JP4264398B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which an exchange unit equipped with a symbol display means and a control device is detachably formed inside a casing.

Conventionally, from the viewpoint of effective use of resources, simplification of game machine replacement work, and cost reduction, only the minimum components necessary for changing the game contents are replaced, and the housing and other components remain in the hall. A separate slot machine has been devised (see Patent Document 1). In this separation-type slot machine, the front door is divided into an upper door and a lower door, and the upper door is attached to an exchange unit in which the reel unit and control device are mounted on the support. The unit and the upper door are integrally attached and detached, and the housing and the lower front door are formed to be used as they are.
JP 2003-47686 A

However, in the conventional separation type slot machine, since the reel unit, the control device, and the upper door are exchanged as one body, the replacement parts are considerably heavy, and labor is required for the exchange work. Further, even when the game content is changed, it is not always necessary to replace the lighting on the upper door, and the cost is wasteful.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the weight of replacement parts and further reducing the replacement cost as compared with the prior art.

The invention described in the claims has been made to achieve the above-described object, and the features of the present invention will be described below using the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
In addition, the code | symbol in parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(Feature point)
(Claim 1)
The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points.
That is, the invention described in claim 1 includes a housing (1) having an opening (11) on the front surface, a front door (3) for closing the opening (11) of the housing (1) from the front side, At least a symbol display means that can display the symbols in a variable manner and a stop display, and a control device for controlling the operation of the gaming machine, and at least the symbol display means and the control device on the support (21) that supports them. The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which the mounted separation unit (2) is detachably installed in the upper opening (13) of the housing (1).

The gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine installed in a game arcade, and is suitable for, for example, a slot machine or a similar gaming machine. In addition to the above, the gaming machine has a payout device (hopper unit 5) for storing and paying out game medals as game media, and a switch for changing the main power supply of the gaming machine and the gaming machine. You may have a power supply unit (4) etc.
Here, the “symbol display means” includes a rotating reel (23) displaying a plurality of symbols rotated by a drive motor, a liquid crystal display device, and the like. The “control device” is a so-called board, and includes a game control device for controlling a game and an effect control device for controlling an effect accompanying the game. The “control device” can be configured as a board unit (24) in which a control board is housed in a board case.

The front door (3) may be provided with a symbol display window (31) for visually recognizing the symbol of the symbol display means, and stores switches for operating the symbol display means and a payout game medium. It is also possible to have a dish (medal dish 43) or the like.
In the separation unit (2), at least the symbol display means and the control device are mounted on a support (21) housed and fixed in the upper opening (13) of the housing (1). Of course, other parts may be mounted or attached. The support (21) includes a rectangular metal frame and the like, and is used to fix the mounting components and to handle them integrally. The support (21) is supported inside the casing by a support member such as an intermediate plate (12) that partitions the opening (11) of the casing (1) up and down, and is fixed inside the casing by the fixing device (10). Fixed to.

Here, “detachable” does not mean that it can be simply attached and detached, but that it can be attached and detached without using a tool such as a screwdriver or even with a tool. I mean. In other words, when replacing a gaming machine, instead of taking it back to the recycling factory of the gaming machine and disassembling it, it is as if a new gaming machine is replaced by replacing the necessary replacement parts (at least the separation unit (2)) It can be used as if it had been replaced. Accordingly, the fixing device (10) for fixing the support (21) to the casing (1) is configured to secure the “detachable” such as a hook and a catch clip.
Further, in the present invention, the separation unit (2) is attached to the support (21) via a support hinge (25) so that the separation unit (2) can be rotated horizontally and the front opening of the support (21) can be opened and closed. And a panel member (front panel (30)) capable of visually recognizing the symbol of the symbol display means from the front side. The front door (3) includes a door body (41) capable of closing the lower opening (14) of the housing (1), and a window portion (frame opening (45) that can be seen through from the front side to the rear side. And a decorative body (decorative frame (42)) having a decorative portion (42A) provided around the window portion (45) and attached to the upper portion of the door main body (41), and the door main body (41) is attached to the housing (1) via a housing hinge (19) so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction and to open and close the opening (11) of the housing (1).

