JP4444903B2 - Medals lending machine - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, in gaming machines that use medals such as slot machines as gaming media, game medals are awarded based on a request to play an efficient game or to play a game without touching the game medals as much as possible. A gaming machine pedestal machine (medal lending machine) that can be directly supplied to gaming machines 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 that has a slot that allows batch insertion of game medals and a medal insertion device that can separate the game medals that have been batch-loaded one by one and transport them to the medal selector (patent) Reference 2). In this medal insertion device, game medals are dropped from a batch insertion port onto a belt stretched over a pair of rollers, and the game medals on the upper surface of the belt are separated and sent one by one by a reverse rotation roller.

Here, in Patent Document 2 described above, the reverse rotation roller as the separating unit overlaps the belt so that the belt transfer direction and the rotational movement direction of the portion of the reverse rotation roller facing the belt are opposite to each other. A plurality of game medals are left on one side, leaving only one, and only one remaining on the belt is sent out in the belt transfer direction.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-299868 (FIG. 1) JP 2004-121809 A (FIG. 6)

In the medal insertion device according to the above-described prior art, when a game medal is transferred to the medal insertion slot of the slot machine, the medal insertion device may be clogged in the middle of the passage. In particular, a medal insertion device having a batch insertion mechanism having a belt as shown in Patent Literature 2 is provided in a medal lending machine as shown in Patent Literature 1 and transferred from the medal insertion device to a medal insertion port of a slot machine. When this is done, clogging of medals is likely to occur inside the device of the batch insertion mechanism or in the vicinity thereof.
In particular, when the rotation direction of the belt is only one direction of forward rotation for conveying game medals and the game medals are jammed, there is a first problem that the game medals are bitten and are not easily removed. .

In order to prevent such clogging and to release clogging, the belt rotation direction can be formed so that it can rotate forward and reverse. It was difficult to recognize whether it was in a reverse state or a reverse state. For this reason, there is a possibility that a game medal is erroneously inserted in the reverse state. As described above, there is a second problem that it is not easy to recognize the operation state of the belt of the batch loading mechanism.
Therefore, the invention described in the claims has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the invention is as follows.

(Claims 1 to 3 ) The inventions described in claims 1 to 3 have been made in view of the first and second problems of the prior art described above, and an object thereof is to cancel the occurrence of biting of game medals. Therefore, not only forward rotation but also reverse rotation of the belt is possible, and the medal biting etc. can be released so that the rotation direction of the belt can be easily recognized from the outside. It is intended to provide a lending machine.

Furthermore, the invention according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening and closing holes are opened along with the reverse of the belt for releasing the clogging of medals, and the gaming medals accumulated in the medal storage part can be taken out and the operating state thereof Is intended to provide a medal lending machine that can be recognized from the outside.

The invention described in the claims has been made to achieve the above-described object, and features of the invention will be described below using the 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 receiving and inserting unit (48) capable of receiving game medals, a medal storing unit (44) for temporarily storing game medals inserted from the receiving and inserting unit (48), and a storage in the medal storing unit (44). In order to introduce a game medal into the belt transfer part (200) having a belt (53) for transferring the game medal and the medal slot (10) of the slot machine (1), the game medal is inserted into the slot machine (1). A medal provided with a slot introduction path (60) for guiding a game medal from the belt transfer section (200) to a side transfer passage (12) for guiding the medal slot (10) from the side of the slot The lending machine (2), wherein the belt transfer unit (200) is configured to transfer the game medal to the insertion port introduction path (60) by rotating the belt (53) in the forward direction, and the belt. By reversing (53), the game medal is inserted into the medal on the side opposite to the insertion port introduction path (60). The medal lending machine (2) is opened and closed on the bottom surface of the medal storage part (44). A discharge mechanism (80) having a free opening / closing hole (85), a medal takeout plate (90) for receiving a game medal dropped from the opening / closing hole (85) below the opening / closing hole (85), and the belt A rotation display unit (240) for displaying the operating state of the belt (53) of the transfer unit (200) and the open / closed state of the open / close hole (85) of the discharge mechanism (80) to the player; When opening the opening and closing hole (85), by reversing the belt (53), the medal storage part (44) on the opposite side to the insertion port introduction path (60) The game medal of the medal storage part (44) is formed so that it can be transferred to a medal takeout tray (90) provided on the front surface of the medal lending machine (2). The rotation display unit (240) is configured to perform normal rotation of the belt (53) of the belt transfer unit (200) with the open / close hole (85) closed, and with the open / close hole (85) closed. The state of the reverse rotation of the belt (53) and the reverse rotation of the belt (53) with the opening / closing hole (85) opened are formed so as to be distinguishable depending on the form of the rotation display unit (240). It is characterized by being .

  (Operation) The rotation direction of the belt (53) is the normal rotation in the transfer direction for transporting the game medals to the insertion port introduction path (60), and the reverse for the game medals being sent back to the medal storage part (44). It is possible to form both in the reverse direction of the feeding direction. For this reason, when the belt (53) is in the forward rotation direction and is pinched between the game medals and the surrounding members, and the game medals are jammed, the belt (53) is set in the reverse rotation direction. Thus, the biting of the game medal can be released.

  Then, the rotation display unit (240) distinguishes between forward rotation and reverse rotation of the belt (53) and displays it outward so that the current rotation direction of the belt (53) can be easily known, It is possible to recognize the operating state of the belt transfer unit (200).

Further, according to the present invention, when the belt (53) is reversely rotated so as to release the occurrence of clogging of medals, a large number of game medals are stored in the medal storage part (44). Need to be taken out. At that time, by opening the opening / closing hole (85) of the discharge mechanism (80), the game medals in the medal storage part (44) can be transferred to the medal takeout tray (90). And since the rotation display part (240) can display the reverse rotation accompanied by the opening of the opening and closing hole (85) in addition to the display of the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the belt (53), such an operating state, It can be displayed outside and notified to the player. Thereby, the player can recognize the operating state from the outside, and can perform operations such as taking out the game medal transferred to the medal takeout tray (90).

(Claim 2)
  (Features) The invention described in claim 2 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 described above. That is, the medal discharge port (66) for discharging game medals from the insertion port introduction path (60) is in line with the end of the side transfer passage (12) opposite to the medal insertion port (10). It is characterized by being arranged in.

  (Claim 3)
  (Features) The invention described in claim 3 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2. That is, the medal discharge port (66) for discharging game medals from the insertion port introduction path (60) is between the end of the side transfer passage (12) opposite to the medal insertion port (10). Further, the game medals discharged from the medal discharge port (66) are arranged with a movable gap.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
(Claims 1 to 3 ) According to the inventions described in claims 1 to 3 , the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the first to third aspects of the invention, in order to release the occurrence of the game medal biting, not only the forward rotation but also the reverse rotation of the belt rotation direction is possible, and the medal biting etc. is released. It is possible to provide a medal lending machine that can easily recognize the rotation direction of the belt from the outside.

