JP3720307B2 - Medal sorting device and medal game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a medal sorting device that sorts medals having a normal size and objects having a size smaller than a normal size that is illegally inserted, and a medal game machine including the medal sorting device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are medal game machines in which a player plays a game by inserting medals from a medal inserter. In such a medal game machine, there is a case where an illegal act is performed in which an object other than a regular medal is inserted into a medal inserter. This illegally used object is mainly an object having a size smaller than a regular size medal (hereinafter referred to as “illegal medal”) such as a 1-yen coin. For this reason, a regular hole with a size that does not drop a regular size medal, and an illegal medal with a size smaller than the normal size falls on the sliding surface on which the medal slides in the medal passage of the medal thrower. The provided medal sorting device is used. According to this medal sorting device, since the illegal medal slides on the sliding surface in the medal passage and reaches the sorting hole, it falls into the sorting hole, so that the unauthorized medal can be prevented from proceeding beyond the sorting hole. However, if the player vigorously inserts the illegal medal from the medal inserter so as to move along the ceiling surface of the medal passage, the illegal medal sometimes jumps over the sorting hole in the medal passage. In this case, the illegal medal proceeds beyond the sorting hole, resulting in the fraud.
[0003]
Therefore, conventionally, a configuration in which a protrusion or a protrusion is provided on the ceiling surface portion of the medal passage has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-6011). According to this configuration, even if an illegal medal is thrown in vigorously, it collides with a projection or the like and decelerates, so that the illegal medal can be dropped into the sorting hole. Further, a configuration has been proposed in which a plate-shaped sorting member is arranged so as to block the region above the sorting hole in the medal passage in the vertical direction, and the sorting member is swingably attached (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-48236). Gazette). According to this configuration, when the regular medal collides with the sorting member, the sorting member swings, so that the regular medal can pass through the sorting member. On the other hand, the illegally inserted medal is decelerated by colliding with the sorting member and falls into the sorting hole.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the configuration proposed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-6011 etc., the illegally inserted illegal medal may not collide well with the projection or the like and may advance beyond the selection hole. It was. In addition, even if the illegal medals that are thrown in vigorously are decelerated due to a collision with the protrusions, etc., there are cases in which the remaining momentum jumps over the sorting holes and the illegal medals cannot be dropped into the sorting holes. For this reason, the configuration proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-6011 and the like has a problem that the accuracy of selecting a regular medal and an illegal medal is low.
[0005]
Further, in the configuration proposed in the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-48236, etc., when the regular medal has a low sliding speed, the sorting member and the sliding surface that have returned by their own weight after the medal collides with the sorting member. I could get caught in between. This causes a problem that regular medals are clogged in the medal passage and the progress of the game is hindered.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy of selecting a regular medal and an illegal medal from the conventional apparatus, and the regular medal is a medal path. It is to provide a medal sorting device and a medal gaming machine that are not easily jammed.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that the flat portion on the lower side in the vertical direction of the inserted medal is in contact with the sliding surface while the sliding surface is inclined downward in the medal sliding direction. A medal passage where a medal slides due to its own weight, including a passage forming member that forms a width slightly wider than the medal diameter of the normal dimension, the medal of the normal dimension does not fall, and is smaller than the normal dimension An object with a small size is provided with a sorting hole having a size that drops due to its own weight in at least a part of the sliding surface, and the object thrown over the sorting hole collides with the object into the sorting hole. In the medal sorting device in which the sorting member for dropping is arranged so as to block at least the upper region of the sorting hole in the medal passage in the vertical direction, Using a member whose shape is the outer periphery of a cylinder, when the member is in the lowest position due to its own weight, the center line of the member is parallel to the sliding surface and in a posture parallel to the direction perpendicular to the medal sliding direction. The upper region is blocked in the vertical direction, and is supported so that it can be freely displaced upward in the vertical direction and rotated around the center line by the collision of a medal that slides on the sliding surface. is there.
The “medal” is not limited to a medal dedicated to a so-called medal game machine, but is a concept including coins.
In this medal sorting device, when an illegal medal, which is an object having a size smaller than a regular size medal, slides on the sliding surface, the illegal medal is dropped into the sorting hole, and the regular medal and the illegal medal are combined. Can be sorted. Further, since the sorting member arranged at least in the upper region of the sorting hole blocks the inside of the medal passage in the vertical direction, even if the unauthorized medal is thrown over the sorting hole, Collides with the sorting member. Therefore, the illegal medal is decelerated and falls into the sorting hole. On the other hand, when a regular medal having a regular dimension is inserted, it collides with the sorting member as in the case of an illegal medal. However, if it is a regular medal, even if it decelerates due to a collision with the sorting member, it does not fall into the sorting hole because it is supported by the sliding surface parts on both sides of the sorting hole in the width direction. Furthermore, it continues to slide on the sliding surface due to its own weight. Then, the medal pushes up the sorting member whose outer peripheral shape is a cylindrical outer peripheral shape, and passes over the sorting hole. Here, this member includes a columnar member having no space inside and a cylindrical member having a space inside. The weight of this member is set to such an extent that it can be pushed up by a regular medal that slides on the sliding surface. Therefore, when the illegal medal has a weight equal to or more than that of the regular medal, it is possible that the sorting member is pushed up somewhat by the illegal medal. However, even for such an illegal medal, the course is directed downward due to the collision with the sorting member. Therefore, if the length of the sorting hole in the medal sliding direction is sufficiently long, it is possible to sufficiently prevent such an illegal medal from proceeding through the medal passage from the sorting hole. Therefore, according to the medal sorting device of this claim, the illegal medal can collide with the sorting member, and the collided illegal medal can be dropped into the sorting hole with high accuracy.
