JP2015012916A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent medals from clogging a medal guidepath.SOLUTION: A medal selector for detecting a medal thrown in from a medal inlet has: a medal flow path 11 through which the medal flows; and a medal outlet 11a that externally discharges the medal passing through the medal flow path 11. A medal guidepath for guiding the medal discharged from the medal selector to a hopper has a linear groove part 21a where the medal discharged from the medal outlet 11a flows, and the linear groove part 21a is formed into a curved shape. The medal guidepath is connected to the medal selector in the form of fitting the medal outlet 11a and a medal entering port 23 of the linear groove part 21a with each other. When setting center of width D1 of the medal flow path 11 near the medal outlet 11a as first center and setting center of width D2 of the linear groove part 21a near an entrance of the linear groove part 21a as second center, the second center is located at a position closer to an inner curving side of the linear groove part 21a than the first center by an interval S.

Description

  The present invention includes a medal insertion slot through which medals can be inserted, a medal selector for detecting inserted medals, a hopper for storing medals, and a medal guide passage for guiding medals discharged from the medal selector to the hopper. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gaming machine that prevents clogging of medals in a medal guiding passage.

In general, there is a slot machine as a gaming machine using a medal as a game medium.
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 through which medals inserted from the medal insertion slot pass. A medal discharge opening for discharging medals to the outside is provided at the end of the medal flow path. .
In addition, the slot machine is provided with a medal guide passage (medal transfer section) for guiding the medals discharged from the medal discharge port of the medal selector to a hopper for storing medals in a standing state (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

The medal guiding passage is connected to the end portion of the medal selector, and the medal discharged from the medal discharge port of the medal selector is connected so as to enter from the medal entrance which is the entrance portion of the medal guiding passage.
In addition, the medal guide passage has a groove portion formed in a groove shape for rolling the medal in a standing state, and further, a curve guide formed in a shape curved toward the hopper in a part or all of the medal guide passage. Has a part.
Therefore, when a medal is inserted from the player into the medal slot, the medal passes through the medal channel of the medal selector and is discharged from the medal outlet, and enters from the medal entrance of the medal guiding path. It will be guided to the hopper through the curve guide part of the guide passage.

In the slot machine, the medal guide passage is usually formed in a curved shape, where the medal slot and the medal selector are located close to the player's right hand, 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 of the inside of the slot machine housing, from these arrangement relationships, in order to guide the medal inserted from the medal slot to the hopper, the medal transfer direction This is because it is necessary to change the direction in which the hopper is located.
In addition, by providing the medal guide passage in a curved shape, it is possible to make it difficult to insert a fraudulent tool such as a wire from the medal payout opening, and to prevent illegal profits from being obtained.

JP 2007-44333 A

The slot machine provided with such a medal guiding path has the following problems.
For example, when a plurality of medals are continuously inserted into the medal insertion slot, there is a problem that the medals are jammed in the medal guide passage so that the medals overlap each other in the forward and backward directions.
Specifically, when a preceding medal (hereinafter referred to as a preceding medal) among a plurality of medals inserted into the medal slot is approaching the curve guiding portion of the medal guiding passage, the direction is changed along the bending direction. And the rear end portion of the medal swings in a direction away from the inner wall surface (curved inner wall surface) on the curved side of the curve guiding portion, and one medal is placed between the rear end portion of the medal and the curved inner wall surface. A gap that is about the thickness of or larger than that is formed. As a result, 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 may overlap each other in the direction of travel and become clogged (FIG. 14). (See (b)).
And when such a clogging of medals occurs, the medals that continuously roll from behind in the clogged parts are clogged one after another, and until the game shop clerk forcibly removes the medal, Had to interrupt the game.

  Accordingly, the present inventors pay attention to the connection structure between the medal guide passage and the medal selector, and a medal that has entered the medal guide passage from the medal selector may pass a specific route when traveling in the medal guide passage. Thus, it has been found that if the medal guiding passage is connected to the medal selector, the medal clogging in the medal guiding passage (curve guiding portion) can be prevented, and the present invention has been completed.

