JP2020130956A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of easily taking out large-diameter tokens when tokens having a larger diameter than tokens used for a game are supplied.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a token supply port part 41 for supplying a token of φ25, and a wall part 42 for assisting in supply of a token of φ25 to the token supply port part 41, and can play a game by using the token of φ25. The width of the token supply port part 41 is formed to be shorter than the diameter of a token of φ30, and the wall part 42 is formed such that an upper end of the wall part 42 is positioned below an upper end of the token of φ30 at least by 3 mm and above the center in a vertical direction of the token of φ30 in a state in which the token of φ30 is being hooked to the token supply port part 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to a game machine.

Conventionally, as a game machine, a slot machine having a plurality of reels in which a plurality of symbols are arranged on an outer peripheral surface has been known. In the slot machine, the game can be started by inserting a medal as a game medium, and the game is performed based on the operation of the start lever and the stop button by the player.

In slot machines, the sizes of medals that can be used are specified according to the model, and it is not possible to play games with medals of different sizes. Specifically, for example, the inside of the slot machine is provided with a selector for selecting medals, and when a medal other than the specified size is inserted from the medal insertion slot, the medal is flipped at the selector. It has become like.

In addition, two types of medals used for slot machines are generally known, a medal of φ25 (diameter about 25 mm) and a medal of φ30 (diameter about 30 mm), and each slot machine is basically one of them. Games can be performed using medals (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-104022

By the way, when an object larger than a predetermined size (a large-diameter medal, a coin, etc.) is inserted from the insertion slot, the object may not flow well and may be caught inside the slot machine or at the insertion slot. In particular, medals with a diameter larger than the default size medals and used in other game machines are likely to be inserted by mistake or maliciously. For example, a game with a φ25 medal is used. When a φ30 medal is inserted into the game machine to be played, if the structure is such that the inserted medal is caught in a predetermined part of the game machine and it is difficult to take it out, the game may be hindered or unexpected troubles may occur. There is a risk of inviting.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a gaming machine capable of easily taking out a medal having a diameter larger than that used for a game when a medal having a diameter larger than that used for the game is inserted. The purpose is.

In order to achieve the above object, the game machine of the present invention includes a medal insertion slot for inserting a φ25 medal and a wall portion for assisting the insertion of a φ25 medal into the medal insertion slot. ,
It is a game machine that can play games using φ25 medals.
The opening width of the medal insertion slot is formed to be shorter than the diameter of the medal of φ30.
In the wall portion, when the φ30 medal is hung on the medal insertion slot, the upper end of the wall portion is 3 mm or more below the upper end of the φ30 medal and the center of the φ30 medal in the vertical direction. It is characterized in that it is formed so as to be located above.

According to such a configuration, when a medal of φ30 is erroneously or intentionally inserted into a game machine playing a game with a medal of φ25, the medal of φ30 is caught in the medal insertion slot. Further, at this time, since the player can touch the rear surface of the φ30 medal, the player can touch the front surface and the rear surface of the medal and pinch the medal, which facilitates the φ30 medal. Can be taken out. Further, since the upper end of the wall portion is formed so as to be located above the center of the φ30 medal in the vertical direction, the φ30 medal is likely to be tilted backward. Since the wall portion supports the upper part of the above in the vertical direction, the medal of φ30 is prevented from falling backward, and the medal of φ30 is stably supported. Therefore, since the posture of the φ30 medal hanging on the medal insertion slot is stable, the φ30 medal can be easily taken out.
Here, the upper end of the wall portion may be located above the center portion of the φ30 medal, and specifically, the position of the upper end of the wall portion in the vertical direction is from the center of the φ30 medal in the vertical direction. It suffices if it is above the range within approximately ± 1.5 mm.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, when a medal having a diameter larger than that used for a game is inserted, the medal having a larger diameter can be easily taken out.

It shows an example of the gaming machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is the perspective view. The same shows the medal insertion unit, which is an exploded perspective view from the left front side. The same shows the medal insertion part, which is a perspective view seen from the lower rear side. The same shows the rear member of the rail and the sensor unit, and is a perspective view seen from the front side. The same shows the rear member of the rail and the sensor unit, and is a perspective view seen from the rear side. The same shows the rail front member, which is a perspective view seen from the rear side. The same shows the medal insertion part, the rail rear member, the rail front member, and the sensor unit, and is a perspective view seen from the lower front. It shows the rail rear member, the rail front member, and the selector, and is a perspective view seen from the rear side. The same is for explaining the state in which the large-diameter medal is hung on the medal slot, and is a perspective view seen from the front side. The same is for explaining the state in which the large-diameter medal is hung on the medal slot, and is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from the side.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of the game machine will be described. Although a slot machine, which is one of the gaming machines, will be described below, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to the slot machine, and may be a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine.
Further, in the following description, "front and back" basically means "front" on the player side and "rear" on the slot machine side when the player is on the front side of the slot machine, and "up and down". Means "upper" on the upper surface side of the slot machine, "lower" on the lower surface side, and "left and right" means "left" on the left hand side of the player playing the slot machine, and "right" on the right hand side. To do.

