JP4060056B2

JP4060056B2 - Hinges for gaming machines

Info

Publication number: JP4060056B2
Application number: JP2001317050A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 賢吉吉田
Original assignee: Sammy Corp
Current assignee: Sammy Corp
Priority date: 2001-10-15
Filing date: 2001-10-15
Publication date: 2008-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-15
Also published as: JP2003117187A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、ベース部材と開閉部材との間に配設されて、ベース部材と開閉部材とを相対的に揺動開閉自在に接続する蝶番装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
上記のような蝶番装置は遊技機に多用されており、その一例として、パチンコ機における外枠と前枠との間に配設される蝶番装置があげられる。パチンコ機の蝶番装置は、外郭方形状の開口を有する外枠とこの開口面域に合わせた開閉搭載用の前枠との互いの正面左側上下に配設された上下一対の蝶番装置からなる。上下の蝶番装置は、一般に、それぞれ、水平に配設された板状部に嵌合孔が形成された第１部材と、水平に配設された板状部から上下方向に突出する支軸が固設された第２部材とから構成されており、上下の第１および第２部材における支軸と嵌合孔とをそれぞれ係合させることにより、外枠に対して前枠を揺動開閉および着脱可能に支持するように構成している。
【０００３】
ところが、上記のような従来の蝶番装置では、外枠に対して前枠を装着しようとするときに、上下両方の蝶番装置の支軸と嵌合孔とをともに位置合わせして（軸心を一致させて）係合させなければならず、作業が容易でないという問題があった。特に、遊技施設内での装着にあっては、外枠が遊技島に固定されて移動不能であるとともに、前枠には遊技盤や裏機構盤、制御装置等が組み込まれて相当な重量（例えば、１５〜２０kg）を有しており、さらに蝶番装置が重心位置と離れた側方に位置しているため、上下２カ所の位置決めを行う装着作業が極めて困難であるという問題があった。
【０００４】
このような問題に対して、例えば、特開平8−215395号公報に記載された技術が知られている。これは、外枠上部の固定部材に前方に開口する受け入れ溝を設けるとともにこの受け入れ溝の上部を覆うように嵌合孔を設けた弾性部材を固設し、前枠側の支軸を受け入れ溝に挿入させて支軸の上端部で弾性部材を上方に押圧変形させ、支軸が嵌合孔に到達したときに弾性部材が下方に復元して支軸と嵌合孔とが係合して支軸を保持し、外枠に対して前枠を揺動自在に支持するものである。
【０００５】
また、例えば、特開平9−47555号公報に記載された技術がある。これは、外枠上部の固定部材に、前枠側の支軸を受容する受け入れ溝を有したレバー部材を水平回転自在に設け、前枠側の支軸を受け入れ溝に挿入してレバー部材を回転させることで所定の軸承部に支軸を導きロックさせて、外枠に対して前枠を揺動自在に支持するものである。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
これらの技術によれば、下方の蝶番装置における支軸と嵌合孔とを先に係合させで前枠の重量を支持したうえで、上方の固定部材の受け入れ溝に前枠の支軸を押圧することなどにより、確かに従来における問題点を解決可能のように考えられる。しかしながら、前者（特開平8−215395号公報に記載された技術）では、弾性部材の嵌合孔が前枠側の支軸を支承する構成のため、弾性部材は前枠側の支軸に水平方向に作用する力を単独で支持する必要があり、特に前枠を９０度開いた開放状態で前枠が前方に倒れようとするモーメントに抗して支軸を支持可能な強度を備えていなければならない。一方、弾性部材は前枠の取付時に前方からの押圧力で変形可能であるとともに、前枠の取り外し時に指で係合を解除できる程度の弾性力の範囲内で構成される必要がある。このように、前者ではこれらの相反する要請を両立させる必要があり、実際の設定が難しいという課題があった。また、後者（特開平9−47555号公報に記載された技術）では、構造が複雑化して部品点数および組立工数がともに増大し、生産コストが大幅に上昇するという課題を有していた。
【０００７】
本発明は、上記問題や課題に鑑みて成されたものであり、簡明な構成で外枠等のベース部材に対して前枠等の開閉部材を容易に揺動開閉および着脱させることができる遊技機の蝶番装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記問題および課題を解決して目的を達成するため、本発明は、遊技機の側部上下に配設されてベース部材（例えば実施形態における外枠１）に対して開閉部材（例えば実施形態における前枠２）を揺動開閉自在にヒンジ接続させる上下一対の蝶番装置における少なくとも一方の蝶番装置である。そのうえで、本発明の蝶番装置は、ベース部材および開閉部材のいずれか一方に固設された第１部材（例えば実施形態における上固定金具１０）と、他方に固設された第２部材（例えば実施形態における上揺動金具３０）とからなり、第１部材は一方の部材に固設された基部から前方に突出する板状体の突出部に当該突出部を上下に貫通して基部側から前方に延びる係合孔を有し、第２部材は他方の部材に固設され下方に突出して係合孔と係脱可能な軸状体を有している。第１部材には、前方の曲折位置が係合孔を挟む左右で前後に異なる側面視凹状の段差が突出部の基部側に形成されて係合孔の後方及び係合孔における左右一方の側縁の側方に突出部の前端側及び係合孔の他方の側縁よりも上面の高さが低く軸状体が突出部の側方から進入して係合孔に係合可能な導入部が形成され、係合孔は、導入部が形成された突出部の基部側における左右方向の幅が軸状体の直径よりも広く、突出部の中間部から前端側に向けて幅が狭くなる先細テーパ状に形成されて、当該係合孔の前端に軸状体の外周面を嵌合支持する円弧状の軸支面が形成され、係合孔における基部側から前方に延び、導入部が形成された前記突出部の基部側において導入部の上面よりも低く、係合孔の先端側において導入部の上面よりも高く配設された弾性部材が取り付けられる。係合孔の後方に位置する導入部の上面には、弾性部材を位置決めする位置決め突起が形成され、弾性部材における基端側の固定片部には位置決め突起と係合する切り欠き部が形成されて、位置決め突起と切り欠き部とが係合された状態で係合孔の後方に固定され、導入部における軸状体が進入する側縁部に、軸状体の下端部と係合して当該軸状体を案内する面取り部が形成されるとともに、係合孔の側方に位置する導入部の上面には、導入部に導入された軸状体を係合孔に案内するガイド部材が導入部の側縁から固定片部の側方に延びて弾性部材を保護するように設けられている。そして、上下一対の蝶番装置における他方の蝶番装置を嵌合連結させた状態で、軸状体を導入部に導入したときに、軸状体が面取り部に案内されて導入部の上面に乗り上げ、ガイド部材に案内されるように導入部の上面を摺動して係合孔に係合し、当該係合孔内を前方に移動されたときに、弾性部材が上下に弾性変形して軸状体を係合孔の前方に受容し、係合孔の前端面と弾性部材の前端面との間に軸状体の側面を挟持してベース部材に対して開閉部材を揺動自在にヒンジ接続させるように遊技機の蝶番装置が構成される。
【０００９】
上記構成の蝶番装置では、第１部材には、前方の曲折位置が係合孔を挟む左右で前後に異なる側面視凹状の段差が突出部の基部側に形成されて係合孔の後方及び係合孔における左右一方の側縁の側方に突出部の前端側及び係合孔の他方の側縁よりも上面の高さが低く、下方に突出する第２部材の軸状体が突出部の側方から進入して係合孔に係合可能な導入部が形成されており、係合孔は、突出部の基部側における左右方向の幅が軸状体の直径よりも広く、突出部の中間部から前端側に向けて幅が狭くなる先細テーパ状に形成されて、当該係合孔の前端に軸状体の外周面を嵌合支持する円弧状の軸支面が形成され、この係合孔には、導入部が形成された前記突出部の基部側において導入部の上面よりも低く、係合孔の先端側において導入部の上面よりも高い弾性部材が配設されている。係合孔の後方に位置する導入部の上面には、弾性部材を位置決めする位置決め突起が形成されて弾性部材が係合孔の後方に位置決め固定され、導入部には軸状体が進入する側縁部に軸状体を案内する面取り部が形成されるとともに、係合孔の側方に位置する導入部の上面には、導入部に導入された軸状体を係合孔に案内するガイド部材が弾性部材を保護するように設けられている。そして、上下一対の蝶番装置における他方の蝶番装置を嵌合連結させた状態で、軸状体を導入部に導入したときに、軸状体が面取り部に案内されて導入部の上面に乗り上げ、ガイド部材に案内されるように導入部の上面を摺動して係合孔に係合し、当該係合孔内を前方に移動されたときに、弾性部材が上下に弾性変形して軸状体を係合孔の前方に受容し、係合孔の前端面と弾性部材の前端面との間に軸状体の側面を挟持してベース部材に対して開閉部材を揺動自在にヒンジ接続させる。
【００１０】