  That is, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a medal that has entered the medal guiding path from the medal selector may pass a specific path when traveling in the medal guiding path. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that prevents the clogging of medals in the medal guiding path (curve guiding part) by connecting the medal guiding path to the medal selector.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine of the present invention includes a medal slot into which a medal as a game medium can be inserted, a medal selector for detecting the inserted medal, a hopper for storing medals, and a medal selector. A medal guidance passage for guiding a medal discharged from the hopper to a hopper, wherein the medal selector is a medal passage through which a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot passes, and a medal passing through the medal passage The medal guide passage has a groove through which the medal discharged from the medal discharge port passes, and the groove is formed in a curved shape as a path through which the medal passes toward the hopper. The medal guide passage is connected to the medal selector so that the medal discharge port of the medal selector and the entrance of the groove portion of the medal guide passage are aligned. Among the medal flow paths of the medal selector, the center in the width direction of the medal flow path in the vicinity of the medal discharge port is the first center, and the groove width direction in the vicinity of the entrance of the groove section of the groove section of the medal guide passage. When the second center is the second center, the second center is located at a position closer to the curved inner side of the groove portion by a predetermined interval than the first center.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the center in the width direction in the vicinity of the medal entrance of the medal guide passage is shifted to the position closer to the inside of the curve than the center in the width direction in the vicinity of the medal outlet of the medal selector. Thus, the medal guidance path is connected to the medal selector, so that a medal that has entered the medal guidance path from the medal selector can pass through a specific path when traveling in the medal guidance path, and the medal guidance path (curve guidance) Medals) can be prevented.

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. FIG. 2 shows each configuration of a medal selector and a medal guiding path, (a) is a perspective view showing a state where the medal guiding path is connected to the medal selector, and (b) is a state where the medal guiding path is connected to the medal selector. FIG. It is the figure which looked at the medal selector from the medal discharge port side. 2 shows a configuration of a medal guiding passage, (a) is a perspective view of the medal guiding passage as viewed obliquely from above, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (a), and (c). FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the connection part of a medal guide path and a medal selector from the top, Comprising: (a) is CC sectional drawing of FIG. 5, (b) is the principal part expansion to which the A section of (a) was expanded. FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the connection structure of a medal guide path and a medal selector. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the medal entered the medal entrance among the paths where the medal passes through the medal guiding passage. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of direction of a medal when a medal passes the connection part of a medal guidance channel | path and a medal selector. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the medal collided with the 1st wall surface of the linear guide part among the paths | routes where a medal | path passes in a medal | guide guidance path | route. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the medal contacted the 2nd wall surface side of the linear guide part among the paths | routes where a medal | path passes in the medal | guide guidance path | route. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which a medal exists in a curve guidance part among the paths along which a medal passes in a medal guidance path. A state in which a plurality of medals are in the curve guiding portion is shown, (a) is a perspective view showing a state where no medal clogging has occurred, and (b) is a perspective view showing a state where a medal clogging has occurred. is there.

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, parrots, etc. In this embodiment, the 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 passes through the medal flow path 11 of the medal selector 10 provided directly below the medal slot 2 and advances through the medal guiding path 20 and is guided to the medal storage hopper 7a. It is configured to be 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 when the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 2 is detected as a proper medal by the medal selector 10, the medal guiding path 20 is guided to the hopper 7a.