The panel member (30) can be a plate-like door that is attached to the front vertical frame of the support (21) via a hinge (support hinge (25)), and the design of the design display means is the front. A symbol display window (31) visible from the side can be provided. In addition to this, the panel member (30) may be provided with a display device for performing various displays, and a display unit on which a description of the game is displayed.
The front door (3) can be a plate-like door attached to the side plate (16) of the housing (1) via a hinge (housing hinge (19)), and the front door (3) The door body (41) can block the opening lower part (14) of the housing (1) (shield the inside), and the opening upper part (13) does not necessarily have to be closed. The window part (45) of the decorative body (42) may be anything as long as the back side can be seen from the front side, and includes an opening and a part formed by a transparent member. Accordingly, the decorative body (42) includes a frame enclosure attached to the upper surface of the door body (41) or the like, and a frame enclosure in which a transparent panel is fitted. In addition, the decoration part (42A) includes modeling and electrical decoration around the window part (45).

In the present invention, the support hinge (25) and the casing hinge (19) are coaxial in the vertical direction when the separation unit (2) is installed at a fixed position in the casing (1). The panel member (30) is formed so as to be positioned on a line, and the window portion (45) from the back side of the decorative body (42) in a state where the separation unit (2) is housed in a fixed position in the housing. ) is fixed to the decorative body (42) so as to close the Rutotomoni, while being fixed to the decorative body (42), wherein a front door (3) at the same time rotatable, the front door (3) is The opening (11) of the housing (1) can be closed while the panel member (30) is fixed to the decorative body (42). That is, when the separation unit (2) is installed at a fixed position, the panel member (30), the door body (41), and the decorative body (42) can be rotated together, and the front door (3) is opened. The lower opening (14) of the housing (1) and the front opening of the support (21) are formed to be opened simultaneously.
Here, the panel member (30) and the decorative body (42) are fixed by an engaging device (panel engaging device (50)) provided on either or both of the panel member (30) and the decorative body (42). Can be carried out by engaging them. As the engagement device (50), in view of the convenience of attaching and detaching the separation unit (2), those that do not require tools such as engagement holes and insertion pieces, bolts and thumb screws, hooks and clasps are preferable.

Further, "the panel member (30) can be closed with the panel member (30) fixed to the decorative body (42)" means that the opening (11) of the casing (1) can be closed. Including closing the part (45) from the back side (the back side of the door) makes the frame-shaped decorative body (42) plate-like, and the upper opening (13) can be closed from the front side. .
(Function)
In the present invention, since the separation unit (2) is provided with the panel member (30), it is possible to make a minimum design change accompanying a change in the game content and to attach to the separation unit (2). The number of parts is reduced, and the weight of the separation unit (2) can be reduced. Further, since the panel member (30) opens and closes simultaneously with the opening and closing of the door body (41) of the front door (3), it is easy to inspect and maintain the symbol display means and the control device.

In addition, when performing so-called face change, it is possible to change the game content and the design around the symbol display window (31) at least by exchanging the separation unit (2). By placing the front door (3) on the housing (1), the operation unit (44) and the decorative part (42A) such as electrical decoration provided on the front door (3) can be reused as they are. This eliminates waste of replacement parts and reduces replacement costs.
(Claim 2)
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 described above.