Furthermore, according to the first to third aspects of the invention, in order to release the clogged medals, the opening and closing holes are opened along with the reverse rotation of the belt, and the game medals accumulated in the medal storage part can be taken out to the outside. A medal lending machine capable of recognizing the operating state from the outside can be provided.

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 13 show an embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a medal transfer mechanism, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a slot machine and a medal lending machine, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a medal transfer mechanism and a medal slot, and FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a medal feeder. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of the medal feeder, FIG. 6 is a partial external perspective view of the medal feeder with the cover member opened, and FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the medal feeder with the cover member opened. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the medal feeder with the medal take-out tray closed, FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the clogging release button of the medal feeder, and FIG. 10 is a part of the medal feeder with the opening / closing plate opened. FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the operation state of the medal feeder, FIG. 12 is an external front view of the transfer unit, and FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the batch loading opening 31.

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 gaming 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 a game medal sent from the insertion port introduction path 60 described later is received. For receiving and transporting to the upper 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 an outer box 20, a bill counter 22 that detects and stores inserted bills, a medal lending unit 25 that lends game medals according to the inserted bills, Specifically, the rental medal payout device 23, a medal transfer mechanism 3 that is located on the front side of the outer box 20 and transfers game medals to the slot machine 1, and a belt transfer unit 200 described later of the medal transfer mechanism 3 Drive control means 280 for controlling the rotational drive of the belt 53 and the like.

The bill counter 22 is for reading a bill inserted from a bill insertion slot 21 provided on the lower front side of the outer box 20 and causing the rented medal payout device 23 to pay out a predetermined number of game medals.
As shown in FIG. 2, the banknote counter 22 includes a banknote sensor 24 that detects a banknote inserted into the banknote slot 21 and outputs a banknote detection signal. The medal lending unit 25, specifically, the lending medal payout device 23 is for lending a game medal to the player with the input of a banknote detection signal from the banknote sensor 24 as an opportunity.
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 lending medal payout device 23 as the medal lending unit 25 is for lending a game medal to the player in response to the input of a bill detection signal from the bill sensor 24. The rental medal payout device 23 is a so-called hopper device for paying out game medals. As shown in FIG. 2, the rental medal payout device 23 has a rental medal storage unit 26 composed of a tank for storing game medals and a game medal stored in the loan medal storage unit 26. A delivery unit 27 having a delivery disk for delivering one by one from the storage unit 26; and a delivery medal detection unit 28 for detecting game medals delivered from the delivery unit 27 and outputting a lending delivery signal. Yes. The delivery portion 27 serving as the delivery disc is rotatably supported by a drive motor and has four holes formed around it for allowing game medals to enter. The game medals that have entered the hole are formed so as to be discharged through the payout passage 42 to the outside of the rental medal payout device 23 one by one with rotation. The sending medal detection unit 28 is provided with a sensor for counting game medals sent from the sending unit 27. The rental medal payout device 23 is configured so that the drive motor stops 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 medal feeding device 40 (FIG. 4) for sending out game medals provided on the front side of the main body cover 30 and transferring the game medals sent from the medal feeding device 40 to the side of the slot machine 1 An input port 60 for guiding to the passage 12 is provided.

(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 projecting portion 32 projects toward the front side and the side of the batch loading opening 31 and is formed in a substantially U shape as shown in FIG. 13 when viewed from above. Further, a standing portion 272 is formed around the collective charging opening 31 so as to stand in a U shape extending from both sides to the front as viewed from above. The collective loading opening 31 is set so as to be positioned above the dropping hole 271 of the receiving loading portion 48 of the main body block 41 described later, and as a result, the standing portion 272 is positioned above the dropping hole 271. Is formed. The standing portion 272 is provided with a U-shaped contact sensor 274 which is a contact sensor 300 as a belt operation switch 273 made of a conductive metal for operating and stopping the transport device 50. . Therefore, the U-shaped contact sensor 274 is also formed in a U-shape along the upright portion 272, as indicated by the parallel diagonal lines in FIG.

  Here, as described above, the belt operation switch 273 is formed in a U shape like the U-shaped contact sensor 274 indicated by the solid oblique lines in FIG. 13, but may be formed in other shapes. good. Specifically, instead of the U-shaped contact sensor 274 as described above, the contact sensor 300 has a rectangular shape on the front side of the standing portion 272 at a position indicated by a parallel oblique line by dotted lines in FIG. The front-side contact sensor 275 may be formed. Accordingly, when a player located on the front side of the medal lending machine 2 puts his hand toward the front side on the front side of the medal lending machine 2, the front side contact sensor 275 can be touched in a natural manner. Therefore, the insertion of the game medal into the drop hole 271 surrounded by the standing portion 272 and the operation of the belt operation switch 273 can be smoothly performed so as to flow as a series of operations without performing unnecessary operations. Is.

Then, by touching the contact sensor 300 of the overhanging portion 32, the drive motor 55 of the transfer device 50 is driven, and by releasing the hand touching the contact sensor 300 of the overhanging portion 32, the drive motor of the transfer device 50 is driven. 55 stops driving. Specifically, if the belt operation switch 273 is operated for less than a specific time, three game medals are sent out to the side transfer passage 12, and if the belt operation switch 273 is operated continuously for a specific time or more, it exceeds three. A number of game medals are formed to be sent out to the side transfer passage 12.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a medal removal tray 90 having a discharge storage portion 93 that receives foreign matter discharged from the medal feeder 40 and a canceled medal is formed on the back side of the bottom of the main body cover 30. This medal removal tray 90 is located below the opening / closing hole 85 on the front surface of the medal lending machine 2, and when the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharge mechanism 80 is opened, the medal storage unit 44 received through the opening / closing hole 85 is provided. The game medal can be taken out from the outside. As shown in FIG. 8, the medal removal tray 90 is pivotally supported by a tray hinge 95 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction at the bottom back side of the main body cover 30. Normally, it is in a closed state as shown by the solid line in FIG. 8, and is formed so as to be able to store discharged trash etc. When the game hall manager collects trash etc., two points in FIG. As indicated by a chain line, the storage is formed so that it can be easily removed by hand from the front side by rotating to the front side.

On the front side of the overhanging portion 32, a rotation display portion 240 that displays the operating state of the belt 53 is formed.
(Rotation display 240)
The rotation display unit 240 is for displaying the operating state of the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 and the open / closed state of the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharge mechanism 80 to the player. The rotation display unit 240 is formed of a blue light emitting unit 241 that is located on the right side when viewed from the front side and can emit blue light, and a red light emitting unit 242 that is located on the left side when viewed from the front side and can emit red light. ing. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation display unit 240 is formed at a position visible from the player on the front side of the overhanging portion 32. The rotation display unit 240 displays an operating state of the belt 53 and a discharge mechanism 80 described later by a combination of lighting and extinguishing of the two light emitters of the blue light emitting unit 241 and the red light emitting unit 242. Specifically, the rotation display unit 240 closes the opening / closing hole 85 and the forward rotation (forward rotation, in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 1) of the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 with the opening / closing hole 85 closed. Reverse rotation in the state (reverse rotation, reverse rotation direction of the black arrow in FIG. 1), reverse rotation of the belt 53 accompanied by opening of the opening / closing hole 85 (reverse rotation, reverse rotation direction of the black arrow in FIG. 1), and opening / closing hole 85 The four types of states in which the belt 53 does not rotate when the belt is closed are distinguished by sequentially turning on only the blue light emitting unit 241, turning on both, turning on only the red light emitting unit 242, and turning off both. It is for displaying outward.