  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 from the player into the medal slot 2 is discharged from the medal outlet 11a through the medal channel 11 of the medal selector 10. At the same time, the medal guide passage 20 enters the medal guide passage 20 through the medal entrance 23, which is the entrance portion of the medal guide passage 20, and advances in the medal guide passage 20.
However, depending on the route of the medal M that travels in the medal guiding passage 20, a medal clogging may occur in the curve guiding portion 22 (see FIG. 6).
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the medal guide passage 20 is connected to the medal selector 10 while being shifted by a predetermined distance to a position that is close to the direction in which the curve guide portion 22 of the medal guide passage 20 is curved (inner curve direction). As a result, the traveling direction of the medal M entering from the medal entrance 23 is changed to the inside of the curve, and then the medal M traveling in the medal guiding passage 20 passes through a specific route (route that proceeds zigzag). In this way, the medal clogging in the curve guiding portion 22 is prevented.

[Medal selector]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the medal selector 10 includes a base member 13 that is fixed to the back surface of the front door 1 a and a cover member 14 that is pivotally attached to the base member 13. An outer frame 12 is provided on the outer periphery of the base member 13.
The base member 13 is formed with a medal guide surface 13a facing the surface of the medal M when the medal M flows down in the medal selector 10 (see FIG. 7).
The cover member 14 is formed with a medal sliding surface 14a that is a surface facing the medal guide surface 13a.
The medal flow path 11 is formed by the medal guide surface 13a and the medal sliding surface 14a. The medal channel 11 has a channel width of about one medal, and guides the medal M inserted from the medal slot 2 into the slot machine 1 while flowing down.
Further, the medal flow path 11 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction so that the upper end portion of the medal M passing through the medal flow path 11 protrudes in the curved inner direction from the lower end portion. That is, the medal M in the medal flow path 11 flows down along the medal sliding surface 14a while being inclined toward the cover member 14 side.
Thus, since the medal flow path 11 is inclined in the curved inner direction, the medal discharge port 11a is similarly provided in a shape inclined in the curved inner direction (see FIG. 5).

Further, the medal selector 10 has a medal M having a diameter or a thin thickness (for example, a thickness smaller than 1.6 mm) smaller than a dimension according to the standard of the medal selector 10 (diameter 25 mm type or diameter 30 mm type). The solenoid 11 provided on the back side of the medal selector 10 is turned off based on the start signal output by the operation of the start lever 3 while being separated from the path 11 and guided to the medal payout opening 7b. There are provided a blocker that eliminates the medal M and guides the medal M to the medal payout opening 7b, and an insertion detection means that is provided downstream of the blocker and detects the medal M inserted into the game.
In the medal selector 10, an appropriate medal M according to the standard of the medal selector 10 is discharged from the medal discharge port 11 a of the medal flow path 11 after being detected by the insertion detection unit, and then to the medal guide path 20. enter in. On the other hand, the improper medal M falls by its own weight due to the inclination of the medal flow path 11 before being detected by the insertion detection means, is discharged from the medal flow path 11, and is guided to the medal payout outlet 7b. It is like that.

[Medal guide passage]
Next, the medal guide passage 20 of this embodiment will be described.
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.
As shown in FIG. 4, the medal guiding path 20 is provided with a medal detecting device 30 that physically detects the medal M passing through the medal guiding path 20.
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.
Although not shown, the medal guide passage 20 has a guide passage cover that covers the top and side surfaces of the medal guide passage 20.

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 receives a detection signal from the medal detection device 30 in the medal guiding path 20. When the detection signal from the medal detection device 30 is input within a predetermined time after the detection signal from the insertion detection means is input, it is determined that the medal M has been inserted normally, and within the predetermined time When no detection signal is input, 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.
6A and 6B show a configuration of the medal guide passage, where FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the medal guide passage as viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. (C) is BB sectional drawing of (a).
As shown in FIG. 6, the medal guiding passage 20 has a straight guiding portion 21 extending linearly along the flow direction of the medal M starting from the medal entrance 23, and a hopper 7 a starting from the end of the straight guiding portion 21. And a guide portion 25 that feeds the medal M into the hopper 7a from the end of the curve guide portion 22 as a starting point.

