JP6632098B1 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A gaming machine capable of easily taking out a large-diameter medal when a medal having a larger diameter than a medal used in a game is inserted. A gaming machine has a bet button, a stop button, a medal slot for inserting a φ25 medal, and a wall for assisting the insertion of a φ25 medal into the medal slot. And a part 42, and it is possible to play a game using a φ25 medal. The maximum load of the bet button 16 is larger than the maximum load of the stop button 13. The opening width of the medal insertion slot 41 is formed to be shorter than the diameter of the medal of φ30. Are formed below the upper end of the φ30 medal and above the center in the vertical direction of the φ30 medal. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a gaming machine, a slot machine provided with a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface has been known. In the slot machine, a game can be started by inserting a medal as a game medium, and a game is performed based on an operation of a start lever or a stop button by a player.

  In the slot machine, the size of medals that can be used is defined according to the type of machine, so that medals of different sizes cannot be played. Specifically, for example, a selector for selecting medals is provided inside the slot machine, and when medals having a size other than the specified size are inserted from the medal insertion slot, the medals are flipped by the selector. It has become.

  In addition, two types of medals used for slot machines are generally known: medals of φ25 (diameter of about 25 mm) and medals of φ30 (diameter of about 30 mm). Each slot machine basically has one of the medals. Games can be played using medals (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-104022 A

  By the way, when an object larger than a predetermined size (a large-diameter medal, a coin, or the like) is inserted from an insertion slot, the object may not flow well and may be caught in the slot machine or the insertion slot. In particular, medals that are larger in diameter than medals of a predetermined size and that are used in other gaming machines are highly likely to be accidentally or maliciously inserted. When a φ30 medal is inserted into a gaming machine to be performed, if the inserted medal is configured to be caught in a predetermined portion of the gaming machine and difficult to take out, the game may be hindered or an unexpected trouble may occur. It may be invited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a gaming machine capable of easily taking out a large-diameter medal when a medal having a larger diameter than a medal used for a game is inserted. The purpose is to:

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a bet button that can be pressed, a stop button that can be pressed, a medal slot for inserting a φ25 medal, and a medal insertion port. A wall for assisting the insertion of a φ25 medal into the mouth,
A gaming machine capable of performing a game using a φ25 medal,
The operating load required to move the bet button from the initial position, which is the position at the time of non-operation, to the maximum position, which is the position where the moving distance with respect to the initial position is the maximum, is to move the stop button from the initial position. Greater than the operating load required to move to the maximum position,
The opening width of the medal insertion slot is formed shorter than the diameter of a medal of φ30,
When the medal of φ30 is hung on the medal slot, the upper end of the wall is below the upper end of the medal of φ30 and above the center of the medal of φ30 in the vertical direction. Is formed to be located,
It is characterized in that the player can touch the surface of the φ30 medal in the state facing the wall portion side.

  According to such a configuration, when a φ30 medal is erroneously or intentionally inserted into a gaming machine which performs a game with a φ25 medal, the φ30 medal is hooked at the medal insertion slot. Also, at this time, the player can touch the rear surface of the medal of φ30, so that the player can touch the front surface and the rear surface of the medal to pinch the medal. Can be taken out. Further, since the upper end of the wall portion is formed above the center in the vertical direction of the medal of φ30, when the medal of φ30 is about to tilt backward, the medal of φ30 is Is supported by the wall portion, so that the φ30 medal is prevented from falling backward, and the φ30 medal is stably supported. Therefore, since the posture of the φ30 medal on the medal insertion slot is stabilized, the φ30 medal can be easily taken out.

Also, the gaming machine of the present invention has a bet button that can be pressed, a stop button that can be pressed, a medal slot for inserting a φ25 medal, and a φ25 for the medal slot. And a wall to assist in inserting medals,
A gaming machine capable of performing a game using a φ25 medal,
The operating load required to move the bet button from the initial position, which is the position at the time of non-operation, to the maximum position, which is the position where the moving distance with respect to the initial position is the maximum, is to move the stop button from the initial position. Greater than the operating load required to move to the maximum position,
The opening width of the medal insertion slot is formed shorter than the diameter of a medal of φ30,
The wall portion is formed such that, in a state where a medal of φ30 hangs over the medal insertion slot, a position of an upper end of the wall portion in the up-down direction is a position of a central portion of the medal of φ30 in the up-down direction. And
It is characterized in that the player can touch the surface of the φ30 medal in the state facing the wall portion side.

According to such a configuration, the player can touch the rear surface of the medal of φ30 caught on the medal insertion slot, so that the medal of φ30 can be picked up and the medal of φ30 can be easily obtained. Can be taken out. Further, since the vertical position of the upper end of the wall portion is formed to be the center position of the φ30 medal in the vertical direction, the φ30 medal is likely to be inclined backward as in the above configuration. In this case, since the vicinity of the center of the φ30 medal in the vertical direction is supported by the wall portion, the φ30 medal is prevented from falling backward, and the φ30 medal is stably supported. Further, the player can touch an area near half of the rear surface of the medal of φ30, so that the medal of φ30 can be firmly grasped. Therefore, it is possible to easily take out a medal of φ30 that has been hung on the medal insertion slot portion. Here, the position of the central portion is, specifically, the position of the upper end of the wall in the up-down direction is the medal of the φ30 medal. It means that it is within a range of approximately ± 1.5 mm from the center in the vertical direction.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, when a medal having a larger diameter than a medal used for a game is inserted, the large-diameter medal can be easily taken out.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the medal shooting unit from the left front side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the medal insertion portion, as viewed from the lower rear side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the rear member of the rail and the sensor unit, as viewed from the front side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rear member of the rail and the sensor unit, viewed from the rear side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a rail front member, as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a medal shooting unit, a rail rear member, a rail front member, and a sensor unit, as viewed from a lower front side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rear rail member, a front rail member, and a selector, as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining a state in which a large-diameter medal has hit a medal slot, as viewed from the front side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a large-diameter medal for explaining a state where the medal has entered the medal insertion slot, viewed from a side.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of a gaming machine will be described. In the following, a slot machine which is one of the gaming machines will be described. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to the slot machine, and may be a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine.
In the following description, basically, “front and back” means that when a player is present in front of the slot machine, the player side is “front” and the slot machine side is “rear”, and “up and down” The upper side of the slot machine is "upper", the lower side is "lower", and the "left and right" means the left hand side of the player playing the slot machine is "left", and the right hand side is "right". I do.

