MXPA98007711A - Drive device for thread machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive device for a game machine, comprising: a main body unit having first and second sides and an upper surface, first and second handles protruding in separate positions, from the first side of the main body unit, a first drive unit mounted on the main body unit, adjacent one of the spaced apart positions, the first drive unit having a plurality of first thrust actuators projecting from the upper surface of the drive unit. main body and a plurality of signal input elements, each to generate a signal, when a corresponding actuator of the first thrust actuators is pressing, a second overcrowding unit mounted on the main body unit adjacent to the other of the positions separated, the second drive unit having a plurality of seconds driven push arms projecting from the upper surface of the main body unit, and a plurality of signal input elements, each to generate a signal, when a corresponding actuator of the second push actuators is pushed, and third and fourth units of actuators mounted to the main body unit, adjacent to the separated positions and in confronting relation to each other, each of the third and fourth actuating units having a rotational acceciandor and at least one signal input element to generate a signal in response to a corresponding rotary actuator operation, each of the rotary actuators having a main actuator body made of a synthetic resin and an upper portion formed on the main actuator body and made of a flexible material that is more soft than synthetic resin

Description

"OPERATING DEVICE FOR GAME MACHINE" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a drive device used in a gaming machine employing a display unit of, for example, a television receiver. More particularly, it relates to a drive device for a gaming machine having a drive portion for controlling the various operations such as those of rotating a display character on the display screen, continuously changing the speed of movement or form the presentation character.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE Conventionally, a gaming machine employing a television receiver has a main body unit of the gaming machine, connected to a television receiver used as a display device, and a drive device for controlling a display character connected to a gaming machine. through a connection cable to the main body unit of the gaming machine, and which is presented on the display screen of the television receiver. The main body unit of the gaming machine has, enclosed therein, a disc driving portion for reproducing an optical disc as a recording medium carrying a game program and an image processing device, to be presented in the television receiver screen, a presentation character together with the background image in accordance with a game program registered on the optical disc. In the drive device, connected in the main body unit of the gaming machine, multiple actuators are placed. The user activates these actuators to accept the command information related to the operation of the presentation characters presented on the television receiver's display screen, in order to control the direction of movement of the presentation character depending on the control information. . The drive device used in this type of gaming machine is held by the hand or the finger during use. On one side and on the opposite side of the main body unit, a steering control drive unit having an operating button indicating the direction in cross or circular form and a unit for executing the adjustment of the function that is placed therein are placed. It has multiple function adjustment execution buttons to adjust the operation function of the presentation character or execute its operation. The steering control drive unit includes four switches having actuators that are positioned orthogonally relative to each other, and which are brought in and out of contact with the contact. These switches are selectively switched on and off by the cross-directional or circular steering control actuators to move the display character. For example, the presentation character moves digitally in the direction along which one of the four switches that it connects is formed. The function setting execution unit includes switches in association with the multiple function adjustment actuators so that the function of the presentation character assigned to each button is adjusted or the appropriate function is executed for the presentation character. The steering control actuator of the driving device is configured such that one of the four switches placed in mutually perpendicular directions provides a command signal for moving the display character in the direction along which the connected switch is placed. , so that it is not possible to provide the command information and simultaneously rotate and advance the presentation character or change its line of sight. The result is that it becomes difficult to build the game program using the presentation character that carries out diversified operations. On the other hand, since the switches constituting the steering control drive unit are simply switched on and off by actuating the steering control actuator to provide the control information which controls the movement of the display character, the movement of the Presentation is intermittent in such a way that they can not be executed or carried out a series of continuous movements. An actuator has been proposed which has a drive unit which makes it possible to admit a command signal for simultaneously moving and rotating the display character, moving the display character as its speed is varied or changing its settings. This type of drive device is described in Japanese Publication Number H-7-88252. It is provided in an actuator adapted to simultaneously push and rotate the drive unit adapted to rotate the presentation character or change its configuration. This type of actuator is held or pushed by hand or finger. The actuator for actuating the steering control actuator is also pushed by being pushed by the hand or the finger. The actuator of the drive device for the game machine is frequently operated during the execution of the game program. In addition, the drive unit is used for a long time.