of the medal guide passage as viewed obliquely from above, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of (a). FIG. The chart of the test result performed when specifying the curvature radius in the curve guidance part of the medal guidance passage concerning the embodiment of the present invention is shown, (a) is a case where a medal is a 25 mm diameter type, and (b). This is the case where the medal is a 30 mm diameter type. It is the figure which looked at the medal guide passage concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the top, and (a) is a perspective view showing the state where the medal clogging of the thick medal occurred, and (b) is the medal clogging of the thick medal. It is a perspective view which shows not having generate | occur | produced. It is the figure which looked at the medal guide passage concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the top, and (a) is a perspective view showing the state where the medal clogging of the thin medal occurred, and (b) is the medal clogging of the thin medal. It is a perspective view which shows not having generate | occur | produced.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
There are various types of gaming machines such as slot machines, pachinko machines, and parrots. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a slot machine will be described.

First, the slot machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Slot machine body]
The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured as a general revolving game machine that can acquire medals as game media by rotating a plurality of reels, and a medal insertion provided in front of the slot machine 1 The medal M inserted into the slot 2 is guided to the inside of the slot machine 1 by the medal selector 10 provided immediately below the medal slot 2, and passes through the medal guide passage 20 formed in a groove shape to store the medal. The hopper 7a is guided and stored.
Hereinafter, the configuration of each part of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main control unit 9a that is internally configured by a microcomputer and the like, and lamps such as a speaker 8 and LEDs according to instructions from the main control unit 9a. A sub-control unit 9b to be controlled, a housing 1b that opens on the front side for storing necessary machines and devices, and a front door 1a that covers the front side of the housing 1b so as to be openable and closable.

The front door 1a is a door body that is attached to the housing 1b of the slot machine 1 through a hinge or the like so as to be opened and closed. The front door 1a is provided with a plurality of operation means related to a game operation.
As operation means, a medal slot 2 into which a medal M is inserted, a bet button 2a for throwing the medal M stored as credits in the apparatus into the game, and a start lever for starting rotation of each reel 41a, 41b, 41c 3 and three stop buttons 5a, 5b, 5c, etc. for stopping the rotating reels 41a, 41b, 41c.
Further, the front door 1a is provided with a display window 6 on the upper side of each operation means for allowing the symbols displayed on the reels 41a, 41b, 41c to be visually recognized.

The dimension of the medal slot 2 is formed so as to regulate the diameter and thickness of the medal M that can be inserted into the medal slot 2.
Specifically, the medal slot 2 is provided with an opening having a long side and a short side. The length of the long side of the opening is formed according to the diameter of the medal M. In the case of the slot machine 1 that can use the medal M having a diameter of 25 mm, the length is about 25 mm and the diameter of the 30 mm type. In the case of the slot machine 1 that can use the medal M, it is formed with a length of about 30 mm.
Here, the 25 mm diameter medal M in the present embodiment indicates a medal M having a diameter of about 25 mm (for example, about 24 mm to 26 mm) when the medal M is viewed in plan.
Similarly, a 30 mm diameter medal M indicates that the medal M has a diameter of about 30 mm (for example, about 29 mm to 31 mm).
In addition, the length of the short side of the opening is about 1.6 mm to 2.1 mm according to the thickness of the medal M.
Thus, a medal M having a diameter or thickness larger than this dimension cannot be inserted into the medal slot 2.

In the center of the housing 1b, a drum unit 4 including reels 41a, 41b, and 41c, a motor (not shown) that rotates each of the reels 41a, 41b, and 41c, a sensor that detects a rotation position, and the like is provided.
In addition, a medal payout device 7 for storing and paying out medals M is provided at the lower part of the housing 1b. The medal payout device 7 is provided with a hopper 7a for storing the medal M, and the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 2 is detected by the medal selector 10 and passes through the medal guide passage 20 to the hopper 7a. It is supposed to be guided.

  The main controller 9a is composed of a main board on which a control chip in which a main CPU, main ROM, main RAM and the like are integrated, a board case for housing the main board, and the like. Based on the signal from the medal selector 10, the following slot machine game is advanced by controlling each device such as the drum unit 4 and the medal payout device 7.