In the slot machine X of the present embodiment, the regular medals usable for the game are φ25 (about 25 mm in diameter) and about 1.6 mm in thickness. Further, in the following description, simply saying “medal” basically means a regular medal. A medal that can be used in a game in another slot machine and has a diameter larger than a regular medal that can be used in the slot machine X of the present embodiment is assumed to be φ30 (about 30 mm in diameter). I do. In the following description, the term “large-diameter medal” basically means a medal of φ30 and a thickness of about 1.7 mm.
In the present invention, the regular medal and the large-diameter medal do not necessarily have to be φ25 and φ30 medals, respectively, and the present invention can be applied as long as the large-diameter medal is larger than the regular medal. It is.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the slot machine X. The slot machine X includes a housing 1. The housing 1 includes a bottom plate, left and right side plates, a top plate, and a back plate, and has a front opening that opens to the front side of the housing 1. It is formed in shape. Although not shown, on the upper surface of the bottom plate, a power supply unit having a built-in power supply device for supplying power to each component, a hopper unit as a payout device for storing medals and paying out medals, and the like are provided. ing.

In addition, a front door 3 that closes the front opening of the housing 1 so that it can be opened and closed is provided on the front of the housing 1.
Although not shown, a reel unit, a board unit, and the like are provided in the housing 1. The reel unit has three rotating reels around which a plurality of symbols are displayed, and a drive motor (stepping motor) for rotating the rotating reels. The board unit is one in which a board provided with electronic components such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O is housed in a board case. Then, the board unit functions as a game control device for controlling a game of the slot machine X.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a flat panel 4 is provided at the upper center of the front door 3. Further, the panel 4 includes a transparent display window 5 formed at the center thereof, and a design portion 6 formed so as to surround the display window 5 and on which a pattern is drawn (printed).

  Behind the display window 5, the three rotating reels are provided in a horizontal row. A part of the rotating reel is visible through the display window 5. A plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of each spinning reel. When the spinning reel stops, three symbols are displayed per reel through the display window 5. Then, whether or not the winning combination has been won is displayed by a combination of symbols displayed through the display window 5 when the three spinning reels are stopped.

  A light source (LED) for illumination is provided on the back side of the design part 6, and the light drawn from the light source illuminates the pattern drawn on the design part 6 from behind. In addition, an illumination device 7 for performing notification, effects, and the like is provided above the panel 4 of the front door 3. At both left and right end portions of the front door 3, lighting devices 8, 8 for performing notification, effects, and the like are provided.

Further, the front door 3 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 via a hinge so as to open and close an opening of the housing 1.
The front door 3 may be divided into a plurality of doors, such as being divided into an upper part and a lower part. In addition, the slot machine X has a housing 1, a lower portion of the front door 3, and a power supply unit and a hopper unit in the housing 1 which are attached to the island facilities of the amusement store when the models are exchanged at the amusement store. A so-called detachable housing type in which the upper part of the door 3 and the reel unit and the like can be exchanged may be used.

  Further, an operation unit 10 for operating the slot machine X is provided at a vertically central portion of the front door 3. The operation unit 10 includes a settlement switch 11 for paying out credited medals, a start lever 12 for starting a game, three stop buttons 13 for stopping rotation of each of the three rotating reels, and a medal. A medal slot 41 for inserting (game media), a reject button for eliminating a medal clogging generated below the medal slot 41, a 1-bet button 15 operated when investing one medal in the game, A MAX bet button 16 (bet button), etc., which is operated when betting the maximum number of three medals is provided.

The MAX bet button 16 is arranged so as to face upward, and is formed so as to be pushed downward from above. The force required to operate the MAX bet button 16 (hereinafter, referred to as operation force) is approximately 1.0N. The MAX bet button 16 includes a pressing portion and an elastic member. The pressing portion is a member that is pressed and operated by a player's finger or the like, and is formed of resin or the like. The pressing portion is urged upward by an elastic member. The elastic member is a member configured to urge the pressing portion and to be elastically deformed against the urging force when the pressing portion is pushed in, and a spring or the like is used.
Further, the stop button 13 is disposed so as to face forward, and is formed so as to be pushed in from back to front. The operation force of the stop button 13 is about 0.7N. That is, the operation force of the stop button 13 is smaller than the operation force of the MAX bet button 16.
The stop button 13 includes a pressing portion and an elastic member, like the MAX bet button 16, and the stop button 13 is urged forward by the elastic member.

