JP3872890B2 - Symbol variable display game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a variable symbol display game machine such as a slot machine in which a plurality of types of symbols are displayed on an outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of reels are rotated so that a row of symbols can be visually recognized from the outside in a moving state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional slot machine, as shown in FIG. 14, three symbol display windows 101a, 101b, and 101c are provided in parallel on the front panel 100 on the front side. Inside the machine, three reels 102a, 102b, and 102c are arranged in alignment with each other behind the symbol display windows 101a, 101b, and 101c. Each of the reels 102a, 102b, and 102c can be individually rotated. When the reel is rotated, the symbol row shown on the outer peripheral surface of the reel is in a moving state, and when the reel is stopped, three symbols for each reel are in a stopped state. Are visible from the respective symbol display windows 101a, 101b, and 101c.
[0003]
The front panel 100 is formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass, and is divided into three in the center of the plate surface by color-printed opaque partitions 103 and 103. Transparent symbol display windows 101a, 101b, and 101c are formed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of the symbol display windows 101a, 101b, and 101c for each reel, there is no problem when the position of the player's eye 104 is, for example, directly in front of the symbol display window 101b as shown in FIG. If the position 104 is shifted from the front side to the side, the partition portion 103 enters the field of view 105 where the reel 102b is viewed, and the field of view 105 is blocked by the partition portion 103, thereby hindering the visual recognition of the symbols.
[0005]
Recently, the above-mentioned problem has been solved by eliminating the partition 103 and forming the symbol display window 101 with a width D corresponding to the alignment length L of the reels 102a, 102b, and 102c as shown in FIG. A slot machine was proposed (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-43382).
[0006]
In this slot machine, even if the position of the eye 104 is shifted from the front of the symbol display window 101 to the side, the field of view 105 is not obstructed because there is no partition.
However, portions other than the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 102a, 102b, and 102c, specifically, the gap portions P and Q between adjacent reels are also exposed, so that internal mechanisms such as a drive system of the reels 102a, 102b, and 102c are exposed. Also enters the field of view, which is an obstacle to gazing at the symbols on the outer peripheral surface of the reel, and there is a problem that the player cannot concentrate on the game.
[0007]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problem, and by providing a cover plate for blindfolding at the gap position between adjacent reels, the field of view of the reels is not obstructed, and an extra drive such as a reel drive system is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a variable symbol display game machine in which a large internal structure does not enter the field of view.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention includes a reel block having three reels in alignment and a symbol display window having a width corresponding to the alignment length of the reels, and is displayed on the outer peripheral surface of each reel inside the symbol display window. In the variable symbol display game machine in which each reel is positioned so that the symbol can be visually recognized from the symbol display window, the reel block is composed of a frame body with an open front and three reel units incorporated in the frame body. Each reel unit has a mounting plate in which a reel and a stepping motor for driving the reel are integrally provided, and a curved edge portion that is attached to each mounting plate and is curved along the annular portion of the reel. It has been a support plate, wherein a curved edge cover plate formed of an elastic material which is mounted on a support plate in a curved state along a, Li each cover plate is adjacent A gap portion Le inside the front portion of the annular portion of the reel, along a front portion of the annular portion is disposed so as not to contact with the adjacent reel. Each cover plate has a width that is equal to or larger than the width of the gap between adjacent reels, and has both side edges set to a width that protrudes to the inside of the annular portion of the reel and overlaps.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cover plate includes a boundary display unit configured by arranging a plurality of point light sources. In the invention of claim 3 , the point light source is turned on or blinking, and in the invention of claim 4 , the emission color changes according to the gaming state.
[0011]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the cover plate is provided with a boundary display unit composed of a linear light source.
[0012]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the cover plate includes a boundary display portion formed of a fluorescent material.
[0013]
[Action]
Since a cover plate set to a width greater than the width of the gap is provided at the gap position between adjacent reels, the cover plate serves as a blindfold to internal mechanisms such as a reel drive system, and an extra internal structure such as a reel drive system is a game Never enter the field of vision.