That is, the invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the decorative body (42) is detachably attached to the door body (41).
In the present invention, the door body (41) and the decorative body (42) are formed as separate members, and the decorative body (42) is separable from the door main body (41). The decorative body (42) can be attached to the door body (41) with, for example, screws, and the decorative body (42) can be removed and replaced with another decorative body (42).
(Function)
According to the present invention, the game content and the case design can be changed by replacing the separation unit (2) and the decorative body (42) when changing the surface, and the same separation unit (2) is used. By using different decorative bodies (42), it is possible to provide gaming machines having the same game content and different housing designs. Moreover, these can be easily performed by a combination of replacement parts.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, the replacement part can be reduced in weight and the replacement cost can be further reduced as compared with the related art.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a slot machine as an example of a gaming machine.
(Explanation of drawings)
1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention.
1 and 2 are exploded perspective views of the slot machine, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lower door, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the slot machine, and FIG. 5 is a view showing an engaging portion between the lower door and the front panel. .
As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine S according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into a housing 1 having an opening 11 on the front side and a front panel via a hinge 25 that is detachably provided inside the housing 1. The separation unit 2 to which 30 is attached, and a lower door 40 which can freely open and close the lower opening 14 of the housing 1 and has a decorative frame 42 on the upper side. The front panel 30 and the decorative frame 42 of the lower door 40 constitute a front door 3 that can open and close the opening 11 of the housing 1.

(Case 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 1 is a box that opens to the front surface (front surface facing the player) composed of a bottom plate 15, a side plate 16, a top plate 17, and a back plate 18. In the portion, an intermediate plate 12 is provided between the two side plates 16 in the horizontal direction. A power supply unit 4 is attached to the lower surface of the middle plate 12, and a hopper unit 5 is installed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 15.
Here, the power supply unit 4 includes a power supply device (not shown), and includes a switch for the hall manager to perform various settings. The hopper unit 5 is for storing and paying out game medals. The power supply unit 4 and the hopper unit 5 do not necessarily need to be replaced at the time of so-called “replacement”, and can be left installed when the gaming machine is replaced.

Further, two casing hinges 19 for engaging the lower door 40 and rotatably supporting the lower door 40 are provided in the lower part of the left side plate 16 on the front side at intervals in the vertical direction. Further, a catch clip is provided as a fixing device 10 inside the side plate 16.
(Separation unit 2)
The separation unit 2 is formed of a support body 21, a reel unit 20 fixed to the support body 21, a substrate unit 24, and a front panel 30 attached to the front opening of the support body 21 so as to be openable and closable.
The support 21 is a rectangular frame that opens to the front side, and the material thereof can be metal, resin, carbon, or the like. The reel unit 20 and the substrate unit 24 can be fixed, and these can be handled integrally. The support 21 may be capable of fixing and installing other components. For example, a switch unit provided with a setting change switch for changing the game setting of the slot machine S and a switch for adjusting the volume may be fixed. Further, a guide roller 22 is provided on the back side of the bottom surface of the support body 21 to eliminate frictional resistance when the support body 21 is placed on the intermediate plate 12 and pushed into the upper opening portion 13 to facilitate storage. Yes. Further, the front vertical frame on the left side of the support 21 is provided with two support hinges 25 that support the front panel 30 so as to be rotatable, and the right front vertical frame includes A hook that can be engaged with a fixing device 10 provided in the housing 1 is formed.

  The reel unit 20 includes three drive motors (not shown) fixed to a support frame, and three rotary reels 23 that are respectively attached to the drive motors and display a plurality of symbols around the drive motors. Yes. The substrate unit 24 is a unit in which a control board having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like is accommodated in a substrate case and sealed and functions as a control device of the slot machine S. The board unit 24 is provided with a main board mainly for controlling the game and a sub board for controlling effects associated with the game. Note that it is sufficient that at least the main substrate is mounted on the support 21. That is, by changing the main board, the game content of the slot machine S is changed. By replacing the board unit 24 with the rotary reel 23, the slot machine S is replaced with a new model. Can be handled.