  Further, as described above, the operation force of the MAX bet button 16 is about 1.0N. That is, it is necessary to push the pressing portion to elastically deform the elastic member, and to move the pressing portion to a position where a switch ON signal (a signal indicating that the button has been pressed) is output from the sensor provided in the MAX bet button 16. The load (sensor detection load) is about 1.0N. The moving distance (ON stroke) from the initial position of the pressing portion (the position at the time of non-operation) to the position where the ON signal is output is about 1.0 mm. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, a photo sensor is used as a sensor, but any other sensor may be used as long as it can detect the pressing of the pressing portion. The photo sensor is configured to output a switch ON signal when detecting, for example, a change in light traveling from the light emitting element to the light receiving element by a detection object that is moved by the pressing of the pressing unit. When a load larger than the sensor detection load is applied, the pressing portion further moves while elastically deforming the elastic member, and stops by contacting the mechanical stopper. The moving distance (full stroke) from the initial position of the pressing portion of the MAX bet button 16 to contact with the mechanical stopper (to the maximum position) is about 2.0 mm, which is about twice the ON stroke. The load (maximum load) required to move the pressing portion of the MAX bet button 16 from the initial position to contact with the mechanical stopper (to the maximum position) is about 2.0 N, and the sensor detection load (operating force) ) Is about twice as large. Note that the full stroke of the MAX bet button 16 may be, for example, about 3.0 mm and the ON stroke may be about 1.5 mm. However, the full stroke of the MAX bet button 16 is preferably equal to or longer than the full stroke of the stop button 13 described later. In other words, the movable range of the MAX bet button 16 in the pressing direction is preferably equal to or larger than the movable range of the stop button 13 in the pressing direction.

  The same applies to the stop button 13 (operating force: about 0.7 N). The ON stroke of the stop button 13 is about 1.0 mm, and the full stroke is about 2.0 mm, which is about twice as large. The sensor detection load (operation force) of the stop button 13 is about 0.7 N, and the maximum load is about 1.4 N, which is about twice as large. In addition, when the full stroke of the MAX bet button 16 is about 3.0 mm, the full stroke of the stop button 13 may be smaller than that, for example, about 3.0 mm. Further, in this case, the ON stroke of the stop button 13 is preferably set to about 1.5 mm which is smaller than the ON stroke of the MAX bet button 16.

  Here, a basic game flow in the gaming machine of the present embodiment will be described. When the player presses the MAX bet button 16, credited medals are inserted (bet), and the game can be started. When the player performs an operation of pressing the start lever 12 as an operation for starting a game, the rotating reel starts rotating, and when the rotating speed of the rotating reel increases to a predetermined speed, the pressing operation of the stop button 13 is effective. State. Thereafter, when the player presses the stop button 13 at an arbitrary timing, each rotating reel stops. When all the spinning reels stop, a process of paying out medals or a process of starting the game again without consuming new medals is performed according to the result of the game. The game is over.

  As is clear from the above, it is necessary to press a plurality of stop buttons 13 in accordance with the number of rotating reels for each game. At this time, since the operation force of the stop button 13 is set to be smaller than the operation force of the MAX bet button 16, the player can obtain a light and comfortable operation feeling regarding the operation of the stop button 13. Thus, all the stop buttons 13 can be pressed at a good tempo. Therefore, the player can play the game comfortably, and the playability is improved. In addition, since the operation force of the frequently used stop button 13 is set to be small as described above, accumulation of fatigue of the player is reduced, and the playability is improved.

  The MAX bet button 16 is often used with a strong force because it is used for an operation for starting a game and can be operated by hitting from above. Since the operation force is set to be larger than 13, the player can obtain an operation feeling that is appropriately depressed, and the playability is improved.

  At the lower end of the front door 3, a medal payout port for discharging medals from inside the slot machine and a medal tray 18 for storing medals discharged from the medal payout port are formed. A lower panel 20 for decorating the external appearance of the gaming machine is provided between the operation unit 10 and the medal tray 18. Further, a light source (LED) for illumination is provided on the back side of the lower panel 20, and the light from this light source illuminates the lower panel 20 from behind.

Next, the medal insertion unit 30 including the medal insertion slot 41 (medal insertion slot) will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the medal insertion unit 30 includes a medal insertion unit 31, a selector 33 for selecting medals, a medal passage 35 for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 31 to the selector 33, and a sensor unit 37. , R shoot 39.
The medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 41 of the medal insertion unit 31, pass through the medal passage 35, and reach the selector 33. Then, in the selector 33, medals are selected. Specifically, when the medal is a regular medal, the medal is flown toward the R shoot 39, and reaches the hopper unit through the R shoot 39. On the other hand, a medal having a size different from the default size, for example, a medal smaller than a medal of a prescribed size or a medal inserted at an improper timing is regarded as an irregular medal from the medal receiving slot through the medal payout slot. 18 to be discharged.

  The medal insertion part 31 includes a medal insertion port 41, a medal stopping wall 42 (wall part), and a medal guide part 43, and is integrally formed of metal (for example, stainless steel). The medal guide portion 43 is a portion for guiding medals to the medal insertion slot 41, and is a groove having an arc-shaped cross section that extends back and forth toward the medal insertion slot 41. Further, the medal stopping wall 42 collides the medals moved along the medal guide section 43 to stop the medals from moving in the front-rear direction and guide the medals to be inserted from the medal insertion slot 41. The wall surface faces the medal insertion slot 41 side. In addition, the medal stopping wall 42 is disposed slightly away from the rear end of the medal guide section 43 than the thickness of one medal. The medal insertion slot 41 is a left and right long slit-shaped hole (hole) formed between the medal guide portion 43 and the medal stopping wall 42. Then, the player moves the medals to the medal stop wall 42 along the medal guide section 43 and releases the medals in a state where the medals are in contact with the medal stop wall 42, so that the medals are inserted from the medal slot 41. It is supposed to be. Thus, the medal blocking wall 42 assists the player in inserting the medals into the medal insertion slot 41.