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 a standing state is formed.
The straight groove portion 21a is formed in a straight line shape when the straight line guide portion 21 is viewed from above, and has a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 6 (b). Further, it is formed by a first side wall part 21b located on one side of the linear groove part 21a, a second side wall part 21c located on the other side part, and a bottom part 21d located below in the depth direction.
The linear groove portion 21a has a first wall surface 211b that is a surface of the first side wall portion 21b and a second wall surface 211c that is a surface of the second side wall portion 21c.

The curved groove portion 22a is formed in a curved shape when the curved guiding portion 22 is viewed from above, and has a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 6 (c). Further, it is formed by an inner wall portion 22b positioned on the curved inner side portion of the curved groove portion 22a, an outer wall portion 22c positioned on the curved outer side portion, and a bottom portion 22d positioned lower in the depth direction.
The curved groove portion 22a is formed as a single elongated groove portion continuous with the linear groove portion 21a, and the medal M moves toward the hopper 7a while rolling in the linear groove portion 21a and the curved groove portion 22a. It is like that. Moreover, the inner wall part 22b of the curved groove part 22a is continuous with the first side wall part 21b of the linear groove part 21a, and the outer wall part 22c of the curved groove part 22a is continuous with the second side wall part 21c of the linear groove part 21a. Yes.

  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.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the straight guide portion 21 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction in the curved inner direction when the straight guide portion 21 is viewed from the medal entrance 23 side. It is formed to become. This is in accordance with the fact that the medal flow path 11 of the medal selector 10 is inclined in the curved inner direction, and the medal M discharged from the medal discharge port 11a of the medal selector 10 is This allows smooth entry into the straight groove 21a.
Moreover, also in the curve induction | guidance | derivation part 22, as shown in FIG.6 (c), it is in the state inclined at the predetermined angle with respect to the perpendicular direction in the curve inner side direction.

[Connection structure between medal guide passage and medal selector]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the structure of the connecting portion between the medal guiding passage 20 and the medal selector 10 will be described.
7A and 7B are views of the connection portion between the medal guide passage and the medal selector as viewed from above. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5, and FIG. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the connection structure between the medal guiding passage and the medal selector. In FIG. 8, the configuration is simplified so that the connection structure between the medal guiding passage 20 and the medal selector 10 can be easily understood.

As shown in each figure, the medal guiding passage 20 and the medal selector 10 are connected so that the medal advancement opening 23 of the medal guiding passage 20 and the medal discharge port 11a of the medal selector 10 are aligned.
At this time, the mounting surface 24a of the mounting member 24 in which the medal entrance 23 is formed is mounted so as to be in surface contact with the surface of the outer frame 12 in which the medal discharge port 11a is formed, and the mounting member 24 and the outer frame 12 are mounted. Is fixed to the medal selector 10 by screwing. Thereby, the connection part of the medal guide path 20 and the medal selector 10 can be connected without a gap.

More specifically, a connection structure between the medal guiding passage 20 and the medal selector 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, the center of the width D1 of the medal flow path 11 in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 11a in the medal flow path 11 is the first center, and the straight groove portion 21a in the vicinity of the medal entrance 23 in the straight groove portion 21a. When the center of the width D2 is the second center, the medal guiding passage 20 is shifted from the first center by a distance S to a position closer to the first wall surface 211b side of the linear groove portion 21a. The medal selector 10 is connected.
In this way, by connecting the medal guiding passage 20 to the medal selector 10, a step is formed between the first wall surface 211b in the vicinity of the medal entrance 23 and the medal sliding surface 14a in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 11a. L is formed.
Then, by forming the step L, the medal M that has entered the medal entrance 23 of the medal guide passage 20 from the medal discharge port 11a of the medal selector 10 is guided to a path that zigzags in the medal guide passage 20. be able to.

