WO2010102079A1

WO2010102079A1 - Connector for game machine

Info

Publication number: WO2010102079A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/026152
Authority: WO
Inventors: Naotoshi Ito
Original assignee: Molex LLC
Current assignee: Molex LLC
Priority date: 2009-03-04
Filing date: 2010-03-04
Publication date: 2010-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-04
Also published as: CN102414929B; JP5611530B2; CN102414929A; TWM392461U; JP2010201039A

Abstract

A connector for a game machine comprises a connector body, a first side cover member and a second side cover member. The connector body includes a plurality of holes for housing a plurality of electric wires. The first side cover member includes a plurality of concave surfaces, is arranged on one side of the plurality of electric wires, and is formed with at least one first fitting portion to fit in one of the holes with one of the electric wires. The second side cover member also includes a plurality of concave surfaces, is disposed on opposite the first side cover member with respect to the plurality of electric wires such that the plurality of electric wires is sandwiched between the side cover members, and is formed with at least one second fitting portion to fit in one of the holes with one of the electric wires.

Description

CONNECTOR FOR GAME MACHINE

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The Present Application claims priority to prior-filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-051252, entitled "Connector For Game Machine," and filed 04 March 2009, the contents of which is fully incorporated in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT APPLICATION

[0002] The Present Application relates to a connector for a game machine, and more particularly, to a connector for a game machine which can prevent various kinds of dishonest acts by filling a gap between an electric wire and a connector body.

[0003] In a game machine, such as a pachinko or a slot machine, a control board for controlling operation of the game machine is provided inside thereof. The control board is electrically connected to equipment to be controlled of various kinds, such as a winning device. In order to implement the connection, an electric wire connector for the game machine is provided at an end of an electric wire extending from the equipment to be controlled, and the connector is attached to the control board. An example of such a connector is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-267895.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT APPLICATION

[0004] Potentially, such game machines are vulnerable to dishonest acts, such as intentionally forcing a device to malfunction in favor of the malevolent user. Each portion of the game machine is required to have a measure to prevent such dishonesty. A connector for a game machine is preferably adapted to effectively prevent various kinds of dishonest acts including shorting of an electric wire to another electric wire and detecting a signal through an electric wire by inserting a probe such as a wire into a gap between the electric wire and the connector body. [0005] The Present Application has been developed in view of the above-mentioned problem, and an object thereof is to provide a connector for a game machine which can prevent various kinds of dishonest acts by filling a gap between an electric wire and a connector body. [0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the Present Application discloses a connector for a game machine which comprises: a connector body having a plurality of holes formed therein for housing ends of a plurality of electric wires arranged in a line; a first side cover member including a plurality of concave surfaces which conform to side surfaces of the electric wires, and is arranged on one side of a line of the plurality of electric wires, and being formed with at least one first fitting portion to be fitted in one of the holes together with one of the electric wires; and a second side cover member including a plurality of concave surfaces which conform to the side surfaces of the electric wires, being disposed on a side opposite to the first side cover member with respect to the line of the plurality of electric wires such that the plurality of electric wires is sandwiched between the second side cover member and the first side cover member, and being formed with at least one second fitting portion to be fitted in one of the holes together with one of the electric wires.

[0007] The first fitting portion or the second fitting portion may be formed as a retainer of at least one of the plurality of electric wires. Further, the first side cover member may include at least one extended portion which protrudes into space between the plurality of electric wires. In addition, the second side cover member may cover the extended portion of the first side cover member from a side opposite to the connector body. And, the second side cover member may have an engaging piece which extends to a side of the connector body to be engaged with the connector body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0008] The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the Present Application, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following Detailed Description, taken in connection with the accompanying Figures, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

[0009] Fig. 1 is a side view of a connector for a game machine according to an embodiment of the Present Application;

[0010] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connector of Fig. 1, illustrating a front cover member, a rear cover member and a male connector;

[0011] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the connector of Fig. 1, taken along Line III- III of Fig. 1;