Further, the cover plate is supported by a support plate attached to the reel block, and is localized at a gap position between adjacent reels.
[0015]
In the variable symbol display game machine according to claims 2 to 4 , when a plurality of point light sources provided on the cover plate are turned on or blinked, or operated by changing the emission color according to the game state, The part shines and the boundary between adjacent reels is clearly indicated to the player.
[0016]
In the symbol variable display game machine according to the fifth aspect, when the linear light source provided on the cover plate is turned on, the boundary display portion shines to clearly indicate the boundary between the adjacent reels to the player.
[0017]
In the symbol variable display gaming machine according to the sixth aspect , when light is applied to the cover board, the boundary display portion emits light, and the boundary between adjacent reels is clearly indicated to the player.
[0018]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The machine body 1 of the slot machine is configured such that a door portion 3 is attached to a front opening of a box-shaped main body portion 2 so as to be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 2, a medal discharger having a circuit board 5 such as a reel block 4 and a control circuit at an upper position and a hopper 6a for receiving a large number of medals at a lower position, as shown in FIG. 6 are respectively incorporated.
[0019]
The reel block 4 is formed by integrally assembling three reels 8a, 8b, and 8c to a frame body 7. On the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c, a plurality of types of symbols such as symbols, characters, numbers, etc. are represented, and some of these symbols constitute a winning symbol for establishing a winning. The reel block 4 is assembled with stepping motors 9a, 9b and 9c for individually rotating the reels 8a, 8b and 8c.
[0020]
The front surface of the door 3 is composed of a central front panel 11 for displaying symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, and an upper panel 12 and a lower panel 13 for displaying model names and game information. The Each panel 11, 12, 13 is formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass. Below the front panel 11 are a start lever 14, three stop button switches 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, a medal slot 16, etc., and below the lower panel 13 are a medal discharge port 17 and a medal tray 18, Each is deployed.
[0021]
In the center of the plate surface of the front panel 11, a transparent symbol display window 20 having a horizontally long rectangular shape surrounded by an opaque color printing surface is formed. The symbol display window 20 has a width corresponding to the alignment length of the three reels 8a, 8b, 8c arranged in alignment. Three reels 8a, 8b, 8c of the reel block 4 are located behind the symbol display window 20, and are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c from the symbol display window 20 when the reels are stopped. Each symbol is visible for only three frames.
[0022]
On the surface of the front panel 11, as shown in FIG. 3, a total of five stop lines L <b> 1 to L <b> 5 are displayed so as to cross the symbol display window 20. When the reels are stopped, the symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are aligned on the stop lines L1 to L5. These stop lines L1 to L5 are the upper, middle, and lower three if only one central stop line L1 is two if the number of medals inserted into the medal slot 16 is one. If there are three stop lines L1 to L3, all the five stop lines L1 to L5 are activated.
An illumination device 21 for illuminating the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c is provided inside the door portion 3.
[0023]
In the slot machine configured as described above, when medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 16, the number of stop lines corresponding to the number of inserted medals is validated. Next, when the start lever 14 is operated, the three reels 8a, 8b, 8c are started all at once. Thereafter, each time the stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15c are operated, the corresponding reels 8a, 8b, 8c are stopped. At this time, when a combination of winning symbols is established on the activated stop line, the winning is made, and a predetermined number of medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 17 to the medal tray 18 by the operation of the medal dispensing machine 6.
[0024]
4 to 7 show examples of the configuration of the reel block 4. FIG. 4 shows an exploded state and FIGS. 5 to 7 show an assembled state.
The reel block 4 includes the above-described frame body 7 and three reel units 32 (shown in FIG. 8) incorporated in the frame body 7.
