JPH1024143A - Medal supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To separately supply medals to game machines in rows of the game machines, a medal rental machine and the like which are installed back to back with a simple configuration. SOLUTION: This apparatus is provided with a medal conveying means 5 installed along a joint part between a first row of game machines and a second row of game machines in which a plurality of game machines using medals are arranged across the width thereof, a first medal intake part 14 to supply medals to the first row of game machines, a second medal intake part 15 to supply medals to the second row of game machines, and a guide member 16 to guide the medals conveyed by the medal conveying means 5 to the first and second medal intake parts 14 and 15. At the same time, a guide surface of the guide member 16 is shifted to the position oriented to the side of the first medal intake part 14 and that oriented to the side of the second medal intake part 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medal supply device for supplying medals to gaming machines or medal lending machines using medals such as slot machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-1375, a plurality of gaming machines using medals (coins) are moved from a belt conveyor along a gaming machine row in which a plurality of gaming machines are arranged in the width direction. And a medal take-in device for guiding the medals conveyed by the medal carry means to the medal take-in tub and dropping the medal take-up device. A medal is supplied to a gaming machine in a stopped state in which the number of medals has decreased, or a medal lending machine in a medal shortage state.

[0003]

The medal supply device described in the above-mentioned publication has a medal take-in tub for supplying medals to gaming machines and medal lending machines of each gaming machine row installed in a game arcade. Since it is necessary to provide a medal take-in device having a take-in valve that is swingably supported on an axis as a fulcrum and a solenoid that drives the take-up valve, the number of parts increases, and a signal line for each of the solenoids is provided. And the like, there is a problem that the wiring work is complicated and the manufacturing cost is high.

When the gaming machine and the medal lending machine are arranged back to back, it is necessary to install a large number of medal fetching devices at adjacent positions. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure a space for the game, and it is difficult to dispose the medal capturing device at a position close to the installation portion of the gaming machine or the like.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a simple structure for each gaming machine, medal lending machine, and the like in a gaming arcade in which a plurality of gaming machines are installed in the width direction and installed back to back. The present invention provides a medal supply device capable of supplying medals to a player.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In a game arcade in which a first gaming machine row in which a plurality of gaming machines using medals are arranged in the width direction and a second gaming machine row are arranged in a back-to-back state, the first gaming machine Medal conveying means installed along a joint between the row and the second gaming machine row, a first medal take-in section for supplying medals to the first gaming machine row, and a second gaming machine row And a guide member for guiding the medals conveyed by the medal conveying means to the first and second medal take-up units, and a guide surface of the guide member is provided. It is configured to be displaced between a state in which it is directed toward the first medal capturing section and a state in which it is directed toward the second medal capturing section.

According to the above arrangement, when the medals conveyed by the medal conveying means at the time of supplying the medals are supplied to the first medal taking-in section provided in the first gaming machine line, the guide surface of the guide member is set to the second surface. When the medals are supplied to the second medal capturing section provided in the second gaming machine row, the guide surface of the guide member is directed toward the second medal capturing section. By selectively displacing the guide member, the supply direction of medals is changed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the medal supply device according to the first aspect, a guide member comprising a rudder plate supported swingably around a swing shaft, and the guide member is swung. A driving means for displacing is provided along the transport surface of the medal transport means, and a guide member is driven by the drive means to direct the guide surface toward the first medal capturing part; and a second medal capturing part. It is configured to be displaced to a state where it is directed to the side.

According to the above structure, the guide member formed of the ladder plate is driven by the driving means to swing and displace about the swing shaft, so that the medal guide direction by the guide member is closer to the first medal take-in portion. From the state set on the second medal take-in section side.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the medal supply device according to the first or second aspect, when the medal is not supplied to the first medal capturing section and the second medal capturing section, the guide member is transported by the medal transporting means. A displacement means for displacing in a direction away from the surface is provided.