In the slot machine X of the present embodiment, the regular medals that can be used for the game are φ25 (diameter about 25 mm) and thickness about 1.6 mm. Further, in the following explanation, when the term "medal" is simply used, it basically means a regular medal. Further, as a medal that can be used in games in other slot machines and has a larger diameter than the regular medal that can be used in the slot machine X of the present embodiment, a medal having a diameter of φ30 (diameter of about 30 mm) is assumed. To do. In the following description, the term "large diameter medal" basically means a medal having a diameter of 30 and a thickness of about 1.7 mm.
In the present invention, the regular medal and the large-diameter medal do not necessarily have to be φ25 and φ30 medals, respectively, and the present invention can be applied as long as the large-diameter medal is larger than the regular medal. Is.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slot machine X. The slot machine X includes a housing 1, which includes a bottom plate, left and right side plates, a top plate, and a back plate, and has a front opening that opens to the front side of the housing 1. It is formed in a shape. Although not shown, a power supply unit having a built-in power supply device for supplying electric power to each component, a hopper unit as a payout device for storing medals and paying out medals, etc. are provided on the upper surface of the bottom plate. ing.

Further, on the front surface of the housing 1, a front door 3 that closes the front opening of the housing 1 so as to be openable and closable is provided.
Although not shown, a reel unit, a substrate unit, and the like are provided in the housing 1. The reel unit has three rotary reels having a plurality of symbols displayed around them, and a drive motor (stepping motor) for rotating the rotary reels. Further, the board unit is a board containing electronic components such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O, which is housed in a board case. Then, the board unit functions as a game control device for controlling the game of the slot machine X.

As shown in FIG. 1, a flat plate-shaped panel 4 is provided in the center of the upper part of the front door 3. Further, the panel 4 includes a transparent display window 5 formed in the central portion thereof, and a design portion 6 formed so as to surround the display window 5 and on which a pattern is drawn (printed).

At the back of the display window 5, the three rotary reels are provided in a horizontal row. Then, a part of the rotating reel can be visually recognized through the display window 5. A plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of each rotary reel, and when the rotary reels are stopped, three symbols are displayed per reel through the display window 5. Then, whether or not the winning combination has won is displayed by the combination of the symbols displayed through the display window 5 when the three rotating reels are stopped.

A light source (LED) for lighting is provided on the back side of the design unit 6, and the pattern drawn on the design unit 6 is illuminated from behind by the light from this light source. Further, a lighting device 7 for performing notification, directing, and the like is provided on the upper part of the panel 4 of the front door 3. Further, lighting devices 8 and 8 for performing notification and effect are provided at both left and right ends of the front door 3.

Further, the front door 3 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 via a hinge to open and close the opening of the housing 1.
The front door 3 may be divided into a plurality of doors, such as being divided into an upper portion and a lower portion. Further, in the slot machine X, when the model is replaced at the game store, the lower part of the housing 1, the front door 3 and the power supply unit, the hopper unit, etc. in the housing 1 are still attached to the island equipment of the game store, and the front The upper portion of the door 3 and the reel unit and the like may be replaceable so-called separate housing type.

Further, an operation unit 10 for operating the slot machine X is provided at the central portion in the vertical direction of the front door 3. The operation unit 10 includes a settlement switch 11 for paying out credited medals, a start lever 12 for starting a game, three stop buttons 13 for stopping the rotation of each of the three rotating reels, and a medal. A medal insertion slot 41 for inserting (game medium), a reject button for eliminating medal clogging that occurs below the medal insertion slot 41, and a 1-bet button 15 operated when investing one medal in a game. A MAX bet button 16 (bet button) or the like that is operated when betting the maximum number of three medals is provided.

The MAX bet button 16 is arranged so as to face upward, and is formed so as to be pushed downward from above. The force required to operate the MAX bet button 16 (hereinafter referred to as an operating force) is about 1.0 N. Further, the MAX bet button 16 includes a pressing portion and an elastic member. The pressing portion is a member that is pushed in by a player's finger or the like, and is made of resin or the like. Further, the pressing portion is urged upward by an elastic member. The elastic member is a member that urges the pressing portion and is formed so as to elastically deform against the urging force when the pressing portion is pushed in, and a spring or the like is used.
Further, the stop button 13 is arranged so as to face forward, and is formed so as to be pushed from the front to the rear. The operating force of the stop button 13 is about 0.7N. That is, the operating force of the stop button 13 is smaller than the operating force of the MAX bet button 16.
Further, the stop button 13 is provided with a pressing portion and an elastic member like the MAX bet button 16, and the stop button 13 is urged forward by the elastic member.

Further, as described above, the operating force of the MAX bet button 16 is about 1.0 N. That is, it is necessary to push the pressing portion to elastically deform the elastic member and move the pressing portion to a position where a switch ON signal (a signal indicating that the button is pressed) is output from the sensor included in the MAX bet button 16. The load (sensor detection load) is about 1.0N. Further, the moving distance (ON stroke) from the initial position of the pressing portion (position at the time of non-operation) to the position where the ON signal is output is about 1.0 mm. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, a photo sensor is used as the sensor, but other sensors may be used as long as they can detect the pressing of the pressing portion. The photo sensor outputs a switch ON signal when it detects that the light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element has changed due to a detection object that moves by pushing the pressing portion, for example. When a load larger than the sensor-detected load is applied, the pressing portion further moves while elastically deforming the elastic member, and comes into contact with the mechanical stopper to stop. The moving distance (full stroke) from the initial position of the pressing portion of the MAX bet button 16 to the contact with the mechanical stopper (to the maximum position) is about 2.0 mm, which is about twice the ON stroke. Further, the load (maximum load) required to move the pressing portion of the MAX bet button 16 from the initial position to the contact with the mechanical stopper (to the maximum position) is about 2.0 N, and the sensor detection load (operating force). ) Is about twice as large. The full stroke of the MAX bet button 16 may be, for example, about 3.0 mm, and the ON stroke may be about 1.5 mm. However, the full stroke of the MAX bet button 16 is preferably equal to or greater than the full stroke of the stop button 13, which will be described later. In other words, the movable range of the MAX bet button 16 in the pressing direction is preferably equal to or larger than the movable range of the stop button 13 in the pressing direction.