(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 includes a box-shaped main body block 41 provided inside the main body cover 30, and a transport device 50 (belt transfer unit) for transporting game medals into the main body block 41. 200) and a discharge mechanism 80 that discharges remaining game medals and the like that are located at the lower back side of the transfer device 50.
(Main body block 41)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the main body block 41 has a receiving input portion 48 that opens upward at a substantially central portion in the length direction. The receiving and inserting portion 48 is provided with a drop hole 271 that is opened in a quadrangle and allows a game medal to drop. A payout passage 42 that opens upward and communicates with the receiving input portion 48 is provided inside the receiving input portion 48. As shown in FIG. 8, a gaming medal for lending is inserted from the lending medal payout device 23 into a portion opened above the payout passage 42.

  A medal storage unit 44 for temporarily storing game medals inserted from the receiving input unit 48 or the payout passage 42 is formed below the receiving input unit 48. In addition, a belt transfer unit 200 (conveyance device 50) having a belt 53 for transferring game medals stored in the medal storage unit 44 is incorporated in the lower front portion of the main body block 41. The front side of the main body block 41 is a medal discharge unit 47 for discharging the game medals sent out by the transport device 50 to the insertion port introduction path 60 one by one. A discharge mechanism 80 having an openable / closable opening / closing hole 85 is provided at the bottom of the inner wall forming the payout passage 42 and on the bottom surface of the medal storage portion 44.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the receiving insertion portion 48 is an opening for receiving game medals inserted from the collective insertion opening 31, and is a partition provided in the lateral direction at a substantially central portion of the opening width. It has a bar 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 in the receiving and inserting section 48 in a vertical orientation (a direction in which the front and back surfaces of the game medal are in the horizontal direction). Is turned sideways (the direction in which the front and back sides of the game medal are in the front-rear direction) and dropped. When dropped in this way, the orientation of the game medals is aligned, so that the game medals can be stored in a stack in the medal storage part 44, which is a space located below the receiving insertion part 48. It becomes easier to carry by the carrying device 50.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, at the front side end portion of the receiving and throwing-in portion 48, the upper space of the transport device 50 is more than the medal storage portion 44 located below the receiving and throwing-in portion 48 and the medal storage portion 44. A movement adjustment valve 43 is provided that divides the medal return portion 45 located on the front side. 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 near side, and an opening / closing hole 85 that can be opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 82 is formed at the front end portion of the inclination. When the opening / closing plate 82 closes the opening / closing hole 85, game medals are stored in the medal storage section 44. When the opening / closing plate 82 is opened from the opening / closing hole 85, foreign matters such as dust and game medals on the medal storage section 44 or the belt 53 of the transport device 50 fall from the cancel opening 49. Foreign matter and game medals that have dropped from the cancel opening 49 are temporarily stored in the medal removal tray 90, and can be removed outside by opening the medal removal tray 90 to the front as shown in FIG. It has become.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the medal removal tray 90 is pivotally supported by the lower portion of the medal transfer mechanism 3 so as to be rotatable by a tray hinge 95. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a discharge storage portion 93 capable of storing a canceled medal, a foreign object, dust, or the like is formed inside with the medal removal tray 90 closed. Further, although not particularly shown, the medal removal tray 90 is formed so as to be automatically closed after being opened by a self-returning mechanism. The self-return mechanism includes a spring that biases the medal removal tray 90 in the closing direction, and the medal removal tray 90 is normally closed. Then, by pulling down the medal removal tray 90 in the opening direction against the biasing force of the spring, that is, the front side, the discharge storage portion 93 of the medal removal tray 90 is opened as shown in FIG. When opening the medal removal tray 90, the game medals and the like stored in the discharge storage section 93 are received by hand while holding the medal removal tray 90. When the stored matter is completely discharged, the medal removal tray 90 is automatically closed by releasing the hand from the medal removal tray 90. Of course, the medal removal tray 90 may be temporarily fixed by the concavo-convex portion in two stages of the closed state and the open state without providing such a self-returning mechanism.

(Moving adjustment valve 43)
As shown in FIG. 5, the movement adjusting valve 43 has a configuration in which a rectangular rotating plate 43A is attached to a support portion 43B having pins 46 protruding laterally from both ends. The pins 46 are engaged with holes formed on both side surfaces of the main body block 41 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around the pins 46.
Further, a stopper 43C 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 movement adjustment valve 43 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 adjustment valve 43 is configured so that the distance from the lower end of the rotation plate 43A to the upper surface of the belt 53 of the transfer device 50 described later is longer than the diameter of the game medal when the rotation plate 43A is in the suspended state. It is formed. This is to allow the game medal to pass under the rotating plate 43A even when standing up.
(Conveyance device 50 (belt transfer unit 200))
The transport device 50 (belt transfer unit 200) is built in the lower front part of the main body block 41, and the game medals inserted or paid out into the medal storage unit 44 are placed in a horizontal state (the front and back surfaces of the game medals are up and down. In this state, that is, a state where the front or back surface of the game medal faces upward or downward), the game medals are sent one by one to the insertion port introduction path 60. Specifically, the transport device 50 includes a pair of rollers 51 (a front roller 51A and a back roller 51B) and a belt 53 (transfer means) that is stretched between the front roller 51A and the back roller 51B. A reverse rotation roller 52 (return means) installed with a delivery gap 54 above the front side of the belt 53, a drive motor 55 for rotating the rollers 51, 52, and a motor shaft of the drive motor 55 The transmission means 56 (FIG. 4) for transmitting rotation to the rollers 51 and 52 is provided.

