JPH07288062A - Switching device and game machine using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve visibility without marring the strength of a push button by arranging a light emitting element around the push button, not therein, to emit light around the push button facing a player when the light emitting element is lit. CONSTITUTION:Each of stop switches 30-32 inserted into a mounting hole 12 in the front panel 11 of a slot machine has a front-open frame 90 arranged with the open face toward a player, a push button 100 provided to be slidable from the open-face side of the frame 90 into the frame and a transparent material. Each of the switches 30-32 has also a light transmitter 110 placed around the push button 100 ranging from the face side of the panel 11 to the frame 90 and fixed to the frame 90 and a light emitting element (LED120-122) provided near the light transmitter 110 so that it may be lit on after starting a play to inform a player that the push button 100 is operatable and lit off in accordance with the operation of the push button 100.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine using a switch device, and in particular, a push button surrounding a push button facing a player when a light emitting element provided in the switch device is turned on to light up. The present invention relates to a gaming machine using a switch device which has improved visibility without sacrificing strength.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a gaming machine using this type of switch device, generally, a simple push button switch which does not light itself is used. In addition, a display unit that can be turned on is provided separately from the push button switch, and this display unit is turned on after a lapse of a certain time from the start of the game to notify the player that the push button can be operated,
There is known a device provided with a switch device which is turned off in synchronization with the subsequent operation of the push button.

[0003]

However, in the gaming machine using the above-mentioned conventional switch device, the visibility is inferior because the display unit is a separate body, no matter how close the display unit is to the switch device. Had a problem. In order to further improve the visibility, it is sufficient to make the display unit large so that it is easy to see. However, in addition to the fact that the display unit is a separate unit increases the cost, a large display unit is attached. It is difficult to secure a space for this, and the cost of the display unit itself, the mounting member, and the like increases.

On the other hand, it is possible to use a self-luminous button switch as the switch device. Most of these self-emission type button switches have an L
It is formed by incorporating a light emitting element such as an ED and covering the surface with a resin having transparency. As the resin on this surface, if a highly transparent resin is used, the LED etc. can be seen through from the outside and it is not desirable in appearance, so a semi-transparent resin is used.In this case, compared to the case of using a highly transparent resin. However, the emission efficiency of LED light is inevitably lowered. Therefore, in order to increase the emitted light amount as much as possible and improve the visibility, either increase the light emission amount of the LED itself, or
It is necessary to thin the surface resin in order to efficiently emit the LED light.

However, as a switch device of this type in which a player may be excited and push hard, thinning the surface resin causes a problem in strength, but a large size or a large number of sizes are required in order to give strength. If an attempt is made to secure the amount of emitted light by using an LED or the like, the switch becomes large and
There was a contradictory problem that the cost increased due to D etc.

Therefore, the inventions set forth in claims 1 to 3 have been made in view of the problems of the above-described prior art, and the purpose thereof is to notify that the push button can be operated. Light emitting element for not in the push button,
It is intended to provide a switch device which is arranged around the push button so that when the switch is turned on, the periphery of the push button facing the player is illuminated so that the visibility is improved without impairing the strength of the push button. is there.

In addition to this, in the invention according to claim 2, a light emitting element for notifying that the push button can be operated is arranged around the push button, and when the light is turned on, the periphery of the push button appears to the player. It is intended to provide a gaming machine using a switch device in which the visibility is improved without damaging the strength of the push button. Further, the invention according to claim 3 is to provide a gaming machine using a switch device which can be easily attached to the gaming machine by only inserting from the front side.

[0008]

The present invention is to achieve the above-mentioned object, and the contents thereof will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention according to claim 1 is transparent and is located around the push button (100).
The transparent body (110) fixed to (90) and the transparent body (110) provided near the transparent body to notify that the push button is operable, and the operation of the push button (100). And a light emitting element (120 to 122) which is turned off based on the above.

A gaming machine using the switch device according to claim 2 is transparent and has the push button () extending from the front side of the front panel (11) of the gaming machine (10) to the inside of the frame (90). 100) A translucent body (110) located in the periphery and fixed to the frame body (90), and provided in the vicinity of this translucent body (110), lights up after the game starts and the push button (100) is It is characterized in that it is provided with a light emitting element (120 to 122) which notifies the player that the operation is possible and turns off the light based on the operation of the push button (100).

