JP4716271B2

JP4716271B2 - Game machine locking device

Info

Publication number: JP4716271B2
Application number: JP2000358455A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 賢吉吉田
Original assignee: Sammy Corp
Current assignee: Sammy Corp
Priority date: 2000-11-24
Filing date: 2000-11-24
Publication date: 2011-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-24
Also published as: JP2002159711A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、遊技機の施錠装置に係り、更に詳しくは固定保持用の外枠と、必要な遊技構成部材を装備した開閉搭載用の前枠とが、ヒンジ部（開閉連結支持手段）を介して開閉可能に連結支持された遊技機にあって、外枠に対する前枠の施錠及び解錠をなし得る施錠装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種の遊技機の代表例として、パチンコ球を使用する遊技機（以下パチンコ機ともいう）やスロット遊技機などがある。これ等の遊技機では、機枠または機体として所定の外郭方形サイズに構成された固定保持枠用の外枠と、この外枠の前側開口面域に合わせた方形枠サイズに構成された開閉搭載枠用の前枠とが、互いの一側縁に配設されたヒンジ部を介して開閉可能に連結支持されるとともに、互いの他側縁に配設された解錠操作形態の施錠装置を利用して、開閉及び閉鎖保持されるようになっている。
【０００３】
そして、この前枠に必要な構成部材として、例えばパチンコ機においては、遊技盤を収容保持する収容枠、遊技盤の前面を覆うガラス窓（ガラス扉）、上下の玉皿、打球発射装置及び関連部材、各種の電気部品、玉貯留・排出部等を有する裏機構盤、各種の制御・中継基板等が、それぞれの設定基準位置に装備されており、所要のゲージ設定（各種遊技部品と多数本の遊技釘との配置設定）に基づく遊技領域を構成した遊技展開部材としての遊技盤が、遊技面を前面として前記収容枠内に水平姿勢の縦向きで着脱可能にセット保持されている。以下、これ等の構成部材が取り付けられた前枠を「前枠組立体」という。
【０００４】
このように、遊技盤の背面側には裏機構盤や打球発射装置、各種の制御基板等が多数配設されており、遊技中や終了後に各部の点検や調整を行うことができるようにする必要がある。一方、裏機構盤や制御基板等は出玉を直接管理する領域であることから、遊技者がみだりに触れたり不正操作を行ったりできないようにする必要がある。このため、このような遊技機においては、遊技施設の枠部材に固定保持される固定保持枠ともなる外枠に対して前枠組立体を一側縁上下部でヒンジ部を利用して開閉及び着脱自在に取り付けるとともに、他側縁に設けた施錠装置で遊技時に前枠組立体を外枠に閉鎖保持し、必要時に前枠前面側から鍵により解錠して開放可能に構成されている。従って、遊技施設の管理者が当該錠に適合した鍵を用いて解錠し、前枠を手前に引き出すことによって前枠組立体を開放し遊技盤の背面に配設された裏機構盤や制御基板等の点検や調整等を行うことができるようになっている。このような施錠装置の一例として、例えば特開２０００−９６８９３号公報に開示された施錠装置がある。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、このような遊技機に用いられる施錠装置は、前枠組立体を常時閉鎖状態で外枠に保持させることを前提とするため、前枠に取り付けられて解錠操作により外枠側の受け具と解離するフック部材は、解錠操作時を除いて常には受け具との施錠係合状態を維持する方向に付勢される、いわゆる解錠操作形態の施錠装置が用いられている。このため、鍵を用いて解錠し前枠組立体を開放しようとするときには、上記付勢力に抗して鍵を捻り操作し、フック部材と受け具との係合を解離させるとともに、その解離状態を維持したまま（すなわち付勢力に抗して鍵を捻り操作したまま）前枠組立体を引き出す必要があり、操作が煩わしいという課題があった。
【０００６】
また、パチンコ機のように多数のパチンコ球を遊技機内に保持する縦型遊技機では、前枠側全体の装備重量がかなりの重量となる。このため、従来のパチンコ機に実施されている一般的な枠支持手段では、外枠と前枠の互いの下部整合部位、すなわち外枠の前側開口面域下端に位置する耐久強度の高い支持台板（幕板ともいう）の上端面と、前枠自体の下端面とに、所定厚みの座金具が配設され、この両座金具の上下整合当接状態で、前枠の水平保持を図っている。しかし、このことは、施錠装置を解錠して前枠組立体を引き出す過程において、前枠と外枠の両座金具の当接が外れたときに、前枠を含む遊技機の重量がヒンジ部にモーメントとして作用することを意味し、このときにヒンジ部に生じる撓み変位が、捻り操作を維持したまま引き出し作業を行う管理者の手首に大きな負荷を与えるおそれがある、という課題があった。
【０００７】
本発明は、前記従来の課題を解決するために新規に提案されたものであって、外枠に対して施錠閉鎖状態に保持されている前枠に対する鍵解錠操作において、自動的に解錠操作状態に保持して、とかく重量物体とされる前枠組立体を楽に開放（前側への横引き）し得るようにした遊技機の施錠装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的達成のため、本発明の遊技機は、固定保持用の外枠と、必要な遊技構成部材を装備した開閉搭載用の前枠とが、互いの一側縁に配設されたヒンジ部を介して開閉可能に連結支持されるとともに、互いの他側縁に配設された解錠操作形態の施錠装置を介して閉鎖保持されるように遊技機が構成される。この施錠装置は、前枠の他側縁に固定された基枠体に対して昇降自在に支持されて常には施錠方向へ作用する施錠付勢力により前記施錠方向に付勢保持される昇降作動杆と、基枠体に上下方向に傾動自在に支持されるとともに昇降作動杆と連結され、昇降作動杆の昇降移動に伴って傾動されて外枠の他側縁に配設された受け具に対して係脱可能なフック部材と、基枠体の所定部位または近傍所定部位に傾動自在に支持されて常には前記昇降作動杆に向かう方向へ作用する規制付勢力により前記昇降作動杆に向かう方向に付勢保持される規制部材と、昇降作動杆の所定部位に設けられ、昇降作動杆の昇降移動に伴って規制部材に設けられた規制部材側係合部と係合可能な昇降作動杆側係合部とを備えている。そして、この施錠装置では、解錠操作に基づく昇降作動杆の解錠方向への変位に伴い、フック部材が受け具との係合が外れる解離位置を越えてさらに傾動された位置において、規制部材が前記規制付勢力により昇降作動杆の方向に傾動されて規制部材側係合部と昇降作動杆側係合部が係合することにより昇降作動杆の施錠方向への移動およびフック部材の受け具の方向への傾動が規制されるとともに、規制部材を前記規制付勢力に抗して昇降作動杆から離れる方向に傾動操作すると規制部材側係合部と昇降作動杆側係合部との係合が解除され、昇降作動杆が前記施錠付勢力により施錠方向に移動されてフック部材が受け具と係合可能な位置に傾動されるように構成されている。
【０００９】
上記構成の施錠装置では、解錠操作が行われると、前枠に固定された基枠体に対して昇降自在に支持された昇降作動杆が、その解錠操作に基づいて基枠体に対して昇降移動し、この昇降作動杆と繋がれて常には外枠側の受け具と施錠係合状態に付勢保持されるフック部材が、受け具との解離位置を超えて傾動され、フック部材と受け具との係合が解除される。ここで、本発明に係る施錠装置には、基枠体の所定部位または基枠体近傍の所定部位に、傾動可能に支持されて常には昇降作動杆に対する係合方向に付勢されるとともに、この係合方向に対する所定位置に傾動が制止された規制部材が設けられている一方、昇降作動杆の所定部位には規制部材に設けられた係合案内部に対して係脱可能に係合し得る係合部が備えられている。
【００１０】
そして、解錠操作に基づく昇降作動杆の解錠方向への変位に伴い、これと繋がれたフック部材が受け具から解離した以降の位置（フック部材が受け具との解離位置を超えて所定量以上傾動した位置をいい、例えば、実施例における解錠保持位置Ｐ₂）において、規制部材の自己傾動変化により昇降作動杆の係合部が規制部材の係合案内部の所定位置に係合し、昇降作動杆の施錠方向への変位を規制してフック部材を解錠保持位置に拘束する。一方、規制部材が反係合方向に変位されて昇降作動杆の係合部が規制部材の係合案内部から解かれたときには、昇降作動杆の付勢自己復帰に伴ってフック部材が元の施錠保持状態に復帰保持しうるように設定して構成されている。
【００１１】
すなわち、解錠操作に基づいてフック部材が解錠保持位置を超えて傾動されると、規制部材を反係合方向に変位させるまでその解錠保持状態が維持され、解錠操作の力（例えば鍵の捻り力）を開放してもフック部材はその解錠保持位置に拘束される。このため、前枠組立体を開放する際に、一旦解錠保持位置まで解錠操作を行った後は、管理者が鍵を捻り操作した状態のまま保持する必要がなく、例えば打球発射装置の操作ハンドル部や遊技玉を貯める下皿部など、引き出し操作や支持操作が容易な場所を把持して横引きし前枠組立体を開放することができる。従って、解錠操作の煩雑さや作業負担を軽減して前枠組立体を楽に開放し得るようにした遊技機の施錠装置を提供することができる。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の好適な実施例を図面参照して説明する。なお、本実施例では、遊技機として遊技展開部材となる遊技盤を備えた一般的なパチンコ機に施錠装置を実施した例を主に示す。
【００１３】
まず、パチンコ機ＰＭの全体の基本的構成を図１から図３を参照して説明すると、機枠又は機体として所定の外郭方形枠サイズに構成された固定保持枠用の外枠１０と、この外枠１０の前側開口面域に合わせた方形枠サイズに構成された開閉搭載枠用の前枠２０とが、従来と同様に互いの正面左側上下部に配設されたヒンジ部（ヒンジ機構）１，２および正面右側内部に配設された施錠装置５０を利用して、着脱及び開閉が可能に組み付けられて閉鎖保持される。
【００１４】
そしてこの前枠２０に必要な構成部品として、収容枠３９、透明ガラス板３１ａを収容するガラス収容枠３１を有したガラス扉３０、上下の球皿３２，３４、打球発射装置３３および関連部材、球貯留・排出部を有する裏機構盤３５、各種の電気部品や制御・中継基盤（ともに図示しない）等が、それぞれの設定基準位置に装備される一方、所定のゲージ設定（入賞装置器具や図柄表示装置、風車、ランプ具等の各種遊技部品と多数本の遊技釘とを合わせた配置設定）に基づく遊技領域ＰＡを構成した前記遊技盤が前記収容枠３９に水平姿勢位置の縦向きで着脱交換可能にセット保持されている。なお、パチンコ機ＰＭは、一般的に全体が所要の後傾角度（例えば、１度位）で縦向きに保持され使用されている。
【００１５】
このようなパチンコ機にあって、前記外枠１０は、木材や樹脂材等で成形加工された複数本の定形尺の枠部材すなわち上下の枠板１１，１４及び左右の枠板１２，１３を直角に枠組み連結すると共に、各隅角部に補強金具を固定して構成されており、下枠板１４では、底板１７の上面前縁に沿って支持台板としての幕板１６が、左右の枠板１２，１３間に亘って連結されて頑強な耐久強度を有する構造とされ、これに補強連杆１５が、必要の有無に応じて連結されたタイプがある。ちなみに外枠１０の前側開口面域は、前記上左右の枠板１１，１２，１３の前面と下枠板１４の幕板１６上面とに亘る方形面域をいう。
【００１６】
一方前記前枠２０は、木材や樹脂材等で外枠１０の前側開口面域に合わせた若干小型枠に構成されており、前記収容枠３９と別体組合せ、一体樹脂成形等のタイプがある。そして前記上下のヒンジ部１，２は、一般的な形態として外枠１０と前枠２０との所定位置に固定されて互いに整合し得る補強兼用の支持金具１ａ，１ｂ，２ａ，２ｂ同士の軸ピンと軸孔との嵌挿ヒンジ形態とされている。これにより前枠２０は、この機構１，２を利用して片持ち支持形態で前方への引出開放と後方への押し込み閉鎖ができるようになっており、また下のヒンジ部２の軸ピン・軸孔同士の連結支持位置を設定基準高さに観て、前枠２０の下端縁が、外枠１０の幕板１６上面に対して適宜平行間隔（図１に示す間隔ｔ１およびｔ２が等しくなる設定）を置いた浮き上がり状態で整合した水平姿勢・位置に保持されることが基本設定とされる（図１参照）。
【００１７】
さて前述したようなパチンコ機ＰＭに実施される本実施例の施錠装置５０は、前枠２０の右側方所定位置に取り付けられた主要機構部と外枠１０の右側方内側の所定位置に取り付けられた受け具とから構成され、パチンコ機の遊技提供状態にあっては、外枠１０に合わせて閉鎖されている前枠２０及び必要構成部材（前枠組立体）の閉鎖状態を保持し得る一方、外枠１０に対して前枠組立体を楽に開放（前方への横引き）し得るように図っている。以下、施錠装置の具体的な実施例について各実施例毎に詳細に説明する。
【００１８】
まず、図４から図１２に本発明の施錠装置の第１実施例を示している。このうち、図４は図２中にIV-IV矢視で示す前枠組立体が閉鎖保持された状態における施錠装置５０の全体構成を示し、図５は図４中にV矢視で示す施錠装置５０の背面図を示している。
【００１９】
施錠装置５０は、例えば薄板板金材料を打ち抜き及びプレス成形して概略Ｌ字断面の所要形状に成形されて、ネジ等の図示せぬ固定手段で前枠２０の右側部背面側に固定配設された基枠体５１と、同様の成形加工により成形されこの基枠体５１に対して上下方向に昇降移動自在に支持された第１昇降作動杆５３、基枠体５１の上下端部に形成された支持辺部５１ａ，５１ａにおいて傾動連結支点５４，５４で傾動自在に枢結されるとともに、上記第１昇降作動杆５３の上下端部と連接支点５６，５６で連結された上下のフック部材５５，５５、上下の支持辺部を結んで延びる基枠体５１の立設面と第１昇降作動杆５３との間に摺動自在に挟持され案内ピン５２をもって上下方向に昇降移動自在に取り付けられた第２昇降作動杆６３、基枠体５１の固定面側に固定配設されて前枠前面に鍵穴が露出配設される錠６２、錠の回動軸に固定されて解錠操作時以外には中立角度位置で保持される解錠盤６１、第１昇降作動杆５３を常時下方に付勢するバネ５７、第２昇降作動杆６３を常時上方に付勢するバネ６４、所定位置において第１昇降作動杆５３の施錠方向への移動を規制する解錠保持機構７０、第１昇降作動杆５３の変位状態を検出する解錠検出部８０、及び外枠１０における右枠板１３の内側面に固定配設されて施錠時にフック部材５５，５５と係合して前枠全体を閉鎖保持する受け具６５，６５などから構成されている。
【００２０】
第１昇降作動杆５３は、傾動連結支点５４，５４で基枠体５１に枢結されたフック部材５５，５５と連接支点５６，５６で連結されてリンク機構を構成し、基枠体５１に対して僅かに前後方向に相対変位しつつ昇降移動可能に配設されるとともに、基枠体５１に切り起こし成形で形成された複数のガイド部５１ｂ，５１ｂ…と基枠体の立設面との間で第１昇降作動杆の左右方向（図４における紙面直交方向）への変位が規制され、解錠操作時に第１昇降作動杆５３に作用する圧縮応力により平板部が撓み変形(座屈変形)して逃げないように構成されている。また、基枠体５１の立設面における下端部には、第１昇降作動杆５３がバネ５７の付勢力で所定の施錠位置を越えて下方に移動しないように規制する下端ストッパ部５１ｃが形成されている。これにより、第１昇降作動杆５３は基枠体５１に対して昇降移動自在であり常時施錠方向に付勢されつつ所定の施錠位置に保持されて配設されている（施錠保持状態）。
【００２１】
また、上下のフック部材５５，５５は、上記リンク機構の作用により第１昇降作動杆５３と連動され、第１昇降作動杆５３が昇降移動することによって傾動連結支点５４，５４を回転中心として上下に傾動自在である。ここで、上下のフック部材５５，５５は、上記した第１昇降作動杆５３の施錠保持状態において略水平姿勢となり、外枠における右枠板１３の内側面に固定配設された受け具６５，６５と係合して前枠全体を閉鎖保持する施錠係合状態となるように設定されている。
【００２２】
このため、上述した第１昇降作動杆５３の昇降機構及びリンク機構により、常には上下のフック部材５５，５５がそれぞれ受け具６５，６５と係合して前枠全体を閉鎖保持する施錠係合状態を維持するとともに、第１昇降作動杆５３を上動させることにより上下のフック部材５５，５５を傾動連結支点５４，５４を回転中心としてフック先端部を下方に傾動させ、受け具との係合を解離させて前枠組立体を開放させることができるように構成されている。
【００２３】
第２昇降作動杆６３は、ガラス扉３０の施錠状態を解錠作動させて、ガラス扉３０を前方に開放させるための作動杆である。第２昇降作動杆６３は、基枠体５１の立設面と第１昇降作動杆５３との間に摺動自在に挟持されるとともに、第１昇降作動杆５３に形成された案内長孔部５３ｂと第２昇降作動杆に形成された案内長孔部６３ｂとを嵌通して基枠体５１に固着されたリベット状の案内ピン５２により、基枠体５１の立設面と第１昇降作動杆５３との間に昇降移動自在に保持されている。第２昇降作動杆６３には、遊技機内方に折り曲げられて基枠体５１に形成された孔部（不図示）を通り、裏機構盤３５に向けて突出する操作辺部６３ａが形成されている。第２昇降作動杆６３は基枠体５１との間に掛け渡されたバネ６４によって常時上方に付勢されるとともに、基枠体５１に形成された前記孔部の端面とこの孔部を通る操作辺部６３ａの上端部とが当接することにより図示する施錠位置に係止保持されている。
