JP4444887B2 - Medal transfer mechanism - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal transfer mechanism that is used to batch-insert game medals into a medal gaming machine such as a slot machine.

Traditionally, in gaming machines that use gaming medals as gaming media, such as slot machines, gaming medals are based on a request to play an efficient game or to play a game without touching the gaming medals as much as possible. Has been devised (see Patent Document 1). In this, a nozzle having a medal passage for guiding a game medal is formed.
Also, a gaming machine (slot machine) has been devised which has an insertion slot through which game medals can be batch-loaded and a medal feeding device that can separate the batch-filled game medals one by one and transport them to the medal selector (patent) Reference 2). In this medal feeding device, game medals are dropped from a batch insertion slot onto a belt stretched over a pair of rollers, and the game medals on the upper surface of the belt are separated and fed one by one by a reverse rotation roller.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-299868 (FIG. 1) JP 2004-121809 A (FIG. 6)

However, in the nozzle having the above-described medal passage, game medals are easily clogged inside the medal passage due to various factors, and medal clogging occurs. At that time, in order to remove a game medal from the inside of the narrow passage while maintaining the shape of the passage, skillful techniques and special jigs are necessary, and the time for interrupting the game becomes longer. There was a first problem such as.
On the other hand, the member constituting the passage may be formed so as to be moved or removed so that the passage is not formed. However, when the members constituting the passage are moved or removed in such a manner, there is a second problem that when the game medals are sent out, the game medals jump out of the passage. In other words, collecting the game medals that have jumped out of the game medal guide passage in such a manner is a difficult task.

Accordingly, each invention described in each claim has been made in view of the problems of the conventional techniques described above, and the object thereof is as follows.
(Claim 1) That is, the invention described in claim 1 has been made in view of the first and second problems of the conventional technology described above, and the object thereof is the inside of the medal transfer path. In addition to being able to eliminate the clogging of game medals in a short time, the game medals can be routed from the medal transfer path even if the lid part is separated from the mounting part and no medal transfer path is formed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medal transfer mechanism capable of avoiding jumping out.

Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 1 , in addition to the role as a sensor for detecting whether the light receiving part and the generating part have moved the cover part from the attachment part, the medal detection passing through the medal transfer path described above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medal transfer mechanism having a role as a sensor.
(Claim 2 ) The invention described in claim 2 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1 . That is, the invention according to claim 2 is to provide a medal transfer mechanism capable of automatically returning the lid portion to the closed state with respect to the attachment portion.

Each invention described in each claim has been made to achieve each of the above-mentioned objects, and features of each invention will be described below using embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings. . In addition, the code | symbol in parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(Claim 1)
(Features) The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points. That is, a nozzle having a medal feeding device (40) for feeding out game medals and a medal transfer path (65) for guiding the game medals sent from the medal feeding device (40) in a standing state In the medal transfer mechanism (3) provided with a portion (60), the nozzle portion (60) includes an attachment portion (62) that forms a back surface of the medal transfer path (65), and an attachment portion (62). Covering the front, and provided with a lid (61) pivotally supported relative to the mounting portion (62), the lid (61) by covering the front of the mounting portion (62), The medal transfer path (65) through which a game medal can pass between the lid part (61) and the attachment part (62) is formed, and the lid part (61) is moved from the front surface of the attachment part (62). By doing so, the medal transfer path (65) is divided into the front lid portion (61) side and the rear attachment portion (62) side. Formed in either one of the attachment portion (62) and the lid portion (61), the generating portion (64B) for generating light, and the attachment portion (62) and the lid portion (61) The one that does not include the generator (64B) includes a light receiver (64A) that can receive light from the generator (64B), and the light receiver (64A) and the generator (64B) The medal transfer path (65) has a role as a medal detection sensor (64) capable of detecting a game medal passing between the light receiving unit (64A) and the generating unit (64B) of the medal transfer path (65), 64B) and when the game medal passes between the light receiving unit (64A), the light from the generating unit to the light receiving unit (64A) forms a constant waveform, so by monitoring this waveform, The number of game medals sent out from the medal feeder (40) is formed so that it can be detected, and the light receiving portion (64A) is in front when the lid portion (61) covers the mounting portion (62). It is formed so as not to receive light from the generating part (64B) in a state where the light from the generating part (64B) is received and the lid part (61) does not cover the mounting part (62) , medal feeding device (40) after start of operation of the transport device for transporting the game medals (50) of, when the light receiving portion more than a predetermined time (64A) can not receive light from the generating unit (64B), the Either the game medal is jammed inside the medal feeder (40), or the lid (61) is open and the light from the generator does not reach the light receiver (64A). The medal feeding device (40) is characterized in that it is formed so as to stop the delivery of game medals.

  Note that, here, “by moving the lid portion (61) from the front surface of the mounting portion (62), the medal transfer path (65) is moved to the lid portion (61) side of the front surface and the back surface of the medal transfer path (65). The cover part (61) is separated from the attachment part (62), and the medal transfer path (65 ) Includes a cover part (61) and a mounting part (62) which are separated in two completely separated states. In addition, the above description includes a case where the lid portion (61) is not completely detached from the attachment portion (62) but only moves in a partially joined state. That is, in the medal transfer path (65), in a state in which a part of the front side lid (61) and the rear side attachment (62) are rotatably joined by a hinge or the like, FIG. 7 and FIG. The medal transfer path (65) is divided into two parts as a result of opening each other as shown in FIG.

  (Operation) By moving the lid portion (61) from the front surface of the attachment portion (62), the medal transfer path (65) is divided into the front lid portion (61) side and the rear attachment portion (62) side. Can be. As a result, the internal passage of the medal transfer path (65) can be opened, and the game medals packed in the medal transfer path (65) can be removed without using skilled techniques or special jigs. The medal transfer path (65) can be easily taken out. Therefore, the clogging of game medals in the medal transfer path (65) can be eliminated in a short time, and the time for interrupting the game can also be shortened.

Then, when the lid part (61) moves from the attachment part (62) and the lid part (61) shifts from the state of covering the attachment part (62) to the state of not covering, the light receiving part (64 A ) is Since the light from the generator (64 B ) cannot be received, the medal feeder (40) stops sending out the game medals. As a result, even when the lid (61) is detached from the mounting portion (62) and the medal transfer path (65) is not formed, the game medal jumps out of the path from the medal transfer path (65). Can be avoided.