  Specifically, in the slot machine game, the number of medals M inserted from the medal slot 2 (for example, three) or the medal inserted in the signal format by the operation of the bet button 2a from the internally stored credit medal. When the start lever 3 is operated in this state, the reels 41a to 41c start rotating and correspond to the reels 41a to 41c. When the stop buttons 5a to 5c to be pressed are pressed, the reels 41a to 41c are stopped and stopped so as to stop at a combination of symbols corresponding to the lottery result of the lottery process performed at the operation timing of the start lever 3. The presence or absence of a prize is determined based on the combination of symbols, and the hopper 7 stores the medal M by the medal payout device 7 according to the determination result. So that the medals M are paid out from the medal payout opening 7b through.

In the slot machine 1 in which a game is executed with such contents, the medal M inserted into the medal slot 2 as described above passes through the medal selector 10 and enters the medal guiding path 20.
Here, the medals M entering the medal guide passage 20 are not necessarily the same thickness, and medals M having different thicknesses may enter. In this case, the thickness of the medal M and the curve guide of the medal guide passage 20 are guided. Depending on the relationship with the degree of curvature (curvature radius) of the portion 22 (see FIG. 5), medal clogging may occur in the curve guiding portion 22.
Therefore, by setting the curve guiding portion 22 of the medal guiding passage 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention to the optimum radius of curvature specified by the test, the medal M in the curve guiding portion 22 does not depend on the difference in the thickness of the medal M. Prevents clogging.

[Medal selector]
According to the medal selector 10, the medal flow path 11 that guides the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 2 to the inside of the slot machine 1 while flowing down, and the standard of the medal selector 10 (diameter 25 mm or diameter 30 mm). The medal M having a smaller diameter or smaller thickness (for example, thinner than 1.6 mm) is removed from the medal flow path 11 and guided to the medal payout opening 7b, and is output by operating the start lever 3. Based on the start signal, the solenoid provided on the back side of the medal selector 10 is turned off, so that the medal M is removed from the medal flow path 11 and the medal M is guided to the medal payout opening 7b. And an insertion detection sensor for detecting a medal M inserted into the game.
Further, in the medal selector 10, the proper medal M is detected by the insertion detecting means and then discharged from the medal discharge port 11 a opened at the end portion of the medal flow path 11 and enters the medal guiding path 20. In addition, the improper medal M is guided to the medal payout opening 7b before the insertion detecting means detects the passage.

[Medal guide passage]
Next, the medal guiding passage 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to each drawing.
The medal guiding passage 20 is a medal conveying guide member for guiding the medal M flowing down the medal flow path 11 of the medal selector 10 to the hopper 7a.
In the medal guiding path 20, a medal detecting device 30 for physically detecting the medal M passing through the medal guiding path 20 is provided.
The medal detection device 30 includes a contact piece 31 that is displaced when contacting the upper part of the medal M flowing down the medal guide passage 20, a detection piece 32 that is displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the contact piece 31, and the displacement of the detection piece 32. The displacement detection sensor 33 is configured to detect and output a predetermined detection signal.
With such a configuration, when the medal M flows down in the medal guiding passage 20, the upper part of each flowing medal comes into contact with the contact piece 31, the contact piece 31 is displaced, and the contact piece 31 is displaced. When the detection piece 32 is displaced in conjunction with each other, the displacement detection sensor 33 detects the displacement of the detection piece 32, and a detection signal indicating the detection is output to the main control unit 9a.

Here, the main control unit 9 a inputs a detection signal from the insertion detection means (for example, a photo sensor) of the medal selector 10 and also inputs a detection signal from the medal detection device 30 provided in the medal guiding path 20. Here, when the detection signal from the latter medal detection device 30 is input within a predetermined time after inputting the detection signal from the former insertion detection means, it is determined that the medal M has been inserted normally, On the other hand, when a detection signal is not input within the predetermined time, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.
By executing this determination, for example, even if the insertion detection means of the medal selector 10 is erroneously operated due to fraud and the state where the medal M is inserted is camouflaged, the medal detection device 30 provided in the medal guidance path 20 Then, since the medal M is not detected, the main control unit 9a can determine that an abnormality has occurred.