このため、本構成の蝶番装置によれば、外枠に対して前枠を接続させるときに、上下２カ所の嵌合孔と支軸とを同時に位置合わせ（芯出し）して係合させるような微妙な調整操作が必要がなく、少なくとも一方の蝶番装置については第２部材の軸状体を第１部材の導入部を介して係合孔に係合させ、しかる後に軸状体を前方に移動させて嵌合させるという容易な操作でヒンジ結合させることができる。例えば、上下いずれかの蝶番装置が支軸と嵌合孔とから構成される蝶番装置の場合には、この支軸と嵌合孔１カ所に注目してこれらを嵌合させ前枠を支持させた後、他方の蝶番装置の支軸を導入部を介して係合孔に係合させ嵌合させるという簡単な操作でベース部材と開閉部材とをヒンジ接続させることができる。また、軸状体が面取り部に案内されて導入部の上面に乗り上げながら移動して係合孔に進入することから、第２部材側が第１部材側に一定程度支承され、開閉部材のふらつき（自由傾動）を防止することができる。さらに、導入部に乗り上げた軸状体がガイド部に案内されて係合孔内に誘導されるため、第２部材の連結操作をより容易に行うことができ、ガイド部材が導入部の側縁から固定片部の側方に延びて弾性部材を保護するように設けられているため、軸状体の当接を防止して耐久性の高い蝶番装置を提供することができる。
【００１１】
また、本構成の蝶番装置では、基部から前方に向けて延びる係合孔の前端面と係合孔の後方から延びる弾性部材の前端面とで軸状体の前後側面を挟持して支持する構成のため、開閉部材を開放したときにヒンジ接続部に水平前方に作用する力は、係合孔の前端面に作用し、係合孔が穿設された第１金具全体で受ける構成となっている。また、係合孔に延びる弾性部材は、導入部においてその上面が導入部の上面よりも低く形成されているため、支軸の係合過程において上下および左右方向ともに無理な力を受けることがない。このため、耐力が高く長期信頼性と操作性とを両立させた蝶番装置を提供することができる。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係る遊技機の蝶番装置について、添付図面を参照しながら説明する。実施例では遊技機の一例としてパチンコ機を採り上げ、外枠に対して前枠を揺動開閉および着脱自在に連結する蝶番装置に本発明を適用した場合を主として説明する。まず、本実施例の蝶番装置が適用されるパチンコ機ＰＭについてその概要構成を図１を参照して要約説明する。
【００１３】
パチンコ機ＰＭは外郭方形枠サイズに構成されて縦向きの固定保持枠を成す外枠１の開口前面に、これに合わせた方形枠サイズに構成されて開閉搭載用の前枠２が互いの正面左側上下に配設された蝶番装置Ｈ₁，Ｈ₂で横開き開閉および着脱が可能に取り付けられ、正面右側に設けられた施錠装置４を利用して外枠１と係合された閉鎖状態で遊技に供される。
【００１４】
前枠２の各部にはパチンコ遊技を展開する遊技展開部材として、前枠２の前側面域に合わせてガラス扉５及び上球皿６が左側部に設けられた蝶番装置を利用してともに横開き開閉及び着脱が可能に組付けられる一方、上球皿６の下部に下球皿７、操作ハンドル８及び打球発射装置等が装備されている。前枠２の裏側には、この前枠２と一体成形された収容枠に所定のゲージ設定で構成された遊技盤９が開閉および着脱可能にセット保持され、収容枠の裏側に球貯留部や賞球払出機構等を有する裏機構盤（図示せず）が開閉及び着脱可能に装備されている。裏機構盤の各部には主制御基板やターミナル基板、音声基板等の各種基板や電子部品などが取り付けられ、各機器が図示しないワイヤーハーネスで接続されている。なお、パチンコ機ＰＭは、全体が所要の後傾角度（例えば、１度以内の後傾角）で縦向きに保持される。
【００１５】
外枠１と前枠２とを揺動開閉および着脱自在にヒンジ結合する上下一対の蝶番装置Ｈ₁，Ｈ₂のうち、下側の蝶番装置Ｈ₂は、その斜視図を図２に示すように、外枠１の左側下部に固設される下固定金具１１０と、前枠２の左側下部に固設される下揺動金具１３０とから構成される。
【００１６】
下固定金具１１０は、外枠１の内周に固定される基部１１１と、この基部が直角に折り曲げられて前方に水平に突出する支持板部１１２と、支持板部の前端部に固着されて上方に突出する支軸１１５とからなり、所定板厚の鋼板を打ち抜きおよび曲げ成形して図示する形状に形成した後、外枠１の左下部にリベットおよびねじ等の締結手段を用いて固設される。下固定金具１１０は、直角に折り曲げられた基部１１１の外面と支持板部１１２の底面とで、外枠１の内側の直交２面（左内側面および上面）に当接して、左右および上下方向に位置決めされるとともに、支持板部１１２の後側端面で外枠２の前面に当接して前後方向に位置決めされ、これにより外枠１に対する支軸１１５の軸線、すなわち揺動軸Ａxが位置決めされる。なお、支軸１１５の上端部は円錐状に形成されており、後述する軸孔１３５との嵌合を容易化している。
【００１７】
下揺動金具１３０は、前枠２の裏面側に固定される基部１３１と、この基部から直角に折り曲げられて前方に水平に突出する被支持板部１３２とからなり、被支持板部１３２の前端部には上記支軸１１５と嵌合可能な軸孔部１３５が穿設されて構成される。下揺動金具１３０は下固定金具１１０と同様に所定板厚の鋼板を打ち抜きおよび曲げ成形して図示する形状に形成した後、前枠２の左下部裏面にねじ等の図示しない締結手段を利用して固設される。下揺動金具１３０は、基部１３１が前枠２の裏面にねじ締結されることで前後、左右および上下方向に位置決めされ、前枠２に対する軸孔１３５の軸線が位置決めされる。
【００１８】
このように構成される下側の蝶番装置Ｈ₂は、下固定金具の支軸１１５に上方から軸孔１３５を位置決めして前枠２を下動させ、支軸１１５と軸孔１３５とを嵌合接続させることでヒンジ結合され、支持面部１１２で被支持面部１３２を支持して外枠２に対して前枠２を揺動軸Ａxまわりに揺動開閉自在に接続する。
【００１９】
一方、上側の蝶番装置Ｈ₁は、その斜視図を図３に示すように、外枠１の左側上部に固設される上固定金具１０と、前枠２の左側上部に固設される上揺動金具３０とから構成される。なお、図３は上固定金具１０と上揺動金具３０とを連結させる以前の状態を斜視図として示しており、図３中にIV矢視で示す平面図を図４に、図３中にV矢視で示す正面図を図５に示す。また、上固定金具１０を分解してその構成を詳細に示す斜視図を図６に示す。なお、各図は蝶番装置を明瞭に示すためガラス扉５を取り外した状態で記載している。
【００２０】
上固定金具１０は、外枠１左上方角部に固定される基部１１と、この基部１１から前方に向けて突出する突出部１２、突出部１２の基部側から前方に延びて穿設された係合孔１３、基部１１と突出部１２との間において側面視凹状の段差を形成し係合孔１３における右側縁の基端側が左側縁よりも低く構成された導入部１４、導入部１４の後部に基端部が固着されて先端部が係合孔１３の前端方向に延びる弾性部材２０などから構成される。
【００２１】
基部１１は、外枠１の左上部に形成された上部取付面に固着される上辺部１１ａ、上辺部１１ａと直交し外枠１の左外側面に形成された側部取付面に固着される側辺部１１ｂ、上辺部１１ａおよび側辺部１１ｂと直交し外枠１の前端面に当接する前辺部１１ｃなどからなる。上固定金具１０は、所定板厚の鋼板を打ち抜きおよびプレス成形して図示する形状に形成したのち、上記直交する三辺１１ａ，１１ｂ，１１ｃで外枠１の左上方角部に位置決めされ、リベット等の固定手段を利用して外枠１に固定される。これにより、前枠２に対する突出部１２の位置も位置決めされ、係合孔１３の前端部に形成される嵌合部の軸線（後述する）が位置決めされる。なお、この軸線は前述した下固定金具における支軸１１５の軸線、すなわち揺動軸Ａxと一致するように設定される。
【００２２】
基部１１から前方に向けて突出する突出部１２には、基部側から前方に延びて係合孔１３が穿設されている。係合孔１３は図４に示すように、基部側でその溝幅が広く、中間部から先端側に向けてテーパ状に狭くなるように形成されており、溝先端部には上揺動金具３０の支軸３５を嵌合支持する円弧状の軸支面１５が形成されている。また、基部１１と突出部１２との間に形成される側面視凹状の段差は、この係合孔１３を挟む左右で前後方向にオフセットした位置で曲折されており、係合孔１３の右側縁が中間部から基部側で左側縁よりも低く構成され、ここに支軸３５を受容する導入部１４が形成される。
【００２３】
導入部１４の側縁部には面取り部１４ｓが形成されており、揺動金具３０側の支軸３５をこの導入部１４上に容易に受容ならしめるように構成されている。また、導入部１４の奥部には弾性部材２０を固定するためのピン孔１７が穿設されるとともに、このピン孔１７と隣接して弾性部材２０の位置決めおよび回転支持用の位置決め突起１４ｂがエンボス成形されている。
【００２４】
弾性部材２０は、導入部１４の後部に固定される固定片部２１、側面視∩字状に折り曲げられた屈曲部２２、屈曲部２２から前方に水平に延びる平坦部２３、平坦部から上方に折り曲げられて前後方向に傾斜した斜面を形成する斜辺部２４、斜辺部から水平に折り返されて先端で支軸３５の側面と係合可能な支軸部２５などから構成される。
【００２５】
固定片部２１には、位置決め突起１４ｂと係合して弾性部材２０の取付角度位置を規定するとともに、弾性部材２０に水平方向に作用する力で弾性部材２０が回転しないようにモーメントを受ける切り欠き部２１ｂが形成されている。弾性部材２０は、例えば、所定板厚のバネ用ステンレス鋼鋼板やバネ鋼板等をプレス成形により図示する形状に構成し、切り欠き部２１ｂを位置決め突起１４ｂに係合させて取付位置及び取付角度を規定したうえ、固定ピン２７をピン孔１７に圧入固定することで上固定金具１０に固定される。なお、屈曲部２２には、この弾性部材のバネ状数を適宜な値に調整するため、必要に応じて適宜な幅寸法のスリット状の溝部２２ａが形成される。
【００２６】