The frame body 7 is a synthetic resin molded body such as plastic, and is formed in a front-opened casing shape integrally including an upper wall 33, a lower wall 34, both side walls 35 and 35, and a back wall 36. Both side walls 35, 35 are provided with a concave groove 37 in which the front edge is cut out, and a plurality of through holes 38 in which plate surfaces are cut out are formed at appropriate positions on the lower wall 34 and the back wall 36.
[0025]
On the inner surfaces of the upper wall 33 and the lower wall 34, slide grooves 40 are formed in parallel in the front-rear direction so as to correspond to the positions at which the reel units 32 are assembled. In FIG. 4, the slide groove 40 formed on the inner surface of the upper wall 33 does not appear.
Each slide groove 40 is formed between two parallel protrusions, and has a groove width that matches the thickness of a mounting plate 50 described later of each reel unit 32. The upper and lower edges of the mounting plate 50 can be slidably engaged with each slide groove 40. A screw hole 41 into which a screw 42 can be inserted is cut out at the front end of each slide groove 40.
[0026]
A printed circuit board 43 is attached to the upper end portion of the back wall 36, and a fixing plate 44 is applied onto the printed circuit board 43 and fixed to the frame body 7 with screws. Three connectors 45 and a terminal board 46 are mounted on the printed circuit board 43, and a plurality of lead wires 47 drawn from the terminal board 46 are electrically connected to the circuit board 5.
In the figure, reference numeral 48 denotes a hand grip provided on the outer surface of the upper wall 33.
[0027]
In each reel unit 32, reels 8a, 8b, and 8c and reel driving stepping motors 9a, 9b, and 9c (9a is not shown in FIG. 4) are integrally provided on each mounting plate 50. Become.
Each reel 8a, 8b, 8c is a synthetic resin molded body such as plastic, and has a ring-shaped boss portion 53 at the center. An annular portion 55 is formed on the outer periphery of the boss portion 53 via a plurality of shaft-like bodies 54. A tape 56 on which a plurality of symbols are drawn is pasted around the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion 55.
[0028]
Each of the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c for driving the reel is provided with a fixing plate 58 on the end surface on the side from which the motor shaft 57 protrudes.
[0029]
The mounting plate 50 has a length corresponding to the distance between the upper wall 33 and the lower wall 34 of the frame 7, and the pyramid-shaped motor support portion 60 is formed by expanding the central portion of the plate surface to one side. It is. The motor support portion 60 has a rectangular support surface 61. The stepping motors 9a, 9b, and 9c are fitted into the recesses of the motor support portion 60, and the fixing plate 58 and the support surface 61 are connected by screws 62. To fix the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c to the mounting plate 50. A through hole 63 is formed in the support surface 61, and the motor shaft 57 of the motor 52 fixed to the motor support portion 60 is projected from the through hole 63. The protruding end of the motor shaft 57 is connected to the boss portion 53 of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c via a disk-shaped connecting plate 64.
In the drawing, reference numeral 65 denotes a motor shaft mounting hole provided in the connection plate 64, and the motor shaft 57 inserted into the mounting hole 65 is fastened by a screw 66. Reference numeral 67 denotes a screw for fixing the connecting plate 64 and the boss portion 53 of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c.
[0030]
The mounting plate 50 of each reel unit 32 is provided with a nut mounting groove 74 in which a nut 73 is embedded in the front end portion of the upper and lower end surfaces. When the mounting plate 50 is inserted between the upper wall 33 and the lower wall 34 of the frame body 7 along the slide groove 40, the positions of the nut 73 and the screw hole 41 of the frame body 7 coincide with each other. The mounting plate 50 is fixed to the frame body 7 by screwing the screw 42 into the nut 73 through 41.
[0031]
A printed circuit board 71 is fixed to the mounting plate 50 of each reel unit 32 with screws 72. A connector 70 is attached to the printed circuit board 71. This connector 70 is detachable from the connector 45 of the printed circuit board 43 attached to the frame body 7. The lead wires 75 of the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c are connected to the printed circuit board 71, whereby the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c and the circuit board 5 are connected via the connectors 45, 70 and the printed circuit boards 43, 71. Electrically connected.
