JP3871695B1 - Game media input mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an approximately disc-shaped game medium insertion mechanism that makes it easy to insert medals and allows players to be enthusiastic about the game without getting tired even if medals are continuously inserted for a long time.
A game medium input mechanism 100 stores a storage part 101 for storing a substantially disc-shaped game medium M, and first inclined walls 105 and 107 extending from the storage part while being continuously inclined upward. A first input unit 109 having a first input port 109-1 for the game medium M at a position close to the first input unit 109, and the first input unit 109 to slide the game medium M into the first input port by gravity. And a first guide part 114 extending on one inclined wall. When the game player slides the roughly disc-shaped game medium M onto the first inclined wall and releases the game medium M, the game player slides down the first inclined wall by gravity, and the first guide unit It is locked to.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium input mechanism, and more particularly to a game medium input mechanism in a game device using a generally disc-shaped game medium such as a medal.

  In general, game devices that use an approximately spherical game medium such as a ball or an approximately disk-shaped game medium such as a medal are known. In the present application, the term “game medium” means a tangible object used when a game is played. A pusher game device is widely known as a typical example of a game device that uses medals as an approximately disc-shaped game medium. In such a game apparatus, a game player plays a game by inserting a game medium through a game medium input mechanism, and the timing, direction, or amount of game medium to be input But it will affect the outcome of the game. Therefore, in order for the game device to attract the game player and nail it in front of the game device, it is important that in addition to the game characteristics, that is, the fun of the game itself, it is easy to insert the game medium.

  According to a known medal insertion mechanism in a pusher game machine using a conventional medal, the game player has to move the medal by hand from the medal storage part to the medal insertion slot. Therefore, if the game player continuously inserts medals for a long time, the game player is tired. In addition, since nerves are used to insert medals, there is a problem that the game itself cannot be concentrated and cannot be fully enjoyed.

  Further, when the medal insertion is automated, there is a problem that the possibility that the game player can be sufficiently attracted is reduced even if the game player confidence is reduced and the game performance is not so good.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game medium loading mechanism in a game device that uses a substantially disk-shaped game medium without the above-mentioned problems.

  A further object of the present invention is to use an approximately disc-shaped game medium that makes it easy to insert medals and allows players to get involved in the game without getting tired even when medals are continuously inserted for a long time. It is to provide a game medium input mechanism in a game device.

  It is a further object of the present invention to introduce a generally disc-shaped game medium that makes it easy to insert medals and allows players to be enthusiastic about the game without getting tired even if medals are continuously inserted over a long period of time. To provide a game apparatus provided with a game medium input mechanism.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage portion for storing a substantially disc-shaped game medium, a first inclined wall extending from the storage portion while continuously inclining upward, and the first A first input portion having a first input port for the game content at a position continuous with the inclined wall, and the first inclined wall so as to slide the game medium into the first input port by gravity. A first guide portion that has an inclined portion that descends toward the first insertion port at least partially, and extends and descends generally toward the first insertion port. Provided is at least a game medium input mechanism.

  Here, the first guide unit may be configured to allow the game medium to slide into the first slot by gravity. For this purpose, the first guide unit is at least the first guide unit. A part has an inclined portion that inclines toward the first input port, and is configured to generally descend toward the first input port. In other words, “generally descending” means that the first guide portion has at least part of the inclined portion that inclines toward the first insertion port, and the game medium is moved to the first insertion port by gravity. It is meant to be configured to allow slide transfer. It is only necessary that the potential energy of the game medium located at the first guide portion is generally higher than the potential energy of the game medium located at the first slot. For example, even if there is a rising portion in the middle of the first guide portion, if the kinetic energy of the game medium is greater than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising portion, the game medium will roll until then. Climb the ascending portion with a momentum and move into the first slot. Further, even when there is a rising portion in the middle of the first guide portion and the kinetic energy of the game medium is smaller than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising portion, the game medium will roll later. There is no problem as long as it can be pushed by another game medium and then climbed up the ascending portion and transferred into the first slot. Further, the first guide part may extend so as to descend linearly, curvedly, or stepwise toward the first insertion port, for example.

  The game player slides the roughly disc-shaped game medium stored in the storage section onto the first inclined wall extending while continuously inclining upward from the storage section. When the hand is released, the game medium slides down the first inclined wall due to gravity, and is locked to the first guide portion extending on the first inclined wall. The first guide unit is configured to slide the game medium into the first slot by gravity. The game player slides up the game medium on the first inclined wall that continuously extends upward from the storage portion, and then releases the game medium by gravity to release the game medium. The game medium slides down the first inclined wall and is locked by a first guide portion extending on the first inclined wall, and then the game medium is moved along the first guide portion. The slide-in is carried out by gravity up to the first input port of the first input unit. When the game medium rolls along the first guide portion, the game medium slides with respect to the first inclined wall. That is, the game player simply slides the game medium from the storage unit along the first inclined wall and releases the game medium. There is no need to grab it and carry it. In other words, gravity is used effectively to make the game player's hands move easily.

  For this reason, even if the game player continues to input the game media for a long time, it is possible to significantly reduce the fatigue felt by the game player. In addition, since almost no nerve is used to insert the game media, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and enjoy the game sufficiently.

  Further, after the game medium is slid up along the first inclined wall, if the hand is released from the game medium, the game medium slides down the first inclined wall due to gravity, and the first The game medium is locked by the first guide portion extending on the inclined wall, and then the game medium slides in by gravity along the first guide portion to the first insertion port of the first insertion portion. . That is, without automating the insertion of the game media, even if the game player continues to throw in the game media for a long time, it is possible to greatly reduce the fatigue felt by the game player. This makes it possible to attract the game player continuously for a long time while having the feeling of playing.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first guide portion in the first aspect of the present invention is preferably configured by the first step formed in the first inclined wall. There is no need to configure the steps.

  The first guide portion has a function of locking the game medium sliding down the first inclined wall due to gravity, and a function of sliding in the first insertion port along the first guide portion by gravity. Can be provided. However, it is necessary to slide the game media along the first inclined wall to a position above the first guide portion. Therefore, when sliding the game media, the first guide is required. It is preferable that the presence of the part does not interfere.

  Considering this, it is preferable that the first guide portion is constituted by a first step formed on the first inclined wall. However, it is important that the step surface of the first step faces the region above the first step of the first inclined wall. This makes it easy to slide the game medium along the first inclined wall beyond the first step, and the game medium once slid up leaves the hand of the game player and moves to the first position. It becomes possible to slide down the one inclined wall and be locked by the step surface of the first step. When the step surface of the first step faces a region below the first step of the first inclined wall, the game medium that slides along the first inclined wall is blocked, and While the game medium is locked, it is not possible to slide into the first slot by gravity.

  The first step can be realized by forming a region below the first step on the first inclined wall to be thicker than a region above the first step. For example, the first inclined wall may be configured by combining a first flat plate extending in both upper and lower regions and a second flat plate extending only in the lower region. Further, the first inclined wall may be formed by thinning only the upper region of the first flat plate extending over both the upper and lower regions. In any case, the first inclined wall having the first step can be realized by using an existing technique.

  The first step can be configured to extend on the first inclined wall to the first inlet. At this time, since it is necessary to guide the game medium locked by the first step to the first slot by rolling the first step by gravity, typically, the first step Can extend down on the first inclined wall toward the first inlet. Specifically, the first step may be configured to linearly descend on the first inclined wall toward the first inlet, and on the first inclined wall. Can be configured to descend in a curved manner, and can also be configured by a combination of a straight line and a curved line. However, even if the game medium is locked at any position of the first step, it is preferable that the tilt angle is the minimum necessary for rolling and guiding the first game toward the first slot.

  Furthermore, the first step needs to be terminated so that the game medium slides into the first slot by gravity. It is preferable that the end portion of the first step is brought close to the first inlet. Even if the end portion of the first step is not in contact with the first slot and has a gap, the game medium that has rolled the first step finally reaches the first slot. Just roll in. For this purpose, the first charging port of the first charging unit needs to be provided at a position close to the first inclined wall.

  Further, the width of the step surface of the first step, in other words, the size of the first step, locks the game media sliding down the first inclined wall with the step surface of the first step. Is determined to be possible. The minimum required size of the first step depends on the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the thickness of the game medium. For example, when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is large, the width of the step surface of the first step should be larger than when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is small. Furthermore, if the width of the step surface of the first step is too small compared to the thickness of the game medium, the game medium that slides down the first inclined wall cannot be locked, and the game medium The game medium gets over the first step and slides down to the storage portion, and the game medium cannot be inserted into the first slot. Therefore, in consideration of the thickness of the game medium and the inclination angle of the first inclined wall, the minimum first step that can lock the game medium sliding down the first inclined wall is provided. The width of the step surface is required.

  Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the first step has a width substantially corresponding to the thickness of the game medium alone.

  Theoretically, if the cross-sectional shape of the peripheral portion of the game medium is not rectangular and the corners are rounded, the width of the step surface of the first step is equal to or greater than the thickness of the rounded portion. If there is, there is a possibility that the game medium can be locked. However, in reality, there is a possibility that the game medium sliding down the first inclined wall may not be locked to the first step due to an impact or vibration when the game medium comes into contact with the first step. Therefore, the width of the step surface of the first step is designed to be larger than the minimum required in theory. From this viewpoint, it is preferable to design the width of the step surface of the first step so as to roughly correspond to the thickness of the game medium alone. However, the width of the step surface of the first step is not necessarily the same as the thickness of the game medium alone. In other words, it is only necessary that the game medium can roll on the step surface of the first step.

  Furthermore, the angle of the step surface of the first step is preferably a right angle or an acute angle with respect to the first inclined wall. If the angle of the step surface of the first step is an obtuse angle with respect to the first inclined wall, the game medium that has slid down the first inclined wall is not locked to the first step. There is a high possibility of slipping off.

  When the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is large, that is, when the first inclined wall is nearly vertical, it is not easy to slide the game medium from the storage portion to the first inclined wall. . On the contrary, when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is small, that is, when the first inclined wall is almost horizontal, the game medium is caused to slide up the first inclined wall from the storage portion. Although it is easy, since the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall increases after the game player releases the game medium, the game medium slides down the first inclined wall. When the game medium slides along the first step while being rolled along the first step due to gravity, the frictional force with the first inclined wall is large, so that the game medium stops midway. Therefore, there is a possibility that the first input port cannot be reached. Therefore, in consideration of these points, the inclination angle of the first inclined wall needs to be an angle that is neither too close to vertical nor too close to horizontal. For example, the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is preferably 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, and more preferably 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. The inclination angle of the first inclined wall may typically be about 45 degrees.

  Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, while the first guide portion is generally lowered from the side portion of the first inclined wall located on the side opposite to the first charging port. You may comprise so that it may extend to this 1st insertion port. In this case, since the first guide portion extends over the entire area, the game medium sliding down the first inclined wall can be reliably locked.

  Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the diameter of the game medium alone from the side portion of the first inclined wall located on the opposite side of the first insertion port from the first guide portion. You may comprise so that it may extend to this 1st insertion port, descending generally from the inner position separated by the distance more than a direction dimension. In this case, the game medium can be slid up through the region of the first inclined wall where the first guide part is not formed, and the game medium can be moved beyond the first guide part. No need to slide up.

  Further, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the boundary between the storage portion and the first inclined wall in the first aspect of the present invention is formed by a curved surface.

  As a result, the game medium stored in the storage unit can be slid up to the first inclined wall with as little resistance as possible. The preferable curvature of the curved surface depends on the radial dimension of the game medium, but generally the curvature radius of the curved surface should be sufficiently larger than the radial dimension of the game medium. The preferred curvature can be easily determined empirically.

  Furthermore, as described above, it is preferable to reduce the frictional resistance between the first inclined wall and the game medium as much as possible. In order to reduce the frictional resistance, the following configuration is effective.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the first inclined wall according to the first aspect of the present invention is formed so as to reduce friction with the game medium that slides in along the first guide portion. It is preferable to have at least one projected portion.

  As described above, the game medium has a substantially disk shape. For this reason, when the first inclined wall has a flat surface, the entire area of the side surface of the game medium is in contact with the flat surface of the first inclined wall. In order to reduce the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall, it is effective to reduce the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall. In order to reduce the contact area, it is preferable that the first inclined wall has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the game medium slidingly transferred along the first guide portion. . The side surface of the game medium is brought into contact with at least one protrusion to reduce the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall. It is important that the at least one protrusion reduces a contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall, and further does not become an obstacle when the game medium rolls the first guide part due to gravity. It is.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a typical example of the at least one protrusion in the seventh aspect of the present invention is spaced upward from the first guide portion by a distance smaller than the diameter of the game medium. Thus, it may be at least one ridge-shaped protrusion that extends substantially parallel to the direction in which the first guide portion extends. With this configuration, the game medium rolling on the first guide portion slides while being in contact with the at least one ridge shape protrusion. For this reason, the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced, and the frictional resistance between the game medium and the first inclined wall can be effectively reduced. The at least one ridge line-shaped protrusion may be formed of a single ridge line-shaped protrusion, or may be formed of a plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a typical example of the at least one protrusion in the seventh aspect of the present invention is obtained by replacing the at least one ridge-shaped protrusion described above with the first guide part. A plurality of protrusions scattered upward may be used.