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a drive unit for the gaming machine that can provide an optimum operating sensation to the actuation of the actuator that is operated by connecting frequently. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drive unit for the gaming machine in which the user does not tire on his hand or finger or even during prolonged use of the unit.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a drive device for a gaming machine which provides a pleasant feeling of use and which is of high reliability. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a drive device for a gaming machine that allows the game to be carried out or executed with a highly vivid feeling of play. To achieve the aforementioned objects, a drive device for a game machine includes first and second handles projecting from one side of each end of the main body unit of the device. First and second drive units are provided at one and the opposite ends of the main body unit. Each of the first and second drive units is provided with multiple thrust actuators projected to the side of the upper surface of the main body unit and with multiple signal input elements pushed by these thrust actuators. The drive device also includes third and fourth drive units positioned facing each other at the proximal ends of the first and second handles and which are provided with input terminals for signals driven by the thrust actuators. These third and fourth drive units can be actuated by the thumb of both hands of the user, which are holding the first and second handles. The third and fourth drive units including the input terminals of signals driven by the rotation actuators admitted to the main body unit of the device, send signals allowing the rotation and transfer simultaneously of the presentation character presented on the screen, the movement of presentation character with variable speed or configuration change. In the present drive device for the gaming machine, each rotation actuator includes a main actuator body portion of a synthetic resin connected to an associated drive unit and an upper portion of a flexible material inflated at its distal end and which It is formed as one with the body portion of the main actuator. Since the upper portion in contact with the hand or finger has its swollen distal end and is formed of a flexible material, an optimum contact feeling can be obtained to improve the feeling of use. A vibration imparting unit that imparts vibrations to the user during operation to carry out or execute a game with a vivid play feel is enclosed in the actuator of the present invention. This unit for imparting vibration is provided in the first and second handles and is constituted by a driving motor and an eccentric member mounted on a driving shaft of the motor. The unit for imparting vibration has states to impart different vibration to obtain a more vivid game feel when executing or carrying out a game. In the drive device for the gaming machine according to the present invention, since the upper portion of the rotation actuator for admitting a command signal when executing the game program, in contact with the user's hand or finger is In the form of a flexible material and swelling at its distal end, an optimum contact sensation can be obtained to improve the contact of use. Since the body portion of the main actuator and the upper portion for forming the rotational actuator in form by a two-color molded part, the body portion of the main actuator and the upper portion can be positively unified one on the other to ensure reliability of high operation of the drive unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a drive device for a gaming machine. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the drive device shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a rear side view thereof. Figure 4 is a front view thereof. Figure 5 of a side view on the right side thereof. Figure 6 is a left side view thereof. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the state of use thereof. Figure 8 is a side view showing the state of use of the drive device for the gaming machine mounted on a mounting surface. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the essential portions of a first drive unit. Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the first drive unit.

Figure 11 is a cross-section showing the state in which the first drive quarter of the first drive unit is located. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second actuator of the first drive unit is being pushed. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a second actuator of the first drive unit has been pushed. Figure 14 is a detailed perspective view showing a multidirectional input device constituting the third and fourth drive units. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the multidirectional input device in an initial state of the drive shaft. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the multidirectional input device during the rotation drive of the drive shaft. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the multidirectional input device to illustrate the state of driving a pusher-type switch element, with a portion thereof being broken. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the multidirectional input device for illustrating the actuated state of the push drive type switching element, with a portion thereof broken. Figure 19 is a side view showing a rotary drive member used in the first and second drive units. Figure 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rotary drive member. Figure 21 is a bottom view to illustrate the state in which a mechanism for imparting vibration is provided in the first and second handles. Figure 22 is a detailed perspective view showing the mechanism for imparting vibration. Figure 23 is a perspective view showing the state in which the mechanism for imparting vibration to a unit of the main body of the device has been assembled. Figure 24 is a plan view showing the state in which the drive device for the gaming machine has been connected to a main body unit of the gaming machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Referring to the drawings, a drive device for a gaming machine according to the present invention will be explained in detail. The drive device for the gaming machine is connected to a main body unit of the