Further, the width D2 in the width direction of the linear groove portion 21a is formed wider than the width D1 in the width direction of the medal flow path 11.
Since the widths of the places where the medals pass are different in this way, the second wall surface 211c of the linear groove portion 21a in the vicinity of the medal entrance 23 is connected to the medal discharge port 11a which is a surface corresponding to the second wall surface 211c. The medal guide passage 20 is connected to the medal selector 10 so as to be substantially on the same plane as the nearby medal guide surface 13a.
As a result, as described above, the first center of the straight groove portion 21a is set at a distance S from the second center of the straight groove portion 21a in the vicinity of the medal entrance 23 to the first center of the medal flow passage 11 in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 11a. The position can be closer to the wall surface 211b.
Further, since the second wall surface 211c of the linear groove portion 21a and the medal guide surface 13a of the medal flow path 11 are substantially on the same plane, for example, when the medal M is discharged from the medal discharge port 11a, the medal flow path. 11 is ejected in a state of approaching the medal guide surface 13a, the projecting portion does not occur on the side where the medal passes in the connecting portion between the second wall surface 211c and the medal guide surface 13a. There is no hindrance to progress.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the medal guide passage 20 and the medal selector 10 are connected as described above, so that they are discharged from the medal discharge port 11a of the medal selector 10 and enter the medal guide passage 20. The medal M that has entered the mouth 23 can be guided to a path that zigzags in the medal guiding passage 20.
Next, a path (zigzag path) through which the medal M travels in the medal guiding path 20 will be described.

[Routes where medals travel in the medal guidance path]
9 to 13 show the state of the medal M at each position in the route through which the medal M passes through the medal guiding passage 20. FIG. 14 shows a situation where medals are clogged in the curve guiding section 22.
First, the medal M inserted by the player from the medal insertion slot 2 and passing through the medal flow path 11 of the medal selector 10 is inclined toward the inward direction of the medal M because the medal flow path 11 is inclined in the curved inner direction. The surface (inclined side surface) of the medal channel 11 flows down along the medal sliding surface 14a. Therefore, the medal M discharged from the medal discharge port 11a is discharged from a position along the medal sliding surface 14a.
The first wall surface 211b of the linear groove portion 21a is at a position closer to the curved inner side than the medal sliding surface 14a, and the second wall surface 211c of the linear groove portion 21a and the medal guide surface 13a of the medal flow path 11 are By being substantially on the same plane, the medal M that is discharged from the medal discharge port 11a along the medal sliding surface 14a and enters the medal entrance 23 is, as shown in FIG. 9, the first side wall of the linear groove portion 21a. It does not enter the medal entrance 23 along the part 21b, but enters from the position close to the second side wall part 21c side (position A).

As shown in FIG. 10, when the medal M further enters the linear groove portion 21a and the front half of the medal M enters the linear groove portion 21a, the center of gravity of the medal M passes through the medal discharge port 11a.
At this time, the medal M is inclined toward the medal sliding surface 14a of the medal flow path 11 and the first wall surface 211b side of the linear groove portion 21a, and the first wall surface 211b is stepped with respect to the medal sliding surface 14a. Since L is deviated in the curved inward direction, and the inclined side surface of the front half of the medal M is separated from the first wall surface 211b, the front end portion of the medal M is the first wall surface of the linear groove 21a. Change the direction so that it approaches 211b.
When the medal M advances so as to approach the first wall surface 211b of the linear groove portion 21a, as shown in FIG. 11, the tip end portion of the inclined surface of the medal M collides with the first wall surface 211b of the linear groove portion 21a. (Position B).

Due to this collision, the tip portion of the medal M bounces in the direction of the second wall surface 211c of the linear groove portion 21a, and the bounced medal M changes the traveling direction in the direction of the second wall surface 211c.
Note that it is preferable to provide a step L (see FIG. 8) having a length (interval) sufficient for the medal M to collide with the first wall surface 211b of the linear groove portion 21a at the position B and bounce back to the second wall surface 211c. .
Then, when the medal M advances in the direction of the second wall surface 211c of the linear groove 21a, as shown in FIG. 12, the tip portion of the surface on the direction opposite to the inclination direction of the medal M (the anti-inclined side surface) is curved. It contacts the outer surface 221c of the groove 22a (position C).

