JP3330138B1 - Medal payout device - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: A medal payout switch and a medal transfer unit forcibly perform a payout of medals and a process of surplus medals, which have been conventionally performed by a mechanism using gravity. In addition, the arrangement position of the mechanical components can be freely changed, and when incorporated in a slot machine, the player does not get tired even when the game time is long, and accumulates stress. Further, the present invention provides a medal payout device capable of realizing a slot machine capable of preventing fraudulent acts and improving the ability to attract customers. SOLUTION: A reverter 11 having a medal transport path switching function is provided, and the surplus medals are forcibly processed to suppress the overall height of the medal payout device. Further, by providing the ascending passage unit 14 which is a medal conveying means, it is possible to convey the medals upward.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medal payout apparatus for a spinning-type gaming machine, a so-called slot machine.

[0002]

In general, speaking of the slot machine, as shown in FIG. 1
7 is known. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine mainly includes a housing 1, a front door 2 provided on the front surface of the housing 1, and a display plate 4 provided on the front door 2 and having a display window 3. A plurality of rotatable cylinders 5 rotatably arranged inside the display plate 4 and a start lever 6 for instructing the start and stop of rotation of the rotatable cylinder 5 provided below the middle of the front door 2; Stop button 7
And the medal slot 8 and the housing 1 below it.
Medal payout port 9 and medal tray 10 provided at the lower part
And the like.

As shown in FIG. 18 , inside the housing 1, the plurality of rotating drums 5, a payout hopper 12 as a means for paying out medals, a surplus medal storage box 13, and
A control unit 15 for controlling these components is provided.

The payout hopper 12 is a means for paying out a number of medals corresponding to a winning combination from the medal payout port 9 to the medal tray 10, and a bucket 121 for storing a fixed amount of medals, and not shown. And a drive motor 124 serving as a drive source of the rotary disk 123. After the medals are forcibly conveyed to the medal payout port 9 by the rotation drive of the not-shown rotating disc provided in the payout hopper 12 by the drive motor 124, the medal receiving port 9 receives the medal. It is designed to slide down to 10. In this manner, the medals conveyed to the medal payout port 9 by driving the rotating disk thereafter slide down to the medal tray 10 by gravity, so that the payout hopper 12 sets the medal payout port 9 and It must be arranged at a position higher than the medal tray 10, and has a certain height dimension.

The payout hopper 12 is always supplied with medals from an external medal supply means (not shown) so that the medals to be paid out are not interrupted, and a fixed amount of medals is provided above the payout hopper 12. Bucket 1
21. When a certain amount of medals are stored in the bucket 121, the surplus medals overflow from the bucket 121, fall into the surplus medal storage box 13 provided next to the medals, and are stored. I have. Therefore, the bucket 12
1 (payout hopper 12) is the surplus medal storage box 13
In order to secure the number of medals to be stored in the game, it has a certain height dimension.

[0006] The game using the slot machine starts when a player inserts medals into the medal insertion slot 8. When the player operates the start lever 6 after inserting the medals, the plurality of rotating drums 5 on which various numbers and marks are marked start to rotate, and the player turns the predetermined various numbers and In order to display the winning combination by the combination of marks on the display window 3, a plurality of stop buttons 7 provided corresponding to the respective rotating drums 5 are operated with good timing, and the rotation of the rotating drum 5 is sequentially stopped ( Note that the setting is such that the rotation of the rotating drum 5 is automatically stopped even after a predetermined time has elapsed.) As a result of the above operation, when the winning combination is displayed on the display window 3, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out from the medal payout port 9 to the medal receiving tray 10, and the player is paid out. The medal is again inserted into the medal slot 8 based on the medal
Repeat the above actions.

[0007]

The machine configuration and the game method of the conventional slot machine have been briefly described above. Hereinafter, problems to be solved by the present invention, that is, various problems of the conventional slot machine will be described in detail.

As described above, the conventional slot machine is
The payout hopper 12 requires a certain height dimension because the payout hopper 12 employs a mechanism using gravity in a device for paying out medals and a device for storing surplus medals in a storage box, that is, a mechanism using gravity. Accordingly, the entire housing has become larger than necessary. In adopting the mechanism using the gravity, the medal slot 8,
The dispensing hopper 12 and the medal dispensing exit 9 must be arranged from above in this order inevitably, and the arrangement positions are limited. Since the mechanism using gravity is generally used in conventional slot machines, even if the slot machines are manufactured by different manufacturers, their internal structure and appearance are similar. I was

In general, it is a well-known fact that it is necessary to differentiate the product from other products in order to obtain the customer attracting power. However, as described above, all the conventional slot machines have a similar configuration. Because there was no significant difference in the appearance, there was a situation in which in order to differentiate it from other products, it was absolutely necessary to rely on decorative items. However, there is a limit to the appearance of the decoration, and manufacturers have been worried about this.

[0010] In addition, since the above-mentioned game using the slot machine is usually performed permanently until the player possesses no more medals, the game time usually takes a long time. Is repeated tens of times to hundreds of times. Accordingly, inconvenience has conventionally occurred in the arrangement of mechanical components determined in view of the visibility and operability of the player, and as a result, various problems have occurred.

