JP7525216B1 - Game table holding device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To minimize the operating space required when a gaming table support device supports the side of a gaming table. [Solution] A side support unit (130) is arranged so as to be slidable horizontally between a first position where it abuts against a side surface (700A) of a gaming table (700) and a second position away from the side surface of the gaming table (700). A link mechanism (140) converts the rotational movement of an operating lever (120) into horizontal linear movement and transmits this linear movement to the side support unit (130). As a result, the side support unit (130) slides between the first position and the second position in response to the rotational movement of the operating lever (120). [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine holding device for holding pachinko machines, slot machines, and other gaming machines in a gaming machine installation frame.

In pachinko parlors and other gaming machine installation establishments, multiple gaming machines are arranged in a given space, and an area where multiple gaming machines are arranged together (or the multiple gaming machines within that space) is called an "island." In gaming machine installation establishments, each island is made up of a frame for installing the gaming machines, which is made by combining multiple boards and pillars into a rectangular shape, and each gaming machine is fixed to this frame and arranged in a horizontal row.
An example of a gaming machine holding device that releasably fixes a gaming machine to a gaming machine installation frame is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
Fig. 26 is a front view of a plurality of game tables 700 arranged in a row in the horizontal direction. A conventional game table support device 500 described in Patent Document 1 is attached to each of the plurality of game tables 700. Fig. 27 is a rear view of Fig. 26 in which the game tables 700 are omitted in order to clarify the position of the game table support device 500.

A frame 800 for installing the game machines is arranged around the plurality of game machines 700 arranged in a horizontal row. The frame 800 for installing the game machines includes a lower frame 810 extending in the same horizontal direction as the direction in which the game machines 700 are arranged directly below the plurality of game machines 700, a second lower frame (not shown) extending horizontally from the lower frame 810 toward the back, an upper frame 830 extending horizontally in parallel with the lower frame 810 behind and above the game machine 700, and side frames (vertical frames) 820 extending in the up-down direction (vertical direction) at both ends of the lower frame 810, the second lower frame, and the upper frame 830, and connecting the lower frame 810, the second lower frame, and the upper frame 830.
A gaming medium lending machine 710 is disposed adjacent to each gaming machine 700 (smart slot machines and smart pachinko machines are gaming machines equipped with the functionality of the gaming medium lending machine 710. Although the gaming medium lending machine 710 is not disposed for these gaming machines, such smart machines are also included in the gaming machine 700.) When a user of the gaming machine 700 inserts a bill (or a card) into the gaming medium lending machine 710, a number of gaming media (pachinko balls, medals, etc.) according to the amount of the inserted bill is paid out.

Each gaming table 700 is placed on and supported by a lower frame 810. That is, the lower surface of each gaming table 700 is supported by the lower frame 810.
26, a game media lending machine 710 is disposed adjacent to the right side of each game table 700, and the game media lending machine 710 is in contact with the side frame 820. In this manner, the lower surface of each game table 700 is supported by the lower frame 810, and the right side surface is supported by the side frame 820 via the game media lending machine 710.
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the game table support device 500 as viewed from the front side of the game table 700. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 28, the game table holding device 500 is composed of a base member 510 fixed to an upper frame 830 and a side support unit 520.
29 and 30 are rear views of the side support unit 520 (viewed from the rear side of the gaming table 700).

As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the game table holding device 500 is disposed above each game table 700 and has the function of releasably supporting the game table 700 against the upper frame 830.
As shown in FIG. 28, the base member 510 is an L-shaped member, and is fixed to the upper surface of the upper frame 830 via an L-shaped angle 510C by a screw or other fastening means.
As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the side support unit 520 is composed of a base plate 521 fixed to the base member 510, an operating lever 522, a contact pad unit 530, and a link mechanism 540 that operatively connects the operating lever 522 and the contact pad unit 530.
As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 , the link mechanism 540 is made up of a linear first link member 523 , an L-shaped second link member 524 , and a linear third link member 525 .

The first link member 523 is rotatably connected to the base plate 521 and the operating lever 522 via a first pin 527A and a second pin 527B, respectively, and the second link member 524 is rotatably connected to the base plate 521 and the operating lever 522 via a third pin 527C and a fourth pin 527D, respectively, and is further rotatably connected to the third link member 525 via a fifth pin 527E.
The contact pad unit 530 includes a contact pad 533, which can rotate about a fulcrum 534. Specifically, the contact pad 533 rotates about the fulcrum 534 between a first position (position shown in FIG. 29) where the contact pad 533 contacts the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700 and presses the gaming table 700 leftward in FIG. 29, and a second position (position shown in FIG. 30) where the contact pad 533 is separated from the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700 and is not in contact with the left side surface 700A.

The contact pad 533 is rotatably connected to the third link member 525 via the pin 525B. Therefore, the rotational movement of the operating lever 522 is transmitted to the contact pad 533 via the link mechanism 540 and converted into the rotational movement of the contact pad 533 about the fulcrum 534.
Specifically, when the operating lever 522 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction R (FIG. 30), the contact pad 533 rotates in a clockwise direction about the fulcrum 534 and reaches a first position in contact with the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700 (FIG. 29). When the operating lever 522 is rotated in a clockwise direction S (FIG. 29), the contact pad 533 rotates in a counterclockwise direction about the fulcrum 534 and moves to a second position away from the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700 (FIG. 30).
As described above, the gaming machine holding device 500 is capable of releasably fixing the gaming machine 700 to the gaming machine installation frame 800 .

Patent No. 7171110

However, the conventional game machine holding device 500 has the following problems.
The first problem is that of space.
29 and 30, the contact pad 533 rotates around the fulcrum 534, and therefore requires a relatively large space for rotation. However, there is only a small space around the gaming table 700, and it is often difficult to secure the space required for the rotation of the contact pad 533.
The second problem is the contact between the contact pad 533 and the game table 700.
29, the entire surface of the contact pad 533 is required to contact the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700. In other words, when the contact pad 533 contacts the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700, the surface of the contact pad 533 needs to be in the vertical direction. For this purpose, it is necessary to accurately determine the relative positional relationship between the gaming table holding device 500 and the gaming table 700, but this is often difficult at the installation site of the gaming table 700.