Here, the length in the medal advancing direction of the straight guide portion 21 (hereinafter referred to as the length of the straight section) has a length that is at least half the diameter of the medal M.
Thus, by setting the length of the straight section of the straight guide portion 21 to be not less than half of the diameter of the medal M, the medal M that has entered the medal guide passage 20 from the medal selector 10 travels in the medal guide passage 20. When this is done, the tip of the medal M has a length sufficient to reach the position B from the position A.
Further, the length of the straight section is changed by changing the posture of the medal M whose posture has been lost toward the first wall surface 211b side of the straight groove portion 21a to the second wall surface 211c side in this straight section, so that the curve guiding portion 22 ( It is long enough to lead to position C).

  When the tip of the medal M reaches the position C, the medal M reaches the curve guiding portion 22 and advances while turning in the curved groove portion 22a. Therefore, the medal M advances in the curved groove 22a along the outer surface 221c side of the curved groove 22a as shown in FIG. 13 by the action of the centrifugal force received when traveling in the curved groove 22a (position). D).

In this way, the tip portion of the medal M discharged from the medal discharge port 11a of the medal selector 10 and entering the medal advancement opening 23 of the medal guiding passage 20 moves in the order of position A → position B → position C → position D. Therefore, the medal M passes through a path that proceeds in a zigzag manner in the medal guiding passage 20.
Then, the medal M passes through a specific route (zigzag route) in the medal guide passage 20, so that the medal clogging can be prevented from occurring in the curve guide portion 22 of the medal guide passage 20.
Next, the reason why the medal clogging can be prevented from occurring in the curve guiding portion 22 by passing the medal M through the zigzag path will be described.

For example, when the connection structure (position) between the medal guide path 20 and the medal selector 10 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is not considered, the medal M may pass through the following path, In this case, medal clogging may occur in the curve guiding portion 22.
Specifically, the medal guide passage 20 and the medal selector 10 are connected so that the medal sliding surface 14a in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 11a and the first wall surface 211b in the vicinity of the medal advancement entrance 23 are substantially on the same plane. In the case where the medal is inserted, the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 2 is discharged from the medal discharge opening 11a along the medal sliding surface 14a of the medal flow path 11, and the first side wall 21b of the linear groove 21a. The medal entrance 23 is entered in a state along.
Then, the medal M that has entered the medal entrance 23 along the first side wall portion 21b, without the tip portion of the inclined surface of the medal M colliding with the first wall surface 211b of the linear groove portion 21a, Go straight through the straight line guide 21 and follow a route that reaches the curve guide 22.

  That is, when the medal M reaches the curve guiding portion 22, the tip portion of the medal M is located on the inner side surface 221b side of the curved groove portion 22a, so that when a plurality of medals M are continuously inserted, In the rear end portion of the preceding medal, when there is a gap about the thickness of one medal or more, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), the leading end portion of the medal enters this gap, Medal clogging may occur.

On the other hand, as described above, when the medal guiding path 20 and the medal selector 10 are connected as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the medal M has a specific route ( Zigzag path).
That is, when the medal M reaches the curve guiding portion 22, the tip portion of the medal M is located on the outer surface 221c side of the curved groove portion 22a (position C), so that a plurality of medals M are continuously inserted. 14A, the tip of the medal does not enter the gap.
In this way, the medal M that has entered the medal guiding path 20 from the medal selector 10 passes along a path that zigzags in the medal guiding path 20, so that the medals are sandwiched in the curve guiding section 22 so as to overlap each other in the traveling direction. The occurrence of clogged medals can be prevented.