The stop button 13 (operating force of about 0.7 N) has the same configuration. Further, the ON stroke of the stop button 13 is about 1.0 mm, and the full stroke is about 2.0 mm, which is about twice that. The sensor detection load (operating force) of the stop button 13 is about 0.7N, and the maximum load is about 1.4N, which is about twice that. When the full stroke of the MAX bet button 16 is about 3.0 mm, the full stroke of the stop button 13 may be less than that, for example, about 3.0 mm. Further, in this case, the ON stroke of the stop button 13 may be about 1.5 mm, which is equal to or less than the ON stroke of the MAX bet button 16.

Here, the basic flow of the game in the game machine of the present embodiment will be described. When the player presses the MAX bet button 16, the credited medal is inserted (bet) and the game can be started. Then, when the player presses the start lever 12 as an operation to start the game, the rotating reel starts rotating, and when the rotating speed of the rotating reel rises to a predetermined speed, the pressing operation of the stop button 13 is effective. It becomes a state. After that, when the player presses the stop button 13 at an arbitrary timing, each rotating reel stops. Then, when all the rotating reels are stopped, a process of paying out medals, a process of making the game ready to start again without consuming new medals, and the like are performed according to the result of the game. The game ends.

As is clear from the above, it is necessary to press a plurality of stop buttons 13 according to the number of rotating reels for each game. At this time, since the operating force of the stop button 13 is set to be smaller than the operating force of the MAX bet button 16, the player can obtain a light and comfortable operation feeling with respect to the operation of the stop button 13. , It becomes possible to press all the stop buttons 13 at a good tempo. Therefore, the player can comfortably play the game, and the playability is improved. Further, by setting the operating force of the frequently used stop button 13 to be small in this way, the accumulation of fatigue of the player is reduced, and the playability is improved.

Further, since the MAX bet button 16 is used for an operation for starting a game and can be operated by hitting it from above, it is often operated with a strong force, but a stop button Since the operating force is set to be larger than that of 13, the player can obtain an operation feeling that is appropriately pressed, and the playability is improved.

Further, at the lower end of the front door 3, a medal payout port for ejecting medals from the inside of the slot machine and a medal tray 18 for storing medals ejected from the medal payout port are formed. Further, a lower panel 20 for decorating the appearance of the game machine is provided between the operation unit 10 and the medal tray 18. Further, a light source (LED) for lighting is provided on the back side of the lower panel 20, and the lower panel 20 is illuminated from behind by the light from the light source.

Next, the medal insertion unit 30 including the medal insertion slot 41 (medal insertion slot portion) will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the medal insertion unit 30 includes a medal insertion unit 31, a selector 33 for selecting medals, a medal passage 35 for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 31 to the selector 33, and a sensor unit 37. , R chute 39, and.
The medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 41 of the medal insertion unit 31, passes through the medal passage 35, and reaches the selector 33. Then, the selector 33 selects medals. Specifically, when the medal is a regular medal, the medal is swept toward the R shoot 39 and reaches the hopper unit through the R shoot 39. On the other hand, medals of a size different from the predetermined size, for example, medals smaller than the specified size medals or medals inserted at inappropriate timings are regarded as non-regular medals and are received from the medal payout port. It is guided to be discharged to 18.

The medal insertion portion 31 includes a medal insertion port 41, a medal restraint wall 42 (wall portion), and a medal guide portion 43, and is integrally formed of metal (for example, stainless steel or the like). The medal guide portion 43 is a portion for guiding the medal to the medal insertion slot 41, and is a groove having an arc-shaped cross section extending back and forth toward the medal insertion slot 41. Further, the medal restraining wall 42 collides the medals moved along the medal guide portion 43 to stop the movement of the medals in the front-rear direction, and guides the medals to be inserted from the medal insertion slot 41. The wall surface is facing the medal slot 41 side. Further, the medal restraining wall 42 is arranged slightly apart from the rear end of the medal guide portion 43 with a thickness of one medal. The medal insertion slot 41 is a left-right long slit-shaped hole (hole portion) formed between the medal guide portion 43 and the medal restraint wall 42. Then, the player moves the medal to the medal restraint wall 42 side along the medal guide portion 43, and releases the medal while the medal is in contact with the medal restraint wall 42, so that the medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 41. It is supposed to be done. In this way, the medal restraint wall 42 assists the player in inserting the medal into the medal insertion slot 41.

