JP5474147B2 - Lever switch for game machine, lever housing and game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine lever switch, a lever housing used therefor, and a gaming machine including the gaming machine lever switch.

  For example, three reels are arranged side by side in the main body of the slot machine. A front door is provided on the front surface of the main body, and a reel window is provided on the front door so as to face the three reels collectively. Below the reel window, a medal slot for inserting medals, a bet button for betting medals on the game, a start lever for instructing rotation of the reel, and a stop for instructing stop of the reel Buttons are arranged.

  A medal is bet on the game by inserting a medal from the medal slot or by operating a bet button. Thereafter, when the start lever is operated, the three reels start to rotate simultaneously. After that, when the stop button is operated to stop the rotation of all the reels and the symbols drawn on the peripheral surface of each reel are stopped and displayed in the reel window, one game is over. At the timing when the start lever is operated, a random number is acquired from a random number generator, and an internal lottery using the random number is performed. If a winning combination is won by the internal lottery and the three reels stop, if the combination of symbols stopped and displayed in the reel window corresponds to the winning combination, the winning combination will be given to the player. Beneficial benefits are granted.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an operation unit of a conventional slot machine.

  The front door of the slot machine is provided with an operation panel 111 having a shape that bulges to the near side at the center in the vertical direction. An opening 112 is formed on the front surface of the operation panel 111 extending in the vertical direction at a position offset to the left side.

  A lever housing 113 is inserted through the opening 112. The lever housing 113 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A sensor case 114 is attached to the rear end portion of the lever housing 113 (the portion disposed inside the front door). A photo sensor 115 is accommodated in the sensor case 114.

  A start lever 116 is swingably held in the lever housing 113. Specifically, the start lever 116 has a spherical portion 117 disposed on the front side of the front surface of the operation panel 111 and a shaft portion 118 that extends from the spherical portion 117 and is inserted into the lever housing 113. . A support portion 119 is provided in the middle of the shaft portion 118. The support portion 119 is locked to the inner surface of the lever housing 113, and the shaft portion 118 is swingably supported by the lever housing 113 via the support portion 119. The rear end portion of the shaft portion 118 is opposed to the photosensor 115 with a small gap.

  When the start lever 116 is not operated, the sensor light emitted from the light projecting portion of the photosensor 115 is reflected by the rear end portion of the shaft portion 118, and the reflected sensor light is received by the light receiving portion of the photosensor 115. Is done. When the start lever 116 is operated and the shaft portion 118 swings, the rear end portion of the shaft portion 118 is disengaged from the position facing the photosensor 115. Therefore, the sensor light emitted from the light projecting element of the photosensor 115 is not reflected by the rear end portion of the shaft portion 118, and the sensor light is not received by the light receiving element of the photosensor 115. The light receiving element of the photosensor 115 outputs signals in different states depending on whether the sensor light is received or not. Therefore, based on the output signal of the photosensor 115, it can be detected whether or not the start lever 116 has been operated.

  The shaft portion 118 is made of, for example, a metal shaft. Therefore, when static electricity is applied to the shaft portion 118, static electricity is discharged from the rear end portion of the shaft portion 118 to the photosensor 115, and the photosensor 115 may be destroyed.

  Therefore, in the conventional slot machine, a metal thin film by plating is formed on the surfaces of the operation panel 111 and the lever housing 113. Thereby, even if static electricity is applied to the shaft portion 118, the static electricity flows from the shaft portion 118 to the metal thin film on the surface of the operation panel 111 through the metal thin film on the surface of the lever housing 113. As a result, static electricity can be prevented from being discharged from the rear end portion of the shaft portion 118 to the photosensor 115, and the photosensor 115 can be prevented from being broken.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-187800

  However, the appearances of the operation panel 111 and the lever housing 113 are limited to the metal texture and color, and the degree of freedom in design is poor.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine lever switch, a lever housing, and a gaming machine that can increase the degree of freedom of design.

  The present invention will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, reference numerals and the like in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the display form.

To achieve the above object, a gaming machine lever switch (21) according to one aspect of the present invention includes an operation panel (P) having a conductive layer (105) electrically connected to a ground. A lever switch (21) for a gaming machine provided in (1), which is inserted into a lever (13) operated by a player and an opening (22) provided in the gaming machine (1) and fixed. And a lever housing (31) that holds the lever (13) in a swingable manner, and a sensor (38) that is disposed inside the gaming machine (1) and detects the swing of the lever (13). Including. The lever (13) is electrically conductive with the operation input portion (42) disposed outside the gaming machine (1) in a state where the lever housing (31) is fixed to the opening (22). And a shaft portion (41) extending from the operation input portion (42) to the vicinity of the sensor (38). Said lever housing (31) is composed of a resin material having conductivity, the inserted through the opening (22), said opening (22) within said conductive layer primary molding section you close to (105) ( 61) and a resin material having electrical insulation, and is molded integrally with the primary molding part (61), and the primary molding part (61) is inserted through the opening (22), A secondary molding part (62) that covers the primary molding part (61) so that a player cannot touch the primary molding part (61) from the outside of the gaming machine (1).