When a game medal moves inside the medal transfer path (65) and passes between the generator (64 B ) and the light receiver (64 A ), the light from the generator (64 B ) is blocked by the game medal. Does not enter the light receiver (64 A ). As a result, one game medal passes through the medal transfer path (65), so that light from the generating unit (64 B ) to the light receiving unit (64 A ) is blocked once. Therefore, by counting the number of times the light from the generating unit (64 B ) to the light receiving unit (64 A ) is blocked, it is possible to count the number of game medals that have passed through the medal transfer path (65). it can. As a result, the generating unit (64 B ) and the light receiving unit (64 A ) can serve as a medal detection sensor (64) for detecting the number of game medals sent out from the medal feeding device (40). . Therefore, the light receiving section (64 A ) and the generating section (64 B ), in addition to the role as a sensor for detecting whether or not the lid section (61) has been moved from the mounting section (62), the medal transfer path described above. (65) It can serve as a medal detection sensor (64) passing through the interior.

(Claim 2 )
Invention (feature point) according to claim 2, wherein, in addition to feature points of the first aspect of the present invention described above, characterized by the following points.
In other words, a return hinge (63) that normally urges the lid (61) in the closing direction is provided at a position where the lid (61) is pivotally supported with respect to the mounting portion (62) .

Here, the “return hinge (63)” specifically includes, for example, a spring that urges the lid (61) in a direction to rotate the attachment (62) side. including.
(Operation) The present invention, when removing a game medals jammed halfway medals transfer path (65), after removal of the game medals by opening the cover portion (61), such as by hand, especially workers and player Even if the lid portion (61) is not closed by the attachment portion (62), it can be automatically returned to the closed state by the return hinge (63) . Thereby, the removal work of game medals stuck in the medal transfer path (65) can be simplified.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
(Claim 1) According to the invention of claim 1, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the clogging of game medals in the medal transfer path can be eliminated in a short time, and the lid part is separated from the attachment part to form the medal transfer path. Even if it is not, it is possible to provide a medal transfer mechanism that can prevent game medals from jumping out of the passage from the medal transfer path.
Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light receiving unit and the generating unit pass through the medal transfer path described above in addition to the role as a sensor for detecting whether or not the lid unit has been moved from the mounting unit. A medal transfer mechanism having a role as a medal detection sensor can be provided.

(Claim 2 ) According to the invention described in claim 2 , in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 , the following effect can be obtained. That is, according to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to provide a medal transfer mechanism capable of automatically returning the lid portion to the closed state with respect to the attachment portion.

The best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a medal lending machine as an example.
(Explanation of drawings)
1 to 19 show an embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the medal transfer mechanism 3, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the medal transfer mechanism 3 and the medal slot 10, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of the medal feeding device 40, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the medal feeding device 40, FIG. 7 is a sectional view with the nozzle portion 60 opened, and FIG. 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the medal feeder 40, FIGS. 11 to 13 are enlarged cross-sectional views of the movement adjusting valve 43, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle 60 closed. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the medal transfer mechanism 3 with the nozzle portion 60 open, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the medal feeder 40, FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the medal feeder 40, and FIG. Is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which game medals on the conveyor belt are aligned by the protrusion 110, and FIG. Some vertical sectional perspective view of the device 40 illustrates, respectively.

The medal lending machine 2 in the present embodiment is installed adjacent to the slot machine 1 and is provided so as to correspond to each slot machine.
Here, “front”, “forward”, and “front” refer to the exchange operator (or player) facing the gaming machine S in front of the front side of the gaming machine S. This means the direction from the back to the front when viewed from such an exchange operator (or player) when sitting or standing. Accordingly, the forward direction and the forward direction mean a direction from the back of the gaming machine S to the front.
In addition, “rear”, “rearward direction”, and “backward direction” mean that the replacement worker (or player) is positioned facing the game machine S on the front side of the game machine S. This means a direction from the front to the back when viewed from such an exchange operator (or player). Therefore, the backward direction means a direction from the front of the gaming machine S to the back (back). Further, the left and right directions such as “left direction” and “right direction” in this specification also mean the right direction and the left direction when viewed from the person facing the front of the gaming machine S. To do.

(Slot machine 1)
As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 has a rectangular box-shaped casing whose front is open and a front door 13 attached to the front side of the casing, and a rotary reel (not shown) on the front side. The symbol display window 14 is formed so that the symbol (1) can be visually recognized. Further, below the symbol display window 14 and in the approximate center of the slot machine 1 is an operation unit 16 provided with operation means such as a start switch and a stop switch. A medal slot 10 for inserting game medals is provided at the right front end of the operation unit 16. Although not particularly shown, a medal selector for determining the authenticity of the game medal and counting the inserted medals is provided below the medal insertion slot 10. Further, a lower plate 15 capable of storing a payout medal is provided at the lower part of the slot machine 1.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the medal insertion slot 10 has an upper insertion opening 11 through which game medals can be inserted one by one from the upper side, and a lateral transfer that communicates in the form of a concave groove on the side of the upper insertion opening 11. And a passage 12. This side transfer passage 12 is a bowl-shaped passage extending from the upper insertion opening 11 to the front right side (medal lending machine 2 side), and accepts game medals sent from a nozzle part 60 described later. It is for transferring to the input opening 11.
Then, a game medal is inserted from the medal slot 10, the rotating reel is rotated by operating the start switch, and the rotating reel is stopped by operating the stop switch. At this time, the symbols displayed on the plurality of rotating reels are predetermined. When the position mode is stopped, a prize is won, and a predetermined number of game medals are paid out.

(Medal lending machine 2)
The medal lending machine 2 is a box-type device installed adjacent to the side of the slot machine 1 and rents game medals in exchange for money, and rents medal and game medals to be inserted by the player. This is for insertion into the medal slot 10 of the machine 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the medal lending machine 2 includes a bill counter 22 and a lending medal payout device 23 built in the outer box 20, and a medal transfer mechanism 3 attached to the front side. It is.
The bill counter 22 is for reading a bill inserted from a bill insertion slot 21 provided at the lower front of the outer box 20 and causing the lending medal dispensing device 23 to pay out a predetermined number of game medals. The medal lending machine 2 may have a coin insertion slot, a coin counter, a change dispensing slot, and the like in addition to the banknote insertion slot 21 and the banknote counter 22. Moreover, you may have a prepaid card slot and a card reader.

  The rental medal payout device 23 is a so-called hopper device for paying out game medals, and although not particularly shown, a tank for storing game medals and a game medal stored in this tank one by one And a delivery disk that can be discharged. The feed disc is rotatably supported by a drive motor and has a hole into which a game medal can enter. And it forms in the mechanism which can discharge | emit the game medal which entered this hole one by one outside the apparatus with rotation. Further, the rental medal payout device 23 is provided with a sensor for counting the discharged medals, and is configured to stop the drive motor when a predetermined number of game medals are paid out.

(Medal transfer mechanism 3)
The medal transfer mechanism 3 is a mechanism for batch-inserting game medals paid out from the lending medal payout device 23 and game medals inserted by the player into the medal slot 10 of the slot machine 1.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the medal transfer mechanism 3 is roughly divided into a main body cover 30 attached to the front surface of the outer box 20 of the medal lending machine 2, and an inside of the main body cover 30. And a nozzle unit for guiding game medals sent out from the medal feeder 40 attached to the front side of the main body cover 30 to the slot machine 1 side. With 60.