The invention according to claim 3 is the above-mentioned claim 2.
In addition to the characteristic points described above, on the player side of the translucent body (110), the mounting hole provided in the front panel (11) of the gaming machine (10).
(12) A collar part (114) that is slightly larger than the one is provided along the surface of the front panel (11), and the frame body (90) has its peripheral wall portion spread outward from the back side to the player side. Formed,
When the frame body (90) is inserted into the mounting hole (12), it is elastically deformed inward, and after insertion, it spreads outward again and the front panel (11) of the gaming machine (10) with the flange (114). ) Is provided, a plurality of locking projection plates (97) for locking the stop switches (30 to 32) to the front panel (11) of the gaming machine (10) are provided.

[0011]

[Operation] Therefore, according to the invention of claim 1,
Since the light emitting elements (120 to 122) are not built in the push button (100), it is not necessary to make the inside of the push button (100) a hollow structure. Further, when the push button (100) becomes operable, the light emitting elements (120 to 1) provided near the translucent body (110).
22) lights up. The lit light emitting elements (120 to 122) are extinguished when the push button (100) is operated.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the push button (1
(00) does not have a built-in light emitting element (120 to 122),
The inside of the push button (100) does not need to be hollow. Also, when the push button (100) becomes operable after the game starts, the stop switches (30 to 32) around the push button (100)
The light emitting elements (120 to 122) arranged inside are lit, and this light is emitted to the outside from the surface of the transparent body (110) around the push button (100) facing the player, and the push button (100) The player is notified that the operation is possible. This light-emitting element (120 ~ 12
After that, the player turns off the light when the player operates the push button (100).

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the stop switch (30 to 32) is inserted into the mounting hole (12) provided in the front panel (11) of the gaming machine (10) to the end. Can be attached to the front panel (11). That is,
The stop protrusions (97, 97) provided on the peripheral wall (92) of the frame body (90) and initially spread outward are the stop switches (30 to 3).
As 2) is pushed into the mounting hole (12), it is pushed by the edge of the mounting hole (12) and elastically deforms so as to bind inward. Push in the stop switch (30-32) to open the translucent body (110).
When the collar part (114) of the plate reaches the position where it comes into contact with the surface of the front panel (11), the locking projections (97, 97) disengage from the edge of the mounting hole (12) and expand again as before. Since the front panel (11) is sandwiched between the tip of the locking projection plate (97, 97) and the collar portion (114) of the translucent body (110), the stop switch (30 to 32) is Locked in (11), it will not be pushed in or pulled out even if force is applied from the front side.

[0014]

1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a stop switch of the present invention.
2 is a front view of the slot machine, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of control of reel stop operation by a stop switch, FIG. 4 is a front view of the stop switch, FIG. 5 is a top view of the stop switch, and FIG. 6 is a stop. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the switch, FIG. 7 is a top view of the frame, FIG. 8 is a front view of the translucent body, and FIG.
Is a top view of the translucent body, and FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the stop switch.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a slot machine. The slot machine 10 has three vertically long stop display windows 20 to 22 arranged side by side at a position near the center of the front of the slot machine. The positions corresponding to the respective stop display windows 20 to 22 below the stop display windows 20 to 22 are for stopping the display of the symbols to be updated on the front surface of the slot machine 10 by the player pressing the surface thereof. First to generate a stop signal
-Three 3rd stop switches 30-32 are installed in parallel.
Further, on the left side of these first to third stop switches 30 to 32 in FIG. 2, a start switch 40 for generating a start signal for starting a game by a player's operation is arranged.

As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 10 is located at the back side of each of the stop display windows 20 to 22, and can be seen from the outside through the corresponding stop display windows 20 to 22.
Third rotating reels 50 to 52 and these first to third rotating reels
50-52 provided near each of the rotating reels 50-52
The first to third rotation detecting means 60 to 62 for detecting the rotation of the motor and outputting the rotation detection signals indicating the number of rotations, respectively, and the start signal generated by the start switch 40 are input, and a predetermined time elapses as a first condition. The second condition is that the number of rotations indicated by the rotation detection signals from the first to third rotation detecting means 60 to 62 reaches a predetermined number of rotations, and if either of these two conditions is not satisfied, A stop switch invalidating means for invalidating the stop signals from the first to third stop switches 30 to 32, outputting a lighting signal when both conditions are satisfied, and outputting a stop signal input thereafter as valid 70 and the start signal from the start switch 40 simultaneously start the first to third rotating reels 50 to 52, and the stop signal from the stop switch invalidating means 70 causes the corresponding first The third rotating reel 50 to 52 each and a reel drive circuit 80 to stop.