  The interval between adjacent protrusions is preferably sufficiently narrower than the radial dimension of the game medium. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the plurality of protrusions are regularly scattered at regular intervals. With such a configuration, the game medium rolling on the first guide portion slides while being in contact with the plurality of scattered protrusions. For this reason, the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced, and the frictional resistance between the game medium and the first inclined wall can be effectively reduced. From the viewpoint of reducing the frictional force, the tops of the plurality of protrusions are preferably round processed.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a first vibration device configured to give minute vibration to the first inclined wall in the first aspect of the present invention.

  As another effective technique for reducing the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall, the game medium and the first inclined wall are provided by applying minute vibration to the first inclined wall. Can be prevented, and as a result, the effective contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall can be reduced, and the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced. It should be noted that the vibration applied to the first inclined wall is not so great that the game medium becomes unstable when rolling along the first guide portion. In addition, too large vibration is not preferable because it may give the game player an uncomfortable feeling. The first vibration device configured to apply minute vibration to the first inclined wall can typically be configured by a known vibration motor, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the first inclined wall according to the first aspect of the present invention has a plurality of ventilation holes scattered above the first guide portion, and the You may provide the 1st air blower comprised so that it might ventilate from the back side of a 1st inclination wall through these ventilation holes.

  As still another effective technique for reducing the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall, the game medium is blown through the plurality of ventilation holes, so that the game medium is sent to the first inclined wall. The game medium is given buoyancy in a direction to float from the game medium, the contact force between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced, and consequently the friction force between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced. To do. Here, it is preferable that the interval between the adjacent ventilation holes is sufficiently narrower than the radial dimension of the game medium. Further, it is more preferable that the plurality of ventilation holes are regularly scattered at regular intervals. The first blower can be typically realized by arranging a blower fan on the back side of the first inclined wall. By configuring in this way, the game media rolling on the first guide portion is formed between the game media and the first inclined wall by the buoyancy provided by the air blown through the plurality of scattered ventilation holes. Since the game medium rolls along the first guide portion in a state where the contact force is reduced, it is possible to effectively reduce the frictional resistance between the game medium and the first inclined wall.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the first inclined wall in the first aspect of the present invention may be constituted by a net-like inclined wall. Still another effective technique for reducing the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall is to configure the first inclined wall with a net-like inclined wall. Here, the lattice spacing of the net is preferably sufficiently smaller than the radial dimension of the game medium. Since the first inclined wall is configured by a net-like inclined wall, the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced, and the frictional resistance between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced. Can be effectively reduced.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the first slot of the first slot according to the first aspect of the present invention has a dimension that allows only one game medium to enter at the same time. Is preferred. This is for reliably preventing the game media from being clogged in the guide groove of the game media following the first slot when a plurality of the game media enter the first slot at the same time.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, at least the surface of the first inclined wall in the first aspect of the present invention is preferably made of a self-lubricating substance. Only the surface may be composed of a substance having self-lubricating property, and the entire first inclined wall may be composed of a substance having self-lubricating property. Furthermore, in addition to the first inclined wall, the surface or the whole of the reservoir may be made of a self-lubricating substance. Typical examples of the self-lubricating substance include engineering plastics such as Teflon (registered trademark) and oil-containing sintered metal (commercial example: oilless metal plate), but are not necessarily limited thereto.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the components described above in the first aspect of the present invention, the reservoir is located on the opposite side of the first inclined wall via the reservoir. A second inclined wall that continuously extends while inclining upward from the second inclined portion, a second insertion portion having a second insertion opening for the game medium at a position continuous with the second inclined wall, On the second inclined wall, at least partly has an inclined portion that descends toward the second input port so that the game medium is slid into the second input port by gravity, and the second And a second guide portion extending generally downward toward the charging port.

  Here, the second guide portion only needs to be configured to allow the game medium to slide into the second insertion slot by gravity, and for this purpose, the second guide portion has at least the second guide portion. A part has an inclined portion that inclines toward the second input port, and is configured to generally descend toward the second input port. In other words, “generally descending” means that the second guide portion has at least part of the inclined portion that inclines toward the second insertion port, and the game medium is moved to the second insertion port by gravity. It is meant to be configured to allow slide transfer. It is only necessary that the potential energy of the game medium located at the second guide portion is generally higher than the potential energy of the game medium located at the second slot. For example, even if there is a rising part in the middle of the second guide part, if the kinetic energy of the game medium is greater than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising part, the game medium will roll until then. Climb the ascending portion with a momentum and move into the second slot. Even if there is a rising part in the middle of the second guide part and the kinetic energy of the game medium is smaller than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising part, the game medium will roll later. There is no problem as long as it can be pushed by another game medium and then climbed up the ascending portion and moved into the second slot. Further, the second guide part may extend so as to descend linearly, curvedly, or stepwise toward the second insertion port, for example.

  It is possible that an inclined wall is provided only on one side of the storage unit and the game medium can be input from only one direction, and an inclined wall is provided on both sides of the storage unit and the game medium is input from both directions. May be possible. In order to allow the game media to be inserted from both directions, the game media input mechanism is located on the opposite side of the first inclined wall via the storage portion and upward from the storage portion. A second inclined wall continuously extending while being inclined; a second input portion having a second input port for the game medium at a position close to the second inclined wall; It is preferable to further include a second guide portion extending on the second inclined wall so as to slide into the second insertion port. The second inclined wall may have the same structure as the first inclined wall described above, or may have a different structure. The structure of the first and second inclined walls includes all the matters related to the structure described above including the input portion and the guide portion.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper storage part for storing a substantially disc-shaped game medium, a first lower storage part for storing the game medium, the upper storage part, and the first lower storage part. A first inclined wall that extends to the first lower storage part while being inclined downward from the upper storage part, and a position that is continuous with the first inclined wall. A first slot having a first slot for game media; and at least a portion of the first slot on the first inclined wall to slide the game media into the first slot by gravity. There is provided a game medium loading mechanism including at least a first guide portion that has an inclined portion that descends toward the first slot and extends generally downward toward the first slot. .

  Here, the first guide unit may be configured to allow the game medium to slide into the first slot by gravity. For this purpose, the first guide unit is at least the first guide unit. A part has an inclined portion that inclines toward the first input port, and is configured to generally descend toward the first input port. In other words, “generally descending” means that the first guide portion has at least part of the inclined portion that inclines toward the first insertion port, and the game medium is moved to the first insertion port by gravity. It is meant to be configured to allow slide transfer. It is only necessary that the potential energy of the game medium located at the first guide portion is generally higher than the potential energy of the game medium located at the first slot. For example, even if there is a rising portion in the middle of the first guide portion, if the kinetic energy of the game medium is greater than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising portion, the game medium will roll until then. Climb the ascending portion with a momentum and move into the first slot. Further, even when there is a rising portion in the middle of the first guide portion and the kinetic energy of the game medium is smaller than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising portion, the game medium will roll later. There is no problem as long as it can be pushed by another game medium and then climbed up the ascending portion and transferred into the first slot. Further, the first guide part may extend so as to descend linearly, curvedly, or stepwise toward the first insertion port, for example.

  The game player has a first inclination that extends the substantially disc-shaped game medium stored in the upper storage part to the first lower storage part while continuously inclining downward from the upper storage part. When the game medium is moved to the upper area of the wall and is released from the game medium, the game medium slides down the first inclined wall due to gravity and is engaged with the first guide portion extending on the first inclined wall. Stopped. The first guide unit is configured to slide the game medium into the first slot by gravity. The game player moves the game medium to the upper area of the first inclined wall extending to the first lower storage part while continuously inclining downward from the upper storage part. When the hand is released from the medium, the game medium slides down the first inclined wall due to gravity and is locked by the first guide portion extending on the first inclined wall. It slides in by gravity along the first guide part to the first input port of the first input part. When the game medium rolls along the first guide portion, the game medium slides with respect to the first inclined wall. That is, the game player simply slides the game medium along the first inclined wall from the upper storage part and releases the game medium. The game player removes the game medium from the upper storage part as in the conventional case. There is no need to grab and carry it to the slot. In other words, gravity is used effectively to make the game player's hands move easily.

  Furthermore, there is a possibility that the game medium is not locked to the first guide portion. In this case, the game medium slides down the first inclined wall beyond the first guide portion, reaches the first lower storage portion, and is stored therein. The game media stored in the first lower storage unit can be transferred to the upper storage unit for use. Alternatively, if the game player moves the game medium stored in the first lower storage part to the upper region of the first inclined wall and then releases the game medium, the first player is caused by gravity. And slides down the inclined wall and is locked by the first guide portion extending on the first inclined wall, and then the game medium is moved along the first guide portion of the first input portion. Slide in by gravity to the first slot. This mechanism is the same as that described in the first aspect of the present invention.

  For this reason, even if the game player continues to input the game media for a long time, it is possible to significantly reduce the fatigue felt by the game player. In addition, since almost no nerve is used to insert the game media, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and enjoy the game sufficiently.

  Further, when the game player moves the game medium from the upper storage portion to the upper region of the first inclined wall and then releases the game medium, the game medium is moved by gravity to the first inclined wall. And is locked by a first guide portion extending on the first inclined wall, and then the game medium is moved along the first guide portion in the first input portion of the first insertion portion. Slide into the inlet by gravity. Furthermore, the game player slides down the first inclined wall without being locked to the first guide portion, and the game medium retained in the first lower storage portion is transferred to the first inclined wall. After sliding along, the hand is released from the game medium, and the first inclined wall slides down due to gravity and is locked to the first guide portion extending on the first inclined wall. Thereafter, the game medium slides in by gravity along the first guide portion to the first insertion port of the first insertion portion. That is, without automating the insertion of the game media, even if the game player continues to throw in the game media for a long time, it is possible to greatly reduce the fatigue felt by the game player. This makes it possible to attract the game player continuously for a long time while having the feeling of playing.

  According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the first guide portion in the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is constituted by a first step formed in the first inclined wall. There is no need to configure the steps.

  The first guide portion has a function of locking the game medium sliding down the first inclined wall due to gravity, and a function of sliding in the first insertion port along the first guide portion by gravity. Can be provided. However, the game medium that is not locked to the first guide portion and slides down the first inclined wall and is retained in the first lower storage portion is moved along the first inclined wall. When sliding up to a position above one guide portion, it is preferable that the presence of the first guide portion does not hinder the sliding of the game medium.

  In consideration of this, it is preferable that the first guide portion is constituted by the first step formed on the first inclined wall, but it is not always necessary to constitute the step. However, it is important that the step surface of the first step faces the region above the first step of the first inclined wall. This makes it easy to slide the game medium along the first inclined wall beyond the first step, and the game medium once slid up leaves the hand of the game player and moves to the first position. It becomes possible to slide down the one inclined wall and be locked by the step surface of the first step. When the step surface of the first step faces a region below the first step of the first inclined wall, the game medium that slides along the first inclined wall is blocked, and While the game medium is locked, it is not possible to slide into the first slot by gravity.

  The first step can be realized by forming a region below the first step on the first inclined wall to be thicker than a region above the first step. For example, the first inclined wall may be configured by combining a first flat plate extending in both upper and lower regions and a second flat plate extending only in the lower region. Further, the first inclined wall may be formed by thinning only the upper region of the first flat plate extending over both the upper and lower regions. In any case, the first inclined wall having the first step can be realized by using an existing technique.

  The first step can be configured to extend on the first inclined wall to the first inlet. At this time, since it is necessary to guide the game medium locked by the first step to the first slot by rolling the first step by gravity, typically, the first step Can extend down on the first inclined wall toward the first inlet. Specifically, the first step may be configured to linearly descend on the first inclined wall toward the first inlet, and on the first inclined wall. Can be configured to descend in a curved manner, and can also be configured by a combination of a straight line and a curved line. However, even if the game medium is locked at any position of the first step, it is preferable that the tilt angle is the minimum necessary for rolling and guiding the first game toward the first slot.

  Furthermore, the first step needs to be terminated so that the game medium slides into the first slot by gravity. It is preferable that the end portion of the first step is brought close to the first inlet. Even if the end portion of the first step is not in contact with the first slot and has a gap, the game medium that has rolled the first step finally reaches the first slot. Just roll in. For this purpose, the first charging port of the first charging unit needs to be provided at a position close to the first inclined wall.