For example, if the position of the gaming table holding device 500 (and therefore the position of the contact pad 533) shifts to the right or left from the position in Figure 29, when the contact pad 533 contacts the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700, the surface of the contact pad 533 will shift in an inclined direction from the vertical, and the contact pad 533 will only contact the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700 at its upper or lower end, and will not be able to exert sufficient holding force on the gaming table 700.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems with the conventional gaming table holding device 500 as described above, and aims to provide a gaming table holding device that requires a minimum amount of space when holding a gaming table 700 and is also capable of exerting sufficient holding force on the gaming table 700.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a game table holding device (100) that releasably holds a game table (700) on a game table installation frame (800) that is arranged around the game table (700), the game table holding device (100) comprising: a base member (110) fixed to the game table installation frame (800); an operating lever (120) supported by the base member (110) so as to be rotatable within a vertical plane; and a control lever (120) having a first position that abuts against either one of the right side surface and the left side surface (700A) of the game table (700) and a second position that is spaced apart from either the right side surface and the left side surface (700A) of the game table (700). and a link mechanism (140) operatively connecting the operating lever (120) to the side support unit (130), wherein the link mechanism (140) converts the rotational movement of the operating lever (120) into a sliding movement of the side support unit (130) and causes the side support unit (130) to slide horizontally from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position depending on the direction of rotation of the operating lever (120).

The side support unit (130) is preferably characterized in that, for example, it is fixed to the base member (110) and includes a support member (131) having a vertical surface (131B) and a pad (132), the base member (110) and the support member (131) are formed with slots (111D, 131D) that extend horizontally and face each other, the pad (132) has a protrusion (132C) that fits into the slot (111D, 131D) and can slide within the slot (111D, 131D), and the pad (132) slides between the first position and the second position by the protrusion (132C) sliding within the slot (111D, 131D).

The link mechanism (140) includes, for example, a base plate (144) fixed to the base member (110) and having a vertical surface (144A), a first link member (141), a second link member (142) having a first portion (142A) and a second portion (142B) extending perpendicularly from a tip of the first portion (142A), and a third link member (143). The first link member (141) is rotatably connected at one end to the base plate (144) and at the other end to the operating lever (120). The second link member (142) is rotatably connected to the first portion (14 It is preferable that the third link member (143) is rotatably connected at one end thereof to the tip of the second part (142B) of the second link member (142) and at the other end thereof to the pad (132). The third link member (143) is rotatably connected at one end thereof to the tip of the second part (142B) of the second link member (142) and at the other end thereof to the pad (132).

It is preferable that the game table holding device of the present invention, for example, comprises a base plate (144) fixed to the base member (110) and having a vertical surface (144A), the operating lever (120) is supported on the base plate (144) so as to be rotatable within the vertical plane, the base member (110) has a horizontal surface (110A), and the base plate (144) is attached to the base member (110) so as to be slidable relative to the horizontal surface (110A) of the base member (110).
The game table holding device according to the present invention may include a slide length adjustment mechanism (210) that adjusts the length by which the base plate (144) slides relative to the horizontal surface (110A) of the base member (110).

The game table holding device (100) is, for example, fixed to the game table installation frame (800) and attached to a support plate (561) having a support surface (561A) facing the back surface (700C) of the game table (700), and includes a back support unit (550) that supports the back surface (700C) of the game table (700), a transmission member (580) that transmits the operation of the side support unit (130) to the back support unit (550) when the side support unit (130) is activated, and The rear support unit (550) is rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the rear surface (700C) of the game table (700). When the pad (132) rotates from the second position to the first position, the rotation of the pad (132) is transmitted to the rear support unit (550) via the transmission member (580), and the rear support unit (550) is preferably fixed at a position where it contacts the rear surface (700C) of the game table (700).

It is preferable that the transmission member (580) is made of a non-elastic wire, and that the transmission member (580) moves in its length direction in response to the movement of the side support unit (130) when the side support unit (130) is actuated, and transmits the movement of the side support unit (130) to the rear support unit (550) by moving in the length direction.
The back support unit (550) includes, for example, a support plate (561) having the support surface (561A) extending in the vertical direction, a first member (562) rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the support plate (561) about a first point (562A) between both ends of the support plate (561) in the longitudinal direction, a second member (563) surrounding the first member (562), the second member (563) having a vertically extending elongated hole (563A) in a side wall, and a slide member (564) slidable along the elongated hole (563A). It is preferable that the slide member (564) is in contact with the first member (562) between the first point (562A) and one end of the first member (563), the slide member (564) is connected to the transmission member (580), and when the transmission member (580) moves in its longitudinal direction, the slide member (564) slides along the long hole (563A), and when the slide member (564) slides along the long hole (563A), the first member (562) is fixed at a position where it contacts the back surface (700C) of the game table (700).

It is preferable that the game table holding device (300) includes an elastic member (565) that biases the first member (562) so that the first member (562) is in a position to contact the back surface (700C) of the game table (700).
It is preferable that the gaming table holding device (300) includes an elastic member (565A) that biases the first member (562) so that the first member (562) is positioned away from the rear surface (700C) of the gaming table (700).
When the pad (132) rotates from the first position to the second position, the rotational motion of the pad (132) is transmitted to the rear support unit (550) via the transmission member (580), and it is preferable that the first member (562) moves from a position in contact with the rear surface (700C) of the gaming table (700) to a position away from the rear surface (700C) of the gaming table (700).
The reference numerals in parentheses are used only for the purpose of showing the correspondence with the embodiments described later, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

According to the gaming machine holding device of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
The first effect is that it can solve the problem of securing space.
In the conventional game table holding device 500, a relatively large space is required for the contact pad 533 to rotate.
In contrast, in the game table holding device of the present invention, the side support unit does not rotate, but only slides horizontally, so it can operate satisfactorily in a space significantly smaller than the space required for rotation of the contact pad 533.
In this way, the gaming machine holding device of the present invention can operate with only the minimum required space, making it unnecessary to secure a large space around the gaming machine 700, thereby solving the conventional space problem.