In addition, when the conventional sorting member sandwiches a regular medal between the sliding surface, the medal moves while sliding with respect to the sorting member. Therefore, when the frictional force between the medal and the sorting member is large and the speed of the medal is slow, the medal is jammed in a state of being sandwiched between the sorting member and the sliding surface. On the other hand, the sorting member of the medal sorting device of the present claim has a cylindrical outer circumferential shape and is rotatably supported, so that a regular medal is sandwiched between the sliding surface However, it moves so that its surface is accompanied by the movement of the medal. Therefore, when the medal pushes up the sorting member and passes, the load applied to the medal in the direction that prevents the medal from sliding is greatly reduced as compared with the conventional sorting member. Therefore, according to the medal sorting device of this claim, it is possible to greatly reduce the situation where the regular medal is caught between the sorting member and the sliding surface and stopped.
[0009]
  Claims2The invention of claim1'sIn the medal sorting device, a plurality of the sorting members are provided at predetermined intervals in the medal sliding direction.
  In this medal sorting device, even if the illegal medal cannot be dropped into the sorting hole by the sorting member located upstream in the medal sliding direction, the illegal medal is sorted by the next sorting member located downstream thereof. Can be dropped. Thereby, an illegal medal can be dropped into the sorting hole with high accuracy.
[0011]
  Claims3This invention is a medal passage in which the medal slides by its own weight on the sliding surface inclined downward toward the medal sliding direction while the flat portion on the lower side in the vertical direction of the inserted medal contacts the sliding surface. A passage forming member that forms a member having a width slightly wider than the medal diameter of the normal dimension, the medal of the normal dimension does not fall, and the object of the dimension smaller than the normal dimension has a dimension that falls by its own weight. In the medal sorting device having the first sorting hole having at least a part of the sliding surface, the ceiling surface of the medal passage formed by the passage forming member is vertically in the medal sliding direction in the middle of the medal passage. There is a portion with a large inclination angle downward in the direction, and a second selection hole through which an object of a normal size does not pass and an object of a size smaller than the normal size passes is provided in this portion. And it is characterized in and.
  In this medal sorting device, illegal medals that are vigorously inserted along the ceiling surface to jump over the first sorting hole pass through the second sorting hole provided in the ceiling surface portion where the inclination angle is increased. Will do. Even if the regular medal moves along the ceiling surface, the regular medal cannot pass through the second sorting hole and can move as it is in the medal passage. If it is the above structures, the situation where a regular medal will be pinched between a selection member and a sliding surface will not arise.
[0013]
  Claims4The invention includes a medal inserter into which medals are inserted by a player, and a medal sorting device that sorts an object inserted into the medal inserter into a medal with a normal dimension and an object with a size smaller than the normal dimension. In the medal game machine comprising:Two-wayIs3The medal sorting device is used.
  This medal game machine is a medal sorting device as claimed in claim 1.Two-wayIs3Therefore, regular medals and illegal medals can be sorted with high accuracy, and regular medals are not easily jammed in the medal passage. Therefore, a fair and smooth game progress is possible.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a medal game machine that is an arcade game apparatus installed in a store such as a game center (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “Embodiment 1”) will be described.
First, the configuration of the entire medal game machine according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an appearance of the medal game machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing a game field portion of the medal game machine. In the medal game machine 1, a game field A is arranged in front of the player. As shown in FIG. 3, the game field A is formed between two transparent plates 2a and 2b arranged to face each other at a predetermined interval. The interval between the two transparent plates 2a and 2b is set slightly wider than the thickness of the medal. Thereby, the moving direction of the medals in the game field A is restricted to the surface direction (two-dimensional direction) of the two transparent plates 2a and 2b. Further, on the back side of the two transparent plates 2a and 2b, a monitor 3 which is an image display means for displaying an image for producing a game such as a background image of the game field A is installed. The image displayed on the monitor 3 is visually recognized by the player through the two transparent plates 2a and 2b. Therefore, by displaying various images on the monitor 3, the game developed in the game field A can be visually produced.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2, the medal game machine 1 positioned above the game field A has 2 medal insertion ports 4 as moving body introduction means for introducing medals into the game field A. One is provided. The medals inserted from the medal slot are introduced into the game field A through a medal sorting device described later.