The roller 51 is provided in parallel in the front-rear direction as viewed from the front side. The belt 53 is a flat belt stretched around 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 mounted at a slightly higher position than the back roller 51B, so that the upper surface of the belt 53 is inclined slightly upward toward the front. By rotating the roller 51 in the direction of the black arrow shown in FIG. 1 (the arrow whose inside is painted black), the upper surface of the belt 53 is moved forward.
The roller 51 and the reverse roller 52 are rotated simultaneously by the transmission means 56. The transmission means 56 is a drive shaft of the drive motor 55, a gear provided on the near side roller 51A, the reverse rotation roller 52, and a belt connecting these gears. The reverse rotation roller 52 is in the same direction as the roller 51. Since it rotates, the traveling direction of the upper surface of the belt 53 and the moving direction of the lower surface of the reverse rotation 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 is formed between the lower end of the reverse rotation roller 52 and the upper surface of the belt 53, which is larger than the thickness of one game medal and smaller than the thickness of two game medals. Has been. 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. As a result, the game medals on the upper surface of the belt 53 are sent one by one to the front side, and the game medals above the belt 53 and behind the reverse rotation roller 52 are kicked out to the medal return section 45. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reverse rotation roller 52 in the present embodiment is formed with a stirring groove 58 having a substantially trapezoidal cross section along the axial direction. The stirring groove 58 plays a role of effectively kicking back the game medals stacked above the belt 53 so that the game medals are hooked at the end of the groove.
The front side of the belt 53 is close to the medal receiving port 67 of the insertion port introduction path 60. The game medals on the upper surface of the belt 53 are carried from the medal discharge unit 47 to the insertion port introduction path 60 through the delivery gap 54.
Although not particularly illustrated, a protrusion that protrudes from the side wall surface of the belt 53 toward the belt 53 after passing through the attachment position of the reverse rotation roller 52 in the middle of feeding from the belt 53 to the insertion port introduction path 60. A body may be formed. This projecting body projects the effective width that the belt 53 can convey so as to match the diameter of the game medal to be used. When the game medals on the belt 53 come into contact with the projecting body, the game medals can be transferred to a predetermined position.

The belt transfer unit 200 rotates the belt 53 in the forward direction (forward rotation, that is, in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 1) to reverse the belt 53 in the reverse direction (reverse rotation). In other words, the game medals in either direction of the reverse feed direction in which the game medals are fed back to the medal storage part 44 on the opposite side of the insertion port introduction path 60 by making the reverse rotation direction of the black arrow direction in FIG. It is formed to be transportable. That is, when the belt 53 is rotated forward, the belt transfer unit 200 transfers the one on the belt 53 to the inlet introduction path 60, and when the belt 53 is reversed, the belt transfer unit 200 transfers the one on the belt 53 to the opening / closing hole 85. It is configured to be transported.
When the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is rotated in the reverse direction, the reverse rotation roller 52 is formed so as not to be rotated by the internal mechanism.

(Discharge mechanism 80)
The discharge mechanism 80 includes a solenoid 81 that moves up and down a substantially cylindrical movable shaft 83 that protrudes upward in accordance with an energized state, and one end that is pivotally supported by the movable shaft 83. An opening / closing plate 82 is formed so as to be swingable in the vertical direction with a fixed shaft 84 as a fulcrum. Then, the opening / closing hole 85 is formed to be openable / closable by rotating the opening / closing plate 82 about the fixed shaft 84.
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 mechanism 80 can be formed such that the opening / closing plate 82 is opened by operating a reset switch (not shown), for example.

(Input port introduction path 60)
The insertion port introduction path 60 is connected to the side transfer passage 12 provided near the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1 from the belt transfer unit 200 in order to introduce game medals into the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1. It is for guiding medals. Here, the side transfer passage 12 is a groove-shaped passage for guiding game medals from the side of the slot machine 1 to the medal slot 10. That is, the insertion port introduction path 60 is for transferring the game medals sent out from the transfer device 50 to the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the introduction port introduction path 60 includes a base member 62 that is attached to the lower front side of the main body cover 30, and a front side of the base member 62. A transfer portion 65 having a medal transfer slit that is positioned and through which a game medal can pass, and a cover member 61 rotatably attached to the base member 62 via a hinge 63 provided at the lower end of the base member 62; As shown in FIG. 12, a light emitting unit 220 capable of irradiating a transfer unit 65 visible from a visible unit 210 described later is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion port introduction path 60 is installed such that the medal discharge port 66 is aligned with the end 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.
(Transfer part 65)
The transfer section 65 is for guiding game medals falling from the belt 53 to the side transfer passage 12.

The transfer unit 65 is located on the front side of the base member 62, a movable movable plate 250 located on the front side of the fixed plate 251, and a lower part of the fixed plate 251, It has a projecting portion 252 that projects to the near side by a width slightly larger than the thickness of one medal.
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a protrusion 252 is sandwiched between the fixed plate 251 and the movable plate 250, and has a thickness that is slightly larger than the thickness of one game medal, which is larger than the diameter of the game medal. A transfer portion 65 capable of transferring game medals is formed by having a slightly larger width. The transfer unit 65 is formed by a fixed plate 251, a movable plate 250, and a protrusion 252 that form a medal transfer slit through which a game medal can pass.

The transfer portion 65 is bent in an approximately L shape from the medal receiving port 67 to the slot machine 1 side, and an end thereof serves as a medal discharge port 66 (see FIG. 3). That is, the transfer unit 65 receives the game medals discharged from the medal discharge unit 47 from the medal receiving port 67, and one by one from the medal discharge port 66 through the side transfer passage 12, the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1. It is designed to discharge toward the side.
(Fixed plate 251)
The fixing plate 251 is fixed to the front side of the base member 62 and is formed in a substantially L shape in a front view.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end portion of the fixed plate 251 is a curved portion 62A that curves in the back direction from below to above, 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.
(Movable plate 250)
The movable plate 250 is located on the front side of the fixed plate 251 and forms a wall on the front side of the transfer unit 65. All the movable plates 250 of the transfer section 65 are made of transparent resin. The movable plate 250 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable slightly below the upper end of the side end of the movable plate 250 (specifically, at a position one fifth of the total height of the movable plate 250 from the upper end). A movable plate rotating shaft 253 is formed. The movable plate rotating shaft 253 is formed with a spring that pulls the upper end of the movable plate 250 toward the front side and biases the lower end toward the rear side. As shown in FIG. 9A, since the lower end of the movable plate 250 is always in contact with the protruding portion 252, the movable plate 250 maintains a state in which it is erected in the vertical direction. When a clogging release button 260 described later is pressed, as shown in FIG. 9B, the clogging release button 260 pushes the upper part of the movable plate 250 into the back side, and the movable plate 250 rotates the movable plate. With the shaft 253 as the center of rotation, the upper end is rotated to the back side and the lower end is rotated to the front side. As a result, in the case where game medals are clogged inside the passage of the transfer section 65 between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251, as shown in FIG. A gap with the plate 251 is opened, and the cover member 61 is discharged from the clogged medal discharge port 68 to the outside.

Further, on the front side of the movable plate 250, a passage sensor 231 is provided as a clogging detection unit 230 capable of detecting the passage of game medals.
(Clogging detection means 230 (passage sensor 231))
The clogging detection means 230 is a passage sensor 231 formed of a so-called optical sensor, and can detect the passage of a game medal in the transfer unit 65 and the movement of the game medal. The passage sensor 231 includes a light sensor, and receives light reflected from a light sensor light-emitting unit that emits light and reflected from a light-reflecting plate (not shown) attached to the fixed plate 251 side. And an optical sensor light receiving unit. It is possible to detect a state in which this light is blocked when a game medal passes between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 or when the game medal is clogged. Of course, the passage sensor 231 is not limited to an optical sensor, but a magnetic sensor that detects the passage of a game medal by magnetic fluctuation, a contact sensor that detects the passage of a game medal by directly contacting the game medal, etc. Other sensors may be used as long as they can detect the passing of the game medal.