As described above, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the center in the width direction in the vicinity of the medal entrance 23 of the medal guide passage 20 is in the width direction in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 11a of the medal flow path 11. Since the medal guide passage 20 is connected to the medal selector 10 so as to shift to a position closer to the curved inner side than the center, the medal M that has entered the medal guide passage 20 from the medal selector 10 passes through the medal guide passage 20. It is possible to pass a path that zigzags in the traveling direction, and to prevent clogging of medals in the medal guiding path 20 (curve guiding portion 22).
Thus, by preventing the occurrence of clogged medals, the player can play the game smoothly without interrupting the game.
The medal guiding passage 20 is composed of a single component and has a plurality of medal M diameters (25 mm diameter type, 30 mm diameter type) and medal M thickness (1.6 to 2.05 mm). Since it can be used in common, it can be applied without being limited to the type of the slot machine 1 and the type of the medal selector 10, and it has excellent versatility and can reduce the cost. For example, it can be used as an improved part for an existing slot machine 1 in which medal clogging occurs.

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 center in the width direction in the vicinity of the medal entrance 23 of the medal guiding passage 20 is inwardly curved by an interval S than the center in the width direction in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 11a of the medal selector 10. It has been described that the step L is formed by connecting the medal guide passage 20 to the medal selector 10 at the close position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the first wall surface 211b of the linear groove portion 21a and the medal flow The level difference L may be formed directly by connecting the medal guiding passage 20 and the medal selector 10 so that the medal sliding surface 14a of the path 11 is not on the same plane. In this case, the medal guide passage is located at a position where the first wall surface 211b in the vicinity of the medal entrance 23 is closer to the curved inner side by a predetermined interval than the medal sliding surface 14a in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 11a. By connecting 20, a step L is formed.

  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 insertion port 7a hopper 10 medal selector 11 medal flow path 11a medal discharge port 13a medal guide surface 14a medal sliding surface 20 medal guiding passage 21 straight guiding portion 22 curved guiding portion 22a curved groove portion 22b inner side wall portion 22c outer side wall portion 221b Inner side 221c Outer side 23 Medal entrance M Medal S Interval L Step

Claims (4)

A medal slot that allows medal to be used as game media;
A medal selector for detecting the inserted medal;
A hopper for storing the medal;
A gaming machine comprising: a medal guiding passage for guiding the medal discharged from the medal selector to the hopper;
The medal selector has a medal flow path through which the medal inserted into the medal insertion slot passes, and a medal discharge opening for discharging the medal that has passed through the medal flow path to the outside.
The medal guide passage has a groove part through which the medal discharged from the medal discharge port passes,
The groove is formed in a curved shape as a path for the medal to pass toward the hopper,
The medal guide passage is connected to the medal selector so that the medal discharge port of the medal selector and the entrance of the groove portion of the medal guide passage are aligned.
Among the medal flow paths of the medal selector, the center in the width direction of the medal flow path in the vicinity of the medal discharge port is the first center, and the groove portion of the medal guide passage is in the vicinity of the entrance of the groove portion. When the center in the width direction of the groove is the second center, the second center is located at a position closer to the curved inner side of the groove by a predetermined interval than the first center. Machine. Of the groove portion of the medal guide passage, the curved outer surface of the groove portion in the vicinity of the inlet of the groove portion and the surface corresponding to the curved outer surface of the groove portion of the medal channel of the medal selector are substantially the same. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is on a surface. Among the groove portions of the medal guide passage, the curved inner surface of the groove portion in the vicinity of the inlet of the groove portion is more predetermined than the surface corresponding to the curved inner surface of the groove portion in the medal flow path of the medal selector. Or a step between the curved inner surface of the groove and the surface corresponding to the curved inner surface of the groove. 2. The gaming machine according to 2. In the vicinity of the medal discharge port in the medal flow path of the medal selector and in the vicinity of the entrance of the groove portion in the groove portion of the medal guide passage, the upper end portion of the medal is in the curved inward direction from the lower end portion of the medal. It inclines with respect to the perpendicular direction so that it may protrude. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized by things.

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