  Further, the width of the step surface of the first step, in other words, the size of the first step, locks the game media sliding down the first inclined wall with the step surface of the first step. Is determined to be possible. The minimum required size of the first step depends on the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the thickness of the game medium. For example, when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is large, the width of the step surface of the first step should be larger than when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is small. Furthermore, if the width of the step surface of the first step is too small compared to the thickness of the game medium, the game medium that slides down the first inclined wall cannot be locked, and the game medium The game medium gets over the first step and slides down to the storage portion, and the game medium cannot be inserted into the first slot. Therefore, in consideration of the thickness of the game medium and the inclination angle of the first inclined wall, the minimum first step that can lock the game medium sliding down the first inclined wall is provided. The width of the step surface is required.

  Furthermore, according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the sixteenth step has a width substantially corresponding to the thickness of the game medium alone.

  Theoretically, if the cross-sectional shape of the peripheral portion of the game medium is not rectangular and the corners are rounded, the width of the step surface of the first step is equal to or greater than the thickness of the rounded portion. If there is, there is a possibility that the game medium can be locked. However, in reality, there is a possibility that the game medium sliding down the first inclined wall may not be locked to the first step due to an impact or vibration when the game medium comes into contact with the first step. Therefore, the width of the step surface of the first step is designed to be larger than the minimum required in theory. From this viewpoint, it is preferable to design the width of the step surface of the first step so as to roughly correspond to the thickness of the game medium alone. However, the width of the step surface of the first step is not necessarily the same as the thickness of the game medium alone. In other words, it is only necessary that the game medium can roll on the step surface of the first step.

  Furthermore, the angle of the step surface of the first step is preferably a right angle or an acute angle with respect to the first inclined wall. If the angle of the step surface of the first step is an obtuse angle with respect to the first inclined wall, the game medium that has slid down the first inclined wall is not locked to the first step. There is a high possibility of slipping off.

  When the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is large, that is, when the first inclined wall is nearly vertical, it is not easy to slide the game medium from the storage portion to the first inclined wall. . On the contrary, when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is small, that is, when the first inclined wall is almost horizontal, the game medium is caused to slide up the first inclined wall from the storage portion. Although it is easy, since the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall increases after the game player releases the game medium, the game medium slides down the first inclined wall. When the game medium slides along the first step while being rolled along the first step due to gravity, the frictional force with the first inclined wall is large, so that the game medium stops midway. Therefore, there is a possibility that the first input port cannot be reached. Therefore, in consideration of these points, the inclination angle of the first inclined wall needs to be an angle that is neither too close to vertical nor too close to horizontal. For example, the inclination angle of the first inclined wall is preferably 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, and more preferably 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. The inclination angle of the first inclined wall may typically be about 45 degrees.

  Furthermore, according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the first guide portion is generally lowered from the side portion of the first inclined wall located on the side opposite to the first insertion port. You may comprise so that it may extend to this 1st insertion port. In this case, since the first guide portion extends over the entire area, the game medium sliding down the first inclined wall can be reliably locked.

  Further, according to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the diameter of the game medium alone from the side portion of the first inclined wall located on the opposite side of the first insertion port from the first guide portion. You may comprise so that it may extend to this 1st insertion port, descending generally from the inner position separated by the distance more than a direction dimension. In this case, the game medium can be grabbed and slid up through the first inclined wall and the area where the first guide portion is not formed. There is no need to grab the media and slide it up.

  According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the first boundary between the upper storage portion and the first inclined wall and the lower storage portion and the first inclined wall according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention. Each of the second boundaries can be formed with a curved surface.

  Further, the game medium stored in the upper storage section is slid down to the first inclined wall with as little resistance as possible, or the game medium stored in the lower storage section is stored in the first storage section. In order to slide up to the inclined wall with as little resistance as possible, the first boundary between the upper storage portion and the first inclined wall and the second boundary between the lower storage portion and the first inclined wall Each is preferably formed of a curved surface. The preferable curvature of the curved surface depends on the radial dimension of the game medium, but generally the curvature radius of the curved surface should be sufficiently larger than the radial dimension of the game medium. The preferred curvature can be easily determined empirically.

  Furthermore, as described above, it is preferable to reduce the frictional resistance between the first inclined wall and the game medium as much as possible. In order to reduce the frictional resistance, the following configuration is effective.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the first inclined wall according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is formed so as to reduce friction with the game medium slidingly transferred along the first guide portion. And having at least one projected portion.

  As described above, the game medium has a substantially disk shape. For this reason, when the first inclined wall has a flat surface, the entire area of the side surface of the game medium is in contact with the flat surface of the first inclined wall. In order to reduce the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall, it is effective to reduce the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall. In order to reduce the contact area, it is preferable that the first inclined wall has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the game medium slidingly transferred along the first guide portion. . The side surface of the game medium is brought into contact with at least one protrusion to reduce the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the at least one protrusion in the twenty-second aspect of the present invention is spaced upward from the first guide by a distance smaller than the diameter of the game medium, You may comprise by the at least 1 ridgeline-shaped protrusion extended substantially in parallel with the direction where a 1st guide part is extended. It is important that the at least one protrusion reduces a contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall, and further does not become an obstacle when the game medium rolls the first guide part due to gravity. It is. A typical example of the at least one protrusion satisfying such a condition is a direction in which the first guide portion extends away from the first guide portion by a distance smaller than the diameter of the game medium. And at least one ridge-line-shaped protrusion that extends substantially in parallel. With this configuration, the game medium rolling on the first guide portion slides while being in contact with the at least one ridge shape protrusion. For this reason, the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced, and the frictional resistance between the game medium and the first inclined wall can be effectively reduced. The at least one ridge line-shaped protrusion may be formed of a single ridge line-shaped protrusion, or may be formed of a plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the at least one protrusion in the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is a point above the first guide portion instead of the at least one ridge-line-shaped protrusion described above. You may comprise by several existing protrusion. The interval between adjacent protrusions is preferably sufficiently narrower than the radial dimension of the game medium. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the plurality of protrusions are regularly scattered at regular intervals. With such a configuration, the game medium rolling on the first guide portion slides while being in contact with the plurality of scattered protrusions. For this reason, the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced, and the frictional resistance between the game medium and the first inclined wall can be effectively reduced. From the viewpoint of reducing the frictional force, the tops of the plurality of protrusions are preferably round processed.

  According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, a first vibration device configured to give micro vibrations to the first inclined wall according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention may be provided.

  Another method effective for reducing the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall is to provide a first vibration device configured to give a minute vibration to the first inclined wall. It is done. By applying minute vibrations to the first inclined wall, it is possible to prevent the game medium and the first inclined wall from coming into close contact with each other. As a result, the effective effect of the game medium and the first inclined wall can be reduced. The contact area can be reduced, and the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced. It should be noted that the vibration applied to the first inclined wall is not so great that the game medium becomes unstable when rolling along the first guide portion. In addition, too large vibration is not preferable because it may give the game player an uncomfortable feeling. The first vibration device configured to apply minute vibration to the first inclined wall can typically be configured by a known vibration motor, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the first inclined wall according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention has a plurality of ventilation holes scattered above the first guide part, and the A first blower configured to blow air from the back side of the first inclined wall through the plurality of ventilation holes may be provided.

  As yet another method effective for reducing the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall, a plurality of ventilations in which the first inclined wall is scattered above the first guide portion. It is possible to provide a first blower that has a hole and is configured to blow air from the back side of the first inclined wall through the plurality of ventilation holes. By blowing air through the plurality of ventilation holes, buoyancy in a direction in which the game medium is floated from the first inclined wall is given to the game medium, and contact force between the game medium and the first inclined wall is given. As a result, the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced. Here, it is preferable that the interval between the adjacent ventilation holes is sufficiently narrower than the radial dimension of the game medium. Further, it is more preferable that the plurality of ventilation holes are regularly scattered at regular intervals. The first blower can be typically realized by arranging a blower fan on the back side of the first inclined wall. By configuring in this way, the game media rolling on the first guide portion is formed between the game media and the first inclined wall by the buoyancy provided by the air blown through the plurality of scattered ventilation holes. Since the game medium rolls along the first guide portion in a state where the contact force is reduced, it is possible to effectively reduce the frictional resistance between the game medium and the first inclined wall.

  According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the first inclined wall according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention may be a net-like inclined wall. Still another effective technique for reducing the frictional force between the game medium and the first inclined wall is to configure the first inclined wall with a net-like inclined wall. Here, the lattice spacing of the net is preferably sufficiently smaller than the radial dimension of the game medium. Since the first inclined wall is configured by a net-like inclined wall, the contact area between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced, and the frictional resistance between the game medium and the first inclined wall is reduced. Can be effectively reduced.

  According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the first slot of the first slot in the sixteenth aspect of the present invention has a dimension that allows only one game medium to enter at the same time. It is preferable to configure as described above. This is for reliably preventing the game media from being clogged in the guide groove of the game media following the first slot when a plurality of the game media enter the first slot at the same time.

  According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, at least the surface of the first inclined wall in the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is preferably made of a self-lubricating material. Only the surface may be composed of a substance having self-lubricating property, and the entire first inclined wall may be composed of a substance having self-lubricating property. Furthermore, in addition to the first inclined wall, the surface or the whole of the reservoir may be made of a self-lubricating substance. Typical examples of the self-lubricating substance include engineering plastics such as Teflon (registered trademark) and oil-containing sintered metal (commercial example: oilless metal plate), but are not necessarily limited thereto.

  According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the components according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the game medium is located on the opposite side of the first lower storage part via the upper storage part. And a second lower storage portion that stores water, and is positioned on the opposite side of the first inclined wall via the upper storage portion and interposed between the upper storage portion and the second lower storage portion. A second inclined wall continuously extending from the upper storage portion to the second lower storage portion while being inclined downward, and a second portion of the game medium at a position continuous with the second inclined wall. A second slot having a slot, and at least a portion of the game medium toward the second slot on the second inclined wall so as to slide the game medium into the second slot by gravity. And has a sloping part that descends downward, and generally descends toward the second inlet A second guide portion for standing, it is possible to further comprises configure.

  Here, the second guide portion only needs to be configured to allow the game medium to slide into the second insertion slot by gravity, and for this purpose, the second guide portion has at least the second guide portion. A part has an inclined portion that inclines toward the second input port, and is configured to generally descend toward the second input port. In other words, “generally descending” means that the second guide portion has at least part of the inclined portion that inclines toward the second insertion port, and the game medium is moved to the second insertion port by gravity. It is meant to be configured to allow slide transfer. It is only necessary that the potential energy of the game medium located at the second guide portion is generally higher than the potential energy of the game medium located at the second slot. For example, even if there is a rising part in the middle of the second guide part, if the kinetic energy of the game medium is greater than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising part, the game medium will roll until then. Climb the ascending portion with a momentum and move into the second slot. Even if there is a rising part in the middle of the second guide part and the kinetic energy of the game medium is smaller than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising part, the game medium will roll later. There is no problem as long as it can be pushed by another game medium and then climbed up the ascending portion and moved into the second slot. Further, the second guide part may extend so as to descend linearly, curvedly, or stepwise toward the second insertion port, for example.

  It may be possible to provide an inclined wall only on one side of the upper storage part so that the game medium can be inserted only from one direction. Also, an inclined wall may be provided on both sides of the upper storage part to input the game medium from both directions. It may be possible to do this. In order to allow the game medium to be input from both directions, the game medium input mechanism is located on the opposite side of the first lower storage part via the upper storage part and stores the game medium. A second lower storage portion that is located on the opposite side of the first inclined wall through the upper storage portion and interposed between the upper storage portion and the second lower storage portion, A second inclined wall continuously extending from the upper storage portion to the second lower storage portion while being inclined downward, and a second input of the game medium at a position close to the second inclined wall A second insertion portion having a mouth, and a second guide portion extending on the second inclined wall so as to slide the game medium into the second insertion port by gravity. preferable. The second inclined wall may have the same structure as the first inclined wall described above, or may have a different structure. The structure of the first and second inclined walls includes all the matters related to the structure described above including the input portion and the guide portion.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a game apparatus including the above-described game medium input mechanism is provided. As a typical example of the above-mentioned generally disc-shaped game medium, a medal can be mentioned, but it is not necessarily limited to this. A typical example of a medal game device including a medal insertion mechanism is a pusher game, but the pusher game is not necessarily limited thereto.

According to the above-described present invention, it is possible to greatly reduce the fatigue felt by the game player even if the game player continuously throws in the game medium for a long time. In addition, since almost no nerve is used for the introduction of the game media, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and to fully enjoy the game.