According to the above arrangement, there is no need to supply medals to the first medal taking-in section provided in the first gaming machine row or the second medal taking-up section provided in the second gaming machine row. In this case, the guide member is displaced by the displacing means so as to be separated from the conveying surface of the medal conveying means, so that the medal is smoothly conveyed by the medal conveying means without being obstructed by the guide member.

[0012]

1 and 2 show an embodiment of a medal supply device according to the present invention. This medal supply device includes a main tank 1 for storing medals, a transfer means 3 for transferring medals derived from the main tank 1 to a setting portion of the gaming machine 2, and a plurality of gaming machines 2 arranged in the width direction. And a medal transporting means 5 for transporting the medals transferred by the transporting means 3 along the installation portion of the gaming machine 2.

The transfer means 3 includes a storage section 6 for storing medals derived from the main tank 1, a lift means 7 for lifting medals in the storage section 6, and a medal lifted by the lift means 7 for storing the medals. Main tank 1
And a sorting means 9 comprising a forward / reverse conveyor for sorting on a receiving portion 8 erected on the upper surface of the medals or on a starting end of the medal conveying means 5. The lift means 7 is composed of a lift conveyor in which conveying wings are projected from the surface of an endless belt provided in the vertical direction, and transports the medals in the storage section 6 upward while placing the medals on the conveying wings. Is configured.

The gaming machine row 4 includes a medal lending machine 10.
And a spacer member 11 having a first gaming machine row 4a and a second gaming machine row 4b configured by being alternately installed between the gaming machines 2 adjacent in the width direction, respectively.
The first gaming machine row 4a and the second gaming machine row 4b are arranged in a back-to-back state. A single medal transport unit 5 is provided along a joint between the first gaming machine row 4a and the second gaming machine row 4b.

The medal conveying means 5 is provided in FIG. 3 and FIG.
As shown in the figure, a guide member 12 having a U-shaped cross section is installed along the upper surface of the joining portion of the gaming machine rows 4a and 4b in substantially the entire area in the longitudinal direction thereof. And a belt conveyor 13 for conveying medals.
On the side wall of the guide member 12, a first gaming machine row 4a is provided.
A first medal capturing unit 14 having a hopper for supplying medals to each of the gaming machines 2 and the medal lending machine 10;
Each gaming machine 2 and medal lending machine 10 in the second gaming machine row 4b
And a second medal take-in section 15 having a hopper for supplying medals to the player.

Between the first medal take-in section 14 and the second medal take-up section 15, the medal transport means 5 is provided.
A guide member 16 composed of a ladder plate for guiding the medals conveyed to the side is provided, and a driving means 17 for driving the guide member 16 to displace the medal supply direction is provided. Further, on the side wall of the guide member 12, a displacing means 18 for driving the guide member 16 to displace the medal conveying means 5 away from the conveying surface when the medal is not supplied is provided with a first medal capturing unit. It is provided at a position close to the fourteen installation parts.

The guide member 16 is swingably supported by a swing shaft 20 at the tip of a mounting board 19 mounted on the upper side of the guide member 12. A driven pin 21 protrudes from the upper surface of the guide member 16, and
An arc-shaped guide groove 22 through which the driven pin 21 is inserted is formed in the mounting board 19, and when the guide member 16 is oscillated with the oscillating shaft 20 as a fulcrum, the swing range is set to the above range. It is regulated by the guide groove 22.

The driving means 17 comprises an operating lever 24 swingably supported by support pins 23 projecting from the upper surface of the mounting board 19, and a push-pull solenoid 25 for driving the operating lever 24. ing.
The driving pin 27 protruding from the operating rod 26 of the push-pull solenoid 25 is
Are engaged with the engagement grooves 29 formed in the driven portion of the actuator lever 24 and the engagement grooves 28 formed in the drive portion of the operation lever 24.
When the driven pin 21 of the guide member 16 is engaged, the driving force of the push-pull solenoid 25 is transmitted to the guide member 16 via the operating lever 24.