For example, the medal payout opening 9 has to be arranged below the medal insertion opening 8 in order to adopt the mechanism using the gravity. For this reason, the player must pick up the medals from the medal tray 10 and insert the medals into the medal slot 8 every time the medal is inserted. There was a problem that accumulated.

The rotary drum 5 is usually set above the center of the housing in consideration of the player's visibility and appearance. However, with this, the player's line of sight is always fixed at a high position during the game, and if the game time is long, the neck may be tired and stress may be accumulated. Was.

Further, the medal payout port 9 is usually arranged below the medal slot 8 and below the slot machine in order to employ a mechanism using gravity. However, since the lower part of this slot machine is located in a blind spot that is not visible, for example, a malicious player
In the case of performing an illegal act with the radio wave emitter or the like to the medal payout exit 9 for the purpose of malfunctioning of the machine, it was possible to do so without paying attention. Thus, arranging the medal payout exit 9 below the slot machine has resulted in the promotion of such misconduct.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in the conventional slot machine, the payout of medals is replaced with a mechanism using gravity used in paying out medals and processing surplus medals. By adopting a mechanism having means for forcibly processing surplus medals, the height dimension conventionally required is suppressed, the entire housing is made compact, and a machine such as a medal insertion slot and a medal payout exit is provided. By giving freedom to the position of the strategic component and relocating it to the appropriate position, the player does not feel fatigue and stress even in a long-time game,
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a medal payout device that realizes a slot machine that also prevents fraud and improves the ability to attract customers.

[0015]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus in a torso-type gaming machine for playing games using medals, the method comprising the steps of: A transport path switching unit that switches the transport path of medals in accordance with, a payout unit that pays out medals including a bucket for storing medals, and a medal paid out from the payout unit to a medal payout exit. the medal payout device for chromatic and conveying section is a means for conveying
The payout unit is one of the transport path switching units.
Buckets for storing medals provided on the transport path side
And a plurality of opening holes horizontally arranged at the bottom of the bucket.
A disk-shaped rotary disk having
It is a drive source as power transmission means arranged at the row position
A drive motor and a mechanism guided through the rotating disk.
Polishing means for polishing the surface of dull and supporting them
The medal payout base
Sign.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein
The rotating disk has a two-layer structure, and is provided on the upper layer.
The opening hole has an inclination angle toward the rear in the rotation direction,
A discharge port is provided near the outer periphery of the lower layer portion, and the outer periphery thereof is provided.
The part is characterized by having a gear structure.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the first aspect.
The gear has a two-stage structure with a step
And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein
The recording and dispensing unit further includes an opening provided on the rotating disk.
A guide rod for dropping medals into the mouth and the rotation
The medal dropped from the opening hole provided in the disc is
Guide pins for guiding the rotating disk toward the outer circumference
And characterized in that:

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein
The guide rod has a spring shape, and
It is arranged in the circumferential direction from the center of the disk,
At the center of the rotating disk, one end is fixed
It is characterized by being.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein
The guide pin is driven by a spring provided below it.
Is pressed upwards.
It has a movable structure.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein
Two guide pins are provided on the top of the medal payout base.
And disposed inside with respect to the rotation center of the rotating disk.
Pin is higher than the outer pin
It is characterized by the following.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the fourth or seventh aspect.
Therefore, each of the guide pins has a conical tip.
With respect to the center of rotation of the rotating disk.
The vertical part of the pin arranged inside is 1/3 of the medal thickness
The height is set to the height.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary-type gaming machine for playing games using medals.
The medal payout device in
The transport path disconnection means for switching the medal transport path
A medal including a replacement unit and a bucket for storing medals
Dispensing unit, which is a means for dispensing
To transfer the medals to the medal payout exit.
A medal payout device having
The section and the transport section have a structure that can be divided from each other, and
Each can be connected and fixed to the main body of the spinning-type gaming machine
A step, and the fastening means is a plug-in type.
I do.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the ninth aspect,
The transfer section has a curved entrance, a straight passage, and a curved path.
The straight passage portion is formed by the curved
Can be divided into an inlet and an outlet, respectively, and
Itself has a structure that allows the length to be changed in module units.
It is characterized by having.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an invention according to claim 11 is a medal payout apparatus according to claim 10.
The curved inlet, the straight passage and the curved
Each outlet has a hole on its side.
Sign.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the tenth aspect.
Thus, the curved entrance prevents backflow of medals.
It has a backflow prevention function.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the tenth aspect.
The curved exit forcibly discharges medals
Discharging means, and the discharging means has a rocking plate
It is characterized in that it is composed of

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal payout apparatus according to the first aspect,
The transporting section is composed of a curved entrance, a straight passage, and a curved exit, and the straight passage can be divided into the curved entrance and the exit, respectively. In addition, it has a structure in which the length of each module can be changed.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal dispensing device according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the curved entrance, the straight passage, and the curved exit are provided. , Each having a hole on its side surface.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the medal payout apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the curved entrance portion has a backflow prevention function for preventing a backflow of medals. It is characterized by having.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 17 is the medal payout device according to claim 14, wherein the curved outlet portion is a discharging means for forcibly discharging medals. And the discharging means is constituted by a swinging leaf spring.