In the figure, 76 is a photo interrupter for detecting the initial rotation position of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c, and a shutter (not shown) provided on each reel 8a, 8b, 8c is an optical path of the photo interrupter 76. , The initialization signal is generated and taken out from the lead wire 77.
[0032]
When viewed from the front, the gap P between the left reel 8a and the central reel 8b and the gap Q between the central reel 8b and the right reel 8c have an annular portion 55 of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c. Cover plates 80 and 80 that are curved along the front side portion of each are provided.
[0033]
Each cover plate 80 is positioned inside the front portion of the annular portion 55 of the reel so as not to contact the reels 8a, 8b, 8c. The width d2 of the cover plate 80 is equal to or greater than the width d1 of the gap portions P and Q (the distance between the annular portions 55 and 55 of the adjacent reels), preferably, both side edges of the cover plate 80 are inward of the annular portion 55 of the reel. It is set to overhang and overlap.
[0034]
Each cover plate 80 is formed of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber. As the synthetic rubber, vinyl chloride-based, olefin-based, styrene-based, urethane-based, nylon-based, polyester-based elastomers, soft polymers, and the like can be used.
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a pair of mounting pieces 81, 81 facing each other are integrally projected over the entire length at the center of the width of the rear surface of the cover plate 80.
[0035]
Each attachment piece 81 is provided with a plurality of V-shaped notches 82 at equal intervals so as to be curved. When both ends of the cover plate 80 are pressed in the same direction, the cover plate 80 is curved while the groove opening of each notch 82 is narrowed. Note that the depth and opening width of each notch 82 are appropriately determined according to the degree of curvature.
[0036]
The two cover plates 80 are mounted on support plates 83 attached to the center and right reel units 32, respectively.
These support plates 83 are fixed to the mounting plates 50 of the central and right reel units 32 by screws 91, and screw fixing pieces 85, 85 are projected from the upper and lower positions of the rear end portion.
[0037]
A curved edge 84 having a shape that curves along the annular portion 55 of the reel is formed at the front end edge of the support plate 83. The cover plate 80 is attached to the support plate 83 by bending the cover plate 80 while inserting the curved edge portion 84 between the attachment pieces 81, 81 of the cover plate 80. The upper and lower end portions of the attachment pieces 81 and 18 are integrally fixed to the support plate 83 by a stopper 90.
[0038]
12 and 13 show another embodiment of the cover plate 80.
In the illustrated cover plate 80, a plurality of light transmitting holes 86 are formed at equal intervals. A point light source 87 such as a light emitting diode or a miniature light bulb is positioned and arranged behind the cover plate 80 in accordance with the position of each light transmitting hole 86. Each point light source 87 constitutes a boundary display unit 88 for clearly indicating the boundary between reels. When each point light source 87 is turned on, light from each point light source 87 passes through the light transmitting hole 86. As a result, the boundary display portion 88 shines. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 89 denotes a printed circuit board on which each point light source 87 is mounted.
[0039]
As each point light source 87, a light emitting diode that emits multicolor light such as red, green, and blue can be used. In this case, for example, each point light source 87 emits blue light in a normal game, flashes red in a bonus game, and further flashes green when a win flag is set in an internal lottery, etc. The emission color can be changed according to the gaming state.
[0040]
In the above-described embodiment, the boundary display unit 88 is configured by a plurality of point light sources 87. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a linear light source such as an EL lamp, a cold cathode tube lamp, a side-emitting optical fiber, or the like is used. The boundary display part 88 can also be comprised by providing in the surface of the cover board 80 along a length direction.
In addition, the boundary display unit 88 can be configured by including a fluorescent material that emits light when irradiated with light such as ultraviolet rays in the cover plate 80 or by applying a fluorescent paint to the surface of the cover plate 80. is there.