Next, the function of the medal guiding passage 20 as a guide member will be described with reference to FIG.
5A and 5B show the configuration of the medal guide passage, where FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the medal guide passage viewed obliquely from the front side, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. .
As shown in FIG. 5, the medal guiding passage 20 includes a straight guiding portion 21 that extends linearly along the flow-down direction of the medal M from the medal discharge port 11 a and a hopper starting from the end of the straight guiding portion 21. It is comprised by the curve guidance | induction part 22 extended | stretched, curving in the direction which goes to 7a.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the curve guiding unit 22 is configured such that the medal M enters the curve guiding unit 22 from the straight line guiding unit 21 and the medal M is ejected from the curve guiding unit 22. An arc portion connecting portions in an arc shape.

The straight guide portion 21 is formed with a groove-like straight groove portion 21a for rolling the medal M in an upright state. Also in the curve guiding portion 22, a groove-like curved groove portion 22 a for rolling the medal M in the standing state is formed.
The straight groove portion 21a is a groove-like portion having a narrow width and formed in a cross-section “U” shape, a cross-section “凵” shape, a cross-section “V” shape, or the like, and the straight guide portion 21 is viewed from above. The first side wall portion 21b located on one side portion of the straight groove portion 21a, the second side wall portion 21c located on the other side portion, and the lower side in the depth direction. The bottom portion 21d is formed.
Moreover, the first wall surface 211b, which is the surface of the first side wall portion 21b and faces the surface of the medal M on the inclination direction side when the medal M is positioned in the linear groove portion 21a, and the second side wall portion 21c It has the 2nd wall surface 211c which is a surface and is a surface which opposes the surface of the anti-inclination direction side of this medal M when the medal M is located in the linear groove part 21a.

Similar to the straight groove 21a, the curved groove 22a is a groove-shaped portion having a narrow lateral width and formed in a cross-section “U” shape, a cross-section “凵” shape, a cross-section “V” shape, or the like. 22 is formed in a curved shape when viewed from above, an inner wall portion 22b located on the curved inner side portion of the curved groove portion 22a, an outer wall portion 22c located on the curved outer side portion, The bottom portion 22d is located below the depth direction.
The curved groove portion 22a is formed as a single elongated groove portion that is continuous with the straight groove portion 21a. The medal M rolls in the standing state toward the hopper 7a in the straight groove portion 21a and the curved groove portion 22a. To come down. At this time, the inner wall portion 22b of the curved groove portion 22a is continuous with the first side wall portion 21b of the linear groove portion 21a, and the outer wall portion 22c of the curved groove portion 22a is continuous with the second side wall portion 21c of the linear groove portion 21a. ing.

  The straight groove 21a and the curved groove 22a are not formed in a groove shape with a depth so as to cover the medal M as a whole, but the upper surfaces of the straight groove 21a and the curved groove 22a are open, and The upper part of the medal M is formed with such a depth that it is exposed above the upper ends in the depth direction of the straight groove part 21a and the curved groove part 22a. As a result, the contact piece 31 of the medal detection device 30 installed in the upper part of the medal guide passage 20 can come into contact with the upper part of the medal M passing through the medal guide passage 20, so that the medal detection device 30 M can be detected.

The straight guiding portion 21 and the curved guiding portion 22 are formed such that the depth direction of the straight groove portion 21a and the curved groove portion 22a is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of gravity so that the medal M can easily flow down.
This is because the straight-line guide unit 21 is adapted to the fact that the medal flow path 11 of the medal selector 10 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of gravity, and the medal M discharged from the medal discharge port 11a is In this way, the linear guide 21 can smoothly enter the linear groove 21a.
Further, the curve guiding portion 22 inclines the medal M in the direction toward the inside of the curve so as to counter the centrifugal force received when the medal M rolls in the curve groove portion 22a while turning in the bending direction. is there.

