JP4167211B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that uses a game medium such as a medal or a coin to play a game, and more particularly, to a game machine that incorporates a game medium loading device into which the game medium is loaded.

  Usually, in a gaming machine (for example, a slot machine, a roulette game device, a pusher game device, etc.) in which a game is started by inserting a game medium (hereinafter referred to as “medal”) as described above, a player has A game medium insertion device (hereinafter referred to as “medal insertion device”) is incorporated so that a medal can be inserted smoothly.

For example, a general medal insertion device incorporated in a slot machine has an opening (insertion opening) for inserting medals one by one, a back wall provided on the rear side of the opening, and an opening on the front side of the opening. And a medal guide part that is configured with an inclined surface that rises upward, and a plurality of medals are placed upright in the medal guide part and pushed up with a finger so that a medal can be inserted into the opening. It is configured.
Further, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medal throwing device that smoothly drops a medal into an opening even if sticky dirt adheres to the medal. The medal insertion device disclosed in this document makes point contact with the medal by forming a protrusion on the surface of the medal guide portion where the medal comes into contact or on the back wall provided on the rear side of the opening. The medal can be smoothly inserted into the opening while minimizing the influence of dirt attached to the medal. That is, the medal guide portion disclosed in this patent document is formed in an arc shape that coincides with the outer peripheral edge of the medal, and when the medal is held upright, the lower end surface of the medal is point-contacted at four points. It is configured to be able to.
JP-A-8-252353

  The medal insertion device as described above is configured to be placed on the medal guide portion with the medal standing up, and to be inserted into the opening while guiding the medal along the inclination. It will be unified. That is, whether a small number of medals are inserted or a large number of medals are inserted, the medals are placed upright and placed on the arc-shaped medal guide portion along the inclined surface. Then, it is guided by a finger so that it is pressed toward the back wall, and the insertion operation is performed.

  By the way, in the gaming machine as described above, depending on the model, game mode, etc., medals are inserted into the opening one by one (or two to three), or a large number of medals are continuously opened. There is a case where the operation is performed. In the latter case, if you hold a large number of medals, stack them and stand and place them on the medal guide part, there will be enough wall thickness so that it will fall into the opening as it is against the back wall. There is no particular inconvenience, but in the former case, for example, an operation of picking one medal with a finger, placing it on the medal guide portion and pushing it toward the back wall with the finger It is necessary to do this one by one.

  Therefore, when handling a small number of medals, there is room for improvement so that the insertion operation can be performed more smoothly and comfortably.

  In addition, when a medal is inserted into the opening, it is once pressed against the back wall and dropped into the opening, so that the drop of the medal becomes a medal insertion operation due to the effect of friction between the medal and the back wall. There is a possibility that it may not be able to catch up, and it may be possible to prevent a smooth charging operation.

  The present invention has been made based on the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine incorporating a medal insertion device that can perform a medal insertion operation smoothly and comfortably.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the gaming machine according to claim 1 includes a game medium input device that inputs and receives game media, the game medium input device including an input port that receives game media, and the input Guidance provided with a contact portion in which the outer peripheral edge of the portion smaller than the diameter of the game medium contacts at two points when the game medium is guided while being inclined downward toward the mouth and placed in a standing state. A game medium guide portion having a surface and a rotation center are rotatably supported such that the center of rotation is higher than an edge position between the deepest portion of the guide surface and the insertion port. when the leading end face of the game medium guided by the state is contact, the rotate the game medium around the tip of the game medium, standing toward the inlet thereof game medium from the state laid down the condition Posture change A rotating roller that rotates and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller is exposed, and the game medium is raised from the opening end position of the insertion port so as to be higher than the upper edge of the game medium. And an opening in which is arranged.

  In the gaming machine configured as described above, the player picks up the medal and places it on the guide surface of the game medium guide unit (relatively laid down or stands up) so that the game medium (medal) can be inserted into the slot. State) and the medal are in an unstable state because the outer peripheral edge of the portion smaller than the diameter contacts the guide surface at two points. Since the guide surface is inclined downward, when the finger holding the medal is released, the medal naturally falls toward the insertion port while falling down along the inclined guide surface due to the moment action with the weight of the medal. Will be led to. In other words, when a medal is inserted, it is placed on the guide surface of the game medium guide unit, and the finger is released as it is, so that the medal slides while falling down so as to be parallel to the tilt by the moment effect due to its own weight. Eventually, it comes into contact with the rear wall at the rear of the insertion slot and falls to the insertion slot, so that a smoother and more comfortable medal insertion operation can be performed.