  Here, although not particularly shown, the passage sensor 231 is provided at a position slightly shifted in the width direction from the center of the passage width of the transfer portion 65, so that a plurality of circular game medals pass in a continuous state. However, the detection signal of the passage sensor 231 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 passage sensor 231 continues to detect game medals, it is assumed that game medals are jammed inside the transfer unit 65. In such a case, it is preferable to issue an alarm or the like for pressing the clog release button 260 to cancel the clogging of medals.

  On the other hand, if the passing sensor 231 does not detect a game medal for a certain time or more, the medal feeding device 40 depends on whether all the inserted game medals have been sent or a medal clogging has occurred in the inside of the transfer device 50 or the like. If the game medals are not sent out, or if the movable plate 250 is moving and the light of the light sensor light emitting part of the passing sensor 231 does not hit the opposing reflector and does not reach the light sensor light receiving part Is assumed. Therefore, in such a case, the driving motor 55 of the conveying device 50 is set to stop driving or the rotation of the belt 53 is reversed. In such a case, the drive motor 55 is controlled not to be driven even if the contact sensor 300 is turned on.

(Protrusion 252)
The protruding portion forms the bottom of the transfer portion 65, and the game medal sandwiched between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 on the protruding portion 252 rolls toward the side transfer passage 12. Is formed.
(Cover member 61)
The cover member 61 is rotatable about a hinge 63 below the cover member 61 and covers the front surface of the transfer portion 65.
The hinge 63 can pivotally support the cover member 61 and the base member 62 in a rotatable manner. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11, the cover member 61 is moved to the base member 62 side so that the cover member 61 and the base member 62 are not opened. Locking means 290 for locking is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the locking means 290 is positioned on the lower surface side of the main body cover 30 above the anchor claw-shaped locking portion 291 provided on the upper back side of the cover member 61 and the insertion port introduction path 60. Thus, an anchor claw-like portion of the locking portion 291 is formed from a locked portion 292 that can be locked. As shown in FIG. 6, the engaging portion 291 has an insertion piece opening 294 that opens near the center in the width direction. And this latching | locking part 291 is formed from soft resin, and is formed so that elastic deformation is possible.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the cover member 61 is opened on the front and back on the clogging release button 260 to be described later, and unlocking for releasing the locking state of the locking means 290 described above. A hole 293 is formed. By inserting a strip plate-like insertion piece such as a key or a rod-like screwdriver into this locking release hole 293, this insertion piece pushes the upper surface of the above-mentioned insertion piece opening 294 downward. As a result, the inserted insertion piece elastically deforms the locking portion 291 downward, and the anchor claw-shaped locking portion 291 is disengaged from the locked portion 292. As a result, the locked state of the locking means 290 can be released.
The hinge 63 may be formed with a spring that biases the cover member 61 toward the base member 62 in the closing direction. Thereby, it is possible to hold the cover member 61 so as to be closed during normal times. Then, the cover member 61 is opened by rotating the cover member 61 in the opposite direction to the base member 62, that is, the front side against the urging force of the spring. This allows the player to resolve the clogging without calling the store clerk when a trouble such as a game medal clogging occurs inside the transfer unit 65. After opening the cover member 61 and taking out the packed game medals, the cover member 61 automatically rotates around the hinge 63 and returns to the closed state.

The cover member 61 includes a visible portion 210 that allows the transfer portion 65 to be viewed from the player side. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the visible portion 210 is a plurality of long-hole slit-like through holes that penetrate the front and back surfaces of the cover member 61. It is formed so that 65 can be seen. In FIG. 12, the position and shape of the visible portion 210 of the cover member 61 are clearly drawn from what is drawn on the external front view of the transfer portion 65. The long direction is formed along the moving direction of the game medal of the transfer unit 65. Thereby, the movement of the game medal can be followed with a line of sight.
In the present embodiment, the visible portion 210 is formed in a long hole slit shape, but is not particularly limited thereto. Specifically, the cover member 61 corresponding to the front side of the transfer unit 65 is formed of a transparent member such as glass or transparent resin, or a plurality of small holes are formed. And the effect can be obtained.

A clogging release button 260 for moving the movable plate 250 is formed on the upper portion of the cover member 61.
In the lower part of the cover member 61, a clogged medal discharge port 68 opening downward is formed. This clogged medal outlet 68 is opened to move the movable plate 250 when the clogging release button 260 is pressed and to discharge the game medals clogged between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 to the outside. It is.
(Clogging release button 260)
When the game medals are jammed in the transfer unit 65, the clog release button 260 pushes the upper part of the movable plate 250 to rotate the movable plate 250 so that the game medals jammed in the transfer unit 65 can be removed from the lower jammed medals. It is for discharging from the outlet 68.

As shown in FIG. 9 (A), the clogging release button 260 protrudes to the near side without any operation by the player when the game medal normally flows through the insertion port introduction path 60. Maintain the state. In addition, the urging force of the spring is applied to the clogging release button 260 in a direction in which the clogging release button 260 protrudes toward the near side by an urging means including an internal spring. Therefore, it is formed so as to automatically return to the near side even if it is pushed in by the hand.
When a plurality of game medals are jammed inside the transfer portion 65 of the insertion port introduction path 60, for example, at the medal receiving port 67, the player pushes the clog release button 260 toward the back side. Then, as shown in FIG. 9 (B), the clogging release button 260 is pushed toward the back side, and the back end of the clogging release button 260 is positioned above the movable plate 250. Will be pushed toward the back. As a result, the movable plate 250 rotates around the horizontal movable plate rotation shaft 253 (FIG. 12) at the center of the side end, and is opened downward as shown in FIG. 9B. Become. Then, game medals clogged between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 fall downward, and are discharged outward from the clogged medal discharge port 68. As a result, the clogging of game medals at the transfer unit 65 can be easily released.

(Light Emitting Unit 220)
The light emitting unit 220 is formed in a position where the transfer unit 65 visible from the visible unit 210 can be irradiated, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the light emitting unit 220 is made of an LED fixed to the base member 62, and can emit light of two colors, red and blue. The light emitting unit 220 emits blue light when the belt transfer unit 200 is operated, and the emitted light is formed to be visible from the visible unit 210. From the visible part 210, the game medal passing through the transfer part 65 is visible from the player side. Thereby, the player can clearly see the game medal passing through the transfer portion 65 inside the cover member 61 in a bright state.

  The light emitting unit 220 is configured to emit light with a light emission color different from a light emission color during normal operation in which a medal clogging is not detected when a medal clogging is detected by the clogging detection means. Specifically, when the light detection of the passage sensor 231 is temporarily blocked by the passage of the game medal, it is a case where the game medal is passing normally without clogging, and the light emitting unit 220 Is formed so as to emit light in blue. And when the light detection of the passage sensor 231 is continuously interrupted due to clogging of game medals, the game medal is clogged at the location of the passage sensor 231 due to some trouble. Therefore, the light emitting unit 220 is formed to emit red light.