The length of the straight guide portion 21 in the medal flow direction (hereinafter referred to as the length of the straight section) has a length that is at least half the diameter of the medal M.
When the medal M that has flowed down the medal flow path 11 of the medal selector 10 enters the linear guiding portion 21 from the medal discharge port 11a, the posture is lost due to the step of the connecting portion, the inclination of the medal selector 10, etc. Part 21 may be entered.
Therefore, by setting the length of the straight section of the straight guide section 21 to be not less than half of the diameter of the medal M, the medal M that has lost its straight running posture when entering the straight guide section 21 is changed in posture in this straight section. It can be corrected and guided to the curve guiding section 22.

In the curved groove portion 22a, when the width at the lower end in the depth direction of the curved groove portion 22a is the lower end width W1, the lower end width W1 is larger than 2.5 mm and smaller than the thickness of two medals M. Is formed within.
As described above, since the lower end width W1 of the curved groove portion 22a is formed narrower than the thickness of the two medals M, two or more medals M do not flow down side by side in the lateral width direction of the curved groove portion 22a. As a result, it is possible to prevent a plurality of medals M from being sandwiched in the vicinity of the lower end width W1. Further, since two or more medals M do not flow down side by side, the medal detection device 30 can detect the medals M one by one and perform accurate passage determination.
Further, by setting the minimum value of the lower end width W1 of the curved groove portion 22a to 2.5 mm, the medal M can flow along the curved guiding portion 22 within the range of the curvature radius of the curved guiding portion 22 described later. It has become.
The lower end width W1 is preferably 2.5 mm to the thickness of the medal M as described above, and more preferably 2.5 mm.
Further, when the width of the upper end in the depth direction of the curved groove portion 22a is defined as the upper end width W2, the upper end width W2 is preferably set to 3.0 mm.

Next, the curvature radius of the medal guiding passage 20 (curve guiding portion 22) will be described.
The curve guiding portion 22 of the medal guiding passage 20 in the present embodiment is composed of the following numerical values of the radius of curvature.
Specifically, when the medal M that can be used in the game of the slot machine 1 is a 25 mm diameter medal M, the curve guiding portion 22 of the slot machine 1 is within a range larger than 50 mm and smaller than 60 mm. Has a radius of curvature.
Further, this radius of curvature is preferably 55 mm.

When the medal M that can be used for the game of the slot machine 1 is a 30 mm diameter medal M, the curve guiding portion 22 of the slot machine 1 has a radius of curvature within a range larger than 60 mm and smaller than 70 mm. have.
Further, the radius of curvature is preferably 65 mm.

Here, the radius of curvature in the present embodiment is defined as follows.
The radius of curvature in the present embodiment is a radius of curvature passing through the lowest point (curvature radius reference point) in the depth direction of the curved groove portion 22a of the curved guiding portion 22 (see FIG. 5B). Furthermore, this radius of curvature is a radius of curvature that includes all the arc portions of the curve guiding portion 22.
In addition, the curvature radius in this embodiment is not restricted to this, A curvature radius reference | standard point is made into the arbitrary points on the inner wall part 22b or the outer wall part 22c among the curve induction | guidance | derivation parts 22, and the curvature radius according to this is set as the curvature radius. It may be used.
Further, a radius of curvature including a part of the arc portion of the curve guiding portion 22 can be used.

Next, the result of the test when specifying the numerical value of the above-described curvature radius will be described with reference to FIGS.
<Test results>
(I) Conditions FIG. 6 shows a chart of test results performed when specifying the radius of curvature in the curve guiding portion 22 of the medal guiding passage 20, (a) is a case where the medal is a 25 mm diameter type, b) is a case where the medal is a 30 mm diameter type.
In this test, the cases where the medals M had a diameter of 25 mm and the diameter of 30 mm were separately tested, and the medals M having different thicknesses were entered into the curve guiding portion 22 to examine the occurrence of clogging of medals.
The medal M having a different thickness is a medal M having a thickness of 1.6 mm to 2.05 mm. Specifically, a medal having a thickness of 2.05 mm is referred to as a thick medal M, and a medal of 1.6 mm. Was tested as a thin medal M.
In FIG. 6, “x” indicates that the medal M does not pass through the jam, “Δ” indicates that the medal M does not jam or does not pass, and “◯” indicates that the medal M passes without clogging. is there.