The second effect is that it is possible to provide sufficient support for the gaming table.
In the conventional game table holding device 500, when the contact pad 533 comes into contact with the left side surface 700A of the game table 700, the surface of the contact pad 533 needs to be in the vertical direction.
In contrast, in the game table holding device according to the present invention, the contact surface of the side support unit is always in the vertical direction, so that when the side support unit comes into contact with the left side surface 700A of the game table 700, the whole surface of the side support unit can always be in contact with the left side surface 700A of the game table 700. Therefore, it is possible to constantly exert a sufficient holding force on the game table 700.

2 is a rear view of the game table holding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the game table holding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of the base member. FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of the operating lever and the link mechanism. FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the operating lever and the link mechanism. FIG. FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing the positional relationship between the support member and the pad unit when the pad unit slides. FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a game table holding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slide position adjustment member. 13 is a perspective view showing another example of a slide amount adjustment mechanism for adjusting the slide amount of the base plate. FIG.

13 is a perspective view of a slide position adjustment member used in the slide amount adjustment mechanism. FIG. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a game table holding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a rear view of the game table holding device shown in FIG. 14 . FIG. 15 is a rear view of the game table holding device shown in FIG. 14 . FIG. FIG. FIG. 20(A) and 20(B) are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of the rear support unit. 13 is a perspective view of a rear support unit when a spring of another example is used. FIG. FIG. 22 is a front view of the rear support unit shown in FIG. 21 . 23(A) and 23(B) are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of the rear support unit.

22 is an oblique view of a game table holding device using the back support unit shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 13 is a partial side view showing another mounting location of the spring. A front view of multiple gaming tables arranged in a horizontal row. 27 is a rear view of FIG. 26 in which the game table is omitted to clarify the position of the game table holding device. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional game table holding device as viewed from the front side of the game table. 13 is a rear view of a side support unit in a conventional game table holding device. FIG. 13 is a rear view of a side support unit in a conventional game table holding device. FIG.

(First embodiment)
1 and 2 are rear views (viewed from the rear side of a gaming table 700) similar to FIGS. 29 and 30 of a gaming table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The game-table holding device 100, like the conventional game-table holding device 500, is used in a state where it is fixed to a game-table installation frame 800.
The gaming table holding device 100 comprises a base member 110 fixed to a gaming table installation frame 800, an operating lever 120 supported by the base member 110 so as to be rotatable within a vertical plane, a side support unit 130 formed to be slidable horizontally between a first position (position shown in Figure 1) in contact with the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700 and a second position (position shown in Figure 2) spaced from the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700, and a link mechanism 140 operatively connecting the operating lever 120 and the side support unit 130 to each other.

As described below, the link mechanism 140 converts the rotational movement of the operating lever 120 (rotation in the clockwise direction S shown in FIG. 1 and rotation in the counterclockwise direction R shown in FIG. 2) into a sliding movement of the side support unit 130, and has the function of sliding the side support unit 130 from a first position to a second position, or from the second position to the first position, depending on the rotational direction S or R of the operating lever 120, respectively.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the game table holding device 100 is disposed above each game table 700 and has the function of releasably supporting the game table 700 relative to the upper frame 830 .
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the base member 110, and FIG.

The base member 110 comprises a horizontal surface 110A extending horizontally, a vertical surface 110B extending from one end of the horizontal surface 110A in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal surface 110A (vertical direction), an L-shaped angle 110C (similar to the L-shaped angle 510C shown in Figure 28) fixedly attached to the vertical surface 110B, and a plane 110D connected to the horizontal surface 110A and the vertical surface 110B at one end (the left end in Figure 3 (A)) of the horizontal surface 110A and the vertical surface 110B, and the base member 110 is fixed to the upper frame 830 via the L-shaped angle 110C by screws or other connecting means.
As shown in FIG. 3A, a rectangular opening 111A is formed in a horizontal surface 110A, and four screw holes 111B are formed on one side of the opening 111A (the left side in FIG. 3A), and two through holes 111C are formed on the other side of the opening 111A (the right side in FIG. 3A).
A slot 111D having a horizontally extending elongated shape is formed in the vertical surface 110B near the other end (the right end in FIG. 3A).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the link mechanism 140 is composed of a pair of first link members 141 , a pair of second link members 142 , a pair of third link members 143 , and a base plate 144 .
The base plate 144 is an L-shaped flat member having a vertical surface 144A and a horizontal surface 144B, and the horizontal surface 144B is screwed into the screw hole 111B of the base member 110, so that the vertical surface 144A stands upright on the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110. Since the base member 110 is fixed to the upper frame 830 via the vertical surface 110B and the L-shaped angle 110C, the base plate 144 is also indirectly fixed to the upper frame 830 via the base member 110.
FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of the operating lever 120 and the link mechanism 140, and FIG.

4, two through holes 144A and 144B are formed in the base plate 144. The through hole 144A is located above the through hole 144B, i.e., farther away from the gaming table 700, and the through hole 144B is located to the right of the through hole 144A, i.e., closer to the operating lever 120.
The operating lever 120 is made of a flat plate-like member, and a handle 120A is attached to one end (the upper end in FIG. 4 ) of the operating lever 120. Two through holes 120B and 120C are formed in the operating lever 120. The through hole 120B is located above the through hole 120C, i.e., is located further above the gaming table 700.
Each of the pair of first link members 141 is a flat plate-like member having the same shape, and two through holes 141A, 141B are formed in each of the first link members 141. As shown in Fig. 5, the pair of first link members 141 are rotatably attached to both sides of a base plate 144 and an operating lever 120 so as to sandwich the same therebetween.