  According to this configuration, the lever (13) operated by the player includes the operation input portion (42) and the shaft portion (41), and is swingably held by the lever housing (31). The lever housing (31) is attached in a state of being inserted into the opening (22) provided in the gaming machine (1). In this state, the operation input part (42) of the lever (13) is arranged outside the gaming machine (1), and the shaft part (41) is placed inside the gaming machine (1) from the operation input part (42). It extends to the vicinity of the arranged sensor (38). The shaft portion (41) is made of a conductive material.

  The lever housing (31) includes a primary molded part (61) and a secondary molded part (62). The primary molded part (61) is inserted through the opening (22). The secondary molded part (62) is such that the player touches the primary molded part (61) from the outside of the gaming machine (1) with the primary molded part (61) inserted through the opening (22). The primary molded part (61) is covered so as not to be damaged.

  The primary molded portion (61) is made of a resin material having conductivity. Therefore, when static electricity is applied to the shaft portion (41), the static electricity flows from the shaft portion (41) to the primary molding portion (61). As a result, static electricity applied to the shaft portion (41) can be prevented from being discharged from the shaft portion (41) to the sensor (38).

  The secondary molded part (62) is made of a resin material having electrical insulation. Therefore, the secondary molded part (62) has a high degree of freedom in texture and color. Therefore, the freedom degree of the design of the lever housing (31) can be increased, and as a result, the freedom degree of the design of the lever switch (21) for the gaming machine can be increased.

  Further, the part that can be touched by the player is the secondary molded part (62) having electrical insulation, and the player cannot touch the primary molded part (61) made of a conductive resin material. Safety regulations based on the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law can be cleared.

  The primary molded part (61) has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the secondary molded part (62) has an inner peripheral surface contact part (75) that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of one end of the primary molded part (61). An end surface contact portion (76) that is in close contact with the end surface of one end portion of the primary molding portion (61) and an outer peripheral surface contact portion (77) that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of one end portion of the primary molding portion (61) are provided. It may be.

  The primary molding part (61) and the secondary molding part (62) made of different materials can be integrally molded by a double mold. That is, after molding of the primary molding part (61), the material of the secondary molding part (62) is supplied into a mold for housing the primary molding part (61), and the secondary molding part (62) is primary. It can be molded integrally with the molding part (61).

  The end surface contact portion (76) of the secondary molding portion (62) enters the end face of one end portion of the primary molding portion (61), and the primary molding portion (61) and the secondary molding portion (62) are in close contact with each other. It is preferable that an adhesion improving groove (69) for improving the property is formed.

  The direction along the end surface of the one end part of the primary molding part (61) into the primary molding part (61) and the secondary molding part (62) by the end face adhesion part (76) entering the adhesion improving groove (69). Can be prevented from occurring. As a result, the adhesion between the primary molded part (61) and the secondary molded part (62) can be improved.

  It is preferable that an undercut portion (72) into which the inner peripheral surface contact portion (75) of the secondary molded portion (62) enters is formed on the inner peripheral surface of one end portion of the primary molded portion (61).

  According to this structure, the part which entered the undercut part (72) in the internal peripheral surface contact | adherence part (75) latches to the undercut part (72) in the center axis line direction of a primary molding part (61). Thereby, it can prevent that a secondary shaping | molding part (62) slips out in the central-axis direction of a primary shaping | molding part (61) with respect to a primary shaping | molding part (61).

  The outer peripheral surface close contact portion (77) of the secondary molded portion (62) enters the outer peripheral surface of one end portion of the primary molded portion (61), and the secondary molded portion (62) of the primary molded portion (61). A slip prevention part (74) for preventing the slip in the central axis direction is formed.

  Thereby, it can prevent that a secondary shaping | molding part (62) slips out in the central-axis direction of a primary shaping | molding part (61) with respect to a primary shaping | molding part (61).

  An inner peripheral surface contact portion (75) of the secondary molded portion (62) enters the inner peripheral surface of one end portion of the primary molded portion (61), and the secondary molded portion (62) becomes the primary molded portion (61). It is preferable that an inward fall prevention portion (73) for preventing deformation in the radial direction is formed.

  Thereby, it can prevent that a substantially cylindrical primary shaping | molding part (61) deform | transforms so that it may enter in radial direction inner side (inward fall). As a result, the adhesion between the primary molded part (61) and the secondary molded part (62) can be improved.

A lever housing (31) according to another aspect of the present invention is a lever switch for a gaming machine provided in a gaming machine (1) including an operation panel (P) having a conductive layer (105) electrically connected to a ground. It is used for (21) and holds the lever (13) operated by the player in a swingable manner. The lever housing (31) is made of a resin material having conductivity, and is inserted into an opening (22) provided in the gaming machine (1), and the conduction layer (105) in the opening (22). a primary molding section (61) you close to, a resin material having electrical insulation properties, the integrally molded primary molding section (61), said primary molding section (61) said opening ( 22) A secondary covering the primary molding portion (61) so that a player cannot touch the primary molding portion (61) from the outside of the gaming machine (1) in a state of being inserted through the primary molding portion (22). And a molded part (62).