(Ii) When the medal M has a diameter of 25 mm type First, a test was performed using a medal M having a diameter of 25 mm type.
When the curvature radii of the curve guiding portion 22 were 50 mm, 55 mm, and 60 mm, the results were obtained using actual machines, respectively. Moreover, about the range whose curvature radius of the curve induction | guidance | derivation part 22 is 51 mm-54 mm and 56 mm-59 mm, the result was obtained by performing a simulation for every 1 mm.

The result of this test is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6A, when the radius of curvature is 50 mm, it was found that the thick medal M is clogged by the curve guiding portion 22 and does not pass.
Specifically, when the thick medal M enters the curve guiding portion 22, as shown in FIG. 7A, depending on the thickness of the thick medal M, the surface of the thick medal M on the inclination side (inclined side surface) and the curve are curved. The inner side surface 221b of the guiding portion 22 contacts (A portion), and the surface on the opposite side to the tilt direction of the thick medal M (anti-tilt side surface) contacts the outer surface 221c of the curve guiding portion 22 (B Part and C part). As a result, the thick medal M is in contact with the curve guiding portion 22 at at least three points, so that the thick medal M is sandwiched between the curve guiding portions 22, and the medal clogging occurs without bending the curve guiding portion 22.

It was also found that when the radius of curvature is 50 mm, the thin medal M passes without being clogged by the curve guiding portion 22.
Specifically, when one thin medal M is inserted and enters the curve guiding portion 22, the thin medal M has a three-point surface (A portion, B portion, C) due to the small thickness. As a result, the thin medal M passes through the curve guiding part 22 because the parts do not touch at the same time.
Further, even when a plurality of thin medals M are continuously inserted, the curve guiding portion 22 has a large degree of bending. Therefore, as shown in FIG. There is no gap between the inner surface 221b of 22 and the thickness of one medal or more. As a result, the medal clogging due to the leading end portion of the succeeding medal entering the trailing end portion of the preceding medal does not occur, and the passing result is obtained.

Next, the test was performed with the radius of curvature increased in 1 mm increments (decreasing the degree of bending).
When the radius of curvature is 51 mm to 54 mm, it has been found that there are both cases where the thick medal M is not clogged or does not pass by the curve guiding portion 22.
As shown in FIG. 7B, the thick medal M is not clogged by the curve guiding portion 22 because the curve guiding portion 22 is less bent, and the anti-inclined side surface of the thick medal M becomes the curve guiding portion 22. It is because it becomes difficult to contact the outer side surface 221c (B part or C part).
In addition, when the radius of curvature is 51 mm and 52 mm, the probability of clogging is lower than that of 50 mm (clogging is about 5 times after 1000 cycles), especially when the radius of curvature is 53 mm and 54 mm. Low results were obtained (clogged about once after 1000 injections).
When the radius of curvature is 51 mm to 54 mm, the result is that the thin medal M passes through the curve guiding portion 22 without clogging as in the case of 50 mm.

When the curvature radius was 55 mm, it was found that the thick medal M passes without being clogged by the curve guiding portion 22.
Further, it was found that the thin medal M passes through the curve guiding portion 22 without clogging as in the case where the radius of curvature is 50 mm to 54 mm.
That is, when the curvature radius of the curve guiding portion 22 of the medal guiding passage 20 is 55 mm, it is possible to reliably prevent clogging of medals regardless of the difference in the thickness of the medal M entering the curve guiding portion 22. it can.