The base plate 144 and the first link member 141 are rotatably connected to each other by passing a first pin 145A through a through hole 144A of the base plate 144 and a through hole 141A of the first link member 141. Furthermore, the first link member 141 and the operating lever 120 are rotatably connected to each other by passing a second pin 145B through a through hole 141B of the first link member 141 and a through hole 120B of the operating lever 120.
Each of the pair of second link members 142 is a flat plate-like member of the same shape, and as shown in Figure 5, the pair of second link members 142 are rotatably attached to both sides of the base plate 144 and the operating lever 120 so as to sandwich them.
Each second link member 142 is L-shaped, and specifically, is composed of a first portion 142A extending in one direction (horizontally in FIG. 1) and a second portion 142B extending perpendicularly (downward in FIG. 1) from a tip end (right end in FIG. 1) of the first portion 142A. The second portion 142B protrudes below the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110 through an opening 111A formed in the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110.

A through hole 142C is formed at the tip of the first portion 142A (the left end in Figure 4), a through hole 142D is formed at the other end (the right end in Figure 4, i.e., the intersection of the first portion 142A and the second portion 142B), and further, a through hole 142E is formed at the tip of the second portion 142B.
The base plate 144 and each second link member 142 are rotatably connected to each other by passing a third pin 145C through a through hole 144B of the base plate 144 and a through hole 142C of each second link member 142. Furthermore, the second link member 142 and the operating lever 120 are rotatably connected to each other by passing a fourth pin 145D through a through hole 142D of each second link member 142 and a through hole 120C of the operating lever 120.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the third link member 143 consists of a flat, elongated member, and has a long hole 143A extending in the longitudinal direction of the third link member 143 at one end (the left end in Figures 1 and 2), and a through hole 143B at the other end (the right end in Figures 1 and 2).
As shown in Figure 4, the third link member 143 is connected to the second link member 142 so as to be rotatable relative to the second link member 142 and slidable along the long hole 143A by passing a fifth pin 145E through the long hole 143A and the through hole 142E of the second link member 142.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the side support unit 130 includes a support member 131 and a pad unit 132 .
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support member 131. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the support member 131 has a horizontal surface 131A and a vertical surface 131B extending vertically downward from one end of the horizontal surface 131A, with two screw holes 131C formed in the horizontal surface 131A and a long hole-shaped slot 131D extending horizontally formed in the vertical surface 131B.
The support member 131 is attached to the back side of the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110 by being screwed into the screw holes 131C via two through holes 111C formed in the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110 (only a part of the support member 131 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). When the support member 131 is attached to the base member 110, the slot 131D faces the slot 111D formed in the vertical surface 110B of the base member 110 in the horizontal direction.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pad unit 132.

The pad unit 132 has a horizontal surface 132A and a vertical surface 132B extending vertically downward from one end of the horizontal surface 132A.
On both side edges of the horizontal surface 132A, protrusions 132C of the same shape are formed at the same positions so as to protrude outward in the horizontal direction. Each protrusion 132C has a size that allows it to fit into the slot 111D and the slot 131D, and is slidable inside the slot 111D and the slot 131D. The pad unit 132 is attached to the support member 131 by fitting the two protrusions 132C into the slot 111D and the slot 131D, respectively.
Two supports 134 are formed upright on the horizontal surface 132A facing each other between the two protruding bodies 132C. Each support 134 is formed with a through hole 134A, and the third link member 143 is rotatably connected to the pad unit 132 by passing a pin 145F (see FIGS. 1 and 2) through a through hole 143B formed at the right end of the third link member 143 and each through hole 134A.

A rubber contact pad 133 is attached to the back side of the vertical surface 132B, and the contact pad 133 comes into contact with the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700.
FIG. 8 is a partial side view showing the positional relationship between the support member 131 and the pad unit 132 when the pad unit 132 slides.
The operation of the game machine supporting device 100 will be described below with reference to FIGS.
Before the game table 700 is installed, the side support unit 130 is maintained in the second position as shown in Fig. 2. In this state, the operating lever 120 is tilted clockwise from the vertical direction, and the pad unit 132 is located away from the intended contact position on the left side surface 700A of the game table 700. In addition, the two protrusions 132C are engaged with the slots 111D and 131D, respectively, and are located toward the right side of the slots 111D and 131D, as shown in Fig. 8(B).

After the game machine 700 is installed, when the operating lever 120 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction R, the rotational movement of the operating lever 120 is converted by the link mechanism 140 into horizontal linear motion of the tip of the second portion 142B of each second link member 142. In other words, the tip of the second portion 142B performs linear motion toward the left in FIG.
Since the third link member 143 is connected to the tip of the second part 142B of each second link member 142 via the fifth pin 145E, when the tip of the second part 142B moves linearly to the left, the third link member 143 is also pulled by the second part 142B and performs a similar linear movement.
Since the third link member 143 is connected at its right end to the pad unit 132 via the pin 145F, the two protrusions 132C slide within the slots 111D and 131D and move to positions close to the left ends of the slots 111D and 131D, as shown in Fig. 8(A). That is, the pad unit 132 moves from the second position (Fig. 2) to the first position (Fig. 1), contacts the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700, and supports (holds) the gaming table 700 at the left side surface 700A.

To release the support for the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700, the operating lever 120 is rotated in the clockwise direction S. This causes the opposite operation to that described above, causing the two protrusions 132C to slide in the slots 111D and 131D and move from the position shown in Fig. 8(A) to the position shown in Fig. 8(B), and accordingly the pad unit 132 moves from the first position (Fig. 1) to the second position (Fig. 2), and the support for the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700 by the gaming table holding device 100 is released.
According to the game machine holding device 100 that operates as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
In the conventional game table holding device 500, a relatively large space is required for the contact pad 533 to rotate.