  The lever housing (31) includes a primary molded part (61) and a secondary molded part (62). The primary molding part (61) is inserted through the opening (22) provided in the gaming machine (1). The secondary molded part (62) is such that the player touches the primary molded part (61) from the outside of the gaming machine (1) with the primary molded part (61) inserted through the opening (22). The primary molded part (61) is covered so as not to be damaged.

  The primary molded portion (61) is made of a resin material having conductivity. Therefore, when static electricity is applied to the shaft portion (41), the static electricity flows from the shaft portion (41) to the primary molding portion (61). As a result, static electricity applied to the shaft portion (41) can be prevented from being discharged from the shaft portion (41) to the sensor (38).

  The secondary molded part (62) is made of a resin material having electrical insulation. Therefore, the secondary molded part (62) has a high degree of freedom in texture and color. Therefore, the freedom degree of the design of the lever switch (21) (lever housing (31)) for gaming machines can be increased.

  Further, the part that can be touched by the player is the secondary molded part (62) having electrical insulation, and the player cannot touch the primary molded part (61) made of a conductive resin material. Safety regulations based on the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law can be cleared.

  A gaming machine (1) according to still another aspect of the present invention includes an operation panel (P) provided with an opening (22), and a lever switch for gaming machines according to any one of claims 1 to 6. (21). The operation panel (P) is made of an inner member (101) in which an inner opening (103) constituting the opening (22) is formed, and an electrically insulating resin material. The operation panel (P) includes the opening (22). An outer opening (104) to be formed is formed and is provided so as to cover an outer surface of the inner member (101), and an outer member (102) constituting the outer appearance of the operation panel (P), and the inner member ( 101) and is electrically connected to the ground, and the primary molding portion (61) of the lever housing (31) of the gaming machine lever switch (21) within the inner opening (103). Are adjacent conductive layers (105).

  In this gaming machine (1), the same operational effects as those described in relation to the gaming machine lever switch (21) can be obtained.

  The operation panel (P) includes an inner member (101), an appearance member (102), and a conductive layer (105).

  The appearance member (102) constituting the appearance of the operation panel (P) is made of a resin material having electrical insulation. Therefore, the appearance member (102) has a high degree of freedom in texture and color. Therefore, the design freedom of the gaming machine (1) can be increased.

  The outer surface of the inner member (101) is covered with the appearance member (102).

  An opening through which the primary molded portion (61) of the lever housing (31) is inserted by the outer opening (104) formed in the outer member (102) and the inner opening (103) formed in the inner member (101). (22) is configured.

  The conductive layer (105) is formed on the surface of the inner member (101) and is close to the primary molded part (61) in the inner opening (103). The conductive layer (105) is electrically connected to the ground.

  Thereby, the static electricity which flows from the shaft part (41) of the lever (13) to the primary molding part (61) can be flowed to the ground through the conductive layer (105).

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the safety regulation based on the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law can be cleared, while the freedom degree of the design of the lever switch (lever housing) for game machines can be increased.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower half of the front door, showing a state where the start lever switch is separated from the front door. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the operation unit. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the start lever switch. FIG. 5 is a front view of the lever housing. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lever housing taken along section line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lever housing taken along section line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lever housing taken along section line CC shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the primary molding part. FIG. 10A is an illustrative sectional view for explaining detection of the operation of the start lever by the photosensor, and shows a state where the start lever is not operated. FIG. 10B is a schematic sectional view for explaining detection of the operation of the start lever by the photosensor, and shows a state where the start lever is pushed down. FIG. 10C is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining detection of the operation of the start lever by the photosensor, and shows a state in which the start lever is pulled to the near side. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing member. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an operation unit of a conventional slot machine.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Overall configuration of slot machine>

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The slot machine 1 includes a box-shaped main body 2 whose front surface is opened, and a front door 3 provided so that the front surface of the main body 2 can be opened and closed.

  In the main body 2, three reels 4L, 4C, 4R are arranged side by side at a position slightly above the central portion in the vertical direction. Each of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R has a configuration in which a reel band is wound around a peripheral surface of a drum-shaped reel frame, and is provided to be rotatable around an axis extending in the left-right direction at the center of the reel frame. Yes. For example, 21 symbols are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction on the reel band.

  The front door 3 includes a display unit 5, an operation unit 6, and an effect display unit 7.

  The display unit 5 is provided at a position facing the reels 4L, 4C, 4R. A reel window 8 is provided at the center of the display unit 5 so that a part of the peripheral surface of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R can be visually recognized. During the rotation of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, the symbols of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R appear one after another in the reel window 8 (design variation display). When the reels 4L, 4C, 4R are stopped, three symbols of each reel 4L, 4C, 4R are displayed in the reel window 8 (design stop display).

  The operation unit 6 includes an operation panel P. The operation panel P projects from the lower side of the reel window 8 to the front side, is continuous with the upper surface 9 provided over almost the entire width of the front door 3 and the front edge of the upper surface 9, and extends in the vertical direction over almost the entire width of the front door 3. 10.

  The upper surface 9 is slightly inclined downward toward the front side. A medal slot 11 is provided at the right end of the upper surface 9. A MAX bet button 12 is provided at a position offset to the left side of the upper surface 9.