(Main unit cover 30)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body cover 30 is a box that protrudes from the front center of the outer case 20 of the medal lending machine 2 toward the front side (the front side when the slot machine 1 is viewed from the front side). As shown in FIG. 1, a medal feeding device 40 is built in a collective opening 31 that is a shape member and opens upward.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a counter-like overhanging portion 32 having a flat portion on the upper surface is formed on the front side of the collective charging opening 31. The overhanging portion 32 protrudes toward the front side and the side of the collective charging opening 31 and is formed in a substantially U shape when viewed from above. Here, a touch sensor for operating and stopping the conveying device 50 is provided. Is laid. The drive motor 55 of the transport device 50 is driven by touching the overhanging portion 32, and the drive motor 55 of the transport device 50 is stopped driving by releasing the hand touching the overhanging portion 32. It has become.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a discharge storage portion 90 is formed on the back side of the bottom of the main body cover 30 to receive the foreign matter discharged from the medal feeder 40 and the cancel medal.
(Medal feeder 40)
The medal feeding device 40 is a device for feeding out game medals built in the main body cover 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the medal feeding device 40 is provided inside a box-shaped main body block 41 provided inside the main body cover 30. A transport device 50 is provided, and a discharge device 80 is provided below the back side of the transport device 50.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the main body block 41 has a receiving opening (loading portion) 48 that opens upward at a substantially central portion in the length direction. A payout passage 42 that is open and communicates with the receiving opening 48 is provided. In addition, a transport device 50 is built in the lower front part of the main body block 41, and the front side of the main body block 41 is a medal for discharging game medals sent out by the transport device 50 to the nozzle portion 60 one by one. It is a discharge part (discharge part) 47. As shown in FIG. 5, a discharge device 80 is provided at the bottom of the inner wall that forms the payout passage 42.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge device 80 includes a solenoid 81 that moves up and down a substantially cylindrical movable shaft 83 that protrudes upward according to the energized state, and one end portion of the movable shaft 83. And an open / close plate 82 that is swingable in the vertical direction with a fixed shaft 84 fixed to the main body block 41 as a fulcrum. When the movable shaft 83 is located below, the opening / closing plate 82 is closed (see FIG. 1), and when the movable shaft 83 is located above, the opening / closing plate 82 is opened (see FIG. 10). It is formed so that. Then, by opening the opening / closing plate 82 by the operation of the solenoid 81, medals, foreign objects, etc. inside the medal feeder 40 can be discharged from the cancel opening 49 formed on the bottom surface of the main body block 41. Yes. The discharge device 80 can be formed such that the opening / closing plate 82 is opened by operating a reset switch (not shown), for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the receiving opening 48 is an opening for receiving game medals inserted from the collective inserting opening 31, and is a partition bar provided in the lateral direction at a substantially central portion of the opening width. Have 100. This is to align the inserted game medals in the same direction as much as possible. In other words, the presence of the partition rod 100 prevents a game medal from being inserted vertically into the receiving opening 48 (a direction in which the front and back surfaces of the game medal are in the horizontal direction). The direction is made to fall sideways (the direction in which the front and back sides of the game medal are in the front-rear direction) and dropped. In such a case, since the direction of the game medals is aligned, the medal storage part 44, which is a space located below the receiving opening 48, can be stored so that the game medals are stacked, It becomes easy to carry by the carrying device 50.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, at the front side end portion of the receiving opening 48, an upper space of the transport device 50 is arranged in front of the medal storing portion 44 and a medal storage portion 44 positioned below the receiving opening 48. The movement adjusting valve 43 is attached to the medal return portion 45 located at the position. The movement adjustment valve 43 prevents the movement of medals from the medal storage unit 44 to the medal return unit 45, and allows the movement of medals from the medal return unit 45 to the medal storage unit 44 as appropriate, thereby allowing the transport device 50 to transfer medals. This is to make it smooth.
The payout passage 42 is for accepting game medals lent out from the rented medal payout device 23 of the medal renting machine 2 and guiding them to the medal storage unit 44. The bottom surface of the payout passage 42 is inclined downward from the back side toward the front side, and the front end portion of the inclination is formed so as to be openable and closable by an opening / closing plate 82. When the opening / closing plate 82 is closed, game medals are stored in the medal storage unit 44. When the opening / closing plate 82 is opened, foreign matter such as dust and game medals on the medal storage unit 44 or the transport belt 53 of the transport device 50 fall from the cancel opening 49. It should be noted that foreign matter and game medals that have dropped from the cancel opening 49 are once stored in the discharge storage section 90, and are taken out by opening the slide lid 92 of the discharge storage section 90, as shown in FIG. 8B. Be able to.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge storage unit 90 includes a case 91 that communicates with the cancel opening 49 and opens up and down, and a slide lid 92 that can open and close the lower opening of the case 91. As shown in FIG. 8A, a discharge storage portion 93 capable of storing a cancel medal or a foreign object is formed inside with the slide lid 92 closed. The slide lid 92 is formed so as to be automatically closed after being opened by the self-return mechanism 94. The self-return mechanism 94 includes a spring that biases the slide lid 92 in the closing direction, and the slide lid 92 is closed in a normal state. Then, by pushing back the slide lid 92 in the opening direction against the urging force of the spring, that is, the back side, the lower opening of the case 91 is opened as shown in FIG. 8B. When the slide lid 92 is opened, a game medal or the like stored in the discharge storage section 93 is received by hand while holding the slide lid 92. When all of the stored matter has been discharged, the slide lid 92 is automatically closed by releasing the hand from the slide lid 92.

(Moving adjustment valve 43)
Next, the movement adjusting valve 43 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5, 11, and 12, the movement adjusting valve 43 has a configuration in which a rectangular rotating plate 43 </ b> A is attached to a support portion 43 </ b> B having a pin 46 that protrudes laterally from both ends. . Then, by engaging the pin 46 with the long hole 411 formed on both side surfaces of the main body block 41, the pin 46 is attached so as to be pivotable in the front-rear direction and the length of the long hole 411 ( Exactly, it is formed so as to be movable in the vertical direction by a length obtained by subtracting the length of the diameter of the pin 46 from the length of the long hole 411.
Further, a protrusion 431 protruding in the lateral direction is formed below the pin 46 of the support portion 43B. On the other hand, a stopper 412 is provided on the inner surface of the main body block 41 so as to abut on the medal return portion 45 side of the protrusion 431 in a state where the movement adjustment valve 43 is suspended. Accordingly, the movement adjustment valve 43 can be rotated from the suspended state to the medal storage unit 44 side, but is prevented from rotating from the suspended state to the medal return unit 45 side.