When the radius of curvature is 56 mm, the thick medal M passes without being clogged by the curve guiding unit 22, but when a plurality of thin medals M are continuously inserted, the thin medals M are medals M. It was found that there was a case where they overlapped before and after the direction of travel and did not pass (clogged about once after 1000 times).
Specifically, when a plurality of thin medals M are continuously inserted, when the anti-tilt side surface of the preceding medal comes into contact with the curved outer wall surface of the curve guiding unit, the rear end portion of the preceding medal and the curve guiding The gap between the inner surface 221b of the portion 22 is about the thickness of one medal or more. Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, the leading end of the subsequent medal enters the gap, and the leading medal is sandwiched between the leading end of the succeeding medal and the outer surface 221c, and the medal clogging occurs. The result to be obtained.
When a plurality of thick medals M are continuously inserted, the thickness of the thick medals M is 2. with respect to the lateral width of the curved groove portion 22a (for example, W1: 2.5 mm, W2: 3.0 mm). Since it is 05 mm, the situation where the thin medals M overlap with each other as described above does not occur between the thick medals.
Further, when the radius of curvature was 57 mm, the same results as in the case of 56 mm were obtained.

It was found that when the radius of curvature is 58 mm, the number of times the thin medals M are sandwiched between the curve guiding portions 22 increases and the number of times of passage decreases compared with the case where the radius of curvature is 57 mm (5 times when 1000 times is inserted). Degree clogged). Further, when the radius of curvature was 59 mm, the same results as in the case of 58 mm were obtained.
It was found that when the radius of curvature was 60 mm, the thin medals M overlapped with each other at the curve guiding portion 22 and did not pass.

  From the above test results, when the medal M is of the 25 mm diameter type, the radius of curvature at the curve guiding portion 22 of the medal guiding passage 20 is preferably in the range of “51 mm to 59 mm”, more preferably “55 mm. I came to the conclusion that it would be better.

(Iii) In the case where the medal M has a diameter of 30 mm type Next, a test was performed using the medal M having a diameter of 30 mm type.
When the curvature radii of the curve guiding portion 22 were 60 mm, 65 mm, and 70 mm, the results were obtained using actual machines. Moreover, about the range whose curvature radius of the curve induction | guidance | derivation part 22 is 61 mm-64 mm and 66 mm-69 mm, the result was obtained by performing a simulation for every 1 mm.

The result of this test is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6B, it was found that when the radius of curvature was 60 mm, the thick medal M was clogged by the curve guiding portion 22 and did not pass.
Further, it was found that when the radius of curvature is 60 mm, the thin medal M passes without being blocked by the curve guiding portion 22.
The situation in which the thick medal M is jammed by the curve guiding part 22 and the situation in which the thin medal M passes without being jammed by the curve guiding part 22 are the same as in the case where the above-mentioned medal is a 25 mm diameter type, and the description is omitted. To do.

Next, the test was performed with the radius of curvature increased in 1 mm increments (decreasing the degree of bending).
It has been found that when the radius of curvature is 61 mm to 64 mm, the thick medal M may not be blocked by the curve guiding portion 22 or may not pass.
Note that the situation where the thick medal M is not clogged by the curve guiding portion 22 is the same as the case where the medal M is of the 25 mm diameter type, and a description thereof will be omitted.
When the radius of curvature is 61 mm and 62 mm, the probability of clogging is lower than that of 60 mm (clogging is about 5 times with 1000 insertions), especially when the radius of curvature is 63 mm and 64 mm. The result was obtained (clogged about once after 1000 times loading).
When the radius of curvature was 61 mm to 64 mm, the result was that the thin medal M passed through the curve guiding portion 22 without clogging as in the case of 60 mm.

It was found that when the radius of curvature is 65 mm, the thick medal M passes through the curve guiding portion 22 without clogging.
Further, it was found that the thin medal M passes through the curve guiding portion 22 without being clogged as in the case where the radius of curvature is 60 mm to 64 mm.
That is, when the radius of curvature of the curve guiding portion 22 of the medal guiding passage 20 is 65 mm, it is possible to reliably prevent clogging of medals regardless of the difference in the thickness of the medal M entering the curve guiding portion 22. it can.