  When a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 11, the inserted medal is bet on the game. A maximum of three medals can be bet per game. The number of winning lines corresponding to the number of medals bet on one game (the number of bets) is activated. When a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 11 with three medals being bet on the game, the inserted medal is credited to the slot machine 1 up to 50.

  When the MAX bet button 12 is pressed in a state where three or more medals are credited to the slot machine 1, three medals are bet on the game from the credited medals, and the slot machine 1 The number of medals credited (number of credits) is subtracted by 3.

  A start lever 13 is provided at the left end of the front surface 10. Further, a left stop button 14L, a middle stop button 14C, and a right stop button 14R are provided at equal intervals on the left and right at the center of the front surface 10.

  When the start lever 13 is operated after one or more medals are bet, the reels 4L, 4C, 4R start to rotate all at once. Thereafter, when the left stop button 14L, the middle stop button 14C, and the right stop button 14R are operated, the rotation of the reels 4L, 4C, and 4R is stopped. When all the reels 4L, 4C, 4R are stopped, one game is over.

  If a combination of symbols corresponding to any combination is arranged on the winning line that is activated when all the reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are stopped, the combination is won. Depending on the combination, a predetermined number of medals are paid out. The medals paid out for winning are credited to the slot machine 1 or discharged to a tray 15 provided at the bottom of the front door 3.

  The effect display unit 7 is provided with a liquid crystal display 16 for displaying an effect image or the like in accordance with the progress of the game. In addition, the effect display unit 7 is provided with speakers 17 that output sound effects and the like for increasing the atmosphere during the game, on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display 16.

  In addition, a display panel 18 that displays a model name of the slot machine 1 and the like is attached to the front door 3 below the operation unit 6.

  Further, a speaker 19 that outputs sound effects and the like is disposed together with the speaker 17 between the tray 15 and the display panel 18.

<Start lever switch>

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower half of the front door, showing a state where the start lever switch is separated from the front door.

  The start lever 13 is provided in the start lever switch 21. The start lever switch 21 is inserted into the opening 22 formed in the front surface 10 of the operation panel P6 from the front side, and is fixed to the front door 3 by a fixing member 23 provided inside (inside) the front door 3. ing.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the operation unit. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the start lever switch.

  In addition to the start lever 13, the start lever switch 21 includes a lever housing 31, a sleeve 32, a support member 33, a contact member 34, a coil spring 35 (see FIG. 4), a spring receiving member 36, a fastener 37, and a photo sensor. 38 and a sensor housing 39 are provided.

<Start lever>

  The start lever 13 has a configuration in which a spherical operation input portion 42 is provided at the tip of the shaft 41.

  The shaft 41 is made of a conductive material, for example, a metal. The shaft 41 includes a first buried portion 43 (see FIG. 3), a second buried portion 44 (see FIG. 3), a large diameter portion 45, a medium diameter portion 46, a deformed portion 47, and a small diameter portion 48 having a common central axis. Integrated.

  The first buried portion 43 is formed as a tip portion of the shaft 41 and has a flat and substantially cylindrical shape.

  The second buried portion 44 is formed adjacent to the proximal end side of the first buried portion 43, and has a substantially cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the first buried portion 43 and extending in the axial direction.

  The large-diameter portion 45 is formed adjacent to the second buried portion 44 and has a flat, substantially cylindrical shape having a larger diameter than the second buried portion 44 and short in the axial direction.

  The medium diameter portion 46 is formed adjacent to the large diameter portion 45 and has a substantially cylindrical shape that is smaller in diameter than the large diameter portion 45 and long in the axial direction.

  The deformed portion 47 is formed adjacent to the medium diameter portion 46, has a flat surface 49 in a portion that is 180 ° symmetrical on the peripheral surface, and has a columnar shape in which a portion other than the flat surface 49 on the peripheral surface is an arc surface. .

  The small diameter portion 48 is formed adjacent to the deformed portion 47 and has a substantially cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the arc surface of the deformed portion 47 and extending in the axial direction. A locking groove 50 is formed over the entire periphery of the end of the small diameter portion 48 opposite to the deformed portion 47 side.

  The operation input unit 42 is made of resin. The operation input unit 42 covers a substantially spherical inner molded part 51 that buryes a part of the first buried part 43 and the second buried part 44 of the shaft 41, and the inner molded part 51. It integrally has an outer molded portion 52 that embeds a portion exposed from the molded portion 51.

  The operation input unit 42 can be formed by a double mold. Specifically, the shaft 41 is set in a mold, the material of the inner molding part 51 is supplied into the mold, the inner molding part 51 is molded, and then the material of the outer molding part 52 is placed in the mold. By supplying, the outer molding part 52 can be molded integrally with the inner molding part 51. Since the inner molded part 51 is thick, sink marks may occur on the surface of the inner molded part 51. However, by forming a thin outer molded part 52 on the outer side of the inner molded part 51, it is possible to hide the sink marks. And unevenness on the surface of the operation input unit 42 can be eliminated.

<Lever housing>

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the lever housing. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lever housing taken along section line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lever housing taken along section line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lever housing taken along section line CC shown in FIG.

  The lever housing 31 is integrally provided with a primary molding portion 61 and a secondary molding portion 62.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the primary molding part.