The medal insertion slot 41 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the length (depth) of the short side (front-back direction) is slightly longer than the thickness of one regular medal, and the long side (long side (front-back direction)). The length (width) in the left-right direction is slightly longer than the diameter of the regular medal. Further, the length of the short side of the medal insertion slot 41 is shorter than the thickness of two regular medals. Further, the length of the short side of the medal insertion slot 41 is slightly longer than the thickness of one large-diameter medal, and the length of the long side is shorter than the diameter of one large-diameter medal. ing. Further, the length of the short side of the medal insertion slot 41 is shorter than the thickness of two large-diameter medals. In other words, the width of the medal slot 41 is longer than the diameter of the regular medal and shorter than the diameter of the large-diameter medal. Specifically, for example, it is about 28 mm to 29 mm.

Further, the medal blocking wall 42 constitutes the rear surface of the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side, which guides the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 41 to the medal passage 35 (see FIG. 3). The wall surface of the medal restraint wall 42 and the rear surface of the medal passage 45 on the slot side are flush with each other. Further, the upper portion of the medal restraint wall 42 extends upward from the rear portion of the medal insertion slot 41. Further, the upper edge of the medal restraint wall 42 is located above the medal guide portion 43, so that the wall surface of the medal restraint wall 42 can be seen behind the medal guide portion 43 in front view. Further, the upper surface (upper edge) of the medal restraint wall 42 has a mountain shape in which the portion corresponding to the central portion of the medal insertion slot 41 is convex upward in the left-right direction. The upper surface (upper edge) of the medal blocking wall 42 may be flat (for example, a flat surface in the left-right direction such as a horizontal surface). Further, the central portion of the upper surface of the medal restraint wall 42 in the left-right direction may be recessed downward, but in this case, the portion other than the recessed portion is the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42.
The wall surface of the medal restraint wall 42 and the rear surface of the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side do not have to be flush with each other. For example, the wall surface of the medal restraint wall 42 is behind the rear surface of the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side. It may be formed so as to be located at. Further, the medal restraint wall 42 and the rear surface of the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side may be formed by separate members.

The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 41 pass through the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side and reach the medal passage 35.
In the following, the length in the long side direction (direction corresponding to the radial direction of the medal) of the passage through which the medal passes, such as the medal passage 35 and the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side, is referred to as "width". , The length in the short side direction (the direction corresponding to the thickness direction of the medal) is referred to as "height". Regarding the passage through which the medal passes, the surface facing the rear surface of the medal (the surface of the medal passing through the medal passage 35 facing the rear side, the same applies hereinafter) is referred to as the rear surface, and the front surface of the medal (the medal passing through the medal passage 35). The surface facing the front side, the same applies hereinafter) is referred to as the front surface, and the surface facing the side surface of the medal (the surface connecting the front surface and the rear surface of the passage) is referred to as a side surface.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the insertion slot side medal passage 45 has a linear shape from the upper side to the lower side, and the medals flow straight down from the upper side to the lower side. Further, the insertion port side medal passage 45 becomes narrower and lower in height from the upper entrance to the lower exit. Specifically, since the entrance of the medal passage 45 on the insertion port side corresponds to the medal insertion port 41, the width thereof is about 28 mm to 29 mm as described above. The width of the exit of the medal passage 45 on the slot side is about 26 mm. The medal passage 45 on the insertion port side may be formed so that the width is narrowed substantially linearly from the entrance to the exit, and the width is widened only in the vicinity of the entrance, and the width of the other portion is about. It may be a constant linear shape at 26 mm. In addition, the height of the medal passage 45 on the slot side is longer than the thickness of one large-diameter medal in any part from the highest part to the lowest part, and shorter than the thickness of two regular medals. ing.

The lower portion of the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side is formed by a square tubular protrusion 47 that projects downward from the lower surface of the medal insertion portion 31. Further, bosses 48 and 48 projecting downward from the lower surface of the medal insertion portion 31 are provided on the left front side and the right rear side of the square tubular protrusion 47, respectively. Further, the bosses 48 and 48 have screw holes. Further, a rectangular plate-shaped locking piece 49 is provided so as to project downward from the right front portion of the lower end surface of the square tubular protrusion 47.

The medal passage 35 is formed by a rail rear member 50 and a rail front member 51 (see FIGS. 2, 7, and 10). The rail rear member 50 constitutes the rear surface and both side surfaces of the medal passage 35. Further, the rail front member 51 constitutes the front surface of the medal passage 35.

The medal passage 35 is in a state in which the entrance faces upward and the exit faces downward. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the medal passage 35 has a first song portion 35a that guides the medals that have entered from the entrance toward the left as it goes downward, and a medal that has come out from the first song portion 35a. It is provided with a second curved portion 35b that guides the medals downward as it goes to the left, and a straight portion 35c that guides the medal coming out of the second curved portion 35b downward. As a result, the medal passage 35 has a crank shape. Further, the entrance and the exit of the medal passage 35 are arranged so as to be offset by one medal or more in the left-right direction of the medal passage 35. Since the medal passage 35 has a crank shape, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being inserted from the medal insertion slot 41 to the deep part of the medal passage 35 and the selector 33 to perform a goto action.