In contrast, in the game table holding device 100 of this embodiment, the pad unit 132 (the component corresponding to the contact pad 533) does not rotate, but only slides horizontally, so that a space significantly smaller than the space required for the rotation of the contact pad 533 is sufficient.
In this way, the gaming machine holding device 100 of this embodiment can operate with only the minimum required space, and there is no need to secure a large space around the gaming machine 700, thereby solving the space problem.
Furthermore, in the conventional game table holding device 500, when the contact pad 533 comes into contact with the left side surface 700A of the game table 700, the surface of the contact pad 533 needs to be in the vertical direction.
In contrast, in the game machine holding device 100 according to this embodiment, the pad unit 132 always has its surface in the vertical direction, so that when the pad unit 132 comes into contact with the left side surface 700A of the game machine 700, the entire surface of the pad unit 132 can always come into contact with the left side surface 700A of the game machine 700. Therefore, it is possible to constantly exert a sufficient holding force on the game machine 700.

Second Embodiment
A game table holding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The game table holding device according to this embodiment has a mechanism for displacing the slide start position (or slide end position) of the side support unit 130 to the left and right in the horizontal direction, as compared with the game table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment. Except for this point, the game table holding device according to this embodiment has the same structure as the game table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the game table holding device according to this embodiment.
The game table holding device according to this embodiment is additionally provided with a slide position adjustment member 200 compared to the game table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the slide position adjustment member 200. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the sliding position adjustment member 200 has a vertical surface 200A extending vertically, and a horizontal surface 200B extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical surface 200A and perpendicular to the vertical surface 200A.

The width of the vertical surface 200A is smaller than the width of the horizontal surface 200B, and the vertical surface 200A and the horizontal surface 200B have a common center line (a line extending to the left and right of the horizontal surface 200B in FIG. 10).
Four screw holes 200C are formed in the horizontal surface 200B so as to be located at the vertices of a square.
A rectangular opening 111E is formed in the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110. The opening 111E has a width that allows the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200 to fit therein, and a length L that allows the vertical surface 200A to slide in the length direction of the base member 110. In other words, the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200 can slide within the opening 111E between one end 111Ea and the other end 111Eb of the opening 111E.

In addition, in the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110 in this embodiment, one long hole (two long holes in total) is formed in place of the two screw holes 111B adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base member 110. The long holes extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base member 110.
The slide position adjustment member 200 is attached to the base member 110 by being screwed into the screw hole 200C of the horizontal surface 200B via a through hole formed in the horizontal surface 144B of the base plate 144 and an elongated hole formed in the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110. In this state, the horizontal surface 200B contacts the rear surface of the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110, and the vertical surface 200A protrudes upward from the opening 111E.
The base plate 144 is fixed to the base member 110 via screws, but by loosening the screws, the base plate 144 can slide within the range of elongated holes formed in place of the screw holes 111B.

As described above, the slide position adjustment member 200 and the base plate 144 are interconnected, so that when the base plate 144 is slid in the longitudinal direction of the base member 110, the slide position adjustment member 200 also slides together with the base plate 144 within the range of length L.
The game machine holding device according to this embodiment having the above-described structure provides the following functions and effects.
The operating lever 120, the side support unit 130, and the link mechanism 140 are directly or indirectly connected to the base plate 144. Therefore, when the base plate 144 moves (slides) left and right, the operating lever 120, the side support unit 130, and the link mechanism 140 also move left and right accordingly.

As described above, the slide position adjustment member 200 is slidable together with the base plate 144. Therefore, when the base plate 144 is slid, the slide position adjustment member 200 slides in the same direction together with the operating lever 120, the side support unit 130 and the link mechanism 140.
The amount of sliding is determined by the length of the slot and the length L of the opening 111E, and the amount of sliding can be adjusted by changing the length of the slot and the length L of the opening 111E.
In this way, by sliding the base plate 144, the slide start position (or slide end position) of the side support unit 130 can be displaced left and right, which in turn makes it possible to fine-tune the position of the contact pad 133, and more reliably brings the entire surface of the contact pad 133 into contact with the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of a slide amount adjustment mechanism for adjusting the slide amount of the base plate 144. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, this slide amount adjustment mechanism includes a fixing member 210 , a screw member 211 , and a fixing nut 212 in addition to a slide position adjustment member 200 .
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a slide position adjustment member 200 used in the slide amount adjustment mechanism.
The slide position adjustment member 200 used in the slide amount adjustment mechanism is different from the slide position adjustment member 200 shown in FIG. 10 in that a screw hole 200D is additionally formed in the center of the vertical surface 200A.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fixing member 210. As shown in FIG.

The fixing member 210 has a shape similar to that of the slide position adjustment member 200 shown in Figure 12, and has a vertical surface 210A and a horizontal surface 210B, with a through hole 210C formed in the vertical surface 210A and two screw holes 210D formed in the horizontal surface 210B.
The screw member 211 is formed of a normal bolt, and the fixing nut 212 has a screw hole into which the screw member 211 can be screwed, and is formed as a knob made up of two cylindrical pieces with different diameters.
The fixing member 210 is attached to the base member 110 by being screwed into the screw hole 210D of the horizontal surface 210B via a through hole formed in the horizontal surface 144B of the base plate 144. In this state, the horizontal surface 210B contacts the rear surface of the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110, the vertical surface 210A protrudes upward from the opening 111E and faces the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200 in parallel to each other, and the through hole 210C formed in the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210 and the screw hole 200D formed in the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200 are positioned opposite to each other on the same horizontal line.

11, the screw member 211 is fixedly screwed into a screw hole 200D formed in the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200, and its tip passes through a through hole 210C formed in the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210 and protrudes outside the vertical surface 210A. A fixing nut 212 is screwed into the tip of the screw member 211.
The slide amount adjustment mechanism is used as follows.
When the base plate 144 is slid to the right, the operating lever 120, the side support unit 130, and the link mechanism 140, which are connected to the base plate 144, also slide in the same direction, and the slide position adjustment member 200 also slides in the same direction. When the slide position adjustment member 200 slides to the right, the screw member 211 fixed to the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200 and the fixing nut 212 which is also screwed into the tip of the screw member 211 also move to the right.