gaming machine having enclosed therein a disc drive unit for reproducing an optical disc as a recording medium carrying a registered gaming program and an image processing device for presenting a presentation character together with the background on a television receiver screen in accordance with a game program registered on the optical disc. A drive device 1 for the gaming machine in accordance with the present invention, includes a main body unit 4 consisting of an upper half 2 and a lower half 3 which are abutted and connected to each other by fasteners such as set screws as shown in Figure 1. From one side of the ends of the main body unit 4 protrude a first handle 5 and a second handle 6 which are retained by the left and right palms when the device 1 is connected to the main body unit of the gaming machine, to execute or carry out the game. The first and second handles 5, 6 protrude towards the underside of the main play unit 4 as they are flared and are spaced from one another to their distant ends as shown in Figures 2 to 4. To allow prolonged clamping of the first and second handles 5, 6, these handles are tapered from the connecting sides with the unit 4 of the main body towards the distal ends, while they are arcuately contoured on the peripheral surfaces and at the distal ends, as shown in FIGS. Figures 5 and 6. One end of the main body unit 4 is provided with a first drive unit 9 having first to fourth thrust actuators 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d protruding on the side of the upper surface of the actuator. the unit 4 of the main body, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The first to fourth push actuators 8a to 8d constituting the first drive unit 9 are formed as one with a m rotary drive member 10 having its central portion held for rotation and placed in mutually perpendicular directions about the center of rotation of the rotary drive member 10. That is, the first drive unit 9 is provided with switch elements as signal input elements in association with the first to fourth push actuators 8a to 8d. The first drive unit 9, which functions as an address control controller for controlling the movement of the presentation character. Selectively pushing from the first to the fourth push actuators 8a to 8d to turn the switches associated with these push actuators 8a to 8d on and off, the display character moves in the direction of driving the push actuators 8a to 8d. On the opposite side of the main body unit 4 is placed a second drive unit 12 having first to fourth thrust actuators 11b, 11c, lid protruding from the main body unit 4, and which are placed in the main body unit 4. mutually perpendicular directions as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These first to fourth thrust actuators are formed as independent members, and signal input elements not illustrated, are provided in association with the thrust actuators. fight. The second drive unit 12 functions as a function adjustment execution unit for adjusting the functions of the presentation character assigned to the push actuators lia to lid to execute the functions pertaining to the presentation character by switching the switches associated with the switch on and off. The first to the fourth actuators lia to push thrust. The drive device 1 according to the present invention includes third and fourth actuators 14, 15 mounted facing each other at the corners of the proximal ends of the first and second handles 5, 6 which are connected to the unit 4 of the main body , as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These third and fourth actuators 14, 15 are provided with a rotary actuator 16 capable of rotating through 360 degrees about a drive shaft as the center and an input element of the actuator. signals such as a variable resistance element, driven by this rotation actuator 16. Specifically, the rotary actuator 16 is mounted at the distal end of a drive shaft mounted under the thrust of a thrust member to reset it to a neutral position, which is rotated through 360 ° about the center of rotation of the rotary actuator. the drive arrow as the center of rotation. These third and fourth actuators 14, 15 are used as a drive unit which, by rotating the rotary actuator 16, outputs a command signal for carrying out analogous movements, such as for simultaneously rotating and moving the display character, moving the character of representation at a variable speed, or varying its configurations. At the left and right lateral ends on the front side of the main body unit 4 opposite its rear side provided with the first and second handles 5, 6 are placed the fifth and sixth drive units 17, 18. These fifth and sixth drive units 17, 18 are provided with first and second thrust actuators 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b respectively as shown in Figure 4. These thrust actuators 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b are provided with associated switching elements. The fifth and sixth drive units 17, 18 operate as units for executing the adjustment of the function to adjust the functions of the display character assigned to the push actuators 19a, 19b and 20a and 20b or to execute the functions belonging to the character of presentation by connecting the switches, not shown, associated with the first and second push actuators 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b. Between the first drive unit 9 and the second drive unit 12 on the upper surface of the main body unit 4 a start switch 22 is provided side by side for sending commands to start a game and a selection switch 23 for selecting the relative ease or relative difficulty when starting a game, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Moreover, they are provided between the third drive unit 14 and the fourth drive unit 15 on the upper surface of unit 4 of the main body, a mode selection switch 24 for selecting the mode of operation of the third and fourth drive units 14, 15 and a display unit 25 for displaying the state of the modes of operation of the third and fourth units 14 , 15 drive. The display unit 25 is constituted by a light emitting element, such as a light emitting diode. Through the operation of changing the mode selection switch 24, an operating mode is selected that allows the admission of a control signal from the third and fourth drive units 14, 