The rail front member 51 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rail front member 51 has a plate shape, and its outer shape substantially matches the outer shape of the rail rear member 50 when viewed from the front. Further, a protruding portion 55 projecting forward is provided on the left side of the upper end portion of the rail front member 51. The protruding portion 55 is provided with a notch portion notched from the front to the rear, and the notched portion serves as a screw insertion portion 55a through which a screw is inserted from the lower side to the upper side. Further, on the right side of the upper end portion of the rail front member 51, a notch portion 56 notched in a rectangular cross section from the front to the rear is formed. Further, screw insertion holes 57, 57 for inserting screws and protrusions 58, 58 protruding rearward are provided at both left and right ends of the lower end portion of the rail front member 51, respectively. Further, the back surface of the rail front member 51 is flat.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rail rear member 50 has a back plate 60 forming the rear surface of the medal passage 35, a right side wall 61 forming the right side surface of the medal passage 35, and a left side surface of the medal passage 35. It includes a left side wall 62 to be formed, and flange portions 64 and 64 protruding outward in the left-right direction from the lower end portion of the right side wall 61 or the left side wall 62. Further, the rail rear member 50 is integrally formed of metal (for example, stainless steel or the like). The back plate 60 has a plate shape, and the plate surface is oriented in the front-rear direction. Further, the back plate 60 has a shape that follows the shape of the medal passage 35 (first curved portion 35a, second curved portion 35b, straight portion 35c) in front view. Further, the right side wall 61 and the left side wall 62 are formed so as to project forward along the right end edge or the left end edge of the back plate 60. Further, the flange portions 64 and 64 are integrally formed with the lower end portion of the right side wall 61 or the left side wall 62. Further, the front surfaces of the flange portions 64 and 64, the front end surface of the right side wall 61 and the front end surface of the left side wall 62 are flush with each other. Further, each of the left and right flange portions 64, 64 is provided with screw insertion holes 65, 65 for inserting screws and protrusion insertion holes 66, 66 into which the protrusion 58 of the rail front member 51 is inserted. ..

In the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51, the back surface of the rail front member 51 comes into contact with the front surfaces of the flange portions 64 and 64 of the rail rear member 50, the front end surface of the right side wall 61, and the front end surface of the left side wall 62. , The protrusions 58, 58 are integrated by screwing, which will be described later, in a state where the protrusions 58, 58 are inserted into the protrusion insertion holes 66, 66. A medal passage 35 is formed as a space surrounded by the back plate 60 of the rail rear member 50, the right side wall 61, the left side wall 62, and the rail front member 51.

Further, on both side portions of the back plate 60, convex portions 70, 70 projecting forward are formed along the extending direction of the medal passage 35. The medal flowing down the medal passage 35 is adapted to flow down the medal passage 35 in a state where it can always contact both the left and right convex portions 70 and 70. In other words, the medal flowing down the medal passage 35 does not come into contact with the concave portion formed between the left and right convex portions 70, 70.

Further, the back plate 60 of the rail rear member 50 is provided with a rectangular opening 80 that is long on the left and right. Further, a boss 84 projecting rearward is provided at a position above the opening 80 on the back surface of the back plate 60 of the rail rear member 50. Further, the boss 84 has a screw hole. Further, on the right side of the upper end portion of the back surface of the back plate 60, a protruding portion 86 projecting rearward is provided. The protruding portion 86 includes a notch portion notched from the rear to the front, and the notched portion serves as a screw insertion portion 86a through which a screw is inserted from the lower side to the upper side. Further, an L-shaped locking portion 88 in a plan view is provided at the upper end of the left side wall 62 of the rail rear member 50 so as to project forward.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51 have a screw inserted through the screw insertion portion 86a of the rail rear member 50 and a screw inserted through the screw insertion portion 55a of the rail front member 51. , The medal insertion unit 31 is integrated with the medal insertion unit 31 by being screwed into the screw holes of the two bosses 48, 48 respectively. Further, the locking portion 88 of the rail rear member 50 is locked to the side surface of the square tubular protrusion 47 of the medal insertion portion 31, and the locking piece 49 of the medal insertion portion 31 cuts the rail front member 51. By being locked to the notch 56, the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51 are positioned with respect to the medal insertion portion 31. Further, the upper end surfaces of the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51 are in contact with the lower end surfaces of the square tubular protrusion 47 of the medal insertion portion 31. As a result, the medal passage 45 on the slot side and the medal passage 35 are in a state of communication with each other.
The upper end surfaces of the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51 and the lower end surface of the medal insertion portion 31 do not necessarily have to be in contact with each other, and a predetermined gap is provided between both end surfaces. May be in close proximity.

The length from the exit of the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side to the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 is shorter than the diameter (25 mm) of one medal. In other words, the length from the boundary between the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side formed in the medal insertion portion 31 and the medal passage 35 formed by other members to the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 is larger than the diameter of one medal. It's getting shorter. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the medal is not caught at the joint between the medal passage 35 and the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side, but the medal can be caught at the joint. Even if the medal is caught in the joint, the upper end of the medal is located above the upper edge of the medal restraint wall 42, and the player can touch the rear surface of the medal. .. As a result, when the medal is caught, the medal can be grasped and easily pulled out.
The rear surface or the front surface of the medal passage 35 does not necessarily have to be formed by a member separate from the medal insertion portion 31. That is, for example, the rail rear member 50 or the rail front member 51 is integrally formed with the medal insertion portion 31, and the rail front member 51 or the rail rear member 50 as a cover member is attached to the medal passage 35. May be formed. Further, the medal passage 35 (the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51) may not exist, and the insertion port side medal passage 45 may be directly connected to the selector 33. Further, the medal insertion portion 31 does not have to be integrally formed. For example, it may be composed of a substantially plate-shaped member constituting the rear surface of the insertion slot side medal passage 45 and the medal blocking wall 42, and a member constituting the front surface of the insertion slot side medal passage 45.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sensor unit 37 includes a sensor 100 and a movable piece 110 (movable member) (see FIG. 2). The sensor 100 is an electronic circuit whose main element is a photo interrupter. The sensor 100 detects the operation of the movable piece 110 and outputs a detection signal.

