JP5493080B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine including a panel such as a lower panel that is mounted facing a player, and more particularly to a slot machine that prevents the panel from being peeled off and widens the display area of the panel.

Generally, a slot machine includes a panel that is mounted facing a player. For example, the lower part of the front surface of the slot machine is provided with a lower panel that displays a model name such as a model name using characters and pictures (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The lower panel usually includes a printed sheet and a transparent outer case and an inner case sandwiching the sheet therebetween, and the lower panel is inserted into the slot on the inner case facing the slot machine side. An engaging portion for mounting on the machine is formed.

FIG. 10 is a schematic horizontal sectional view showing a lower panel mounting portion of the slot machine according to the conventional example.
As shown in this figure, a lower panel 100 having a curved surface portion and bulging forward is also known. Such a lower panel 100 is formed by sandwiching a thin printed sheet 101 having a thickness of about 0.2 mm between a transparent outer case 102 and an inner case 103 having curved portions.
According to such a lower panel 100, it is possible to visually check the printing applied to the sheet not only from the front but also from the side.

JP 2008-237513 A

  However, in the conventional lower panel, although the engaging portion of the inner case is firmly engaged with the slot machine side, the outer case is only engaged or fitted to the inner case. May be peeled off from the inner case. In particular, in the lower panel bulged forward, the outer case is easily grasped, and there is a problem that the outer case is easily peeled off.

  Therefore, in the prior art, as shown in FIG. 10, the right and left ends of the outer case 102 are fitted into the recess 104 on the slot machine side and fixed to the slot machine side in the recess 104 to prevent peeling. However, when the left and right end portions of the outer case 102 are fitted into the recesses 104 on the slot machine side, the left and right width W1 of the lower panel 100 is inevitably smaller than the left and right width W2 of the slot machine. There was a new problem that would decrease.

  Further, the lower panel 100 as shown in FIG. 10 can be seen from the side, but the area R1 that can be seen from the side is very small, and only the area R1 that can be seen from the side has a characteristic display. It was difficult to do. In particular, in the lower panel 100 bulged forward in a curved shape, the left and right end regions of the region R2 that can be viewed from the front can only be viewed from the side, so that the printed content of the print sheet 101 is viewed from the front. It is the fact that it is decided to give priority to this, and it is the actual situation that it is one kind that is continuous to the left and right ends, and it is known that the display is distinguished from the front only by the region R1 visible from the side. Not.

  The present invention has been considered in view of the above circumstances, and prevents the outer case from being peeled off without fitting the left and right ends of the outer case into the recesses on the slot machine side or fixing them to the slot machine side. An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of expanding the display area of the panel.

  In order to achieve the above object, a slot machine of the present invention is a slot machine including a panel that is mounted facing a player, and the panel includes an outer case and an inner case that sandwich a predetermined sheet by overlapping each other. And a locking device for locking the respective cases inseparably, and the panel is attached to the inner case facing the slot machine and / or the outer case facing the player. Forming an engaging portion for mounting to the outer case, and forming an opening in the side wall of the outer case that leads to the back side of the inner case that overlaps, and the locking tool extends from the outer case outer side to the opening. A convex portion that is inserted and engaged and / or fixed to the back surface of the inner case and a cover portion that covers the opening portion are provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the outer case is prevented from being peeled off without fitting the left and right end portions of the outer case into the recesses on the slot machine side or fixing them to the slot machine side. The area can be expanded.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the internal structure of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing a lower panel mounting state of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the lower panel removal state of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic horizontal sectional view showing a lower panel mounting portion of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lower panel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the lower panel of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the back side. It is the perspective view which looked at the lower panel of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the back side. It is a principal part expanded horizontal sectional view which shows the lower panel of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic horizontal sectional view showing a lower panel mounting portion of the slot machine according to the conventional example.

[Slot machine body]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in these drawings, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment constitutes a spinning-reel type gaming machine that can acquire medals as game media by rotating a plurality of reels 21a, 21b, and 21c. Yes.