  In the gaming machine having the above-described configuration, the player picks up the medal and places it along the guide surface of the game medium guide unit so that the player can insert the game medium into the insertion slot. When the finger is released, the medal slides along the inclined guide surface, and finally comes into contact with the back wall at the rear of the slot and falls to the slot. It becomes possible to perform the input operation.

When the medal comes to the vicinity of the insertion slot, the end face of the medal and the surface part on the end face side come into contact with the rotation roller, and the rotation action (downward rotation action) causes the medal to be guided to the insertion slot while undergoing the posture change. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the friction compared to the rear wall when no rotating roller is installed, and it is possible to more smoothly drop the medal into the insertion slot. Further, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller is exposed from the opening, and the opening is higher than the upper edge of the game medium in a state where the game medium is raised from the opening end position of the insertion port. Even when the insertion operation is performed with the medal standing up, the upper part of the medal can be in contact with the rotating roller, thereby increasing the rotating action of the rotating roller by the weight of the medal and the like, It is possible to assist the fall of the battery, and a smoother input operation is possible.

Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 2 , the game medium loading device has a game medium placement unit capable of placing a plurality of game media so that the game medium is guided toward the guide surface. It is characterized by.

  By forming the game medium placement portion in this manner, a large number of game media can be stored and held in advance in this portion, and the game medium is continuously thrown toward the guide surface. In addition, a required amount of game media can be thrown out of the large number of game media toward the guide surface according to the game situation.

The gaming machine according to claim 3 is characterized in that the game medium placing portion is formed continuously with respect to the guide surface and has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the guide surface.

  In this way, the game medium placement portion is continuously formed with respect to the guide surface, and has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the guide surface, so that the uppermost portion of the guide surface serving as a game medium loading position is formed. The game medium can be positioned in a stable state at the position, and the game medium can be smoothly transferred to the guide surface as it is. In this configuration, the cross-sectional shape of the game medium placement portion may be continuously formed in exactly the same shape as the guide surface, or a slightly different shape, for example, a shape slightly larger than the shape of the guide surface Various modifications can be made, such as making the curved portion straight, or forming the straight portion curved.

In addition, in the gaming machine according to claim 4 , the game medium placement section is inclined downward toward the guide surface.

  In this way, by tilting the medal placement portion downward toward the guide surface, it is easy to move the medal toward the guide surface simply by pushing out with the player's finger or the like. In this case, if the tilt angle is increased, it is necessary to hold the game medium with a finger so that the game medium does not move to the guide surface. Therefore, it is preferable to form the game medium at a tilt angle that does not require such a pressing operation. .

  According to the present invention, a gaming machine incorporating a medal insertion device that can perform a medal insertion operation smoothly and comfortably can be obtained.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention corresponds to various gaming machines that play games using medals and coins (hereinafter referred to as medals), such as slot machines, roulette game devices, pusher game devices, and the like. In the gaming machine, a game medium loading device (hereinafter referred to as a medal loading device) for incorporating a medal into the gaming machine for playing a game is incorporated.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be specifically described with a slot machine as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine 1 includes a game device (reel unit) for executing a game, a medal payout device for paying out medals as game media, a control board for controlling game operations in the reel unit, and the like. And a front door (front door) 5 that is pivoted laterally with respect to the main body 3 via a hinge mechanism to be opened and closed. The front door 5 is provided with a display area 7 having reel display windows 7a, 7b and 7c for visually recognizing each rotating reel of the reel unit. In the display area 7, for example, an image display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, a CRT display, a dot matrix display device, etc.) for displaying various game information as still image information and moving image information is arranged. The surface of each rotating reel of the reel unit is transparently displayed through the reel display windows 7a, 7b, 7c. The image display unit may be installed at a position away from the rotating reel, or may be configured without such an image display unit.

  A pedestal 9 is formed on the lower side of the display area 7 of the front door 5, and various types such as a bet button 10 a, a max bet button 10 b, a start lever 12, three stop buttons 13 a, 13 b, 13 c are provided here. An operation member is provided.