[0032] In order to solve the above problem, an invention according to claim 18 is the medal payout apparatus according to claim 1,
The payout unit and the transport unit each include a fastening unit that can be connected and fixed to a spinning-type gaming machine main body, and the fastening unit is a plug-in type.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a medal payout apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the mechanical configuration of the medal payout apparatus according to the present invention will be described step by step according to the medal transport path.

As shown in FIG. 1, the medal payout apparatus according to the present invention mainly includes a reverter 11 which is a means for forcibly switching a medal conveyance path, a payout hopper 12 which is a medal payout means, and a surplus medal. Surplus medal storage box 13 for transporting medals, and ascending passage unit 1 which is a transport means for transporting medals to a medal payout exit and a medal tray.
4 and the like. The reverter 11 is provided upstream of the payout hopper 12 in the medal conveyance direction,
The inside thereof has a transfer path switching function using a solenoid.

The medals supplied from the medal supply means (not shown) are first sent to the reverter 11.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the medals conveyed to the reverter 11 pass through a conveyance path A shown in FIG.
Stored inside. As shown in FIG.
Electrodes C and D are provided on the inner wall of the bucket 21. When a certain amount of conductive medals are stored in the bucket 121 and the electrodes C and D are electrically connected, a certain amount of medals are stored in the bucket 121. The storage is detected. Upon receiving this, the reverter 11 activates a solenoid provided therein to switch the transport path from A to B (see FIG. 2B). Therefore, the medals supplied thereafter fall into the surplus medal storage box 13 provided below and are stored. Note that the medal passage provided in the reverter 11 has a sufficient inner dimension so that even if medals entering the passage overlap, medals are not blocked.

As described above, in the conventional medal payout apparatus, the surplus medals overflow from the bucket 121 and slide down into the surplus medal storage box 13 provided next thereto. 121 (payout hopper 1) in the medal payout device of
2) required a certain height dimension in order to secure the number of medals stored below it (FIG. 19).
reference).

However, as in the medal payout apparatus according to the present invention, a reverter 11 for switching the medal conveyance path is provided at a high position upstream of the medal conveyance path of the payout hopper 12, and is forced by the reverter 11. By processing surplus medals, the height dimension required in the conventional bucket 121 can be suppressed (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing hopper 12
Is a bucket 12 for always storing a certain amount of medals.
1 and a medal payout base 122 disposed thereunder
And a rotating disk 123 provided therein and having a plurality of opening holes, a drive motor 124 as a driving source of the rotating disk 123, a guide rod 125 for dropping medals into the plurality of opening holes, and the like. I have. The medals stored in the bucket 121 are
5 by the agitation action of the rotating disk 123, it falls into an opening hole provided on the upper surface of the rotating disk 123, and the rotating disk 1
The transport mechanism is configured to be conveyed to the payout port 126 by the rotational drive of the drive motor 124 (see FIG. 4).

The bucket 121 has a structure in which the outer peripheral side surface of the rotary disk 123 is covered without any gap in order to prevent metal powder or other foreign matter mixed with the medal from entering (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 4, the dispensing hopper 12
Is located at a position parallel to the rotating disk 123.
By arranging the gears 24 and using gears as the power transmission means, the space required for the drive motor 124 conventionally required is greatly reduced (see FIG. 19). Further, a step is provided on one of the gears used for the rotary disk 123 and the drive motor 124 (in this embodiment, provided on the gear on the drive motor 124 side), and metal powder from above is provided. And other foreign substances are prevented from entering. Thereby, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being caught between the gears, and the rotating disk 123
Life can be extended.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rotating disk 12
3 has a two-layer structure consisting of an upper layer portion and a lower layer portion,
Eight notches are provided in the outer peripheral portion of the lower layer portion.
The notch is a discharge port for discharging foreign matter mixed with the medal to the outside, and has a mechanism for discharging foreign matter by centrifugal force generated when the rotary disk 123 is driven to rotate.

In the medal payout apparatus according to the present invention,
The upper surface of the rotating disk 123 is supported by the lower portion of the bucket 121, and the lower surface is supported by the upper portion of the medal payout base 122 (see FIG. 1).
By supporting both the upper and lower surfaces of the rotating disk 123 together, the swing during rotation can be minimized, and the medal biting between the rotating disk 123 and the medal payout base 122 during medal payout can be prevented. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 4, a guide rod 125 is provided above the rotating disk 123, and the medals stored in the bucket 121 are pressed by the weight of the rotating disk 123 due to their own weight. Is prevented from dropping into the opening hole provided on the upper surface of the cover. Since the guide rod 125 has a spring shape and its central axis is fixed, when the medal starts rotating by the rotation of the rotary disk 123, the guide rod 125 is pushed in the rotation direction. It is designed to rebound when pushed to some extent. By the action of stirring the medals by the guide rods 125, the medals easily fall into the opening holes provided on the upper surface of the rotating disk 123, so that the probability of failure of the payout operation is reduced and the payout efficiency of the medals is improved. Can be done.