The rotating plate 43A is formed of an elastic member such as urethane, and is elastically deformed by a predetermined pressure or more. Further, the movement adjusting valve 43 is configured such that when the rotation plate 43A is in a suspended state and the pin 46 is positioned at the upper end of the long hole 411, the lower end portion of the rotation plate 43A extends to the upper surface of the conveyance belt 53 of the conveyance device 50 described later. The distance is longer than the diameter of the game medal. This is because, as will be described later, the gaming medal can pass below the rotating plate 43A even when standing up (see FIG. 12). The operation of the movement adjustment valve 43 will be described later.
The method for supporting the movement adjustment valve 43 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 (A) and 13 (B), a through hole 432 having an oblong cross section that penetrates left and right over the width direction of the support portion 43B is provided, and a pin 46 fixed to the main body block 41 is passed therethrough. You may do it. Even if formed in this way, the movement adjusting valve 43 can move up and down by the length of the through hole 432.

(Transfer device 50)
The transfer device 50 is built in the lower front part of the main body block 41, and the game medals inserted or paid out into the medal reservoir 44 are placed in a horizontal state (a state where the front and back surfaces of the game medals are up and down, that is, game medals. In such a state that the front surface or the back surface thereof faces upward or downward) one by one to the nozzle portion 60. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the transport device 50 includes a pair of rollers 51 (a front side roller 51 </ b> A and a back side roller 51 </ b> B) and a front side roller 51 </ b> A and a back side roller 51 </ b> B. Conveying belt 53 (transfer means) laid around, reverse rotation roller (return means) 52 installed with a delivery gap 54 above the front side of the conveying belt 53, and driving for rotating the rollers 51, 52 A motor 55 and a transmission means 56 for transmitting the rotation of the motor shaft of the drive motor 55 to the rollers 51 and 52 are provided.

The roller 51 is provided in parallel in the front-rear direction as viewed from the front side. The conveyor belt 53 is a flat belt that is stretched between two rollers 51A and 51B, and the surface thereof is covered with rubber or the like so as to increase the frictional resistance with the game medal. As shown in FIG. 1, the front roller 51A is attached at a slightly higher position than the back roller 51B, so that the upper surface of the transport belt 53 is slightly inclined upward toward the front. In addition, by rotating the roller 51 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 is moved to the front side.
The roller 51 and the reverse roller 52 are rotated simultaneously by the transmission means 56. As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission means 56 is a belt provided on the drive shaft of the drive motor 55, the front roller 51 </ b> A, the reverse roller 52, and a belt connecting these gears. Rotates in the same direction as the roller 51, the traveling direction of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 and the moving direction of the lower surface of the reverse roller 52 are reversed. Further, the rotation speed of the reverse rotation roller 52 is formed to be faster than the rotation speed of the roller 51 by adjusting the transmission means 56 (a combination of gears having different diameters).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a delivery gap 54 between the lower end of the reverse rotation roller 52 and the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 is larger than the thickness of one game medal and smaller than the thickness of two game medals. Is formed. For this reason, when a plurality of game medals are stacked on the reverse rotation roller 52 and are conveyed to the reverse rotation roller 52 side, the game medals above the second one are left, leaving the bottom one game medal. The kick roller is kicked backward by the reversing reverse roller 52. Thereby, the game medals on the upper surface of the transport belt 53 are sent one by one to the front side, and the game medals above the transport belt 53 and behind the reverse rotation roller 52 are kicked out to the medal return section 45. It is like that.

In addition, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.6, the reverse rotation roller 52 in this form is formed with the stirring groove | channel 58 of a substantially trapezoidal cross section along the axial direction. The agitation groove 58 plays a role of effectively kicking back the game medals stacked above the transport belt 53 by hooking the game medals at the end of the groove.
Also, above the reverse rotation roller 52, the game medal at the top of the medal return portion 45 moves forward by being dragged by the rotation of the upper surface of the reverse rotation roller 52, and between the reverse rotation roller 52 and the front plate of the main body block 41. A medal pinching prevention piece 57 for preventing pinching is attached. A circumferential groove 59 is formed in the reverse rotation roller 52 over the circumferential surface in accordance with the position of the tip of the medal pinching prevention piece 57. The medal pinching prevention piece 57 will be described later in detail.

The front side of the conveyor belt 53 is close to the medal receiving port 67 of the nozzle unit 60. Then, the game medals on the upper surface of the transport belt 53 are carried from the medal discharge part 47 to the nozzle part 60 through the delivery gap 54.
A projecting body 110 that protrudes from the side wall surface of the transport belt 53 toward the transport belt 53 after passing through the attachment position of the reverse rotation roller 52 is formed in the middle of feeding from the transport belt 53 to the nozzle unit 60. The projecting body 110 projects an effective width that can be transported by the transport belt 53 so as to match the diameter of the game medal to be used. When the game medals on the conveyor belt 53 come into contact with the projecting body 110, the game medals can be transported to a predetermined position as shown in FIG. The protrusion 110 will be described later in detail.

(Nozzle part 60)
The nozzle unit 60 is for transferring the game medals sent out from the transfer device 50 to the medal slot 10 of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 14, and 15, the nozzle portion 60 includes an attachment portion 62 attached to the lower portion on the front side of the main body cover 30 and a return hinge provided at the lower end portion of the attachment portion 62. A lid portion 61 is attached to the attachment portion 62 via the 63 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 14, one game medal is placed between the lid 61 and the mounting portion 62 in a state where the lid 61 covers the mounting portion 62 from the front side, that is, the lid 61 is closed. A medal transfer path 65 having a thickness slightly larger than the thickness of the minute and having a width slightly larger than the diameter of the game medal is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end portion of the mounting portion 62 is a curved portion 62A that curves in the back direction from the bottom to the top, and this curved portion 62A is connected to the medal discharge portion 47 of the medal feeder 40. A medal receiving port 67 communicating therewith is formed. Further, the medal transfer path 65 is bent in a substantially L shape from the medal receiving portion 67 toward the slot machine 1 side of the nozzle portion 60, and an end thereof serves as a medal discharge port 66 (see FIG. 3). That is, the nozzle unit 60 receives the game medals discharged from the medal discharge unit 47 from the medal receiving port 67 and passes through the medal transfer path 65 one by one from the medal discharge port 66 through the side transfer passage 12 in a standing state. Thus, the slot machine 1 is discharged toward the medal slot 10 side.

Further, the return hinge 63 includes a spring that urges the lid 61 in a rotating direction so as to close the lid 61 toward the attachment portion 62, and normally closes the lid 61. Then, the lid portion 61 is opened by rotating the lid portion 61 in the opposite direction to the mounting portion 62, that is, the front side against the urging force of the spring. This is to enable the player to resolve the clogging himself / herself without calling a store clerk when the game medal is jammed inside the medal transfer path 65. After the lid 61 is opened and the game medals are taken out, the lid 61 is automatically rotated by the return hinge 63 to return to the closed state.
In order to prevent the lid 61 from opening unintentionally due to contact or the like, it is preferable to provide locking means such as a hook and a recess in the lid 61 and the mounting portion 62.