  Further, a waist panel 15 is attached to the front door 5 positioned below the start lever 12 so as to be openable and closable. A medal installed in the main body 3 is mounted on the front door 5 positioned below the waist panel 15. A medal tray 17 is arranged so as to face the medal payout port 16 for discharging medals paid out from the payout device.

Further, on the right side of the various operation members of the pedestal 9, a medal insertion device 20 capable of performing a medal insertion operation when a game is executed is incorporated.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the medal insertion device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the medal insertion device, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front cover is removed, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the central portion is cut. 5 is a top view, FIG. 6 is a front view, FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing the relationship between the medal guide portion and the medal, and FIG. 8 is a schematic showing the positional relationship between the medal guide portion and the rotating roller. It is a side view.

  The medal insertion device 20 is incorporated in a panel 9a constituting the pedestal 9, and includes an exposed plate 21 formed so as to be substantially flush with the surface of the panel 9a. The exposed plate 21 is formed with a recess 21a in the central portion thereof, and a medal guide portion (game medium guide portion) 22 having a guide surface 22a for guiding medals placed by the player. A slit-shaped slot 23 is formed for dropping medals guided along the guide surface 22a into the housing. In this case, the guide surface 22a is formed so as to descend from the player side toward the insertion slot 23, and has a length that allows a large number of medals to stand up and be installed. The inclination angle of the guide surface 22a is not particularly limited as long as it is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the medals can smoothly slide.

  The guide surface 22a preferably has a certain length so that a large number of medals can be dropped continuously. Specifically, it is preferable to have a length at least equal to the diameter of the medal, and more than 2 to 3 times the diameter of the medal so that the continuous dropping operation can be performed more smoothly and easily. It preferably has a length.

  Moreover, the above-mentioned exposed plate 21 is integrally formed, for example by die-casting zinc (zinc alloy), and in order to improve appearance, the surface is chrome-plated. The exposed plate 21 may be configured to be detachable from the panel 9a.

  In the frame inside the panel 9a, a medal receiving opening 25 is formed so as to correspond to the insertion slot 23. The medal that falls from this is guided to a known selector device 100 and has a predetermined parameter (weight). , Diameter, etc.) are measured, and medals determined to be authentic, for example, are guided to the bucket of the medal payout device, and other medals are returned to the medal tray 17 via the medal payout port 16 shown in FIG. .

  The guide surface 22a of the medal guide portion 22 is configured such that, when a medal is placed, the outer peripheral edge of a portion smaller than the medal diameter contacts at two points. Specifically, the guide surface 22a in the present embodiment is formed in a U-shaped cross section, and as shown in FIG. 7, when the medal M stands up substantially perpendicular to the guide surface (inclination of the guide surface). In the case where the outer peripheral edge of the portion smaller than the medal diameter is in contact at two points, the contact portion P1 is provided. For this reason, a gap is formed between the deepest portion P of the guide surface 22a having a U-shaped cross section and the lower edge M1 of the medal, and the contact portion P1 is below the center position C of the medal. Therefore, the holding state of the medal M becomes unstable.

  A rectangular opening 21c is formed in the back wall 21b of the recess 21a of the exposed plate 21 so that an outer peripheral surface of a rotating roller described later is exposed. In this case, if the rotation roller is not arranged, the back wall 21b is not formed with the opening 21c, and is used as a wall portion (back wall) positioned behind the input port 23 and above the opening as it is. Constructed, it plays the role of guiding a medal that is pressed against or abuts against the portion to the insertion slot 23 as it is. Further, a substantially flat medal placement portion 21d is formed in the front portion of the recess 21a of the exposed plate 21 so that a predetermined number of medals can be placed. In this case, the medal placement portion 21d is formed in consideration of the convenience of the player, and may not be formed.

  Further, a medal return button 30 is provided on the right side of the recess 21a of the exposed plate 21, and the inserted medal can be returned to the medal tray 17 by pressing this button.