As shown in FIG. 6, on the upper surface of the medal payout base 122, as guide means for guiding medals to the medal payout port 126, two guide pins E and F having different tip shapes are arranged. . As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the two guide pins E and F have springs at their lower parts, and are constantly pressed upward by the springs. The two guide pins E and F are configured to sink downward when an excessive load is applied to each of them.

The medals that have fallen from the opening hole provided in the upper portion of the rotating disk 123 to the lower portion are formed by a medal pushing projection provided on the bottom portion of the rotating disk 123 (see FIG. 5C). The rotating disk 123 is pushed out from the center to the outer periphery, and guided to the medal payout port 126 by the two guide pins E and F.

In a conventional slot machine, the aforementioned 2
Since the medal guide means corresponding to the guide pins E and F of the book is of a fixed type, if the medal floats or overlaps at the opening hole of the rotating disk 123 or the medal pushing protrusion. , The rotating disk 12
3, the guide means and the rotating disk 1
The medal was caught between the 23 opening holes and the medal push-out projection, resulting in biting.

Therefore, in the present invention, as a countermeasure against the biting, the opening hole of the rotating disk 123 is provided with an inclination angle which becomes lower toward the rear in the rotation direction as shown in FIG. In the case where is not good, the structure is such that the medal escapes backward in the rotation direction. Further, as described above, the two guide pins E and F are provided with springs at their lower parts, so that the guide pins E and F are sunk downward before the medals are bitten, so that the medals are removed. The structure is designed to escape to the front in the rotation direction. Further, of the two guide pins E and F, the height of the vertical portion of the guide pin E arranged inside when the medal payout base 122 is incorporated is set to 1/3 of the medal thickness, and The tip is formed in a conical shape, so that a medal that collides with the guide pin E is released forward in the rotation direction. Further, by setting the height of the guide pin F disposed outside of the two guide pins E and F to be slightly lower than that of the guide pin E, a structure in which a medal collision hardly occurs is provided. Even if a medal collides, the angle of the medal becomes deep, so that the medal escapes backward in the rotation direction by the inclination of the opening provided in the rotating disk 123.

As shown in FIG.
The medal conveyed to 6 is guided by the action of the payout arm 127 and the spring 128 provided in the medal payout port 126 and the fixed roller 129 provided thereunder, and guided to the converter 130.

The medals conveyed from the medal payout port 126 are conveyed to a converter 130 which is a medal transfer state changing means disposed between the medal payout port 126 and the ascending passage unit 14 (see FIG. 4). See FIG. 8). The medals conveyed from the payout port 126 are uniformly in a horizontal state, and are conveyed to the converter 130 while maintaining the horizontal state.

When a medal conveyed to the converter 130 in a horizontal state passes through a cylindrical passage inside the converter 130, its center point is aligned with the center of the cylindrical passage.
Start rotating along the inner surface of the cylindrical passage. Furthermore ,
It prompted the rotation until the vertical state, and is conveyed to rise while maintaining the vertical state passage unit 14.

The converter 130 has a structure of being vertically divided into two parts.
Has a simple structure that can be inserted and fixed, so that, for example, if a medal jam or the like occurs in the converter 130, it can be easily handled. Further, the transducer 13
0, since it is designed to a length slightly greater extent than the medal diameter, for example even medals are stopped at the position of the throat in the transducer 130, and the medal payout base 122 without medal popping the Ascending passage unit 14
Can be separated.

As shown in FIG. 8, a polishing section 131 using a nylon brush for removing dirt adhering to the medal surface is provided at the outlet of the converter 130 and the inlet of the ascending passage unit 14, as shown in FIG. Is provided. The polishing units 131 are detachably attached by screws, and have a structure that can be periodically replaced.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the ascending passage unit 14 has a three-part structure including an inlet part 141, a straight part 142, and an outlet part 143. The entire length of the straight portion 142 can be changed in units of a module, whereby the overall length (height) of the ascent passage unit 14 can be changed.
It is possible to change at any time. A plurality of outlets are provided on the side surfaces of the inlet 141, the straight portion 142, and the outlet 143 to remove metal powder and other foreign matter mixed during medal conveyance. The structure is such that medals are prevented from being clogged by removing foreign substances and the like. Further, the ascending passage unit 14
Is configured so that it can be inserted and fixed inside the housing of the slot machine. For example, when a trouble such as a medal clogging occurs in the passage of the straight portion 142, the entire lifting unit 14 is removed. Can be easily handled.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the inlet portion 1
At the upper part of the entrance passage 41, a backflow preventing claw that swings in the same direction as the medal is sent from a vertical position is disposed. By providing the backflow prevention claw, for example, when the medal payout base 122 and the ascending passage unit 14 are separated from each other, even if the medals remaining in the passage try to flow back from the passage entrance, the backflow prevention claw is located below the passage. It turns to the side and acts as a stopper to prevent the backflow of medals. Accordingly, the medal payout base 122 and the ascending passage unit 1
At the time of separation of 4, the medals can be prevented from flowing backward and being scattered.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the dispensing hopper 1
The medals conveyed from the outlet 2 are provided at the exit 14 shown in FIG.
In the vicinity of the apex of the curved portion of No. 3, it is pushed out to the medal payout exit by the action of the rocking plate spring 144 provided above the exit portion 143. Each time a medal is pushed out, the number sensor 14
5 detects this, and at the moment when the specified number of medals have been extruded, a command to stop the rotational drive is sent to the drive motor 124 in the payout hopper 12. As shown in the figure, by providing the number sensor 145 before the stop position of the medal (the hatched portion shown in the figure), it is possible to prevent a counting error when detecting the payout of the medal. Further, a clog sensor 14 is provided before the number sensor 145.
6 is provided to prevent illegal payout of medals due to foreign matter insertion from the tip.