弾性部材２０は、取付姿勢における側断面図（図４中にVII-VII矢視で示す側断面図）を図７（ａ）に示すように、屈曲部２２から先端側が係合孔１３の内部に配設される。平坦部２３の上面は導入部１４の上面より下方に位置するとともに、斜辺部２４は導入部１４と突出部１２とを繋ぐ立設部の陰に位置し、前端の支軸部２５は突出部１２の上下面の間に位置して配設される。すなわち、弾性部材２０の自由端側は右側方（支軸３５の進入方向）から直視できない位置に保護されるように配設されており、支軸３５等が弾性部材２０の側面から衝突等してこの部材を変形、破損させるおそれがないように構成されている。
【００２７】
一方、上記固定金具１０にヒンジ接続される上揺動金具３０は、前枠２の裏面側に固定される基部３１、この基部３１から直角に折り曲げられて前方に水平に突出する被支持板部３２、および被支持板部３２の前端部に固着されて下方に突出する支軸３５からなり、所定板厚の鋼板を打ち抜きおよび曲げ成形して図示する形状に形成した後、前枠２の左上部裏面にねじ等の締結手段を利用して固定される。上揺動金具３０は、基部３１が前枠２の裏面にねじ締結されることで前後、左右および上下方向に位置決めされ、前枠２に対する支軸３５の軸線が位置決めされる。
【００２８】
なお、下固定金具１１０における支持板部１１２の上面と上固定金具１０における突出部１２の上面の間隔（上下の支持面の間隔）、および下揺動金具１３０における被支持板部１３２の下面と上揺動金具３０における被支持板部３２の下面との間隔（上下の被支持面の間隔）は、略同一となるように設定されており、上下の固定金具１０，１１０がそれぞれ揺動金具３０，１３０を支持して、前枠全体を支持するように構成されている。一方、上揺動金具３０における支軸３５の突出高さは、突出部１２の上面と導入部１４の上面との段差よりも幾分大きめに設定されている。換言すれば、下固定金具１１０上に下揺動金具１３０を支持させたときに、支軸３５の下端面が導入部１４の上面よりも低くなるように設定されている。これにより、支軸３５と軸支面１５との嵌合長さを確保するとともに、支軸３５を係合させる過程で前枠２が不必要にふらついて係合解除方向に倒れてしまうようなことを防止し、操作性が良好で着実な連結操作を行うことができる蝶番装置としている。
【００２９】
さて、以上のように構成される蝶番装置Ｈ₁の作用について、さらに図７〜図９を参照しつつ以下に説明する。なお、図７(ａ)(ｂ)(ｃ)は、上固定金具１０と上揺動金具３０との接続過程を(ａ)(ｂ)(ｃ)の順に時系列で示し、図８および図９は上固定金具１０と上揺動金具３０とがヒンジ接続された状態の平面図および左側面図（図８中にIX矢視で示す側面図）を示している。
【００３０】
外枠１と前枠２とが分離された状態（図１〜図５に示す状態）から上下の蝶番装置Ｈ₁，Ｈ₂を連結接続させる場合に、作業者はまず下側の蝶番装置Ｈ₂のみに着目し、外枠側の下固定金具１１０と前枠側の下揺動金具１３０とを連結させる。すなわち、下固定金具の支軸１１５に軸孔１３５を位置決めして前枠２を上方から下動させ、支軸１１５と軸孔１３５とを嵌合接続させ、支持面部１１２で被支持面部１３２を支持させる。これにより、前枠２の重量が下固定金具１０で支持され、嵌合接続点を中心とした円錐状の角度範囲内で前枠２を容易に傾動させることができるようになる。
【００３１】
次いで、作業者は上側の蝶番装置Ｈ₁に着目し、外枠側の上固定金具１０と前枠側の上揺動金具３０との連結操作を行う。連結操作は下側の蝶番装置Ｈ₂で支持されている前枠２を傾動させて上揺動金具３０を上固定金具１０の右側方から接近させ、支軸３５を導入部１４方向に移動させる。前記したように、支軸３５の下端面の高さは、下固定金具１１０上に下揺動金具１３０を支持させた状態で導入部１４の上面よりも幾分低くなるように設定されており、支軸３５は導入部１４の側縁部に形成された面取り部１４ｓに案内されて導入部１４に乗り上げるように進入する。これにより下側の蝶番装置Ｈ₂で片支持されていた前枠２の上端側が一定程度上固定金具で支承され、前枠２のふらつき（自由傾動）が抑制される。
【００３２】
作業者は、前枠２を直立方向に傾動させて支軸３５を係合孔１３内に進入させ、支軸３５と係合孔１３とを係合させる。ここで、係合孔１３の左側縁は導入部１４の上面よりも高く形成されているため、前枠２が直立位置を超えて左方向に傾動しようとした場合（例えば前枠が勢いよく左方に傾動された場合）であっても、支軸３５の外周面が係合孔１３の左側縁に当接して移動が規制され、支軸３５が係合孔１３の範囲内に移動規制される。なお、弾性部材２０における平坦部２３は導入部１４の上面より下方に位置するとともに、斜辺部２４は導入部１４と突出部１２とを繋ぐ立設部の陰に位置するため、この係合過程において支軸３５が弾性部材２０の自由端側に側面から衝突することがない（図７(ａ)）。
【００３３】
支軸３５が係合孔１３と係合した後には、支軸３５が突出部１２の前端方向に移動するように前枠２を傾動させる。係合孔１３は平面視における幅が基部側で広く、中間部から先端側に向けて狭くなるテーパ状に形成されているため、支軸３５は係合孔１３の左右側縁に案内されるように揺動軸Ａxの軸心に向けて移動する。また、この移動過程において、支軸３５の下端部が弾性部材２０の斜辺部２４に当接して押圧し、弾性部材２０を下方に弾性変形させつつ乗り越えるようにして前方に移動する（図７(ｂ)）。
【００３４】
そして、支軸３５の軸心が揺動軸Ａxの軸心と略一致する位置まで前進したときに、支軸３５の下端部と弾性部材２０の上面との当接が解除され、弾性部材２０は弾性力により係合前の形状に復帰する。支軸３５は係合孔１３の前端部に形成された支軸面１５と弾性部材２０の先端部に形成された支軸部２５との間に挟持され、支軸３５の軸線が揺動軸Ａxと一致した状態でこの軸まわりに揺動自在に保持される（図７(ｃ)、図８および図９）。
【００３５】
このようにして連結された上下の蝶番装置Ｈ₁，Ｈ₂によれば、上下の揺動金具が３０，１３０が上下共通する揺動軸Ａxまわりに揺動自在に支持されるとともに、それぞれの揺動金具が各々固定金具１０，１１０に支持されて、前枠２の重量を上下の蝶番装置Ｈ₁，Ｈ₂で略均等に支持する。これにより、前枠２は外枠１に対して揺動開閉自在にヒンジ接続される。
【００３６】
一方、前枠２を取り外す際には、前枠２を外枠１に対して所定角度開放させた状態で、そのまま上方に引き上げる簡単な操作でで達成される。すなわち、前枠２を上方に引き上げることにより、上側の蝶番装置Ｈ₁における支軸３５が上動されて支軸３５と支軸面１５ならびに支軸部２５との係合が解除され、また同時に下側の蝶番装置Ｈ₂における軸孔部１３５が上動されて軸後部１３５と支軸１１５との係合が解除され、上下の蝶番装置Ｈ₁，Ｈ₂のヒンジ結合がともに解除される。
【００３７】
従って、上記蝶番装置によれば、上下の蝶番装置における支軸と嵌合孔（係合孔）とを同時に位置決めさせる必要がなく、一カ所ずつ位置決めし係合させればよいため、重量物たる前枠２を外枠１に容易にヒンジ接続させることができるとともに、前枠２を上方に引き上げるだけの簡単な操作でヒンジ接続を解除させることができる。
【００３８】
また、外枠１に対して前枠２を開放させて支持させたときには、上側の蝶番装置に前枠２の開放端側（反連結側、すなわち施錠装置４側）を押し下げるようなモーメントが作用し、このモーメントは上固定金具を前枠２の開放方向すなわち前方に引っ張る力として作用する。本発明の蝶番装置Ｈ₁では、このような力を係合孔前端の支軸面１５で受け、強度の高い固定金具本体で支持する構成のため耐力が高く、長期信頼性と操作性とを両立させた構成としている。
【００３９】
なお、図６中に二点鎖線で付記するように、支軸３５を係合孔１３に案内するガイド部材２８を導入部１４に設けることも好ましい実施形態である。このような構成によれば、支軸３５を係合孔１３に係合させるときに支軸３５がガイド部材２８に案内されて係合孔１３内に誘導されるため、前枠の連結操作をより容易かつ軽快に行うことができる。また、ガイド部材２８の左側端部を延長して屈曲部２２の右側縁を保護するように構成し、あるいは、屈曲部２２と固定片２１部を覆うように構成することにより、支軸３５が弾性部材２０に当接することを完全に防止してより耐久性の高い蝶番装置とすることができる。
【００４０】
また、図８および図９中に二点鎖線で付記するように、基部１１における上辺部１１ａを前方に突出成形して庇部１８を形成し、前枠２を閉鎖した状態で庇部１８が上揺動金具３０の上方に突出して位置するように構成することも好ましい。このような構成によれば、前枠２が持ち上げられたときに庇部が揺動金具３０の上動を規制して上下の蝶番装置のヒンジ結合を維持させることができる。これにより、前枠２が閉鎖された状態でヒンジ結合を解除させようとする不正行為を有効に防止し、公正な遊技に供することができる。
【００４１】
なお、以上の実施例では、パチンコ機の左上部に蝶番装置Ｈ₁を設け、左下部に蝶番装置Ｈ₂を設けた例を説明したが、これらの蝶番装置は上下逆の構成でも良い。すなわち、上方に蝶番装置Ｈ₂を設けて上方で吊り下げるように前枠２を傾動させ、下部に設けた蝶番装置Ｈ₁を嵌合接続させる構成であっても良い。また、上下の蝶番装置に、ともに蝶番装置Ｈ₁を設ける構成あっても良い。この場合、上下の支軸３５を導入部１４に乗せて前枠２を支持させたうえ水平左方に移動させて上下の支軸３５を係合孔１３に係合させ、次いで前枠全体を前方に引くこと（または前枠２を閉鎖させること）で上下の揺動金具を固定金具に係合させロックさせることができる。また、固定金具と揺動金具の取り付け位置は外枠と前枠が逆の配置構成であっても良い。
【００４２】
また、実施例では遊技機の一例としてパチンコ機を採り上げ、外枠１と前枠２との間に適用した場合について説明したが、本発明はかかる遊技機や配設部位に限定されるものではない。例えば、パチンコ機においては前枠に対して揺動開閉および着脱が自在に取り付けられるガラス扉や裏機構盤（裏セット盤）について同様に適用可能であり、スロットマシンにおいては筐体に対して揺動開閉および着脱が自在に取り付けられるフロントマスクやメダル皿について同様に適用可能である。