  The front panel 30 is a plate-like door that is rotatably attached to the front vertical frame of the support 21 via a support hinge 25. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a transparent symbol display window 31 is provided at a substantially central portion, and a display unit 32 for performing various displays is provided below the symbol display window 31. It has been. The display unit 32 includes a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display, a liquid crystal display device, and the like. Although not shown in particular, on the surface of the front panel 30, a description of the game and a display indicating the characteristics of the gaming machine (for example, a character design) are given by printing or the like. Furthermore, an effect device such as a liquid crystal display device or an effect reel may be mounted on the support 21 and an effect display window may be provided in which the display can be viewed from the front side. The front panel 30 can freely open and close the front opening of the support 21, and when the front panel 30 is closed, the symbol of the rotary reel 23 can be seen from the front side through the symbol display window 31.

Here, the support hinge 25 is positioned on the upper coaxial line of the casing hinge 19 when the separation unit is installed at a fixed position in the casing. That is, the front panel 30 and the lower door 40 are formed so as to be simultaneously rotatable. A panel engagement device 50 for integrating the decorative frame 42 of the lower door 40 and the front panel 30 with the separation unit 2 housed in the housing 1 is provided on the opposite side of the front panel 30 from the hinge. This will be described later.
The separation unit 2 is placed on the middle plate 12 of the housing 1 and accommodated in the upper portion 13 of the opening, and is fixed to the housing 1 by the fixing device 10. Further, by engaging and fixing the front panel 30 to the decorative frame 42 in a state where the separation unit 2 is housed in the casing, the front panel 30 and the lower door 40 are integrated to form the front door 3. 1 opening 11 can be closed.

(Lower door 40)
The lower door 40 is a width-thick door for closing the opening lower part 14 of the housing 1 and is formed on the side plate 16 of the housing 1 so as to be rotatable and lockable. And the lower door 40 is comprised from the door main body 41 and the decoration frame 42 attached to the upper direction of this door main body 41 so that attachment or detachment is possible (refer FIG. 3).
(Door body 41)
As shown in FIG. 1, the door body 41 has an upper portion formed in a counter shape and has an operation unit 44 for operating the slot machine S. As the operation unit 44, a medal insertion slot 44A is provided at the step formed on the upper right end of the door body 41, a bet switch 44B and a settlement switch provided on the left side of the upper surface, and a start switch 44C and a stop switch 44D are provided on the front side. It has been. The start switch 44C and the stop switch 44C are for starting and stopping the rotation of the rotary reel 25. The bet switch 44B is for replacing a stored medal with medal insertion.

In addition, a medal tray 43 for storing medals paid out from the hopper unit 5 is provided at a lower portion of the door body 41, and a medal discharge port for discharging the paid medals is formed in the medal plate 43. Yes. A lower panel unit 41P is detachably attached between the operation unit 44 and the medal tray 43. Note that the lower panel unit 41P has a display panel fitted into a frame body. Although not particularly illustrated, the lower panel unit 41P has a hook-like engagement that can be engaged with a mounting groove provided in the door body 41 on the back surface of the frame body. And is disengaged from the back side of the door body 41 so that it can be removed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a medal selector 47 for determining the authenticity of the medal is provided on the back side of the door body 41 while guiding the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 44A. In addition, two lower door engaging portions 46 that can be engaged with the housing hinge 19 are provided at the right end of the back surface of the door body 41 at intervals in the vertical direction. A locking mechanism 7 is provided at the opposite end of the. In this locking mechanism 7, the locking piece provided on the door body 41 side is locked by a convex portion provided on the inner surface of the side plate 16 on the side opposite to the hinge of the housing 1, not shown, and closes the door. The lock is released when a predetermined key is inserted into a key hole provided at the front side end of the door body 41 and turned.

(Decoration frame 42)
As shown in FIG. 1, the decorative frame 42 is a rectangular frame that is attached to the upper surface of the door body 41. The decorative frame 42 has a frame opening 45 that is a window at the center, and a decorative portion 44A is provided around the frame. is there. The decoration portion 44A can be formed as an electrical decoration for production in which a light emitter such as a lamp is provided, or as a display device in which a liquid crystal display device is provided. Although not particularly shown, a speaker may be attached to the upper corner of the decorative frame 42 or the like.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a hanging piece 48 is formed on the bottom surface of the decorative frame 42 in the width direction. This is to prevent the wire or the like from being inserted from the front side of the joint portion of the door main body 41 while functioning as an attachment portion for attaching the decorative frame 42 to the door main body 41.