As described above, the ascending passage unit 14 has a role of a guide for conveying the medals conveyed from the payout hopper 12 to the medal payout port 9, and the medals conveyed from the payout hopper 12 In addition, along the ascending passage unit 14, the medals are discharged to the medal tray 10 from the medal payout port 9 provided above the medal payout port 9.

As described above, by providing the medal transporting means such as the payout hopper 12 and the ascending passage unit 14, the medals can be transported upward, which is impossible in the conventional slot machine. The medal payout port 9 and the medal tray 10 can be arranged above the medal slot 8. Therefore, the medal payout port 9 and the medal tray 10 are provided at the lower part as in the related art, and there is no need to pay out the medals by a free fall method by gravity. The height required for the free fall method by gravity can also be reduced.

FIGS. 12 to 15 show an embodiment in which the above-described medal payout apparatus according to the present invention is incorporated in a slot machine. Hereinafter, a mechanical configuration and a control configuration of the slot machine will be described.

[0060] As shown in [Machine Configuration] FIGS. 12 and 13, the slot machine,
Mainly, a housing 1 as a main body of the structure, a front door 2 provided on the front surface of the housing 1, a display panel 4 provided at an intermediate portion of the front door 2 and having a display window 3, and a display panel A plurality of rotatable cylinders 5 rotatably arranged in the inside of the display 4; a start lever 6 and a stop provided below the display panel 4 (also at the front) for instructing rotation start and rotation stop of the rotary cylinder 5; It comprises a button 7, a medal slot 8, and a medal payout port 9 provided at the upper part of the front door 2 where a medal is paid out, a medal receiving tray 10, and the like.

The housing 1 is a main component of the main body of the slot machine and plays a role as an outer wall. Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the above-described medal payout device including the rotating drum 5, the reverter 11, the payout hopper 12, the surplus medal storage box 13, and the ascending passage unit 14 therein, It has a control unit 15 and the like for controlling these components (the components relating to the inside of the housing 1 will be described later).

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the front door 2 supports the start of rotation of the display plate 4 having the display window 3 and the rotating drum 5 in the lower half thereof (the lower half of the gaming machine). It has a start lever 6, a stop button 7 for supporting the rotation stop thereof, a medal slot 8, and the like, and the upper half thereof (the upper half of the gaming machine).
And has a medal payout exit 9 and the like. Also, as other components, the illumination 16, the speaker 17, the ashtray 1
Also, it has directing components such as 8 and service components. The front door 2 is attached to the housing 1 using a hinge or the like so as to be openable and closable, and also serves as a lid of the housing 1.

The display plate 4 has a transparent display window 3 in a part thereof so that the numbers or designs drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 5 can be seen from outside the slot machine. Further, as additional information, a description of a game method, a winning combination, and the like is described outside the display window 3.

A plurality of the rotating drums 5 are provided in the lower half (lower half of the game machine) inside the housing 1, and the respective rotating shafts of the rotating drum 5 are coaxial, and each of the rotating drums 5 is independently provided. It has a rotatable structure. In addition, all of these rotary drums 5 are formed by dividing the circumferential surface into several regions along the circumferential direction, and a number or a pattern is drawn in each of the regions. Specific examples of the pattern include fruits such as apples and cherries, and illustrations such as bell marks and "BAR".

The medal payout port 9 and the medal tray 10
Is provided in the upper half of the front door 2 (the upper half of the gaming machine),
In addition, it is arranged above the rotating drum 5 and the medal slot 8. Medals are paid out from the medal payout exit 9,
Medals are stored in the medal tray 10.

A medal payout device for forcibly conveying medals to a medal payout exit 9 is provided inside the housing 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the medal payout device
A reverter 11 as a means for forcibly switching the medal transport path, a payout hopper 12 as a medal payout means,
A surplus medal storage box 13 which is a surplus medal storage part, an ascending passage unit 14 which is a guide for conveying the medal paid out from the payout hopper 12 to the medal payout port 9 and the like are configured. The reverter 11
Is provided upstream of the payout hopper 12 in the medal transport direction, and has a transport path switching function using a solenoid.