[0041]
In the slot machine having the above configuration, the gap P between the left reel 8a and the central reel 8b and the gap Q between the central reel 8b and the right reel 8c are larger than the gap width d1. Since the cover plate 80 set to the width d2 is provided along the front side portion of the annular portion 55 of the reel, each cover plate 80 functions as a blindfold of an internal mechanism such as a reel drive system and passes through the symbol display window 20. Extra structural parts inside the machine will not enter the player's eyes.
[0042]
In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, when a plurality of point light sources 87 arranged along each cover plate 80 are turned on, the light emitted from each point light source 87 is provided on the cover plate 80. Since the light passes through the light transmitting hole 86, the boundary display portion 88 shines, and the boundary between the left reel 8a and the central reel 8b and the boundary between the central reel 8b and the right reel 8c are clearly indicated to the player.
[0043]
The present invention is not limited to the slot machine described above, and can be applied to other gaming machines as long as the gaming machine has a variable symbol display device such as a pachinko gaming machine.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, as described above, the symbol display window is formed to have a width corresponding to the alignment length of a plurality of reels, and a cover plate for blindfolding is provided at the gap position between adjacent reels. Is not obstructed, and an extra internal structure such as a reel drive system can be prevented from entering the player's field of view. As a result, the player can concentrate on the game.
Moreover, since the cover plate is made of an elastic material , especially when the cover plate width is set sufficiently large to enhance the effect of blindfolding, not only during reel operation, but also during reel assembly and disassembly. Even if the cover plate touches the reel, the reel is not damaged.
[0045]
In addition , since the cover plate is supported by a support plate attached to the reel block, the cover plate can be positioned in a stable state at a gap position between adjacent reels.
[0046]
In the invention of claim 2 to 4, the boundary display unit composed of a plurality of point light sources, The invention of claim 5, the boundary display unit composed of a linear light source, further the invention of claim 6 Then, since the boundary display portions formed of the fluorescent material are provided on the cover plates, the boundary between the adjacent reels can be clearly shown to the player by illuminating the boundary display portion.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal structure of the slot machine.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a front panel of the slot machine.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a reel block.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a reel block.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the reel block.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a reel block.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a reel unit.
FIG. 9 is a side view of a cover plate.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the cover plate is attached to the support plate.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a front view of a reel block showing another embodiment of a cover plate.
13 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a front view showing a front panel of a conventional slot machine.
15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a problem of the conventional example of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a problem of another conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
8a, 8b, 8c Reel 20 Symbol display window 80 Cover plate 83 Support plate 87 Point light source

Claims (6)

A reel block having three reels in alignment and a symbol display window having a width corresponding to the alignment length of the reels are provided. Inside the symbol display window, symbols shown on the outer peripheral surface of each reel are symbols. In the variable symbol display game machine in which each reel is positioned so that it can be seen from the display window,
The reel block includes a front frame and three reel units incorporated in the frame. Each reel unit includes a mounting plate on which a reel and a stepping motor for driving the reel are integrally provided, A support plate that is attached to the attachment plate and has a curved edge portion that is curved along the annular portion of the reel at the front end edge, and an elastic that is attached to the support plate while being curved along the curved edge portion. A cover plate formed of a material , and each cover plate is a gap portion between adjacent reels and is in contact with an adjacent reel along the front portion of the annular portion inside the front portion of the annular portion of the reel. are arranged so as not to, the cover plate, the symbol variable display game machine side edge a width larger than that of the gap of the reel adjacent, which are set to a width that overlaps overhanging the inside of the annular portion of the reel   The symbol variable display game machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover plate includes a boundary display unit configured by arranging a plurality of point light sources.   The symbol variable display game machine according to claim 2, wherein the point light source is turned on or blinked.   The symbol variable display gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the point light source changes a light emission color according to a gaming state.   The symbol variable display gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover plate includes a boundary display unit configured by a linear light source.   The symbol variable display game machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover plate includes a boundary display portion formed of a fluorescent material.

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