  The slot machine 1 includes a control unit 30 that is configured by a microcomputer or the like and a housing 1b that opens on the front side that houses necessary machines and devices, and a front door 1a that covers the front side of the housing 1b so that the front side can be opened and closed. It consists of and.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front door 1a is a door body that is attached to the casing 1b of the slot machine 1 so as to be openable and closable via a hinge or the like. The front door 1a is provided with an operation unit 4 related to a game operation. The front part of the slot machine 1 is configured.
The operation unit 4 includes a medal slot 40 for inserting medals, a start lever 41 for starting rotation of the reels 21a, 21b, and 21c, and three units for stopping the rotating reels 21a, 21b, and 21c. Stop buttons 42a, 42b, and 42c are provided.

  The front door 1a is provided with a display window 5 on the upper side of the operation unit 4 so that the symbols displayed on the reels 21a, 21b, and 21c can be visually recognized. In addition, the front door 1 a is provided with a lower panel 6 on the lower side of the operation unit 4, for example, on which characters representing a model name and the like and a character design related to the model are displayed. Further, the front door 1a is provided with a speaker 7 for outputting sound effects or the like on the lower side of the lower panel 6, for example.

In the center of the housing 1b, a drum unit 21 including reels 21a, 21b, and 21c, a motor (not shown) that rotates the reels 21a, 21b, and 21c, a sensor that detects a rotation position, and the like is provided.
In addition, a medal payout device 8 for storing and paying out medals is provided at the lower part of the housing 1b. The medal payout device 8 is provided with a hopper 80 for storing medals, and medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 40 are detected by the medal selector 81 and guided to the hopper 80.

  In the slot machine 1, when a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 40 and operates the start lever 41, a start signal is input to the control unit 30. When the start signal is input, the control unit 30 drives the drum unit 21 in accordance with a predetermined game program, and performs control to rotate each reel 21a, 21b, 21c.

Further, in the control unit 30, for example, an internal lottery for drawing a bonus, a small part, etc. is performed, and based on the timing when each stop button 42a, 42b, 42c is pressed down, the control unit 30 stops with a combination of symbols according to the lottery result. Thus, stop control of each rotating reel 21a, 21b, 21c is performed.
Further, when each reel 21a, 21b, 21c stops at a predetermined symbol combination, the control unit 30 performs a control for paying out a predetermined number of medals by the medal payout device 8, and pays out medals from the medal payout exit 82. .

[Lower panel]
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the lower panel is attached to the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the lower panel is removed from the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in these drawings, the lower panel 6 of the present embodiment is provided on the lower side of the operation unit 4 so as to face the player, and displays a model recognition display such as a model name by characters and pictures. Yes.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower panel 6 is engaged in the lower panel mounting portion 9 by being pushed into the lower panel mounting portion 9 from the front in a state in which the lower panel 6 is integrally assembled in advance. Is attached to the front door 1a in a non-removable state.
A light source (not shown) is provided in the lower panel mounting portion 9. This light source functions as a backlight that irradiates the lower panel 6 from behind.

FIG. 5 is a schematic horizontal sectional view showing a lower panel mounting portion of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the lower panel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the lower panel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lower panel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side. 9 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of a main part showing a lower panel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in these drawings, the lower panel 6 is not separable from the printed sheet 61, the outer case 62 and the inner case 63 that sandwich the sheet 61 by overlapping each other, and the cases 62 and 63. The lower panel 6 is configured by a pair of left and right side covers (locking tools) 64 to be locked together and assembled together.

  The sheet 61 constitutes a front display region R2 that can be viewed from the front. For example, a character indicating a model name or a character pattern related to the model is printed on a thin sheet material having a thickness of about 0.2 mm. Used.

The inner case 63 is made of transparent or translucent resin, and includes a sheet clamping portion 631 that clamps the sheet 61 with the outer case 62.
Outer case fixing claws 632 for engaging and fixing the outer case 62 are formed at the center of the upper end and the center of the lower end of the sheet sandwiching portion 631, and an example of the engaging portion is provided at the four corners of the sheet sandwiching portion 631. A lower panel fixing claw 633 for engaging and fixing the lower panel 6 to the lower panel mounting portion 9 of the slot machine 1 is formed to project.