The movable piece 110 includes a medal contact portion 111 with which medals come into contact, and is formed of a black synthetic resin. The sensor 100 is fixed to the rear member 50 of the rail by screwing, and the movable piece 110 is urged by a spring (elastic member) so that the medal contact portion 111 of the movable piece 110 projects from the opening 80 into the medal passage 35. Has been done. Then, when the medal or the like passes through the medal passage 35, the movable piece 110 is pressed by the medal or the like that comes into contact with the medal contact portion 111, and when the pressing by the medal or the like is released, the urging force of the spring causes the movable piece 110. The medal contact portion 111 returns to the state of protruding into the medal passage 35. Further, the movable piece 110 is provided with a light-shielding plate that projects rearward, and when the movable piece 110 is pressed, the sensor 100 detects the movement of the light-shielding plate, and the detection indicating that the movable piece 110 is pressed. The sensor 100 is designed to emit a signal.

The detection signal from the sensor 100 is sent to the above-mentioned board unit (main control board) via the wiring connected to the sensor 100. Then, when the detection signal is continuously sent for a predetermined time (for example, about 1 second), the board unit determines that there is a possibility that a goto action is being performed, and emits a sound through a speaker or the like. It is designed to notify the abnormality. The sensor unit 37 does not detect an abnormality such as a goto action, and may, for example, count the number of medals passing through the medal passage 35. Further, the sensor 100 may use a sensor other than the photo interrupter as long as it can detect the operation of the movable piece 110.

As shown in FIG. 8, the rail rear member 50, the rail front member 51, and the selector 33 have screws inserted into the screw insertion holes 65, 65 of the rail rear member 50 and the screw insertion holes 57, 57 of the rail front member 51. 128 and 128 are integrated by being screwed into a screw hole (not shown) provided on the upper part of the selector.

The selector 33 includes a medal selection unit 130 for selecting medals and a selector-side medal passage 131 for guiding medals to the medal selection unit 130. The selector-side medal passage 131 is a passage through which medals pass. The medal passage 131 on the selector side is a passage curved in the height direction (the thickness direction of the medal), but the height is slightly higher only at the entrance portion, and the height is substantially the entire passage excluding the entrance portion. Is constant. Further, the height of the selector side medal passage 131 is less than the thickness of two medals at any portion. Further, the height of the selector side medal passage 131 is higher than the height of the communicating medal passage 35. Specifically, the height of the medal passage 35 is about 2.3 mm, while the height of the selector side medal passage 131 is about 3.1 mm. Further, the width of the medal passage 131 on the selector side is slightly longer than the diameter of the regular medal in any portion, and is shorter than the diameter of the large-diameter medal. In other words, the selector side medal passage 131 has a width at which large-diameter medals cannot flow down. That is, the selector 33 cannot select and play a large-diameter medal.

The medal sorting unit 130 includes a medal sorting mechanism 140 and a medal discharging unit 141 arranged behind the medal sorting mechanism 140. The medal sorting mechanism 140 supports the medals, which are predetermined medals and are inserted at appropriate timings, so as not to fall from the medal ejection unit 141, and guides the medals toward the hopper unit. On the other hand, the medal sorting mechanism 140 is designed to drop medals having a size different from the predetermined size or non-regular medals such as medals inserted at inappropriate timings toward the medal ejection unit 141. .. Then, the medals dropped from the medal ejection unit 141 are ejected from the medal payout port to the medal tray 18. As the mechanism for selecting medals in this way, a conventional selector may be used.