【００４３】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の蝶番装置は、ベース部材と開閉部材とにそれぞれに固設される第１部材および第２部材からなり、第１部材の突出部に形成された係合孔に第２部材の軸状体を係合させて接続させる形態の蝶番装置である。第１部材には係合孔の後方及び係合孔における左右一方の側縁の側方に突出部の前端側及び係合孔の他方の側縁よりも上面の高さが低く、下方に突出する第２部材の軸状体が突出部の側方から進入して係合孔に係合可能な導入部が形成されるとともに、係合孔の基部側から前方に延びて弾性部材が配設される。弾性部材は導入部が形成された前記突出部の基部側において導入部の上面よりも低く、係合孔の先端側において導入部の上面よりも高く配設され、導入部の側縁部に軸状体を案内する面取り部が形成されるとともに、係合孔の側方に位置する導入部の上面には、導入部に導入された軸状体を係合孔に案内するガイド部材が弾性部材を保護するように設けられている。そして、上下一対の蝶番装置の他方を嵌合連結させた状態で、軸状体を導入部に導入したときに軸状体が導入部の上面に乗り上げてガイド部材に案内されながら導入部を移動して係合孔に係合し、当該係合孔内を前方に移動されたときに、弾性部材が上下に弾性変形して軸状体を係合孔の前方に受容し、係合孔の前端面と弾性部材の前端面との間に軸状体の側面を挟持してベース部材に対して開閉部材を揺動自在にヒンジ接続させる。
【００４４】
このため、上記構成の蝶番装置によれば、前枠のような重量のある開閉部材を接続させるときに、上下２カ所の嵌合孔と支軸とを同時に位置合わせして係合させるような微妙な調整操作が必要がなく、第２部材の軸状体を第１部材の導入部を介して係合孔に係合させ、しかる後に軸状体を前方に移動させて嵌合させるという容易な操作でヒンジ結合させることができる。また、連結過程において第２部材側が第１部材側に一定程度支承されるため開閉部材が不必要にふらついて係合解除方向に倒れてしまうようなことを防止することができる。従って、操作性が良好で着実な連結操作を行うことができる蝶番装置を提供することができる。
【００４５】
また、本構成の蝶番装置では、基部から前方に向けて延びる係合孔の前端面と係合孔の後方から延びる弾性部材の前端面とで軸状体の前後側面を挟持して支持する構成のため、開閉部材を開放したときにヒンジ接続部に水平前方に作用する力を第１金具全体で受けることができ、さらに、係合孔に延びる弾性部材は、導入部においてその上面が導入部の上面よりも低く形成されているため、支軸の係合過程において上下および左右方向ともに無理な力を受けることがない。従って、耐力が高く長期信頼性と操作性とを両立させた蝶番装置を提供することができる。
なお、係合孔が突出部の基部側において軸状体の直径よりも広く、中間部から先端側に向けて狭くなる先細テーパ状に形成されているため、軸状体が係合孔の左右側縁に案内されて先端の軸支面に導入される。
また、導入部にガイド部材が設けられており、導入部に乗り上げた軸状体がガイド部に案内されて係合孔内に誘導されるため、開閉部材の連結操作をより容易かつ軽快に行うことができ、ガイド部材が導入部の側縁から固定片部の側方に延びて弾性部材を保護するように設けられているため、軸状体の当接を防止して耐久性の高い蝶番装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る蝶番装置を備える遊技機の一例として示すパチンコ機の外観正面図である。
【図２】上記パチンコ機における下側の蝶番装置を示す斜視図である。
【図３】上記パチンコ機における上側の蝶番装置（本発明に係る蝶番装置の一実施例）を、外枠側と前枠側とに分離した状態で示す斜視図である。
【図４】本発明に係る蝶番装置を、外枠側と前枠側とに分離した状態で示す平面図である。
【図５】本発明に係る蝶番装置を、外枠側と前枠側とに分離した状態で示す正面図である。
【図６】本発明に係る蝶番装置の構造を説明するために、弾性部材を分解して示す固定金具の詳細図（斜視図）である。
【図７】本発明に係る蝶番装置において固定金具と揺動金具の連結過程を(ａ)(ｂ)(ｃ)の順に時系列で示す説明図であり、図４および図８中にVII-VII矢視で示す部分断面図である。
【図８】本発明に係る蝶番装置を、固定金具と揺動金具とがヒンジ接続された状態で示す平面図である。
【図９】本発明に係る蝶番装置を、固定金具と揺動金具とがヒンジ接続された状態で示す左側面図である。
【符号の説明】
Ａx 揺動軸
Ｈ₁ 上側の蝶番装置
Ｈ₂ 下側の蝶番装置
ＰＭパチンコ機
１外枠
２前枠
４施錠装置
５ガラス扉
６上球皿
７下球皿
８操作ハンドル
９遊技盤
１０上固定金具
１１基部
１２突出部
１３係合孔
１４導入部
１５軸支面
１７ピン孔
１８庇部
２０弾性部材
２１固定片部
２２屈曲部
２３平坦部
２４斜辺部
２５支軸部
２７固定ピン
２８ガイド部材
３０上揺動金具
３１基部
３２被支持面部
３５支軸
１１０下固定金具
１１１基部
１１２支持板部
１１５支軸部
１３０下揺動金具
１３１基部
１３２被支持板部
１３５軸孔部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge device that is disposed between a base member and an opening / closing member and connects the base member and the opening / closing member so as to be relatively swingable and openable.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The hinge device as described above is widely used in gaming machines, and an example thereof is a hinge device disposed between an outer frame and a front frame in a pachinko machine. A hinge device of a pachinko machine is composed of a pair of upper and lower hinge devices arranged on the front left and right sides of an outer frame having an outer opening and an opening / closing front frame adapted to the opening surface area. In general, each of the upper and lower hinge devices has a first member in which a fitting hole is formed in a horizontally disposed plate-shaped portion, and a support shaft that protrudes in the vertical direction from the horizontally disposed plate-shaped portion. A fixed second member, and by engaging the support shaft and the fitting hole in the upper and lower first and second members respectively, It is configured to be detachably supported.
[0003]
However, in the conventional hinge device as described above, when the front frame is to be attached to the outer frame, both the support shaft and the fitting hole of both the upper and lower hinge devices are aligned (the axis is aligned). There is a problem that it is not easy to work. In particular, when mounting in a game facility, the outer frame is fixed to the game island and cannot be moved, and the front frame is incorporated with a game board, a back mechanism board, a control device, etc. For example, since the hinge device is located on the side away from the center of gravity position, there is a problem that it is extremely difficult to perform mounting work for positioning the upper and lower two places.