[0012] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the connector of Fig. 1, taken along Line IV-IV of Fig. 3; [0013] Fig. 5 is a top view of the connector of Fig. 1, illustrating the male connector attached with the front cover member and the rear cover member; and [0014] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the connector of Fig. 1, taken along Line VI-VI of Fig. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] While the Present Application may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the Figures, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the Present Application, and is not intended to limit the Present Application to that as illustrated. [0016] In the illustrated embodiments, directional representations - i.e., up, down, left, right, front, rear and the like, used for explaining the structure and movement of the various elements of the Present Application, are relative. These representations are appropriate when the elements are in the position shown in the Figures. If the description of the position of the elements changes, however, it is assumed that these representations are to be changed accordingly. [0017] An embodiment of the Present Application is described in detail in the following with reference to the Figures. Further, since this connector has a bilaterally symmetrical shape, only a right-hand side thereof is illustrated herein. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a connector for a game machine according to this embodiment includes female connector 100, made preferably of a resin and substantially formed in the shape of a box opening upward, and male connector 140, also preferably made of a resin and housed in a concave portion of female connector 100. Front and rear cover members 120, 130 extend from side to side are attached to an upper surface of male connector 140 so as to be arranged from a front surface side to a rear surface side. The upper surface of male connector 140 is covered with the above-mentioned members. Both front and rear cover members 120, 130 are preferably formed of a resin. Plurality of electric wire holes 160 (see Fig. 5) are arranged in a line at junctures between front and rear cover members 120, 130. Electric wires 150 for connecting equipment to be controlled, such as a winning device, and a control board extend through electric wire holes 160 into male connector 140. Electric wires 150 are surrounded by front and rear cover members 120, 130. [0018] As illustrated in Fig. 2, plurality of electric wire insertion holes 143, through which electric wires 150 are inserted respectively, are formed on the upper surface of male connector 140 so as to be arranged in a line at equal intervals. Square hole portion 143a having a horizontally long shape in cross-section is formed on a front surface side of each of electric wire insertion holes 143. [0019] As illustrated in Fig. 6, engaging piece 139 is supported in a cantilever-like manner by a lower portion of the front surface and extending upward from the lower portion is formed on a front surface of male connector 140. When an upper portion of engaging piece 139 is held, engaging piece 139 is elastically deformed toward the rear surface side of male connector 140. As illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 6, female connector 100 comprises a concave portion for housing male connector 140, and engaging hole 102 is formed on a front wall of female connector 100. When male connector 140 is inserted into the concave portion of female connector 100, engaging claw 147 formed on the front surface of engaging piece 139 of male connector 140 is engaged with an upper edge of engaging hole 102, such that, unless the upper portion of engaging piece 139 is held, male connector 140 is not disengaged from female connector 100 (see Fig. 6). [0020] Rod-like board connection terminals 101, preferably made of metal and of the same number as electric wires 150, are provided in a standing condition on a bottom wall of female connector 100. Lower ends of board connection terminals 101 pierce the bottom wall and are located on a rear surface side of the bottom wall to be inserted in holes in control board 110. As a result, lower ends of board connection terminals 101 are adapted to be electrically connected by soldering to control board 110. Meanwhile, upper ends of board connection terminals 101 are connected to bullet terminals 151 attached to lower ends of electric wires 150. [0021] Next, as illustrated in Fig. 2, rear cover member 130 includes base portion 130a arranged on a rear side of an upper surface of male connector 140 and extending laterally. Substantially prismatic blocks 131 extend downward from both ends of base portion 130a. In a state of being attached to male connector 140, blocks 131 are positioned along side surfaces of male connector 140. On a front surface of base portion 130a, concave surfaces 135, preferably in the shape of semicylinder surfaces of the same number as electric wires 150, are formed side-by- side so as to conform to the respective side surfaces of plurality of electric wires 150 arranged in a line. Therefore, when rear cover member 130 is attached to male connector 140, the rear surface side of electric wires 150 is covered with base portion 130a. On the lower edges of deepest portions of concave surfaces 135, claws 134 which are fitting portions are formed so as to extend downward. Claws 134 are positioned on a rear side of electric wires 150, and claws 134 are inserted into electric wire insertion holes 143 together with electric wires 150. Further, extended portions 133, which protrude forward and protrude into space between electric wires 150, are formed on lower sides of junctures of concave surfaces 135 of rear cover member 130. [0022] Meanwhile, front cover member 120 includes base portion 120a arranged on front side of an upper surface of male connector 140 and extending laterally. Engaging pieces 121 extend downward from both ends of base portion 120a. Engaging pieces 121 are supported in a cantilever-manner by the end of base portion 120a and are elastically deformable. Engaging claws 122 extending in a width direction of base portion 120a are provided at tips of engaging pieces 121, which preferably are formed to be L-shaped in general. When front cover member 120 is attached to male connector 140, engaging claws 122 are engaged protrusions 141 provided on a side surface of male connector 140. [0023] On a rear surface of base portion 120a, concave surfaces 125, preferably in the shape of semicylinder surfaces of the same number as electric wires 150, are formed so as to conform to the respective side surfaces of electric wires 150 arranged in a line. Therefore, when front cover member 120 is attached to male connector 140, the front surface side of electric wires 150 is covered with base portion 120a. On the lower edges of deepest portion of concave surfaces 125, claws 124, which are fitting portions, are formed so as to extend downward. Claws 124 are positioned on a front side of electric wires 150, and fitted into square hole portions 143a of electric wire insertion holes 143. As illustrated in Fig. 6, bullet terminals 151 for implementing reliable electric connection with board connection terminals 101 are attached to tips of electric wires 150, and tips of claws 124 are in contact with upper edges of bullet terminals 151. Specifically, claws 124 of front cover member 120 act as retainers of electric wires 150, and make electric wires 150 resistant to being pulled out. It is to be noted that, claws 124 are not necessarily required to be in contact with the upper edges of bullet terminals 151. Further, the tips of claws 134, which are the fitting portions of rear cover member 130, may be in contact with the upper edges of bullet terminals 151. [0024] When rear cover member 130 is attached to the upper surface of male connector 140 and front cover member 120 is further attached thereto, concave surfaces 125 of front cover member 120 and concave surfaces 135 of rear cover member 130 face each other, and constitute electric wire holes 160. Therefore, a front surface and a rear surface of electric wires 150 are fully covered. Under junctures of concave surfaces 125 of front cover member 120, extended portions 133 of rear cover member 130 are positioned. Thus, metal such as a probe, which is inserted into portions between the juncture of concave surfaces 125 of front cover member 120 and the juncture of concave surfaces 135 of rear cover member 130, is prevented from reaching electric wire insertion holes 143 of male connector 140. Further, it is difficult to disengage rear cover member 130 from male connector 140 unless front cover member 120 is not detached therefrom. [0025] Further, both right and left ends of base portion 120a of front cover member 120 are above the upper sides of blocks 131 of rear cover member 130, and also make it difficult to disengage rear cover member 130 from male connector 140. In addition, protrusion 132 is formed on the upper surface of each block 131. Meanwhile, on the lower surface of base portion 120a of front cover member 120, claws 123 engaged with protrusions 132 are formed. Claws 123 are engaged with protrusions 132, whereby front cover member 120 does not move forward, and rear cover member 130 does not move rearward. [0026] According to the connector for a game machine described above, peripheries of electric wires 150 are surrounded by front cover member 120 and rear cover member 130. In this case, one claw 124 of front cover member 120 and claws 134 of rear cover member 130 are fitted into electric wire insertion holes 143 together with one of electric wires 150. Hence front cover member 120 deflects forward and rear cover member 130 deflects rearward respectively, and therefore, gaps are prevented from being generated in the peripheries of electric wires 150. Thus, the peripheries of electric wires 150 are fully covered to prevent metal such as a probe from being inserted into electric wire insertion holes 143.