When the radius of curvature is 66 mm, the thick medal M passes without being clogged by the curve guiding portion 22, but when a plurality of thin medals M are continuously inserted, the thin medals M are medals M. It was found that there was a case where they overlapped before and after the direction of travel and did not pass (clogged about once after 1000 times).
Note that the situation in which the thin medals M are sandwiched before and after the medals M in the traveling direction and do not pass is the same as in the case where the medals are 25 mm in diameter, and the description thereof is omitted.
Further, when the curvature radius was 67 mm, the same result as in the case of 66 mm was obtained.

When the radius of curvature was 68 mm, it was found that the number of times the thin medals M were sandwiched between the curve guiding portions 22 increased and the number of times of passage decreased compared to the case where the radius of curvature was 67 mm (5 times with 1000 times insertion). Degree clogging). Also, when the radius of curvature was 69 mm, the same results as in the case of 68 mm were obtained.
It was found that when the radius of curvature was 70 mm, the thin medals M overlapped and sandwiched by the curve guiding portion 22 and did not pass.

  From the above test results, when the medal M is a 30 mm diameter type, the radius of curvature of the curved guiding portion 22 of the medal guiding passage 20 is preferably in the range of “61 mm to 69 mm”, and more preferably “65 mm”. I came to the conclusion that it would be better.

As described above, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, since the curve guiding portion 22 having a radius of curvature consisting of a specific numerical value is provided, the medal M entering the medal guiding passage 20 (curve guiding portion 22). Regardless of the difference in thickness, medal clogging in the medal guiding passage 20 (curve guiding portion 22) can be prevented.
Thus, by preventing the occurrence of clogged medals, the player can play the game smoothly without interrupting the game.
In addition, the medal guiding passage 20 is configured by a single component and is used by being connected to the medal selector 10, so that the medal guiding passage 20 is not limited to the type of the slot machine 1 and can be applied to other slot machines 1 and is excellent. Versatile.
Further, since the medal guiding passage 20 can be used regardless of the difference in the thickness of the medal M, the medal M worn due to use by the game can be dealt with. Running costs can be greatly reduced.

The preferred embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention has been described above, but the gaming 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 curve guiding portion 22 is described as a configuration including a part of the medal guiding passage 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the curve guiding portion 22 is configured as a whole of the medal guiding passage 20. Also good. In this case, the entire medal guide passage 20 is an arc portion, and the straight guide portion 21 is omitted.
In the above-described embodiment, the lower end width W1 is in the range of the thickness of 2.5 mm to two medals M, more preferably 2.5 mm, and the upper end width W2 is 3.0 mm. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the medal M can flow down along the curve guiding portion 22 without the two or more medals M flowing down in the width direction of the curved groove portion 22a. Absent.

  The present invention can be used for a gaming machine provided with a medal guide passage through which a game medal passes.

1 slot machine (game machine)
2 medal slot 7a hopper 10 medal selector 20 medal guide passage 21 straight guide section 22 curved guide section 22a curved groove section 22b inner wall section 22c outer side wall section 221b inner side face 221c outer side face 22d bottom M medal, thick medal, thin medal W1 lower end Width W2 Top width

Claims (5)

A medal slot that allows medal to be used as game media;
A hopper for storing the medal;
A medal guidance path for guiding the medal inserted into the medal slot to the hopper,
If the medal is a 25 mm diameter medal,
A gaming machine characterized in that a curved guiding portion comprising a circular arc portion having a radius of curvature larger than 50 mm and smaller than 60 mm is provided in a part or all of the medal guiding passage. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature is 55 mm. A medal slot that allows medal to be used as game media;
A hopper for storing the medal;
A medal guidance path for guiding the medal inserted into the medal slot to the hopper,
When the medal is a 30 mm diameter medal,
A gaming machine, wherein a part or all of the medal guiding passage is provided with a curve guiding portion including an arc portion having a radius of curvature larger than 60 mm and smaller than 70 mm. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the radius of curvature is 65 mm. The curve guiding portion has a groove-shaped curved groove portion that rolls the medal along the curved direction in an upright state,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cross-sectional width of a lower end in a depth direction of the curved groove portion is larger than 2.5 mm and smaller than a thickness of two medals. .

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