As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle portion 60 is installed such that the medal discharge port 66 is aligned with the end portion of the side transfer passage 12 of the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1. In this case, the medal discharge port 66 and the end of the side transfer passage 12 do not necessarily abut and coincide with each other, and the gap between the game medal discharged from the medal discharge port 66 and the side transfer passage 12 can be moved. There may be a height error.
Further, a medal detection sensor 64 is provided on the front side of the attachment portion 62 and the back side of the lid portion 61 so as to face each other when the lid portion 61 is closed. The medal detection sensor 64 includes a light receiving portion 64A provided on the lid portion 61 and a generation portion 64B provided on the attachment portion 62, and detects passage of a game medal by blocking light emission of the generation portion 64B. It is. While the medal feeding device 40 is sending out game medals, the medal detection sensor 64 detects game medals.

Here, although not particularly shown, the medal detection sensor 64 is provided at a position slightly shifted in the width direction from the center of the medal transfer path 65, so even if a plurality of circular game medals pass continuously. The detection signal of the light receiving unit 64A always repeats a certain waveform. Therefore, by monitoring this waveform in the control unit of the medal lending machine 2, an abnormality in medal transfer can be detected. For example, when the medal detection sensor 64 continues to detect game medals, it is assumed that game medals are jammed inside the medal transfer path 65. In such a case, it is preferable to perform an alarm or the like for opening the lid 61 to urge the clogging of medals.
On the other hand, if the light receiving unit 64A cannot receive the light from the generating unit 64B and the medal detection sensor 64 does not detect the light from the generating unit 64B for a predetermined time or longer, the medal is set inside the transport device 50 or the like. by medal clogging lending machine 2 has occurred, when if the medal feeding device 40 does not send out game medals, or the ray of the lid portion 61 is opened and generator 64B does not reach the light receiving portion 64A, Either case is assumed. Therefore, in such a case, the driving motor 55 of the transport device 50 is set to stop driving. In such a case, control is performed so that the drive motor 55 is not driven even when the touch sensor is turned on. The medal detection sensor 64 will be described in detail later.

(Transfer of game medals)
Next, the process of transferring game medals in the medal transfer mechanism 3 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, when game medals are inserted through the collective insertion opening 31, as shown in FIG. 9A, the game medals fall so as to be stacked on the upper surface of the rear part of the conveyor belt 53 and the upper surface of the opening / closing plate 82, and the medal storage part 44 It is stored in. When a bill is inserted into the medal lending machine 2, the game medal is paid out from the lending medal payout device 23 and is stored in the medal storage unit 44 through the payout passage 42. Next, when the projecting portion 32 of the medal transfer mechanism 3 is touched with a hand, the touch sensor reacts and the transport device 50 starts operating. That is, the drive motor 55 is driven and the conveyor belt 53 starts to rotate forward.

When the transport belt 53 starts moving, the game medals riding on the upper surface of the rear part of the transport belt 53 move forward, and the medals stored above the drag medals are also dragged, dive below the movement adjustment valve 43 and return to the medals. Move to section 45. Here, since the movement adjustment valve 43 does not rotate forward (toward the medal return part), the game medals stored in the upper part of the medal storage part 44 are prevented from falling into the medal return part 45 at once. be able to.
Further, since the movement adjustment valve 43 is supported so as to be movable up and down, as shown in FIG. 12A, there is a case where a game medal is transferred below the movement adjustment valve 43 in a standing state. However, by being pushed up to the side of the standing game medal, it is possible to secure a height at which the game medal can pass between the lower end portion and the conveyor belt 53. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12 (B), since only one side of the support portion 43B of the movement adjusting valve 43 is lifted, even if the standing game medal passes through the end of the conveyor belt 53, it moves. The adjusting valve 43 moves upward smoothly. Even when the movement adjustment valve 43 moves upward, the protrusion 431 is engaged with the stopper 412. In addition, the rotation plate 43A of the movement adjustment valve 46 is formed of an elastic member, so that The movement adjusting valve 43 does not rotate forward when pushed by a game medal that is deformable and moves in the feeding direction.

Of the game medals transferred forward by the conveyor belt 53, the game medals riding on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 53 are between the conveyor belt 53 and the lower surface of the reverse roller 52, as shown in FIG. The paper passes through the delivery gap 54 and is transferred one by one to the medal discharge unit 47. On the other hand, the game medals overlying the transport belt 53 are brought into contact with the reverse rotation roller 52, thereby being caught in the stirring groove 58 provided in the reverse rotation roller 52 and kicked back to the medal return portion 45 in the upper rear part. Since the reverse roller 52 rotates at a higher speed than the roller 51, it is possible to kick out a game medal efficiently.
Here, if the amount of game medals staying in the medal return portion 45 is large, it may hinder kicking backward by the reverse rotation roller 52, and there is a possibility that medals are jammed in the delivery gap 54. However, since the movement adjustment valve 43 is pivotably attached to the rear (medal storage part side), the game medals in the medal return part 45 are placed in the medal storage part 44 as shown in FIG. The space flows backward and a space is formed above the medal return portion 45. Thus, the game medal is kicked out smoothly by the reverse rotation roller 52.

The game medals sent out from the transport device 50 are discharged from the medal discharge portion 47, enter the medal receiving port 67 while being guided by the curved portion 62A of the nozzle portion 60, and are discharged from the medal discharge port 66 through the medal transfer path 65. The Since the medal discharge port 66 is aligned with the side transfer passage 12 of the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1, the game medal is inserted into the upper insertion opening 11 through the side transfer passage 12.
By the way, when the operation of the transport device 50 is stopped before all the inserted game medals are transferred (when the hand is released from the touch sensor), the game medals are placed on the upper surface of the transport belt 53 or the medal storage unit 44. Remains. In this case, a predetermined reset switch is operated when it is not desired to insert the remaining game medals into the slot machine 1 due to the end of the game or the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the solenoid 81 of the discharge device 80 is activated to open the opening / closing plate 82, and the drive motor 55 of the transport device 50 is driven in reverse. As a result, the game medals on the upper surface of the transport belt 53 move rearward, and when the opening / closing plate 82 is opened, the game medals fall downward from the reset opening 49 opened at the bottom of the medal storage unit 44. The game medals stored in the medal storage unit 44 also fall from the reset opening 49 in the same manner.