Generally, a slot machine is provided with medals always supplied by an external medal supply means (not shown) so that the medals to be paid out are not interrupted, and a fixed amount of medals is provided in a bucket 121 provided in the payout hopper 12. It is a mechanism that can be stored. Also in the present slot machine, medals are supplied from outside by the medal supply means (not shown), and are stored in the bucket 121 via the path A of the reverter 11 shown in FIG. When a certain amount of medals are stored in the payout hopper 12, the electrodes C and D provided in the payout hopper 12 (see FIG. 3).
The medal transport path is switched from A to B by the operation of the solenoid in the reverter 11 receiving this. Thereafter, the medals are sent to the surplus medal storage box 13.

As described above, the processing of the surplus medals is forcibly performed by using the transfer path switching means such as the reverter 11 instead of the conventional mechanism using gravity, so that the conventionally required extra high medal is achieved. Size can be reduced.

As shown in FIG.
Is a bucket 121 that always stores a certain amount of medals.
And a medal payout base 122 arranged thereunder,
It comprises a rotating disk 123 provided therein, a driving motor 124 as a driving source of the rotating disk 123, and the like. The medals stored in the bucket 121 fall from a plurality of opening holes provided in the rotating disk 123 to a medal payout base 122, and the drive motor 124 drives the rotating disk 123 to rotate, so that the upward passage is formed. It is transported to the unit 14.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the ascending passage unit 14 has a role of a guide for conveying the medals conveyed from the payout hopper 12 to the medal payout port 9, and extends along the side wall of the housing 1. It is installed vertically.
The medals conveyed from the payout hopper 12 are guided along the ascending passage unit 14 to a medal payout port 9 provided above the medal payout port 9 and discharged to the medal tray 10 from the medal payout port 9.

By providing the medal transporting means such as the payout hopper 12 and the ascent passage unit 14, the medal can be forcibly transported upward. The exit 9 and the medal tray 10 can be arranged above the medal insertion slot 8. Therefore, the medal payout port 9 and the medal tray 10 are provided at the lower part as in the conventional case, and there is no need to pay out the medal by the device using gravity. Therefore, a certain height required in the conventional slot machine is eliminated. Dimensions can be reduced.

[0073] Hereinafter, the control structure of the slot machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16.

[0074] [Control Structure] The control unit 15 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are arranged in a housing 1 inside of the back portion or side portion or the like, as shown in FIG. 16, a control main CPU 151, A memory 152 which is a first storage means such as a RAM used for reading and writing data, a ROM 153 which is a second storage means containing various control programs and fixed data, an input interface 154, an output interface 155, and other rotary drums 5 Various drive control circuits 156 to 159 for controlling the dispensing hopper 12 and the like, a sound source ROM 160 containing various control programs and sound source data, and a sound reproduction circuit 16 for reproducing the sound source data from the speaker 17.
1 and the like (corresponding to the two-dot chain line in the figure).

Hereinafter, the flow of control by the control unit 15 will be described in detail along with the flow of a game by a slot machine.

First, when a player inserts a medal through the medal slot 8, a medal insertion is detected by a sensor (not shown) provided inside the medal slot 8, and a signal is sent to the CPU 151 via the input interface 154. Is sent. Upon receiving the signal, the CPU 151 enters a preparation state for rotating the rotary drum 5 (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) in response to the signal, and displays the number of stored medals at the same time. Is sent to the display panel 19. The display panel 19 that has received the instruction via the output interface 155 displays the number of stored medals.

Next, when the start lever 6 is operated by the player, the CPU
A signal is sent to 151. CPU 15 receiving the signal
1 transmits a command to rotate the rotary drum 5 (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) to the drive control circuit 156, and receives the command via the output interface 155.
56 drives a motor M (M1, M2, M3), which is a means for driving the rotating drum 5 (5-1, 5-2, 5-3), and drives the corresponding rotating drum 5 (5-1, 5-1, 5-3). 5-2, 5-
3) rotate simultaneously.

Then, the stop button 7 (7-1,
7-2, 7-3), the input interface 1
A signal is sent to the CPU 151 via the CPU 54, and the CPU 151 receiving the signal sends the signal to the rotating cylinder 5 corresponding to the signal.
An instruction to stop (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) is sent to the drive control circuit 156. Output interface 155
The drive control circuit 156 that has received the command through the control unit 5 controls the rotating body 5 (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) corresponding to the stop button 7 (7-1, 7-2, 7-3). Are stopped, the motors M (M1, M2, M3) are respectively stopped. Accordingly, the corresponding rotating drum 5 (5-1, 5-2,
The rotation of 5-3) also stops.

At this time, the stop positions of the rotary drums 5 (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) are respectively detected by detecting means (not shown), and the combination (displayed on the display window 3) determined thereby is determined. (A combination of numbers or symbols to be performed) is sent to the CPU 151 via the input interface 154. Upon receiving the signal, the CPU 151 compares the combination data with the built-in data stored in the ROM 153 in advance, and if there is built-in data corresponding to the combination, the CPU 151 sets the combination data according to the built-in data. If medals are paid out by the number of coins and there is no corresponding built-in data, medals will not be paid out.