  The medal insertion slot 41 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The length (depth) of the short side (front-back direction) is slightly longer than the thickness of one regular medal, and the long side ( The length (width) in the left-right direction is slightly longer than the diameter of a regular medal. Further, the length of the short side of the medal insertion slot 41 is shorter than the thickness of two regular medals. In the medal insertion slot 41, the length of the short side is slightly longer than the thickness of one large-diameter medal, and the length of the long side is shorter than the diameter of one large-diameter medal. ing. Further, the length of the short side of the medal insertion slot 41 is shorter than the thickness of two large-diameter medals. In other words, the width of the medal insertion slot 41 is longer than the diameter of the regular medal and shorter than the diameter of the large-diameter medal. Specifically, for example, it is about 28 mm to 29 mm.

The medal stopping wall 42 forms a rear surface of an insertion port side medal passage 45 that guides medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 41 to the medal passage 35 (see FIG. 3). The wall surface of the medal stopping wall 42 and the rear surface of the insertion-side medal passage 45 are flush with each other. The medal stopping wall 42 has an upper portion extending upward from a rear portion of the medal insertion slot 41. The upper edge of the medal stop wall 42 is located above the medal guide portion 43, and the wall surface of the medal stop wall 42 can be seen behind the medal guide portion 43 in a front view. The upper surface (upper edge) of the medal stopping wall 42 has a mountain-like shape in which the portion corresponding to the center of the medal insertion slot 41 is convex upward in the left-right direction. The medal stopping wall 42 may have a flat upper surface (upper edge) (for example, a flat surface such as a horizontal surface in the left-right direction). Further, the central portion of the upper surface of the medal stopping wall 42 in the left-right direction may have a shape that is recessed downward, but in this case, a portion other than the recessed portion is the upper end of the medal stopping wall 42.
Note that the wall surface of the medal blocking wall 42 and the rear surface of the insertion port side medal passage 45 may not be flush with each other. For example, the wall surface of the medal blocking wall 42 is located behind the rear surface of the insertion port side medal passage 45. May be formed. Further, the medal stopping wall 42 and the rear surface of the insertion port side medal passage 45 may be formed by different members.

The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 41 pass through the insertion slot side medal passage 45 and reach the medal passage 35.
In the following, the length of the cross-section of a passage through which medals pass, such as the medal passage 35 and the insertion-side medal passage 45, is referred to as “width”. The length of the short side direction (the direction corresponding to the thickness direction of the medal) is referred to as “height”. Further, with respect to the passage through which the medals pass, the surface facing the rear surface of the medal (the surface facing the rear side of the medal passing through the medal passage 35, the same applies hereinafter) is referred to as the rear surface, and the front surface of the medal (the medal passing through the medal passage 35). The surface facing the front side in the above (hereinafter the same) is referred to as the front surface, and the surface facing the side surface of the medal (the surface connecting the front surface and the rear surface of the passage) is referred to as the side surface.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, the insertion port side medal passage 45 has a linear shape that goes from above to below, so that medals flow straight down from above to below. In addition, the insertion port side medal passage 45 becomes narrower and lower in height from the upper entrance to the lower exit. Specifically, since the entrance of the insertion port side medal passage 45 corresponds to the medal insertion port 41, the width is about 28 mm to 29 mm as described above. The width of the exit of the insertion port side medal passage 45 is about 26 mm. In addition, the insertion port side medal passage 45 may be formed so as to decrease in width almost linearly from the entrance to the exit, the width is increased only near the entrance, and the width of the other portions is approximately It may be a constant linear shape at 26 mm. In addition, the height of the insertion port side medal passage 45 is longer than the thickness of one large-diameter medal and shorter than the thickness of two regular medals in any part from the highest part to the lowest part. ing.

  The lower part of the insertion port side medal passage 45 is formed by a rectangular cylindrical projecting part 47 projecting downward from the lower surface of the medal insertion part 31. Further, bosses 48, 48 projecting downward from the lower surface of the medal insertion portion 31 are provided on the left front side and the right rear side of the rectangular tubular projection 47, respectively. The bosses 48 have screw holes. Further, a rectangular plate-shaped locking piece 49 is provided so as to protrude downward from the right front portion of the lower end surface of the rectangular tubular projection 47.

  The medal passage 35 is formed by the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51 (see FIGS. 2, 7, and 10). The rail rear member 50 forms the rear surface and both side surfaces of the medal passage 35. The rail front member 51 forms the front surface of the medal passage 35.

  The medal passage 35 has a state in which the entrance faces upward and the exit faces downward. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the medal passage 35 includes a first music part 35a that guides a medal that has entered from the entrance to the left as it goes downward, and a medal that comes out of the first music part 35a. And a straight line portion 35c for guiding the medals coming out of the second music portion 35b downward. Thus, the medal passage 35 has a crank shape. Further, the entrance and the exit of the medal passage 35 are displaced from each other by one or more medals in the left-right direction of the medal passage 35. Since the medal passage 35 has a crank shape, it is possible to prevent a foreign object from being inserted from the medal insertion slot 41 to a deep portion of the medal passage 35 or the selector 33 and performing a goto action.