When the fixing nut 212 moves to the right, the fixing nut 212 comes into contact with the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210, preventing the fixing nut 212 and, by extension, the base plate 144 from sliding further to the right. In this way, the fixing member 210 functions as a stopper against the rightward sliding of the base plate 144 and the slide position adjustment member 200.
The amount by which the base plate 144 can slide is equal to the distance between the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210 and the fixing nut 212. Therefore, by turning the fixing nut 212 clockwise or counterclockwise, the distance between the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210 and the fixing nut 212 can be adjusted, so that the amount by which the base plate 144 and the slide position adjustment member 200 can slide can be increased or decreased.
FIG. 11 shows an example of the structure of the slide amount adjustment mechanism, and the slide amount adjustment mechanism may have a different structure.

Third Embodiment
Figure 14 is an oblique view of a gaming table holding device 300 relating to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 15 and 16 are rear views (viewed from the rear side of the gaming table 700) similar to Figures 1 and 2 of the gaming table holding device 100.
Compared to the gaming table holding device 100 of the first embodiment, the gaming table holding device 300 of this embodiment additionally includes a rear support unit 550 that supports the rear of the gaming table 700, and a steel wire 580 as a transmission member that operatively connects the side support unit 130 and the rear support unit 550, and apart from this, has the same structure as the gaming table holding device 100 of the first embodiment.

17 to 20 are figures showing the structure and operation of the rear support unit 550. Specifically, FIGS. 17 and 18 are oblique views of the rear support unit 550, FIG. 19 is a front view (with the second member 563 described later omitted), and FIGS. 20(A) and 20(B) are oblique and side views, respectively, of the rear support unit 550.
As shown in Figures 14 and 17, the rear support unit 550 has a support surface 561A facing the rear surface 700C (see Figures 15 and 16) of the gaming table 700, and is equipped with a support plate 561 extending in the vertical direction, a first member 562 located near the lower end 561C of the support plate 561 and capable of rotating in a plane perpendicular to the support surface 561A of the support plate 561, with a point (pin 562A described later) away from the support surface 561A of the support plate 561 as the rotation center, a box-shaped second member 563 (see Figure 20) surrounding the first member 562, and a slide member 564.
The first member 562 is supported on both side walls of the second member 563, and is rotatably supported on a pin 562A passing through the above-mentioned rotation center, and rotates about the pin 562A.

The support plate 561 is fixed at its upper end 561B and lower end 561C (see FIG. 14) to the upper frame 830 and the lower frame 810, respectively, and the support plate 561 stands upright in the vertical direction.
As shown in FIG. 20A, vertically extending elongated holes 563A are formed in both side walls of the second member 563, and the sliding member 564 is supported so as to be slidable along the elongated holes 563A.
The sliding member 564 contacts the back surface of the first member 562 (the surface facing the back surface 700C of the gaming table 700 is the front surface of the first member 562, and the back surface is the rear surface of that, i.e., the surface visible in Figure 17) between the pin 562A and one end 562D of the first member 562 (the upper end in Figure 17), and slides on the back surface of the first member 562.

A through hole (not shown) through which wire 580 passes is formed in plane 110D of base member 110, and wire 580 passes through this through hole, with one end of wire 580 being rotatably connected to fifth pin 145E (see Figures 15 and 16) and the other end being rotatably connected to slide member 564 (see Figure 17).
As described below, when wire 580 moves in its length direction, slide member 564 correspondingly slides along long hole 563A without rotating on the back surface of first member 562. When slide member 564 slides, first member 562 rotates about pin 562A.
A spring 581 is stretched around the wire 580, and is fitted between a screw 582 fixed to the wire 580 and the slide member 564. The spring 581 is a compression spring, and applies an elastic force to the slide member 564 in a direction away from the screw 582.
An opening 561D is formed in the support surface 561A of the support plate 561, and the first member 562 rotates through the opening 561D without interfering with the support surface 561A of the support plate 561.

19 and 20(B), the rear support unit 550 further includes a spring 565. One end of the spring 565 is attached to the support surface 561A of the support plate 561, and the other end is attached near the tip (the lower end in FIG. 19) of the first member 562. The spring 565 is a tension spring, and applies an elastic force to the first member 562 so that the first member 562 remains in the rotation limit position, i.e., the position shown in FIG.
17, a pad 562B having a high coefficient of friction is attached to the tip of the first member 562, and when the first member 562 is in the rotation limit position (the position shown in FIG. 18), the pad 562B abuts against the back surface 700C of the gaming table 700. As the pad 562B, for example, a brake pad for a bicycle is used.

As previously mentioned, wire 580 is connected at each of its ends to fifth pin 145E and slide member 564.
The wire 580 serving as the transmission member is made of steel and does not stretch (or the stretch rate is so small that it can be ignored). The wire 580 is covered with a resin coating material (not shown), and inside the coating material the wire 580 can move in the length direction. The coating material is fixed to the support plate 561 at an appropriate location of the support plate 561, for example, to prevent the wire 580 from meandering.
Wire 580 is displaced in the length direction of wire 580 in response to the movement of operating lever 120 of side support unit 130 (more precisely, the movement of fifth pin 145E attached to second link member 142). That is, since wire 580 is attached to fifth pin 145E, when fifth pin 145E is displaced, wire 580 is also displaced by the same horizontal length in the same direction together with fifth pin 145E.