  The primary molding part 61 is made of a conductive resin material, for example, conductive POM (polyoxymethylene). The primary molding portion 61 is formed in a substantially cylindrical main body portion 63 and a flat cylindrical shape that is continuously formed on one end side of the main body portion 63 and has a peripheral portion projecting outward in the radial direction from the main body portion 63. A contact portion 64.

  On the inner peripheral surface of the main body 63, a hexagonal cylindrical surface 65 having a substantially hexagonal cross section is formed on the other end side opposite to the abutting portion 64 side with respect to the hexagonal cylindrical surface 65. 66. Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 63, an annular plate-shaped sandwiched portion 67 is formed between the hexagonal cylindrical surface 65 and the cylindrical surface 66 so as to project inside. A thread groove 68 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 63.

  An adhesion improving groove 69 is formed on the end surface of the contact portion 64. The adhesion improving groove 69 includes three arc-shaped portions 70 arranged at equiangular intervals, and a large number of extending portions 71 extending from each arc-shaped portion 70 to both sides in the radial direction of the contact portion 64.

  On the inner peripheral surface of the contact portion 64, rectangular undercut portions 72 are formed as rectangular recesses at three positions 120 degrees apart from each other about the central axis of the contact portion 64.

  In addition, a plurality of inward fall prevention portions 73 are formed as linear grooves extending in the central axis direction of the contact portion 64 between the three undercut portions 72 on the inner peripheral surface of the contact portion 64. Yes. Each inward fall prevention portion 73 is opened at the end face of the contact portion 64 and has a substantially semicircular shape whose opening width is slightly narrower than the internal width when viewed in the central axis direction of the contact portion 64. .

  On the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 64, a drop prevention portion 74 is formed as a groove over the entire circumference.

The secondary molding part 62 is a resin material having electrical insulation, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile).
butadiene styrene copolymer) Made of resin. As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the secondary molding portion 62 includes an inner peripheral surface contact portion 75 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the contact portion 64 of the primary molding portion 61, and And an outer peripheral surface contact portion 77 that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 64. The inner peripheral surface close contact portion 75, the end surface close contact portion 76, and the outer peripheral surface close contact portion 77 are formed to have substantially the same thickness, and have no unevenness on the outer peripheral surface.

  The lever housing 31 can be formed by double molding. Specifically, the material of the primary molding part 61 is supplied into the mold, the primary molding part 61 is molded, and then the material of the secondary molding part 62 is supplied into the mold, whereby the secondary molding part 61 is supplied. The forming part 62 can be formed integrally with the primary forming part 61. At the time of molding the secondary molding part 62, the material of the secondary molding part 62 enters the adhesion improving groove 69, the undercut part 72, the inward fall prevention part 73, and the drop prevention part 74.

<Sleeve>

  The sleeve 32 is made of resin. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sleeve 32 has a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the sleeve 32 is substantially the same as the diameter of the middle diameter portion 46 of the shaft 41. The outer diameter of the sleeve 32 is substantially the same as the diameter of the large diameter portion 45 of the shaft 41. Further, the length of the sleeve 32 is substantially the same as the length of the medium diameter portion 46.

  An intermediate diameter portion 46 is inserted into the sleeve 32. In this state, the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 32 is continuous with the peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 45 without a step, and the end surface on the opposite side of the large diameter portion 45 side of the sleeve 32 is the medium diameter portion 46 and the deformed portion 47 of the shaft 41. Continuing with the stepped surface between and without any step.

<Supporting member>

  The support member 33 is made of resin. The support member 33 is integrally provided with a substantially cylindrical insertion portion 81 and six bulging portions 82 that bulge radially from the one end portion of the insertion portion 81 around the insertion portion 81. The outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 81 is formed as a cylindrical surface having the same diameter as the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 32. The inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion 81 is formed in a shape corresponding to the peripheral surface of the deformed portion 47 of the shaft 41.

  The shaft 41 is inserted into the insertion portion 81 from the end opposite to the bulging portion 82 side, and the deformed portion 47 is inserted. Thereby, the support member 33 is attached to the shaft 41 so as not to be relatively rotatable. In this state, the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 81 is continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 32 without a step.

<Contact member>

  The contact member 34 is made of resin. The contact member 34 is integrally provided with a cylindrical cylindrical portion 83 and a flange portion 84 that projects from one end portion of the cylindrical portion 83 around the cylindrical portion 83. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 83 is substantially the same as the diameter of the small diameter portion 48 of the shaft 41.

<Coil spring>

  The coil spring 35 (see FIG. 4) is formed in a size that allows the small diameter portion 48 of the shaft 41 to be inserted.

<Spring receiving member>

  The spring receiving member 36 is made of resin. The spring receiving member 36 is integrally provided with a disk-shaped bottom portion 85 and a side wall portion 86 that rises from the periphery of the bottom portion 85. A round hole 87 having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 48 of the shaft 41 is formed through the center portion of the bottom portion 85.

<Fastening>

  The fastener 37 is made of a metal plate. The fastener 37 is substantially C-shaped.