[0004]
For such a problem, for example, a technique described in JP-A-8-215395 is known. This is because the receiving member that opens forward is provided in the fixing member at the upper part of the outer frame, and an elastic member provided with a fitting hole so as to cover the upper part of the receiving groove is fixed, and the support shaft on the front frame side is received as the receiving groove The elastic member is pressed and deformed upward at the upper end portion of the support shaft, and when the support shaft reaches the fitting hole, the elastic member is restored downward and the support shaft and the fitting hole are engaged. The support shaft is held, and the front frame is swingably supported with respect to the outer frame.
[0005]
Further, for example, there is a technique described in JP-A-9-47555. This is because a lever member having a receiving groove for receiving the front shaft side support shaft is provided on the fixing member at the upper part of the outer frame so as to be horizontally rotatable, and the front shaft side support shaft is inserted into the receiving groove to move the lever member. By rotating it, the support shaft is guided and locked to a predetermined bearing portion, and the front frame is swingably supported with respect to the outer frame.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to these techniques, after supporting the weight of the front frame by first engaging the support shaft and the fitting hole in the lower hinge device, the support shaft of the front frame is inserted into the receiving groove of the upper fixing member. It seems that the conventional problems can be solved by pressing. However, in the former (the technique described in JP-A-8-215395), since the fitting hole of the elastic member supports the supporting shaft on the front frame side, the elastic member is horizontal to the supporting shaft on the front frame side. It is necessary to support the force acting in the direction alone, and it must be strong enough to support the support shaft against the moment that the front frame will fall forward in the open state with the front frame opened 90 degrees. I must. On the other hand, the elastic member can be deformed by a pressing force from the front when the front frame is attached and needs to be configured within a range of elastic force that can be disengaged with a finger when the front frame is removed. Thus, in the former, it was necessary to make these conflicting requests compatible, and there was a problem that actual setting was difficult. The latter (the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-47555) has a problem that the structure is complicated, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps are both increased, and the production cost is significantly increased.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems and problems, and can easily open and close and attach and detach an opening and closing member such as a front frame with respect to a base member such as an outer frame with a simple configuration. An object is to provide a hinge device of a machine.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems and problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an opening / closing member (for example, in the embodiment) that is disposed above and below the side portion of the gaming machine with respect to the base member (for example, the outer frame 1 in the embodiment). It is at least one hinge device in a pair of upper and lower hinge devices in which the front frame 2) is hinged to be swingably opened and closed. In addition, the hinge device of the present invention includes a first member (for example, the upper fixing bracket 10 in the embodiment) fixed to one of the base member and the opening / closing member, and a second member (for example, an implementation) fixed to the other. And the first member is a projecting portion of a plate-like body projecting forward from a base portion fixed to one member.Penetrate the protrusions up and downThe second member has a shaft-like body that is fixed to the other member, protrudes downward, and is detachable from the engagement hole. In the first member,The front bending position is left and right across the engagement hole.Projected part with concave steps in front and rear sidesThe base side ofFormed intoBehind the engagement hole andThe left and right side edges of the engagement holeThe height of the upper surface is lower than the front end side of the projecting portion and the other side edge of the engagement hole.From the side of the protrusionEnterIn the engagement holeEngagementPossible introductions are formedThe engaging hole has a tapered shape in which the width in the left-right direction on the base side of the projecting portion where the introduction portion is formed is wider than the diameter of the shaft-like body, and the width becomes narrower from the middle portion to the front end side An arc-shaped shaft support surface that fits and supports the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped body is formed at the front end of the engagement hole,The introduction portion extends forward from the base side of the engagement hole.The base side of the protruding part formed withAn elastic member is attached that is lower than the upper surface of the introducing portion and higher than the upper surface of the introducing portion on the distal end side of the engagement hole.The A positioning projection for positioning the elastic member is formed on the upper surface of the introducing portion located behind the engagement hole, and a notch portion for engaging with the positioning projection is formed on the fixed piece on the proximal end side of the elastic member. The positioning protrusion and the notch are engaged with each other, and are fixed to the rear of the engagement hole, and are engaged with the lower end portion of the shaft-like body at the side edge portion where the shaft-like body enters the introduction portion. A chamfered portion that guides the shaft-like body is formed, and a guide member that guides the shaft-like body introduced into the introduction portion to the engagement hole is formed on the upper surface of the introduction portion that is located to the side of the engagement hole. It is provided so as to protect the elastic member by extending from the side edge of the introduction part to the side of the fixed piece part.ing. Then, when the shaft-like body is introduced into the introducing portion with the other hinge device of the pair of upper and lower hinge devices being fitted and connected, the shaft-like body is guided by the chamfered portion and rides on the upper surface of the introducing portion.Guided by the guide memberAs introductory partSliding on top ofTo the engagement holeEngagementWhen the elastic member is moved forward in the engagement hole, the elastic member is elastically deformed up and down to receive the shaft-like body in front of the engagement hole, and the front end surface of the engagement hole and the front end surface of the elastic member The hinge device of the gaming machine is configured so that the opening and closing member is swingably hinged to the base member by sandwiching the side surface of the shaft-like member therebetween.
[0009]
  In the hinge device configured as described above, the first member includesThe front bending position is left and right across the engagement hole.Projected part with concave steps in front and rear sidesThe base side ofFormed intoBehind the engagement hole andThe left and right side edges of the engagement holeThe height of the upper surface is lower than the front end side of the projecting portion and the other side edge of the engagement hole.The shaft-shaped body of the second member protruding downward isOverhangFrom the sideEnterIn the engagement holeEngagementPossible introductions are formed,The engaging hole is formed in a tapered shape in which the width in the left-right direction on the base side of the protruding portion is wider than the diameter of the shaft-like body, and the width becomes narrower from the intermediate portion of the protruding portion toward the front end side. An arc-shaped shaft support surface that fits and supports the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-like body is formed at the front end of the joint hole,This engagement hole has an introduction partThe base side of the protruding part formed withAn elastic member that is lower than the upper surface of the introducing portion and higher than the upper surface of the introducing portion is disposed on the distal end side of the engagement hole.ing. A positioning projection for positioning the elastic member is formed on the upper surface of the introducing portion located behind the engaging hole, and the elastic member is positioned and fixed to the rear of the engaging hole. The side into which the shaft-like body enters the introducing portion A chamfered portion for guiding the shaft-like body is formed at the edge, and a guide for guiding the shaft-like body introduced into the introduction portion to the engagement hole is formed on the upper surface of the introduction portion located on the side of the engagement hole. The member is provided to protect the elastic membering. Then, when the shaft-like body is introduced into the introducing portion with the other hinge device of the pair of upper and lower hinge devices being fitted and connected, the shaft-like body is guided by the chamfered portion and rides on the upper surface of the introducing portion.Guided by the guide memberAs introductory partSliding on top ofTo the engagement holeEngagementWhen the elastic member is moved forward in the engagement hole, the elastic member is elastically deformed up and down to receive the shaft-like body in front of the engagement hole, and the front end surface of the engagement hole and the front end surface of the elastic member The opening / closing member is swingably hinged to the base member by sandwiching the side surface of the shaft-like member therebetween.
[0010]
  For this reason, according to the hinge device of this configuration, when the front frame is connected to the outer frame, the upper and lower two fitting holes and the support shaft are simultaneously aligned (centered) and engaged. There is no need for a delicate adjustment operation, and for at least one of the hinge devices, the shaft-shaped body of the second member is engaged with the engagement hole through the introduction portion of the first member, and then the shaft-shaped body is moved forward. It can be hinged by an easy operation of moving and fitting. For example, in the case of a hinge device in which either the upper or lower hinge device is composed of a support shaft and a fitting hole, pay attention to this support shaft and one fitting hole, and these are fitted to support the front frame. After that, the base member and the opening / closing member can be hinge-connected by a simple operation of engaging and fitting the support shaft of the other hinge device to the engagement hole via the introduction portion. Further, since the shaft-like body is guided by the chamfered portion and moves on the upper surface of the introduction portion and moves into the engagement hole, the second member side is supported to the first member side to a certain extent, and the opening / closing member wobbles ( Free tilting) can be prevented.Further, since the shaft-like body riding on the introduction portion is guided by the guide portion and guided into the engagement hole, the second member can be connected more easily, and the guide member can be connected to the side edge of the introduction portion. Since it is provided so as to extend to the side of the fixed piece portion to protect the elastic member, it is possible to provide a hinge device with high durability by preventing the shaft-like body from contacting.