【００２４】
前枠３０には操作辺部６３ａの下方に位置してガラス扉施錠杆６６が配設されており、常には上方に付勢されてガラス扉３０を施錠状態で保持し、付勢力に抗して下方に押圧移動されたときにガラス扉３０を解錠し、ガラス扉３０の左側縁に配設されたヒンジ部を介してガラス扉３０前方に開かせる。このため第２昇降作動杆６３を付勢力に抗して下方に移動させ、ガラス扉施錠杆６６を下動させることによりガラス扉３０を開放させることができる。
【００２５】
錠６２は一般に「ダブル錠」とも呼ばれている形態の錠が使用されている。この錠はいわゆる解錠操作型の錠であり、解錠操作が行われていない状態において錠の回動軸が中立角度位置に付勢保持されている。錠６２に適合する鍵が前枠前面に露出する錠６２の鍵穴に嵌挿されると、錠の回動軸が回動可能な状態に設定され、鍵を右回りまたは左回りの二方向に捻り操作することが可能になる。この回動軸の軸端に解錠盤６１が固定されている。
【００２６】
解錠盤６１はカム盤とも称され、薄板板金材料をプレス成形して図示するような二つの突出端部、すなわち第１突出端部６１ａおよび第２突出端部６１ｂを有する所定のカム形状に形成されている。このうち第１突出端部６１ａは前枠を解錠させる作動端としての機能を有し、その先端上面が第１昇降作動杆５３に形成された係合孔部５３ｃと係合可能に設定されている。また、第２突出端部６１ｂはガラス扉３１を解錠させる作動端としての機能を有し、その先端下面が第１昇降作動杆に形成された係合孔部５３ｃを通して第２昇降作動杆６３に形成された係合孔部６３ｃと係合可能に設定されている。
【００２７】
このため、例えば、前枠前面側から鍵により右回りに解錠操作を行ったときには、解錠盤６１が図５における左回り（反時計回り）に回動され、第１突出端部６１ａの先端上面が第１昇降作動杆５３における係合孔部５３ｃの開口端面と係合して第１昇降作動杆５３を上昇方向に移動可能となる。従って、この係合位置からバネ５７の付勢力に抗して第１昇降作動杆５３を上動させることにより、前記したリンク機構の作用で上下のフック部材５５，５５を傾動させて受け具６５，６５との係合を解離させ、前枠組立体を開放させることができる。
【００２８】
一方、前枠前面側から鍵により左回りに解錠操作を行ったときには、解錠盤６１が図５における右回り（時計回り）に回動され、第２突出端部６１ｂの先端下面が第２昇降作動杆６３における係合孔部６３ｃの開口端面と係合して第２昇降作動杆６３を下降方向に移動可能となる。従って、この係合位置からバネ６２の付勢力に抗して第２昇降作動杆６３を下動させることにより、操作辺部６３ａでガラス扉施錠杆６６を下動させ、前枠に対してガラス扉３０のみを開放させることができる。
【００２９】
さて、このように構成される施錠機構の上方部には解錠保持機構７０と解錠検出部８０とが設けられている。図６には解錠保持機構７０と解錠検出部８０の要部を分解した状態で要部分解斜視図として示し、図７には施錠時における上記要部の右側面図を、図８及び図９には上記要部の背面図及び解錠保持機構７０の部分を更に拡大して示す背面図を示しており、以下これ等の各図を参照して解錠保持機構７０から説明する。
【００３０】
解錠保持機構７０は、規制部材７１、規制部材７１を常時第１昇降作動杆５３方向（前枠前方）に付勢する捻りバネ７２、外周面で捻りバネ７２の内周を支持するとともに規制部材７１を基枠体５１から一定間隔をもって隔離配設させるスペーサ７３、規制部材７１の軸孔とスペーサ７３の軸孔を通して先端部が基枠体５１に固着され、軸部で規制部材７１を傾動自在に支持するとともにフランジ状に形成された頭部とスペーサ７３とで規制部材７１を挟持して軸方向への移動を規制する支点７４、基枠体５１の立設部に形成されて前記支点７４を介して組み付けられる前記規制部材等を支持する支持部５１ｄ、並びに基枠体立設部から規制部材方向に折り曲げ成形されて突出し上記付勢された規制部材７１の傾動端部（制止部７１ｂ）を制止支持するストッパ部５１ｅ、及び第１昇降作動杆５３から規制部材方向に折り曲げ成形されて突出し規制部材７１と係合可能な係合部５３ｄなどで構成され、図７ないし図９に示したように組み付けられている。
【００３１】
規制部材７１は、係合部５３ｄと係脱可能に係合し得る係合案内部７１ａ、前記ストッパ部５１ｅと当接可能な位置に形成された制止部７１ｂ、捻りバネ７２の付勢力に抗して規制部材７１を反係合方向（係合部５３ｄと反対方向）に傾動させるときに手動操作可能な摘み部７１ｃなどの各部が形成され、下端部が支点７４に支持されて傾動レバー形態で基枠体５１の支持部５１ｄに配設されている。係合案内部７１ａには、該係合案内部の下側端面を構成し係合部５３ｄの上端部と係合する斜面状の案内端面７１adと、係合案内部７１ａの上側端面を構成し係合部５３ｄの下端面と係合する水平面状の係止端面７１auとが形成されている。
【００３２】
そして規制部材７１は基枠体の支持部５１ｄにおいて支点７４を介して傾動可能に支持されて、常には捻りバネ７２の付勢力により第１昇降作動杆の係合部５３ｄの方向に向けて付勢されるとともに、その制止部７１ｂが基枠体のストッパ部５１ｅに当接して係合案内部７１ａにおける案内端面７１adと第１昇降杆５３における係合部５３ｄの上端部とが当接直前となる所定位置に制止保持される。
【００３３】
以下、上記のように構成される解錠保持機構７０の作用について、図１０から図１２の各図を加えて参照しながら説明する。ここで、図１０は解錠操作中における解錠保持機構７０の要部詳細図を、図１１は解錠保持機構７０によって解錠保持されたときの解錠保持機構７０及びフック部５５近傍の状態を、図１２は解錠保持を解除して前枠組立体を閉鎖するときのフック部近傍の状態をそれぞれ右側面図として示している。
【００３４】
図１０は、解錠操作が行われて第１昇降作動杆５３が上動されている過程における規制部材７１の変位状況を示したものである。解錠操作が行われて第１昇降作動杆５３が上動されると、この作動杆に形成された係合部５３ｄがこれに伴って上動し、その上端部と規制部材７１の係合案内部における案内端面７１adとが当接する。案内端面７１adは前述したように斜面状に形成されており、係合部５３ｄが上動するとこの案内端面７１adの当接点には斜面と直交する方向に押圧力が作用する。このため、係合案内部７１ａが図１０における右方向に押圧され、規制部材７１は支点７４を回動中心として傾動される。このようにして係合部５３ｄは案内端面と係合しながらこの斜面を滑るように押圧し規制部材７１は第１昇降作動杆５３の上動に伴って傾動される。
【００３５】
第１昇降作動杆５３が上動されて案内端面７１adの先端角部を越えると、係合案内部７１ａの先端部が係合部５３ｄの面上に乗り上げ、捻りバネ７２の付勢力でこの面と当接しながら面上を滑るようにして移動する。そして、第１昇降作動杆５３が更に上動されて係合部５３ｄの下端角部が係合案内部７１ａの上端角部を越えると、係合案内部７１ａと係合部５３ｄとの係合が解除され、規制部材７１は捻りバネ７２の付勢力によって図における左方に傾動する（自己傾動変化）。左方への傾動は規制部材における制止部７１ｂが基枠体のストッパ部５１ｅと当接して制止され、係合案内部７１ａの先端部が第１昇降杆の係合部５３ｄ下方に突出した状態で制止保持される（図１０→図１１）。
【００３６】
このように第１昇降杆の係合部５３ｄが規制部材の係合案内部７１ａを越えて上動して規制部材７１が制止保持されると、その後解錠操作の捻り力を開放してバネ５７の付勢力で第１昇降作動杆５３が下降しようとしても、係止部５３ｄの下端面が規制部材７１の係止端面７１auと当接して係止され、その係止位置以下に第１昇降作動杆５３が下降することが規制される。
【００３７】
第１昇降作動杆５３の規制位置は、フック部材５５と受け具６５との関係において、図１１に示すように、第１昇降作動杆５３の上動に伴って傾動されるフック部材５５の上端部５５ａが受け具６５の下端部６５ａとの解離位置Ｐ₁を越えて下方に傾動され、さらに所定のクリアランスｈを保持する位置（「解錠保持位置」という）Ｐ₂となるように設定されている。
【００３８】
このため、解錠操作に基づいて第１昇降作動杆５３が上動され、フック部材５５が受け具６５との解離位置Ｐ₁を越えて解錠保持位置Ｐ₂まで傾動されると、規制部材７１が傾動して係止端面７１auと第１昇降作動杆の係合部５３ｄとが係合し、第１昇降作動杆５３と連接するフック部材５５を解錠保持位置Ｐ₂に拘束する。従って、管理者が鍵を捻り操作を維持したまま引き出し操作する必要がなく、例えば打球発射装置３３の操作ハンドル部３３ａや下皿部３４など、引き出し操作や支持操作が容易な部位を把持して前枠組立体を楽に横引きし開放することができる。これにより、解錠操作の煩雑さや作業負担を軽減して前枠組立体を楽に開放し得る施錠装置を提供することができる。
【００３９】
また、前枠組立体を開放して所望の作業を行った後、閉鎖保持して遊技に供するときには、規制部材７１に設けられた摘み部７１ｃを手動操作して図１１中に二点鎖線で示すように傾動させることにより、係止端面７１auと第１昇降作動杆の係合部５３ｄとの係合を開放することができる。このとき、第１昇降作動杆５３及びこれと連接するフック部材５５は、第１昇降作動杆５３を下方に向けて付勢するバネ５７の付勢力により、元の施錠保持状態に復帰保持される。
【００４０】
この施錠保持状態において前枠組立体を閉鎖させ施錠させるときのフック部材５５の傾動状態を図１２(a)(b)(c)に時系列で示している。施錠保持状態で前枠組立体を閉じて行くと（図１２(a)）、フック部材５５前縁に形成された斜面状の係合案内部５５ｂと受け具６５の下端部６５ａとが当接し（図１２(b)）、更に前枠前面側から押圧されると、フック部材５５は受け具６５から抗力を受けて下方に押圧され、その結果、第１昇降作動杆５３に作用するバネ５７の付勢力に抗して傾動連接支点５４を支点として傾動される。そして、係合案内面５５ｂが受け具下端部６５ａと滑るように係合しながら傾動され、係合案内面５５ｂの上端部５５ａが受け具との係合を外れる位置、すなわち解離位置Ｐ₁を越えると、受け具６５から受ける抗力が開放され第１昇降作動杆５３に作用するバネ５７の付勢力によって施錠保持状態に復帰保持される（図１２(c)）。
【００４１】
ここで、前述した解錠保持位置Ｐ₂との関係については、図１１に示したように解錠保持位置Ｐ₂はフック部材の上端部５５ａが解離位置Ｐ₁を越えてさらに所定のクリアランスｈだけ傾動された角度位置に設定されているため、上記のようにフック部材５５が解離位置Ｐ₁まで強制的に傾動された角度位置では、第１昇降作動杆５３及びフック部材５５は未だ解錠保持されない。従って、上記したようにフック部材５５が自己復帰し施錠保持状態が維持される。これにより、施錠時に鍵を用いて解錠状態を維持して閉鎖操作する必要がなく、簡便な操作で前枠組立体を閉鎖することができる。
【００４２】
次に、解錠検出部８０について更に図１３を加えて説明する。解錠検出部８０は既に図４から図１１の各図に示したように、例えばリミットスイッチ８１と第１昇降作動杆５３に形成したスイッチ操作部５３ｅとから構成し、このリミットスイッチ８１が昇降作動杆５３（スイッチ操作部５３ｅ）の解錠方向への変化を検出したことに基づいて、図１３に示すように遊技機の制御基板８５を介して前枠前面側に設けられたランプ９１や、遊技施設の管理室等に設けられたランプ９１やスピーカ９２、管理用コンピュータのＣＲＴ画面等の報知手段９０を作動し得るように構成されている。
【００４３】
第１昇降作動杆５３には前枠後方に突出する凸形のスイッチ操作部５３ｅが形成されるとともに、リミットスイッチ８１はこのスイッチ操作部と対峙するように前枠２０にネジ等の固定手段で取り付けられている。その相対位置関係は、図７に示すように、施錠保持状態においてスイッチ接点がノーマル状態（例えばノーマル・クローズ型(Ｂ接型)のスイッチにおいてクローズ状態）であり、第１昇降作動杆５３が所定量以上解錠方向に変位したときに操作状態（同、オープン状態）になるように設定されている。
【００４４】
そこで、例えば、スイッチ接点がノーマル状態から操作状態に変化するターニングポイントを前述した解離位置Ｐ₁近傍に設定し、この解離位置Ｐ₁を越えてフック部材が解錠側に傾動されているときに前枠前面側に設けられたランプ９１を点灯させるように構成にすることができる。このような構成によれば、解錠保持機構７０によって第１昇降作動杆５３の自己復帰作動が規制され、フック部材５５が解錠保持位置に保持されているときにランプ９１が点灯された報知状態となるため、規制部材の規制解除操作を忘れて前枠を閉鎖させたような場合であっても、その状態が前枠前面側から確認可能である。これにより、上記のような解錠保持機構７０を有する施錠装置において施錠装置の施錠・解錠状態が如何にあるかを前枠前面側から確認でき、施錠忘れを未然に防止することができる。
【００４５】
また、例えば、スイッチ接点のターニングポイントを、第１昇降作動杆５３が施錠保持状態の位置からわずかに上動した位置に設定し、所定時間内にこのスイッチ接点が所定回数以上の頻度で開閉されたときに制御基板８５が異常と判断し、遊技機の外部出力端子基板を介して遊技施設の管理室等に設けられたランプ９１やスピーカ９２等を作動させ、あるいは管理用コンピュータのＣＲＴ画面上に当該遊技機に異常がある旨のワーニング表示を行うように構成することもできる。
【００４６】
施錠装置の錠６２に合致した適正な鍵を用いずに解錠させようとする不正解錠操作では、特殊な工具等を用いて錠６２を無理に解錠させバネ５７の付勢力に抗して第１昇降作動杆５３を上動させようとすることから、第１昇降作動杆５３が一度に解錠位置まで上動することは稀であり、一般に、不規則な上下動を繰り返しながら上動される。従って、上記のような設定構成によれば、不正な解錠操作を検知することができるとともに、このような解錠操作に基づく不正行為を未然に防止することができる施錠装置を提供することができる。
【００４７】
なお、上記のような不正解錠操作の防止を目的とする解錠検出部８０にあっては、解錠保持機構７０は必ずしも併設する必要はなく、解錠保持機構７０のない施錠装置においても同様に構成し、同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００４８】
次に、解錠保持機構及び解錠検出部の他の好ましい実施例を、第２実施例として図１４に示す。図１４は図１０と同様に上記機構部等の要部詳細図（側面図）であり、施錠装置の主要部はこれまでに説明したと同様に構成されている。以下第１実施例と同一の構成要素については同一番号を付して重複説明を省略し、異なる構成要素についてその構成と作用を説明する。
【００４９】
まず、本実施例における解錠保持機構１７０は、前述した解錠保持機構７０と同様に第１昇降作動杆５３が解錠操作に基づいて上動され、フック部材５５が解錠保持位置Ｐ₂まで傾動されたときに、第１昇降作動杆５３の施錠方向への自己復帰作動を規制して解錠保持状態を維持する解錠保持機構である。
【００５０】
解錠保持機構１７０は、規制部材１７１、該規制部材１７１を基枠体５１から一定間隔をもって隔離配設させるスペーサ７３、先端部が規制部材１７１の軸孔とスペーサ７３の軸孔を通して基枠体５１に固着され、規制部材１７１を所定位置に傾動自在に支持する支点７４、基枠体５１の立設部に形成されて前記支点７４を介して規制部材を支持する支持部５１ｄ、規制部材１７１の先端部と基枠体との間に張り渡されて規制部材１７１を第１昇降作動杆方向に付勢する引っ張りバネ１７２、基枠体５１の立設部から規制部材方向に折り曲げ成形されて突出し上記付勢された規制部材の制止部１７１ｃを制止支持するストッパ部５１ｅ、及び第１昇降作動杆５３から規制部材方向に突出して固着配設され規制部材１７１と係合可能なピン状の係合部１５３ｄなどで構成されている。
【００５１】
規制部材１７１には、係合部１５３ｄと係脱可能に係合し得る係合案内部１７１ａ、前記ストッパ部５１ｅと当接可能な位置に形成された制止部１７１ｂ、引っ張りバネ１７２の掛止端であるとともに、規制部材の係合を解除するときに手動操作可能な摘み部１７５が形成され、下端部が支持部５１に支点７４で傾動可能に支持されている。係合案内部１７１ａには当該係合案内部の下端面を構成する斜面状の案内端面１７１adと、係合案内部の係合案内部の上端面を構成する水平面状の係止端面１７１auとが形成されている。
【００５２】
規制部材１７１は基枠体の支持部５１ｄにおいて支点７４を介して傾動可能に支持されて、常には引っ張りバネ１７２の付勢力により第１昇降作動杆の係合部１５３ｄの方向に向けて付勢されるとともに、その制止部１７１ｂが基枠体のストッパ部５１ｅに当接して係合案内部１７１ａにおける案内端面１７１adと第１昇降杆５３における係合部１５３ｄとが当接直前となる所定位置に制止保持される。
【００５３】
このように構成される解錠保持機構１７０において、解錠操作が行われて第１昇降作動杆５３が上動されると、図１０及び図１１を参照して前述したと同様にして、第１昇降作動杆に固着されたピン状の係合部１５３ｄがこれに伴って上動し、規制部材の案内端面１７１adを押圧する。規制部材１７１はこの係合部１５３ｄに押圧されて、案内端面１７１adがピン上を滑るように逃げて支点７４を回動中心として傾動され、規制部材１７１は第１昇降作動杆５３の上動に伴って傾動される。そして、係合部１５３ｄが係合案内部１７１ａの上端角部を越えると、係合案内部１７１ａと係合部１５３ｄとの係合が解除され、規制部材１７１は引っ張りバネ１７２の付勢力によって制止部１７１ｂがストッパ部５１ｅと当接して制止される角度位置まで傾動復帰され、当該位置で制止保持される。