<Attaching the start lever>

  After the shaft 41 of the start lever 13 is inserted through the sleeve 32 and the support member 33 in this order, the shaft 41 is inserted into the lever housing 31 from the secondary molding portion 62 side. As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 41 is inserted until the support member 33 comes into contact with the sandwiched portion 67 of the lever housing 31 (primary molding portion 61). In this state, the support member 33 is accommodated in a portion surrounded by the hexagonal cylindrical surface 65 of the primary molding portion 61, and the small diameter portion 48 of the shaft 41 protrudes in a portion surrounded by the cylindrical surface 66.

  Thereafter, the small diameter portion 48 of the shaft 41 is inserted into the contact member 34 so that the flange portion 84 of the contact member 34 contacts the clamped portion 67 of the lever housing 31 from the side opposite to the support member 33. Next, the small diameter portion 48 is inserted into the coil spring 35, and the small diameter portion 48 is inserted into the round hole 87 of the spring receiving member 36 so that the coil spring 35 is disposed inside the side wall portion 86 of the spring receiving member 36. Is done. The fastener 37 is fitted into the locking groove 50 of the small-diameter portion 48, and the fastener 37 is locked into the locking groove 50, so that the contact member 34, the coil spring 35, and the spring from the small-diameter portion 48 are obtained. The receiving member 36 is prevented from falling off.

  In this state, the coil spring 35 is interposed between the contact member 34 and the bottom portion 85 of the spring receiving member 36, and the contact member 34 is pressed against the sandwiched portion 67 of the lever housing 31 by the elastic force of the coil spring 35. It is done. As a result, the clamped portion 67 is clamped between the support member 33 and the abutting member 34, the attachment of the start lever 13 to the lever housing 31 is achieved, and the start lever 13 can swing on the lever housing 31. The shaft 41 is held so as to be capable of reciprocating in a minute range in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 41.

<Photo sensor>

  The photosensor 38 is a reflective sensor. The photosensor 38 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. A groove 88 having a V-shaped cross section is formed on the front end surface of the photosensor 38. A light projecting element is disposed on one surface of the groove 88, and a light receiving element is disposed on the other surface.

<Sensor housing>

  The sensor housing 39 is made of resin. The sensor housing 39 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the main body 63 of the primary molding portion 61 of the lever housing 31. The photosensor 38 is accommodated in the sensor housing 39 with the groove 88 facing the opening side of the sensor housing 39. Then, the sensor housing 39 is attached to the main body portion 63 of the primary molding portion 61 of the lever housing 31, whereby the sensor housing 39 is attached to the lever housing 31 and the start lever switch 21 is completed.

<Detection of lever operation>

  FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, and FIG. 10C are illustrative sectional views for explaining detection of the operation of the start lever by the photosensor.

  In the state where the start lever 13 is not operated, the end surface (base end surface) of the shaft 41 faces the groove 88 of the photosensor 38 as shown in FIG. 10A. In this state, the sensor light emitted from the light projecting element of the photosensor 38 is reflected by the end surface of the shaft 41, and the reflected sensor light is received by the light receiving element of the photosensor 38.

  When the player pushes down the operation input portion 42 of the start lever 13, the end surface of the shaft 41 is disengaged from the position facing the groove 88 of the photosensor 38 as shown in FIG. 10B. In this state, the sensor light is not reflected by the end face of the shaft 41, so that the sensor light is not received by the light receiving element of the photosensor 38.

  When the operation input portion 42 of the start lever 13 is pulled toward the front side (opposite to the photosensor 38), the end surface of the shaft 41 is separated from the groove 88 of the photosensor 38, as shown in FIG. 10C. Even in this state, the sensor light is not reflected by the end face of the shaft 41, so that the sensor light is not received by the light receiving element of the photosensor 38.

  The light receiving element outputs signals having different states (levels) depending on whether the sensor light is received or not. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the start lever 13 has been operated based on the state of the signal output from the light receiving element of the photosensor 38.

<Fixing member>

  FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing member.

  The fixing member 23 includes a fixing member main body 91 and an O-ring 92.

  The fixing member main body 91 has a flat and substantially cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the fixing member main body 91 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the main body portion 63 of the primary molding portion 61 of the lever housing 31. A screw thread (not shown) is formed on the inner surface of the fixing member main body 91 to be screwed into the screw groove 68 (see FIG. 9) of the main body portion 63. An annular groove 93 is formed on the end surface of the fixing member main body 91.

  The O-ring 92 is fitted in the groove 93.

<Operation panel>

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel P includes an inner member 101 formed as a part of the front door 3 and an appearance member 102 provided so as to cover the outer surface of the inner member 101. .

  The inner member 101 is formed with an inner opening 103 constituting the opening 22.

  The appearance member 102 is made of a resin material having electrical insulation. The appearance member 102 covers and conceals the outer surface of the inner member 101 and configures the appearance of the operation panel P. The exterior member 102 is formed with an outer opening 104 that communicates with the inner opening 103 of the inner member 101 and forms the opening 22 together with the inner opening 103.

  A conductive layer 105 made of a metal thin film by plating is formed on the surface of the inner member 101. The conductive layer 105 is electrically connected to the ground and is grounded to the ground potential (0 V).