[0011]
Further, in the hinge device of this configuration, the front and rear side surfaces of the shaft-like body are sandwiched and supported by the front end surface of the engagement hole extending forward from the base portion and the front end surface of the elastic member extending from the rear of the engagement hole. Therefore, when the opening / closing member is opened, the force acting on the hinge connecting portion in the horizontal front acts on the front end surface of the engagement hole, and is received by the entire first fitting having the engagement hole formed therein. Yes. Further, since the upper surface of the elastic member extending into the engagement hole is lower than the upper surface of the introduction portion in the introduction portion, it does not receive an excessive force in the vertical and horizontal directions in the process of engaging the support shaft. . For this reason, it is possible to provide a hinge device that has high yield strength and has both long-term reliability and operability.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a hinge device for a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment, a pachinko machine is taken as an example of a gaming machine, and a case where the present invention is applied to a hinge device that swingably opens / closes and attaches / detaches the front frame to the outer frame will be mainly described. First, the outline configuration of the pachinko machine PM to which the hinge device of the present embodiment is applied will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
[0013]
The pachinko machine PM is configured to have an outer rectangular frame size and is formed in the front of the opening of the outer frame 1 that forms a vertically fixed holding frame. Hinge device H arranged on the left and upper left₁, H₂In the closed state engaged with the outer frame 1 by using the locking device 4 provided on the right side of the front, it is provided for the game.
[0014]
Each part of the front frame 2 is used as a game development member for developing a pachinko game, using a hinge device in which a glass door 5 and an upper ball tray 6 are provided on the left side according to the front side area of the front frame 2. The lower ball tray 6 is provided with a lower ball tray 7, an operation handle 8, a ball hitting device, and the like. On the back side of the front frame 2, a game board 9 configured with a predetermined gauge setting is set and held in a storage frame integrally formed with the front frame 2 so as to be openable and detachable. A back mechanism board (not shown) having a prize ball payout mechanism and the like is provided so as to be openable and detachable. Various parts such as a main control board, a terminal board, and an audio board, electronic components, and the like are attached to each part of the back mechanism board, and each device is connected by a wire harness (not shown). Note that the entire pachinko machine PM is held vertically at a required rearward tilt angle (for example, a rearward tilt angle of 1 degree or less).
[0015]
A pair of upper and lower hinge devices H that swingably open and close and detachably connect the outer frame 1 and the front frame 2₁, H₂Of these, the lower hinge device H₂As shown in FIG. 2, the perspective view is composed of a lower fixing bracket 110 fixed to the lower left portion of the outer frame 1 and a lower swing metal fitting 130 fixed to the lower left portion of the front frame 2. The
[0016]
The lower fixture 110 is fixed to the base 111 fixed to the inner periphery of the outer frame 1, the support plate 112 that is bent at a right angle and protrudes horizontally forward, and the front end of the support plate. It comprises a support shaft 115 projecting upward, a steel plate having a predetermined thickness is punched out and bent into a shape as shown in the figure, and then fixed to the lower left portion of the outer frame 1 using fastening means such as rivets and screws. Is done. The lower fixing bracket 110 is in contact with two orthogonal surfaces (the left inner surface and the upper surface) on the inner side of the outer frame 1 at the outer surface of the base portion 111 bent at a right angle and the bottom surface of the support plate portion 112, in the left and right and up and down directions And the front end of the outer frame 2 at the rear end face of the support plate portion 112 to be positioned in the front-rear direction, thereby positioning the axis of the support shaft 115 relative to the outer frame 1, that is, the swing axis Ax. The Note that the upper end portion of the support shaft 115 is formed in a conical shape, facilitating the fitting with a shaft hole 135 described later.
[0017]
The lower swing metal fitting 130 includes a base portion 131 fixed to the back side of the front frame 2 and a supported plate portion 132 that is bent at a right angle from the base portion and protrudes horizontally forward. A shaft hole portion 135 that can be fitted to the support shaft 115 is formed in the front end portion. The lower swing metal fitting 130, like the lower fixing metal fitting 110, is formed by punching and bending a steel plate having a predetermined plate thickness into a shape shown in the figure, and then using a fastening means (not shown) such as a screw on the lower left back surface of the front frame 2. And fixed. The lower swing metal fitting 130 is positioned in the front-rear, left-right, and vertical directions by screwing the base 131 to the back surface of the front frame 2, and the axis of the shaft hole 135 relative to the front frame 2 is positioned.
[0018]
Lower hinge device H configured in this way₂Is hinged by positioning the shaft hole 135 on the support shaft 115 of the lower fixing bracket from above and moving the front frame 2 downward and fitting and connecting the support shaft 115 and the shaft hole 135. The supported surface portion 132 is supported, and the front frame 2 is connected to the outer frame 2 so as to be swingable around the swing axis Ax.
[0019]
On the other hand, the upper hinge device H₁As shown in FIG. 3, the perspective view is composed of an upper fixing fitting 10 fixed to the upper left portion of the outer frame 1 and an upper swing fitting 30 fixed to the upper left portion of the front frame 2. The 3 is a perspective view showing a state before the upper fixing metal fitting 10 and the upper rocking metal fitting 30 are connected to each other. A plan view taken along arrow IV in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. The front view shown by arrow V is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the upper fixture 10 in detail by disassembling it. In addition, each figure has described in the state which removed the glass door 5 in order to show a hinge apparatus clearly.
[0020]
The upper fixing bracket 10 includes a base portion 11 fixed to the upper left corner of the outer frame 1, a protruding portion 12 that protrudes forward from the base portion 11, and a hole that extends forward from the base side of the protruding portion 12. The rear part of the introduction part 14 and the introduction part 14 in which a step difference that is concave in a side view is formed between the joint hole 13 and the base part 11 and the protrusion part 12 and the proximal end side of the right edge in the engagement hole 13 is lower than the left edge. The base end portion is fixed to the front end portion, and the tip end portion is constituted by an elastic member 20 extending in the front end direction of the engagement hole 13.
[0021]
The base 11 is fixed to an upper side 11 a fixed to an upper mounting surface formed on the upper left portion of the outer frame 1, and is fixed to a side mounting surface formed on the left outer surface of the outer frame 1 perpendicular to the upper side 11 a. It consists of the side part 11b, the upper side part 11a, the front side part 11c etc. which are orthogonal to the side part 11b and contact the front end surface of the outer frame 1. The upper fixture 10 is formed by punching and press-molding a steel plate having a predetermined thickness into the shape shown in the figure, and is positioned at the upper left corner of the outer frame 1 by the three sides 11a, 11b, and 11c orthogonal to each other, and a rivet or the like. It fixes to the outer frame 1 using the fixing means. Thereby, the position of the protrusion 12 with respect to the front frame 2 is also positioned, and the axis (described later) of the fitting portion formed at the front end of the engagement hole 13 is positioned. This axis is set so as to coincide with the axis of the support shaft 115 in the lower fixing bracket described above, that is, the swing axis Ax.
[0022]
An engagement hole 13 is formed in the projecting portion 12 projecting forward from the base 11 so as to extend forward from the base side. As shown in FIG. 4, the engagement hole 13 is formed so that the groove width is wide on the base side and becomes narrower in a taper shape from the intermediate part to the tip side. An arcuate shaft support surface 15 for fitting and supporting 30 support shafts 35 is formed. Further, the concave step formed in a side view formed between the base portion 11 and the protruding portion 12 is bent at a position offset in the front-rear direction on the left and right sides of the engagement hole 13. Is lower than the left edge on the base side from the intermediate portion, and the introduction portion 14 for receiving the support shaft 35 is formed here.
[0023]
A chamfered portion 14 s is formed on the side edge of the introduction portion 14, and the support shaft 35 on the swing metal fitting 30 side is easily received on the introduction portion 14. In addition, a pin hole 17 for fixing the elastic member 20 is formed in the inner part of the introduction portion 14, and a positioning projection 14 b for positioning and rotating the elastic member 20 is adjacent to the pin hole 17. Embossed.
[0024]
The elastic member 20 includes a fixed piece portion 21 fixed to the rear portion of the introduction portion 14, a bent portion 22 bent in a letter shape in side view, a flat portion 23 extending horizontally forward from the bent portion 22, and upward from the flat portion. The slanted side portion 24 is bent to form a slope inclined in the front-rear direction, and the support shaft portion 25 is folded back horizontally from the slanted side portion and engageable with the side surface of the support shaft 35 at the tip.
[0025]
The fixed piece 21 is engaged with the positioning protrusion 14b to define the mounting angle position of the elastic member 20, and receives a moment so that the elastic member 20 is not rotated by a force acting on the elastic member 20 in the horizontal direction. A notch 21b is formed. The elastic member 20 is formed by, for example, forming a spring stainless steel plate or spring steel plate having a predetermined plate thickness into a shape as illustrated by press forming, and engaging the notch portion 21b with the positioning projection 14b to set the mounting position and the mounting angle. In addition, the fixing pin 27 is fixed to the upper fixing fitting 10 by press-fitting and fixing the fixing pin 27 into the pin hole 17. In addition, in order to adjust the number of springs of the elastic member to an appropriate value, the bent part 22 is formed with a slit-like groove 22a having an appropriate width dimension as necessary.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the elastic member 20 has a side sectional view (side sectional view taken along arrow VII-VII in FIG. 4) in the mounting posture. It is arranged. The upper surface of the flat portion 23 is located below the upper surface of the introduction portion 14, the oblique side portion 24 is located behind the standing portion that connects the introduction portion 14 and the projection portion 12, and the support shaft portion 25 at the front end is the projection portion. 12 is disposed between the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet 12. That is, the free end side of the elastic member 20 is disposed so as to be protected at a position where it cannot be directly viewed from the right side (the direction in which the support shaft 35 enters), and the support shaft 35 or the like collides from the side surface of the elastic member 20. The lever member is configured not to be deformed or damaged.