The game medals discharged from the medal feeder 40 in this way are stored in the discharge storage section 93 of the discharge storage section 90, so that the slide lid 92 is slid to the back side and stored in the discharge storage section 93. Just take out the game medal. Needless to say, even when foreign matter such as dust enters the medal feeder 40, it can be taken out in the same manner as described above.
Thus, according to the present embodiment, the game medals lent out from the medal lending machine 2 do not have to be moved to the slot machine 1, or the game medals paid out from the slot machine 1 due to winning are 1 Even if the medals are not manually inserted into the medal slot 10, it can be inserted into the medal slot 10 by the medal transfer mechanism 3, and the game can be performed efficiently. In addition, the medal transfer mechanism 3 is provided with a movable adjustment valve 43 that can move up and down, so that it is difficult for medal clogging to occur inside the medal feeding device 40, and the medal clogging occurred when it was ejected from the medal feeding device 40. Even in this case, the clogging can be easily eliminated by opening the nozzle portion 60. Since the discharge device 80 and the discharge storage section 90 are provided, the remaining medals and foreign matters in the medal feeder 40 can be easily taken out. Furthermore, since the agitating groove 58 is formed in the reversing roller 52 of the transport device, and the expanding portion 410 is provided in front of the transport belt 52, the game medals staying inside the transport device 50 are collected. It can be sent out efficiently and medal clogging can be prevented.

(Medal pinching prevention piece 57)
The medal pinching prevention piece 57 is for preventing the game medal from being caught between the reverse rotation roller 52 and the peripheral member 130 formed around the reverse rotation roller 52.
As described above, the reverse rotation roller 52 has an outer peripheral surface that moves in a direction opposite to the direction in which the portion facing the conveyance belt 53 moves toward the medal discharge portion 47 of the conveyance belt 53. For this reason, the reverse rotation roller 52 can eject game medals in the direction opposite to the transfer direction of the conveyor belt 53. Therefore, the game medal is not bitten between the lower portion of the reverse rotation roller 52 facing the conveyor belt 53 and the conveyor belt 53. However, the upper portion of the reverse rotation roller 52 rotates and moves the outer peripheral surface of the reverse rotation roller 52 in a direction to enter under the surrounding member 130, so that the game medal is between the outer peripheral surface of the reverse rotation roller 52 and the peripheral member 130. There is a risk of biting. This medal pinching prevention piece 57 is inserted between the outer peripheral surface of the reverse rotation roller 52 and the peripheral member 130 by passing a rod-shaped protruding piece from the peripheral member 130 to the outer peripheral surface of the reverse rotation roller 52. This is to prevent this.

In other words, the medal pinching prevention piece 57 has the tip of the medal pinch prevention piece 57 extending into the circumferential groove 59 from the peripheral member 130 where the outer peripheral surface of the reverse rotation roller 52 is in a position where it is swiveled by rotational movement. Thereby, the medal pinching prevention piece 57 can prevent the game medal from entering between the reverse rotation roller 52 and the peripheral member at the position where the outer peripheral surface of the reverse rotation roller 52 is submerged by the rotational movement.
On the outer peripheral surface of the reverse rotation roller 51, two circumferential grooves 59 having a width smaller than the diameter of the game medal are formed in the vicinity of the approximate center of the reverse rotation roller 52 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the circumferential groove 59 is such that the distance from the inner wall of the medal return portion 45 provided on the reverse rotation roller 52 is smaller than the diameter of the game medal in the rotation axis direction of the reverse rotation roller 52. Formed in position. That is, the distance from the edge in the width direction of the circumferential groove 59 to the inner wall of the medal return portion 45 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the game medal. Furthermore, specifically, the distance from the edge in the width direction of the circumferential groove 59 to the inner wall surface on the back side of the medal return portion 45 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the game medal, The distance from the edge on the near side in the width direction of the circumferential groove 59 to the inner wall surface on the near side of the medal return portion 45 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the game medal. As a result, the game medal enters between the edge in the width direction of the circumferential groove 59 and the inner wall of the medal return portion 45, and the game medal bites between the reverse rotation roller 52 and the surrounding member 130. There is no.

Further, the interval between the two circumferential grooves 59 is also formed to be smaller than the diameter of the game medal. That is, the distance between the opposite edges of the two circumferential grooves 59 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the game medal. Thereby, the game medal does not enter between the two circumferential grooves 59, and the game medal does not bite between the reverse rotation roller 52 and the surrounding member 130.
Further, the medal pinching prevention piece 57 is formed obliquely downward from the peripheral member 130 of the reverse rotation roller 52 toward the inside of the circumferential groove 59. Then, the tip of the medal pinching prevention piece 57 extends to a position where it enters the circumferential groove 59 of the reverse rotation roller 52. The width of the concave groove portion of each circumferential groove 59 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the game medal. This prevents game medals from entering the circumferential groove 59 and being caught between the tip of the medal pinching prevention piece 57 located inside the circumferential groove 59 and the outer peripheral surface of the reverse rotation roller 52. can do.

That is, one end of the medal pinching prevention piece 57 is positioned inside the circumferential groove 59, and the width of the circumferential groove 59 is formed smaller than the diameter of the game medal. Therefore, the game medal does not enter the circumferential groove 59, and the game medal reaches between the tip of the medal pinching prevention piece 57 and the reverse rotation roller 52, and bites the game medal between the two. It is not included.
As described above, the medal pinching prevention piece 57 is formed to prevent the game medal from being pinched between the reverse rotation roller 51 and the peripheral member 130. The peripheral member 130 is formed to transfer the game medals in the medal return portion 45 from the transport belt 53 to the medal discharge portion 47 through the sending gap 54. That is, the peripheral member 130 covers the upper side of the reverse rotation roller 52 so that the game medals in the medal return portion 45 are not transferred from the upper side of the reverse rotation roller 52 to the medal discharge portion 47 without passing through the delivery gap 54. It is what. Therefore, between the surrounding member 130 and the reverse rotation roller 52, the outer peripheral surface of the reverse rotation roller 51 enters a state of being submerged by rotational movement.

As a result, the occurrence of biting of game medals between the reverse rotation roller 52 and the surrounding member 130 can be prevented, and game medals can be sent out stably, and the game medals can be supplied without malfunction. be able to.
(Projection 110)
A belt peripheral member 140 as a member around the transport belt 53 is provided with a projecting body 110 that protrudes toward the transport belt 53. That is, the projecting body 110 is located on the left side when viewed from the front of the main body block 41 which is the belt peripheral member 140 on the side of the conveyor belt 53 after passing the attachment position of the reverse rotation roller 52 in the middle of feeding the conveyor belt 53. It protrudes from the inner wall surface onto the conveyor belt 53. The projecting body 110 is for aligning the game medals placed on the reverse rotation roller 52 at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the protrusion 110 has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The projecting body 110 is directed toward the transport belt 53 from a projecting body insertion hole 120 that opens in a rectangular shape on the inner wall surface on the left side when viewed from the front of the body block 41 that is the belt peripheral member 140 on the side of the transport belt 53. It is what is plugged in. On the back side of the projecting body 110, a square plate piece-shaped edge 112 having a size slightly larger than the size of the projecting body insertion hole 120 is formed. When the lid 61 is in contact with the outer surface of the main body block 41, the protruding length of the protruding body 110 is fixed. The protrusion 110 has a fixing screw 113 screwed into one end of the edge 112, and is fixed to the main body block 41 by the fixing screw 113.