15 or an operating mode that inhibits the intake of the control signal from the third and fourth drive units 14, 15, while the control signal from the third and fourth drive units 14, 15 is allowed to be admitted and the operating mode that has made a switch between the function of the first to fourth thrust actuators of the second drive unit 12 and the function of first and second thrust actuators 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b of the fifth and sixth drive units 17, 18. The presentation unit 25 is switched on and off, depending on the state of these operating modes, while the switching is effected from the presentation light. On the underside of the main body unit 4, engagement recesses 26, 27 are formed wherein the portions of the hands or fingers Rf, Lf engage when the first handle 5 and the second handle 6 are held by the hands or fingers Rf, Lf, as shown in Figures 5 to 8. These meshing recesses 26, 27 are formed as uniformly curved reentrant recesses, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. On the front side of the main body unit 4 they form, depending on the finger supports 28, 29, in association with the engagement recesses 26, 27 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Specifically, these finger supports 28, 29 are protruding from the ends bottoms of the protuberances 31, 32 at both ends on the front surface of the main body unit 4, where the fifth and sixth drive units 17, 18 are formed. In the drive device of the present invention, wherein the first and second handles 5, 6 are provided protrudingly in the main body unit 4, as described above, these first and second handles 5, 6. they are retained in a wrapped manner by both palms of the hands, as shown in Figure 7 so that there is no need to retain the main body unit 4 by the fingers, so that the drive device 1 is retained in a state in which up to a maximum of 10 and at least six fingers can move freely. If, for example, the first and second handles 5, 6 are held in a wrapped manner by both palms of the hands, as shown in Figure 7, the thumbs Rfl, Lfl of both hands can extend above the rotating actuators 16. of the third and fourth driving units 14, 15 above the first to fourth driving actuators 8a to 8d of the first driving unit 9 and above the first to fourth driving actuators lia of the second driving unit 12 to allow the selective thrust of the rotation actuators 16 and the push actuators 8a to 8d and lia to lid. In particular, since the rotary actuators 16 of the third and fourth actuating units 14, 15 are positioned facing each other at the proximal ends of the first and second handles 5, 6 corresponding to the connection portions with the unit 4 of the main body, the rotary actuators 16 are closer to the thumbs Rfl, Lfl of both hands, when the first and second handles 5, 6 are held by the hands, so that the rotary actuators 16 can be rotated easily by both thumbs Rfl, Lfl. Also, when the first and second handles 5, 6 are held in a wrapped manner by both palms of the hands, as shown in Figure 7, the index fingers Rf2, Lf2 and the middle fingers Rf3, Lf3 of both hands can extend. to positions such as to allow selective thrust of the first and second thrust actuators 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b of the fifth and sixth drive units 17, 18. When the drive device 1 is held by the hands or the fingers, the finger supports 28, 29 can be retained as the first and second handles 5, 6 are wrapped in the palms of the hands, while the fourth fingers Rf4, Lf4 of both hands and / or little fingers Rf5, Lf5 are engaged in the engagement recesses 26, 27 so that the main body unit 4 can be held in fixed positions relative to the fingers of the user's hand . That is, the fingers can be correctly positioned in association with the first to sixth drive units 9, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 18, thus obtaining a reliable drive.

The drive device 1 according to the present invention can also be established on a flat-fit surface S such as a table, as shown in Figure 8. If the drive device 1 is established on the surface S of adjustment with the distal ends of the first and second handles 5, 6 and those of the finger supports 28, 29 as supports, the driving surfaces of the first to fourth pushing actuators 8a to 8d of the first drive unit 9, the first to fourth push actuators lia to lid of the second drive unit 12 and the rotational actuators 16 of the third and fourth units 14, 15 of drive are essentially parallel to the fitting surface S, as shown in Figure 8. Therefore, the drive device 1 of the present invention can be placed on the flat positioning surface S and the hands placed on the positioning surface S with the first and second handles 5, 6 being held by the palms to drive the first to the sixth units 9, 12, 14, , 17 and 18 of drive. The first drive unit 9 of the drive device 1 according to the present invention is explained in greater detail. Referring to Figures 1, 9 and 10, the first to fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d are protrudingly formed on the rotary actuator member 10 within a recess 30 substantially cross-shaped on the end side at the surface top of unit 4 of the main body. At the upper and lower and left and right ends of the cross-shaped recess 30 there are provided direction indicators 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d towards the internal sides of which four openings 32 are formed in mutually perpendicular directions to allow the first to fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d protrude from the side of the upper surface of the main body unit 4, respectively. The central area surrounded by these openings 32 is formed as a central support projection 33 for supporting the central portion on the side of the upper surface of the main body unit 4 as shown in Figure 10. This central support projection 33 it is formed as one with the upper inner surface of unit 4 of the main body. The central support projection 33 is oriented by an elastic member 35 having four movable contacts 34 pushed by the first to fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d. In a central position of the resilient member is retained a spike-shaped point of support 36 such as a steel ball, adapted to hold the center on the low surface side of the rotary drive member 10. The elastic member 35 