In the present embodiment, the decorative frame 42 has a frame opening 45 that is an opening penetrating from the front to the back as a window portion. For example, a transparent panel is fitted into the frame opening 45. May be included. In short, it is only necessary that the front panel 30 is visible from the window.
Further, the decorative frame 42 is provided with a locking mechanism similar to that of the door body 41 so that the decorative frame 42 is locked to the side plate 16 of the housing 1 or the support 21 of the separation unit 2 so as to improve security. It may be.
(Panel engagement device 50)
Here, the frame opening 45 of the decorative frame 42 is closed from the back side by the front panel 30. That is, the decorative frame 42 and the front panel 30 are integrated in a state where the separation unit 2 is housed and fixed in the housing 1 by the panel engaging device 50 provided on the decorative frame 42 and the front panel 30. Is.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the panel engaging device 50 includes two engaging members 49 provided on the back surface on the right side of the front surface of the decorative frame 42 at intervals in the vertical direction, and the front panel 30. It comprises an engagement hole 33 into which the insertion piece 49 provided on the side opposite to the hinge can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 5, the engaging member 49 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped insertion piece 49a, and this insertion piece 49a is rotated in the horizontal direction by a leg portion 49b protruding in the horizontal direction from the back surface of the decorative frame 42. It is supported to be free. The engagement hole 33 is a vertically long through hole. The engaging member 49 is formed such that the insertion piece 49a is exposed from the back surface side of the engaging hole 33 in a state where the front surface of the front panel 30 and the back surface of the decorative frame 42 are joined.

  In the case where the decorative frame 42 and the front panel 30 are integrated, the separation unit 2 is accommodated in the housing 1, the lower door 40 is opened, the insertion piece 49a is in a vertically long state, and the front panel 30 is opened. Then, the insertion piece 49a is inserted into the engagement hole 33 from the front side of the front panel 30 toward the back side, and penetrates to the back side of the engagement hole 33. Therefore, by twisting and turning the insertion piece 49a, the insertion piece 49a is engaged with the engagement hole 33, and the decorative frame 42 and the front panel 30 are integrated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the front panel 30 closes the frame opening 45 from the back side, the decorative frame 42 and the front panel 30 can close the opening upper portion 13 of the housing 1, and the door body 41 is enclosed. When the body hinge 19 is turned around, the front panel 30 is also turned around the support hinge 25 together with the decorative frame 42. The lower door 40 and the front panel 30 can be used as the front door 3 to freely open the opening 11 (opening upper part 13 and opening lower part 14) of the housing 1.

The panel engaging device 50 is not limited to the one described above, and any device that can integrate the decorative frame 42 and the front panel 30 may be used. For example, it may be a bolt and a thumbscrew, an engagement hook and a nail, a fastener and a ring. Also, the number of installations and installation locations are not limited. However, in view of the convenience of attaching and detaching the separation unit 2, it is desirable to have a configuration that allows engagement and disengagement without using a tool such as a screwdriver, and a gap is generated between the frame opening 45 and the front panel 30. It is desirable to provide as close to the periphery of the frame opening 45 as possible.
(Replacement of slot machine S)
With respect to the slot machine S formed as described above, a work procedure at the time of so-called surface replacement will be described.