  A rotating roller 40 is supported on the frame inside the panel 9a so that the outer peripheral surface is partially exposed from an opening 21c formed in the exposed plate 21. As shown in FIG. 8, the rotation roller E has a rotation center E (support position) at an edge position between the deepest portion P and the insertion port 23 on the guide surface 22a (open end position of the insertion port 23). It is supported so as to be higher than P2. By supporting the rotating roller 40 in such a positional relationship with respect to the guide surface 22a of the medal guide portion 22, the abutment position of the medal passes through the center E of the rotating roller and the extending direction of the guide surface 22a. It becomes possible to be below the parallel imaginary line X, and the rotating roller can be reliably rotated downward. That is, the contact position of the medal with the rotating roller is below the position E1 where the virtual line X and the outer periphery of the roller intersect, and when the medal slides down to the vicinity of the insertion slot and the end surface contacts the rotating roller 40. The rotation roller 40 can be reliably rotated downward (when it is in contact with the upper side of the position E1, it is difficult to rotate downward). Due to the downward rotation of the rotating roller 40, the abutting medal can be easily changed in its downward posture by the gravity of the medal and the assist by the rotation of the rotating roller 40, and smoothly into the insertion slot 23. It will fall.

  In practice, the rotation roller 40 is supported at the position where the amount of medals that are most easily picked (here, about 5 to 6) is placed on the guide surface 22a in the state where it is laid down. It is preferable that the height H from the deepest part P to the position E1 is set to be larger than the height h from the deepest part P (h <H). That is, by supporting the rotating roller so as to be in such a position, when the medal amount that is most easily picked is placed on the guide surface 22a, even if they slide down and contact the outer periphery of the rotating roller 40, the contact Since the position is surely below the position E1, the rotating roller 40 can be reliably rotated downward (in FIG. 8, the virtual line X ′ lays the medal on the guide surface 22a). And the medal and the guide surface 22a are in contact with each other when placed in a state of being loaded).

  The rotating roller 40 described above is preferably formed of, for example, urethane rubber so as to be inexpensive. Further, it is preferable to form means for improving the frictional force on the surface, for example, a knurl 40a, so that the rotating roller 40 is more easily rotated when the medal comes into contact. That is, the easier the rotating roller 40 rotates, the more the frictional force that hinders the medal from dropping into the insertion slot 23 is reduced.

  Further, as described above, in the configuration in which the rotating roller 40 is installed, it is preferable that the cover 42 be installed around the exposed rotating roller. By installing the cover around the rotating roller 40 in this way, it is possible to effectively cover the upper, lower, left and right areas of the rotating roller 40 exposed from the opening, and foreign matter or the like enters from the gap around the rotating roller. Even if it tries to make it, it becomes possible to prevent the penetration | invasion inside a housing | casing. The cover 42 of the present embodiment is formed of a PA-based resin mixed with granular glass, and is attached to a frame inside the panel 9a to form a rectangular shape formed in the recess 21a of the exposed plate 21. The outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller is configured to be partially exposed from the opening 21c.

  According to the gaming machine configured as described above, when a player inserts a medal into the insertion slot 23, for example, one medal M is set substantially perpendicular to the guide surface 22a on the front side of the medal guide portion 22. As shown in FIG. 9, the medal comes into contact with the U-shaped guide surface 22a at the contact portion P1 (see FIG. 7) located below the center C, and the lower end is suspended in the air. It is held in an unstable state in a floating state. At this time, the center of gravity position of the medal M (center position C of the medal) is above the contact portion P1 and the guide surface 22a is inclined downward. As shown by the arrows in the figure, a moment that falls forward is applied. Finally, as shown by a two-dot chain line, the medal M falls down along the surface of the guide surface 22a and is naturally guided toward the insertion port 23 as it is. At this time, the fallen medal has the end face M2 on the side facing the rotation roller 40, or the surface M3 on the outer side in the radial direction comes into contact with the rotation roller 40 with the force of collapse, and the rotation action (downward rotation action) and The posture is changed in the vertical direction toward the insertion slot 23 according to the weight of the medal, and the medal falls smoothly into the insertion slot 23.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when a single medal M is erected on the front side of the medal guide portion 22 so as to be relatively laid down with respect to the guide surface 22 a, the medal floats at the lower end in the air. Held in an unstable state. At this time, the center of gravity position (medal center position C) of the medal M is above the contact portion P1, and the medal guide portion 22 is inclined downward, so that the medal M is in an upright state due to its own weight. Above the medal M, there is a moment that falls down toward the player as shown by the arrows in the figure. Finally, as shown by the two-dot chain line, the medal M falls down along the surface of the guide surface 22a and is naturally guided to the insertion port 23 as it is. At this time, the end face M4 on the side facing the rotation roller 40 is in contact with the rotation roller 40 as it is and the vertical direction toward the insertion slot 23 by the rotation action (downward rotation action) and the weight of the medal. As a result, the medal smoothly falls into the insertion slot 23.