is oriented towards a substrate 38 of the circuit which includes four stationary contacts 37 adapted to contact and disengage from the movable contacts 34. The rotary drive member 10 constituting the first drive unit 9 is constituted by a base 39 of circular shape, first to fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d formed as one with the upper part of the base 39, a first recess 41 formed spherically on the lower surface of the central portion of the base 39, adapted to engage the spherical surface of a spherical-shaped fulcrum member 36, a second recess 42 of spherical shape in the portion of the upper central surface of the base 39 adapted to mesh with the central support projection 33, and a contact guide 43 protrudingly formed on the underside of the base 39 to push the rear surface of the movable contacts 34 of the elastic member 35, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The four first to fourth push actuators 8a to 8d formed as one with the rotary drive member 10 are formed on the upper side of the base 39 so that the thrust actuators 8a to 8d are tapered in a direction towards an imaginary convergence point and so that the thrust actuators 8a to 8d increase in thickness in a direction from the center towards the outer ends, as shown in Figure 9. The push actuators 8a to 8d protrude through the openings 32 from the upper surface of the main body unit 4, as shown in Figure 9. The elastic member 35 is sandwiched between a substrate 38 of the circuit and the rotary drive member 10 and is provided with a number of movable contacts 34, such as rubber contacts, corresponding to the number of the first to fourth push actuators 8a to 8d. A support point member 36 is spherically configured and placed in the intermediate portion of the rotary drive member 10 to coincide with the central support projection 33. The point of support 36 is engaged in the first recess 41 formed in the center of the rotary drive member 10. If the rotary drive member 10 is placed in the main body unit 4, the first to fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d are positioned radially, around the central support projection 33 as a center, and are progressively increased in height from the imaginary hand or finger in pushing drive, thereby improving the operating sensation in the drive by hand or finger. Since the elastomer of the upper layer 7 has great friction, it functions to inhibit the sliding of the hand or the finger during the pushing operation of the first to fourth pushing actuators 8a to 8d. In the event that in the first drive unit 9 described above, none of the first-to-fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d is actuated, the rotary actuator member 10 is lifted by the contact guide 43 under the thrust. of the elastic member 35 as shown in Figure 11, with the central support projection 33 engaging in a spherical second recess 42 of the rotary drive member 10. Simultaneously, the peripheral end of the base 39 of circular shape is retained by the end of the opening 32, the rotary drive member 10 being retained in an initial position, with the first to fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d being projected towards the outside or on the side of the upper surface of the unit 4 of the main body. In case that with the first to fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d in the initial position the third thrust actuator 8c has been pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow A or B in Figure 12, the rotary actuator member 10 it rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow Rl or to the right in Figure 12. In this way, the third pushing actuator 8c pushes the elastic member 35 downwards. If the third push actuator 8c is further pushed, the rotary drive member 10 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow Rl in Figure 13, around the support point member 36 as the center of rotation, until the movable contacts 34 are brought into contact with the stationary contacts 37 to establish the electrical connection. If the thrust on the third pushing actuator 8c is released, the first access 41, maintained in contact with the spherical surface with the supporting point member 36 moves away from the supporting point member 36 under the thrust of the elastic member 35 . That is, the third push actuator 8c is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow R2 in Figure 13 to separate the movable contacts 34 from the stationary contacts 37. If the third push actuator 8c is further rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow R2 in Figure 13 until the central support projection 33 engages in the second recess 42, the rotary drive member 10 is readjusted to the position initial shown in Figure 11.

On the other hand, if the first push actuator 8a is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow C in Figure 10 towards the front side of the main body unit 4, the elastic member 35 deforms against the spring force. Therefore, the first push actuator 8a moves in the direction indicated by the arrow C in Figure 10, as the first recess 41 is rotated on the spherical surface of the point of support 36 so that the movable contacts 34 are brought into contact with the stationary contacts 37 by switching. The movable contacts 34 and the stationary contacts 37 constitute a switching element which is switched on and off by the contacts 34, 37 which remain in or out of contact with one another, in order to allow the admission of a designation signal for moving the character of presentation. Since the operating support point for the first to the fourth actuator 8a to 8d of the first drive unit 9 is constituted by the relative engagement between the spherical point of support point 36 and the first recess 41 of shape As the spherical, the relative contact between the spherical surfaces can be exploited to change the stroke of the rotary drive member 10 to carry out the switching operation. Further, since the thrust actuators 8a to 8d are discretely provided in the main body unit 4 or there is no limitation as to the thrust direction of the first to fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d, so that the switching operation Uniform omnidirectional can be carried out, thus improving the functionality by preventing sporadic movements deviation of the central position or distortion of the rotary