The guide member 16 is driven by a driving means 17 so that the medals conveyed by the medal conveying means 5 are transferred to the guide member 16 as shown in FIG.
A state in which the guiding direction of the medals is directed so as to be brought into contact with the one side wall surface 16a and guided to the first medal taking-in portion 14 side, and as shown in FIG. In a state where the medal guiding direction is directed so as to be brought into contact with the second medal take-in portion 15 by contact with the medals 16b, the oscillating displacement about the oscillating shaft 20 according to the driving force of the driving means 17 is performed. It is configured to be.

The mounting board 19 has a horizontal shaft 30 serving as a swing fulcrum attached to a rear end thereof, and an operating pin 31 protruding forward of the horizontal shaft 30. Then, the operation pin 31 is driven in the vertical direction by the operation rod 32 of the displacement means 18 attached to the guide member 12 of the medal conveyance means 5, whereby the horizontal shaft 3 is moved.
The mounting substrate 19 is oscillatingly displaced about 0 as a fulcrum.

That is, the displacement means 18 includes an operating rod 32, a coil spring 33 for urging the operating rod 32 upward, and pulls the operating rod 32 downward against the urging force of the coil spring 33. An electromagnet (not shown) is provided. When the electromagnet is not operated, the operating rod 32 is pushed up according to the urging force of the coil spring 33,
The guide member 16 is configured to be separated from the transport surface of the medal transport unit 5 by raising the distal end of the mounting substrate 19.

When the electromagnet is actuated, the operating rod 32 is pulled down by the driving force against the pushing force of the coil spring 33, so that the tip end of the mounting board 19 and the guide member 16 are moved. It descends according to its own weight, and is installed at the guide position of the medals where the guide member 16 contacts the transport surface of the medal transport means 5.

Also, the lower side of the gaming machine row 4 is
As shown in the figure, a return means 34 composed of a belt conveyor for returning the medals discharged from each of the gaming machines 2 to the accommodating portion 6 of the transfer means 3 is provided. There is provided a guide means 35 for guiding the medal on the starting end of the return means 34.

In the above configuration, the medals drawn out of the main tank 1 into the accommodating portion 6 of the transfer means 3 are transferred onto the sorting conveyor 9 by the lift means 7 which is always driven, and then transferred to the sorting conveyor 9. Is divided into right and left. That is, when there is no need to supply medals to the gaming machine 2 or the medal lending machine 10, the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 9 is set to the receiving unit 8 side, and medals are supplied on the receiving unit 8. When it is necessary to return medals to the main tank 1 and supply medals to a specific gaming machine 2 or medal lending machine 10, the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 9 is set to the medal conveying means 5 side. The medals are supplied on the start end of the medal conveying means 5.

Then, in accordance with a supply signal output from the gaming machine 2 or the medal lending machine 10 in which it is necessary to supply medals, when a supply point of medals is specified by a control unit (not shown), the supply point is determined. A guide member 16 is provided on the side of the first medal capturing section 14 or the second medal capturing section 15 which is located.
After outputting a control signal for oscillatingly displacing the guide member 16 by the driving means 17 so as to direct the guide surfaces 16a and 16b of the mounting board 1 on which the guide member 16 is installed,
By causing a current to flow through the electromagnet of the displacement means 18 for driving the movable member 9 and pulling down the operating rod 32, the guide member 16 is lowered according to its own weight and brought into contact with the transport surface of the medal transport means 5.

As a result, the medals conveyed by the belt conveyor 13 of the medal conveying means 5 are transferred to the guide member 1.
6 is guided to the first medal take-in section 14 or the second medal take-up section 15 side, and is supplied from the medal take-up sections 14 and 15 to the gaming machine 2 or the medal lending machine 10. In the above-described medal guiding state, when a medal conveyed by the medal conveying means 5 is jammed between the belt conveyor 13 and the guide member 16, the medal is conveyed according to the conveying force of the medal conveying means 5. When the guide member 16 is pushed up against its own weight, the medal clogging is automatically eliminated.