Further, a medal discharge port 5 through which a medal to be paid out to the player is discharged, a collect button 6 to be operated when the player wants to receive a medal, and the like are provided in the housing portion of the medal game machine 1 located below the game field A. Is provided.
Further, inside the housing of the medal game machine 1, there are a hopper device (not shown) that is a game value payout means for paying out medals from the medal discharge port 5, a control unit (not shown) that controls each part of the medal game machine 1, and the like. Is provided.
[0016]
In the medal game machine 1, when a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 4, the medal is guided from above the game field A to a portion of the wiper device 7 in the game field A through a medal sorting device described later. . One wiper device 7 is provided for each of the two medal insertion slots 4 and is used to change the direction of entry of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 4 into the game field A. . The wiper device 7 includes a pair of wiper arms 7a arranged in the game field A. The medal inserted from the medal slot 4 enters the space formed between the pair of wiper arms 7a. The pair of wiper arms 7a swings in synchronism with each other in a certain angle range with the upper end of the arm as the swing center by a drive mechanism (not shown). The wiper device 7 operates so that the pair of wiper arms 7a repeats the swinging motion at a constant period. Therefore, the player can insert a medal into the game field A in a desired approach direction by inserting a medal into the medal insertion slot 4 while checking the swing position of the wiper arm 7a.
[0017]
The medal that has entered the game field A in this manner falls within the game field A due to the action of gravity. In the game field A, as shown in FIG. 2, a large number of pins 8 for changing the moving direction of the falling medals are provided over the entire area. Thereby, the medal that entered the game field A collides with the pin 8 and falls in the vertical direction in the game field A while changing the moving direction.
[0018]
A movable portion 13 that reciprocates in the left-right direction in the figure is provided in the center of the game field A in the vertical direction. The movable portion 13 has a structure through which a falling medal can pass, and a medal that passes through the movable portion 13 is detected by a medal detection sensor (not shown). A plurality of intermediate pockets 9 that can collect the falling medals are provided in the lower half area of the game field A. In the lowermost area of the game field A, a plurality of end pockets 10 for collecting falling medals are provided. A space in which a medal can enter is formed inside the intermediate pocket 9 and the end pocket 10, and a medal detection sensor (not shown) that detects a medal that has entered the space is provided. As the medal detection sensor, a generally used optical sensor or the like can be used. Further, on the monitor 3 corresponding to the periphery of the intermediate pocket 9 and the end pocket 10, a bingo number image for bingo game, which will be described later, or a loss image indicating a loss is displayed. Hereinafter, the area on the monitor 3 where the image is displayed is referred to as a pocket image area B.
[0019]
On the monitor 3 corresponding to the central portion of the upper half area of the game field A, an image showing a bingo card is displayed. Hereinafter, an area on the monitor 3 where this image is displayed is referred to as a bingo image area C. The bingo card on the bingo image area C can be composed of 25 numbers in 5 rows and 5 columns determined at random by the control unit, for example. In the medal game machine 1 of the present embodiment, the medal payout to the player is determined according to the number of bingo lines arranged. A payout explanation screen that displays the number of paid-out medals in accordance with the number of bingo rows is displayed on the monitor 3 corresponding to the rightmost area of the game field A. Hereinafter, an area on the monitor 3 where this image is displayed is referred to as a payout screen area D.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control unit of the medal game machine 1. The control unit 20 includes a control board on which a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, and the like are mounted. The CPU 21 performs arithmetic processing using the RAM 22 and the like according to various programs stored in the ROM 23, and outputs various control commands to each unit. The RAM 22 temporarily stores data necessary for calculation processing of the CPU 21, a payout table for determining the number of bingo rows and the corresponding medal payout number, payout number data indicating the number of medal payouts to be paid out to the player, and the like. Saved in. On the control board, a display control circuit 24 for controlling the display contents of the monitor 3, a drive circuit 25 for driving the hopper device 12, the wiper device 7, the movable portion 13, and the like are also provided.
[0021]
The control unit 20 receives a medal detection signal from each medal detection sensor 11 provided in each of the pockets 9 and 10 and the movable unit 13. The medal detection signal is used in a bingo game that is advanced by the control unit 20 as will be described later. Here, only one medal detection sensor 11 is shown in FIG. 4, but in actuality, the same number as the sum of the number of intermediate pockets 9 and the number of end pockets 10 plus one movable portion 13. Each medal detection sensor 11 is connected to the control unit 20. The CPU 21 of the control unit 20 is configured so that the medal detection signals from the respective medal detection sensors 11 can be distinguished and recognized for each medal detection sensor 11. Therefore, the CPU 21 can recognize which pocket 9 or 10 has entered the medal or has passed the movable part 13 by receiving the medal detection signal.