(1) First Embodiment As described above, taking a medal as an example of the above-described approximately disc-shaped game medium, a medal insertion mechanism for inserting the medal is specifically disclosed. Various existing medal game devices are known as game devices to which the medal insertion mechanism can be applied. Hereinafter, a case where the medal insertion mechanism is applied to a game device including the pusher game device as a part of the configuration will be described as an example. First, before describing the game medium input mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention, an outline of a game apparatus to which the input mechanism is applied will be briefly described below.

  FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing a part of a station portion of a game apparatus to which a medal insertion mechanism according to the present invention can be applied. As shown in the figure, the station unit ST of the game apparatus includes a medal insertion mechanism 100, a medal transport path 200, a lift-up hopper 300, a medal discharge path 400, a play field 500, a control unit 600, and a display. Part 700 and housing 800. The medal insertion mechanism 100 is disposed on the upper front side of the housing 800. Here, the term “front side” means a side located when the game player plays. The medal transport path 200 and the lift-up hopper 300 are disposed in the housing 800. The medal transport path 200 has a function of mechanically and physically connecting the medal insertion mechanism 100 and the lift-up hopper 300 and transporting medals inserted from the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the lift-up hopper 300.

  The play field 500 is formed in the upper part of the housing 800, and the medal discharge path 400 is located in the upper part of the housing 800. The discharge end of the medal discharge path 400 is located in the upper space of the play field 500. The supply end of the medal discharge path 400 is located above the lift-up hopper 300. The medals are lifted up to the supply end of the medal discharge path 400 by the lift-up hopper 300, and supplied from the discharge end onto the play field 500 through the medal discharge path 400.

  The control unit 600 is disposed in the housing 800. On the other hand, the display unit 700 is disposed on the upper back side of the housing 800. Here, the term “back side” means the opposite side of the “front side” described above. The state of medals in the play field 500 can be recognized by the game player looking directly at the play field 500. The station unit ST is controlled by the control unit 600, and information to be displayed to the player is displayed by the display unit 700. Since the present invention is in the medal insertion mechanism 100 as described above, the following description will be made in detail focusing on the configuration and operational effects.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a top view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 includes a horizontal region 21, a first inclined region 22 and a second inclined region 23 located on both sides of the horizontal region 21, and a first inclined region 22 located outside the first inclined region 22. A side structure 117 and a second side structure 118 located outside the second inclined region 23 are included. The medal insertion mechanism 100 includes a storage unit 101 that stores a plurality of medals. The storage unit 101 constitutes a horizontal region 21 of the medal insertion mechanism 100.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 further includes a first inclined wall that extends while inclining continuously upward from the first boundary region 102 in contact with the first side portion of the storage unit 101. The first inclined wall forms a first inclined region 22. The first inclined wall includes a first inclined wall lower region 104 and a first inclined wall upper region 106. The first boundary region 102 is configured by a curved surface.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 further extends while inclining continuously upward from the second boundary region 103 in contact with the second side portion of the storage portion 101 located on the opposite side to the first side portion described above. A second inclined wall is included. The second inclined wall forms a second inclined region 23. The second inclined wall is composed of a second inclined wall lower region 105 and a second inclined wall upper region 107. The second boundary region 103 is configured by a curved surface.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 further includes a first medal insertion unit 108 having a first medal insertion port 108-1 at a position close to the first inclined wall, and a second at a position close to the second inclined wall. And a second medal slot 109 having a medal slot 109-1. The first boundary region 102, the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the first medal insertion unit 108 are connected to the first inclined region 22 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. Form. The second boundary region 103, the second inclined wall lower region 105, the second inclined wall upper region 107, and the second medal insertion unit 109 are connected to the second inclined region 23 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. Form.

  The first medal slot 108 further has a first mounting flange 110 that extends from a part of the first boundary region 102 to a part of the storage part 101. . The second medal insertion portion 109 further has a second attachment flange 111, and the second attachment flange 111 extends from a part of the second boundary region 103 to a part of the storage part 101. . As shown in FIG. 4, the first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 extending on the storage portion 101 have corner portions that are largely rounded. The first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 define a medal storage area in which the medal M is stored on the storage unit 101. The first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 are separated from each other, and the medal M is supplied from the medal supply side 119 between the two flanges 110 and 111. The supplied medal M is constrained by the rounded corners of the first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111. A first medal restraining plate 112 is provided on the side of the storage unit 101 opposite to the medal supply side 119 to prevent the medal M supplied from the storage unit 101 to the front side where the player is present from falling. It is done.

  A first guide 113 is formed at the boundary between the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106. The first guide portion 113 engages a medal that slides down the first inclined wall upper region 106 and slides the medal into the first medal slot 108-1 along the first guide portion. Constitute. The first guide portion 113 includes a first step 113 formed at the boundary between the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106. The first step 113 extends while descending linearly toward the first medal slot 108-1. The first inclined wall upper region 106 has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the medal M that slides and moves along the first guide portion 113. That is, the first inclined wall upper region 106 is spaced upward from the first guide portion 113 by a distance smaller than the diameter of the medal M, and is substantially parallel to the direction in which the first guide portion 113 extends. At least one ridge-shaped protrusion 115 extending in the direction. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 115 are formed.

  A second guide portion 114 is formed at the boundary between the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. The second guide portion 114 engages a medal that slides down the second inclined wall upper region 107, and slides the medal into the second medal insertion port 109-1 along the second guide portion. Constitute. The second guide portion 114 includes a second step 114 formed at the boundary between the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. The second step 114 extends while descending linearly toward the second medal slot 109-1. The second inclined wall upper region 107 has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the medal M that slides in along the second guide portion 114. That is, the second inclined wall upper region 107 is spaced upward from the second guide portion 114 by a distance smaller than the diameter of the medal M, and is substantially parallel to the direction in which the second guide portion 114 extends. At least one ridge-shaped protrusion 116 extending in the direction. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 116 are formed.

  An outer upper end portion of the first inclined wall upper region 106 is coupled to the first side structure 117. The first side structure 117 has a deformed L-shaped cross section and includes a horizontal upper part, a vertical wall part, and a horizontal lower part. The horizontal upper portion continuously extends outward from the outer upper end of the first inclined wall upper region 106. The vertical wall portion extends vertically downward from the outer end portion of the horizontal upper portion. The horizontal lower portion extends inward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion. An operation handle in a control system for controlling the position and orientation of the discharge end portion of the medal discharge path 400 is attached to the horizontal upper portion, and the player operates the operation handle to set the discharge end portion of the medal discharge path 400. Control position and orientation. The horizontal lower part serves as an attachment flange for attaching the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the casing 800 of the station unit ST.

  The outer upper end portion of the second inclined wall upper region 107 is coupled to the second side structure 118. The second side structure 118 has a deformed L-shaped cross section and includes a horizontal upper part, a vertical wall part, and a horizontal lower part. The horizontal upper part continuously extends outward from the outer upper end of the second inclined wall upper region 107. The vertical wall portion extends vertically downward from the outer end portion of the horizontal upper portion. The horizontal lower portion extends inward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion. An operation handle in a control system for controlling the position and orientation of the discharge end portion of the medal discharge path 400 is attached to the horizontal upper portion, and the player operates the operation handle to set the discharge end portion of the medal discharge path 400. Control position and orientation. The horizontal lower part serves as an attachment flange for attaching the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the casing 800 of the station unit ST.

  The reservoir 101, the first boundary region 102, the second boundary region 103, the first inclined wall lower region 104, the second inclined wall lower region 105, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined If the wall upper area 107 is made of the same member, there is no joint in the area where the medal M is movable, and the resistance can be reduced.

  The first medal slot 108-1 of the first medal slot 108 and the second medal slot 109-1 of the second medal slot 109 have one medal M at a time. Has dimensions that can only enter. When a plurality of medals M enter the first medal slot 108-1 or the second medal slot 109-1 at the same time, the first medal slot 108-1 or the second medal slot 109- This is to reliably prevent the medal M from being jammed.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 described above has a generally symmetric shape and structure with respect to an intermediate position between the first and second side portions.

  6 is a partially exploded view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. Since the first medal insertion unit 108 and the second medal insertion unit 109 have the same structure, the internal structure of the second medal insertion unit 109 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  The second medal insertion portion 109 includes a first guide portion 113, that is, a second medal insertion port 109-1 adjacent to the end portion of the first step portion 113, and the end portion of the first step portion 113. The medal insertion path 109-7 that communicates, the medal drop hole 109-8 that communicates with the medal insertion path 109-7, and both sides of each of the medal insertion path 109-7 and the medal insertion path 109-7 A first medal guide plate 109-5 and a second medal guide plate 109-6 are defined. The medal insertion path 109-7 is formed so as to guide the medal M inserted through the second medal insertion port 109-1 to the medal dropping hole 109-8.

  Further, the second medal slot 109 has a first intermediate plate 109-3 having a first roller 109-4. The first intermediate plate 109-3 is attached to the first medal guide plate 109-5 and the second medal guide plate 109-6. The first roller 109 is positioned on the medal drop hole 109-8, so that when the medal M that has passed through the medal insertion path 109-7 reaches the medal drop hole 109-8, the first roller 109 is positioned on the medal drop hole 109-8. The medal M is slightly pushed down and falls from the medal drop hole 109-8. The dropped medal M is transported to the lift-up hopper 300 via the medal transport path 200 shown in FIG. Then, the medal M is lifted up to the supply end of the medal discharge path 400 by the lift-up hopper 300 and is supplied onto the play field 500 from the discharge end via the medal discharge path 400. The second medal slot 109 further includes a first medal slot cover 109-2. The first medal slot cover 109-2 covers the first intermediate plate 109-3. Further, the first medal slot cover 109-2 is formed integrally with the second mounting flange 111, and the second mounting flange 111 is fixed to the storage section 101, thereby indirectly. Its position is fixed with respect to the first intermediate plate 109-3.

  The game player extends the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region in which the medal M stored in the storage unit 101 extends from the storage unit 101 while continuously inclining upward. 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are slid up and released from the medal M, the medal M is moved by the gravity to the first inclined wall upper region 106. And the second inclined wall upper region 107 is slid down, and is locked to the first step portion 113 constituting the first guide portion 113 and the second step portion 114 constituting the second guide portion 114. The The first step 113 and the second step 114 are configured to slide the medal M into the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1 by gravity. The

  That is, the game player extends the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 that are continuously inclined upward from the storage unit 101. When the medal M is slid up on the second inclined wall upper region 107 and then the hand is released from the medal M, the medal M is caused by gravity to move to the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. It slides down the wall upper area 107 and is locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114, and then the medal M follows the first step 113 and the second step 114. Then, the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1 of the first slot are slid into the first medal slot 10-1 by gravity. When the medal M rolls along the first stepped portion 113 and the second stepped portion 114, the medal M moves with respect to the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. Will slide. That is, the game player takes the medal M from the storage unit 101 to the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region. The medal M may be slid along the line 107 and released, and it is necessary to carry the medal M from the storage unit 101 to the first medal insertion slot 108-1 and the second medal insertion slot 109-1 as in the past. There is no. In other words, gravity is used effectively to make the game player's hands move easily.

  For this reason, even if the game player continuously inserts the medal M for a long time, the fatigue felt by the game player can be significantly reduced. In addition, since almost no nerve is used for inserting the medal M, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and to fully enjoy the game.

  Further, the medal M is slid up along the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. Thereafter, when the hand is released from the medal M, the medal M slides down the first inclined wall upper area 106 and the second inclined wall upper area 107 by gravity, and the first step 113 and the second step After that, the medal M is engaged with the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 108-1 of the first slot along the first step 113 and the second step 114. Slide into the medal slot 109-1 by gravity. That is, since the game player can greatly reduce the fatigue felt by the game player even if the game player continuously inserts the medal M for a long time without automating the insertion of the medal M, the game player confidence can increase the game player's confidence. This makes it possible to attract a game player continuously for a long time while having a feeling of playing.

  The first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114 have a function of locking the medal M sliding down the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 by gravity, What is necessary is just to provide a function of sliding in the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1 by gravity along the first step 113 and the second step 114. However, it is necessary to slide the medal M up to a position above the first guide portion 113, that is, the first step portion 113, and the second guide portion 114, that is, the second step portion 114. When the medal M is slid up, it is preferable that the presence of the first guide portion 113, that is, the first step portion 113 and the second guide portion 114, that is, the second step portion 114, is not hindered. In consideration of this, it is significant that the first guide portion 113 is constituted by the first step portion 113 and the second guide portion 114 is constituted by the second step portion 114. However, it is important that the step surfaces of the first and second steps 113 and 114 face upward. This makes it easy to slide the medal M beyond the first step 113 and the second step 114, and the medal M that has once slid off the game player's hand leaves the first step. The sloped wall upper region 106 and the second sloped wall upper region 107 can be slid down and locked by the step surfaces of the first step 113 and the second step 114. When the step surfaces of the first step 113 and the second step 114 face downward, the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 The medal M that slides along the second inclined wall upper area 107 is blocked, and the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109- are held while the medal M is locked. Cannot slide into 1 due to gravity.