Next, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, a case where a large-diameter medal M having a diameter of 30 is inserted into the medal insertion slot 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Note that FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a rail rear member 50 and a rail front member 51 added to the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
Since the opening width of the medal insertion slot 41 is shorter than the diameter of the large-diameter medal M, the large-diameter medal M is caught in the medal insertion slot 41. Specifically, the left and right ends (the portions indicated by points P and Q in FIG. 9) of the lower portion of the side surface of the large-diameter medal M abut on the edge (short side) of the medal insertion slot 41, whereby the large-diameter medal M is caught in the medal slot 41. In other words, the medal slot 41 is formed in a size that does not flow inside the game machine because medals of a size that cannot be selected by the selector 33 are caught.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the large-diameter medal M in the state of being hung on the medal insertion slot 41 has the front surface of the large-diameter medal passage 45 in the vicinity of the portions indicated by the points P and Q in FIG. It is possible to contact the front of the. That is, the side surface of the large-diameter medal M can abut on the medal insertion slot 41 at points P and Q, and the front surface thereof can abut on the medal insertion slot 41 near the points P and Q. ing. In other words, the large-diameter medal M comes into contact with the medal insertion slot 41 at two locations separated to the left and right (distance in the surface direction of the medal), and in the vicinity of each of the two locations (direction of the surface of the medal). (At two points separated from each other), the front surface is in contact with the medal insertion slot 41, or is in close contact with each other. In other words, the large-diameter medal M is in a state in which two points separated from each other on the left and right are inserted into U-shaped notches formed in the left and right sides of the medal insertion slot 41. There is. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the large-diameter medals M2 hanging on the two points and the medal insertion slot 41 are medals whose front surface is near the points P and Q when they are about to fall forward. It comes into contact with the insertion slot 41 (the front surface of the insertion slot side medal passage 45), which prevents the large-diameter medal M2 from falling forward, and the large-diameter medal M2 is tilted forward and the medal insertion slot 41 The state of hanging on the medal is maintained. The medal insertion slot 41 may be formed so that the large-diameter medal M2 tilted forward in this way can simultaneously come into contact with a portion other than the portions near the points P and Q on the front surface. The medal insertion slot 41 may be formed so that two or more portions on the front surface of the large-diameter medal M2 can come into contact with each other. Further, the two locations that come into contact with the medal insertion slot 41 are left and right ends of a portion below the center of the large-diameter medal M2.
In this way, the medal insertion slot 41 is formed so that two points of the φ30 medal hanging on the medal insertion slot 41, which are separated in the vertical direction (orthogonal) on the front surface, can come into contact with each other. However, as a matter of course, the two points may be separated from each other in the vertical direction as long as they are separated in the direction of intersecting in the vertical direction (they may be displaced in the vertical direction). Further, the two locations may be in a substantially horizontal positional relationship with each other (the vertical deviation is within 10% (within 3 mm) of the diameter of the medal having a diameter of 30).

Further, the lower end of the large-diameter medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 41 while hanging on the medal insertion slot 41, and the lower end of the front surface of the large-diameter medal M is from the front edge of the medal insertion slot 41. Is also located below. In other words, the lower end of the front surface of the large diameter medal M is located below the upper end edge of the front surface of the insertion slot side medal passage 45, and the lower end portion of the front surface of the large diameter medal M is the insertion opening side medal passage 45. It is covered in the front of the. Specifically, the distance T1 from the lower end of the large-diameter medal M to the front edge (medal guide portion 43) of the medal insertion slot 41 is 1.5 mm or more, and the lower end of the front surface of the large-diameter medal M is It is located 1.5 mm or more below the front edge of the medal insertion slot 41. The region 1.5 mm from the lower end of the large-diameter medal M is covered with the front surface of the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side.
In this way, since the lower end of the large-diameter medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 41, it is possible to prevent the large-diameter medal M hanging from the medal insertion slot 41 from falling over. The large diameter medal M can be stably supported. In the above example, T1 is 1.5 mm or more, but it is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

By inserting the lower end portion of the large-diameter medal M into the medal insertion slot 41 in this way, the large-diameter medal M is hooked on the medal insertion slot 41 in an upright state. In other words, the large-diameter medal M is hung on the medal slot 41 with both sides facing the front-rear direction. Further, at this time, the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M is in a state of being close to or in contact with the medal restraint wall 42.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the large-diameter medal M is hung on the medal insertion slot 41, a part of the portion below the center in the vertical direction of the front surface thereof is a member forming the medal insertion slot 41. It is designed to be covered. In other words, the medal guide portion 43 is located below the center of the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 in the vertical direction. Then, when the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 is viewed from the front (from the direction perpendicular to the surface of the large-diameter medal M), the large-diameter medal M is a portion below the center in the vertical direction. A part of the medal is obscured, and the part above the center in the vertical direction is not obscured.

Further, the curvature of the medal guide portion 43 at the rear end thereof is equal to or greater than the curvature of the large-diameter medal M. Therefore, in the large-diameter medal M whose lower end is inserted into the medal insertion slot 41, the lower end on the front side is firmly supported along the circumferential direction of the large-diameter medal M and is placed in the medal insertion slot 41 in a stable state. It is designed to be caught.

Further, the lower end of the large-diameter medal M is positioned above the lower end of the medal passage 45 on the insertion port side when it is hung on the medal insertion slot 41. That is, the lower end of the large-diameter medal M does not reach the boundary (connection portion) between the insertion slot side medal passage 45 formed in the medal insertion portion 31 and the subsequent medal passage 35. In other words, the medal insertion slot 41 and the medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side (first medal passage) are formed by the medal insertion portion 31 (first member), and the medal passage 35 (second medal passage) is formed. The medal passage 35 is formed by a rail rear member 50 and a rail front member 51 (second member) separate from the medal insertion portion 31, and the lower end of the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion port 41 is formed in the medal passage 35. It is located in a position that cannot be reached. In other words, the lower end of the large-diameter medal hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 does not hit the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51. In this way, the large-diameter medal M reaches the medal passage 35 formed by one or more members including a member separate from the medal insertion portion 31 as the first member forming the insertion port side medal passage 45. Therefore, when the large-diameter medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 41, the large-diameter medal M does not hit the member forming the medal passage 35 and floats. It will be caught on the edge of the medal slot 41. Therefore, since the large-diameter medal M that has been erroneously or intentionally inserted is stably supported, the large-diameter medal can be easily taken out.
As described above, the medal passage 35 may be partially formed by a member (medal insertion portion 31) forming the medal passage 45 on the insertion port side. That is, the medal passage 35 does not have to be formed only by a member different from the member forming the insertion port side medal passage 45. Further, the medal passage 35 (the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51) may not exist, and the insertion port side medal passage 45 may be directly connected to the selector side medal passage 131. In any case, a second medal passage (medal passage 35) that is formed of one or more members including a member separate from the medal insertion portion 31 that forms the insertion port side medal passage 45 and that follows the insertion opening side medal passage 45. Alternatively, if there is a medal passage 45 on the insertion slot side, the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 should not reach the second medal passage (so that it does not hit the members constituting the second medal passage). It is preferable that it is (to).