  The rail front member 51 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the front rail member 51 is plate-shaped, and its outer shape substantially matches the outer shape of the rear rail member 50 in a front view. On the left side of the upper end of the rail front member 51, a protruding portion 55 protruding forward is provided. The protruding portion 55 has a notch portion cut out from the front to the rear, and the notch portion serves as a screw insertion portion 55a for inserting a screw from below to above. In addition, a cutout portion 56 is formed on the right side of the upper end portion of the rail front member 51 so as to have a rectangular cross section cut from the front to the rear. Further, screw insertion holes 57, 57 for inserting screws and projections 58, 58 projecting rearward are provided at the left and right ends of the lower end of the rail front member 51, respectively. The rear surface of the rail front member 51 is flat.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rear rail member 50 includes a back plate 60 that forms the rear surface of the medal passage 35, a right wall 61 that forms the right surface of the medal passage 35, and a left surface of the medal passage 35. It has a left side wall 62 to be formed, and flange portions 64, 64 projecting outward in the left-right direction from the lower end of the right side wall 61 or the left side wall 62. The rail rear member 50 is integrally formed of metal (for example, stainless steel or the like). The back plate 60 is plate-shaped, and has a plate surface oriented in the front-rear direction. In addition, the back plate 60 has a shape along the shape of the above-described medal passage 35 (first curved portion 35a, second curved portion 35b, and straight portion 35c) in a front view. The right side wall 61 and the left side wall 62 are formed so as to protrude forward along the right edge or the left edge of the back plate 60. The flange portions 64 are formed integrally with the lower end of the right side wall 61 or the left side wall 62. The front surfaces of the flanges 64, 64, the front end surface of the right side wall 61, and the front end surface of the left side wall 62 are flush. The left and right flange portions 64, 64 are provided with screw insertion holes 65, 65 for inserting screws, and projection insertion holes 66, 66 into which the projections 58 of the rail front member 51 are inserted. .

  The rear rail member 50 and the front rail member 51 contact the rear surface of the front rail member 51 with the front surfaces of the flanges 64, 64 of the rear rail member 50, the front end surface of the right side wall 61, and the front end surface of the left side wall 62. In a state where the projections 58 are inserted into the projection insertion holes 66, they are integrated by screwing described later. A medal passage 35 is formed as a space surrounded by the back plate 60 of the rail rear member 50, the right side wall 61, the left side wall 62, and the rail front member 51.

  On both sides of the back plate 60, convex portions 70, 70 protruding forward are formed along the extending direction of the medal passage 35. The medals flowing down the medal passage 35 flow down the medal passage 35 in a state where the medals can always contact both the left and right convex portions 70 and 70. In other words, the medals flowing down the medal passage 35 do not come into contact with the concave portions formed between the left and right convex portions 70, 70.

  The back plate 60 of the rear rail member 50 is provided with a rectangular opening 80 that is long on the left and right. A boss 84 protruding rearward is provided on the back surface of the back plate 60 of the rail rear member 50 and above the opening 80. The boss 84 has a screw hole. A protruding portion 86 protruding rearward is provided on the right side of the upper end of the rear surface of the back plate 60. The protruding portion 86 has a notch portion cut out from the rear to the front, and the notch portion is a screw insertion portion 86a for inserting a screw from below to above. At the upper end of the left side wall 62 of the rail rear member 50, an L-shaped locking portion 88 is provided projecting forward in a plan view.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rail rear member 50 and the rail front member 51 include a screw inserted into the screw insertion portion 86a of the rail rear member 50 and a screw inserted into the screw insertion portion 55a of the rail front member 51. By being screwed into the screw holes of the two bosses 48, 48 of the medal insertion portion 31, it is integrated with the medal insertion portion 31. Further, the locking portion 88 of the rear rail member 50 is locked to the side surface of the rectangular tubular projecting portion 47 of the medal insertion portion 31, and the locking piece 49 of the medal insertion portion 31 is formed by cutting the front rail member 51. The rear rail member 50 and the front rail member 51 are positioned with respect to the medal insertion portion 31 by being locked to the notch portion 56. The upper end surfaces of the rear rail member 50 and the front rail member 51 are in contact with the lower end surfaces of the rectangular tubular projecting portions 47 of the medal insertion portion 31. Thus, the insertion port side medal passage 45 and the medal passage 35 are in communication.
Note that the upper end surfaces of the rear rail member 50 and the front rail member 51 and the lower end surface of the medal insertion portion 31 do not necessarily need to be in contact with each other, and a predetermined gap is provided between both end surfaces. May be close to each other.

The length from the exit of the insertion port side medal passage 45 to the upper end of the medal blocking wall 42 is shorter than the diameter (25 mm) of one medal. In other words, the length from the boundary between the insertion port side medal passage 45 formed in the medal insertion portion 31 and the medal passage 35 formed by other members to the upper end of the medal stopping wall 42 is larger than the diameter of one medal. It is getting shorter. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, medals are prevented from being caught at the joint between the medal passage 35 and the slot-side medal passage 45, but the medal can be temporarily caught at the joint. Even if the medal is caught at the joint, the upper end of the medal is located above the upper edge of the medal blocking wall 42, so that the player can touch the rear surface of the medal. . Thus, when a medal is caught, the medal can be easily grasped and pulled out.
Note that the rear surface or the front surface of the medal passage 35 does not necessarily need to be formed by a member different from the medal insertion portion 31. That is, for example, the rear rail member 50 or the front rail member 51 is formed integrally with the medal insertion portion 31, and the medal passage 35 is formed by attaching the front rail member 51 or the rear rail member 50 as a cover member thereto. May be formed. Further, the medal passage 35 (the rear rail member 50 and the front rail member 51) may not exist, and the insertion-side medal passage 45 may be directly connected to the selector 33. Further, the medal insertion portion 31 may not be formed integrally. For example, it may be configured by a substantially plate-shaped member that forms the rear surface of the insertion port side medal passage 45 and the medal blocking wall 42, and a member that forms the front surface of the insertion port side medal passage 45.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sensor unit 37 includes a sensor 100 and a movable piece 110 (a movable member) (see FIG. 2). The sensor 100 is an electronic circuit mainly including a photo interrupter. The sensor 100 detects the operation of the movable piece 110 and outputs a detection signal.