【００５４】
このため、規制部材１７１が傾動復帰して制止保持された後には、第１昇降作動杆５３がバネ５７の付勢力で下降しようとしても、係止部１５３ｄが規制部材１７１の係止端面１７１auと当接して係止され（図１４に二点鎖線で示す）、その係止位置以下に第１昇降作動杆５３が下降することが規制される。この規制位置におけるフック部材５５と受け具６５との関係は、既に図１１を用いて説明したと同様であり、フック部材５５の上端部５５ａが受け具６５の下端部６５ａとの間に所定のクリアランスｈを保持する解錠保持位置Ｐ₂となるように設定されている。
【００５５】
従って、管理者が鍵を捻り操作を維持したまま引き出し操作する必要がなく、例えば打球発射装置の操作ハンドル部３３ａや下皿部３４など、引き出し操作や支持操作が容易な部位を把持して前枠組立体を楽に横引きし開放することができる。これにより、解錠操作の煩雑さや作業負担を軽減して前枠組立体を楽に開放し得る施錠装置を提供することができる。また、本実施例によれば昇降動する係合部としてピン状の係合部１５３ｄを用いているため、規制部材１７１との摩擦係数が小さく、傾動作動(規制作動)、解除作動とも滑らかな作動を保証することができ、摩耗を低減して長期信頼性の高い解錠保持機構を有した施錠装置を提供できる。
【００５６】
また、前枠組立体を開放して所望の作業を行った後に閉鎖保持して遊技に供するときには、規制部材１７１に設けられた摘み部１７５を手動操作して規制部材を傾動させることにより、係止端面１７１auと第１昇降作動杆の係合部１５３ｄとの係合を開放することができる。本実施例では摘み部１７５を規制部材の傾動端部に設けているため、モーメントアームが長くなり軽い開放力で係合を開放することができる。
【００５７】
係合が開放されると、第１昇降作動杆５３及びこれと連接するフック部材５５は、第１昇降作動杆５３を下方に向けて付勢するバネ５７の付勢力により、元の施錠保持状態に復帰保持される。なお、施錠保持状態において前枠組立体を閉鎖させ施錠させるときのフック部材５５の傾動状態は図１２(a)(b)(c)に時系列で示したものと同様である。従って、前枠閉鎖時に鍵を用いて解錠状態を維持したまま閉鎖操作する必要がなく、簡便な操作で前枠組立体を閉鎖することができる。
【００５８】
また、本実施例における解錠検出部１８０は、前示した解錠検出部８０と同様の構成において、第１昇降作動杆５３に形成するスイッチ操作部として円筒状のコロ１８２を用い、このコロをピン１８３で回動自在に軸支して第１昇降作動杆５３に取り付けている。リミットスイッチ１８１とコロ１８２との相対位置関係は前述した解錠検出部８０と同様の位置関係に配設されており、リミットスイッチ１８１の検出信号は、図１３に示すように遊技機の制御基板８５を介して前枠前面側に設けられたランプ９１や、遊技施設の管理室等に設けられたランプ９１やスピーカ９２、管理用コンピュータのＣＲＴ画面等の報知手段９０を作動し得るように構成されている。
【００５９】
このため、解錠操作に基づいて第１昇降作動杆５３が上動し、所定量以上解錠方向に変位したときにその解錠操作を検知することができる。従って、例えば上記のような解錠保持機構１７０を有する施錠装置において、フック部材５５が受け具６５との解離位置Ｐ₁を越えて解錠方向にあるときに前枠に設けたランプ９１を点灯作動等させることにより、施錠装置の施錠・解錠状態が如何にあるかを前枠前面側から確認でき、施錠忘れを未然に防止することができる。
【００６０】
また、施錠装置の錠６２に合致した適正な鍵を用いずに解錠させようとする不正解錠操作では、特殊な工具等を用いて錠６２を無理に解錠させバネ５７の付勢力に抗して第１昇降作動杆５３を上動させようとすることから、第１昇降作動杆５３が一度に解錠位置まで上動することは稀であり、一般に、不規則な上下動を繰り返しながら上動される。
【００６１】
従って、例えば所定時間内にこのスイッチ接点が所定回数以上の頻度で開閉されたときに制御基板８５が異常と判断し、遊技機の外部出力端子基板を介して遊技施設の管理室等に設けられたランプ９１やスピーカ９２等を作動させ、あるいは管理用コンピュータのＣＲＴ画面上に当該遊技機に異常がある旨のワーニング表示を行う構成とすることにより、不正な解錠操作を検知してこのような解錠操作に基づく不正行為を未然に防止することができる。またこれ等の本構成によれば、スイッチ操作部とリミットスイッチの作動杆との摩擦摺動による摩耗を低減し、長期信頼性が高い解錠検出部を有した施錠装置を提供することができる。
【００６２】
次に、図１５には本発明に係る解錠保持機構の第３実施例を示している。この解錠保持機構２７０は、以上に説明した二つの解錠保持機構７０，１７０と略同一の機構構成において、規制部材の先端部にその形態的特徴を有するものである。すなわち、この解錠保持機構２７０の規制部材２７１は、例えば第１実施例と同様に捻りバネ７２を用いて基枠体の支持部５１ｄに傾動自在に取り付けられており、その係合案内部２７１ａには斜面状の案内端面２７１adと水平面状の係止端面２７１auとが形成されている。第１昇降作動杆（不図示）には、案内端面２７１adと係合して規制部材を傾動させ、また係止端面２７１auに係止されるピン状の係合部２５３ｄが固着されている（図１４参照）。
【００６３】
ここで、規制部材２７１には、規制部材の傾動軌跡に応じた円弧状の案内長孔２７１ｄが形成されており、その円弧の位置及び長さは係合案内部２７１ａの所定傾動角度範囲に基づいて形成されている。規制部材２７１は捻りバネ７２やスペーサ７３を介して支点７４で基枠体の支持部５１ｄに係止されるとともに、案内長孔２７１ｄを通して基枠体に固着される案内ピン２７６でその傾動範囲が規制支持されている。このため、規制部材２７１は支点７４を傾動中心に傾動自在であるとともに、案内長孔２７１ｄの左右端部位置において案内ピン２７６と当接して傾動範囲が規制される。
【００６４】
すなわち、本実施例ではこの案内ピン２７６と案内長孔２７１ｄとが捻りバネ７２の付勢力に抗して規制部材２７１の傾動を規制制止するストッパ（５１ｅ）の機能を果たすとともに、係合案内部２７１ａと係合部２５３ｄとの係合を開放する際の反係合方向への傾動をも規制する機能を有している。このため、例えば解錠保持状態の規制を解除するために手動操作で規制部材２７１を反係合方向に傾動操作するときに、過度の引っ張り力で捻りバネ７２や引っ張りバネ１７２等の付勢手段を破損させてしまう等の心配がない。
【００６５】
また本構成によれば、規制部材２７１の先端部が案内長孔２７１ｄにおいて案内ピン２７６により軸直角方向に緩く支持されるとともに、案内ピン２７６の頭部で軸方向にも支持されるため、例えば解錠保持状態でフック部材５５に無理な外力が作用し、規制部材２７１が強く下方に押圧されるような状態が発生しても規制部材２７１が座屈変形したり支点７４が破損したりすることがない。従って、簡便な構成で規制部材の両方向への傾動規制を行うとともに、耐破損性・耐久性を高めた解錠保持機構を有した施錠装置を提供することができる。
【００６６】
また、本実施例の規制部材２７１においては、係合案内部２７１ａの上端角部に円弧状の面取りを施して逃がし案内部２７１arを形成している。係止端面２７１auに係止された係合部２５３ｄの係合を開放して解錠保持状態を解除するためには、規制部材２７１を支点７４を傾動中心として傾動させる必要があるが、このとき係合案内部２７１ａの上端角部は僅かに上昇するような円弧状の軌跡を描く。すなわち、このように傾動させるためには係止端面２７１auと２５３ｄとの摩擦抵抗力のみならず、第１昇降作動杆５３に下向きに作用するバネ５７の付勢力に抗して第１昇降作動杆５３を上動させる力が必要になる。
【００６７】
上記のように係合案内部２７１ａの上端角部に円弧状の逃がし案内部２７１arを形成した規制部材２７１では、その先端部が描く傾動軌跡の半径を小さくすることができ、これにより係合を開放するために第１昇降作動杆５３を上動させる移動量を低減させることができる。また、逃がし案内部をこのように円弧状に形成することにより係合部２５３ｄを滑らかに案内することができる。従って、解錠保持状態を解除する際の操作力を低減して軽い操作力で滑らかに解錠状態を解除できる解錠保持機構を提供することができる。なお、以上説明した各解錠保持機構の各部形態はそれぞれ適宜組み合わせて適用可能であることはいうまでもない。
【００６８】
次に、解錠検出部の他の好ましい実施例について図１６を参照して説明する。図１６(a)(b)は、解錠検出部の第３実施例及び第４実施例を示しており、このうち図１６(a)に示す第３実施例にかかる解錠検出部３８０は、第１昇降作動杆５３に略矩形状の突出部として形成した被検出部３５３ｅと、投光部と受光部とがこの被検出部３５３ｅを跨ぐようにして基枠体５１もしくは前枠２０に取り付けられたフォトインタラプタ３８１とから構成されている。
【００６９】
フォトインタラプタ３８１と被検出部３５３ｅとの相対位置関係（すなわちフォトインタラプタ３８１の透光状態から遮光状態へのターニングポイント）は、前述した解錠検出部８０におけるリミットスイッチ８１とスイッチ操作部５３ｅとの相対位置関係と同様の位置関係に配設されており、フォトインタラプタ３８１からの検出信号は、図１３に示したように遊技機の制御基板８５を介して前枠前面側に設けられたランプ９１や、遊技施設の管理室等に設けられたランプ９１やスピーカ９２、管理用コンピュータのＣＲＴ画面等の報知手段９０を作動し得るように構成されている。
【００７０】
このため、解錠操作に基づいて第１昇降作動杆５３が上動し、所定量以上解錠方向に変位したときにその解錠操作を検知することができる。従って、例えば前述した解錠保持機構（７０，１７０，２７０等）を有する施錠装置において、フック部材５５が受け具６５との解離位置Ｐ₁を越えて解錠方向にあるときに前枠に設けたランプ９１を点灯作動等させることにより、施錠装置の施錠・解錠状態が如何にあるかを前枠前面側から確認でき、施錠忘れを未然に防止することができる。
【００７１】
また、施錠装置の錠６２に合致した適正な鍵を用いずに解錠させようとする不正解錠操作では、特殊な工具等を用いて錠６２を無理に解錠させバネ５７の付勢力に抗して第１昇降作動杆５３を上動させようとすることから、第１昇降作動杆５３が一度に解錠位置まで上動することは稀であり、一般に、不規則な上下動を繰り返しながら上動される。
【００７２】
従って、例えば所定時間内にフォトインタラプタ３８１の投光部と受光部間が所定回数以上の頻度で遮断されたときに制御基板８５が異常と判断し、遊技機の外部出力端子基板を介して遊技施設の管理室等に設けられたランプ９１やスピーカ９２等を作動させ、あるいは管理用コンピュータのＣＲＴ画面上に当該遊技機に異常がある旨のワーニング表示を行う構成とすることにより、不正な解錠操作を検知してこのような解錠操作に基づく不正行為を未然に防止することができる。またこれ等の構成によれば、フォトインタラプタ３８１が第１昇降作動杆の解錠方向の移動を非接触で検出することができるため、長期信頼性が高い解錠検出部を有した施錠装置を提供することができる。
【００７３】
図１６(b)に示す第４実施例の解錠検出部４８０は、上記第３実施例の解錠検出部３８０と略同様の構成において、第１昇降作動杆５３に形成する被検出部４５３ｅに光を透過するスリット状の透光部４５３etを形成し、制御基板８５がフォトインタラプタ４８１（不図示）からの検出信号に基づいて異常判断するように構成したものである。図１６(b)には被検出部４５３ｅに二カ所の透光部４５３etを形成した例を示しており、施錠保持状態においては図１６(a)に示したと同様の配設位置関係（透光状態）にある。
【００７４】
解錠操作に基づいて第１昇降作動杆５３が上動されると、この透光部を有する被検出部がフォトインタラプタの投光部と受光部との間を移動し、このときに被検出部４５３ｅに設けた透光部４５３etの配置形態（被検出部の構成形態）に応じた検出信号が出力される。すなわち、フォトインタラプタ４８１からの検出信号は、図中に▲１▼から▲７▼の番号を付して示す各領域に対して、初期の透光状態▲１▼から→▲２▼遮光→▲３▼透光→▲４▼遮光→▲５▼透光→▲６▼遮光へと変化し、本実施例では最終的に▲７▼の透光状態まで変化して解錠保持されるように設定している。
【００７５】
このため、正常な解錠操作に基づいて検出される信号パターンは、その解錠操作の速さ（鍵を捻り操作する回転速度）によって異なるものの、図１７(a)(b)に示すように所定時間内に被検出部４５３ｅの構成形態に対応した信号パターンが検出される。一方、例えば不正な解錠操作が行われたときには、例えば図１７(e)に示すように、一般に、不規則に遮光、透光が繰り返される信号パターンが検出される。また、スリット部やセンサ部等に不正を行ったときには、例えば図１７(c)や(d)に示すように、遮光状態が維持されたままになったり遮光→透光が一度のみであったりするような被検出部４５３ｅの構成形態と一致しない信号パターンが検出される。
【００７６】
従って、制御基板８５に予め正常な解錠操作時の信号パターンを記憶させておき、制御基板８５が正常な信号パターンと随時フォトインタラプタ４８１から入力される検出信号とを比較して、異なるパターンの信号が検出されたときに異常があると判断すること、あるいは制御基板８５に予め所定の異常判断基準を記憶させておきその基準を越えたときに異常があると判断すること、などにより不正な解錠操作を検知することができる。なお、具体的な異常判断基準は種々の基準が考案されるが、その一例を示せば、例えば図示した実施例において、最初の遮光状態検出から所定時間ｔ_o内に３つ以上の遮光状態が検出された場合や、一定時間以上遮光状態が継続して検出された場合、あるいは最初の遮光状態検出から所定時間内ｔ_o内に３つの遮光状態と２つの透光状態をへて透光状態が検出されない場合、等が例示される。
【００７７】
そして上記のようにして異常と判断された時に、制御基板８５が遊技機の外部出力端子基板を介して遊技施設の管理室等に設けられたランプ９１やスピーカ９２等を作動させ、あるいは管理用コンピュータのＣＲＴ画面上に当該遊技機に異常がある旨のワーニング表示を行う構成とすることにより、不正な解錠操作に基づく不正行為を未然に防止することができる。またこれ等の構成によれば、フォトインタラプタ３８１が第１昇降作動杆の解錠方向の移動を非接触で検出することができるため、機械的な電気接点を有するスイッチよりもチャタリングが少なくなり、より正確な不正検出が可能になるとともに、長期信頼性が高い解錠検出部を有した施錠装置を提供することができる。
【００７８】
なお、第３及び第４実施例において解錠検出部３８０，４８０を不正操作防止装置として設定し使用する場合には、解錠保持機構は必ずしも併設する必要はない。一方、第４実施例において解錠保持機構と併設する場合には、解錠保持を解除して前枠組立体を閉鎖させるときに、フック部材の傾動作用により第１昇降作動杆が強制的に昇降作動され（図１２参照）、これに伴ってフォトインタラプタ４８１からこの昇降作動に基づいた遮光−透光信号が制御基板に入力される。
【００７９】
そこで、例えば解錠保持機構の近傍にリセットボタンを設けてその信号を制御基板８５に入力させ、あるいは後述するように規制部材の傾動を検出する検出手段を設けてその検出信号を制御基板８５に入力させ、解錠保持状態を解除する際にこのリセットボタンを押圧させ、あるいは規制解除検出手段から規制部材の傾動（係合解除）を検出したときに、一定時間だけ異常判断を行わないように構成することにより、簡便な構成で上記強制的な第１昇降作動杆の昇降作動に伴う誤検出を防止することができる。
【００８０】
あるいは、例えば解錠保持状態を解除したときにフォトインタラプタで検出される信号パターン、及び前枠組立体を閉鎖するときにフォトインタラプタで検出される信号パターンを制御基板８５に設定記憶させておき、上述した不正解錠操作防止の異常判断と同様の異常判断手法を用いて判断する構成とすることにより、第１昇降作動杆の強制的な昇降作動に伴う誤検出を防止することができるとともに、前枠が閉鎖されて施錠状態にあるか否かを確実に検出してその状態を報知可能な施錠装置を提供することができる。
【００８１】
なお、上記第３及び第４実施例では検出手段としてフォトインタラプタを用いて第１昇降作動杆の昇降作動を検出する例を開示したが、検出手段はフォトインタラプタのような透光−遮光状態を検出する手段に限定されるものではなく、例えば、被検出部からの光の反射状態の有無を検出するものであっても良く、更に近接スイッチやリードスイッチのように磁気的に検出するものであっても良い。また、第４実施例における被検出部４５３の構成形態、例えば透光部の配設数を増減させたり、施錠保持状態で遮光状態となるように相対位置関係を設定すること、施錠保持状態と解錠保持状態とで透光と遮光とを反対となるように設定すること、また異常と判断する判断基準などについては適宜変更可能である。
【００８２】
次に、解錠検出部のさらに他の好ましい実施例について図１８を参照して説明する。図示する解錠検出部５８０は、解錠検出部の第５実施例を示しており、第１実施例に開示した解錠保持機構７０において、規制部材７１の傾動位置状態をリミットスイッチ５８１で検出し、その検出信号を図１３に示す制御基板８５に入力して構成している。本実施例においてリミットスイッチ５８１の接点が切り替わるターニングポイント、例えば、スイッチ接点がオープン状態からクローズ状態に変化する変化点は、第１昇降作動杆５３の係合部５３ｄが規制部材７１の案内端面７１auと係合して上動し規制部材７１を傾動させるときの最大傾倒角よりも僅かに小さい傾倒角度位置に設定されている。