When the corresponding built-in data exists, first, the CPU 151 sends a command to the display panel 19 via the output interface 155 to increase the medal storage number by the payout number corresponding to the built-in data. . The display panel 19 that has received the command displays the stored number of sheets that has been increased accordingly.

At this time, when the player presses the medal payout button 20 provided outside the housing 1, the CPU 15
1 is received by the CPU 151 via the input interface 154.
Then, a command to pay out medals by the number corresponding to the stored number is sent. The drive control unit 158 receiving the command via the output interface 155 operates the payout hopper 1
2 to control the rotation of the rotary disk 123 (see FIG. 1) provided in the drive 2 (specifically, the control of the drive motor 124 as a drive source), and pay out medals by the number of instructions. The medals paid out from the payout hopper 12 are conveyed to the ascending passage unit 14 and conveyed along the ascending passage unit 14 to the medal payout port 9. At this time, the number of medals paid out from the payout hopper 12 is detected by the number sensor 145 (see FIG. 11 ) provided at the end of the ascending passage unit 14, and a prescribed number of medals are paid out. Is detected, a signal to stop the rotation of the rotary disk 123 is sent to the CPU 151 via the input interface 154. The CPU 151 having received the signal sends a signal to the drive control circuit 158 via the output interface 155 to stop the rotation of the rotary disk 123. In response to this, the drive control circuit 158 stops the rotation drive of the rotary disk 123.

The player inserts medals into the medal slot 8 again based on the medals paid out to the medal tray 10 from the medal payout port 9 and repeats the above-described actions.

The CPU 151 controls the illumination 16 and the speaker 17 in parallel with the control described above. The CPU 151 controls the drive control circuit 1 in accordance with conditions and timing preset in the ROM 153.
57 and the audio reproduction circuit 161, and the drive control circuit 157 and the audio reproduction circuit 161 having received the instruction via the output interface 155 control the output of the electric decoration 16 and the speaker 17 according to the instruction. Do.

In the housing 1, the CPU 151
As a result, the following control is performed. As described above, the slot machine has a mechanism in which medals are always supplied by an external medal supply unit (not shown), and a certain amount of medals are stored in the bucket 121. As shown in FIG. 1, the medals supplied by the external medal supply means (not shown) are sent to the payout hopper 12 via the path A by the reverter 11 and stored in the bucket 121 in a fixed amount. Then, the bucket 1
When it is detected that the medals are sufficiently stored by the electrodes C and D (see FIG. 3) provided in the inside 21, a signal to that effect is sent to the CPU 151, and the signal is sent to the CPU 151 via the input interface 154. Upon receiving the signal, the CPU 151
A command to operate the solenoid provided in the reverter 11 is sent to the drive control circuit 159. The drive control circuit 159 which has received the command via the output interface 155 makes the solenoid provided in the reverter 11 function, thereby forcibly changing the medal transport path to A.
To B. As a result, the surplus medals are sent to the surplus medal storage box 13 thereafter, and
Stored in 3. The medals stored in the surplus medal storage box 13 are periodically collected by a clerk.

As described above, by incorporating the medal payout apparatus according to the present invention into a slot machine, a slot machine which is more compact than before can be realized. Further, since the arrangement positions of the mechanical components can be freely changed, a slot machine that is different from the conventional slot machine can be realized. Further, by changing the arrangement position of the mechanical components to an appropriate position, the player does not get tired even during a long-time game, does not accumulate stress, and further prevents fraud. A slot machine that can be achieved can be realized.

[0086]

The effects obtained by the medal payout apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

The medal payout apparatus according to the present invention forcibly carries out medal payout and surplus medal processing conventionally performed by a mechanism using gravity, provided with a medal transport path switching means and a medal transport means. Thus, the conventionally required height dimension can be suppressed. Therefore, the height of the entire medal payout device can be reduced, and the entire slot machine can be made compact.

Further, the medal payout apparatus according to the present invention includes medal transfer means, and the medal transfer means guides the medals to the medal payout exit, whereby the arrangement position of the mechanical components can be freely changed. To be able to
For example, when the medal payout device is incorporated in a slot machine, the rotating drum is designed to be arranged below the center of the gaming machine, and the player's line of sight during the game is directed downward from the conventional position, so that the game time can be reduced. , The slot machine in which the player does not feel tired on the neck or the like and does not feel stress can be realized. Further, for example, by changing the arrangement of the medal payout port above the rotary drum and above the center of the gaming machine, that is, from the blind spot range of the player to a position where it can be seen, conventionally, it is possible to perform without paying attention to the eyes. It is possible to realize a slot machine that can prevent a fraudulent activity that has been performed. Further, for example, by designing the medal payout port and the medal tray, which have conventionally been arranged below the medal insertion slot, to be arranged above the medal insertion slot, the player can receive a medal every time a medal is inserted. It is not necessary to pick up from the bottom to the top and insert it, and even if the medal is easy to insert and the game time is long, the player will not feel tired on his arms etc. and will not feel stress Machine can be realized.