drive member 10. The second drive unit 12 of the drive device 1 of the present invention is explained in detail further. The second drive unit 12 has a recess 51 substantially cross-shaped towards the opposite side end of the upper surface of the main body unit 4, and the openings 52 in the upper and lower part at the left and right ends of the recess 51 , as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The second drive unit 12 is constituted by the first to fourth push actuators lia placed in the main body unit 4 so that the distal ends of the thrust actuators. protrude towards the side of the upper surface of unit 4 of the main body. Within the unit 4 of the main body, the switching elements pushed by the first to fourth push actuators are placed in order to admit the control signals for adjusting the operating functions or execute the operation of the display character. On the end faces of the first to fourth actuators, the push symbols are inscribed indicating the functions of the push-pull actuators, such as D, X, O or?. In the present mode, the symbols?, D, X and O are set to the first, second, third and fourth actuators lia to lid of push, respectively. Specifically, the third and fourth actuators 11c, push lid which are placed towards the second handle 6 and can therefore be easily actuated by the thumb when the second handle 6 is moved by hand, are placed to enter the "YES" and "NO" command signals used frequently to carry out the game. In this way, the "O" and "X" signals corresponding to the "YES" and "NO" controls are inscribed in this third and fourth push actuators 11c and lid. That is, even when the drive device 1 is provided with a large number of actuators, the third and fourth push actuators 11c, lid, used frequently are placed for driven positions easily thereby improving the functionality of the minimum number of actuators. of push required for the execution of the game. The first to fourth push actuators lia to lid can also be designed to indicate the different functions by different colors. That is to say, the functions of the push-pull actuators may be indicated by respective different colors. In a manner similar to the first and fourth thrust actuators 8a to 8d which constitute the first drive unit 9, the first to fourth thrust actuators can be provided integrally on the upper sides thereof in contact by hand or finger with the formed top layer of the elastomer exhibiting rubbery elasticity. This upper layer is effective to improve the contact feeling of the hand or the finger with the first to fourth push actuators lia to lid and therefore the functionality of the device: The third and fourth drive units 14, 15 will be explained to continuation. These third and fourth drive units 14, 15 are mounted essentially in essentially cylindrical mounting portions 47, 48 in the corner portions of the first and second connecting sides or handles 5,6 to the main body unit 4 for oriented towards each other, as shown in Figure 1. Since the third and fourth drive units 14, 15 are of the same structure, only the third drive unit 14 will be explained below. The third drive unit 14 has a multidirectional input device 50 as shown in Figure 14. This multidirectional input device 50 has a box-like upper frame 51 and a first arcuate interlacing type member 51 as shown in FIG. Figure 14. The first interlacing type member 51 is rotatably carried by the upper frame 50 having a cambered end portion 52 engaged with a rotary arrow 54 of a variable first resistor 53a that functions as a rotary detector secured on the side 50a side of the upper frame 50 and having a protrusion 55 of the opposite lateral warped end portion 52 loosely fitted in an opening 56 formed in a lateral side 50b opposite the side 50a of the frame 50. In a central position of the upper frame 50 is placed in a drive arrow 57 having a functioning portion 58 similar to a plate in its lower end and a disk 90 in an intermediate portion.

This disk 59 has a hole 60. The upper portion of the drive shaft 57 is mounted on the rotary drive 16. Within the upper frame 50 a second entanglement member 62 is placed to extend at right angles to the drive arrow 57. The second interlacing type member 62 has a sphere 63 at its center and a pair of arms 64a, 64b extending horizontally with respect to the sphere 63. The sphere 63 has a groove extending from its upper side to its side lower. After the drive arrow 57 and the disk 59 are inserted into the slot 65, and the hole 60 is positioned to coincide with the hole 66 in the side side of the sphere 63, the pin 67 is inserted in the hole 66 and the hole 67 and the driving arrow 57 is mounted on the second interlacing type member 62 for rotation along the slot 65 with the pin 67 as the supporting arrow. The second interlacing member 62 projects outwardly from the lateral side 50d of the upper frame 50 by a rotary arrow 54, of a second variable resistor 53b secured to the lateral side 50c of the upper frame 50 engaged with the arm end 64a and by means of the end of the opposite side arm 64b which fits into an elongated hole 70 formed in the lateral side 50d of the upper frame 50. The drive shaft 57 is passed through the slot 71 of the first interlacing type member 51 and projects outwardly through an opening 72 formed in the upper surface of the upper frame 70. The drive arrow 57 is supported on a reset member 73 having a rotary-like operating member 58 rotatably housed in its side recess 74 of the top surface. A lower frame 75 is mounted on the lower end of the upper frame 50. On the upper surface of the lower frame 75 is formed in a support wall section 77 to move a tab 76 of the reset member 73 movably in a vertical direction. Between the bottom surface of the lower frame 75 and the outer peripheral edge 78 of the reset member 73, a reset spring 79 is housed by pushing up the reset member 73. The arm end 64b of the second interlacing type member 62 is caused to compress against the upper edge of the elongated hole 70 in the lateral side 50d of the upper frame 50. The second interlacing type member 62 is rotatably mounted on the upper frame 50 in a direction perpendicular to the first interlacing type member 51 beneath the first interlacing type member 51. On the lateral side 50d of the upper frame 50 is mounted a push-type switching element 80 which is changed by pushing the pushing actuators 