Each of the stop switches 30 to 32 is attached to a mounting hole 12 provided in a front panel 11 of the slot machine 10 as shown in the external views of FIGS. 4 and 5 or the sectional views of FIGS. 1 and 6. A frame body 90 that is inserted and has its open surface facing the player, a frame body 90 that is open to the front, a push button 100 slidably provided in the frame body 90 from the open surface side of the frame body 90, and transparency. And a push button 10 extending from the front surface side of the front panel 11 of the slot machine 10 to the inside of the frame 90.
0 A translucent body 110 that is located around the frame 90 and is fixed to the frame body 90, and is provided close to the translucent body 110, lights up after the game starts, and the push button 100 can be operated. And a light emitting element (for example, LEDs 120 to 122) which is turned off based on the operation of the push button 100.

As shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 1 and 6 or the top view of FIG. 7, the frame body 90 has a hollow cylindrical shape with an open front, specifically, a circular plate-shaped bottom portion 91, This bottom
It is composed of a peripheral wall 92 which is erected from around 91. As shown in FIG. 7, in the bottom portion 91 of the frame body 90, a substantially rectangular electrode outlet port 93 is provided at the center thereof, and on both sides of the electrode outlet port 93 in the longitudinal direction. A pair of locking holes 94, 94 provided to lock the 110 are formed respectively through the bottom portion 91.

Further, on the peripheral wall 92 of the frame 90, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a pair of locking projections 95, 95 are provided on the peripheral wall 92 of the frame 90 facing each other from the rear side. Each of them is formed so as to extend outward toward the person side. Then, these locking protrusions 95, 95 are provided with the stop switches 30 to 32.
When it is inserted into the mounting hole 12 of the front panel 11, it elastically deforms inward, and when it passes through the mounting hole 12, it spreads outward again, and its tip portion abuts on the back surface of the front panel 11, thereby making the stop switch concerned. This is to prevent 30 to 32 from coming off the front panel 11. The translucent body 110 is entirely made of a transparent resin material, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
It is composed of a substantially cylindrical body 111, and a projection part 112 projecting like a shade on the upper side of the body 111. When inserting the translucent body 110 into the frame body 90, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the body 111 is completely fitted into the frame body 90, and after the insertion, the projecting portion 112 is inserted. The frame 90 is positioned so as to project outward from the open surface of the frame 90. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, in the center of the light emitting portion 112 of the light transmissive body 110, a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion having a diameter smaller than the large diameter portion are formed. A button hole 113 for sliding is opened toward the player side.

Around the light emitting portion 112 of the translucent body 110, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the external view of FIG. 9 or the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 1 and 6, the flange 114 is provided so as to slightly project toward the front surface of the front panel 11 of the slot machine 10. As shown in FIG. 9, a shaft hole 115 for locking the push button 100 is formed in the inner bottom portion of the button hole 113 of the light transmitting body 110.
A pair of electrode mounting holes 116, 116 penetrating the light transmitting body 110 are provided at both corners of the inner bottom portion of the shaft hole 115 with the shaft hole 115 being sandwiched therebetween. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a pair of strip-plate-like electrodes 117, 117 are formed in the electrode mounting holes 116, 116, and the upper portions thereof are mounted in the electrode mounting holes 116, 1 1.
Each of them is bent into a cylindrical shape and inserted into each of 16 sizes.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the bottom surface of the body 111 of the translucent body 110 has a pair of locking hooks each having a generally square rod shape and having outwardly facing hooks 119 and 119. 118,1
18 are hung vertically. Then, when the translucent body 110 is inserted into the frame body 90 as shown in FIG. 6, the locking hooks 118 and 118 are positioned in the locking holes 94 of the frame body 90 as shown in FIG. Thus, the translucent body 110 is fixed in the frame body 90, and the translucent body 110 is fixed by the hook heads 119 and 119.
It prevents it from coming off.

In the body 111 of the translucent body 110, three first to third LEDs 120 to 122 as light emitting elements are arranged side by side so as to be embedded in the body 111 from the outside. Then, since the entire light-transmitting body 110 made of a transparent resin is illuminated by the light emission of these first to third LEDs 120 to 122, the light emitted from the first to third LEDs 120 to 122 is transmitted as described above. After inserting the optical body 110 into the frame 90,
The light is guided through the inside of the body 111 and is emitted outward from the surface of the light projecting portion 112 of the translucent body 110, that is, to the player side. In addition to the LED, for example, a light bulb may be used as the light emitting element, and the number thereof is arbitrary.

As a circuit for controlling the first to third LEDs 120 to 122, an LED control circuit 130 is provided in the slot machine 10 as shown in the block diagram of FIG. When the lighting signal is input from the stop switch invalidating means 70, the LED control circuit 130 simultaneously lights the first to third LEDs 120 to 122, and then inputs the stop signal from the stop switch invalidating means 70. At this time, the first to third LEDs 120 to 122 in the corresponding first to third stop switches 30 to 32 are individually turned off.