The protrusion 110 includes a protrusion slope 111 that protrudes toward the center of the conveyor belt 53 in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor belt 53 (direction toward the medal discharge portion 47). For this reason, the cross-sectional shape of only the part which protrudes from the main body block 41 of the protrusion 110 becomes a triangle shape, as shown in FIG. Then, when the game medals on the conveyor belt 53 are placed and conveyed on the conveyor belt 53, they are pushed forward along the projecting body slope 111 of the projecting body 110 as shown in FIG. Thus, the game medals are aligned at predetermined positions in the width direction.
Here, the game medals used in the slot machine 1 include a normally used game medals having a diameter of 25 mm and specially used game medals having a diameter of 30 mm. The width of the conveyor belt 53 is larger than 30 mm, which is the maximum diameter of game medals to be used. The projecting body 110 projects the effective width that can be transported on the transport belt 53 so as to match the diameter of the game medal to be used. Specifically, in this embodiment, since game medals having a diameter of 25 mm are used, the game medals on the conveyor belt 53 are aligned at a predetermined position by projecting 5 mm from the side wall surface of the conveyor belt 53. .

  The portion of the reverse rotation roller 52 that faces the conveyance belt 53 rotates in a direction opposite to the direction in which the conveyance belt 53 moves toward the discharge portion 47. The outer circumferential surface of the reverse rotation roller 52 is formed above the transport belt 53 at a position separated by a delivery gap 54 that is larger than the thickness of one game medal and smaller than the thickness of two game medals. Yes. As a result, the reverse rotation roller 52 leaves a plurality of game medals transferred by the conveyor belt 53, while leaving the bottom one game medals, and superimposes the game medals stacked on the game medals on the conveyor belt 53. Can be kicked in the direction opposite to the transfer direction. As a result, when the game medals in an overlapped state pass through the reverse rotation roller 52, only one game medal is transferred by the transport belt 53. However, in this state, the game medals on the conveyor belt 53 are arranged in a disorderly manner with respect to the width direction of the conveyor belt 53.

  Then, the game medals that are transported in a state of being unevenly placed in the width direction of the transport belt 53, that is, in a state of being randomly shifted in the width direction, contact the projecting body slope 111 of the projecting body 110. To do. Then, as the game medals move in the transport direction along with the movement of the transport belt 53, the game medals are pushed forward along the protruding body slope 111. The projecting body 110 projects the effective width that can be transported on the transport belt 53 so as to match the diameter of the game medal to be used. That is, the distance from the front end portion of the projecting slope 111 to the inner surface of the inner wall on the front side that houses the conveyor belt 53 is adjusted to match the diameter of the game medal to be used (diameter 25 mm). It is. Accordingly, the game medal that has come into contact with the protrusion 110 moves to a predetermined position on the near side by the protrusion 110 with respect to the width direction of the transport belt 53. Thereby, the game medals on the conveyor belt 53 that have passed through the position of the projecting body 110 are aligned with respect to the width direction. Therefore, the transport position in the width direction of the game medals on the transport belt 53 can be made constant. In addition, when using a game medal having a larger diameter (diameter 30 mm) than this game medal, by removing the fixing screw 113 screwed into the edge 112 of the protrusion 110 and removing the protrusion 110 itself, Alternatively, by adjusting the fixing screw 113 to match the amount of protrusion of the protrusion 110 toward the near side, it is possible to deal with game medals of different diameters. Alternatively, by changing to a projecting body 110 having a different projecting length, it is possible to deal with game medals of different diameters. Therefore, when moving from the transport belt 53 to the next transfer process, the medal may become clogged between the game medals and the inner wall surface of the main body block 41 which is the belt peripheral member 140 or between the game medals. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of unnecessary collisions such as the above, and smooth game medals can be transferred. As a result, stable medal feeding without medal jamming can be performed.

(Medal detection sensor 64 (light receiving part 64 A , generating part 64 B ))
As described above, the medal transfer mechanism 3 has the medal feeding device 40 for sending out game medals and the medal transfer path 65 for guiding the game medals sent out from the medal feeding device 40 in a standing state. And a nozzle part 60 having the same.
The nozzle portion 60 includes an attachment portion 62 that forms the back surface of the medal transfer path 65 and a lid portion 61 that covers the front surface of the attachment portion 62. The lid portion 61 covers the front surface of the attachment portion 62, thereby forming a medal transfer path 65 through which a game medal can pass between the lid portion 61 and the attachment portion 62. By moving the lid 61 from the front surface of the attachment portion 62, the medal transfer path 65 is formed so as to be divided into a front lid portion 61 side and a back attachment portion 62 side. A generator 64B that generates light is fixed to the attachment 62. The lid 61 receives light from the generator 64B when the lid 61 covers the mounting portion 62, and receives light from the generator 64B when the lid 61 does not cover the mounting 62. The light receiving portion 64A that does not receive light is fixed. When the light receiving unit 64A cannot receive the light from the generating unit 64B, the medal feeding device 40 is configured to stop sending out the game medal. Of course, to fix the light receiving portion 64 A to the mounting portion 62, is intended to cover part 61 may be fixed to generator 64 B.

The light receiving unit 64A and the generating unit 64B are formed so as to be able to detect game medals passing through the medal transfer path 65. As already described, the attachment positions of the light receiving part 64 A and the generating part 64 B are formed at positions slightly shifted in the width direction from the central locus along which the game medals are transferred on the medal transfer path 65. This is set to a position where it is possible to determine the transfer of each game medal even if game medals are transferred continuously, that is, even if a plurality of game medals are transferred in succession. There is something. The light receiving unit 64A and the generating unit 64B serve as a medal detection sensor 64 for detecting the number of game medals sent out from the medal feeding device 40 by detecting passage of game medals in the medal transfer path 65. It is formed to have. That is, by the passage of the medal, by counting the number of times that blocks the light from the generating unit 64 B, to be able to count the number of game medals passing through between the light receiving portion 64 A and the generating unit 64 B Is formed.