[0022]
In addition, an operation signal when the player operates the collect button 6 is also input to the control unit 20. Receiving this operation signal, the CPU 21 outputs to the drive circuit 25 a payout command for paying out medals corresponding to the payout number data stored in the RAM 22. Upon receiving this, the drive circuit 25 drives the payout motor of the hopper device 12 in accordance with the payout command. Thereby, the number of medals based on the payout command are discharged to the medal discharge port 5, and the player can acquire medals.
[0023]
Next, the operation of the medal game machine 1 and the game flow in this embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, all of the intermediate pockets 9 and a part of the end pocket 10 correspond to bingo numbers, but the remaining part of the end pocket 10 may correspond to a loss. When the medal enters the end pocket 10 corresponding to the loss, it is assumed that there was no bingo number acquired so far. Then, the game state is changed so that the bingo card number array and the bingo numbers or loses corresponding to the intermediate pocket 9 and the end pocket 10 are newly set, and the game is restarted.
[0024]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of the control unit 20 that proceeds with the bingo game in the present embodiment.
When the bingo game starts, the CPU 21 of the control unit 20 determines the bingo card number array and the bingo numbers corresponding to the intermediate pocket 9 and the end pocket 10 according to a predetermined program. A pocket is determined (S1, S2). The determined bingo card number array data and the pocket data indicating the bingo numbers or loses of the pockets 9 and 10 are respectively stored in the RAM 22. Then, the CPU 21 outputs a display command based on these determinations to the display control circuit 24. Thereby, the determined bingo number image or the lost image is displayed in each pocket image area B on the monitor 3, and the bingo card image having the determined number arrangement is displayed in the bingo image area C. (S3).
[0025]
When the player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 4, the medal enters the game field A while the entry direction is changed by the wiper device 7. When this medal enters any intermediate pocket 9 while falling in the game field A, this is detected by the medal detection sensor 11 of the intermediate pocket 9 and a medal detection signal is sent to the CPU 21 of the control unit 20 ( S4). Also, when the medal falls to the bottom of the game field A without entering the intermediate pocket 9 and enters the end pocket 10, a medal detection signal is sent to the CPU 21 in the same manner (S4). The CPU 21 receiving such a medal detection signal recognizes the pockets 9 and 10 in which medals are placed. Then, the CPU 21 determines whether or not it is lost based on the pocket data stored in the RAM 22 corresponding to the recognized pockets 9 and 10 (S5). If it is determined that the game is lost, the bingo game restarts as described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that the game is not lost, the CPU 21 associates the obtained numeric data indicating the bingo numbers corresponding to the pockets 9 and 10 containing the medals with the numeric array data of the bingo card stored in the RAM 22. Store (S6). Then, the CPU 21 performs a display changing process for displaying the fact that the bingo number indicated by the acquired number data stored in the RAM is acquired on the corresponding number portion of the bingo card on the bingo image area C (S7).
[0026]
Thereafter, the CPU 21 performs payout calculation processing based on the acquired number data and number array data stored in the RAM 22 (S8). In this payout calculation process, the acquired number data stored in the RAM 22 is compared with the number array data to determine whether or not the bingo row of bingo cards is complete. At this time, if it is determined that the bingo rows are aligned, the payout number data corresponding to the total number of the aligned bingo rows is stored in the RAM 22 based on the payout table stored in the RAM 22. If one or more bingo rows are already prepared and the number of bingo rows is increased in the current payout calculation process, the payout number data stored in the RAM 22 is updated. When the bingo rows are arranged in this way, the player selects whether to continue the game as it is and further increase the number of bingo rows to aim for a high payout or to operate the collect button 6 to receive a medal. It will be. This selection can be freely made by the player, but if the user selects to receive a medal by operating the collect button 6, the bingo game is restarted after the medal is paid out.
[0027]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of control performed by the CPU 21 when a medal passes through the movable portion 13.
When the medal inserted by the player passes through the movable portion 13 and is detected by the medal detection sensor 11 while falling in the game field A, the detection signal from the medal detection sensor 11 is received by the CPU 21 of the control unit 20. (S11). Upon receiving this, the CPU 21 changes the medal payout number corresponding to the number of bingo rows in the payout table stored in the RAM 22 (S12). Then, based on the changed payout table, the CPU 21 performs a process of updating a portion indicating the medal payout number on the payout screen area D (S13).
[0028]
As described above, in this embodiment, when the inserted medal passes through the movable portion, the game state is changed so that the number of medals to be paid out when the bingo line is aligned in the bingo game described above is increased. Depending on the game content, the number of medals to be paid out in the payout table may be changed.
[0029]
Next, a medal sorting device that is a characteristic part of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the medal sorting device 30. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the medal sorting device 30 cut in the medal sliding direction. The medal sorting device 30 is fixedly arranged inside the main body of the medal game machine 1 by a metal fitting (not shown). The medal sorting device 30 includes a medal passage E formed by a lower surface plate 31a and an upper surface plate 31b as passage forming members. The medal passage E is a space having a rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the medal sliding direction, and has a width slightly wider than the medal diameter of the regular dimension. As shown in FIG. 8, a medal slot 4 is formed at one end of the medal path E, and a flange 32 is formed around the medal slot 4. The other end 33a of the medal path E extends between the two transparent plates 2a and 2b.