The push button 100, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, has a two-step disc-shaped operation portion 101 on which the player pushes the surface thereof, and a shaft vertically extending from the center of the rear surface of the operation portion 101. Ten
2, a pedestal 103 having a convex cross-section that is inserted into the shaft 102 and fixed in advance on the back surface of the operating portion 101, and a cylindrical conductive material having conductivity that is fixed around the pedestal 103 with a set screw 104. 105
Consists of. Further, a spring 106 for urging the push button 100 toward the player is inserted between the bottom of the operation portion 101 of the push button 100 and the large diameter portion of the button hole 113.
When the player pushes the surface of the push button 100, the push button 100 is pushed into the button hole 113 against the elastic force of the spring 106, and the conductive material screwed to the pedestal 103 of the push button 100.
The stop switches 30 to 32 are operated by short-circuiting the pair of electrodes 117, 117 provided on the inner bottom portion of the button hole 113 via 105.

Next, assembling and mounting of the stop switches 30 to 32 will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 10, after fixing the conducting material 105 to the pedestal 103 of the push button 100 with the setscrew 104, the push button 100 is fixed to the translucent body 110 by the shaft. Specifically, after the spring 106 is passed through the shaft 102 of the push button 100, the shaft 102 is inserted into the shaft hole 115 from the tip end side so that the push button 100 is inserted into the button hole.
A push button that was dropped into 113 and projected to the back of the translucent body 110.
The push button 100 is fixed to the translucent body 110 by engaging the ring 107 at the tip of the shaft 102 of the shaft 100.

Next, the translucent body 1 in which the push button 100 is axially fixed
Insert 10 into the frame 90. Specifically, if the locking hooks 118, 118 provided on the back surface of the translucent body 110 are aligned with the locking holes 94, 94 provided in the bottom 91 of the frame body 90 and the translucent body 110 is pushed, Locking holes on the outer surface of the hook heads 119, 119 of the hooks 118, 118
The outer edges of 94, 94 come into contact with each other, and the locking hooks 118, 118 are inserted while flexing slightly inward. When the translucent body 110 is pushed further in, the hook heads 119, 119 are disengaged from the outer edge of the mounting hole 12 and the locking hook 1
The bending of 18,118 is returned to its original state, and thereafter, the translucent body 110 is locked to the frame body 90 by the hooks 119 and 119 so as not to come off, as shown in FIG.

The stop switches 30 to 32 assembled as described above are attached to the front panel 11 of the slot machine 10 by mounting holes 12 formed in the front panel 11 of the slot machine 10 in advance, as shown in FIG. Against the stop switch
Perform by pushing 30 to 32 to the end. Specifically, the locking projecting plates 95, 95 provided on the peripheral wall 92 of the frame body 90 and initially spreading outward are pushed to the edge of the mounting hole 12 as the stop switches 30 to 32 are pushed, and the inside is pushed. Elastically deforms like binding. Push it in further and the translucent body 11
When the collar portion 114 of 0 reaches the position where it comes into contact with the surface of the front panel 11, the locking projections 95, 95 disengage from the edge of the mounting hole 12 and expand again, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. Locking plate 9
The front panel 11 is sandwiched between the tips of the 5,95 and the collar 114 of the translucent body 110, and the stop switches 30 to 32 are locked to the front panel 11 so as not to come off even if pulled from the outside. Is
Installation is complete.

Finally, a series of operations of the rotary reels 50 to 52 which are started based on the operation of the start switch 40 and stopped based on the operation of the stop switches 30 to 32 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the player operates the start switch 40, a start signal is output to the stop switch invalidating means 70 and the reel drive circuit 80.

Reel drive circuit 80 to which the start signal is input
Starts the first to third rotary reels 50 to 52 all at once, and the first rotary reels 50 to 52 are provided close to the first rotary reels 50 to 52.
From the third rotation detecting means 60 to 62, the rotation detection signals indicating the rotation speeds of the adjacent rotating reels 50 to 52 are sent to the stop switch invalidating means 70, respectively. On the other hand, the stop switch invalidating means 70 receiving the start signal sets the first condition that a predetermined time has elapsed after the start signal is inputted, and the rotation detection signals from the first to third rotation detecting means 60 to 62 are The second condition is that the number of rotations shown reaches a predetermined number of rotations. Then, as long as either one of the two conditions is not satisfied, how much the player plays the first to third stop switches 30 to 32
Even if is operated, this operation is invalidated and the stop signal is not output. However, when both conditions are satisfied, a lighting signal is output to the LED control circuit 130.