【００８３】
このような構成の解錠検出部５８０では、解錠操作に基づいて第１昇降作動杆５３が上動し、第１昇降作動杆５３の係合部５３ｄが規制部材７１の案内端面７１auと係合して規制部材７１を傾動させる過程（最大傾倒角直前）において最大傾倒角直前でその接点がオープン状態からクローズ状態に切り替わり、規制部材における係合案内部７１ａの先端部が係合部５３ｄに乗り上げてこの表面を当接しながら滑っている間クローズ状態が維持され、第１昇降作動杆５３のさらなる上昇により係合部５３ｄと係合案内部との係合が解除されて規制部材７１が捻りバネ７２の付勢力で自己傾動復帰したとき、すなわち解錠保持状態の傾動角度位置になったときに接点がクローズ状態からオープン状態切り替わって、オープン状態が保持される。すなわち、施錠保持状態から解錠保持状態への変化に伴ってリミットスイッチ５８１の接点が一度オープン状態になる。
【００８４】
また、解錠保持状態での所定作業が終了し、規制部材７１による第１昇降作動杆５３の規制を解除するときには、摘み部７１ｃを反係合方向に引いて規制部材７１を傾動させ、係止端面７１auと係合部５３ｄとの係合を開放させる。係止端面７１auと係合部５３ｄとの係合を開放させるためには上記最大傾倒角まで規制部材７１を傾動させる必要があり、このときに再びスイッチ接点がクローズ状態からオープン状態になる。すなわち、解錠保持状態を解除する際にリミットスイッチ５８１の接点が一度オープン状態になる。
【００８５】
制御基板８５はリミットスイッチから入力される検出信号を監視し、スイッチ接点がオープン状態になった回数を加算カウントする。例えば始業点検後に前枠組立体が閉鎖されている状態でのカウント値を初期値として記憶させ、当該カウント値が奇数の場合には解錠状態、複数の場合には施錠状態であると判断する。そして、例えば解錠状態であると判断されるときに、前枠に設けたランプ９１を点灯作動等させることにより、施錠装置の施錠・解錠状態が如何にあるかを前枠前面側から確認でき、施錠忘れや規制部材の復帰忘れなどを防止することができる。
【００８６】
あるいは、制御基板８５が解錠状態の検出時間が予め設定された所定時間を超えて検出されたときに異常と判断し、遊技機の外部出力端子基板を介して遊技施設の管理室等に設けられたランプ９１やスピーカ９２等を作動させ、あるいは管理用コンピュータのＣＲＴ画面上に当該遊技機が解錠状態のままである旨のワーニング表示を行う構成とすることにより、施錠忘れや不正解錠された状態のまま遊技に供されることを防止し、公正な遊技に供することができる。
【００８７】
なお、上記第５実施例では検出手段としてリミットスイッチ５８１を用い、このスイッチで規制部材７１の傾動位置を検出する例を開示したが、検出手段は規制部材の傾動状態を検出可能なものであれば良く、例えば、規制部材における制止部７１ｂの変位をフォトインタラプタ等の光学的検出段や近接スイッチのような磁気的検出手段で検出するものであってもよい。また、例えば規制部材７１に傾動軸を一体的に設けて基枠体においてこの傾動軸を回転自在に支持し、この傾動軸の回転角度を検出するものであっても良い。
【００８８】
なお、以上説明した解錠検出部の各実施例では、施錠装置５０の解錠・施錠状態を検知する手段として、解錠操作に伴って昇降作動しフック部材を傾動させる第１昇降作動杆５３の昇降状態を検出して検知する例と、解錠操作に基づいて傾動され第１昇降作動杆及びフック部材を解錠保持位置に係止保持する規制部材の傾動位置を検出して検知する例とを開示したが、検出部位はこれに限ることなく、例えばフック部材５５の傾動位置を検出するものであっても良い。また、各実施例に開示した解錠検出部は、各実施例に開示したようにそれぞれ単独で用いるのみならず、複合的に用いて施錠装置を構成しても良い。さらにこれ等の解錠検出部を第２昇降作動杆に対しても同様に構成することにより同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００８９】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の遊技機の施錠装置は、前枠に固定された基枠体に対して昇降自在に支持されて常には施錠方向に付勢保持された昇降作動杆と、基枠体に傾動連結支点を持つとともに昇降作動杆に繋がれて常には外枠に配設された受け具と施錠係合状態に保持され、この受け具との解離位置を基準にして係脱可能なフック部材と、基枠体の所定部位または近傍所定部位に傾動可能に支持されて常には昇降作動杆に対する係合方向に付勢保持された規制部材とを備え、昇降作動杆の所定部位には規制部材に設けられた係合案内部に対して係脱可能な係合部が形成されている。そして、解錠操作に基づく昇降作動杆の解錠方向への変位に伴ってフック部材が受け具から解離した以降の位置において、規制部材が傾動して昇降作動杆の係合部が規制部材の係合案内部の所定位置に係合し、昇降作動杆とともにフック部材を解錠保持位置に拘束する。一方、規制部材を反係合方向へ変位させて係合部が係合案内部から解かれることにより、昇降作動杆が付勢自己復帰し、フック部材を元の施錠保持状態に復帰保持しうるように設定して施錠装置が構成されている。
【００９０】
すなわち、解錠操作に基づいてフック部材が解錠保持位置を超えて傾動されると、規制部材を反係合方向に変位させるまでその解錠保持状態が維持され、解錠操作の力を開放してもフック部材はその解錠保持位置に拘束される。このため、前枠組立体を開放する際に、一旦解錠保持位置まで解錠操作を行った後は、鍵を捻り操作した状態のまま保持する必要がなく、例えば打球発射装置の操作ハンドル部や下皿部など、引き出し操作や支持操作が容易な場所を把持して横引きし前枠組立体を開放することができる。従って、解錠操作の煩雑さや作業負担を軽減して前枠組立体を楽に開放し得るようにした遊技機の施錠装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る施錠装置を備える遊技機の一実施例として示すパチンコ機の正面図である。
【図２】上記パチンコ機の背面図である。
【図３】上記パチンコ機の斜視図である。
【図４】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置の全体構成を示す側面図である。
【図５】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置の全体構成を示す背面図である。
【図６】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置の要部を分解して示す斜視図である。
【図７】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置の施錠状態を示す側面図である。
【図８】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置を示す背面図である。
【図９】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置の要部を示す背面図である。
【図１０】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置の解錠操作時における各要部の作用を示す要部詳細側面図である。
【図１１】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置の解錠保持状態における各要部の位置状態を示す要部詳細側面図である。
【図１２】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置の閉鎖施錠時における動作状態を示す説明図である。
【図１３】本発明の第１実施例に係る施錠装置の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１４】本発明の第２実施例に係る施錠装置の要部を示す側面図である。
【図１５】本発明の施錠装置の第３実施例に係る解錠保持機構の要部を拡大して示す側面図である。
【図１６】本発明の施錠装置に用いた解錠検出部の第３実施例及び第４実施例の要部を示す側面図であり、このうち(a)図は第３実施例、(b)図は第４実施例の各構成を示す。
【図１７】上記第４実施例の解錠検出部による検出信号例を示す説明図である。
【図１８】本発明の施錠装置に用いた解錠検出部の第５実施例の要部を示す側面図である。
【符号の説明】
ＰＭパチンコ機（遊技機）
Ｐ₁ 解離位置
Ｐ₂ 解錠保持位置（フック部材が受け具から解離した以降の位置）
１ヒンジ部
１０外枠
２０前枠
５０施錠装置
５１基枠体
５３第１昇降作動杆（昇降作動杆）
５３ｄ，１５３ｄ，２５３ｄ係合部
５４傾動連結支点
５５フック部材
６５受け具
７１，１７１，２７１規制部材
７１ａ，１７１ａ，２７１ａ係合案内部
８１，１８１，５８１リミットスイッチ（検出手段）
３８１フォトインタラプタ（検出手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a locking device for a gaming machine, and more specifically, an outer frame for fixing and holding, and a front frame for opening and closing equipped with necessary game components via a hinge portion (opening and closing connection support means). In particular, the present invention relates to a locking device that can lock and unlock a front frame with respect to an outer frame.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Typical examples of this type of gaming machine include a gaming machine using a pachinko ball (hereinafter also referred to as a pachinko machine) and a slot gaming machine. In these gaming machines, an outer frame for a fixed holding frame configured as a predetermined frame size as a machine frame or a machine body, and an opening / closing mounting configured in a square frame size adapted to the front opening surface area of the outer frame A front frame for a frame is connected and supported so as to be openable and closable via a hinge portion disposed on one side edge of each other, and a locking device of an unlocking operation form disposed on the other side edge of each other It is used to be opened and closed and closed.
[0003]
For example, in a pachinko machine, as a necessary structural member for this front frame, a storage frame for storing and holding a game board, a glass window (glass door) covering the front of the game board, upper and lower ball plates, a ball hitting device, and related Components, various electrical parts, back mechanism panel with ball storage / discharge section, various control / relay boards, etc. are equipped at each setting reference position, and required gauge settings (various game components and many A game board as a game development member constituting a game area based on the setting of the game nail is set and held detachably in a vertical orientation in a horizontal posture in the housing frame with the game surface as a front surface. Hereinafter, the front frame to which these components are attached is referred to as a “front frame assembly”.
[0004]
In this way, a large number of back mechanism boards, ball hitting devices, various control boards, etc. are arranged on the back side of the game board so that each part can be inspected and adjusted during or after the game. There is a need. On the other hand, the back mechanism board, control board, and the like are areas for directly managing the ball, so it is necessary to prevent the player from touching or performing unauthorized operations. For this reason, in such a gaming machine, the front frame assembly is opened / closed / removed by using the hinge portion at the upper and lower portions of one side edge with respect to the outer frame which is also a fixed holding frame fixedly held by the frame member of the gaming facility. The front frame assembly is closed and held on the outer frame during play by a locking device provided on the other side edge, and can be unlocked with a key from the front side of the front frame when necessary. Therefore, the manager of the game facility unlocks it using a key suitable for the lock, and opens the front frame assembly by pulling the front frame forward, and the back mechanism board and control board disposed on the back of the game board Etc. can be inspected and adjusted. As an example of such a locking device, for example, there is a locking device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-96893.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, since the locking device used in such a gaming machine is based on the premise that the front frame assembly is always held in the outer frame in a closed state, it is attached to the front frame and the receiving device on the outer frame side by the unlocking operation. The hook member that is disengaged is a locking device in a so-called unlocking operation form in which the hook member is always urged in a direction to maintain the locking engagement state with the receiving member except during the unlocking operation. For this reason, when unlocking with the key and attempting to open the front frame assembly, the key is twisted against the urging force to disengage the hook member from the receiver and the disengaged state. There is a problem that the operation is troublesome because it is necessary to pull out the front frame assembly while maintaining the above (that is, while twisting the key against the urging force).