[0030]
The lower surface plate 31a is inclined downward in the medal sliding direction, and the upper surface thereof constitutes the bottom surface of the medal passage E, which becomes the sliding surface. Further, the upper surface plate 31b constitutes both side surfaces and an upper surface of the medal passage E. Then, the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 4 slides in the medal passage E by its own weight while contacting the upper surface of the lower surface plate 31a whose flat portion on the lower side in the vertical direction becomes the sliding surface. Thereafter, the medal that has reached the other end 33a of the medal passage E slides down into the game field A formed between the two transparent plates 2a and 2b, and falls within the game field A due to the action of gravity. . In the upper surface plate 31b, a rectangular opening 35 is formed at a position facing the sorting hole 34 provided in the lower surface plate 31a.
[0031]
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the medal sorting device 30 viewed from the lower side in the vertical direction. In a part of the lower surface plate 31a of the medal passage E, a sorting hole 34 having a size in which a normal size medal does not fall and an object having a size smaller than the normal size falls by its own weight is opened. Specifically, the sorting hole 34 has a width that is slightly smaller than the diameter of a regular-sized medal. Therefore, medals of normal dimensions slide down in the medal passage E without falling into the sorting hole 34. On the other hand, when an object having a size smaller than the normal size, for example, an illegal medal such as a one-yen coin having a diameter smaller than that of the normal medal, slides on the running surface, the illegal medal falls from the sorting hole 34 and enters the medal passage E. Excluded from. Note that the sorting hole 34 is formed long in the medal sliding direction, thereby securing a time until the illegal medal falls.
[0032]
In addition, slits 36a and 36b are respectively provided in the lower surface plate 31a and the upper surface plate 31b of the medal passage E so as to be located on the same line. These slits 36a and 36b are installed downstream of the sorting hole 34 in the medal sliding direction. The slits 36a and 36b are for securing an optical path of a transmission type optical sensor (not shown) for counting medals that have slipped down the medal path E without falling from the sorting hole 34. When a medal that slides in the medal passage E passes through the position where the slits 36a and 36b are opened, the optical path of the transmission optical sensor is blocked. Thus, the transmission optical sensor outputs a predetermined count signal to the control unit 20 every time the optical path is blocked. Therefore, the control unit 20 can count the number of inserted medals.
[0033]
Here, in the medal passage E in the present embodiment, an illegal medal inserted so as to jump over the sorting hole 34 collides, so that a sorting sleeve as a sorting member for dropping the illegal medal into the sorting hole 34 is obtained. 40 is provided. The sorting sleeve 40 is disposed in the area above the sorting hole 34 in the medal passage E. The sorting sleeve 40 is arranged so that the center line thereof is parallel to the sliding surface and parallel to the direction orthogonal to the medal sliding direction, and is a hollow member having a cylindrical outer peripheral shape, that is, a cylinder. It is a shaped member. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a support shaft 41 as a support means fixed to the upper surface plate 31b is inserted into the hollow portion of the sorting sleeve 40 so as to be spanned over the opening 35 of the upper surface plate 31b. ing. Therefore, when an external force is applied in the direction perpendicular to the center line of the sorting sleeve 40 and in the direction tangential to the surface of the sorting sleeve 40, the sorting sleeve 40 can rotate while being supported by the support shaft 41. Further, the diameter of the support shaft 41 is determined to be smaller than the diameter of the hollow portion of the sorting sleeve 40, and the sorting sleeve 40 supported by the support shaft 41 is in the state where no external force other than gravity is applied. It is determined by its own weight at the position where the vertical lower part blocks the medal that slides on the sliding surface. In this state, the sorting sleeve 40 takes a closed posture that blocks the region above the sorting hole 34 in the vertical direction.
[0034]
FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the sorting sleeve 40 and the movement of the regular medal when the regular medal is inserted. FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C are explanatory views showing the movement of the sorting sleeve 40 and the movement of a regular medal when an illegal medal is inserted.
When a regular medal M is inserted, the medal M slides on the sliding surface in the medal sliding direction indicated by the arrow F in the figure, and is in a closed posture indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Collides with the sleeve 40. Here, the sorting sleeve 40 is lightweight so that it can be easily pushed up by the collision of the regular medal M. Therefore, when the regular medal M sliding on the sliding surface collides with the sorting sleeve 40, the sorting sleeve 40 is displaced upward in the vertical direction as shown by a solid line in FIG. The medal M that has collided with the sorting sleeve 40 slides on the sliding surface as it is while being held between the sorting sleeve 40 and the sliding surface. As described above, since the sorting sleeve 40 is lightweight, even if the sorting sleeve 40 presses the medal M against the sliding surface, the increase in the dynamic friction force between the medal M and the sliding surface is small. In addition, when the medal M moves while being pinched between the sorting sleeve 40 and the sliding surface, the sorting sleeve 40 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow G in the drawing so as to follow the movement of the medal M. Therefore, the load that prevents the movement of the medal M is small as compared with the case where a member that does not cause such rotation is used as the sorting member. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to sufficiently avoid a situation where the regular medal M is clogged in the medal path E, and a smooth game progress is possible.