Then, when it is confirmed by a timer or the like that the supply of medals has been performed for a predetermined time set in advance, or when a predetermined amount of medals have been supplied is detected by detection means (not shown). At this point, the energization of the displacement means 18 to the electromagnet is stopped, and the coil spring 3
By pushing up the operating rod 32 in response to the urging force of No. 3, the mounting substrate 19 is swung and displaced, and the guide member 16 is returned to the initial position separated from the transport surface of the medal transport means 5.

A first gaming machine row 4a constructed by arranging a plurality of gaming machines 2 in the width direction as described above;
Second gaming machine row 4 installed back to back with this
b, a medal transporting means 5 installed along the junction with b.
A first for supplying medals to the first gaming machine row 4a
A medal take-in unit 14, a second medal take-in unit 15 for supplying medals to the second gaming machine line 4b, and
A state in which a guide member 16 for guiding to the second medal take-in portions 14 and 15 is provided, and the guide member 16 is driven to direct its guide surfaces 16a and 16b toward the first medal take-in portion 14; Second medal loading unit 15
The first gaming machine row 4 in a simple and compact configuration.
The medals can be supplied to the gaming machines 2 or the medal lending machines 10 arranged in the a and the second gaming machine row 4b as needed.

That is, by a single guide member 16, the first medal take-in section 14 provided in the first game machine row 4a or the second medal take-in section 15 provided in the second game machine row 4b. Can be selectively supplied to the first and second medal take-in units 14,
Compared to a case where guide members for guiding medals are individually provided in each of the fifteen installation sections, the number of components can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, as described above, the first medal take-in section 14 for supplying medals to the gaming machine 2 or the medal lending machine 10 arranged in the first gaming machine row 4a, and the second gaming machine row 4
It is not necessary to displace the second medal take-in unit 15 that supplies medals to the gaming machine 2 or the medal lending machine 10 disposed in the position b. Since they can be arranged, the installation space of the medal capturing means including the medal capturing units 14, 15 and the guide member 16 can be made compact.

In the above-described embodiment, the guide member 16 composed of a ladder plate supported swingably with the swing shaft 20 as a fulcrum is installed along the transfer surface of the medal transfer means 5, and a push-pull solenoid or the like is provided. The guide member 16 is swingably displaced by the driving means 17 comprising: a state in which the guide surfaces 16a and 16b are directed to the first medal capturing unit 14 side; and a state in which the guide surfaces 16a and 16b are directed to the second medal capturing unit 15 side. By driving the drive means 17 in response to a control signal or the like output from the control unit, the guide direction of the guide member 16 is automatically changed, and a medal is provided at a required position. Each can be supplied.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the medals are not supplied to the first medal take-in section 14 and the second medal take-up section 15, the direction in which the guide member 16 is separated from the transport surface of the medal transport means 5 by the displacement means 18. , So that the first gaming machine row 4a
When there is no need to supply medals to the first medal capturing unit 14 provided in the second gaming machine row 4b or the first medal capturing unit 14 provided in the
The medal transporting means 5 conveys the medals without being disturbed by the guide member 16 by displacing the mounting substrate 19 on which the mounting member 6 is pivotally displaced upward and away from the transport surface of the medal transporting means 5. Can be.

The guide member 16 does not necessarily need to be displaced upward by the displacing means 18, and the guide member 16 is moved in parallel with the medal conveying means 5 by the medal conveying means 5 when the medal is not supplied. And the medal may be conveyed while sliding along the side wall surface of the guide member 16.

When the guide members 16 attached to the mounting board 19 are installed in the gaming machine row 4 arranged in a line, the guide members 16 are attached to the mounting board 19 as shown in FIG. The swinging shaft 20 allows the swinging shaft 20 to swing freely, and a locking hole 36 formed in the base end of the guide member 16.
A state in which the guide surface of the guide member 16 is directed toward the first medal take-in portion 14 by detachably locking the guide member 16 to the mounting board 19 by inserting the lock pin 37 into the mounting board 19. It may be configured to be selectively used in a state where it is pointed toward the second medal loading unit 15 side.