[0027]
On the other hand, the upper swing metal fitting 30 that is hinged to the fixing metal fitting 10 includes a base 31 that is fixed to the back side of the front frame 2 and a supported plate that is bent at a right angle from the base 31 and protrudes horizontally forward. 32 and a support shaft 35 that is fixed to the front end portion of the supported plate portion 32 and protrudes downward, and is formed by punching and bending a steel plate having a predetermined plate thickness into the shape shown in the figure, and then the upper left of the front frame 2 It is fixed to the back of the part using fastening means such as screws. The upper swing metal fitting 30 is positioned in the front-rear, left-right, and vertical directions by screwing the base 31 to the back surface of the front frame 2, and the axis of the support shaft 35 with respect to the front frame 2 is positioned.
[0028]
Note that the distance between the upper surface of the support plate portion 112 in the lower fixing bracket 110 and the upper surface of the protrusion 12 in the upper fixing bracket 10 (the interval between the upper and lower support surfaces), and the lower surface of the supported plate portion 132 in the lower swing bracket 130. An interval between the upper swing metal fitting 30 and the lower surface of the supported plate portion 32 (interval between the upper and lower supported surfaces) is set to be substantially the same. 30 and 130 are supported to support the entire front frame. On the other hand, the protruding height of the support shaft 35 in the upper swing metal fitting 30 is set somewhat larger than the step between the upper surface of the protruding portion 12 and the upper surface of the introducing portion 14. In other words, when the lower swing metal fitting 130 is supported on the lower fixing metal fitting 110, the lower end surface of the support shaft 35 is set to be lower than the upper surface of the introduction portion 14. As a result, the fitting length between the support shaft 35 and the shaft support surface 15 is secured, and the front frame 2 is unnecessarily swung in the process of engaging the support shaft 35 and falls in the disengagement direction. This is a hinge device that can prevent the occurrence of the problem and can perform a reliable coupling operation with good operability.
[0029]
Now, the hinge device H configured as described above.₁The operation will be further described below with reference to FIGS. 7 (a), (b) and (c) show the connection process between the upper fixture 10 and the upper swing bracket 30 in the order of (a), (b) and (c). 9 shows a plan view and a left side view (side view shown by arrow IX in FIG. 8) in a state where the upper fixing metal fitting 10 and the upper swing metal fitting 30 are hinge-connected.
[0030]
The upper and lower hinge devices H from the state in which the outer frame 1 and the front frame 2 are separated (the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 5).₁, H₂First, the operator first connects the lower hinge device H₂Paying attention only to this, the lower fixing metal fitting 110 on the outer frame side and the lower swing metal fitting 130 on the front frame side are connected. That is, the shaft hole 135 is positioned on the support shaft 115 of the lower fixing bracket, the front frame 2 is moved downward from above, the support shaft 115 and the shaft hole 135 are fitted and connected, and the supported surface portion 132 is fixed by the support surface portion 112. Support. As a result, the weight of the front frame 2 is supported by the lower fixture 10, and the front frame 2 can be easily tilted within a conical angle range centered on the fitting connection point.
[0031]
The operator then moves the upper hinge device H₁Focusing on the above, the connecting operation between the upper fixing bracket 10 on the outer frame side and the upper swing bracket 30 on the front frame side is performed. Connecting operation is the lower hinge device H₂The front frame 2 supported by is tilted to bring the upper swing metal fitting 30 closer from the right side of the upper fixing metal fitting 10 and move the support shaft 35 in the direction of the introduction portion 14. As described above, the height of the lower end surface of the support shaft 35 is set to be slightly lower than the upper surface of the introduction portion 14 in a state where the lower swing metal fitting 130 is supported on the lower fixing metal fitting 110. The support shaft 35 is guided by a chamfered portion 14 s formed on the side edge of the introduction portion 14 and enters the introduction portion 14. As a result, the lower hinge device H₂The upper end side of the front frame 2 that has been supported by one side is supported by the upper fixing bracket to a certain extent, and the wobbling (free tilting) of the front frame 2 is suppressed.
[0032]
The operator tilts the front frame 2 in the upright direction to cause the support shaft 35 to enter the engagement hole 13 and engage the support shaft 35 with the engagement hole 13. Here, since the left edge of the engagement hole 13 is formed higher than the upper surface of the introduction portion 14, when the front frame 2 tries to tilt to the left beyond the upright position (for example, the front frame vigorously left Even when the support shaft 35 is tilted in the direction), the movement of the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 35 abuts against the left edge of the engagement hole 13 and the movement of the support shaft 35 is restricted within the range of the engagement hole 13. The Since the flat portion 23 of the elastic member 20 is located below the upper surface of the introduction portion 14 and the oblique side portion 24 is located behind the standing portion that connects the introduction portion 14 and the protruding portion 12, this engagement process. In FIG. 7, the support shaft 35 does not collide with the free end side of the elastic member 20 from the side surface (FIG. 7A).
[0033]
After the support shaft 35 is engaged with the engagement hole 13, the front frame 2 is tilted so that the support shaft 35 moves in the front end direction of the protruding portion 12. Since the engagement hole 13 is formed in a tapered shape having a width in the plan view that is wide on the base side and narrows from the intermediate part toward the tip side, the support shaft 35 is guided to the left and right side edges of the engagement hole 13. Thus, it moves toward the axis of the swing axis Ax. Further, in this movement process, the lower end portion of the support shaft 35 contacts and presses against the oblique side portion 24 of the elastic member 20, and moves forward so as to get over while elastically deforming the elastic member 20 downward (FIG. 7 ( b)).
[0034]
Then, when the shaft center of the support shaft 35 moves forward to a position substantially coincident with the shaft center of the swing axis Ax, the contact between the lower end portion of the support shaft 35 and the upper surface of the elastic member 20 is released, and the elastic member 20 Returns to its pre-engagement shape due to elastic force. The support shaft 35 is sandwiched between a support shaft surface 15 formed at the front end portion of the engagement hole 13 and a support shaft portion 25 formed at the distal end portion of the elastic member 20, and the axis of the support shaft 35 is an oscillation shaft. It is held so as to be swingable around this axis in a state where it coincides with Ax (FIGS. 7C, 8 and 9).
[0035]
The upper and lower hinge devices H connected in this way₁, H₂According to the above, the upper and lower swing brackets are supported so as to be swingable around the swing axis Ax where the upper and lower portions are common to each other, and the swing brackets are supported by the fixing brackets 10 and 110, respectively. The upper and lower hinge device H₁, H₂To support almost evenly. As a result, the front frame 2 is hinged to the outer frame 1 so as to be swingable and openable.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the front frame 2 is removed, it can be achieved by a simple operation of lifting the front frame 2 as it is with the front frame 2 opened at a predetermined angle with respect to the outer frame 1. That is, by lifting the front frame 2 upward, the upper hinge device H₁The support shaft 35 is moved upward to disengage the support shaft 35 from the support shaft surface 15 and the support shaft portion 25, and at the same time the lower hinge device H₂The shaft hole portion 135 is moved upward so that the engagement between the shaft rear portion 135 and the support shaft 115 is released.₁, H₂Both hinge connections are released.
[0037]
Therefore, according to the above hinge device, it is not necessary to position the support shaft and the fitting hole (engagement hole) in the upper and lower hinge devices at the same time. The front frame 2 can be easily hinged to the outer frame 1, and the hinge connection can be released by a simple operation of simply pulling the front frame 2 upward.
[0038]
Further, when the front frame 2 is opened and supported with respect to the outer frame 1, a moment that pushes down the open end side of the front frame 2 (the anti-connection side, that is, the locking device 4 side) acts on the upper hinge device. This moment acts as a force for pulling the upper fixing bracket in the opening direction of the front frame 2, that is, in the forward direction. Hinge device H of the present invention₁Then, since such a force is received by the support shaft surface 15 at the front end of the engagement hole and supported by the high-strength fixing bracket main body, the strength is high, and the long-term reliability and the operability are compatible.
[0039]
In addition, it is also a preferred embodiment that a guide member 28 for guiding the support shaft 35 to the engagement hole 13 is provided in the introduction portion 14 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. According to such a configuration, when the support shaft 35 is engaged with the engagement hole 13, the support shaft 35 is guided by the guide member 28 and guided into the engagement hole 13. It can be performed more easily and lightly. Further, the left end portion of the guide member 28 is extended to protect the right edge of the bent portion 22, or the bent shaft 22 and the fixed piece 21 are covered so that the support shaft 35 is It is possible to completely prevent the contact with the elastic member 20 and to make the hinge device more durable.
[0040]
Further, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper side portion 11a of the base portion 11 is protruded forward to form a flange portion 18, and the flange portion 18 is closed with the front frame 2 closed. It is also preferable to be configured so as to protrude above the upper swing metal fitting 30. According to such a configuration, when the front frame 2 is lifted, the hook portion can restrict the upward movement of the swing metal fitting 30 and maintain the hinge connection of the upper and lower hinge devices. Thereby, it is possible to effectively prevent an illegal act of releasing the hinge connection in a state where the front frame 2 is closed, and to provide a fair game.