[0006]
Further, in a vertical type gaming machine that holds a large number of pachinko balls in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, the weight of equipment on the entire front frame side becomes a considerable weight. For this reason, in the general frame support means implemented in the conventional pachinko machine, the support frame with high durability located at the lower alignment portion of the outer frame and the front frame, that is, at the lower end of the front opening surface area of the outer frame Seat brackets of a predetermined thickness are provided on the upper end surface of the plate (also called curtain plate) and the lower end surface of the front frame itself, and the front frame is held horizontally when the both seat brackets are in a vertically aligned contact state. ing. However, this means that in the process of unlocking the locking device and pulling out the front frame assembly, the weight of the gaming machine including the front frame is reduced by the hinge portion when the contact between both seat brackets of the front frame and the outer frame is released. The bending displacement generated in the hinge portion at this time may cause a large load on the wrist of the manager who performs the pulling operation while maintaining the twisting operation.
[0007]
The present invention is newly proposed to solve the above-described conventional problems, and is automatically unlocked in the key unlocking operation for the front frame held in the locked closed state with respect to the outer frame. It is an object of the present invention to provide a locking device for a gaming machine which can be easily opened (horizontal pulling forward) while being held in an operating state so that the front frame assembly, which is a heavy object, can be opened easily.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present invention has a hinge portion in which an outer frame for fixing and holding and a front frame for opening and closing mounted with necessary game components are disposed on one side edge of each other. The game machine is configured to be connected and supported so as to be openable and closable via an opening, and to be closed and held via a locking device of an unlocking operation form disposed on the other side edge of each other. This locking device is supported so as to be movable up and down with respect to the base frame fixed to the other side edge of the front frame, and is always locked. The locking direction due to the locking biasing force acting on Kept biased Ru Elevating operation rod and base frame Supported to tilt up and down Lifting operation And is tilted as the lifting / lowering operation rod moves up and down For the receivers arranged on the other side edge of the outer frame Detachable Tilt to the hook member and a predetermined part of the base frame or a predetermined part in the vicinity freely Is always supported by the lifting operation Is biased and held in the direction toward the lifting operation rod by the regulating biasing force acting in the direction toward It is provided at a predetermined part of the regulating member and the lifting operation rod. Along with the up-and-down movement of the lifting operation rod Provided in the control member Elevating / lowering side engagement portion that can be engaged with restriction member side engagement portion And. In this locking device, the hook member is a receiving member in accordance with the displacement in the unlocking direction of the lifting / lowering operation rod based on the unlocking operation. Was further tilted beyond the disengagement position where the engagement with the In position, When the restricting member is tilted in the direction of the lifting / lowering operation rod by the restriction biasing force and the restricting member side engaging portion and the lifting / lowering operation rod-side engaging portion are engaged, the lifting / lowering operating rod is moved in the locking direction and the hook member is moved. Tilt in the direction of the catch is regulated , When the restricting member is tilted in the direction away from the lifting / lowering operation rod against the restriction biasing force, the engagement between the restriction member side engaging portion and the lifting / lowering operation rod side engaging portion is released, and the lifting / lowering operation rod is locked. The hook member is tilted to a position where it can be engaged with the receiving member by being moved in the locking direction by the force. It is configured.
[0009]
In the locking device having the above-described configuration, when the unlocking operation is performed, the lifting operation rod that is supported so as to be able to move up and down with respect to the base frame fixed to the front frame is applied to the base frame based on the unlocking operation. The hook member that is connected to the lifting operation rod and is always biased and held in a locked engagement state with the outer frame side receiver is tilted beyond the disengagement position with the receiver, and the hook member And the receiving member are disengaged. Here, the locking device according to the present invention is supported by the predetermined part of the base frame body or the predetermined part in the vicinity of the base frame body so as to be tiltable and is always urged in the direction of engagement with the lifting operation rod, While a restricting member whose tilting is restrained is provided at a predetermined position with respect to the engaging direction, a predetermined portion of the lifting operation rod is detachably engaged with an engaging guide portion provided on the restricting member. An engaging part is provided.
[0010]
Then, with the displacement of the lifting / lowering operation rod based on the unlocking operation in the unlocking direction, the position after the hook member connected thereto is disengaged from the receiver (the position where the hook member exceeds the disengagement position from the receiver). A position tilted more than a certain amount, for example, unlocking holding position P in the embodiment ₂ ), The engagement portion of the lifting / lowering operation rod engages with a predetermined position of the engagement guide portion of the restriction member due to the self-tilting change of the restriction member, and the hook member is released by restricting the displacement of the lifting / lowering operation rod in the locking direction. Restrain to the lock holding position. On the other hand, when the restricting member is displaced in the anti-engagement direction and the engaging portion of the elevating operation rod is released from the engaging guide portion of the restricting member, the hook member is restored to the original state with the urging self-returning of the elevating operation rod. It is configured so that it can be returned and held in the locked holding state.