  The first step 113 can be realized by making the first inclined wall lower region 104 thicker than the first inclined wall upper region 106. The second step 114 can be realized by forming the second inclined wall lower region 105 thicker than the second inclined wall upper region 107. For example, the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall may be configured by combining a first flat plate extending in both upper and lower regions and a second flat plate extending only in the lower region. In addition, the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall may be formed by thinning only the lower region of the first flat plate extending over both the upper and lower regions. In any case, the first step 113 and the second step 114 can be realized using existing technology.

  The first step 113 and the second step 114 can be configured to extend to the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. At this time, the medal M locked by the first step 113 and the second step 114 is guided by rolling to the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. Since it is necessary, it extends so as to descend toward the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. Specifically, the first step 113 and the second step 114 are configured to linearly descend toward the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. . However, as a modification, the first step 113 and the second step 114 are configured to descend in a curved manner toward the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. It is also possible to form a combination of straight lines and curves. However, regardless of the position of the first step 113 and the second step 114, the medal M is locked toward the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. It has the minimum necessary tilt angle to roll and guide by gravity.

  Furthermore, the first step 113 and the second step 114 need to be terminated so that the medal M slides into the first medal insertion port 108-1 and the second medal insertion port 109-1 by gravity. There is. The terminal portions of the first step 113 and the second step 114 are brought close to the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. As a modified example, the end portions of the first step 113 and the second step 114 are not in contact with the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1, and have a gap. However, if the medal M that has rolled the first step 113 and the second step 114 finally rolls into the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. Good. For this purpose, the first medal slot 108-1 of the first slot 108 and the second medal slot 109-1 of the second slot 109 are connected to the first inclined wall and It is provided at a position close to the second inclined wall.

  Further, the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114, in other words, the size of the first step 113 and the second step 114, is determined by the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second step 114. It is determined that the medal M sliding down the second inclined wall upper area 107 can be locked by the step surfaces of the first step 113 and the second step 114. The minimum required size of the first step 113 and the second step 114 depends on the inclination angles of the first and second inclined walls and the thickness of the medal M. For example, when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is large, the first step 113 is compared with the case where the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is small. And the width of the step surface of the second step 114 should be larger.

  Furthermore, if the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is too small compared to the thickness of the medal M, the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper portion. The medal M that slides down the region 107 cannot be locked, and the medal M passes over the first step 113 and the second step 114 and slides down to the storage unit 101, and the medal M is moved to the first step 113. Cannot be inserted into the medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. Therefore, in consideration of the thickness of the medal M and the inclination angles of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, the medal that slides down the first inclined wall upper area 106 and the second inclined wall upper area 107. The minimum width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 that can lock M is required. If the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is larger than the thickness of the medal M, the medal that slides down the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. The possibility of locking M increases. Further, if the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is larger than twice the thickness of the medal M, the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper portion Two overlapping medals M sliding down the area 107 can be locked simultaneously. However, if the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is made too large, the medal M is caused to slide over the first step 113 and the second step 114. The medal M may fall down at the first step 113 and the second step 114, and the medal M may not roll the first step 113 and the second step 114 well. It should be noted.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the thickness of the medal M and the widths of the step surfaces of the first step 113 and the second step 114. When the cross-sectional shape of the peripheral portion of the medal M is not rectangular and the corners are rounded, the steps of the first step 113 and the second step 114 that are equal to or greater than the thickness R of the rounded portion If there is a width W2 of the surface, there is a possibility that the medal M can be locked. However, in actuality, when the medal M sliding down the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 contacts the first step 113 and the second step 114, There is a possibility that the first step 113 and the second step 114 may not be locked due to impact or vibration. Therefore, the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is designed to be larger than the theoretically required width W2. Further, in order to simultaneously lock the two medals M that have been slid down the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 and overlap each other, theoretically, it is shown in FIG. If the width W1 of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is equal to or greater than the sum of the thickness of the medal M alone and the thickness R of the rounded portion, the two sheets overlap. There is a possibility that the medal M can be locked. However, in actuality, the two overlapping medals M sliding down the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are the first step 113 and the second step 114. Due to the impact or vibration at the time of contact, the one of the two overlapping medals M that overlaps may not be locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114. . Therefore, in order to lock both of the two overlapping medals M, the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is larger than the theoretically minimum width W1. design.

  From this point of view, in order to lock the medal M alone, it is preferable to design the width of the step surface of the first step to substantially correspond to the thickness of the game medium alone. Here, “substantially” includes an error corresponding to the thickness R of the rounded portion.

  Furthermore, the angle of the step surface of the first step is preferably a right angle or an acute angle with respect to the first inclined wall. If the angle of the step surface of the first step is an obtuse angle with respect to the first inclined wall, the game medium that has slid down the first inclined wall is not locked to the first step. There is a high possibility of slipping off.

  When the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is large, that is, the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 When the second inclined wall upper region 107 is nearly vertical, the medal M is transferred from the storage portion 101 to the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region. It is not easy to slide up 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. On the contrary, when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is small, that is, the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower portion. When the region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are almost flat, the medal M is transferred from the storage unit 101 to the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall. It is easy to slide up the lower wall region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. However, after the game player releases his hand from the medal M, the frictional force between the medal M and the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall increases, so that the medal M becomes the first inclined wall. It is difficult for the upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 to slide down, and the medal M rolls along the first step 113 and the second step 114 due to gravity while the first inclined wall upper region. 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are so large that the frictional force is stopped, so that it stops halfway and reaches the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. It may not be. Therefore, the inclination angles of the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are considered in consideration of these points. It is necessary to make the angle not too close to vertical and not too close to horizontal. For example, the inclination angles of the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less. It is preferable to set it to 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. The inclination angles of the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are typically about 45 degrees. It may be.

  Furthermore, in order to slide the medal M stored in the storage unit 101 to the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the second inclined wall lower region 105 with as little resistance as possible, the first boundary region 102 is used. The second boundary region 103 is preferably formed with a curved surface. The preferable curvature of the curved surface depends on the radial dimension of the medal M, but it is sufficient that the curvature radius of the curved surface is substantially larger than the radial dimension of the medal M. The preferred curvature can be easily determined empirically.

  Furthermore, as described above, it is preferable to reduce the frictional resistance between the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall and the medal M as much as possible. In order to reduce the frictional resistance, the first plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 115 and the second plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 116 are effective. The medal M has a substantially disc shape. Further, when the first inclined wall upper area 106 and the second inclined wall upper area 107 have flat surfaces, the entire area of the side surface of the medal M is changed to the first inclined wall upper area 106 and the second inclined wall upper area 106 and the second inclined wall upper area 106. In contact with the flat surface of the inclined wall upper region 107. In order to reduce the frictional force between the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107, the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall are reduced. It is effective to reduce the contact area with the wall upper region 107. In order to reduce the contact area, the first plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 115 and the second plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 116 are formed in the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. The With this configuration, the medal M rolling on the first guide portion 113, that is, the first step portion 113, and the second guide portion 114, that is, the second step portion 114, has a plurality of first ridge line shapes. It slides in contact with the protrusion 115 and the second plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 116. Therefore, the contact area between the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 is reduced, and the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced.

  For the purpose of reducing frictional resistance, it is preferable that at least the surfaces of the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are made of a material having self-lubricating properties. Only the surface may be made of a self-lubricating material, and the entire first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 may be made of a self-lubricating material. . Furthermore, in addition to the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107, the first inclined wall lower region 104, the second inclined wall lower region 105, the first boundary region 102, the second The boundary region 103 and the surface of the storage portion 101 or the entire surface may be made of a self-lubricating substance. Typical examples of the self-lubricating substance include engineering plastics such as Teflon (registered trademark) and oil-containing sintered metal (commercial example: oilless metal plate), but are not necessarily limited thereto. At least the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 have a plurality of first ridge-shaped protrusions provided for the purpose of reducing frictional resistance, instead of being made of a self-lubricating material. It is also possible to omit 115 and the second plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 116.

  As described above, the medal insertion mechanism 100 according to the present embodiment has the first inclined wall that extends while inclining continuously upward from the first boundary region 102 in contact with the first side portion of the storage unit 101. including. The first inclined wall forms a first inclined region 22. The first inclined wall includes a first inclined wall lower region 104 and a first inclined wall upper region 106. The medal insertion mechanism 100 further extends while inclining continuously upward from the second boundary region 103 in contact with the second side portion of the storage portion 101 located on the opposite side to the first side portion described above. A second inclined wall is included. The second inclined wall forms a second inclined region 23. The second inclined wall is composed of a second inclined wall lower region 105 and a second inclined wall upper region 107. The first inclined wall and the second inclined wall need not be configured by an inclined plane having a certain inclination angle, as long as medals as game media can slide up and down. For example, the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall may be configured by inclined curved surfaces whose inclination angles change.

  As described above, the guide unit for sliding the medal as a game medium into the first medal insertion slot 108-1 and the second medal insertion slot 109-1 is the first medal insertion slot 108-1 and the first medal insertion slot 108-1. The first step 113 and the second step 114 each extend so as to incline and descend linearly toward the second medal slot 109-1. However, the medals locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114 can be slid into the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1 by gravity. In order to achieve this, the first step 113 and the second step 114 need not necessarily extend so as to incline downward. That is, the medals locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114 can be slid into the first medal insertion slot 108-1 and the second medal insertion slot 109-1 by gravity. In order to do so, the first step 113 and the second step 114 need only be generally lowered toward the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. In other words, the first step 113 and the second step 114 are locked to the potential energy of the medal M located at the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. It is only necessary that the potential energy of the medal M is higher overall. For example, even if there is a rising portion in the middle of the first step 113 and the second step 114, if the kinetic energy of the medal M is greater than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising portion, the medal M Climbs up the ascending portion with the momentum of rolling until then and moves into the first slot. Even if there is a rising portion in the middle of the first step 113 and the second step 114 and the kinetic energy of the medal M is smaller than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising portion, the medal M There is no problem as long as it can be pushed by the medal M that has been rolled up and climbed up the ascending portion and moved into the first slot. Further, the first step 113 and the second step 114 may extend so as to descend stepwise toward the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1. .

  According to the medal insertion mechanism 100 in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to greatly reduce the fatigue felt by the game player even if the game player continuously inserts the game medium for a long time. . In addition, since almost no nerve is used to insert the game media, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and enjoy the game sufficiently.

(Modification 1 to the first embodiment)
A first modification of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described first embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  Instead of forming the first plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 115 and the second plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 116 in the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107, Forming a plurality of interspersed projections 120 in the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 reduces the contact area with the medal M, and for this reason, with the medal M, This is effective for reducing the frictional resistance. Here, the interval between the adjacent protrusions 120 is preferably sufficiently narrower than the radial dimension of the medal M. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the plurality of protrusions 120 are regularly scattered at regular intervals. With such a configuration, the medals M that roll on the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114 slide while contacting the plurality of projections 120 that are scattered. Therefore, the contact area between the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 is reduced, and the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced. It is preferable that the tops of the plurality of protrusions 120 are rounded from the viewpoint of reducing the frictional force.

(Modification 2 to the first embodiment)
A second modification of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described first embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  In order to reduce the frictional force between the medal M and the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, a vibration motor 121 is provided on the back side of each of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, It is effective to configure the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall so as to give minute vibrations. By applying minute vibration to the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, the medal M and the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall are prevented from coming into close contact with each other. It is possible to reduce the effective contact area between the medal M and the first and second inclined walls, and to effectively reduce the frictional resistance. Note that the vibration applied to the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is not so great that the medal M becomes unstable when rolling along the first stepped portion 113 and the second stepped portion 114. Should. In addition, too large vibration is not preferable because it may give the game player an uncomfortable feeling.

(Modification 3 to the first embodiment)
A third modification of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described first embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  In order to reduce the frictional force between the medal M and the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, a plurality of the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are scattered. The ventilation fan 123 is provided on the back side of each of the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107.

  By blowing air through the plurality of ventilation holes 122, the medal M is given buoyancy in a direction to float the medal M from the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107, and the medal M M and the contact force between the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are reduced, and as a result, the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall are reduced. The frictional force with the upper region 107 is reduced. Here, the interval between adjacent ventilation holes 122 is preferably sufficiently narrower than the radial dimension of the medal M. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the plurality of ventilation holes 122 are regularly scattered at regular intervals. Further, the blower fan 123 can be realized by being arranged on the back side of the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. With this configuration, the medal M that rolls on the first stepped portion 113 and the second stepped portion 114 is caused by the buoyancy provided by the air blown through the plurality of air vent holes 122 that are scattered. And the medal M along the first stepped portion 113 and the second stepped portion 114 in a state where the contact force between the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 is reduced. Therefore, the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced.