(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 FIG.
First, when game medals are inserted from the collective insertion opening 31, the game medals fall so as to be stacked on the upper surface of the rear part of the belt 53 and the upper surface of the opening / closing plate 82 as shown in FIG. Stored. 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 contact sensor 300 as the belt operation switch 273 of the overhanging portion 32 of the medal transfer mechanism 3 is touched by hand, the transport device 50 starts operating. That is, the drive motor 55 is driven, and the belt 53 starts to rotate forward.

When the belt 53 starts to move, the game medals riding on the upper surface of the rear part of the 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 medal return unit 45. Move to. Here, since the movement adjustment valve 43 does not rotate forward (toward the medal return part) by contacting the stopper 43C, the game medals stored in the upper part of the medal storage part 44 are immediately returned to the medal return part. 45 can prevent snow crumble.
Among the game medals transferred forward by the belt 53, the game medals riding on the upper surface of the belt 53 are sent out between the belt 53 and the lower surface of the reverse rotation roller 52 as shown in FIG. Is passed through to the medal discharge unit 47 one by one. On the other hand, the game medals overlying the belt 53 are brought into contact with the reverse rotation roller 52 and caught by the stirring groove 58 provided in the reverse rotation roller 52, and are kicked back by the medal return portion 45 at 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 pivotally 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 unit 47, enter the medal receiving port 67 while being guided by the curved portion 62A of the insertion port introduction path 60, and are discharged from the medal discharge port 66 through the transfer unit 65. Is done. 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 passes through the side transfer passage 12 of the slot machine 1 and passes through the medal insertion port of the slot machine 1. It is thrown into 10 upper throwing openings 11.

  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 belt 53 or the medal storage unit 44. It 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 mechanism 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 belt 53 move rearward, and when the opening / closing plate 82 is opened, the game medals fall downward from the cancel opening 49 opened at the bottom of the medal storage section 44, and the medal takeout tray 90 is discharged. It is stored in the storage section 93. The game medals stored in the medal storage unit 44 also fall from the cancel 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 medal extraction tray 90. Therefore, the medal extraction tray 90 is rotated toward the front side to enter the discharge storage section 93. All you have to do is take out the game medals you have collected. 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. Further, since the medal transfer mechanism 3 is provided with the movement adjusting valve 43, it is difficult for medal clogging to occur inside the medal feeding device 40, and even when a medal clogging occurs when the medal feeding device 40 is ejected, it is clogged. By pressing the release button 260 and opening the movable plate 250 downward, the clogging of medals can be easily eliminated. Since the discharge mechanism 80 and the medal removal tray 90 are provided, the remaining medals and foreign matters in the medal feeder 40 can be easily removed. Furthermore, since the agitating groove 58 is formed in the reverse rotation roller 52 of the transport device, game medals staying inside the transport device 50 can be sent out efficiently, and medal clogging can be prevented.

(Drive control means 280)
The drive control means 280 is for controlling the rotational drive of the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 and the opening / closing of the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharge mechanism 80 based on the operation of the belt operation switch 273. The drive control means 280 enables the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 to be operated by contact with the contact sensor 300 as the belt operation switch 273 by the player.
The drive control means 280 operates a predetermined number of games confirmed by the passage sensor 231 when the belt operation switch 273 is operated for less than a specific time v (ie, a player's finger or the like continuously touches the passage sensor 231). The medal is formed so as to be sent out to the side transfer passage 12. Then, the drive control means 280 performs a predetermined operation confirmed by the passage sensor 231 when the belt operation switch 273 is continuously operated for a specific time v or longer (that is, when a player's finger or the like continuously contacts the passage sensor 231). The game medals exceeding the number are formed so as to continue to be sent out to the side transfer passage 12.

Here, the specific time v refers to a predetermined number of game medals (three maximum game medals that can be thrown in one game) from the start of operation of the belt operation switch 273 as a condition for starting the game. It means the time required to transfer to the direction transfer passage 12.
In the present embodiment, the specific time v is not a predetermined fixed time such as 5 seconds from the start of operation of the belt operation switch 273, but satisfies a predetermined condition from the start of operation of the belt operation switch 273. It is a variable time determined by. This specific time is not fixed and has a possibility that the length may vary in each game, and means a specific time until a specific condition is completed. Specifically, this is the time from the start of operation of the belt operation switch 273 until a specific number (specifically, three) of game medals pass a predetermined position (specifically, the passage sensor 231). Of course, the specific time v is not a variable time that satisfies the predetermined condition as described above, but a predetermined time value (for example, 5 seconds) that is stored in advance can be used.

Accordingly, when the player touches the contact sensor 300 for a time shorter than the specific time v, the drive control means 280 transfers the three game medals, which is the maximum number of inserted games, from the belt transfer unit 200 to the side transfer passage 12. To do. When the player touches the contact sensor 300 for the specific time v or longer, the drive control means 280 transfers more than three game medals to the side transfer passage 12. Specifically, when the player touches the contact sensor 300 for the specified time v or longer, the drive control means 280 further detects the game medal from the belt transfer unit 200 only while the player touches the contact sensor 300. It is configured to transport.
Further, in addition to this, the drive control means 280 allows the game medal from the passage sensor 231 of the transfer section 65 even if the player continuously operates (contacts) the contact sensor 300 as the belt operation switch 273. When the passage is not detected for a predetermined time y (here, the predetermined time y means a specific time set in advance, for example, 5 seconds), the rotation direction of the belt transfer unit 200 is reversed. It is formed as follows.

  Further, in addition to these, the drive control means 280 allows the game medal from the passage sensor 231 of the transfer unit 65 to be stored even if the player continuously operates (contacts) the contact sensor 300 as the belt operation switch 273. If the passage detection is not performed for a predetermined time z (the predetermined time z here means a specific time set in advance, for example, 10 seconds), the operation of the belt transfer unit 200 is performed. It is formed to stop. Here, the predetermined time z for stopping all operations of the belt transfer unit 200 is set to a longer time (y <z) than the predetermined time y for starting the reverse rotation. This is to first reverse and then stop all operations.

  Further, in addition to these, the drive control means 280 is configured to start the transfer by the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 after the input of the banknote detection signal from the banknote sensor 24. Specifically, the drive control means 280 receives a bill detection signal from the bill sensor 24, and triggered by the input of the bill detection signal, the game control medal inside the loan medal storage unit 26 is paid out by the sending unit 27. The transmission starts toward. At that time, the sent-out medal detection unit 28 detects the game medal sent from the sending unit 27 and outputs a rental sending signal. The drive control means 280 starts to rotate the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 in response to the input of the lending / sending signal from the sending medal detection unit 28.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the rotation driving of the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is started in response to the input of the lending / sending signal from the sending medal detection unit 28. However, the present invention is particularly limited to this. is not. Specifically, for example, the drive control means 280 may be formed so as to start the transfer by the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 in response to the input of the banknote detection signal from the banknote sensor 24. That is, when a bill detection signal is input from the bill sensor 24, the drive control unit 280 starts to rotate the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200. As a result, the rotational drive of the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 can be started at a point in time further before the input of the lending and sending signal, and the same operations and effects can be obtained.