Further, a plurality of side surface cover engaging and fixing portions 634 and a plurality of side surface cover screw fixing portions 635 are formed on the back surfaces of the left and right ends of the sheet sandwiching portion 631.
The side cover engagement fixing part 634 is a part for engaging and fixing the side cover 64, and the side cover screw fixing part 635 is a part for fixing the side cover 64 with a screw 636, and a screw hole 635a is formed. ing.

The outer case 62 is made of a transparent or translucent resin, and includes a sheet sandwiching portion 621 that sandwiches the sheet 61 with the inner case 63.
Engagement holes 622 that engage with the outer case fixing claws 632 of the inner case 63 are formed in the upper center portion and the lower end center portion of the sheet sandwiching portion 621. A side wall 623 extending rearward is formed. The side walls 623 are formed with, for example, a vertically long slit-shaped opening 624 that leads to the back side of the inner case 63 when they overlap each other.

The side cover 64 is made of an arbitrary resin, and is attached to the outer surface side of the side wall 623 of the outer case 62 in an overlapping manner.
The side cover 64 is inserted into the opening 624 from the outside of the outer case 62 and is fixed to the side cover fixing claw (convex portion) 641 that is engaged and fixed to the back surface of the inner case 63. Similarly, the side cover 64 is opened from the outside of the outer case 62. A side cover screw fixing piece (convex portion) 642 that is inserted into 624 and fixed to the back surface of the inner case 63 by screws is provided, and a cover portion 643 that covers the opening 624 is provided.

The side cover fixing claws 641 and the side cover screw fixing pieces 642 are examples of convex portions, and both are inserted into the opening 624 from the outside of the outer case 62 and fixed to the back surface of the inner case 63, so that both of them are caused by a so-called wedge action. The cases 62 and 63 are locked so as not to be separated, and the outer case 62 is prevented from being peeled off.
The side cover fixing claw 641 is engaged and fixed to the side cover engaging and fixing portion 634 of the inner case 63. Further, the side cover screw fixing piece 642 is formed with a stop hole 642a communicating with the screw hole 635a when inserted into the opening 624 from the outside of the outer case 62, and is fixed to the side cover screw fixing portion 635 with a screw 636.

The cover portion 643 is formed so as to cover the opening 624 formed in the left and right side walls 623 of the outer case 62, and secures a side display region R1 that can be viewed from the side on both the left and right sides of the lower panel 6. Yes.
Further, the side surface display region R1 has a design surface on which a predetermined sticker can be attached or a predetermined picture can be printed.
The side display area R1 is an area that cannot be viewed from the front but is exclusively viewed from the side. Therefore, the display content can be distinguished from the front display area R2, and as a result, the lower panel It is possible to diversify the types and combinations of display contents in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, the cover portion 643 of this embodiment is connected to the left and right side walls of the slot machine 1 (front door 1a) substantially flush with each other.
In this way, not only the sense of unity between the lower panel 6 and the slot machine 1 can be enhanced, but also the front display area R2 (left-right width) of the lower panel 6 can be maximized.

[Assembly and installation procedure of lower panel]
When assembling the lower panel 6, first, as shown in FIG. 6, the sheet 61 is superposed on the sheet holding portion 621 of the outer case 62 from the inside.
Next, the inner case 63 is superimposed on the outer case 62 from the inside. As a result, the sheet 61 is sandwiched between the outer case 62 and the inner case 63. In addition, the mated cases 62 and 63 are temporarily fixed by the engagement of the outer case fixing claws 632 and the engaging holes 622.

Next, the left and right side covers 64 are attached to the outer surface side of the side wall 623 of the outer case 62 in an overlapping manner. At this time, the side cover fixing claws 641 and the side cover screw fixing pieces 642 formed on the side cover 64 are inserted into the opening 624 from the outside of the outer case 62 and reach the back surface of the inner case 63. Then, the side cover fixing claw 641 engages with the side cover engaging / fixing portion 634 of the inner case 63 so that the side cover 64 is temporarily fixed.
In this state, since the set hole 642a of the side cover screw fixing piece 642 and the screw hole 635a of the side cover screw fixing portion 635 communicate with each other, the screw 636 is inserted from the back side of the inner case 63 as shown in FIG. The side cover screw fixing piece 642 and the side cover screw fixing portion 635 are screwed by being screwed into the screw hole 635a through 642a. Thereby, a temporarily fixed state can be made into a still stronger fixed state.
As a result, the cases 62 and 63 and the left and right side covers 64 are integrally fixed, and the assembly of the lower panel 6 is completed.