  In addition, in the aspect shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 described above, even when a small amount of a plurality of medals are similarly raised up on the front side of the guide surface 22a of the medal guide portion and the fingers are released, According to the trajectory as described above, it comes into contact with the rotating roller 40 in succession and continuously falls to the inlet 23.

  As described above, when a small number of medals are inserted, the medals are picked up with fingers and placed so as to stand on the front side of the guide surface 22a, and the finger is released as it is. While falling to the insertion port side or falling upward from the player side, the end surface region on the side facing the rotating roller 40 or the surface region outside in the radial direction comes into contact with the rotating roller 40, Since it falls to the insertion slot 23 while receiving a change in posture due to the rotational action, a smoother and more comfortable medal insertion operation can be performed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, even if medals are stacked and placed in a laid state without standing on the guide surface 22a, each medal slides along the guide surface 22a toward the slot as it is. Finally, the end face of each medal contacts the rotating roller 40 in sequence, undergoes a posture change due to the rotating action of the rotating roller (downward rotating action) and the weight of the medal, and smoothly toward the insertion slot 23 It will fall. When the stacked medals contact the rotating roller 40 and undergo a posture change, the player side rear end region of the topmost medal in the stacked state can rotate in the direction of the arrow D1 ( The upper medals cannot rotate in the direction of arrow D1), and the medals fall in order from the upper medals while receiving the posture change.

  In the present embodiment, since the guide surface 22a is formed in a U-shaped cross section, when a medal is inserted from the side region of the medal guide portion 22, the medal is guided as shown by the arrow in FIG. Along with the surface of the guide, it slides down toward the center of the extending direction, and a rolling moment acts when sliding down, and as it approaches the inlet, the guide surface 22a is inclined as shown by the arrow in FIG. On the other hand, it gradually shifts to a horizontal state. Finally, immediately before dropping to the insertion port 23, it becomes a substantially horizontal state and comes into contact with the rotating roller 40, and after receiving a change in posture, it falls to the insertion port as it is. That is, even if a medal is inserted from the side region of the medal guide portion 22, it is most likely to drop immediately before finally dropping into the insertion port 23 due to the above-described action (automatic alignment effect of rolling moment). Since it is in a substantially horizontal state and comes into contact with the rotating roller 40, the medal smoothly falls into the insertion slot 23.

  As described above, when a player handles a small amount of medals, the player simply picks medals and stands on the front side of the guide surface 22a of the medal guide unit 22, or places the medals in a laid state. Even if it is inserted, the medal can be smoothly inserted into the insertion slot 23 by the above-described movement. That is, it is not necessary for the player to perform an insertion operation of picking up a medal and pressing it toward the back wall side (rotating roller side), and the insertion operation can be performed more easily and comfortably.

  Even when handling a large number of medals, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, by stacking a large number of medals and standing on the guide surface 22a, each medal is sequentially guided by its own weight. It moves downward along the line 22 a, finally comes into contact with the surface of the rotating roller 40, is guided downward by the rotating rotating roller 40, and sequentially falls to the charging port 23.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, regardless of the number of medals handled, the player simply picks up the medals and places them on the guide surface 22a of the medal guide portion 22, or the guide surface 22a as it is. It is possible to perform a smooth throw-in operation only by performing the throw-in operation toward. In the above-described embodiment, the rotation roller 40 is arranged so that the posture of the medal can be easily changed in the vertical direction to assist the fall to the insertion slot 23. Therefore, the medal is dropped to the insertion slot 23. However, it is possible to solve the problem that it is difficult to catch up with the medal insertion operation, and a smooth insertion operation is realized.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 13 to 17. In this embodiment, the portion of the medal insertion device attached to the gaming machine is illustrated, and the overall configuration of the gaming machine is omitted, but for the gaming machine in which the medal insertion device is incorporated, for example, in FIG. The slot machine shown is applicable. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As in the above-described embodiment, the exposed plate 21 constituting the medal insertion device 20 has a recess 21a formed in the central portion thereof, and has a guide surface 22a for guiding medals dropped by the player. A medal guide part (game medium guide part) 22 is formed. The guide surface 22a is lowered from the player side toward the insertion port side, and its cross-sectional shape is formed in a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. In this case, it is preferable that the guide surface 22a has a certain length so that a large number of medals can be dropped continuously, as in the above embodiment. Specifically, it is preferable to have a length at least equal to the diameter of the medal, and more than 2 to 3 times the diameter of the medal so that the continuous dropping operation can be performed more smoothly and easily. It preferably has a length.