In the above-described configuration, the medal is supplied to the medal take-in unit provided on the left side of the medal transport unit 5, and the medal is taken into the medal take-up unit provided on the right side of the medal transport unit 5. In this case, since the supply direction of medals can be regulated using the guide member 16 having the same structure, there is an advantage that the components can be shared.

[0036]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of gaming machines are arranged along a joint between a first gaming machine row and a second gaming machine row arranged in the width direction. An installed medal transporter, a first medal capturing unit for supplying medals to the first gaming machine row, a second medal capturing unit for supplying medals to the second gaming machine row, The medals conveyed by the medal conveying means are transferred to the first and second medals.
A guide member for guiding the medal take-in unit is provided, and the guide surface of the guide member is displaced between a state in which the guide surface is directed toward the first medal take-in unit and a state in which the guide surface is directed toward the second medal take-in unit. With this configuration, medals can be selectively supplied to both the first gaming machine row and the second gaming machine row by a single guide member, and the number of parts is reduced to reduce the manufacturing cost. And the installation space for the guide member can be made compact.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a guide member comprising a rudder plate supported swingably around a swing shaft, and a driving means for swingingly displacing the guide member are medal transport means. Is displaced between a state in which the guide member is driven by the driving means to direct the guide surface toward the first medal take-in part and a state in which the guide surface is directed toward the second medal take-in part. By operating the driving means in response to a control signal or the like output from the control section, the guide direction of the guide member is automatically changed to a required portion, that is, the first medal capturing section. Alternatively, there is an advantage that medals can be selectively supplied to the second capturing unit.

Further, the invention according to a third aspect is characterized in that the displacing means for displacing the guide member in a direction for separating the guide member from the transport surface of the medal transport means when the medal is not supplied to the first medal capturing section and the second medal capturing section. The guide member is provided when there is no need to supply medals to the first medal taking-in section provided in the first gaming machine row or the second medal taking-in section provided in the second gaming machine row. By swinging and displacing the attached mounting board upward, medals can be smoothly conveyed by the medal conveying means without being disturbed by the guide member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an overall configuration of a medal supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a main configuration of the medal supply device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of the medal supply device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a medal supply position is changed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modified example of an attached state of a guide member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 2 gaming machines 4 gaming machine rows 5 transport means 14 first medal taking-in part 15 second medal taking-in part 16 guide member 16a, 16b guide surface 17 drive means 18 displacement means 20 swing axis

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a game arcade in which a first gaming machine row in which a plurality of gaming machines using medals are arranged in a width direction and a second gaming machine row are arranged in a back-to-back state, A medal conveying unit installed along a joint between the first gaming machine row and the second gaming machine row, a first medal taking-in section for supplying medals to the first gaming machine row, A second medal take-in section for supplying medals to the second gaming machine row, and a guide member for guiding the medals conveyed by the medal conveying means to the first and second medal take-up sections are provided. A medal supply device characterized in that the guide surface of the member is displaced between a state in which the guide surface is directed toward the first medal capturing unit and a state in which the guide surface is directed toward the second medal capturing unit. 2. A guide member comprising a ladder plate supported so as to be swingable about a swing axis and a driving means for swingingly displacing the guide member are provided along the transfer surface of the medal transfer means. The guide member is driven by the driving means so that the guide surface is displaced between a state in which the guide surface is directed toward the first medal capturing unit and a state in which the guide surface is directed toward the second medal capturing unit. The medal supply device according to claim 1, wherein 3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: displacing means for displacing the guide member in a direction away from the transport surface of the medal transport means when a medal is not supplied to the first medal capture section and the second medal capture section. Item 3. The medal supply device according to Item 1 or 2.