[0035]
On the other hand, when performing fraud using an illegal medal M ′ such as a one-yen coin, the player vigorously inserts the illegal medal M ′ into the medal passage E from the medal insertion slot 4. The illegal medal M ′ inserted in this way also collides with the sorting sleeve 40 in the closed posture.
Here, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), when the illegal medal M ′ moves along the ceiling surface of the medal passage E, when the illegal medal M ′ collides with the sorting sleeve 40, The force that works downward in the vertical direction works. However, the sorting sleeve 40 in the closed posture indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1B cannot be displaced downward in the vertical direction by the support shaft 41. Therefore, the illegal medal M ′ colliding with the sorting sleeve 40 is repelled by the sorting sleeve 40 and falls through the sorting hole 34 disposed vertically below the sorting sleeve 40, and from the medal passage E. Eliminated.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, when the illegal medal M ′ moves along the sliding surface of the medal passage E and the illegal medal M ′ collides with the sorting sleeve 40, the sorting sleeve 40 A force directed upward in the vertical direction works. However, the direction of movement of the illegal medal M ′ changes downward in the vertical direction so as to slide on the surface of the sorting sleeve 40 when it collides with the sorting sleeve 40. Therefore, the illegal medal M ′ whose movement direction has been changed in this way falls to the portion of the sorting hole 34 that is located on the downstream side in the medal sliding direction F from the position of the sorting sleeve 40. Since the sorting sleeve 40 is lightweight as described above, if the illegal medal M ′ is relatively heavy, there is a possibility that the moving direction cannot be changed greatly. However, as in this embodiment, if the medal sliding direction length of the portion of the sorting hole 34 located downstream of the medal sliding direction F from the position of the sorting sleeve 40 is sufficiently secured, the illegal medal M ′ The incorrect medal M ′ can be removed from the sorting hole 34 by merely directing the moving direction of the sword.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the illegal medal M ′ having a size smaller than the normal size can be surely excluded from the medal path E, and a fair game progress can be achieved.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the hollow member is used as the cylindrical member as the sorting member, and the configuration in which the member is displaced upward in the vertical direction due to the collision of the medals has been described. You can also. For example, it is possible to employ a configuration in which a non-hollow cylindrical member as a sorting member is used, and a rotating shaft fixed to the cylindrical member is displaced upward in the vertical direction due to a collision of medals.
[0037]
[Configuration example 1]
Next, a configuration example (hereinafter referred to as “configuration example 1”) of a medal sorting device having a configuration different from the medal sorting device in the first embodiment will be described. Note that the medal sorting device in this configuration example is provided with a sorting plate 50 as a sorting member instead of the sorting sleeve 40 in the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a sorting plate as a sorting member in the first configuration example. FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the sorting plate in the conventional apparatus, and FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which medals are sandwiched between the sorting plate and the sliding surface. The sorting plate 50 in this configuration example is swingably supported by a swing shaft 51 as a support means so as to swing along a vertical plane parallel to the medal sliding direction F. The swing shaft 51 is fixed so as to be spanned between projecting portions (not shown) extending vertically upward from the upper surface plate 31b. The sorting plate 50 supported by the swing shaft 51 is installed so as to enter the medal passage E through the opening 35 of the upper surface plate 31b. When the sorting plate 50 is in the closed posture as shown in FIG. 10, the lower portion in the vertical direction of the sorting plate 50 is determined by its own weight at the closed position where the medal sliding on the sliding surface is blocked.
[0038]
In this configuration example, the mounting position of the swing shaft 51 with respect to the sorting plate 50 is positioned at a position slightly shifted from the center of gravity of the sorting plate 50. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, when the distance between the swing shaft 51 and each end is H and H ′, the relationship between H and H ′ is H> H ′ and H / H ′. ≈1. Therefore, in a state where the sorting plate 50 is not subjected to an external force other than gravity, the sorting plate 50 takes a closed posture as illustrated in which the end farthest from the swing shaft 51 is located on the lower side in the vertical direction due to its own weight. . Compared with the sorting plate 250 of the conventional apparatus shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the sorting plate 50 of the present configuration example 1 shown in FIG. 10 is closer to the center of gravity than the sorting plate 250. The moment of force acting on the sorting plate is small. Therefore, the time required for the sorting plate indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure to return to the closed position indicated by the solid line in the figure, which has swung in the direction indicated by the arrow I in the figure due to the collision of medals, is longer than that in the conventional apparatus. The example is much longer.