Further, for example, after inputting the banknote detection signal, the drive control means 280 is triggered by the input of a payout signal to the sending unit 27 for sending out game medals from the lending medal storage unit 26. You may form so that the transfer by may be started. That is, the input of a payout signal for rotationally driving the delivery disk as the delivery unit 27 of the rental medal storage unit 26 is triggered by the rotational drive of the belt 53.
Further, in addition to these, the drive control means 280 is configured to stop the transfer of the belt transfer unit 200 when a specific time u elapses after the loan from the medal lending unit 25 is completed. Specifically, the drive control means 280 does not receive the next lending / sending signal from the time of inputting the lending / sending signal from the sending medal detection unit 28, and the predetermined specific time u (specifically, 15 seconds), the transfer of the belt transfer unit 200 is stopped. This is because the sending disc as the sending unit 27 of the rental medal storing unit 26 rotates, and the detection of the last game medal sent from the sending unit 27 triggers a specific time u (for example, 15 seconds), The transfer of the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is stopped. Specifically, the sent-out medal detection unit 28 detects a game medal sent from the sending unit 27, and outputs a rental sending signal. The drive control means 280 recognizes the game medal as the last game medal for lending when a specific time u (for example, 15 seconds) elapses after inputting the lending and sending signal, and the belt transfer unit 200 It is formed to stop the transfer of the.

  In this embodiment, the drive control means 280 stops the movement of the belt 53 when a specific time u (specifically, 15 seconds) has elapsed since the input of the lending / sending signal from the sending medal detection unit 28. However, it is not particularly limited to this. Specifically, for example, the drive control unit 280 detects the passage of the game medal with the passage sensor 231 of the transfer unit 65, and then detects the passage of the game medal thereafter, and when the specific time u elapses, the belt transfer unit It may be formed so that the transfer of 200 is stopped (the rotational drive of the belt 53 is stopped). According to this, when the passage of the game medal is detected by the passage sensor 231, the drive control means 280 determines that the game medal is the last game medal and rotates the belt 53. It is to stop.

Further, the drive control means 280 may be configured to stop the transfer of the belt transfer unit 200 when a specific time u (for example, 15 seconds) elapses from the input of the payout stop signal to the sending unit 27. That is, when a specific time u (for example, 15 seconds) elapses from the input of a payout stop signal for stopping the rotational drive of the delivery disk as the delivery unit 27 of the rental medal storage unit 26, the drive control means 280 causes the belt 53 to The rotation drive is terminated.
Further, in addition to these, the drive control means 280 is configured so that the belt transfer unit 200 can operate from the time when the power of the medal lending machine 2 is turned on to the specified time w (specifically, for example, 12 seconds). The belt 53 is formed to reverse. While the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is reversely rotated during the specific time w, the discharge mechanism 80 is formed to move the solenoid 81 and open the opening / closing hole 85 according to the control command of the drive control means 280. Yes. At the game hall, when the power is switched on in the morning when the business starts on the day, the dust collected on the belt 53 from yesterday to the morning is discharged into the discharge storage section 93 of the medal removal tray 90. It is to do.

  Further, the following function may be mounted instead of the function of reversing the belt 53 from the time when the power supply of the medal lending machine 2 is turned on to the specific time w. That is, the drive control unit 280 reverses the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 from the time when the power supply of the medal lending machine 2 is turned off to the specific time x (specifically, for example, 15 seconds). You may form in. While the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is reversely rotated at such a specific time x, the discharge mechanism 80 is configured to move the solenoid 81 and open the opening / closing hole 85 according to the control command of the drive control means 280. It is. As a result, in the game hall at midnight when the day's business ends, when the power switch is turned off, game medals remaining on the belt 53, deliberately put trash etc. It can be discharged to the discharge storage section 93 of the take-out tray 90.

In this embodiment, the drive control means 280 monitors the number of game medals passing through the passage sensor 231 from the start of operation of the belt operation switch 273 in order to determine the specific time v. Further, the drive control means 280 obtains the timing at which a predetermined number of game medals pass through the passage sensor 231 from the start of operation of the belt operation switch 273 in order to determine the specific time v. Thus, in this embodiment, the specific time v is set to a time that can be varied as the time that the predetermined condition is achieved.
The specific time v is not limited to the one described above, and the specific time may be set as a fixed fixed time that is stored in advance. In such a case, a plurality of timer means, a storage means for storing a plurality of predetermined specific times (u, v, w, x, y, z, etc.) in the drive control means 280, and this timer means When the timer time reaches a predetermined time (u, v, w, x, y, z, etc.), it can be implemented by providing a control signal generating means for generating a predetermined control signal.

(Details of belt transfer start control)
The contents of control in the belt transfer start of the medal lending machine 2 according to this embodiment are as follows.
First, the bill sensor 24 detects a bill. → Commands the rotation drive of the delivery disk as the delivery unit 27. → The delivery disk as the delivery part 27 rotates. → The first medal to be paid out is detected by the sending medal detection unit 28, and a lending sending signal is output. → Based on the input of the lending and sending signal, the drive control means 280 starts the transfer of the belt 53 by the belt transfer unit 200.
(Control details during belt transfer)
The control contents during belt transfer of the medal lending machine 2 according to the present embodiment are as follows.

  First, when a game medal sent from the sending unit 27 is detected by the sending medal detection unit 28, a rental sending signal is output, and the drive control means 280 causes the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 to move to the specified time u (specifically, 15 seconds). Then, when the delivery medal detection unit 28 detects the next second game medal, the specified time u (15 seconds) is overwritten on the movable time of the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 from this detection time, and the belt 53 Continues to move. That is, when the sending medal detection unit 28 detects one game medal, the belt 53 moves for a specific time u (15 seconds), and the sending medal detection unit 28 detects the game medal while the belt 53 is moving. Then, the belt 53 moves for a specific time u (15 seconds) from that point. That is, the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is configured to continuously move when the next game medal is detected by the sending medal detection unit 28 within the specific time u (15 seconds). .

(Control details of belt transfer stop)
When the lending / sending signal from the sending medal detection unit 28 is no longer input, the belt is finally passed after a specific time u (15 seconds) from when the sending medal detection unit 28 detects the gaming medal and outputs the lending / sending signal. 53 rotational drive stops. That is, when a predetermined amount (for example, 1000 yen) is inserted and the transfer medal detecting unit 28 detects the number of game medals (for example, 50) corresponding to the amount, the transfer of the belt 53 stops the game medals. Since the payout medal is not paid out, the belt 53 is rotationally driven until a specific time u (15 seconds) after the sending medal detection unit 28 detects the last game medal of the lent number, and then the transfer of the belt 53 is stopped. It is what.