  Moreover, the above-mentioned exposed plate 21 is integrally formed by die-casting zinc (zinc alloy), for example, similarly to the above-described embodiment, and in order to improve the appearance, the surface thereof is subjected to chrome plating treatment. Is given. As shown in FIG. 16, the exposed plate 21 integrally formed in this way has a plurality of mounting holes 21f so that it can be easily attached to a boss (not shown) provided in advance on the slot machine body side. Is formed. In this way, the exposed plate 21 to be a part where the medal is dropped (a part where the medal comes into contact) is integrally formed, and is configured to be detachable from a boss formed in advance in the slot machine (game machine). Thus, it can be easily reused for various other models. That is, by standardizing the attachment structure of the boss and the exposed plate 21 formed on the gaming machine side to a predetermined structure, it can be attached to and detached from various models, reused, and the like. Also, if you want to change the shape and length of the guide surface 22a according to the appearance design of the gaming machine, etc., you can easily change to an appropriate medal insertion device by manufacturing the exposed plate 21 with a different shape. It becomes possible to do.

  In the present embodiment, the guide surface 22a is formed to extend toward the player side while maintaining the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 7 as it is, and the extended portion is a medal mount on which a medal can be placed. It has a function as a placement unit. In addition, this medal placement part is shown by the code | symbol 22d in each figure, and since it has the same shape (it may be substantially the same) as the above-mentioned guide surface 22a, when standing up A portion where the medal contacts is indicated by a symbol P1 ′, and a deepest portion of the U-shaped groove is indicated by a symbol P ′. The medal placement portion 22d may be any one that can be easily formed by the player to place a plurality of medals and can be pushed out as it is toward the inclined guide surface 22a. As shown in FIG. 15, it is formed so as to be slightly inclined toward the inlet 23 side (slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane PX).

  As described above, by forming the medal placement portion 22d having the same cross-sectional shape as the guide surface 22a, for example, as shown in FIG. 17A, a plurality of medals are held upright and held. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), it becomes easy to stack a plurality of medals, and the medals placing portion 22d is inclined toward the guide surface 22a as indicated by an arrow. This makes it easier to move medals. In this case, as described above, depending on the shape of the guide surface 22a, the medal falls continuously and smoothly toward the insertion slot 23 in the state shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 described above. By providing a medal placement portion 22d that is continuous in the same cross-sectional shape as the guide surface 22a and on which a medal can be placed, the uppermost position 22a ′ (see FIG. 14, 15, and 17), the medal can be positioned in a stable state, and in the state shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, a large number of medals can be smoothly inserted into the insertion slot 23. It becomes possible to pour. That is, it becomes possible to position a plurality of medals at the position of the uppermost portion 22a ′ of the guide surface 22a in a stable state so that the above-described effect of the guide surface 22a can be exhibited most.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the medal placement portion 22d is formed with a slight inclination with respect to the horizontal plane PX, so that a number of medals can be obtained simply by a player pressing lightly toward the slot with a finger or the like. Can be easily moved to the uppermost portion 22a 'of the guide surface 22a. That is, it becomes easy to perform the dropping operation on the guide surface 22a.

  Note that the medal placement portion 22d only needs to be able to place a large number of medals stably as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, for example, and may be formed along the horizontal plane PX in FIG. On the contrary, it may be formed so as to be slightly inclined toward the player side. Further, the length is not particularly limited, but a plurality of sheets can be held upright as shown in FIG. 17 (a), or as shown in FIG. 17 (b), It is sufficient that the medals have a length that allows at least one pile in the extending direction. Of course, the length can be variously changed according to the design, and may be a length that allows two or more piles along the extending direction.

  The medal placement portion 22d is preferably configured to have the same cross-sectional shape as the guide surface 22a. However, the medal placement portion 22d has a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the guide surface 22a and is gradually enlarged toward the player side. It can be modified as appropriate.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, It can change variously.