LED control circuit 130 to which a lighting signal is input
Are connected to the next stage in order to inform the player that the stop switches 30 to 32 are operable, and the first to third LEDs 12 built in the first to third stop switches 30 to 32 are connected.
Turn on 0 to 122 all at once. In addition, the stop switch invalidating means 70 outputs a stop signal, which is generated by a player's operation after satisfying both of the above conditions and is inputted, to the reel drive circuit 80 as a valid signal, whereby the reel drive circuit 80. Individually stops the rotation of the corresponding rotary reels 50 to 52.

In the above embodiment, the stop switch used in the slot machine as the gaming machine has been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and as the gaming machine, for example, a commercial video game machine, a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, or the like. May be Further, the switch device is not limited to the stop switch, and may be, for example, a start switch or a bet switch used in a slot machine.

[0032]

Since the present invention is constituted as described above, it has the following effects. Claim 1
According to the described invention, it is possible to provide a switch device with improved visibility without impairing the strength of the push button.

That is, since the push button does not need to have a hollow structure inside since it has a light emitting element built therein as in the prior art, the resin on the surface of the push button can be made thicker and the periphery of the push button shines. The visibility is superior to that of a conventional switch device in which a separately provided display unit is illuminated. In addition to this, according to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to provide a gaming machine using a switch device having improved visibility without impairing the strength of the push button.

That is, since the push button does not need to have a hollow structure inside because it has a light emitting element built therein as in the prior art, the resin on the surface of the push button can be made thicker and the periphery of the push button shines. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that uses a switch device that is more visible than a conventional stop switch in which a separately provided display part is illuminated.

Further, since it has an integral structure having both the functions of the conventional display unit and the switch device, it does not require much mounting space and the cost can be suppressed. In addition to this, according to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to provide a gaming machine using a switch device that can be easily attached to the front panel of the gaming machine.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a stop switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of control of reel stop operation by a stop switch.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a stop switch.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a stop switch.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a stop switch.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the frame body.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a translucent body.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a translucent body.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a stop switch.

[Explanation of symbols] 10-slot machine 11 Front panel 12 Mounting hole 20-22 Display stop window 30 First stop switch 31 Second stop switch 32 Third stop switch 40 Start switch 50-52 Spin reel 60-62 Spin detection means 70 Stop switch invalid means 80 Reel drive circuit 90 Frame 91 Bottom 92 Wall 93 Electrode outlet 94 Locking hole 95 Locking projection plate 100 Push button 101 Operation part 102 Shaft 103 Pedestal 104 Set screw 105 Conductive material 106 Spring 107 Ring 110 Transparent Optical body 111 Body 112 Light emitting part 113 Button hole 114 Collar part 115 Shaft hole 116 Electrode mounting hole 117 Electrode 118 Locking hook 119 Hook 120 120 1st LED 121 2nd LED 122 3rd LED 130 LED control circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A switch comprising a push button slidably provided in the frame from the open side of the frame, and generating a signal based on the operation of the push button pushed into the frame by pushing the surface. In the device, the switch device is transparent and is provided around the push button and fixed to the frame body, and the switch body is provided in the vicinity of the translucent body so that the push button can be operated. A switch device which is provided with a light-emitting element which notifies that a change has occurred and turns off the light based on the operation of the push button. 2. A front open frame body, which is inserted into a mounting hole provided in a front panel of a gaming machine and whose open surface is oriented toward a player, and the open surface side of the frame body inside the frame body. A stop signal for stopping display of a symbol to be updated on the front of the gaming machine, based on the operation of the push button which is provided with a push button provided slidably and is pushed into the frame by the player pressing the surface thereof. In a gaming machine using a switch device for generating, the gaming machine using the switch device has transparency,
A translucent body fixed around the push button extending from the front panel surface side of the gaming machine to the frame body, and a translucent body fixed to the translucent body. In addition to notifying the player that operation is possible,
A gaming machine using a switch device, which is provided with a light emitting element which is turned off based on the operation of a push button. 3. On the player side of the translucent body, a collar part which is slightly larger than the mounting hole provided on the front panel of the gaming machine is provided along the front panel surface, and the frame body is provided with: The peripheral wall portion is formed so as to spread outward from the back side to the player side, elastically deforms inward when the frame body is inserted into the mounting hole, and expands outward again after insertion and between the flange portion. The gaming machine using the switch device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of locking projection plates that lock the stop switch with the front panel of the gaming machine are provided by sandwiching the front panel of the gaming machine.