<Mounting the start lever switch>

  As shown in FIG. 2, the start lever switch 21 is inserted into the opening 22 from the front side of the opening 22 of the operation panel P with the sensor housing 39 facing the opening 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the start lever switch 21 is disposed in the opening 22 until the contact portion 64 of the primary molding portion 61 of the lever housing 31 contacts the portion around the outer opening 104 in the appearance member 102 from the front side. Inserted into. Thereafter, when the contact portion 64 contacts the appearance member 102, the fixing member 23 is fitted to the start lever switch 21 from the sensor housing 39 side. Then, the screw thread of the fixing member 23 is screwed into the screw groove 68 of the lever housing 31, and the O-ring 92 of the fixing member 23 is pressed against the inner surface of the inner member 101 of the operation panel P.

  As a result, the inner member 101 and the portion around the opening 22 in the outer appearance member 102 are sandwiched between the contact portion 64 of the lever housing 31 of the start lever switch 21 and the O-ring 92 of the fixing member 23, and the start lever switch 21 starts. Attachment of the lever switch 21 to the operation panel P is achieved.

  The primary molding portion 61 is provided with a lever housing so that the player cannot touch the primary molding portion 61 of the lever housing 31 from the outside of the slot machine 1 with the start lever switch 21 attached to the operation panel P. 31 is covered with the secondary molding part 62.

<Effect>

  As described above, the start lever 13 operated by the player includes the operation input unit 42 and the shaft 41 and is held by the lever housing 31 so as to be swingable. The lever housing 31 is attached in a state of being inserted into the opening 22 provided in the slot machine 1. In this state, the operation input unit 42 of the start lever 13 is disposed outside the slot machine 1, and the shaft 41 extends from the operation input unit 42 to the vicinity of the photo sensor 38 disposed inside the slot machine 1. The shaft 41 is made of a conductive material.

  The lever housing 31 includes a primary molding part 61 and a secondary molding part 62. The primary molding part 61 is inserted through the opening 22. And the primary molding part 61 consists of a resin material which has electroconductivity. Therefore, when static electricity is applied to the shaft 41, the static electricity flows from the shaft 41 to the primary molding unit 61.

  The operation panel P includes an inner member 101, an appearance member 102, and a conductive layer 105. The inner opening 103 formed in the inner member 101 and the outer opening 104 formed in the appearance member 102 constitute an opening 22 through which the primary molding portion 61 of the lever housing 31 is inserted. The conductive layer 105 is formed on the surface of the inner member 101 and is close to the primary molding portion 61 in the inner opening 103. The conductive layer 105 is electrically connected to the ground.

  Thereby, static electricity that flows from the shaft 41 of the start lever 13 to the primary molding portion 61 can be caused to flow to the ground through the conductive layer 105. As a result, static electricity applied to the shaft 41 can be prevented from being discharged from the shaft 41 to the photosensor 38.

  In a state where the primary molding part 61 is inserted through the opening 22, the secondary molding part 62 covers the primary molding part 61 from the outside of the slot machine 1. Therefore, the player cannot touch the primary molding unit 61 from the outside of the slot machine 1.

  The secondary molding part 62 is made of a resin material having electrical insulation. The part that can be touched by the player is the secondary molded part 62 having electrical insulation, and the player cannot touch the primary molded part 61 made of a conductive resin material. Based on safety regulations can be cleared.

  Further, the secondary molded part 62 made of a resin material having electrical insulation has a high degree of texture and color. Therefore, the design freedom of the start lever switch 21 (lever housing 31) can be increased.

  The appearance member 102 constituting the appearance of the operation panel P is made of a resin material having electrical insulation. Therefore, the appearance member 102 has a high degree of freedom in texture and color. Therefore, the design freedom of the slot machine 1 can be increased.

  The primary molding portion 61 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the secondary molding portion 62 includes an inner peripheral surface contact portion 75 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the contact portion 64 of the primary molding portion 61, and the contact portion 64. An end surface contact portion 76 that is in close contact with the end surface and an outer peripheral surface contact portion 77 that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 64 are provided.

  The primary molding part 61 and the secondary molding part 62 made of different materials can be integrally molded by a double mold. That is, after forming the primary molding part 61, the material of the secondary molding part 62 is supplied into a mold that accommodates the primary molding part 61, and the secondary molding part 62 is molded integrally with the primary molding part 61. be able to.

  An adhesion improving groove 69 for improving the adhesion between the primary molded part and the secondary molded part 62 is formed on the end surface of the contact part 64 of the primary molded part 61. The material of the secondary molding part 62 enters the adhesion improving groove 69 when the secondary molding part 62 is molded.

  As a result, the end face contact portion 76 enters the contact improvement groove 69. Thereby, it can prevent that the shift | offset | difference of the direction along the end surface of the contact part 64 of the primary molding part 61 arises between the primary molding part 61 and the secondary molding part 62. FIG. As a result, the adhesion between the primary molded part 61 and the secondary molded part 62 can be improved.

  An undercut portion 72 into which the inner peripheral surface contact portion 75 of the secondary molding portion 62 enters is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the contact portion 64 of the primary molding portion.

  According to this configuration, the portion of the inner peripheral surface contact portion 75 that has entered the undercut portion 72 is engaged with the undercut portion 72 in the central axis direction of the primary molding portion 61. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the secondary molding portion 62 from coming off in the central axis direction of the primary molding portion 61 with respect to the primary molding portion 61.