[0011]
That is, when the hook member is tilted beyond the unlocking holding position based on the unlocking operation, the unlocking holding state is maintained until the regulating member is displaced in the anti-engagement direction. Even if the twisting force of the key is released, the hook member is restrained to its unlocking holding position. For this reason, when the front frame assembly is opened, after the unlocking operation is once performed to the unlocking holding position, it is not necessary to hold the state where the manager twists the key, for example, the operation of the hitting ball launcher The front frame assembly can be opened by gripping a place where a pulling operation or a supporting operation is easy, such as a handle portion or a lower pan portion for storing game balls, and pulling it horizontally. Therefore, it is possible to provide a locking device for a gaming machine that can reduce the complexity and work load of the unlocking operation and can easily open the front frame assembly.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in a present Example, the example which implemented the locking device to the common pachinko machine provided with the game board used as a game expansion | deployment member as a game machine is mainly shown.
[0013]
First, the basic configuration of the entire pachinko machine PM will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. An outer frame 10 for a fixed holding frame configured as a machine frame or a predetermined outer rectangular frame size, A hinge part (hinge mechanism) in which a front frame 20 for an open / close mounting frame configured in a square frame size matched to the front opening surface area of the outer frame 10 is disposed on the upper left and right front portions of each other as in the prior art. 1, 2 and the locking device 50 disposed in the front right side are assembled so as to be detachable and openable and closed and held.
[0014]
And as a necessary component for the front frame 20, a housing frame 39, a glass door 30 having a glass housing frame 31 for housing a transparent glass plate 31a, upper and lower ball trays 32, 34, a ball hitting device 33 and related members, A back mechanism panel 35 having a ball storage / discharge unit, various electrical components, a control / relay base (both not shown), and the like are equipped at respective setting reference positions, while predetermined gauge settings (awarding device apparatus and design) The game board comprising the game area PA based on a combination of various game parts such as display devices, windmills, lamps, etc. and a large number of game nails) is attached to and detached from the housing frame 39 in the vertical orientation of the horizontal posture position. The set is held in a replaceable manner. In general, the pachinko machine PM is generally held vertically and used at a required rearward tilt angle (for example, about 1 degree).
[0015]
In such a pachinko machine, the outer frame 10 includes a plurality of fixed-size frame members formed of wood or resin material, that is, upper and lower frame plates 11 and 14 and left and right frame plates 12 and 13. The lower frame plate 14 includes a curtain plate 16 serving as a support base plate along the upper front edge of the bottom plate 17. There is a type in which the frame plates 12 and 13 are connected to each other so as to have a strong durability, and the reinforcing linkage 15 is connected to the frame plates 12 according to necessity. Incidentally, the front opening area of the outer frame 10 refers to a rectangular area extending from the front surfaces of the upper and left frame plates 11, 12, and 13 to the upper surface of the curtain plate 16 of the lower frame plate 14.
[0016]
On the other hand, the front frame 20 is configured as a slightly small frame made of wood, a resin material, or the like so as to match the front opening surface area of the outer frame 10, and there are types such as a separate combination with the housing frame 39 and integral resin molding. . The upper and lower hinge portions 1 and 2 are fixed to predetermined positions of the outer frame 10 and the front frame 20 as a general form, and are shafts of reinforcing metal fittings 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b which can be aligned with each other. It is made into the insertion hinge form of a pin and a shaft hole. As a result, the front frame 20 can be pulled out forward and closed by pushing it back in a cantilevered form using the mechanisms 1 and 2, and the shaft pin of the lower hinge portion 2 Viewing the connection support position between the shaft holes at the set reference height, the lower edge of the front frame 20 is appropriately parallel to the upper surface of the curtain plate 16 of the outer frame 10 (intervals t1 and t2 shown in FIG. 1 are equal). The basic setting is to maintain a consistent horizontal posture and position in the floating state with the setting) (see FIG. 1).
[0017]
The locking device 50 according to the present embodiment, which is implemented in the pachinko machine PM as described above, is attached to a main mechanism portion attached to a predetermined position on the right side of the front frame 20 and a predetermined position on the right inner side of the outer frame 10. In the game providing state of the pachinko machine, the closed state of the front frame 20 closed to the outer frame 10 and the necessary component (front frame assembly) can be maintained, The front frame assembly can be easily opened (laterally pulled forward) with respect to the outer frame 10. Hereinafter, specific examples of the locking device will be described in detail for each example.
[0018]
4 to 12 show a first embodiment of the locking device of the present invention. 4 shows the overall configuration of the locking device 50 in a state in which the front frame assembly shown by arrows IV-IV in FIG. 2 is closed and held, and FIG. 5 shows the locking device shown by arrows V in FIG. 50 is a rear view.
[0019]
The locking device 50 is formed by punching and pressing a sheet metal material, for example, into a required shape having a substantially L-shaped cross section, and is fixedly disposed on the back side of the right side of the front frame 20 by a fixing means (not shown) such as a screw. The base frame body 51 is formed at the upper and lower end portions of the first frame lifting and lowering operation lever 53, which is formed by the same molding process and is supported so as to be movable up and down with respect to the base frame body 51. The upper and lower hook members 55 connected to the upper and lower ends of the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 at the connecting fulcrums 56, 56 are pivotally connected to the support sides 51a, 51a at the tilt connecting fulcrums 54, 54. 55, 55 is slidably sandwiched between the upright surface of the base frame 51 that extends by connecting the upper and lower support sides and the first elevating operation rod 53, and is attached so as to be movable up and down with a guide pin 52. Second raising / lowering operating rod 63, base frame 5 The lock 62 is fixedly disposed on the fixed surface side of the front frame and the keyhole is exposed on the front surface of the front frame. The unlocking plate is fixed to the rotation shaft of the lock and is held at the neutral angle position except during the unlocking operation. 61, a spring 57 for constantly urging the first elevating operation rod 53 downward, a spring 64 for constantly urging the second elevating operation rod 63 upward, and movement of the first elevating operation rod 53 in the locking direction at a predetermined position. The unlocking holding mechanism 70 to be controlled, the unlocking detection unit 80 for detecting the displacement state of the first elevating operation rod 53, and the hook member 55, which is fixedly disposed on the inner side surface of the right frame plate 13 in the outer frame 10, It is comprised from the holders 65 and 65 etc. which engage with 55 and hold the whole front frame closed.
[0020]
The first elevating operation rod 53 is connected to the hook members 55 and 55 pivotally connected to the base frame body 51 by tilting connection fulcrums 54 and 54, and is connected to the connection fulcrums 56 and 56 to constitute a link mechanism. .. And a plurality of guide portions 51b, 51b... Formed by cutting and raising the base frame body 51, and a standing surface of the base frame body. Displacement of the first elevating operation rod in the left-right direction (the direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 4) is restricted, and the flat plate portion is bent and deformed (buckled) by the compressive stress acting on the first elevating operation rod 53 during the unlocking operation. It is configured not to escape by deformation. Further, a lower end stopper portion 51c that restricts the first elevating operation rod 53 from moving downward beyond a predetermined locking position by the biasing force of the spring 57 is formed at the lower end portion of the standing surface of the base frame 51. Has been. As a result, the first elevating operation rod 53 is movable up and down with respect to the base frame 51, and is always held in a predetermined locking position while being urged in the locking direction (locked holding state).
[0021]
The upper and lower hook members 55, 55 are interlocked with the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 by the action of the link mechanism. It can be tilted freely. Here, the upper and lower hook members 55, 55 are in a substantially horizontal posture in the locked holding state of the first elevating operation rod 53 described above, and the receiver 65, which is fixedly disposed on the inner side surface of the right frame plate 13 in the outer frame. It is set so as to be in a locked engagement state that engages with 65 and closes and holds the entire front frame.
[0022]
For this reason, the upper and lower hook members 55 and 55 are always engaged with the receivers 65 and 65, respectively, by the raising and lowering mechanism and the link mechanism of the first raising and lowering operation lever 53 described above. While maintaining the state, the first elevating operation lever 53 is moved upward to cause the upper and lower hook members 55, 55 to tilt downward with the hook connection fulcrum 54, 54 as the center of rotation, and to engage with the receiver. The front frame assembly can be opened by releasing the joint.
[0023]
The second lifting / lowering operation rod 63 is an operation rod for unlocking the glass door 30 and opening the glass door 30 forward. The second lifting / lowering operating rod 63 is slidably sandwiched between the standing surface of the base frame 51 and the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53, and is a guide long hole formed in the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53. The standing surface of the base frame 51 and the first lifting operation are provided by a rivet-shaped guide pin 52 that is fixedly attached to the base frame 51 through 53b and a guide slot 63b formed in the second lifting operation rod. It is held between the collar 53 so as to be movable up and down. The second elevating operation rod 63 is formed with an operating side portion 63a that is bent inward of the gaming machine and passes through a hole (not shown) formed in the base frame body 51 and protrudes toward the back mechanism board 35. Yes. The second lifting / lowering operating rod 63 is always urged upward by a spring 64 spanned between the base frame body 51 and passes through the end surface of the hole formed in the base frame body 51 and the hole. The upper end portion of the operation side portion 63a comes into contact with and is locked and held at the illustrated locking position.
[0024]
The front frame 30 is provided with a glass door locking rod 66 positioned below the operation side 63a, and is always urged upward to hold the glass door 30 in a locked state and resist the urging force. When the glass door 30 is pressed and moved downward, the glass door 30 is unlocked and opened to the front of the glass door 30 through a hinge portion disposed on the left edge of the glass door 30. Therefore, the glass door 30 can be opened by moving the second elevating operation rod 63 downward against the urging force and moving the glass door locking rod 66 downward.
[0025]
As the lock 62, a lock generally called a “double lock” is used. This lock is a so-called unlocking-type lock, and the rotation shaft of the lock is biased and held at the neutral angle position in a state where the unlocking operation is not performed. When a key that fits the lock 62 is inserted into the key hole of the lock 62 exposed on the front surface of the front frame, the rotation shaft of the lock is set in a rotatable state, and the key is twisted clockwise or counterclockwise. It becomes possible to operate. An unlocking board 61 is fixed to the shaft end of the rotating shaft.
[0026]
The unlocking board 61 is also referred to as a cam board, and is formed into a predetermined cam shape having two projecting end portions, that is, a first projecting end portion 61a and a second projecting end portion 61b as shown in FIG. Is formed. Of these, the first projecting end portion 61 a has a function as an operating end for unlocking the front frame, and the upper end surface of the first projecting end portion 61 a is set to be engageable with an engaging hole portion 53 c formed in the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53. ing. The second projecting end 61b has a function as an operating end for unlocking the glass door 31, and the lower surface of the front end of the second projecting end 61b passes through the engaging hole 53c formed in the first lifting / lowering operating rod 63. It is set to be able to engage with the engagement hole 63c formed in the.
[0027]
Therefore, for example, when the unlocking operation is performed clockwise with the key from the front side of the front frame, the unlocking board 61 is rotated counterclockwise (counterclockwise) in FIG. 5, and the first projecting end 61 a The top surface of the distal end engages with the opening end surface of the engagement hole 53c in the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53, so that the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 can be moved in the upward direction. Therefore, by moving the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 upward from the engagement position against the urging force of the spring 57, the upper and lower hook members 55, 55 are tilted by the action of the link mechanism described above, and the receiver 65 , 65 can be disengaged and the front frame assembly can be released.
[0028]
On the other hand, when the unlocking operation is performed counterclockwise with the key from the front side of the front frame, the unlocking board 61 is rotated clockwise (clockwise) in FIG. 2. The second lifting operation rod 63 can be moved in the downward direction by engaging with the opening end surface of the engagement hole 63c in the lifting operation rod 63. Accordingly, by lowering the second lifting operation rod 63 against the biasing force of the spring 62 from this engagement position, the glass door locking rod 66 is moved downward at the operation side 63a, and the glass is moved relative to the front frame. Only the door 30 can be opened.
[0029]
Now, an unlocking holding mechanism 70 and an unlocking detection unit 80 are provided above the locking mechanism configured as described above. FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of essential parts of the unlocking holding mechanism 70 and the unlocking detection part 80 in an exploded state, and FIG. 7 shows a right side view of the relevant parts at the time of locking. FIG. 9 shows a rear view of the main part and a rear view showing an enlarged portion of the unlocking holding mechanism 70. The unlocking holding mechanism 70 will be described below with reference to these drawings.
[0030]
The unlocking holding mechanism 70 supports the inner periphery of the torsion spring 72 at the outer peripheral surface, and the restriction member 71, the torsion spring 72 that constantly urges the restriction member 71 in the direction of the first elevating operation rod 53 (front frame front). A spacer 73 for separating the member 71 from the base frame body 51 at a predetermined interval, a shaft hole of the regulating member 71 and a shaft hole of the spacer 73 are fixed to the base frame body 51, and the regulating member 71 is tilted by the shaft part. The fulcrum 74 that is supported freely and sandwiches the restricting member 71 between the head formed in a flange shape and the spacer 73 and restricts the movement in the axial direction, and the fulcrum formed on the standing portion of the base frame 51. The support member 51d that supports the restricting member and the like assembled via 74, and the tilting end portion (the restraining portion 71b) of the restricting member 71 that is bent and formed in the direction of the restricting member and protrudes from the base frame body standing portion. ) As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the stopper 51e is supported, and the engaging portion 53d is bent from the first lifting / lowering operation rod 53 in the direction of the restricting member and protrudes and engages with the restricting member 71. It is assembled.
[0031]
The restricting member 71 resists the urging force of the engagement guide portion 71a that can be detachably engaged with the engagement portion 53d, the restraining portion 71b that is formed at a position where it can come into contact with the stopper portion 51e, and the torsion spring 72. Thus, when the restricting member 71 is tilted in the anti-engagement direction (opposite direction of the engagement portion 53d), each portion such as a knob portion 71c that can be manually operated is formed, and the lower end portion is supported by the fulcrum 74 to form a tilting lever. Is disposed on the support portion 51 d of the base frame body 51. The engagement guide portion 71a includes a sloped guide end surface 71ad that forms the lower end surface of the engagement guide portion and engages with the upper end portion of the engagement portion 53d, and an upper end surface of the engagement guide portion 71a. A horizontal end surface 71au that engages with the lower end surface of the engaging portion 53d is formed.