A return hinge 63 that pivotally supports the lid portion 61 so as to be opened and closed by rotating the lid portion 61 with respect to the attachment portion 62 is formed below the nozzle portion 60. The return hinge 63 includes a spring as an elastic member that returns the lid 61 to a closed state by elastic force when the lid 61 is opened from the attachment 62 and the medal transfer path 65 is separated forward and backward.
In the present embodiment, the medal transfer path 65 can be divided into the front lid portion 61 side and the rear attachment portion 62 side by moving the lid portion 61 from the front surface of the attachment portion 62. As a result, the internal passage of the medal transfer path 65 can be opened, and game medals packed inside the medal transfer path 65 can be easily and easily used without using skilled techniques or special jigs. It can be taken out from the inside of the transfer path 65. Therefore, the clogging of game medals in the medal transfer path 65 can be eliminated in a short time, and the time for interrupting the game can also be shortened.

The lid portion 61 is moved from the mounting portion 62, the lid portion 61, when transition to a state which does not cover the state of covering the attachment portion 62, the light receiving portion 64 A receives light from the generating unit 64 B The medal feeder 40 stops sending game medals without being able to do so. As a result, even when the lid portion 61 is detached from the attachment portion 62 and the medal transfer path 65 is not formed, it is avoided that the game medal jumps out of the passage from the medal transfer path 65. Can do.
In the present embodiment, by moving the internal medal transporting path 65 medal and passes between the generator 64 B and the light-receiving portion 64 A, the light from the generating unit 64 B, it is blocked by the game medals, not enter the light-receiving section 64 A. Thus, one of the game medals, by passing through the medal transporting path 65, the light to the light receiving portion 64 A from the generator 64 B once, is blocked. Therefore, by counting the number of times the light is blocked from such generation unit 64 B to the light-receiving section 64 A, it is possible to count the number of game medals passing through the internal medal transporting path 65. As a result, the generating unit 64 B and the light receiving unit 64 A can serve as a medal detection sensor 64 for detecting the number of game medals sent out from the medal feeding device 40. Therefore, the light receiving unit 64 A and the generating unit 64 B , in addition to the role as a sensor for detecting whether or not the lid unit 61 has been moved from the mounting unit 62, the gaming medals passing through the medal transfer path 65 described above. It can serve as a medal detection sensor 64 capable of detecting the number of sheets.

In this embodiment, the lower portion of the nozzle portion 60 has a spring as an return hinge 63 that is an elastic member that returns the lid portion 61 to a closed state by an elastic force. For this reason, when removing a game medal that is jammed in the middle of the medal transfer path 65, the lid 61 is opened and the game medal is removed. Then, the operator or the player closes the lid 61 to the mounting portion 62 by hand. Even without this, the closed state can be automatically restored by the elastic force of the elastic member of the return hinge 63. As a result, the removal work of game medals stuck in the medal transfer path 65 can be simplified.

It is form of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing of a medal transfer mechanism. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slot machine and a medal lending machine according to the present invention. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is an expansion perspective view of a medal slot and a medal transfer mechanism. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a perspective view of a medal feeder. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of a medal feeder. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a medal feeder. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which opened the nozzle part. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded sectional view of a discharge storage part. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a medal feeder. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a medal feeder. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of a movement adjustment valve. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded cross-sectional view of a movement adjustment valve. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the other example of a movement adjustment valve. It is a form of the present invention, and is a longitudinal section with a nozzle part closed. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is an expansion perspective view of the medal transfer mechanism of the state which opened the nozzle part. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a cross-sectional view of a medal feeder. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a partial expansion external appearance perspective view of a medal feeder. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the movement condition of the game medal pushed by a protrusion. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a partially expanded longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of a medal feeder.

1 slot machine 2 medal lending machine
3 Medal transfer mechanism 10 Medal slot
11 Upper opening 12 Side transfer passage
13 Front door 14 Symbol display window
15 Lower pan 16 Operating section
20 Outer box 21 Bill slot
22 Bill counter 23 Lending medal dispensing device
30 Main unit cover 31 Collective opening
32 Overhang section 40 Medal feeder
41 Body block 42 Dispensing passage
43 Movement adjustment valve 43A Rotating plate
43B Support section 44 Medal storage section
45 Medal return part 46 pin (shaft part)
47 Medal discharge part (discharge part) 48 Receiving opening (input part)
49 Cancel opening 50 Transfer device
51 Roller 51A Front roller
51B Back roller 52 Reverse roller (Return means)
53 Conveyor belt (transfer means) 54 Delivery gap
55 Drive motor 56 Transmission means
57 Medal pinching piece 58 Stirring groove
59 Circumferential groove 60 Nozzle
61 Lid 62 Mounting area
62A Curved part 63 Return hinge
64 Medal detection sensor 64A Receiver
64B generator 65 medal transfer path
66 Medals outlet 67 Medals receiver
80 Discharge mechanism 81 Solenoid
82 Open / close plate 83 Movable shaft
84 Fixed shaft 90 Discharge storage section
91 Case 92 Slide lid
93 Discharge storage section 94 Self-recovery mechanism
100 Divider 110 Projection
111 Projection slope 112 Edge
113 Fixing screw 120 Projection hole
130 Surrounding member 140 Belt surrounding member
410 Expanded part 411 Long hole
412 Stopper 431 Protrusion
432 Through hole

Claims (2)

A medal feeder for sending out game medals;
In a medal transfer mechanism comprising a nozzle portion having a medal transfer path for guiding a game medal sent out from the medal feeder in a standing state,
The nozzle part is
An attachment portion forming the back surface of the medal transfer path;
A cover portion that covers the front surface of the attachment portion and is pivotally supported with respect to the attachment portion;
The lid portion covers the front surface of the attachment portion, thereby forming the medal transfer path through which a game medal can pass between the lid portion and the attachment portion.
By moving the lid portion from the front surface of the attachment portion, the medal transfer path is formed so as to be divided into the lid portion side on the front surface and the attachment portion side on the back surface,
In any one of the attachment part and the lid part, a generation part that generates light,
Among the mounting part and the lid part, the one not provided with the generating part includes a light receiving part capable of receiving light from the generating part,
The light receiving unit and the generating unit have a role as a medal detection sensor capable of detecting a game medal passing between the light receiving unit and the generating unit of the medal transfer path,
When a game medal passes between the generating unit and the light receiving unit, light from the generating unit to the light receiving unit forms a constant waveform. By monitoring this waveform, the medal feeding device It is formed so that the number of game medals sent out can be detected,
The light receiving unit, so that the lid does not receive light from the in a state where the mounting portion covering the receiving light from said generator, and wherein the generating unit is in a state where the lid does not cover the mounting portion Formed into
If the light receiving unit cannot receive the light from the generating unit for a certain period of time after the operation of the transport device for transporting the game medal of the medal feeding device is started , the game medal is clogged inside the medal feeding device. The medal feeding device determines that it is generated or that the lid is open and the light of the generating unit does not reach the light receiving unit, and the medal feeding device stops sending out game medals. A medal transfer mechanism characterized by being formed.   The medal transfer mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a return hinge that normally biases the lid portion in a closing direction is provided at a position where the lid portion is rotatably supported with respect to the attachment portion.

Images