  The movable piece 110 includes a medal contact portion 111 with which a medal contacts, and is formed of a black synthetic resin. The sensor 100 is fixed to the rear rail member 50 by screwing, and the movable piece 110 is urged by a spring (elastic member) so that the medal contact portion 111 of the movable piece 110 projects from the opening 80 into the medal passage 35. Have been. When the medal or the like passes through the medal passage 35, the movable piece 110 is pressed by the medal or the like in contact with the medal contact portion 111, and when the medal or the like is released, the movable piece 110 is pressed by the spring. The medal contact portion 111 returns to a state in which the medal contact portion 111 protrudes into the medal passage 35. Further, the movable piece 110 includes a light shielding plate protruding rearward. When the movable piece 110 is pressed, the sensor 100 detects the movement of the light shielding plate, and the detection indicating that the movable piece 110 is pressed is performed. The sensor 100 emits a signal.

  Note that the detection signal from the sensor 100 is sent to the above-described board unit (main control board) via a wiring connected to the sensor 100. Then, when the detection signal is continuously transmitted for a predetermined time (for example, about 1 second), the board unit determines that there is a possibility that the goto action is being performed, and emits a sound through a speaker or the like. To inform you of abnormalities. Note that the sensor unit 37 does not detect an abnormality such as a goto action, and may be, for example, a unit that counts the number of medals passing through the medal passage 35. Further, as the sensor 100, any sensor other than the photo interrupter may be used as long as it can detect the operation of the movable piece 110.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the rear rail member 50, the front rail member 51, and the selector 33 are connected to the screw holes 65, 65 of the rear rail member 50 and the screw holes 57, 57 of the front rail member 51, respectively. 128 and 128 are integrated by being screwed into a screw hole (not shown) provided above the selector.

  The selector 33 includes a medal selecting unit 130 that selects medals, and a selector-side medal passage 131 that guides medals to the medal selecting unit 130. The selector-side medal passage 131 is a passage through which medals pass. The selector-side medal passage 131 is a passage that is curved in the height direction (the direction of the thickness of the medals). However, the height is slightly higher only at the entrance portion, and the height is substantially equal to the entire passage except the entrance portion. Is constant. The height of the selector-side medal passage 131 is less than the thickness of two medals in any part. In addition, the height of the selector-side medal passage 131 is higher than the height of the medal passage 35 communicating therewith. Specifically, while the height of the medal passage 35 is about 2.3 mm, the height of the selector-side medal passage 131 is about 3.1 mm. The width of the selector-side medal passage 131 is slightly longer than the diameter of a regular medal in any part, and is shorter than the diameter of a large-diameter medal. In other words, the selector-side medal passage 131 has such a width that a large-diameter medal cannot flow down. That is, the selector 33 cannot select and play a large-diameter medal.

  The medal selection unit 130 includes a medal selection mechanism 140 and a medal discharge unit 141 disposed behind the medal selection mechanism 140. The medal selection mechanism 140 supports a predetermined medal inserted at an appropriate timing so as not to fall from the medal discharge unit 141 and guides the medal toward the hopper unit. On the other hand, the medal selection mechanism 140 drops medals having a size different from the predetermined size and irregular medals such as medals inserted at inappropriate timing toward the medal discharge unit 141. . The medals dropped from the medal discharge unit 141 are discharged to the medal tray 18 from the medal payout opening. The mechanism for selecting medals in this way may use a conventional selector.

Next, a case where a large-diameter medal M of φ30 is inserted into the medal insertion slot 41 in the gaming machine of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram in which a rear rail member 50 and a front rail member 51 are added to the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 9.
Since the opening width of the medal slot 41 is smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter medal M, the large-diameter medal M is hooked on the medal slot 41. Specifically, the left and right ends (portions indicated by points P and Q in FIG. 9) of the lower portion of the side surface of the large-diameter medal M abut on the edge (short side) of the medal insertion slot 41, so that the large-diameter medal M M is hooked on the medal slot 41. In other words, the medal insertion slot 41 is formed in a size such that medals of a size that cannot be selected by the selector 33 are caught and do not flow inside the gaming machine.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the large-diameter medal M in the state of being hung on the medal insertion slot 41 has a front surface near the insertion port-side medal passage 45 near points P and Q in FIG. Can be in contact with the front of the That is, the large-diameter medal M can be brought into contact with the medal slot 41 at the points P and Q, and the front surface thereof can be brought into contact with the medal slot 41 near the points P and Q. ing. In other words, the large-diameter medal M comes into contact with the medal insertion slot 41 at two places separated to the left and right (separated in the direction of the surface of the medal), and in the vicinity of each of the two places (in the direction of the surface of the medal). (At two points apart from each other), the front surface thereof is in contact with the medal insertion slot 41, or is in a state of being close to and capable of contacting. Furthermore, in other words, the large-diameter medal M is in a state where two places separated to the left and right are inserted into the notches in the upwardly-viewing U-shape formed separately to the left and right of the medal insertion slot 41. I have. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, when the two locations and the large-diameter medal M2 hanging on the medal slot 41 are about to fall forward, the front surface thereof is near the points P and Q, and The large diameter medal M2 is prevented from falling forward by contacting the insertion slot 41 (the front surface of the insertion slot side medal passage 45). Is maintained. Note that the medal insertion slot 41 may be formed so that the large-diameter medal M2 inclined forward in this manner can simultaneously abut on portions other than the portions near the points P and Q on the front surface. The medal insertion slot 41 may be formed such that two or more portions on the front surface of the large-diameter medal M2 can abut. In addition, the two places that come into contact with the medal insertion slot 41 are the left and right ends on the lower side of the center of the large-diameter medal M2.
In this manner, the medal insertion slot 41 is formed such that two diametrical medals of the φ30 medal hooked on the medal insertion slot 41 can be brought into contact with each other at two locations separated from each other in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) in the vertical direction on the front surface. However, as a matter of course, as long as the two places are separated in the direction intersecting in the vertical direction, they may be separated from each other in the vertical direction (may be shifted in the vertical direction). In addition, the two locations may have a positional relationship that is substantially horizontal to each other (a deviation in the vertical direction is within 10% (within 3 mm) of the diameter of a φ30 medal).