(Modification 4 to the first embodiment)
A fourth modification of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described first embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  As still another effective technique for reducing the frictional force between the medal M and the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 may be configured by a net-like inclined wall 124. Here, the lattice spacing of the net is sufficiently smaller than the radial dimension of the medal M. The first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are configured by a net-like inclined wall 124, so that the medal M, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall are formed. The contact area with the upper region 107 is reduced, and the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced.

(Modification 5 to the first embodiment)
A fifth modification of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a fifth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described first embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, each inclined wall is composed of an inclined wall upper region and an inclined wall lower region, and a step portion that constitutes a guide portion is formed along the boundary between the inclined wall upper region and the inclined wall lower region. Is done. The step portion is configured to extend from the side portion of the upper area of the inclined wall located on the opposite side to the medal slot to the medal slot. That is, the step portion is configured to extend over the entire area of the inclined wall. On the other hand, according to the fifth modification, the stepped portion is separated from the side position of the inclined wall upper region located on the side opposite to the medal insertion slot from the inner position separated by a distance equal to or more than the radial dimension of the single medal. It is possible to adopt a configuration extending to the medal slot. By extending the step portion from the inside position spaced apart from the side of the sloped wall upper region by a distance equal to or larger than the radial dimension of the medal alone, the medal is placed on the sloped wall upper region via the sloped flat part where the stepped portion is not formed. It is possible to move to.

  This will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. The second inclined wall includes a second inclined wall upper region 107, a third inclined wall lower region 125, and a fourth inclined wall lower region 126. The second stepped portion 114 constituting the second guide portion is formed along the boundary between the third inclined wall lower region 125 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. The fourth inclined wall lower region 126 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 form one plane, and there is a step at the boundary between the fourth inclined wall lower region 126 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. Is not formed. The third inclined wall lower region 125 can be constituted by a substantially wedge-shaped flat plate provided on one plane constituted by the fourth inclined wall lower region 126 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. It is. In this case, since the thickness of the substantially wedge-shaped flat plate corresponds to the step width of the step 114 described above, the thickness is determined based on the step width of the second step 114 described above. Further, the horizontal dimension of the fourth inclined wall lower area 126 is larger than the radial dimension of the medal M, so that the medal M passes through the fourth inclined wall lower area 126 to the second inclined wall upper area 107. Necessary to move.

  With this configuration, the game player moves the storage unit 101 from the storage unit 101 to the second inclined wall lower region 126 via the fourth inclined wall lower region 126 while pressing the medal M with a finger, and the third inclination. It is further moved to a position above the lower wall region 125. At this position, when the game player releases the medal M, the medal M slides down the second inclined wall upper area 107 and is engaged by the second step 114 formed by the upper side of the generally wedge-shaped flat plate. Stopped. After that, as described above, the medal M slides into the second medal slot 109-1 along the second step 114. According to this configuration, since no step is formed at the boundary between the fourth inclined wall lower region 126 and the second inclined wall upper region 107, the medal M is passed through the second stepped portion 114 without exceeding the second stepped portion 114. It is possible to move to the inclined wall upper region 107.

  The third inclined wall lower region 125 can be formed of a plate having a substantially wedge-shaped thickness, instead of a substantially wedge-shaped flat plate. Specifically, the upper side of the generally wedge shape has a thickness corresponding to the step width of the second stepped portion 114 described above, while the thickness gradually decreases as it approaches the lower side of the approximately wedge shape. It is possible to make the thickness substantially zero on the lower side of the generally wedge shape. With this configuration, a step is not formed on the lower side of the third inclined wall lower region 125.

  With this configuration, the game player may move the storage unit 101 to the second inclined wall upper area 107 via the fourth inclined wall lower area 126 while pressing the medal M with a finger. Since there is no step on the lower side of the third inclined wall lower region 125, it may be moved to the second inclined wall upper region 107 via the third inclined wall lower region 125. The medal M is moved to a position above the third inclined wall lower area 125, and the game player releases the medal M at this position, so that the medal M slides down the second inclined wall upper area 107. The second step 114 is formed by the upper side of a substantially wedge-shaped flat plate. After that, as described above, the medal M slides into the second medal slot 109-1 along the second step 114.

(2) Second Embodiment FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a front view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. 14 is a top view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a rear view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG.

  The medal insertion mechanism 130 includes an upper horizontal region 24, a first inclined region 25 and a second inclined region 26 located on both sides of the upper horizontal region 24, and a first inclined region 25 located outside the first inclined region 25. 1 lower horizontal region 27 and a second lower horizontal region 28 located outside the second inclined region 26. The medal insertion mechanism 130 includes an upper storage unit 131 that stores a plurality of medals. The upper storage unit 131 constitutes the upper horizontal region 24 of the medal insertion mechanism 130. The medal insertion mechanism 130 includes a first lower storage unit 144 that stores a plurality of medals. The first lower reservoir 144 constitutes a first lower horizontal region 27 of the medal insertion mechanism 130. The medal insertion mechanism 130 includes a second lower storage unit 145 that stores a plurality of medals. The second lower reservoir 145 constitutes a second lower horizontal region 28 of the medal insertion mechanism 130.

  The medal insertion mechanism 130 further includes a first inclined wall that extends while inclining continuously downward from the first boundary region 132 that contacts the first side portion of the upper storage portion 131. The first inclined wall forms a first inclined region 25. The first inclined wall includes a first inclined wall lower region 136 and a first inclined wall upper region 134. The first boundary region 132 is configured by a curved surface.

  The medal insertion mechanism 130 further extends while inclining continuously downward from the second boundary region 133 in contact with the second side portion of the upper storage portion 131 located on the side opposite to the first side portion described above. A second inclined wall. The second inclined wall forms a second inclined region 26. The second inclined wall is composed of a second inclined wall lower region 137 and a second inclined wall upper region 135. The second boundary region 133 is configured by a curved surface.

  The medal insertion mechanism 130 further includes a first lower storage portion 144 that continuously extends in the horizontal direction via a third boundary region 142 that is in contact with the outer side of the first inclined wall lower region 136. The first lower reservoir 144 forms a first lower horizontal region 27.

  The medal insertion mechanism 130 further includes a second lower storage portion 145 that continuously extends in the horizontal direction via a fourth boundary region 143 that contacts the outer side of the second inclined wall lower region 137. The second lower reservoir 145 forms a second lower horizontal region 28.

  The medal insertion mechanism 130 further includes a first medal insertion portion 138 having a first medal insertion port 138-1 at a position close to the first inclined wall and a second position at a position close to the second inclined wall. And a second medal slot 139 having a medal slot 139-1. The first boundary region 132, the first inclined wall lower region 136, the first inclined wall upper region 134, the first medal insertion part 138, and the third boundary region 142 are the medal insertion mechanism 130. The first inclined region 25 is formed. The second boundary region 133, the second inclined wall lower region 137, the second inclined wall upper region 135, the second medal insertion portion 139, and the fourth boundary region 143 include the medal insertion mechanism 130. The second inclined region 26 is formed.

  The first medal insertion portion 138 further includes a first attachment flange 146, and the first attachment flange 146 extends from a part of the third boundary region 142 to a part of the first lower storage part 144. It extends to. The second medal insertion part 139 further has a second attachment flange 147, and the second attachment flange 147 extends from a part of the fourth boundary region 143 to a part of the second lower storage part 145. It extends to. As shown in FIG. 14, the first mounting flange 146 extending on the first lower reservoir 144 and the second mounting flange 147 extending on the second lower reservoir 145 are greatly rounded. Has a corner. The first mounting flange 146 and the second mounting flange 147 define a medal storage area for storing the medal M on the first lower storage part 144 and the second lower storage part 145. The medal M is supplied from the medal supply side 152 of the upper storage unit 131. In the first lower storage section 144, a first medal restraining plate 148 for preventing the medal M from falling down and a first lower storage for isolating the medal M stored in the adjacent medal insertion mechanism. A partition 150 is provided. The second lower storage section 145 has a second medal restraining plate 149 for preventing the medal M from falling down and a second lower storage for isolating the medal M stored in the adjacent medal insertion mechanism. A partition part 151 is provided. Furthermore, although not shown, a medal restraining plate that prevents the medal M from spilling down may be provided on the front side of the upper storage portion 131.

  A first guide 113 is formed at the boundary between the first inclined wall lower region 136 and the first inclined wall upper region 134. The first guide portion 113 engages the medal sliding down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and slides the medal into the first medal slot 138-1 along the first guide portion. Constitute. The first guide portion 113 includes a first step 113 formed at the boundary between the first inclined wall lower region 136 and the first inclined wall upper region 134. The first step 113 extends while descending linearly toward the first medal slot 138-1. The first inclined wall upper region 134 has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the medal M that slides in along the first guide portion 113. That is, the first inclined wall upper region 134 is spaced upward from the first guide portion 113 by a distance smaller than the diameter of the medal M, and is substantially parallel to the direction in which the first guide portion 113 extends. At least one ridge-shaped protrusion 140 extending in the vertical direction. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 140 are formed.

  A second guide portion 114 is formed at the boundary between the second inclined wall lower region 137 and the second inclined wall upper region 135. The second guide portion 114 engages the medal that slides down the second inclined wall upper region 135 and slides it into the second medal slot 139-1 along the second guide portion. Constitute. The second guide portion 114 includes a second step 114 formed at the boundary between the second inclined wall lower region 137 and the second inclined wall upper region 135. The second step 114 extends while descending linearly toward the second medal slot 139-1. The second inclined wall upper region 135 has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the medal M that slides in along the second guide portion 114. That is, the second inclined wall upper region 135 is spaced upward from the second guide portion 114 by a distance smaller than the diameter of the medal M, and is substantially parallel to the direction in which the second guide portion 114 extends. At least one ridge-shaped protrusion 141 extending in the direction. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 141 are formed.

  The upper reservoir 131, the first boundary region 132, the second boundary region 133, the first inclined wall lower region 136, the second inclined wall lower region 137, the first inclined wall upper region 134, the second If the inclined wall upper area 135, the third boundary area 142, the fourth boundary area 143, the first lower storage section 144, and the second lower storage section 145 are formed of the same member, the medal M is movable. Since there is no joint, the resistance can be reduced.

  The first medal slot 138-1 of the first medal slot 138 and the second medal slot 139-1 of the second medal slot 139 have one medal M at a time. Has dimensions that can only enter. When a plurality of medals M enter the first medal slot 138-1 or the second medal slot 139-1 at the same time, the first medal slot 138 or the second medal slot 139 This is to reliably prevent the medal M from being jammed.

  The medal insertion mechanism 130 described above has a generally symmetrical shape and structure with respect to an intermediate position between the first and second side portions.

  The first medal insertion unit 138 and the second medal insertion unit 139 have the same structure as the first medal insertion unit 108 and the second medal insertion unit 109 described above with reference to FIG. Description of is omitted.

  The game player extends the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall that extend the medal M stored in the upper storage portion 131 while continuously inclining downward from the upper storage portion 131. When moving to the upper region of the upper region 135 and releasing the hand from the medal M, the medal M slides down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 by gravity, and the first guide The first step portion 113 constituting the portion 113 and the second step portion 114 constituting the second guide portion 114 are locked. The first step 113 and the second step 114 are configured to slide the medal M into the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1 by gravity. The

  That is, the game player moves the medal M from the upper storage portion 131 to the upper regions of the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 that extend while being inclined downward. Then, when the hand is released from the medal M, the medal M slides down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 due to gravity, and the first step portion 113 and the second step portion The medal M is then locked along the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114, and the first medal insertion port 138-1 of the first insertion portion and Slide into the second medal slot 139-1 by gravity. When the medal M rolls along the first stepped portion 113 and the second stepped portion 114, the medal M moves with respect to the first inclined wall lower region 136 and the first inclined wall upper region 134. Will slide. That is, the game player moves the medal M to the upper area of the first inclined wall upper area 134 and the second inclined wall upper area 135 and releases the medal M. There is no need to carry from the storage unit 131 to the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. In other words, gravity is used effectively to make the game player's hands move easily.

  Further, the medal M may not be locked to the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114. In this case, the medal M slides down the first and second inclined walls beyond the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114, and the first and second lower storage portions 144, 145 And is stored here. The game media stored in the first and second lower storage units 144 and 145 can be used as they are. The game player slides up the medal M stored in the first and second lower storage portions 144, 145 along the first and second inclined walls, and then hands from the medal M. If separated, the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are slid down by gravity and locked to the first stepped portion 113 and the second stepped portion 114, and then the medal M Are slid into the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1 by gravity along the first step 113 and the second step 114. This mechanism is the same as described in the first embodiment.