81, urged against the thrust of the spring. The push actuators 81 face the end 82 of the arm 64b of the second interlacing type member 62. This end 82 projects in the same direction as the mounting leg 83 that is provided on the lower edge of the upper frame 50 and the terminals 84 of the first and second variable resistors 53a, 53b. The operating state of the multidirectional device 50 will be explained below. If the user retains the rotation actuators 16 and rotates the drive arrow 57 in an optional direction, the drive arrow 57 is rotated about the point of intersection and the second interlock type member 62 with the pin 67 as the center of rotation. With the rotation of the drive arrow 57, the first interlacing type member 51 and the second interlacing type member 62 operate in rotation. The rotary arrows of the first and second resistors 53a, 53b variables also work in rotation to adjust the resistance values. The operation for the automatic restoration of the drive arrow 57 will be explained below. During the neutral state in which the drive arrow 57 is not actuated, the drive arrow 57 is adjusted vertically from the opening 72 in the upper surface of the upper frame 50, with the bottom surface of the operating member 58 compressed against the internal bottom surface of the reset member 73, by means of the reset spring 79. If the drive arrow 57 is inclined in a clockwise direction from this state as shown in Figure 16, the flange 85 having an arcuate portion, the radius of curvature from which it progressively increases towards the outside of the operating member 58, pushes the reset member 73 down along the support wall section 77 of the lower frame 75, against the elasticity of the reset spring 79. If the operating pressure at the driving arrow 57 is released, the neutral state shown in Figure 15 is restored, i.e. the driving arrow 57 is reset to its vertical state, under the thrust of the reset spring 79. The operation of the switch element 80 is explained with reference to Figures 17 and 18. The drive arrow 57 in the non-operating state is in a position shown in Figure 17, where the arm end 64b of the second member 62 of entanglement type is separated from the push actuators 81 of the switching element 80 and the end of the arm 64b is compressed against the upper edge of the elongated opening 70 of the lateral surface 50d of the upper frame 50. If the drive arrow 57 is pushed down from this state, the arm end 64b of the second interlacing type member 62 moves downward along the elongated hole 70, against the thrust of the reset spring 79, with the the arm engaging point 64a with the rotary arrow 54 of the first variable resistor 53a as the fulcrum until the arm end 64b is retained by the lower edge of the elongated aperture 70 which functions as a stop. During this time, the arm end 64b pushes the push actuators 81 of the switching element 80 downward to change through the state of the switch element 80. If the drive arrow 57 stops pushing, the arm end 64b is restored to the state shown in Figure 17, against the restoring force of the reset spring 79, with the arm end 64b being readjusted to the state of Figure 17. in which the end of the arm compressed against the upper edge of the slot 30. The switching element 80 is in operation even when the push actuators 81 are pushed when the drive arrow 57 has been rotated in an optional direction. By rotating the actuators 16 and the consequent drive of the first and second variable resistors 53a, 53b, the third and fourth drive units 14, 15 can output the command information to continuously move the display character, rotating and making Simultaneously advance the presentation character or changing your visual line. It will be noted that the rotary actuators 16 for driving the third and fourth drive units 14, 15 are provided with a portion 86 of the body of the main actuator at the distal end of the drive shaft 57, as shown in FIGS. and 20. The main actuator body portion 86 is integrally molded from a synthetic material of higher tenacity to inhibit deformation.

The body portion 86 of the main actuator has a rod portion 86a at the distal end of which a head 86b of ellipsoidal shape protrudes and at the proximal end of which a tubular adjustment projection 86c is formed to serve for mounting the drive arrow 57. An adjustment hole 86d extending from the adjustment projection 86c to the intermediate portion of the rod portion 86a is drilled and wherein the drive arrow 57 is adjusted. At the outer edge of the proximal end of the portion 86a of the rod, a flange 86e is semi-spherically shaped. When the rotation actuators 16 are adjusted in the drive arrow 57, the flange 86c fits into an opening 87 formed in the main body unit 4 to allow rotation of the rotation actuators 16 in order to cover the opening 87 and In order to guide the rotation of the rotary actuators 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. On the side of the upper surface of the head 86b, it is in contact by hand or finger, a layer 88 is integrally formed. upper formed of a flexible material, as shown in Figure 19 and 20. The material of the upper layer 88 may be an elastomer exhibiting rubbery elasticity. The upper layer 88 is formed by a two-color molding on the head 86b of the portion 86 of the main drive body. The side of the upper surface of the upper layer 88 is arcuately formed towards the upper part to improve the tactile sensation. With the rotary actuators 16 having the upper layer 88 of a flexible material in its portion in contact with the hand or the finger, it is possible to reduce the impact otherwise applied to the hand or finger when the actuators are pushed, improving this way the operating sensation during actuation of the actuators 16. The elastomer of the upper layer 88 functions as an anti-slip agent in the case of the actuation of the rotation actuators 16. Since the upper layer 88 is formed integrally with the body portion 86 of the main actuator by the two-color molding, the upper layer can be positively fixed to the body portion 86 of the main actuator to prevent peeling in the thrusting operations. repeated. Although the upper layer 88 of a flexible material is formed to cover the outer periphery of the head 86b on the upper side as shown in Figure 20, the head 86b may also be formed of an elastomer similar to that of the upper layer 88.