[0039]
Here, as shown in FIG. 14B, the sorting plate 250 swings so that its lowermost part moves along a swinging locus indicated by a symbol J in the drawing. At this time, as described above, there is a case where the sorting plate 250 trying to return to the closed position indicated by the two-dot chain line in the drawing sandwiches the medal M between the sliding surface. This is because the lowermost part of the sorting plate 250 that is returning before the rear upper surface of the rear end of the medal M passes through the pinching point L where the swinging locus J of the lowermost part of the sorting plate 250 and the movement trajectory K of the upper surface of the medal intersect. This is caused by the point where the pinch is reached. However, in the case of the sorting plate 50 of this configuration example, as described above, the time from when the medal M collides until the returning sorting plate 50 reaches the pinched point L is sufficiently longer than that of the conventional device. Therefore, even under the severest medal sliding conditions where the sliding speed of the medal M sliding on the sliding surface is assumed to be the slowest due to temperature, humidity, dirt on the sliding surface and the medal surface, etc., The clogging of medals can be suppressed. That is, even for the normal medal M running speed under the severest medal sliding conditions, the upper surface of the rear end of the medal M passes through the pinching point L before the returning sorting plate 50 reaches the pinching point L. it can.
[0040]
In this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 10, the mounting position of the swing shaft 51 is determined so that the relationship between H and H ′ is H / H′≈1, but this H / H ′ can be determined as appropriate according to the most severe medallion running conditions assumed.
[0041]
[Configuration example 2]
Next, another configuration example (hereinafter referred to as “configuration example 2”) of the medal sorting device having a configuration different from that of the medal sorting device in the first embodiment will be described. The medal sorting device in this configuration example uses a sorting plate 60 similar to the sorting plate 250 of the conventional device shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b) and uses the same sorting plate as in the above configuration example 1. 60 to increase the return time.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a sorting plate 60 as a sorting member in the second configuration example. While this sorter plate 60 is swung due to a collision with the regular medal M, a biasing force is applied to the swinging direction immediately after the medal collision by a spring 62 as a biasing means. . In the state where this urging force is applied, the sorting plate 60 maintains the closed posture as shown in the figure in relation to its own weight. With such a configuration, after the sorting plate 60 swings due to the collision with the medal M, the sorting plate 60 is applied with a biasing force in a direction that prevents the returning from returning to the closed position due to its own weight. It will be. Therefore, in the case of the sorting plate 60 of this configuration example, the return time can be made longer than that of the conventional sorting plate 250 shown in FIG. 14 in which such an urging force is not applied. Therefore, similarly to the above-described configuration example 1, it is possible to suppress medals from being jammed in the medal passage E.
[0042]
In the medal sorting devices of the configuration examples 2 and 3 described above, plate-like members are used as the sorting members 50 and 60. However, the shape of the sorting member is not limited to this, and for example, a rod-like member may be used. it can.
Further, in the above-described medal sorting devices of the configuration examples 1 to 3, the configuration in which only one sorting member 40, 50, 60 is provided in the medal passage E has been described. A plurality may be provided at predetermined intervals in the sliding direction. In this case, the sorting members 40, 50, 60 in the configuration examples 1 to 3 described above or other sorting members may be mixed in a plurality of sorting members.
[0043]
[Configuration example 3]
Next, another configuration example (hereinafter referred to as “configuration example 3”) of the medal sorting device having a configuration different from that of the medal sorting device in the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the medal sorting device in Configuration Example 3 cut in the medal sliding direction. In this medal sorting device, two protrusions 70a and 70b as sorting members are provided on the ceiling surface of the medal passage E. These protrusions 70a and 70b are installed so as to block the inside of the medal passage E in the vertical direction with a vertical space through which the medal M sliding on the sliding surface can pass. With such a configuration, even if the illegal medal cannot be dropped into the sorting hole 34 by the protrusion 70a located on the upstream side in the medal sliding direction F, it is illegal on the next protrusion 70b located on the downstream side thereof. The medal can be dropped into the sorting hole 34. Therefore, compared to the case where only one protrusion is provided in the medal passage E, it is possible to drop the illegal medal into the sorting hole 34 with high accuracy.
[0044]
[Embodiment 2]
Next, another embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the medal game machine similar to that in the first embodiment (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “second embodiment”) will be described.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the medal sorting device 130 according to the second embodiment. The medal sorting device 130 has substantially the same configuration as the medal sorting device of the first embodiment, except that the sorting sleeve 40 is not provided. A characteristic configuration of the medal sorting device 130 according to the second embodiment is that a ceiling sorting hole 180 serving as a second sorting hole is formed on the ceiling surface portion of the medal passage E where the inclination angle downward in the vertical direction in the medal sliding direction increases. Is in the point provided. Similar to the sorting hole 34 as the first sorting hole, the ceiling sorting hole 180 has a size in which a medal having a normal size cannot pass and an object having a size smaller than the normal size cannot pass. In general, the illegal medal M ′ is thrown in vigorously along the ceiling surface so as to jump over the sorting hole 34. Therefore, in this embodiment, the illegal medal M ′ inserted in this way passes through the ceiling sorting hole 180 and is removed from the medal passage E.