  For this reason, even if the game player continuously inserts the medal M for a long time, the fatigue felt by the game player can be significantly reduced. In addition, since almost no nerve is used for inserting the medal M, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and to fully enjoy the game.

  Further, the game player moves the medal M to the upper area of the first inclined wall upper area 134 and the second inclined wall upper area 135 that extend while being inclined downward from the upper storage portion 131 continuously. Then, when the hand is released from the medal M, the medal M slides down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 by gravity, and the first step 113 and the first step portion The medal M is then locked along the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114, and then the first medal insertion port 138-1 and the second medal insertion port. Slide into 139-1 by gravity. Further, the game player slides down the first inclined wall lower region 136 and the second inclined wall lower region 137 without being locked to the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114 and the first step portion 114 and the second step portion 137. After sliding the medal M retained in the lower reservoir 144 and the second lower reservoir 145 along the first and second inclined walls, if you release your hand from the medal M, The first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are slid down by gravity and locked to the first stepped portion 113 and the second stepped portion 114, and then the medal M is The first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1 are slid into the first medal slot 138-1 along the first step 113 and the second step 114 by gravity. That is, since the game player can greatly reduce the fatigue felt by the game player even if the game player continuously inserts the medal M for a long time without automating the insertion of the medal M, the game player confidence can increase the game player's confidence. This makes it possible to attract a game player continuously for a long time while having a feeling of playing.

  The first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114 have a function of locking the medal M sliding down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 by gravity, It is only necessary to have a function of sliding in the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1 by gravity along the first step 113 and the second step 114. However, the medal M stored in the first and second lower storage portions 144 and 145 is converted into the first guide portion 113, that is, the first step portion 113, and the second guide portion 114, that is, the second step. Therefore, when the medal M is slid up, the first guide portion 113, that is, the first step portion 113, and the second guide portion 114, that is, the second guide portion 114 are required to slide up to a position above the portion 114. It is preferable that the presence of the step 114 does not hinder. In consideration of this, it is significant that the first guide portion 113 is constituted by the first step portion 113 and the second guide portion 114 is constituted by the second step portion 114. However, it is important that the step surfaces of the first and second steps 113 and 114 face upward. This makes it easy to slide the medal M beyond the first step 113 and the second step 114, and the medal M that has once slid off the game player's hand leaves the first step. It is possible to slide down the inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 and be locked by the step surfaces of the first step 113 and the second step 114. When the step surfaces of the first step 113 and the second step 114 face downward, the first inclined wall lower region 136, the first inclined wall upper region 134, and the second inclined wall lower region 137. The medal M that slides along the second inclined wall upper region 135 is blocked, and the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139- are held while the medal M is locked. Cannot slide into 1 due to gravity.

  The first step 113 can be realized by forming the first inclined wall lower region 136 thicker than the first inclined wall upper region 134. Further, the second step 114 can be realized by configuring the second inclined wall lower region 137 to be thicker than the second inclined wall upper region 135. For example, the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall may be configured by combining a first flat plate extending in both upper and lower regions and a second flat plate extending only in the lower region. In addition, the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall may be formed by thinning only the lower region of the first flat plate extending over both the upper and lower regions. In any case, the first step 113 and the second step 114 can be realized using existing technology.

  The first step 113 and the second step 114 can be configured to extend to the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. At this time, the medal M locked by the first step 113 and the second step 114 is guided to the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1 by gravity. Since it is necessary, it extends so as to descend toward the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. Specifically, the first step 113 and the second step 114 are configured to linearly descend toward the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. . However, as a modified example, the first step 113 and the second step 114 are lowered in a curve toward the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. It is also possible to form a combination of straight lines and curves. However, regardless of the position of the first step 113 and the second step 114, the medal M is locked toward the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. It has the minimum tilt angle necessary to roll and guide by gravity.

  Further, the first step 113 and the second step 114 need to be terminated so that the medal M slides into the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1 by gravity. There is. The terminal portions of the first step 113 and the second step 114 are brought close to the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. As a modified example, the end portions of the first step 113 and the second step 114 are not in contact with the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1 and have a gap. However, if the medal M that has rolled the first step 113 and the second step 114 finally rolls into the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. Good. For this purpose, the first medal slot 138-1 of the first slot 108 and the second medal slot 139-1 of the second slot 109 are connected to the first inclined wall and It is provided at a position close to the second inclined wall.

  Further, the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114, in other words, the size of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is determined by the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second step 114. It is determined that the medal M sliding down the second inclined wall upper region 135 can be locked by the step surfaces of the first step 113 and the second step 114. The minimum required size of the first step 113 and the second step 114 depends on the inclination angles of the first and second inclined walls and the thickness of the medal M. For example, when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is large, the first step 113 is compared with the case where the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is small. And the width of the step surface of the second step 114 should be larger.

  Furthermore, if the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is too small compared to the thickness of the medal M, the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper portion. The medal M that slides down the area 135 cannot be locked, and the medal M passes over the first step 113 and the second step 114 to the first lower storage portion 144 and the second lower storage portion 145. As a result, the medal M cannot be inserted into the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. Therefore, considering the thickness of the medal M and the inclination angles of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, the medal that slides down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135. The minimum width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 that can lock M is required. If the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is larger than the thickness of the medal M, the medal that slides down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135. The possibility of locking M increases. If the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is larger than twice the thickness of the medal M, the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper portion Two overlapping medals M sliding down the area 135 can be locked simultaneously. However, if the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is made too large, the medal M is caused to slide over the first step 113 and the second step 114. The medal M may fall down at the first step 113 and the second step 114, and the medal M may not roll the first step 113 and the second step 114 well. It should be noted.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when the cross-sectional shape of the peripheral portion of the medal M is not rectangular and the corner is rounded R, the first step 113 having a thickness R equal to or greater than the rounded portion R and If there is a width W2 of the step surface of the second step 114, there is a possibility that the medal M can be locked. However, actually, when the medal M sliding down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 comes into contact with the first step 113 and the second step 114, There is a possibility that the first step 113 and the second step 114 may not be locked due to impact or vibration. Therefore, the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is designed to be larger than the theoretically required width W2. Further, in order to simultaneously lock the two medals M in a state of being overlapped with each other and sliding down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135, theoretically, it is shown in FIG. If the width W1 of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is equal to or greater than the sum of the thickness of the medal M alone and the thickness R of the rounded portion, the two sheets overlap. There is a possibility that the medal M can be locked. However, in actuality, the two overlapping medals M sliding down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are the first step 113 and the second step 114. Due to the impact or vibration at the time of contact, the one of the two overlapping medals M that overlaps may not be locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114. . Therefore, in order to lock both of the two overlapping medals M, the width of the step surface of the first step 113 and the second step 114 is larger than the theoretically minimum width W1. design.

  From this point of view, in order to lock the medal M alone, it is preferable to design the width of the step surface of the first step to substantially correspond to the thickness of the game medium alone. Here, “substantially” includes an error corresponding to the thickness R of the rounded portion.

  Furthermore, the angle of the step surface of the first step is preferably a right angle or an acute angle with respect to the first inclined wall. If the angle of the step surface of the first step is an obtuse angle with respect to the first inclined wall, the game medium that has slid down the first inclined wall is not locked to the first step. There is a high possibility of slipping off.

  When the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is large, that is, the first inclined wall lower region 136, the first inclined wall upper region 134, and the second inclined wall lower region 137 When the second inclined wall upper region 135 is nearly vertical, the medal M is transferred from the first lower storage portion 144 to the first inclined wall lower region 136, the first inclined wall upper region 134, and the second It is not easy to slide up the second inclined wall lower region 137 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 from the lower storage portion 145. On the contrary, when the inclination angle of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is small, that is, the first inclined wall lower region 136, the first inclined wall upper region 134, and the second inclined wall lower portion. When the region 137 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are nearly flat, the medal M is transferred from the first lower reservoir 144 to the first inclined wall lower region 136 and the first inclined wall upper region 134, and Although it is easy to slide the second inclined wall lower region 137 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 from the second lower storage portion 145, after the game player releases his hand from the medal M, Since the frictional force between the medal M and the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall increases, the medal M slides down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135. It becomes difficult, and the medal M is caused by the first step 113 and the gravity. Since the frictional force when sliding along the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 while rolling along the two steps 114 is large, the frictional force stops halfway and the first medal is inserted. There is a possibility that it is not possible to reach the mouth 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. Therefore, the inclination angles of the first inclined wall lower region 136 and the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall lower region 137 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are considered in consideration of these points. It is necessary to make the angle not too close to vertical and not too close to horizontal. For example, the inclination angles of the first inclined wall lower region 136 and the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall lower region 137 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less. It is preferable to set it to 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. The inclination angles of the first inclined wall lower region 136 and the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall lower region 137 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are typically about 45 degrees. It may be.

  Further, the medal M stored in the first lower storage portion 144 and the second lower storage portion 145 is resisted as much as possible to the first inclined wall lower region 136 and the second inclined wall lower region 137. In order to slip up little, it is preferable that the third boundary region 142 and the fourth boundary region 143 are formed with curved surfaces. The preferable curvature of the curved surface depends on the radial dimension of the medal M, but it is sufficient that the curvature radius of the curved surface is substantially larger than the radial dimension of the medal M. The preferred curvature can be easily determined empirically.

  Furthermore, as described above, it is preferable to reduce the frictional resistance between the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall and the medal M as much as possible. In order to reduce the frictional resistance, the first plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 140 and the second plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 141 are effective. The medal M has a substantially disc shape. Further, when the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 have a flat surface, the entire area of the side surface of the medal M is changed to the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 134. In contact with the flat surface of the inclined wall upper region 135. In order to reduce the frictional force between the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135, the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined force are reduced. It is effective to reduce the contact area with the wall upper region 135. In order to reduce the contact area, the first plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 140 and the second plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 141 are formed in the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135. The With this configuration, the medal M rolling on the first guide portion 113, that is, the first step portion 113, and the second guide portion 114, that is, the second step portion 114, has a plurality of first ridge line shapes. Slide while making contact with the protrusion 140 and the second plurality of ridge shape protrusions 141. For this reason, the contact area between the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 is reduced, and the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced.

  For the purpose of reducing frictional resistance, it is preferable that at least the surfaces of the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are made of a material having self-lubricating properties. Only the surface may be made of a self-lubricating material, and the entire first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 may be made of a self-lubricating material. . Further, in addition to the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135, the first inclined wall lower region 136, the second inclined wall lower region 137, the first boundary region 132, the second The self-lubricating surface or the whole of the boundary region 133, the third boundary region 142, the fourth boundary region 143, the upper storage part 131, the first lower storage part 144, and the second lower storage part 145 You may comprise with the substance which has. Typical examples of the self-lubricating substance include engineering plastics such as Teflon (registered trademark) and oil-containing sintered metal (commercial example: oilless metal plate), but are not necessarily limited thereto. At least the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 have a plurality of first ridge-shaped protrusions provided for the purpose of reducing frictional resistance instead of being made of a self-lubricating material. It is also possible to omit 140 and the second plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 141.

  As described above, the medal insertion mechanism 130 according to the present embodiment includes the upper storage unit 131 that stores a plurality of medals. The upper storage unit 131 constitutes the upper horizontal region 24 of the medal insertion mechanism 130. The medal insertion mechanism 130 includes a first lower storage unit 144 that stores a plurality of medals. The first lower reservoir 144 constitutes a first lower horizontal region 27 of the medal insertion mechanism 130. The medal insertion mechanism 130 includes a second lower storage unit 145 that stores a plurality of medals. The second lower reservoir 145 constitutes a second lower horizontal region 28 of the medal insertion mechanism 130.

  The medal insertion mechanism 130 further includes a first inclined wall that extends while inclining continuously downward from the first boundary region 132 that contacts the first side portion of the upper storage portion 131. The first inclined wall forms a first inclined region 25. The first inclined wall includes a first inclined wall lower region 136 and a first inclined wall upper region 134. The first inclined wall and the second inclined wall need not be configured by an inclined plane having a certain inclination angle, as long as medals as game media can slide up and down. For example, the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall may be configured by inclined curved surfaces whose inclination angles change.