As shown in Figure 15, the horizontal distance from the through hole 111D to the fifth pin 145E when the contact pad 133 is in the first position is La, and as shown in Figure 16, the horizontal distance from the through hole 111D to the fifth pin 145E when the contact pad 133 is in the second position is Lb.
When the contact pad 133 moves from the second position (FIG. 16) to the first position (FIG. 15), the third link member 143 moves overall to the left, and the fifth pin 145E also moves to the left. Therefore, La is shorter than Lb (La<Lb).
That is, when the contact pad 133 moves from the second position (FIG. 16) to the first position (FIG. 15), the wire 580 also moves leftward in its longitudinal direction by a distance of (Lb-La).

When the wire 580 is displaced in this manner, because the wire 580 is inelastic, the slide member 564 connected to one end of the wire 580 is displaced by the wire 580 by a distance of (Lb-La) in the direction in which the wire 580 extends from the fifth pin 145E (downward in FIG. 17). When the slide member 564 moves downward in FIG. 17, as shown in FIG. 18, the slide member 564 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the first member 562. In this state, the slide member 564 becomes an obstacle to the first member 562, and the first member 562 cannot rotate in the clockwise direction around the pin 562A.
As described above, the first member 562 is fixed in a position in contact with the rear surface 700C of the gaming table 700 by the descending slide member 564, so that the first member 562 abutting the rear surface 700C of the gaming table 700 functions to inhibit the gaming table 700 from shifting backwards (towards the first member 562), even if the gaming table 700 attempts to shift backwards (in the direction toward the first member 562), thereby preventing the gaming table 700 from shifting backwards.

When the contact pad 133 moves from the first position (FIG. 15) to the second position (FIG. 16), the third link member 143 moves generally to the right, and the fifth pin 145E also moves to the right, causing the wire 580 to be displaced to the right in its longitudinal direction by a distance of (Lb-La).
When the wire 580 is displaced in this manner, the slide member 564 connected to one end of the wire 580 is displaced in the opposite direction (upward in FIG. 18) by the wire 580. When the slide member 564 moves upward in FIG. 18, the first member 562 is released from contact with the slide member 564 and becomes freely rotatable about the pin 562A, and the function of supporting the back surface 700C of the gaming table 700 is stopped.
As described above, when the contact pad 133 rotates from its second position (FIG. 16) to its first position (FIG. 15), the rotational motion of the contact pad 133 is transmitted to the rear support unit 550 via the wire 580, so that the slide member 564 descends and comes into contact with the first member 562, preventing the first member 562 from rotating around the pin 562A. Therefore, the first member 562 is fixed at a position where it abuts against the rear face 700C of the gaming table 700, and prevents the gaming table 700 from shifting backward. Also, when the contact pad 133 rotates from its first position to its second position, the first member 562 is released from a state where it is fixed at a position where it abuts against the rear face 700C of the gaming table 700.

The game machine holding device 300 having the above-described structure is used as follows.
As described above, the contact pad 133 slides between a first position (position shown in FIG. 15) where it contacts the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700 and presses the gaming table 700 to the left, and a second position (position shown in FIG. 16) where it is not in contact with the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700. When the contact pad 133 is rotated from the second position to the first position, the fifth pin 145E to which one end of the wire 580 is attached is displaced in the horizontal direction, so that the sliding movement of the contact pad 133 is converted into a movement of the wire 580 in its length direction. Specifically, the wire 580 is pushed to the left by the length of (Lb-La).

As a result, the slide member 564 attached to the wire 580 moves downward along the support plate 561 and comes into contact with the first member 562 between the upper end 562D of the first member 562 and the pin 562A. When the slide member 564 comes into contact with the first member 562 in this manner, the rotation of the first member 562 about the pin 562A is inhibited by the slide member 564, so that the first member 562 is fixed at a position where it abuts against the back surface 700C of the gaming table 700, preventing the gaming table 700 from shifting backward.
When the contact pad 133 is moved from the first position (FIG. 15) to the second position (FIG. 16), as described above, the wire 580 is also pulled to the right in its length direction and displaced by a distance of (Lb-La). As a result, the slide member 564 connected to one end of the wire 580 is displaced in the opposite direction (upward in FIG. 18) by the wire 580. When the slide member 564 moves upward in FIG. 18, the first member 562 is released from contact with the slide member 564, and the state in which the first member 562 is fixed to the position where it abuts against the back surface 700C of the gaming table 700 is released, and the support of the back surface 700C of the gaming table 700 by the back surface support unit 550 is released.

According to the game machine holding device 300 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
When the contact pad 133 is rotated from the second position to the first position, the slide member 564 moves downward in association with the rotation of the contact pad 133 and comes into contact with the first member 562, so that the first member 562 is fixed at a position where it abuts against the rear surface 700C of the gaming table 700. As a result, even if the lower part of the gaming table 700 tries to shift backward, it is obstructed by the first member 562, and the gaming table 700 can be prevented from shifting backward.
In this way, by performing the single action of rotating the operating lever 120, it is possible to simultaneously support the left side 700A and the back side 700C of the gaming table 700, thereby preventing the gaming table 700 from shifting left and right and backward.

Furthermore, the transition of the contact pad 133 from the first position to the second position involves releasing the state in which the first member 562 of the rear support unit 550 is fixed in a position in contact with the rear surface 700C of the gaming table 700, so that support in the left-right and rearward directions of the gaming table 700 can be easily released by a single action of rotating the operating lever 120 (handle 120A) in the clockwise direction S.
The game machine holding device 300 according to this embodiment is not limited to the above-described structure, and various modifications are possible.
In the game machine holding device 300 according to this embodiment, the spring 565 is configured as a tension spring, but instead of the spring 565, it is also possible to use a spring 565A made of a compression spring.