[0045]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the case where the medal sorting device is applied to a medal game machine has been described. However, each medal sorting device described above includes various game machines that play a game by inserting medals, The present invention can also be applied to medal selection of a vending machine that pays out various products according to the insertion of medals.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the accuracy of selecting a regular medal and an illegal medal can be improved as compared with the conventional device, and the load applied to the medal in the direction of preventing the sliding is compared with the conventional selecting member. This has a great effect that regular medals are less likely to get stuck in the medal passage..
  ContractClaim2According to the invention, there is an excellent effect that the illegal medal can be dropped into the sorting hole with higher accuracy..
  ContractClaim3According to the invention of the present invention, there is no situation in which the regular medal is caught between the selection member and the sliding surface and stops, so that the regular medal is not easily jammed in the medal passage..
  ContractClaim4According to this invention, the use of illegal medals can be suppressed, and since regular medals are not easily jammed in the medal passage, there is an excellent effect that a fair and smooth game progress is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing movement of a selection sleeve and movement of a regular medal when a regular medal is inserted into the medal game machine according to the first embodiment.
(B) And (c) is explanatory drawing which shows the movement of a selection sleeve when a fraudulent medal is thrown into the same medal game machine, and the movement of a regular medal.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an appearance of the medal game machine.
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing a game field portion of the medal game machine.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control unit of the medal game machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of a bingo game progress by the control unit.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of control performed by the CPU when a medal passes through a movable part in the game field.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medal sorting device in the medal game machine.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the medal sorting device cut in the medal sliding direction.
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the medal sorting device viewed from the lower side in the vertical direction.
10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sorting plate in Configuration Example 1. FIG.
11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sorting plate in Configuration Example 2. FIG.
12 is a cross-sectional view of the medal sorting device in Configuration Example 3 cut in the medal sliding direction. FIG.
13 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medal sorting device according to Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sorting plate in a conventional apparatus.
(B) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the medal was pinched | interposed between the sorting plate and a sliding surface.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 medal game machine
2a, 2b Transparent plate
3 Monitor
4 medal slot
13 Moving parts
20 Control unit
30,130 Medal sorting device
31a Bottom plate
31b Top plate
34 Sorting hole
40 sorting sleeve
50, 60, 250 sorter
60 sorter
62 Spring
70a, 70b Projection
180 Ceiling sorting hole
E medal passage
F Medal run direction
J Oscillation locus
K movement trajectory
M Regular medal
M illegal medal

Claims (4)

A medal passage in which the medal slides by its own weight on a sliding surface inclined downward in the medal sliding direction while a flat portion on the lower side in the vertical direction of the inserted medal is in contact with the sliding surface. A passage forming member that forms a width slightly wider than the medal diameter;
A regular hole medal is not dropped, and an object having a dimension smaller than the normal dimension is provided with a sorting hole having a dimension to fall by its own weight, at least a part of the sliding surface,
The sorting member for dropping the object into the sorting hole when the object thrown over the sorting hole collides blocks at least the upper region of the sorting hole in the medal passage in the vertical direction. In the medal sorting device arranged in
As the sorting member, a member having a cylindrical outer peripheral shape is used, and when the member is at the lowest position due to its own weight, the center line of the member is parallel to the sliding surface and orthogonal to the medal sliding direction. The upper region is blocked in the vertical direction in a posture parallel to the direction, and supported so that the upward displacement in the vertical direction and the rotation around the center line can be freely performed by the collision of the medal sliding on the sliding surface. A medal sorting device characterized by that . In token selecting device 請 Motomeko 1,
A medal sorting device, wherein a plurality of the sorting members are provided at predetermined intervals in the medal sliding direction . While flat portion of the projecting input has been vertically lower side of the medal contacts the sliding surface, the upper sliding surface inclined downward toward the medal sliding direction a medal passage the medal is sliding by its own weight, the regular size A passage forming member that forms a width slightly wider than the medal diameter of
In a medal sorting device provided with a first sorting hole in which at least a part of the sliding surface is provided with a first sorting hole having a size in which a normal size medal does not fall and an object having a size smaller than the regular size falls due to its own weight,
The ceiling surface of the medal passage formed by the passage forming member has a portion in the middle of the medal passage that has an inclination angle downward in the vertical direction in the medal sliding direction. A medal sorting device, characterized in that a second sorting hole is provided through which an object having a size smaller than the normal size does not pass . A medal inserter in which medals are inserted by the player,
In a medal game machine provided with a medal sorting device that sorts an object thrown into the medal thrower into a medal of a normal dimension and an object of a size smaller than the normal dimension,
As the token selecting device according to claim 1, 2 or medal game machine characterized by using a token selecting device 3.

Images