[0032]
The restricting member 71 is supported by the support portion 51d of the base frame body so as to be tiltable via a fulcrum 74, and is always attached toward the engaging portion 53d of the first lifting / lowering operating rod by the biasing force of the torsion spring 72. The restraining portion 71b abuts against the stopper portion 51e of the base frame body, and the guide end surface 71ad in the engagement guide portion 71a and the upper end portion of the engagement portion 53d in the first elevating rod 53 are immediately before contact. Is held at a predetermined position.
[0033]
Hereinafter, the operation of the unlocking and holding mechanism 70 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the main part of the unlocking holding mechanism 70 during the unlocking operation, and FIG. 11 is a view of the vicinity of the unlocking holding mechanism 70 and the hook part 55 when unlocked by the unlocking holding mechanism 70. FIG. 12 is a right side view showing the state in the vicinity of the hook portion when unlocking is released and the front frame assembly is closed.
[0034]
FIG. 10 shows a displacement state of the restricting member 71 in the process in which the unlocking operation is performed and the first lifting operation rod 53 is moved upward. When the unlocking operation is performed and the first raising / lowering operating rod 53 is moved upward, the engaging portion 53d formed on the operating rod is moved up accordingly, and the upper end portion thereof is engaged with the regulating member 71. The guide end surface 71ad in the guide portion comes into contact. As described above, the guide end surface 71ad is formed in a slope shape, and when the engaging portion 53d moves upward, a pressing force acts on the contact point of the guide end surface 71ad in a direction perpendicular to the slope. For this reason, the engagement guide part 71a is pressed rightward in FIG. 10, and the regulating member 71 is tilted with the fulcrum 74 as the rotation center. In this way, the engaging portion 53 d is pressed so as to slide on this slope while engaging with the guide end surface, and the restricting member 71 is tilted as the first elevating operation lever 53 moves upward.
[0035]
When the first raising / lowering operating rod 53 is moved upward and exceeds the tip end corner portion of the guide end surface 71ad, the tip end portion of the engagement guide portion 71a rides on the surface of the engagement portion 53d, and this surface is applied by the biasing force of the torsion spring 72. It moves so that it slides on the surface while abutting. When the first elevating operation rod 53 is further moved upward and the lower end corner of the engaging portion 53d exceeds the upper end corner of the engaging guide portion 71a, the engagement guide portion 71a and the engaging portion 53d are engaged. Is released, and the restricting member 71 is tilted to the left in the figure by the urging force of the torsion spring 72 (self-tilting change). Tilt to the left is stopped when the restraining portion 71b of the restricting member comes into contact with the stopper portion 51e of the base frame body, and the tip of the engagement guide portion 71a protrudes below the engaging portion 53d of the first lifting rod. (FIG. 10 → FIG. 11).
[0036]
In this way, when the engaging portion 53d of the first elevating rod moves upward beyond the engaging guide portion 71a of the restricting member and the restricting member 71 is held and held, the twisting force for the unlocking operation is then released to release the spring. Even if the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 is lowered by the urging force of 57, the lower end surface of the locking portion 53d is locked against the locking end surface 71au of the restricting member 71, and the first lifting / lowering is below the locking position. The lowering of the operating rod 53 is restricted.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 11, the restriction position of the first elevating operation rod 53 is the upper end of the hook member 55 that is tilted with the upward movement of the first elevating operation rod 53 as shown in FIG. 11. Dissociation position P between the portion 55a and the lower end portion 65a of the receiver 65 ₁ A position (referred to as “unlocking holding position”) P that is tilted downward beyond the predetermined distance and further holds a predetermined clearance h. ₂ It is set to become.
[0038]
For this reason, the 1st raising / lowering operation rod 53 is moved up based on unlocking operation, and the disengagement position P with the hook member 55 with the receptacle 65 is obtained. ₁ Beyond the unlocking holding position P ₂ The locking member 71 is tilted to engage the engaging end surface 71au and the engaging portion 53d of the first lifting / lowering operation rod 53, and the hook member 55 connected to the first lifting / lowering operation rod 53 is unlocked and held. Position P ₂ To be restrained. Therefore, it is not necessary for the administrator to perform the pulling operation while maintaining the twisting operation of the key. For example, the administrator grasps a portion where the pulling operation or the support operation is easy, such as the operation handle portion 33a or the lower plate portion 34 of the hitting ball launching device 33. The front frame assembly can be easily pulled sideways and opened. Thereby, it is possible to provide a locking device that can easily open the front frame assembly by reducing the complexity and work load of the unlocking operation.
[0039]
When the front frame assembly is opened and a desired operation is performed and then closed and held for use in a game, the knob 71c provided on the regulating member 71 is manually operated and indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. By tilting in this manner, the engagement between the locking end surface 71au and the engaging portion 53d of the first lifting / lowering operation rod can be released. At this time, the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 and the hook member 55 connected to the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 are returned and held to the original locked holding state by the biasing force of the spring 57 that biases the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 downward. .
[0040]
FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C show the tilted state of the hook member 55 in time series when the front frame assembly is closed and locked in this locked holding state. When the front frame assembly is closed in the locked state (FIG. 12 (a)), the slant-like engagement guide portion 55b formed on the front edge of the hook member 55 and the lower end portion 65a of the receiver 65 abut ( 12 (b)), when further pressed from the front side of the front frame, the hook member 55 receives a drag force from the receiving member 65 and is pressed downward. As a result, the spring 57 acting on the first elevating operation lever 53 The tilting connection fulcrum 54 is tilted against the urging force as a fulcrum. Then, the engagement guide surface 55b is tilted while being slidably engaged with the receiver lower end portion 65a, and the upper end portion 55a of the engagement guide surface 55b is disengaged from the receiver, that is, the disengagement position P. ₁ Is exceeded, the drag force received from the receiver 65 is released, and is returned to and held in the locked holding state by the urging force of the spring 57 acting on the first lifting / lowering operation rod 53 (FIG. 12 (c)).
[0041]
Here, the unlocking holding position P described above ₂ , The unlocking holding position P as shown in FIG. ₂ The upper end 55a of the hook member is in the disengagement position P ₁ And the hook member 55 is disengaged from the disengagement position P as described above. ₁ At the angular position forcibly tilted to the first position, the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 and the hook member 55 are not yet unlocked. Therefore, as described above, the hook member 55 is self-returned and the locked holding state is maintained. Accordingly, it is not necessary to perform the closing operation while maintaining the unlocked state using the key at the time of locking, and the front frame assembly can be closed by a simple operation.
[0042]
Next, the unlock detection unit 80 will be further described with reference to FIG. As shown in each of FIGS. 4 to 11, the unlock detection unit 80 includes, for example, a limit switch 81 and a switch operation unit 53 e formed on the first elevating operation rod 53, and the limit switch 81 is moved up and down. Based on the detection of the change in the unlocking direction of the operating rod 53 (switch operating portion 53e), as shown in FIG. 13, the lamp 91 provided on the front side of the front frame via the control board 85 of the gaming machine In addition, a lamp 91 and a speaker 92 provided in a management room or the like of a game facility, and a notification means 90 such as a CRT screen of a management computer can be operated.
[0043]
The first elevating operation rod 53 is formed with a convex switch operation portion 53e protruding rearward of the front frame, and the limit switch 81 is fixed to the front frame 20 with a fixing means such as a screw so as to face the switch operation portion. It is attached. As shown in FIG. 7, the relative positional relationship is that the switch contact is in the normal state in the locked holding state (for example, the closed state in the normal / close type (B contact type) switch), and the first elevating operation lever 53 is located. It is set to be in the operating state (same as the open state) when it is displaced in the unlocking direction for a certain amount or more.
[0044]
Therefore, for example, the turning point at which the switch contact changes from the normal state to the operating state is defined as the dissociation position P described above. ₁ This dissociation position P is set in the vicinity. ₁ The lamp 91 provided on the front side of the front frame can be turned on when the hook member is tilted to the unlocking side. According to such a configuration, the unlocking holding mechanism 70 restricts the self-returning operation of the first elevating operation rod 53, and the lamp 91 is lit when the hook member 55 is held at the unlocking holding position. Therefore, even when the front frame is closed by forgetting the restriction release operation of the restriction member, the state can be confirmed from the front side of the front frame. Thereby, in the locking device having the unlocking holding mechanism 70 as described above, it is possible to confirm how the locking device is locked / unlocked from the front side of the front frame, thereby preventing forgetting to lock.
[0045]
In addition, for example, the turning point of the switch contact is set to a position where the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 is slightly moved up from the position of the lock holding state, and the switch contact is opened and closed at a frequency more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time. When the control board 85 determines that there is an abnormality, the lamp 91 or the speaker 92 provided in the management room of the gaming facility is operated via the external output terminal board of the gaming machine, or on the CRT screen of the management computer It is also possible to perform a warning display indicating that there is an abnormality in the gaming machine.
[0046]
In an unauthorized unlocking operation that attempts to unlock without using an appropriate key that matches the lock 62 of the locking device, the lock 62 is forcibly unlocked using a special tool or the like to resist the biasing force of the spring 57. Therefore, it is rare for the first lifting / lowering operation lever 53 to move up to the unlocking position at a time, and in general, the first lifting / lowering operation rod 53 moves upward while repeating irregular vertical movements. Moved. Therefore, according to the setting configuration as described above, it is possible to provide a locking device that can detect an unauthorized unlocking operation and prevent an unauthorized act based on such an unlocking operation. it can.
[0047]
In the unlocking detection unit 80 for the purpose of preventing the unauthorized unlocking operation as described above, the unlocking holding mechanism 70 is not necessarily provided side by side, and even in a locking device without the unlocking holding mechanism 70. The same effect can be obtained with the same configuration.
[0048]
Next, another preferred embodiment of the unlocking holding mechanism and the unlocking detection unit is shown in FIG. 14 as a second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a detailed view (side view) of the main part of the mechanism and the like as in FIG. 10, and the main part of the locking device is configured in the same manner as described above. In the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description is omitted, and the configurations and operations of different components will be described.
[0049]
First, in the unlocking holding mechanism 170 according to the present embodiment, the first elevating operation lever 53 is moved up based on the unlocking operation in the same manner as the unlocking holding mechanism 70 described above, and the hook member 55 is moved to the unlocking holding position P. ₂ It is an unlocking holding mechanism that regulates the self-returning operation in the locking direction of the first elevating operation rod 53 and maintains the unlocking holding state when tilted to the right.
[0050]
The unlocking holding mechanism 170 includes a regulating member 171, a spacer 73 that separates and arranges the regulating member 171 from the base frame body 51 at a constant interval, and a distal end portion of the base frame body through the shaft hole of the regulating member 171 and the shaft hole of the spacer 73. 51, a fulcrum 74 that supports the restricting member 171 in a tiltable manner at a predetermined position, a support portion 51d that is formed on a standing portion of the base frame 51 and supports the restricting member via the fulcrum 74, and a restricting member 171. A tension spring 172 that is stretched between the distal end portion of the base frame body and the base frame body to urge the regulating member 171 in the first elevating operation rod direction, and is bent from the standing portion of the base frame body 51 toward the regulating member. A stopper portion 51e that restrains and supports the restraining portion 171c of the regulating member that is biased and that is biased, and a pin-like shape that is fixedly projected from the first elevating operation rod 53 in the direction of the regulating member and can be engaged with the regulating member 171. Such is composed of a coupling section 153d.
[0051]
The restricting member 171 includes an engaging guide portion 171a that can be detachably engaged with the engaging portion 153d, a restraining portion 171b that is formed at a position where it can come into contact with the stopper portion 51e, and a latching end of the tension spring 172. In addition, a knob portion 175 that can be manually operated when releasing the engagement of the regulating member is formed, and a lower end portion is supported by the support portion 51 so as to be tiltable at a fulcrum 74. The engagement guide portion 171a has a sloped guide end surface 171ad that constitutes the lower end surface of the engagement guide portion, and a horizontal planar engagement end surface 171au that constitutes the upper end surface of the engagement guide portion of the engagement guide portion. Is formed.
[0052]
The restricting member 171 is supported by the support portion 51d of the base frame body so as to be tiltable via the fulcrum 74, and is always urged toward the engaging portion 153d of the first lifting operation rod by the urging force of the tension spring 172. At the same time, the restraining portion 171b abuts against the stopper portion 51e of the base frame body, and the guide end surface 171ad of the engagement guide portion 171a and the engagement portion 153d of the first elevating rod 53 are in a predetermined position immediately before contact. Stopped and held.
[0053]
In the unlocking holding mechanism 170 configured as described above, when the unlocking operation is performed and the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53 is moved up, the first lifting / lowering operation lever 53 is moved in the same manner as described above with reference to FIGS. The pin-like engaging portion 153d fixed to the lifting / lowering operation rod 1 moves up accordingly, and presses the guide end surface 171ad of the regulating member. The restricting member 171 is pressed by the engaging portion 153d, the guide end face 171ad escapes so as to slide on the pin, and is tilted about the fulcrum 74, and the restricting member 171 moves upward on the first lifting / lowering operation rod 53. It is tilted with it. When the engagement portion 153d exceeds the upper end corner of the engagement guide portion 171a, the engagement between the engagement guide portion 171a and the engagement portion 153d is released, and the regulating member 171 is restrained by the biasing force of the tension spring 172. The portion 171b is tilted and returned to the angular position where it is stopped by coming into contact with the stopper portion 51e, and is held and held at that position.
[0054]
For this reason, after the restricting member 171 returns to the tilted state and is held and held, even if the first elevating operation rod 53 attempts to descend by the urging force of the spring 57, the engaging portion 153d and the engaging end surface 171au of the restricting member 171 Abutting and locking (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14), the first elevating operation rod 53 is restricted from descending below the locking position. The relationship between the hook member 55 and the receiver 65 in this restricting position is the same as that already described with reference to FIG. 11, and a predetermined amount is provided between the upper end portion 55 a of the hook member 55 and the lower end portion 65 a of the receiver 65. Unlocking holding position P that holds clearance h ₂ It is set to become.