Figure 21 is an oblique view of the rear support unit 550 when spring 565A is used (with the second member 563 omitted), Figure 22 is a front view of the same, Figure 23(A) is an oblique view of the rear support unit 550 similar to Figure 21 (with the second member 563 shown), Figure 23(B) is a side view of the same, and Figure 24 is an overall oblique view of the game table holding device 300 similar to Figure 14.
When spring 565A consisting of a compression spring is used, as shown in FIG. 21, first member 562 is biased by spring 565A to a position not in contact with rear surface 700C of gaming table 700, or to a position away from rear surface 700C of gaming table 700.
When the slide member 564 moves downward as the contact pad 133 rotates from the second position to the first position, the first member 562 rotates counterclockwise about the pin 562A against the biasing force of the spring 565A and is fixed at a position where it abuts against the rear surface 700C of the gaming table 700 (the state shown in FIG. 18 ). This prevents the gaming table 700 from shifting backward.

When the slide member 564 moves upward as the contact pad 133 rotates from the first position to the second position, the first member 562 rotates clockwise around the pin 562A due to the biasing force of the spring 565A and returns to its original position (the position shown in Figure 21).
In this way, by using spring 565A instead of spring 565, the position of spring 565A when not in contact with the back surface 700C of the gaming machine 700 differs from the position of spring 565 in a similar case, but it is possible to achieve the same function as when spring 565 is used.
The attachment position of the spring 565 is not limited to the position shown in FIG.
FIG. 25 is a partial side view showing an alternative mounting location for spring 565.

As shown in FIG. 25, it is also possible to attach one end of the spring 565 near the upper end 562D of the first member 562 (more precisely, between the upper end 562D of the first member 562 and the pin 562A) and the other end to the inner wall of the second member 563 (the inner surface of the wall parallel to the support surface 561A of the support plate 561). Even if the spring 565 is attached in the position shown in FIG. 25, it will function in the same way as when it is attached in the position shown in FIG. 20(B).

100 Game table holding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention 110 Base member 120 Operation lever 130 Side support unit 140 Link mechanism 141 First link member 142 Second link member 143 Third link member 300 Game table holding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention 550 Back support unit 700 Game table

Claims (11)

A game machine holding device that releasably holds a game machine on a game machine installation frame arranged around the game machine,
The game machine holding device includes:
A base member fixed to the game machine installation frame;
an operating lever supported by the base member so as to be rotatable within a vertical plane;
A side support unit formed to be slidable in a horizontal direction between a first position in contact with either one of the right side surface and the left side surface of the game table and a second position spaced apart from either one of the right side surface and the left side surface of the game table;
a link mechanism operatively connecting the operating lever to the side support unit;
Equipped with
The link mechanism converts the rotational movement of the operating lever into a sliding movement of the side support unit, and slides the side support unit horizontally from the first position to the second position, or from the second position to the first position, depending on the direction of rotation of the operating lever. The side support unit includes:
a support member fixed to the base member and having a vertical surface;
Pads and
Equipped with
The base member and the support member each have a slot extending horizontally and facing each other;
The pad has a protrusion that fits into the slot and is slidable within the slot;
2. The game table support device according to claim 1, wherein the pad slides between the first position and the second position by the projection sliding within the slot. The link mechanism includes:
a base plate fixed to the base member and having a vertical surface;
A first link member;
a second link member having a first portion and a second portion extending perpendicularly from a tip of the first portion;
A third link member;
Equipped with
The first link member is pivotally connected at one end to the base plate and pivotally connected at the other end to the operating lever,
The second link member is rotatably connected to the base plate at one end of the first portion at a position closer to the gaming table than the one end of the first link member, and is rotatably connected to the operation lever at the other end of the first portion at a position closer to the gaming table than the other end of the first link member,
The gaming table holding device described in claim 2, characterized in that the third link member is rotatably connected at one end to the tip of the second part of the second link member, and is rotatably connected at the other end to the pad. A base plate is fixed to the base member and has a vertical surface,
The operating lever is supported by the base plate so as to be rotatable within a vertical plane,
2. The play table support device according to claim 1, wherein the base member has a horizontal surface, and the base plate is attached to the base member so as to be slidable relative to the horizontal surface of the base member. The game table holding device according to claim 4, characterized in that it is provided with a slide length adjustment mechanism that adjusts the length by which the base plate slides relative to the horizontal surface of the base member. The game machine holding device includes:
A back support unit that is fixed to the game machine installation frame and is attached to a support plate having a support surface facing the back surface of the game machine and supports the back surface of the game machine;
a transmission member that transmits the operation of the side support unit to the rear support unit when the side support unit is actuated;
Equipped with
The back support unit is rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the back surface of the game table,
The gaming table holding device described in claim 2, characterized in that when the pad rotates from the second position to the first position, the rotational motion of the pad is transmitted to the rear support unit via the transmission member, and the rear support unit is fixed at a position in contact with the rear of the gaming table. The transmission member is made of a non-elastic wire,
The game table holding device described in claim 6, characterized in that the transmission member moves in its length direction in response to the operation of the side support unit when the side support unit is activated, and transmits the operation of the side support unit to the rear support unit by moving in the length direction. The rear support unit includes:
a support plate having the support surface extending in a vertical direction;
a first member rotatable about a first point between both ends of the support plate in a longitudinal direction within a plane perpendicular to the support plate;
A second member surrounding the first member, the second member having a vertically extending elongated hole in a side wall;
a slide member that is slidable along the long hole;
Equipped with
the sliding member is in contact with the first member between the first point and one end of the first member,
The gaming table holding device described in claim 6, characterized in that the sliding member is connected to the transmission member, and when the transmission member moves in its longitudinal direction, the sliding member slides along the long hole, and when the sliding member slides along the long hole, the first member is fixed at a position in contact with the back surface of the gaming table. The gaming table holding device according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic member that biases the first member so that the first member is in a position where it contacts the back surface of the gaming table. The gaming table holding device according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic member that biases the first member so that the first member is positioned away from the back surface of the gaming table. The gaming table holding device according to claim 10, characterized in that when the pad rotates from the first position to the second position, the rotational motion of the pad is transmitted to the back support unit via the transmission member, and the first member moves from a position in contact with the back of the gaming table to a position away from the back of the gaming table.

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