  As described above, the guide unit for sliding the medal M as a game medium into the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1 is the first medal slot 138-1. And the first step 113 and the second step 114 extending so as to incline linearly downward toward the second medal slot 139-1. However, the medals locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114 can be slid into the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1 by gravity. In order to achieve this, the first step 113 and the second step 114 need not necessarily extend so as to incline downward. That is, the medals locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114 can be slid into the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1 by gravity. In order to do so, the first step 113 and the second step 114 need only be generally lowered toward the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. In other words, it is locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114 with respect to the potential energy of the medal M located at the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. It is only necessary that the potential energy of the medal M is higher overall. For example, even if there is a rising portion in the middle of the first step 113 and the second step 114, if the kinetic energy of the medal M is greater than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising portion, the medal M Climbs up the ascending portion with the momentum of rolling until then and moves into the first slot. Even if there is a rising portion in the middle of the first step 113 and the second step 114 and the kinetic energy of the medal M is smaller than the sum of the potential energy and the friction energy of the rising portion, the medal M There is no problem as long as it can be pushed by the medal M that has been rolled up and climbed up the ascending portion and moved into the first slot. Further, the first step 113 and the second step 114 may extend so as to descend stepwise toward the first medal slot 138-1 and the second medal slot 139-1. .

  According to the medal insertion mechanism 130 in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to greatly reduce the fatigue felt by the game player even if the game player continuously inserts the game medium for a long time. . In addition, since almost no nerve is used to insert the game media, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and enjoy the game sufficiently.

(Modification 1 to the second embodiment)
A first modification to the second embodiment described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a first modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described second embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  Instead of forming the first plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 115 and the second plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 116 in the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135, Forming a plurality of interspersed protrusions 153 in the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 reduces the contact area with the medal M, and for this reason, with the medal M, This is effective for reducing the frictional resistance. Here, the interval between the adjacent protrusions 153 is preferably sufficiently narrower than the radial dimension of the medal M. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the plurality of protrusions 153 are regularly scattered at regular intervals. With this configuration, the medals M that roll on the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114 slide while making contact with the plurality of projections 153 that are scattered. For this reason, the contact area between the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 is reduced, and the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced. The plurality of protrusions 153 are preferably rounded at the tops from the viewpoint of reducing the frictional force.

(Modification 2 to the second embodiment)
A second modification of the above-described second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described second embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  In order to reduce the frictional force between the medal M and the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, a vibration motor 154 is provided on the back side of each of the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, It is effective to configure the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall so as to give minute vibrations. By applying minute vibration to the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, the medal M and the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall are prevented from coming into close contact with each other. It is possible to reduce the effective contact area between the medal M and the first and second inclined walls, and to effectively reduce the frictional resistance. Note that the vibration applied to the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall is not so great that the medal M becomes unstable when rolling along the first stepped portion 113 and the second stepped portion 114. Should. In addition, too large vibration is not preferable because it may give the game player an uncomfortable feeling.

(Modification 3 to the second embodiment)
A third modification of the second embodiment described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a third modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described second embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  In order to reduce the frictional force between the medal M and the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall, a plurality of the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are scattered. The ventilation fan 156 is provided on the back side of each of the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135.

  By blowing air through the plurality of ventilation holes 155, the medal M is given buoyancy in a direction to float the medal M from the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135, and the medal M M and the contact force between the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are reduced, and as a result, the medal M and the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall are reduced. The frictional force with the upper region 135 is reduced. Here, the interval between the adjacent ventilation holes 155 is preferably sufficiently narrower than the radial dimension of the medal M. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the plurality of ventilation holes 155 are regularly scattered at regular intervals. Further, the blower fan 156 can be realized by being arranged on the back side of the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135. With this configuration, the medal M that rolls the first stepped portion 113 and the second stepped portion 114 is caused by the buoyancy provided by the air blown through the plurality of interspersed ventilation holes 155. And the medal M along the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114 in a state where the contact force between the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 is reduced. Therefore, the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced.

(Modification 4 with respect to 2nd Embodiment)
A fourth modification of the second embodiment described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a fourth modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described second embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  As still another effective technique for reducing the frictional force between the medal M and the first and second inclined walls, the first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 is comprised by the net-like inclined wall 157. Here, the lattice spacing of the net is sufficiently smaller than the radial dimension of the medal M. The first inclined wall upper region 134 and the second inclined wall upper region 135 are configured by a mesh-like inclined wall 157, so that the medal M, the first inclined wall upper region 134, and the second inclined wall are formed. The contact area with the upper region 135 is reduced, and the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced.

(Modification 5 to the second embodiment)
A fifth modification of the second embodiment described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion mechanism according to a fifth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only differences from the above-described first embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, each inclined wall is composed of an inclined wall upper region and an inclined wall lower region, and a step portion constituting the guide portion is formed along the boundary between the inclined wall upper region and the inclined wall lower region. Is done. The step portion is configured to extend from the side portion of the upper area of the inclined wall located on the opposite side to the medal slot to the medal slot. That is, the step portion is configured to extend over the entire area of the inclined wall. On the other hand, according to the fifth modification, the stepped portion is separated from the side position of the inclined wall upper region located on the side opposite to the medal insertion slot from the inner position separated by a distance equal to or more than the radial dimension of the single medal. It is possible to adopt a configuration extending to the medal slot. By extending the step portion from the inside position spaced apart from the side of the sloped wall upper region by a distance equal to or larger than the radial dimension of the medal alone, the medal is placed on the sloped wall upper region via the sloped flat part where the stepped portion is not formed. It is possible to move to.

  This will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. The first inclined wall includes a first inclined wall upper region 134, a third inclined wall lower region 125, and a fourth inclined wall lower region 126. The first step portion 113 constituting the second guide portion is formed along the boundary between the third inclined wall lower region 125 and the first inclined wall upper region 134. The fourth inclined wall lower region 126 and the first inclined wall upper region 134 form one plane, and there is a step at the boundary between the fourth inclined wall lower region 126 and the first inclined wall upper region 134. Is not formed. The third inclined wall lower region 125 can be constituted by a substantially wedge-shaped flat plate provided on one plane constituted by the fourth inclined wall lower region 126 and the first inclined wall upper region 134. It is. In this case, since the thickness of the substantially wedge-shaped flat plate corresponds to the step width of the step portion 113 described above, the thickness is determined based on the step width of the first step portion 113 described above. Further, the horizontal dimension of the fourth inclined wall lower area 126 is larger than the radial dimension of the medal M. The medal M passes through the fourth inclined wall lower area 126 to the first inclined wall upper area 134. Necessary to move.

  With this configuration, the game player moves the first meridian M from the first lower reservoir 144 to the first inclined wall upper area 134 via the fourth inclined wall lower area 126 while pressing the medal M with a finger. It is further moved to a position above the third inclined wall lower region 125. At this position, when the game player releases the medal M, the medal M slides down the first inclined wall upper region 134 and is engaged at the first step 113 formed by the upper side of the generally wedge-shaped flat plate. Stopped. After that, as described above, the medal M slides into the first medal slot 138-1 along the first step 113. According to this configuration, since no step is formed at the boundary between the fourth inclined wall lower region 126 and the first inclined wall upper region 134, the medal M is not passed through the first step portion 113. It is possible to move to the inclined wall upper region 134.

  The third inclined wall lower region 125 can be formed of a plate having a substantially wedge-shaped thickness, instead of a substantially wedge-shaped flat plate. Specifically, the upper side of the generally wedge shape has a thickness corresponding to the step width of the first step 113, while the thickness gradually decreases as the lower side of the generally wedge shape is approached. It is possible to make the thickness substantially zero on the lower side of the generally wedge shape. With this configuration, a step is not formed on the lower side of the third inclined wall lower region 125.

  With this configuration, the game player moves from the first lower storage portion 144 to the second inclined wall upper region 107 via the fourth inclined wall lower region 126 while pressing the medal M with a finger. Alternatively, since there is no step on the lower side of the third inclined wall lower region 125, the second inclined wall upper region 107 may be moved through the third inclined wall lower region 125. The medal M is moved to a position above the third inclined wall lower area 125, and the game player releases the medal M at this position, so that the medal M slides down the first inclined wall upper area 134. The first step 113 is constituted by the upper side of a substantially wedge-shaped flat plate. After that, as described above, the medal M slides into the first medal slot 138-1 along the first step 113.

It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows a part of station part of the game device which can apply the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a top view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 4th modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 5th modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. It is a top view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a rear view of the medal insertion mechanism shown in FIG. 12. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 1st modification of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 2nd modification of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 3rd modification of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 4th modification of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism which concerns on the 5th modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the thickness of a medal, and the width | variety of the step surface of this 1st level | step difference and a 2nd level | step difference.

Explanation of symbols

ST Game Station Station M Medal 100 Medal Inserting Mechanism 200 Medal Transfer Path 300 Lift Up Hopper 400 Medal Discharge Path 500 Play Field 600 Control Unit 700 Display Unit 800 Case 21 Horizontal Region 22 First Inclined Region 23 Second Inclined Region 24 Upper horizontal region 25 First inclined region 26 Second inclined region 27 First lower horizontal region 28 Second lower horizontal region 101 Reservoir 102 First boundary region 103 Second boundary region 104 First Inclined wall lower area 105 Second inclined wall lower area 106 First inclined wall upper area 107 Second inclined wall upper area 108 First medal slot 108-1 First medal slot 109 Second medal slot Portion 109-1 Second medal slot 109-2 First medal slot 109-3 First intermediate plate 109- 4 first roller 109-5 first medal guide plate 109-6 second medal guide plate 109-7 medal insertion path 109-8 medal drop hole 110 first mounting flange 111 second mounting flange 112 first Medal restraint plate 113 first guide portion (first step portion)
114 Second guide portion (second step portion)
115 First plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 116 Second plurality of ridgeline-shaped protrusions 117 First side structure 118 Second side structure 119 Medal supply side 120 Projection group 121 Vibration motor 122 Ventilation hole 123 Ventilation fan 124 Reticulated inclined wall 125 Third inclined wall lower region 126 Fourth inclined wall lower region 131 Upper storage portion 132 First boundary region 133 Second boundary region 134 First inclined wall upper region 135 Second Inclined wall upper area 136 First inclined wall lower area 137 Second inclined wall lower area 138 First medal slot 138-1 First medal slot 139 Second medal slot 139-1 Second Medal slot 140 First plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 141 Second plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 142 First boundary region 143 Second boundary region 144 First lower storage portion 145 Second lower storage Part 146 First attachment flange 147 Second attachment flange 148 First medal restraint plate 149 Second medal restraint plate 150 First lower reservoir partition portion 151 Second lower reservoir partition portion 152 Medal supply side 153 Protrusion group 154 Vibration motor 155 Ventilation hole 156 Blower fan 157 Reticulated inclined wall

Claims (16)

A storage unit for storing a substantially disc-shaped game medium;
A first inclined wall extending continuously upward from the storage portion,
A first input part having a first input port for the game medium at a position continuous with the first inclined wall;
On the first inclined wall, at least partly has an inclined portion that descends toward the first insertion port so that the game medium is slid into the first insertion port by gravity, and the first A first guide portion extending generally downward toward the first inlet,
A game medium input mechanism including at least   The game medium input mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first guide portion is configured by a first step formed on the first inclined wall.   The game medium input mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first step has a width substantially corresponding to a thickness of the game medium alone.   2. The first guide portion extends to the first input port while being generally lowered from a side portion of the first inclined wall located on the side opposite to the first input port. 4. The game medium input mechanism according to any one of items 1 to 3.   The first guide portion is generally located from an inner position separated from a side portion of the first inclined wall located on the opposite side of the first insertion port by a distance equal to or larger than a radial dimension of the game medium alone. 4. The game content input mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the game content input mechanism extends to the first input port while descending.   The game medium input mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a boundary between the storage unit and the first inclined wall is formed by a curved surface.   7. The first inclined wall according to claim 1, wherein the first inclined wall has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the game medium slidingly transferred along the first guide portion. Game media input mechanism.   The at least one protrusion is spaced upward from the first guide part by a distance smaller than the diameter of the game medium, and extends at least one extending substantially parallel to the direction in which the first guide part extends. The game medium input mechanism according to claim 7, which is composed of two ridge-shaped protrusions.   The game medium input mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions scattered above the first guide part. A first vibration device configured to apply minute vibration to the first inclined wall;
The game medium input mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising: The first inclined wall has a plurality of ventilation holes scattered above the first guide portion,
A first blower configured to blow air from the back side of the first inclined wall through the plurality of ventilation holes;
The game medium input mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising:   The game content input mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first inclined wall is a net-like inclined wall.   The game medium input mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first input port of the first input unit has a size that allows only one game medium to be input simultaneously.   14. The game medium loading mechanism according to claim 1, wherein at least a surface of the first inclined wall is made of a self-lubricating material. A second inclined wall that is located on the opposite side of the first inclined wall via the reservoir and continuously extends while inclining upward from the reservoir;
A second input unit having a second input port for the game medium at a position continuous with the second inclined wall;
On the second inclined wall, at least partly has an inclined portion that descends toward the second input port so that the game medium is slid into the second input port by gravity, and the first A second guide portion extending generally downwardly toward the two inlets;
The game medium input mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising:   A game device comprising the game medium input mechanism according to claim 1.

Images