The fifth and sixth drive units 17, 18 provided on the front side of the main body unit 4 will be explained below. As for the fifth and sixth drive units 17, 18, the first and second push actuators 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b are positioned so that the distal ends of the fifth and sixth drive units 17, 18 protrude from the front side of the main body unit 4 through the upper and lower parallel openings 91 in pairs, formed on the front sides of the main body unit 4. Within the unit 4 of the main body, switching elements are provided in association with the push actuators 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b. To improve the operating sensation, the portions of the push actuators 19a, 19b and 20a are in contact with the hand or the finger, they can be similarly provided as a top layer formed of elastomer. The drive device 1 of the present invention is provided with units 92, 92 for imparting vibration in order to impart the vibration to the user to obtain a more vivid play feel. These units 92, 92 for imparting vibration are provided at the proximal ends of the first and second handles 5., 6 held by the hand or finger of the user holding the drive device 1, as shown in Figure 21. These units 92, 92 for imparting vibration are constituted by a driving motor 93 which is driven by the driving command signals sent from the main body unit of the gaming machine and an eccentric member 95 mounted on an arrow 94 driving the driving motor 93. The eccentric member 95 is constituted by a metal member of a large weight mass and a semicircular weight 95a decentralized relative to the adjustment hole 96 coupled by the driving arrow 94 and which is offset relative to the adjustment hole 96. The driving motor 93 having the eccentric member 95 mounted on the driving arrow 94 is mounted having a motor housing 98 equipped with a tubular adjustment recess 97 of a rectangular cross section formed on the inner side of the first handle 5, as shown in Figure 23. In the units 92, 92, for imparting vibration described above, the driving motor 93 is operated to operate the eccentric member 95 in rotation so that the driving motor 93 is vibrated. The vibrations of the driving motor 93 are transmitted through a peripheral wall section 97a of the adjusting recess 97 to the first handle or handle 5 in order to transmit the vibration to the hand or to the finger retaining the handle or handle 5. It is It should be noted that the driving motors 93 of the units 92, 92 for imparting vibration differ in energy classification so that when the units 92, 92 for imparting vibration are driven by a constant driving voltage, the driving motors differ in rotational speeds of such that eccentric members 95 are rotated at differential speeds to produce vibrations of different frequencies. The drive device 1 of the gaming machine according to the present invention is connected to the unit 4 of the main body of the gaming machine, as shown in Figure 24. The drive device 1 is connected to the drive unit 1. Main body of the gaming machine 101 through a connecting cord 102 pulled outward from an intermediate portion of the front side of the main body unit 4. The connecting cord 102 has an end connector 103 that connects to a jack 104 that is provided on the side surface of the main body unit 101 for connecting the drive device 1 to the main body unit of the machine 101 of games It will be noted that the main body unit of the gaming machine 101 has multiple jacks 104 to allow connection thereof with the multiple drive devices 1. The main body unit of the game machine 101 has, enclosed therein, a disk drive unit 105 for reproducing an optical disk having a game program registered therein, and an image processing device for displaying the presentation character together with the background image on the television receiver's screen, in accordance with the game program that has been registered on the optical disc. The main body unit of the gaming machine 101 also has a reset switch 106 for resetting the game being executed, a power switch 107 and a button 109 for opening the lid in order to open a cover 108 adapted for open / close the disc loading unit of the disc drive unit 105. The main body unit of the game machine 101 is connected to a television receiver as the presentation device to present the presentation character together with the background image. In the drive device 1 described above for the gaming machine according to the present invention, the first to sixth drive units 9, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 18 can be operated using up to a maximum of 10 fingers, since the first and second handles or handles 5, 6 are retained with both hands. The drive device 1 can also be operated using only one of the first and second handles 5, 6. That is, by appropriately driving the first to sixth drive units 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, it is possible to carry operations not only to translate the presentation character, but to rotate the presentation character or move it with an accelerated movement in order to carry out the play of a three-dimensional spatial image. In addition, since the vibrations can be imparted to the user, the game can be executed with a feeling of lived play. Therefore, by using the drive device 1 for the gaming machine according to the present invention, the presentation character can perform complicated movements to execute a game program with a vivid game feel. It is possible, for example, to obtain a game in which an airplane or a submarine carries out a complicated movement through a three-dimensional space for the operation of the game along three axes of movements.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A drive device for a game machine comprising: first and second handles or handles projecting from one side of each end of a unit of the main body of the device; a first drive unit that is provided at one end of the main body unit and having a plurality of push actuators projecting towards the side of the upper surface of the main body unit and a plurality of signal input elements pushed by the push actuators; a second drive unit that is provided at the other end of the main body unit and having a plurality of thrust actuators projecting towards the side of the upper surface of the main body unit, and a plurality of input elements of signals pushed by the thrust actuators; and third and fourth drive units positioned facing each other at the proximal ends of the first and second handles and adapted to be actuated by the thrust actuators; the thrust actuators each having a main resin body portion of synthetic resin connected to the associated actuator unit and an upper portion of a flexible material having a swollen end face portion, the upper portion being integrally formed with the body portion of the main actuator. The drive device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the body portion of the main drive and the top portion are formed by a two-color molding. The drive device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the upper surfaces of the thrust actuators are formed integrally with upper portions of a flexible material. The driving device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the units imparting the vibration each includes a driving motor and an eccentric member mounted on a driving shaft of the driving motor. The drive device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration imparting units that are provided in the first and second grips are of different configurations for imparting vibrations.