Further, the large-diameter medal M is such that the lower end of the large-diameter medal M is located above the sensor 100, the sensor provided in the selector 33, and other sensors that detect medals when the medal slot 41 is hung. The large-diameter medal M does not reach these sensors. Therefore, when the large-diameter medal M is erroneously inserted and hangs on the medal insertion slot 41, the sensor 100 reacts and it is erroneously determined that a goto action is being performed, or the medal is inserted. It is possible to prevent erroneous judgment.

As described above, the medal restraint wall 42 extends upward from the rear portion of the medal insertion slot 41. Therefore, in the state where the large-diameter medal M is hung on the medal insertion slot 41, at least a part of the rear surface thereof is covered with the medal restraint wall 42. Further, the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 is located above the center of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 (center in the vertical direction: shown by the alternate long and short dash line C in FIG. 9). It is formed. In other words, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the medal blocking wall 42 covers an area of 15 mm or more from the lower end of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M. In this way, when the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 is formed so as to be located above the center of the large-diameter medal M in the vertical direction, the large-diameter medal M is likely to tilt backward. Since the medal restraint wall 42 supports the large-diameter medal M above the center in the vertical direction, the large-diameter medal M is prevented from falling backward, and the large-diameter medal M is stably supported. Therefore, the posture of the large-diameter medal M is stable, and the large-diameter medal M can be easily taken out.
The upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 may not be formed so as to be located exactly above the center of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M. That is, for example, the position of the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 in the vertical direction may be formed so as to be within ± 1.5 mm from the center of the large diameter medal M in the vertical direction. In other words, the position of the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 in the vertical direction may be formed so as to be the position of the central portion of the large-diameter medal M in the vertical direction. Even with such a configuration, the posture of the large-diameter medal M can be stabilized.

Further, the medal restraint wall 42 is formed so that the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 is located below the upper end of the large diameter medal M when the large diameter medal M is hung on the medal insertion slot 41. As a result, in this state, the player can touch the rear surface of the large-diameter M medal. In other words, the large-diameter medal M is in a state in which a part of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M is exposed when viewed from the back side of the medal restraint wall 42 in a state of being hung on the medal insertion slot 41. By being able to touch the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M in this way, it is possible to touch the front and rear surfaces of the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 and pinch the large-diameter medal M. , Can be easily taken out. If the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M can be touched as much as possible, the large-diameter medal M can be pinched. Therefore, the upper end of the medal restraining wall 42 does not necessarily have a large diameter hanging on the medal insertion slot 41. It does not have to be formed so as to be located below the upper end of the medal M. However, the amount T2 of the upper end of the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 from the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 is preferably 3 mm or more, and preferably 6 mm or more. More preferred. According to such a configuration, it becomes easy to pinch the large-diameter medal M, and the large-diameter medal M can be taken out more easily.
The positions of the upper end of the large-diameter medal M and the upper end of the medal restraint wall 42 in the left-right direction do not have to match. Further, the lower end of the large-diameter medal M and the lower end (the bottommost portion of the groove) at the rear end of the medal guide portion 43 do not have to coincide with each other in the left-right direction.

Further, behind the medal restraint wall 41, a space having a minimum depth (width in the front-rear direction) corresponding to the thickness of one medal (1.6 mm) is formed. That is, a space equal to or more than the thickness of one medal is provided between the medal blocking wall 41 and the panel 4. Therefore, the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 can be easily picked up from the front and back and taken out. It is more preferable that a distance of at least the thickness of three medals (4.8 mm) is provided between the medal blocking wall 41 and the panel 4. Further, even if there is no space behind the medal restraint wall 41 for the thickness of one medal, the thickness of 2 to 4 medals is between the front surface of the medal restraint wall 41 and the panel 4. It is desirable to provide an interval of (3.2 to 6.4 mm) or more.

30 Medal insertion unit 31 Medal insertion section 41 Medal insertion slot (medal insertion slot)
42 Medal stop wall (wall part)
43 Medal guide section 45 Insertion side medal passage

Claims (1)

It is provided with a medal insertion slot for inserting a φ25 medal and a wall portion for assisting the insertion of a φ25 medal into the medal insertion slot.
It is a game machine that can play games using φ25 medals.
The opening width of the medal insertion slot is formed to be shorter than the diameter of the medal of φ30.
In the wall portion, when the φ30 medal is hung on the medal insertion slot, the upper end of the wall portion is 3 mm or more below the upper end of the φ30 medal and the center of the φ30 medal in the vertical direction. A gaming machine characterized in that it is formed so as to be located above.