(Function)
The rotation direction of the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is the normal rotation of the transfer direction for transporting the game medals to the insertion port introduction path 60, and the reverse rotation of the reverse transfer direction for returning the game medals to the medal storage unit 44. It is possible to both. For this reason, when the belt 53 is in the forward rotation direction, and between the game medals and between the surrounding members and is bitten and the game medals are clogged, the belt 53 is in the reverse rotation direction, The biting of game medals can be released.
Then, the rotation display unit 240 distinguishes between forward rotation and reverse rotation of the belt 53 and displays it to the outside, so that the player can easily know the current rotation direction of the belt 53, and the current belt The operating status of the transfer unit 200 can be recognized.

  Then, when the belt 53 is reversed to release occurrence of medal clogging, a large number of game medals are stored in the medal storage unit 44, and it becomes necessary to take out the game medals to the outside once. At that time, by opening the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharge mechanism 80, the game medals in the medal storage unit 44 can be transferred to the medal takeout tray 90. And, since the rotation display unit 240 can display the reverse rotation accompanied by the opening of the opening / closing hole 85 in addition to the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the belt 53, such an operating state is displayed to the outside, The player can be notified. Accordingly, the player can recognize the operating state from the outside, and can perform operations such as taking out the game medal transferred to the medal takeout plate 90.

By turning on and off the blue light emitting unit 241 and the red light emitting unit 242, a maximum of four types of display patterns can be expressed, and the operating state of the belt transfer unit 200 can be expressed.
Specifically, when the blue light-emitting unit 241 is turned on and the red light-emitting unit 242 is turned off, the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is in a normal rotation state, and a normal conveyance state is obtained. means. At that time, the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharge mechanism 80 is closed.
When the blue light emitting unit 241 is turned off and the red light emitting unit 242 is turned on, the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is reversed and the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharge mechanism 80 is opened. At that time, the game medals and the like on the belt 53 are sent back to the medal storage part 44 and further transferred from the medal storage part 44 to the discharge storage part 93 of the lower medal take-out tray 90 through the opening / closing hole 85. It is in a state of letting go.

When both the blue light emitting unit 241 and the red light emitting unit 242 are lit, the belt 53 of the belt transfer unit 200 is in a reverse state, and game medals and the like on the belt 53 are moved to the medal storage unit 44 side. It is in a state of being reversely sent. At that time, the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharge mechanism 80 is closed.
When both the blue light emitting unit 241 and the red light emitting unit 242 are turned off, the belt transfer unit 200 is not operating. At that time, the discharge mechanism 80 is not operated, and the opening / closing hole 85 is closed.
In this way, the player can recognize the operating states of the belt transfer unit 200 and the discharge mechanism 80 by the combination of turning on and off the blue light emitting unit 241 and the red light emitting unit 242.

It is form of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows a medal transfer mechanism. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a slot machine and a medal lending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a medal slot and a medal transfer mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an external appearance perspective view which is a form of this invention and shows a medal feeder. It is a form of the present invention, and is a longitudinal section perspective view showing a medal feeder. FIG. 3 is a partial external perspective view showing a state in which the cover member of the medal feeding device is opened according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the cover member of the medal feeder is opened according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the medal takeout plate of the medal feeder is closed according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view showing a clogging release button of the medal feeder according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the opening / closing plate of the medal feeder is opened according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram showing an operation state of the medal feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an external appearance front view which is a form of this invention and shows a transfer part. It is a form of the present invention, and is an appearance perspective view showing a batch loading opening.

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
24 Banknote sensor 25 Medal rental department
26 Loan medal storage part 27 Sending part
28 Outgoing medal detector 30 Main unit cover
31 Collective opening 32 Overhang
40 Medal feeder 41 Body block
42 Discharge passage 43 Movement adjustment valve
43A Rotating plate 43B Support section
43C Stopper 44 Medal storage part
45 medal return 46 pins
47 Medal discharge section 48 Acceptance input section
49 Cancel opening 50 Transfer device
51 Roller 51A Front roller
51B Back roller 52 Reverse roller
53 Belt 54 Delivery gap
55 Drive motor 56 Transmission means
58 Stirring groove 60 Input port
61 Cover member 62 Base member
62A Curved part 63 Hinge
65 Transfer section 66 Medal outlet
67 Medal receiving port 68 Clogged medal discharge port
80 Discharge mechanism 81 Solenoid
82 Open / close plate 83 Movable shaft
84 Fixed shaft 85 Open / close hole
90 Medal tray 91 Case
93 Discharge storage 95 Plate hinge
100 Divider 200 Belt transfer section
210 Visible part 220 Light emitting part
230 Clogging detection means 231 Passing sensor
240 Rotation display 241 Blue light emitting part
242 Red light emitting unit 250 Movable plate
251 Fixed plate 252 Projection
253 Movable plate rotating shaft 260 Clogging release button
271 Drop hole 272 Standing part
273 Belt operation switch 274 U-shaped contact sensor (contact sensor)
275 Front side contact sensor (contact sensor) 280 Drive control means
290 Locking means 291 Locking part
292 Locked part 293 Lock release hole
294 Insert piece opening 300 Contact sensor

Claims (3)

An acceptance input unit that can accept game medals,
A medal storage unit for temporarily storing game medals inserted from the receiving input unit;
A belt transfer section having a belt for transferring game medals stored in the medal storage section;
In order to introduce a game medal into the medal slot of the slot machine, for guiding the game medal from the belt transfer section to a side transfer path for guiding the game medal from the side of the slot machine to the medal slot. A medal lending machine equipped with an inlet introduction path,
The belt transfer unit is
The direction in which the game medal is transferred to the insertion port introduction path by rotating the belt forward, and the game medal to the medal storage part on the opposite side to the insertion port introduction path by reversing the belt. It is formed so that game medals can be transferred in any direction of the reverse direction to be reversely transferred,
The medal lending machine
A discharge mechanism having an openable opening / closing hole on the bottom surface of the medal storage part;
Below the opening / closing hole, a medal removal tray for receiving a game medal dropped from the opening / closing hole,
A rotation display unit for displaying an operating state of the belt of the belt transfer unit and an open / closed state of the opening / closing hole of the discharge mechanism toward the player;
When the opening / closing hole is opened, the belt is reversely rotated so that the game medal is fed back to the medal storage part on the side opposite to the insertion port introduction path, and the game medal in the medal storage part is It is formed so that it can be transferred to a medal removal tray provided on the front of the medal lending machine,
The rotation display unit is configured to perform normal rotation of the belt of the belt transfer unit with the opening / closing hole closed, reverse rotation of the belt with the opening / closing hole closed, and open the opening / closing hole. The medal lending machine is characterized in that the state of the reverse rotation of the belt can be distinguished and displayed by the form of the rotation display section. The medal discharge port for discharging game medals from the insertion port introduction path is arranged in a straight line with an end portion of the side transfer passage opposite to the medal insertion port. Medal lending machine. The game medals discharged from the medal discharge port are moved between the medal discharge port for discharging the game medals from the insertion port introduction path and the end of the side transfer passage opposite to the medal insertion port. The medal lending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the medal lending machine is arranged with a possible gap.

Images