Further, as described above, the arrangement positions of the mechanical components such as the display window, the rotating body, the medal slot, the medal payout port, and the medal tray are greatly changed to give a great feature to the appearance. Thus, a slot machine that is significantly different from a conventional slot machine can be realized. Accordingly, with this, it is also possible to improve the ability to attract customers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a medal payout apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a process of switching a transport path of a reverter which is a component of the medal payout apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a structure of a bucket which is a component of the medal payout apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a lower half portion of the medal payout device.

FIG. 5 is a top view, a side view, and a bottom view showing a structure of a rotating disk which is a component of the medal payout apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing the configuration of the lower half of the medal payout device.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view showing a configuration near a medal payout exit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration in a lower half portion of the medal payout device.

FIG. 9 is a view of a rising passage unit which is a component of the medal payout apparatus .
It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of a kit.

FIG. 10 is a view of an inlet portion which is a component of the ascending passage unit .
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a configuration.

FIG. 11 is a view of an outlet portion which is a component of the ascending passage unit .
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a configuration.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a medal payout apparatus according to the present invention .
It is a front view showing the whole composition of a lot machine.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a medal payout device according to the present invention .
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the entire configuration of the lot machine.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a medal payout apparatus according to the present invention .
It is a front view showing the internal configuration of a lot machine.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a medal payout device according to the present invention .
It is a side view showing the internal configuration of a lot machine.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a medal payout apparatus according to the present invention .
FIG. 3 is a control diagram illustrating a control configuration of a lot machine.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing the entire configuration of a conventional slot machine .
FIG.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing the internal configuration of a conventional slot machine .
FIG.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2001-54614 (JP, A) JP-A-11-114203 (JP, A) JP-A-3-158989 (JP, A) (JP, U) Actually open sho 59-188478 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 5/04

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] 1. A medal payout device inside a spinning-type gaming machine that performs a game using medals, wherein the medal payout device is a means for switching a medal conveyance route according to a medal storage amount, and a dispensing unit medals including bucket for storing a paying out means, the medal payout device for chromatic and conveying section is a means for conveying the medals to be paid out from該払out portion to the medal payout opening, the payout The section is one of the transport paths of the transport path switching section.
A bucket provided on the side for storing medals,
Horizontally arranged at the bottom of the bucket and having a plurality of opening holes
A disk-shaped rotating disk and a parallel position with the rotating disk
The driving mode, which is the driving source as the arranged power transmission means,
And a table of medals guided through the rotating disc
Polishing means for polishing the surface, and a medal for supporting them
And a payout base
Medal payout device. 2. The rotating disk has a two-layer structure.
The opening hole provided in the upper layer of the
It has an inclination angle, and a discharge port is provided near the outer periphery of the lower part.
And its outer peripheral portion has a gear structure.
The medal payout device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The gear has a two-stage structure having a step.
2. The medal payout device according to claim 1, wherein
Place. 4. The dispensing section further includes the rotating disc.
For dropping a medal into the opening hole provided in the
Drop through the opening rod provided in the rotating disc and the rotating disk.
Guided medal toward the outer circumference of the rotating disk
2. A guide pin according to claim 1, wherein
The medal payout device described. 5. The guide rod has a spring shape.
From the center of the rotating disk in the circumferential direction.
At the center of the rotating disk,
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein one end is fixed.
Medal payout device. 6. The guide pin is provided at a lower part thereof.
Spring is pressed upward by the spring
It is characterized by a structure that can move in the downward direction
The medal payout device according to claim 4, wherein 7. The medal payout base is provided on the guide pin.
Two on the surface, and
And the pins located on the inside are better than the pins located on the outside
5. The medal according to claim 4, wherein
Dispensing device. 8. The guide pins each have a distal end.
Part has a conical shape and the rotating disk is rotating.
The vertical part of the pin located inside with respect to the heart is the medal thickness
The height is set to 1/3 of the height.
Or the medal payout device according to 7. 9. A spinning-type gaming machine for playing games using medals.
An internal medal payout device that stores medal
The transport route is a means for switching the medal transport route according to
Including a road switching unit and a bucket for storing medals
A payout unit as a means for paying out medals, and a payout from the payout unit.
Means for transporting issued medals to the medal payout exit
In the medal payout apparatus having a transport unit, the payout unit and the transport unit have a structure that can be divided from each other.
And each can be connected and fixed to the spinning-type gaming machine body
A medal payout device comprising fastening means, wherein the fastening means is a plug-in type . 10. The transfer section has a curved entrance and a straight line.
A straight passage and a curved outlet.
The road is divided into the curved entrance and exit
Is possible, and the length of the module itself can be changed.
10. A structure which can be changed.
Medal payout device. 11. The curved inlet portion and the straight passage portion.
And the curved outlets each have a hole on its side.
11. The medal payout device according to claim 10, wherein
Place. 12. The curvilinear entrance portion has a medal backward flow.
It has a backflow prevention function to prevent
The medal payout device according to claim 10. 13. A curved exit for forcing a medal.
Discharging means for discharging the liquid in
The step is constituted by an oscillating leaf spring.
The medal payout device according to claim 10.