When the large-diameter medal M hangs over the medal slot 41, the lower end thereof is inserted into the medal slot 41, and the lower end of the front surface of the large-diameter medal M is closer to the front edge of the medal slot 41. Is also located below. In other words, the lower end of the front surface of the large-diameter medal M is positioned lower than the upper end edge of the front surface of the insertion-side medal passage 45, and the lower end of the front surface of the large-diameter medal M is Is covered by the front of the camera. Specifically, the distance T1 from the lower end of the large-diameter medal M to the front edge (medal guide portion 43) of the medal slot 41 is 1.5 mm or more, and the lower end of the front of the large-diameter medal M is It is located 1.5 mm or more below the front edge of the medal slot 41. The area 1.5 mm from the lower end of the large-diameter medal M is covered with the front surface of the slot-side medal passage 45.
Since the lower end of the large-diameter medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 41 in this manner, the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 is prevented from falling down. The large-diameter medal M is stably supported. In the above example, T1 is 1.5 mm or more, but is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

  As described above, by inserting the lower end portion of the large-diameter medal M into the medal insertion slot 41, the large-diameter medal M is hooked on the medal insertion slot 41 in an upright state. In other words, the large-diameter medal M hangs on the medal slot 41 with both sides thereof facing in the front-back direction. At this time, the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M is in a state of approaching or abutting on the medal stopping wall 42.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the large-diameter medal M is hung on the medal insertion slot 41, a part of a portion of the front surface below the center in the vertical direction is a member forming the medal insertion slot 41. It is covered. In other words, the medal guide unit 43 is located below the center in the vertical direction of the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41. When the large-diameter medal M applied to the medal insertion slot 41 is viewed from the front (from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the large-diameter medal M), the large-diameter medal M is a portion below the center in the vertical direction. Are obscured, and the portion above the center in the vertical direction is not obscured.

  In the medal guide section 43, the curvature at the rear end portion is equal to or larger than the curvature of the large-diameter medal M. Therefore, the large-diameter medal M having the lower end inserted into the medal insertion slot 41 has the lower end on the front side firmly supported along the circumferential direction of the large-diameter medal M, and is stably inserted into the medal insertion slot 41. It is caught.

When the large-diameter medal M hangs over the medal insertion slot 41, its lower end is positioned above the lower end of the insertion-port side medal passage 45. That is, the lower end of the large-diameter medal M does not reach the boundary (connecting portion) between the insertion port side medal passage 45 formed in the medal insertion portion 31 and the subsequent medal passage 35. In other words, the medal insertion slot 41 and the insertion slot side medal path 45 (first medal path) are formed by the medal insertion section 31 (first member), and the medal path 35 (second medal path) is formed. The medal insertion portion 31 is formed by a rear rail member 50 and a front rail member 51 (second member) separate from the medal insertion portion 31. It is located out of reach. In other words, the lower end of the large-diameter medal that has hit the medal slot 41 does not hit the rear rail member 50 and the front rail member 51. In this manner, the large-diameter medal M reaches the medal passage 35 formed by one or more members including a member separate from the medal insertion portion 31 as the first member forming the insertion port side medal passage 45. When the large-diameter medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 41, the large-diameter medal M does not come into contact with the member forming the medal passage 35 to be in a floating state. At the edge of the medal slot 41. Therefore, the large-diameter medal M that is accidentally or intentionally inserted is stably supported, and the large-diameter medal can be easily taken out.
As described above, a part of the medal passage 35 may be formed by a member (the medal insertion part 31) forming the insertion port side medal passage 45. That is, the medal passage 35 does not have to be formed only by a member separate from the member forming the insertion port side medal passage 45. Further, the medal passage 35 (the rear rail member 50 and the front rail member 51) may not exist, and the insertion-side medal passage 45 may be directly connected to the selector-side medal passage 131. In any case, the second medal passage (the medal passage 35) which is formed of one or more members including a member separate from the medal insertion portion 31 forming the insertion opening side medal passage 45 and continues to the insertion opening side medal passage 45. Alternatively, when there is the insertion slot side medal passage 45), the large-diameter medal M that has hit the medal insertion slot 41 is prevented from reaching the second medal passage (so that it does not hit a member forming the second medal passage). ) Is preferable.

  In addition, when the large-diameter medal M hangs over the medal insertion slot 41, the lower end thereof is positioned above a sensor that detects a medal such as the sensor 100 or a sensor included in the selector 33, The large-diameter medal M does not reach these sensors. Therefore, when the large-diameter medal M is erroneously inserted and hits the medal insertion slot 41, the sensor 100 reacts and erroneously determines that a goto action is being performed, or that a medal is inserted. It is possible to prevent erroneous judgment.