  In the medal insertion device having the above-described configuration, the rotation roller 40 may not be disposed behind the insertion slot 23, and the rear wall on which the medal abuts may be used. Further, when the rotating roller is disposed, the medal guide portion 22 only needs to be inclined toward the insertion port, and the cross-sectional shape thereof is limited to the shape shown in FIG. 7 such as a flat surface. Never happen. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the guide surface 22a is configured to have a curved portion with a U-shaped cross section so that the medal comes into contact at two points. In addition, the outer peripheral edge of the part smaller than the diameter of the medal may be in contact with the two points and have a shape having a gap with the lower edge of the medal. For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, the cross section is V-shaped (having a straight portion), or as shown in FIG. 18B, the cross section is substantially U-shaped (having a curved portion and a straight portion). Or, the surface of the guide surface 22a can be appropriately deformed, such as having irregularities.

  In addition, the above-described medal insertion device 20 may be configured such that constituent members such as the above-described exposed plate 21 and the rotating roller 40 are previously unitized and incorporated into the gaming machine main body. Further, the medal guide unit 22 in the medal insertion device 20 extends to the gaming machine main body from side to side or extends obliquely with respect to the player, or contrary to the present embodiment, on the gaming machine side. May be configured to insert medals toward the player side.

  Further, the shape of the above-described exposed plate 21 can be appropriately modified. For example, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the side wall portion 21f of the recess 21a is compared with the above-described embodiment. By expanding in the width direction, the exposed portion of the medal return button 30 may be increased so that the medal return button 30 can be easily pressed.

  The present invention is applied to various devices in which coins and medals are inserted, for example, vending machines, ticket issuing devices for issuing various tickets such as tickets, in addition to gaming machines such as the slot machines described above. Is possible.

The figure which shows an example of the game machine (slot machine) in which a medal insertion apparatus is incorporated. The perspective view which shows the structure of the medal insertion apparatus shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the medal insertion apparatus which removed the surface cover. The perspective view which shows the state which cut | disconnected the center part of the medal insertion apparatus. The top view of a medal insertion apparatus. The front view of a medal insertion apparatus. The schematic front view which shows the relationship between a medal guide part and a medal. The schematic side view explaining the preferable positional relationship of a medal guide part and a rotation roller. The schematic side view which shows an example of the behavior of a medal. The schematic side view which shows another example of the behavior of a medal. The schematic side view which shows the behavior of a medal at the time of mounting a some medal on a medal guide part. The schematic side view which shows the behavior of a medal at the time of standing many medals upright and mounting in a medal guide part. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view of the exposed plate part which comprises the medal insertion apparatus integrated in a game machine. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the exposed plate shown in FIG. 13. Side view showing the shapes of the guide surfaces of the medal placement part and the medal guide part The perspective view which looked at the exposed plate from the back side. The schematic side view which shows the state which included (a) and (b) and each put the medal on the medal placement part. The figure which shows the modification of the guide surface of a medal guide part including (a) and (b). The top view which shows the modification of a medal insertion apparatus. The front view of the medal insertion apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine (game machine)
20 medal insertion device (game media input device)
21b Back wall 22 Medal guide part (game medium guide part)
22a Guide surface 22d Medal placement part (game medium placement part)
23 Input port 40 Rotating roller 42 Cover

Claims (4)

In a gaming machine equipped with a game medium input device for inputting and receiving game media,
The game medium input device is:
A slot for accepting game media;
When the game medium is guided downward and inclined toward the slot, and the game medium is placed in an upright state, the outer peripheral edge of a portion smaller than the diameter of the game medium is brought into contact at two points. A game medium guide portion having a guided surface;
Rotational center, is rotatably supported so as to be higher than the edge position between the deepest portion and the inlet in the guide surface, the game medium guided in a state of lying in the guide surface when the distal end surface is abutting, by rotating the game medium around the tip of the game medium, rotates from the state laid the the game medium to change the posture in a state of standing toward the inlet rotary Laura,
An opening in which a cover is arranged so as to be higher than the upper edge of the game medium in a state in which a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller is exposed and the game medium is raised from the opening end position of the insertion port;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:   2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the game medium input device includes a game medium placement unit capable of placing a plurality of game media so that the game medium is guided toward the guide surface. Machine.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the game medium placement portion is continuously formed with respect to the guide surface and has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as a cross-sectional shape of the guide surface.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the game medium placement unit is inclined downward toward the guide surface.

Images