[0041]
In the above embodiment, the hinge device H is provided at the upper left part of the pachinko machine.₁With hinge device H in the lower left₂However, these hinge devices may be configured upside down. That is, the hinge device H₂The hinge device H provided at the lower part is tilted so that the front frame 2 is tilted so as to be hung upward.₁It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the two are fitted and connected. In addition, the hinge device H₁There may be a configuration in which In this case, the upper and lower support shafts 35 are placed on the introduction portion 14 to support the front frame 2 and are moved horizontally to the left to engage the upper and lower support shafts 35 with the engagement holes 13, and then the entire front frame is moved. By pulling forward (or closing the front frame 2), the upper and lower swing metal fittings can be engaged with and fixed to the fixed metal fittings. Further, the mounting position of the fixing bracket and the swing bracket may be an arrangement in which the outer frame and the front frame are reversed.
[0042]
In the embodiment, a pachinko machine is taken as an example of the gaming machine, and the case where the pachinko machine is applied between the outer frame 1 and the front frame 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a gaming machine or an arrangement site. Absent. For example, in a pachinko machine, it can be similarly applied to a glass door and a back mechanism panel (back set panel) that can be swingably opened and closed with respect to the front frame. The present invention can be similarly applied to a front mask or a medal tray that can be freely opened / closed and attached / detached.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, the hinge device of the present invention includes the first member and the second member fixed to the base member and the opening / closing member, respectively, and the engagement hole formed in the protruding portion of the first member. It is a hinge apparatus of the form which makes the shaft-shaped body of a 2nd member engage and connect. For the first memberBehind the engagement hole andThe left and right side edges of the engagement holeThe height of the upper surface is lower than the front end side of the projecting portion and the other side edge of the engagement hole.The shaft-shaped body of the second member protruding downward isOverhangFrom the sideEnterIn the engagement holeEngagementA possible introduction portion is formed, and an elastic member is disposed extending forward from the base side of the engagement hole. The elastic member is the introduction partThe base side of the protruding part formed withThe chamfered portion for guiding the shaft-like body is formed at the side edge portion of the introducing portion.In addition, a guide member that guides the shaft-like body introduced into the introduction portion to the engagement hole is provided on the upper surface of the introduction portion that is located to the side of the engagement hole so as to protect the elastic member.ing. Then, when the shaft-like body is introduced into the introduction portion with the other of the pair of upper and lower hinge devices fitted and connected, the shaft-like body rides on the upper surface of the introduction portion.Guided by the guide memberWhile moving the introduction part to the engagement holeEngagementWhen the elastic member is moved forward in the engagement hole, the elastic member is elastically deformed up and down to receive the shaft-like body in front of the engagement hole, and the front end surface of the engagement hole and the front end surface of the elastic member The opening / closing member is swingably hinged to the base member by sandwiching the side surface of the shaft-like member therebetween.
[0044]
  For this reason, according to the hinge apparatus of the said structure, when connecting a heavy opening-closing member like a front frame, the fitting hole and spindle of two upper and lower places are aligned and engaged simultaneously. There is no need for a delicate adjustment operation, and the shaft-like body of the second member is easily engaged with the engagement hole via the introduction portion of the first member, and then the shaft-like body is moved forward and fitted. Can be hinged with a simple operation.In addition, since the second member side is supported to the first member side to a certain extent during the connection process, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing member from unnecessarily fluctuating and falling in the disengagement direction.Therefore, it is possible to provide a hinge device that has good operability and can perform a steady connection operation.
[0045]
  Further, in the hinge device of this configuration, the front and rear side surfaces of the shaft-like body are sandwiched and supported by the front end surface of the engagement hole extending forward from the base portion and the front end surface of the elastic member extending from the rear of the engagement hole. Therefore, when the opening / closing member is opened, a force acting on the hinge connecting portion in the horizontal front direction can be received by the entire first fitting, and the elastic member extending to the engagement hole has an upper surface at the introduction portion. Therefore, it does not receive excessive force in the vertical and horizontal directions in the process of engaging the support shaft. Therefore, it is possible to provide a hinge device that has high yield strength and has both long-term reliability and operability.
  Since the engagement hole is formed in a tapered shape that is wider than the diameter of the shaft-like body on the base side of the protrusion and narrows from the intermediate portion toward the tip side, the shaft-like body is formed on the left and right sides of the engagement hole. It is guided by the side edge and introduced into the shaft support surface at the tip.
  In addition, the guide member in the introduction partSince the shaft-like body riding on the introduction portion is guided by the guide portion and guided into the engagement hole,The opening / closing member can be connected more easily and lightly.The guide member extends from the side edge of the introduction portion to the side of the fixed piece portion to protect the elastic member, thereby preventing the shaft-like body from contacting and providing a highly durable hinge device can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external front view of a pachinko machine shown as an example of a gaming machine including a hinge device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower hinge device in the pachinko machine.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an upper hinge device (one embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention) in the pachinko machine in a state where it is separated into an outer frame side and a front frame side.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the hinge device according to the present invention in a state where the hinge device is separated into an outer frame side and a front frame side.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing the hinge device according to the present invention in a state where the hinge device is separated into an outer frame side and a front frame side.
FIG. 6 is a detailed view (perspective view) of a fixing bracket in which an elastic member is disassembled in order to explain the structure of the hinge device according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the connecting process of the fixing bracket and the swing bracket in time series in the order of (a), (b), and (c) in the hinge device according to the present invention, and in FIG. 4 and FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view shown by VII arrow.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the hinge device according to the present invention in a state where the fixing bracket and the swing bracket are hinge-connected.
FIG. 9 is a left side view showing the hinge device according to the present invention in a state where the fixing bracket and the swing bracket are hinge-connected.
[Explanation of symbols]
Ax swing shaft
H₁  Upper hinge device
H₂  Lower hinge device
PM Pachinko machine
1 outer frame
2 Front frame
4 Locking device
5 Glass door
6 Upper ball dish
7 Lower ball dish
8 Operation handle
9 Game board
10 Upper fixing bracket
11 Base
12 Protrusion
13 engagement hole
14 Introduction
15 Shaft support surface
17 pin hole
18 Buttocks
20 Elastic member
21 Fixed piece
22 bent part
23 Flat part
24 hypotenuse
25 Support shaft
27 Fixing pin
28 Guide members
30 Upper swing bracket
31 Base
32 Supported surface
35 Spindle
110 Lower fixing bracket
111 base
112 Support plate
115 Support shaft
130 Lower swing bracket
131 Base
132 Supported plate part
135 Shaft hole

Claims

It is at least one hinge device in a pair of upper and lower hinge devices that are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the gaming machine and hinged to swing open / close members relative to the base member,
A first member fixed to one of the base member and the opening / closing member, and a second member fixed to the other,
The first member has an engagement hole extending vertically from the base side through the protruding portion in a protruding portion of a plate-like body protruding forward from a base portion fixed to the one member. And
The second member has a shaft-like body that is fixed to the other member and protrudes downward and is detachable from the engagement hole.
In the first member,
A concave step in side view is formed on the base side of the projecting portion so that the front bending position is different from front to back on the left and right sides of the engagement hole, and the rear side of the engagement hole and the left and right side edges of the engagement hole are formed. The height of the upper surface is lower than the front end side of the protrusion and the other side edge of the engagement hole to the side, and the shaft-like body can enter from the side of the protrusion and engage with the engagement hole. An introductory part is formed ,
The engaging hole has a width in the left-right direction on the base side of the protruding portion where the introduction portion is formed, which is wider than the diameter of the shaft-like body, and the width increases from the intermediate portion of the protruding portion toward the front end side. It is formed in a tapered shape that becomes narrower, and an arc-shaped shaft support surface that fits and supports the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped body is formed at the front end of the engagement hole,
The engagement hole extends forward from the base side , and is lower than the upper surface of the introduction portion on the base side of the protruding portion where the introduction portion is formed, and is lower than the upper surface of the introduction portion on the distal end side of the engagement hole. A highly arranged elastic member is attached,
A positioning projection for positioning the elastic member is formed on the upper surface of the introduction portion located behind the engagement hole, and a fixed piece portion on the proximal end side of the elastic member is cut to engage with the positioning projection. A notch is formed and fixed to the rear of the engagement hole in a state where the positioning protrusion and the notch are engaged;
A chamfered portion that engages with a lower end portion of the shaft-like body to guide the shaft-like body is formed at a side edge portion of the introduction portion where the shaft-like body enters, and a side of the engagement hole A guide member for guiding the shaft-like body introduced into the introduction part to the engagement hole extends from a side edge of the introduction part to a side of the fixed piece part on the upper surface of the introduction part located at And provided to protect the elastic member,
When the shaft-like body is introduced into the introduction portion with the other hinge device of the pair of upper and lower hinge devices fitted and connected, the shaft-like body is guided to the chamfered portion and ride on the upper surface, the guide member so that guided by sliding the upper surface of the inlet portion is engaged with the engaging hole in, when the engaging hole is moved forward, the elastic member The shaft-like body is elastically deformed up and down to be received in front of the engagement hole, and a side surface of the shaft-like body is sandwiched between a front end surface of the engagement hole and a front end surface of the elastic member. A hinge device for a gaming machine, wherein the opening and closing member is hingedly connected to a base member.