First, when the lower door 40 is opened, the lower opening portion 14 of the housing 1 is opened, and at the same time, the front panel 30 is opened and the front of the separation unit 2 is also opened. Therefore, the panel engaging device 50 is released to make the front panel 30 free from the decorative frame 42, the fixing device 10 is removed, and the fixing of the support 21 and the housing 1 is released. Then, the separation unit 2 is pulled out to the front side and taken out from the upper part 13 of the opening, and a new separation unit 2 is stored. By exchanging the separation unit 2, the main board and the rotating reel 23 become new, the game content is changed, and the front panel 30 is changed to a design suitable for the game.
For the lower door 40, only the lower panel unit 41P or the panel of the lower panel unit 41P needs to be replaced. The decorative frame 42 can be placed on the housing 1 together with the door main body 41, and devices such as electric decorations and display devices provided on the decorative frame 42 can be reused as they are. For this reason, the number of parts mounted on the separation unit 2 can be reduced, the weight of the separation unit 2 can be reduced, and the replacement cost can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the decorative frame 42 is detachable from the door body 41, when the front design of the slot machine S is significantly changed, the decorative frame 42 can be removed and replaced with a new one. Moreover, even if they are the same model, different decorative frames 42 can be attached, and various sales strategies can be handled.
In the present embodiment, the separation unit 2 is formed so as to be placed on the intermediate plate 12, but the intermediate plate 12 is not provided in the housing 1, and the separation unit 2 is supported by other support means. You may make it support inside a body. For example, support members (such as overhangs, attachments, and support columns) that support the separation unit 2 from below may be provided on the inner peripheral surfaces of the side plate 16 and the back plate 18 and the bottom plate 15. Alternatively, a suspending member that can suspend and support the separation unit 2 can be provided on the lower surface of the top plate 17.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to gaming machines other than slot machines. For example, the present invention can be applied to a parrot game machine that uses a game ball such as a pachinko ball instead of a game medal to perform a game similar to a slot machine. Further, as the symbol display means, in addition to the rotating reel 23, a liquid crystal display device or a belt-type symbol display device may be used.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the slot machine with the lower door opened according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a disassembled perspective view of a lower door. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a panel engagement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

S slot machine 1 housing 2 separation unit 3 front door 4 power supply unit 5 hopper unit 7 lock mechanism
10 Fixing device 11 Opening
12 Middle plate 13 Upper opening
14 Lower opening 15 Bottom plate
16 Side plate 17 Top plate
18 Back plate 19 Housing hinge
20 reel unit 21 support
22 guide roller 23 rotating reel (design display means)
24 Board unit (control device) 25 Support hinge
30 Front panel (panel member) 31 Symbol display window
32 Display 33 Engagement hole
40 Lower door 41 Door body
42 Decorative frame (decorative body) 42A Decorative part
43 Medal plate 44 Control section
44A Medal slot 44B Bet switch
44C Start switch 44D Stop switch
45 Frame opening (window) 46 Lower door engagement part
47 Medal selector 48 Hanging piece
49 Insertion piece 50 Panel engagement device

Claims (2)

A housing having an opening on the front;
A front door that closes the opening of the housing from the front side;
A symbol display means capable of variable display and stop display of a plurality of symbols;
And at least a control device for controlling the operation of the gaming machine,
In a gaming machine in which a separation unit in which at least the symbol display means and the control device are mounted on a support that supports them is detachably installed in the upper opening of the housing,
The separation unit includes a panel member attached to the support body through a support hinge so as to be rotatable in a horizontal direction and capable of opening and closing a front opening of the support body so that the design of the design display means can be viewed from the front side. ,
The front door has a door main body capable of closing the lower opening of the housing, a window portion that can be seen through from the front side to the rear side, and a decorative portion provided around the window portion. And the door body is attached to the housing via a housing hinge so as to be pivotable in the horizontal direction and open and close the opening of the housing.
The support hinge and the housing hinge are formed so as to be positioned on a coaxial line in the vertical direction when the separation unit is installed at a fixed position in the housing.
State the panel member, while accommodating the separation unit in position in the housing, which Rutotomoni fixed from the rear side of the decorative body to the decorative body so as to cover the window portion, and fixed to the decorative body And can be rotated simultaneously with the front door,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the front door is formed so as to be able to close an opening of the housing in a state where the panel member is fixed to the decorative body.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the decorative body is detachably attached to the door body.

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