As described above, the medal stopping wall 42 extends upward from the rear portion of the medal insertion slot 41. Accordingly, the large-diameter medal M is in a state where at least a part of its rear surface is covered with the medal stopping wall 42 when the large-diameter medal M is hung on the medal insertion slot 41. Also, the upper end of the medal stopping wall 42 is positioned higher than the center of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M that is hung on the medal slot 41 (the center in the up-down direction: shown by the dashed line C in FIG. 9). Is formed. In other words, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the medal stopping wall 42 covers an area 15 mm or more from the lower end of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M. As described above, since the upper end of the medal stopping wall 42 is formed so as to be located higher than the center in the vertical direction of the large-diameter medal M, when the large-diameter medal M is likely to tilt backward. Since the medal stop wall 42 supports the large-diameter medal M above the center in the vertical direction, the large-diameter medal M is prevented from falling backward, and the large-diameter medal M is stably supported. Therefore, the attitude of the large-diameter medal M is stabilized, and the large-diameter medal M can be easily taken out.
The upper end of the medal stopping wall 42 may not be formed so as to be located strictly above the center of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M. That is, for example, the upper end of the medal stopping wall 42 in the vertical direction may be formed to be within a range of ± 1.5 mm from the center in the vertical direction of the large-diameter medal M. In other words, the large-diameter medal M may be formed such that the vertical position of the upper end of the medal stopping wall 42 is the central position of the large-diameter medal M in the vertical direction. Even with such a configuration, the attitude of the large-diameter medal M can be stabilized.

The medal stopping wall 42 is formed such that the upper end of the medal stopping wall 42 is located below the upper end of the large-diameter medal M when the large-diameter medal M hangs over the medal slot 41. Thereby, in this state, the player can touch the rear surface of the large-diameter M medal. In other words, the large-diameter medal M is in a state where a part of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M is exposed when the large-diameter medal M hangs over the medal slot 41 when viewed from behind the medal stopping wall 42. Since the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M can be touched as described above, the large-diameter medal M can be pinched by touching the front and rear surfaces of the large-diameter medal M hanging on the medal slot 41. , Can be easily taken out. If the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M can be touched even a little, the large-diameter medal M can be picked up. The medals M need not be formed so as to be located below the upper end. However, the protrusion amount T2 of the upper end of the large-diameter medal M in the state of being hooked on the medal slot 41 from the upper end of the medal stopping wall 42 is preferably 3 mm or more, and more preferably 6 mm or more. More preferred. According to such a configuration, the large-diameter medal M can be easily pinched, and the large-diameter medal M can be more easily taken out.
In addition, the position in the left-right direction of the upper end of the large-diameter medal M and the upper end of the medal stopping wall 42 does not need to match. Further, the position in the left-right direction of the lower end of the large-diameter medal M and the lower end (the bottom of the groove) at the rear end of the medal guide section 43 may not be coincident.

  In addition, a space having a minimum depth (width in the front-rear direction) of the thickness (1.6 mm) of one medal is formed behind the medal stopping wall 41. That is, an interval equal to or more than the thickness of one medal is provided between the medal stopping wall 41 and the panel 4. Therefore, the large-diameter medals M hanging on the medal insertion slot 41 can be easily picked up from the front and rear. It is more preferable that an interval equal to or more than the thickness of three medals (4.8 mm) is provided between the medal stopping wall 41 and the panel 4. Further, even when the interval corresponding to the thickness of one medal is not provided behind the medal stopping wall 41, the thickness of two to four medals is provided between the front surface of the medal stopping wall 41 and the panel 4. It is desirable to provide an interval of (3.2 to 6.4 mm) or more.

13 stop button 16 MAX bet button 30 medal insertion unit 31 medal insertion part 41 medal insertion slot (medal insertion slot)
42 Medal control wall (wall)
43 medal guide unit 45 medal passage on the input side

Claims (2)

A bet button that can be pressed, a stop button that can be pressed, a medal slot for inserting a φ25 medal, and a wall extending upward from the rear of the medal slot. Prepare
A gaming machine capable of performing a game using a φ25 medal,
The operating load required to move the bet button from the initial position, which is the position at the time of non-operation, to the maximum position, which is the position where the moving distance with respect to the initial position is the maximum, is to move the stop button from the initial position. Greater than the operating load required to move to the maximum position,
The opening width of the medal insertion slot is formed shorter than the diameter of a medal of φ30,
When the medal of φ30 is hung on the medal slot, the upper end of the wall is below the upper end of the medal of φ30 and above the center of the medal of φ30 in the vertical direction. Is formed to be located,
A gaming machine characterized in that a player can touch a surface of the medal of φ30 in the state facing the wall portion side. A bet button that can be pressed, a stop button that can be pressed, a medal slot for inserting a φ25 medal, and a wall extending upward from the rear of the medal slot. Prepare
A gaming machine capable of performing a game using a φ25 medal,
The operating load required to move the bet button from the initial position, which is the position at the time of non-operation, to the maximum position, which is the position where the moving distance with respect to the initial position is the maximum, is to move the stop button from the initial position. Greater than the operating load required to move to the maximum position,
The opening width of the medal insertion slot is formed shorter than the diameter of a medal of φ30,
The wall portion is formed such that, in a state where a medal of φ30 hangs over the medal insertion slot, a position of an upper end of the wall portion in the up-down direction is a position of a central portion of the medal of φ30 in the up-down direction. And
A gaming machine characterized in that a player can touch a surface of the medal of φ30 in the state facing the wall portion side.