[0027] While a preferred embodiment of the Present Application is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing Description and the appended Claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A connector for a game machine, comprising: a connector body having a plurality of holes formed therein for housing ends of a plurality of electric wires arranged in a line; a first side cover member including a plurality of concave surfaces which conform to side surfaces of the electric wires, and is arranged on one side of a line of the plurality of electric wires, and being formed with at least one first fitting portion to be fitted in one of the holes together with one of the electric wires; and a second side cover member including a plurality of concave surfaces which conform to the side surfaces of the electric wires, being disposed on a side opposite to the first side cover member with respect to the line of the plurality of electric wires such that the plurality of electric wires is sandwiched between the second side cover member and the first side cover member, and being formed with at least one second fitting portion to be fitted in one of the holes together with one of the electric wires.

2. The connector for a game machine according to Claim 1, wherein the first fitting portion or the second fitting portion is formed as a retainer of at least one of the plurality of electric wires.

3. The connector for a game machine according to Claim 2, wherein: the first side cover member includes at least one extended portion which protrudes into space between the plurality of electric wires; and the second side cover member covers the extended portion of the first side cover member from a side opposite to the connector body.

4. The connector for a game machine according to Claim 1, wherein: the first side cover member includes at least one extended portion which protrudes into space between the plurality of electric wires; and the second side cover member covers the extended portion of the first side cover member from a side opposite to the connector body.

5. The connector for a game machine according to Claim 1, wherein the second side cover member has an engaging piece which extends to a side of the connector body to be engaged with the connector body.