  When the lower panel 6 assembled as described above is attached to the slot machine 1, the lower panel 6 in the assembled state is pushed into the lower panel attaching portion 9 of the front door 1a from the front (see FIG. 4). At this time, the lower panel fixing claw 633 of the inner case 63 engages with a predetermined engaging portion in the lower panel mounting portion 9, so that the lower panel 6 is mounted on the front door 1a in a state that cannot be removed from the outside. Is done.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, both the cases 62 and 63 are locked so as not to be separated by the wedge action of the side cover 64 to prevent the outer case 62 from being peeled off. New side surface display regions R1 can be formed on the left and right sides of the lower panel 6. Furthermore, the front display area R2 (left and right width) of the lower panel 6 can be maximized by connecting the cover portion 643 substantially flush with the left and right side walls of the slot machine 1 (front door 1a). That is, the display area of the lower panel 6 can be increased.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, in this embodiment, the inner case 63 is provided with an engaging portion (lower panel fixing claw 633) for mounting the panel 6 to the slot machine 1, but the engaging portion is provided on the upper and lower outer edges of the outer case 62. It may be provided. Further, an engaging portion may be provided in each of the outer case 62 and the inner case 63.

  Further, in the lower panel mounting portion 9 of the present embodiment, a light source (backlight) (not shown) that irradiates the lower panel 6 from behind is provided, but this light source is not limited to a single light source. Specifically, apart from the light source that irradiates the front display area R2, it is also possible to provide light sources that irradiate the left and right side display areas R1 independently. In this case, the side cover 64 is made of a transparent or translucent resin, and each light source is controlled to be turned on (flashing) independently (control of three systems), thereby providing various effects. For example, during a bonus game, a light source that illuminates the side cover 64 is blinked or lit, so that a game store clerk who often looks at the gaming state of the slot machine 1 from the side exclusively is playing bonus games. This can be recognized, and a different effect can be provided to the player facing the lower panel 6.

  The present invention can be applied to a slot machine including a panel such as a lower panel that is mounted facing a player.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 1a Front door 1b Case 6 Lower panel 9 Lower panel mounting part 61 Sheet 62 Outer case 63 Inner case 64 Side cover (locking tool)
621 Sheet clamping part 622 Engagement hole 623 Side wall 624 Opening 631 Sheet clamping part 632 Outer case fixing claw 633 Lower panel fixing claw 634 Side cover engagement fixing part 635 Side cover screw fixing part 635a Screw hole 636 Screw 641 Side cover fixing claw ( Convex part)
642 Side cover screw fixing piece (convex part)
642a Stop hole 643 Cover portion R1 Side display area R2 Front display area

Claims (5)

A slot machine having a panel mounted facing a player,
The panel is
An outer case and an inner case that sandwich a predetermined sheet by overlapping, and a locking tool that locks each case inseparably,
In the inner case facing the slot machine side and / or the outer case facing the player, an engaging portion for mounting the panel on the slot machine is formed,
On the side wall of the outer case, an opening that overlaps the inner case back side is formed,
The locking tool includes a convex portion that is inserted into the opening from the outside of the outer case and is engaged and / or fixed to the back surface of the inner case, and a cover that covers the opening. Slot machine to be.   The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion has a design surface on which a predetermined seal can be attached or a predetermined pattern can be printed.   The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the opening is formed in the left and right side walls of the outer case, and the cover part covers the left and right side walls of the outer case.   The slot machine according to claim 3, wherein the cover portion is substantially flush with the left and right side walls of the slot machine. A screw fixing portion having a screw hole into which a predetermined screw is screwed is provided on the back side of the inner case, and the screw hole is inserted into the opening from the outer case outside to the opening. Provide a screw fixing piece with a stop hole to communicate,
5. The screw according to claim 1, wherein the screw is screwed into the screw hole from the back surface side of the inner case through the stop hole, and the screw fixing piece and the screw fixing portion are screwed together. The described slot machine.

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