  The outer peripheral surface contact portion 77 of the secondary molding portion 62 enters the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 64 of the primary molding portion 61 to prevent the secondary molding portion 62 from coming off in the central axis direction of the primary molding portion 61. A slip prevention portion 74 is formed for this purpose.

  Thereby, it can prevent that the secondary shaping | molding part 62 slips out in the central-axis direction of a primary shaping | molding part with respect to the primary shaping | molding part 61. FIG.

  The inner peripheral surface contact portion 75 of the secondary molding portion 62 enters the inner peripheral surface of the contact portion 64 of the primary molding portion 61, and the secondary molding portion 62 is deformed in the radial direction of the primary molding portion 61. It is preferable that an inward fall prevention portion 73 for preventing the above is formed.

  Thereby, it can prevent that the substantially cylindrical primary shaping | molding part 61 deform | transforms so that it may enter radial inside (inward fall). As a result, the adhesion between the primary molded part 61 and the secondary molded part 62 can be improved.

<Modification>

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, although the slot machine 1 is taken up as an example of a gaming machine, the present invention can be widely applied to gaming machines other than the slot machine 1 and having a lever operated by a player.

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1 slot machine (game machine)
13 Start lever (lever)
21 Start lever switch (lever switch for gaming machines)
22 Opening 31 Lever Housing 38 Photosensor (Sensor)
41 Shaft (shaft)
42 Operation Input Unit 61 Primary Molding Unit 62 Secondary Molding Unit 69 Adhesion Improvement Groove 72 Undercut Portion 73 Inner Folding Prevention Unit 74 Fallout Prevention Unit 75 Inner Surface Contact Unit 76 End Surface Contact Unit 77 Outer Surface Contact Unit 101 Inner Member 102 Appearance member 103 Inner opening 104 Outer opening 105 Conductive layer P Operation panel

Claims (8)

A gaming machine lever switch provided in a gaming machine having an operation panel having a conductive layer electrically connected to a ground ,
A lever operated by a player,
A lever housing that is inserted and fixed in an opening provided in the gaming machine and holds the lever in a swingable manner;
A sensor disposed inside the gaming machine and detecting swinging of the lever;
The lever is
With the lever housing fixed to the opening, an operation input unit disposed outside the gaming machine;
It is made of a material having conductivity, and includes a shaft portion extending from the operation input portion to the vicinity of the sensor,
The lever housing is
A resin material having conductivity, is inserted into the opening, and the primary molding section you close to the conductive layer in the opening,
It is made of a resin material having electrical insulation, is molded integrally with the primary molding part, and a player can perform the primary molding from the outside of the gaming machine with the primary molding part inserted into the opening. A lever switch for a gaming machine, comprising: a secondary molding portion that covers the primary molding portion so that the portion cannot be touched. The primary molding part has a substantially cylindrical shape,
The secondary molding portion includes an inner peripheral surface contact portion that is in close contact with an inner peripheral surface of one end portion of the primary molding portion, an end surface contact portion that is in close contact with an end surface of the one end portion of the primary molding portion, and the first The lever switch for gaming machines according to claim 1, further comprising an outer peripheral surface contact portion that is in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the one end portion of the next molding portion.   The end face contact portion of the secondary molding portion enters the end surface of the one end portion of the primary molding portion, and the adhesion improvement for improving the adhesion between the primary molding portion and the secondary molding portion. The lever switch for a gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein a groove is formed.   The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an undercut portion into which the inner peripheral surface contact portion of the secondary molded portion enters is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the one end portion of the primary molded portion. Lever switch.   The outer peripheral surface contact portion of the secondary molding portion enters the outer peripheral surface of the one end portion of the primary molding portion, and the secondary molding portion of the primary molding portion with respect to the primary molding portion. The lever switch for gaming machines according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a disconnection preventing portion is formed to prevent the disconnection in the central axis direction.   The inner peripheral surface contact portion of the secondary molded portion enters the inner peripheral surface of the one end portion of the primary molded portion, and the secondary molded portion is deformed in the radial direction of the primary molded portion. The lever switch for gaming machines according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein an inward-falling prevention portion for preventing the above is formed. A lever housing that is used in a lever switch for a gaming machine provided in a gaming machine including an operation panel having a conductive layer electrically connected to a ground, and holds a lever that is operated by a player in a swingable manner.
A resin material having conductivity, is inserted into an opening provided in the gaming machine, and the primary molding section you close to the conductive layer in the opening,
It is made of a resin material having electrical insulation, is molded integrally with the primary molding part, and a player can perform the primary molding from the outside of the gaming machine with the primary molding part inserted into the opening. A lever housing including a secondary molding portion that covers the primary molding portion so that the portion cannot be touched. An operation panel provided with an opening;
A lever switch for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The operation panel is
An inner member in which an inner opening constituting the opening is formed;
An exterior member that is made of a resin material having electrical insulation, has an outer opening that forms the opening, and is provided so as to cover an outer surface of the inner member.
A gaming machine formed on a surface of the inner member, electrically connected to the ground, and including a conductive layer in the inner opening to which the primary molded portion of the lever housing of the gaming machine lever switch is adjacent. .

Images