[0055]
Accordingly, it is not necessary for the administrator to perform the pulling operation while maintaining the twisting operation of the key. For example, the administrator can grasp the front portion such as the operation handle portion 33a or the lower plate portion 34 of the hitting ball launching device, which can be easily pulled out or supported. The frame assembly can be easily pulled sideways and opened. Thereby, it is possible to provide a locking device that can easily open the front frame assembly by reducing the complexity and work load of the unlocking operation. Further, according to the present embodiment, since the pin-like engaging portion 153d is used as the engaging portion that moves up and down, the coefficient of friction with the restricting member 171 is small, and the tilting action (regulating action) and the releasing action are smooth. It is possible to provide a locking device having an unlocking holding mechanism that can guarantee the operation, reduce wear, and have long-term reliability.
[0056]
In addition, when the front frame assembly is opened and a desired operation is performed and then closed and held for use in the game, the handle 175 provided on the restriction member 171 is manually operated to tilt the restriction member, thereby The engagement between the end surface 171au and the engaging portion 153d of the first lifting operation rod can be released. In this embodiment, since the knob 175 is provided at the tilting end of the restricting member, the moment arm becomes longer and the engagement can be released with a light release force.
[0057]
When the engagement is released, the first elevating operation rod 53 and the hook member 55 connected to the first elevating operation rod 53 are in the original locked holding state by the urging force of the spring 57 that urges the first elevating operation rod 53 downward. Return to hold. It should be noted that the tilting state of the hook member 55 when the front frame assembly is closed and locked in the locked holding state is the same as that shown in FIG. 12 (a) (b) (c) in time series. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the closing operation while maintaining the unlocked state using the key when the front frame is closed, and the front frame assembly can be closed by a simple operation.
[0058]
Further, the unlock detection unit 180 in the present embodiment uses a cylindrical roller 182 as a switch operation unit formed in the first lifting / lowering operation rod 53 in the same configuration as the unlock detection unit 80 shown above. Is pivotally supported by a pin 183 and attached to the first lifting operation rod 53. The relative positional relationship between the limit switch 181 and the roller 182 is arranged in the same positional relationship as the unlock detection unit 80 described above, and the detection signal of the limit switch 181 is a control board of the gaming machine as shown in FIG. The lamp 91 provided on the front side of the front frame via the front 85, the lamp 91 and the speaker 92 provided in the management room of the game facility, and the notification means 90 such as a CRT screen of the management computer can be operated. Has been.
[0059]
For this reason, the unlocking operation can be detected when the first elevating / lowering operating rod 53 is moved up based on the unlocking operation and is displaced in the unlocking direction by a predetermined amount or more. Therefore, for example, in the locking device having the unlocking holding mechanism 170 as described above, the disengagement position P between the hook member 55 and the receiver 65 is shown. ₁ By turning on the lamp 91 provided on the front frame when it is in the unlocking direction, the locking / unlocking state of the locking device can be confirmed from the front side of the front frame, and forgetting to lock It can be prevented in advance.
[0060]
Further, in an unauthorized unlocking operation for unlocking without using an appropriate key that matches the lock 62 of the locking device, the lock 62 is forcibly unlocked by using a special tool or the like, and the biasing force of the spring 57 is used. Since the first elevating operation rod 53 is to be moved up against it, it is rare for the first elevating operation rod 53 to move up to the unlocked position at a time, and in general, it repeats irregular up and down movements. While being moved up.
[0061]
Therefore, for example, when this switch contact is opened and closed at a frequency more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, the control board 85 determines that it is abnormal, and is provided in the management room of the gaming facility via the external output terminal board of the gaming machine. By operating the lamp 91, the speaker 92, or the like, or displaying a warning indicating that there is an abnormality in the gaming machine on the CRT screen of the management computer, an unauthorized unlocking operation is detected. It is possible to prevent an illegal act based on a simple unlocking operation. Further, according to these present configurations, it is possible to provide a locking device having an unlocking detection unit that reduces wear caused by frictional sliding between the switch operating unit and the operating rod of the limit switch and has high long-term reliability. .
[0062]
Next, FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of the unlocking holding mechanism according to the present invention. This unlocking holding mechanism 270 has a morphological feature at the distal end portion of the restricting member in the same configuration as the two unlocking holding mechanisms 70 and 170 described above. That is, the regulating member 271 of the unlocking holding mechanism 270 is attached to the support portion 51d of the base frame body by using a torsion spring 72 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, for example, and the engagement guide portion 271a. A guide end surface 271ad having a slope shape and a locking end surface 271au having a horizontal surface are formed on the surface. A pin-like engagement portion 253d that is engaged with the guide end surface 271ad and tilts the restricting member and is engaged with the engagement end surface 271au is fixed to the first elevating operation rod (not shown). 14).
[0063]
Here, the restricting member 271 is formed with an arcuate guide hole 271d corresponding to the tilting locus of the restricting member, and the position and length of the arc are based on a predetermined tilt angle range of the engagement guide portion 271a. Is formed. The regulating member 271 is locked to the support portion 51d of the base frame body at the fulcrum 74 via the torsion spring 72 and the spacer 73, and the tilting range of the restriction member 271 is guided by the guide pin 276 fixed to the base frame body through the guide long hole 271d. It is supported by regulations. For this reason, the regulating member 271 can tilt about the fulcrum 74 as a tilting center, and abuts against the guide pin 276 at the left and right end positions of the guide long hole 271d to limit the tilting range.
[0064]
That is, in this embodiment, the guide pin 276 and the guide long hole 271d function as a stopper (51e) for restricting and restraining the tilting of the restricting member 271 against the urging force of the torsion spring 72, and the engaging guide portion. It has a function of restricting tilting in the anti-engagement direction when releasing the engagement between 271a and the engaging portion 253d. For this reason, for example, when the regulating member 271 is tilted in the anti-engagement direction by manual operation in order to release the regulation of the unlocked holding state, the biasing means such as the torsion spring 72 and the tension spring 172 with an excessive tensile force. There is no worry of damaging it.
[0065]
Further, according to this configuration, the distal end portion of the regulating member 271 is loosely supported in the direction perpendicular to the axis by the guide pin 276 in the guide long hole 271d and is also supported in the axial direction by the head of the guide pin 276. Even if an unreasonable external force acts on the hook member 55 in the unlocked holding state and the regulating member 271 is strongly pressed downward, the regulating member 271 is buckled and the fulcrum 74 is damaged. There is nothing. Therefore, it is possible to provide a locking device having an unlocking holding mechanism that controls the tilting of the regulating member in both directions with a simple configuration and has improved breakage resistance and durability.
[0066]
Further, in the restricting member 271 of this embodiment, an escape guide portion 271ar is formed by chamfering an arc shape at the upper end corner of the engagement guide portion 271a. In order to release the unlocked holding state by releasing the engagement of the engaging portion 253d locked to the locking end surface 271au, it is necessary to tilt the regulating member 271 with the fulcrum 74 as the tilting center. The upper end corner portion of the engagement guide portion 271a draws an arc-shaped locus that slightly rises. That is, in order to tilt in this way, not only the friction resistance force of the locking end surfaces 271au and 253d but also the first lifting operation rod against the urging force of the spring 57 acting downward on the first lifting operation rod 53. A force to move 53 up is required.
[0067]
As described above, in the regulating member 271 in which the arc-shaped escape guide portion 271ar is formed at the upper end corner portion of the engagement guide portion 271a, the radius of the tilting track drawn by the tip portion can be reduced, and thereby the engagement can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the amount of movement for moving the first elevating operation rod 53 upward in order to open it. Further, the engagement portion 253d can be smoothly guided by forming the escape guide portion in this arc shape. Therefore, it is possible to provide an unlocking and holding mechanism that can reduce the operating force when releasing the unlocked holding state and smoothly release the unlocked state with a light operating force. In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that each part form of each unlocking holding mechanism demonstrated above is applicable combining each suitably.
[0068]
Next, another preferred embodiment of the unlock detection unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (b) show the third and fourth examples of the unlock detection unit, and among these, the unlock detection unit 380 according to the third example shown in FIG. The detected portion 353e formed as a substantially rectangular protruding portion on the first elevating operation rod 53, and the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion straddle the detected portion 353e on the base frame body 51 or the front frame 20. The photo interrupter 381 is attached.
[0069]
The relative positional relationship between the photo interrupter 381 and the detected part 353e (that is, the turning point from the light transmitting state to the light blocking state of the photo interrupter 381) is the relationship between the limit switch 81 and the switch operating part 53e in the unlock detection unit 80 described above. The detection signal from the photo interrupter 381 is arranged in the same positional relationship as the relative positional relationship, and a lamp 91 provided on the front side of the front frame via the control board 85 of the gaming machine as shown in FIG. In addition, a lamp 91 and a speaker 92 provided in a management room or the like of a game facility, and a notification means 90 such as a CRT screen of a management computer can be operated.
[0070]
For this reason, the unlocking operation can be detected when the first elevating / lowering operating rod 53 is moved up based on the unlocking operation and is displaced in the unlocking direction by a predetermined amount or more. Therefore, for example, in the locking device having the unlocking holding mechanism (70, 170, 270, etc.) described above, the disengagement position P between the hook member 55 and the receiver 65 is shown. ₁ By turning on the lamp 91 provided on the front frame when it is in the unlocking direction, the locking / unlocking state of the locking device can be confirmed from the front side of the front frame, and forgetting to lock It can be prevented in advance.
[0071]
Further, in an unauthorized unlocking operation for unlocking without using an appropriate key that matches the lock 62 of the locking device, the lock 62 is forcibly unlocked by using a special tool or the like, and the biasing force of the spring 57 is used. Since the first elevating operation rod 53 is to be moved up against it, it is rare for the first elevating operation rod 53 to move up to the unlocked position at a time, and in general, it repeats irregular up and down movements. While being moved up.
[0072]
Therefore, for example, when the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the photo interrupter 381 are blocked at a frequency of a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time, the control board 85 determines that an abnormality has occurred, and the game is played via the external output terminal board of the gaming machine. By operating the lamp 91, the speaker 92, etc. provided in the management room of the facility, or by displaying a warning that the gaming machine is abnormal on the CRT screen of the management computer, It is possible to prevent a fraudulent act based on such an unlocking operation by detecting the locking operation. Moreover, according to these structures, since the photo interrupter 381 can detect the movement in the unlocking direction of the first lifting / lowering operation rod in a non-contact manner, the locking device having the unlock detection unit with high long-term reliability is provided. Can be provided.
[0073]
The unlocking detection unit 480 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 16 (b) has the same configuration as the unlocking detection unit 380 of the third embodiment, and a detected portion 453e formed on the first lifting / lowering operating rod 53. A slit-like light-transmitting portion 453et that transmits light is formed, and the control board 85 is configured to make an abnormality determination based on a detection signal from a photo interrupter 481 (not shown). FIG. 16B shows an example in which two light-transmitting portions 453et are formed on the detected portion 453e, and in the locked holding state, the same arrangement positional relationship as that shown in FIG. State).
[0074]
When the first lifting operation lever 53 is moved up based on the unlocking operation, the detected part having the light transmitting part moves between the light projecting part and the light receiving part of the photo interrupter. A detection signal corresponding to the arrangement form (configuration form of the detected part) of the light transmitting part 453et provided in the part 453e is output. That is, the detection signal from the photo interrupter 481 is transmitted from the initial translucent state (1) to (2) light shielding to (▲) for each region indicated by numbers (1) to (7) in the figure. 3) Translucent → (4) light shielding → (5) translucent → (6) light shielding, and in the present embodiment, finally changes to the translucent state of (7) so that it is unlocked and held. It is set.
[0075]
For this reason, the signal pattern detected based on the normal unlocking operation varies depending on the speed of the unlocking operation (the rotational speed for twisting the key), but as shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b). A signal pattern corresponding to the configuration form of the detected portion 453e is detected within a predetermined time. On the other hand, for example, when an unauthorized unlocking operation is performed, as shown in FIG. 17 (e), for example, generally a signal pattern in which light shielding and light transmission are repeated irregularly is detected. In addition, when fraud is made to the slit part, the sensor part, etc., as shown in FIGS. 17C and 17D, for example, the light shielding state is maintained or the light shielding → transmission is performed only once. Such a signal pattern that does not match the configuration of the detected portion 453e is detected.
[0076]
Therefore, a signal pattern at the time of a normal unlocking operation is stored in the control board 85 in advance, and the control board 85 compares the normal signal pattern with a detection signal input from the photo interrupter 481 as needed, so that a different pattern is obtained. It is illegal to judge that there is an abnormality when a signal is detected, or to store a predetermined abnormality judgment standard in the control board 85 in advance and judge that there is an abnormality when the standard is exceeded. Unlocking operation can be detected. In addition, although various standards are devised as specific abnormality judgment standards, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, for example, in the illustrated example, a predetermined time t from the first detection of the light-shielding state. _o When three or more shading states are detected in the case, or when a shading state is continuously detected for a certain period of time, or within a predetermined time t from the first shading state detection _o A case where a light transmission state is not detected through three light shielding states and two light transmission states is exemplified.
[0077]
When it is determined as abnormal as described above, the control board 85 operates the lamp 91, the speaker 92, etc. provided in the management room of the gaming facility or the like via the external output terminal board of the gaming machine. By adopting a configuration in which a warning display indicating that there is an abnormality in the gaming machine is displayed on the CRT screen of the computer, an illegal act based on an unauthorized unlocking operation can be prevented in advance. Moreover, according to these structures, since the photo interrupter 381 can detect the movement in the unlocking direction of the first elevating operation rod without contact, chattering is less than that of a switch having mechanical electrical contacts, It is possible to provide a locking device having an unlocking detection unit that enables more accurate fraud detection and high long-term reliability.
[0078]
In the third and fourth embodiments, when the unlock detection units 380 and 480 are set and used as an unauthorized operation prevention device, the unlock holding mechanism is not necessarily required. On the other hand, in the case where the unlocking holding mechanism is provided in the fourth embodiment, when the unlocking holding is released and the front frame assembly is closed, the first elevating operation rod is forcibly moved up and down due to the tilting operation of the hook member. This is operated (see FIG. 12), and accordingly, a light-shielding-transmission signal based on this lifting operation is input from the photo interrupter 481 to the control board.
[0079]
Therefore, for example, a reset button is provided in the vicinity of the unlocking holding mechanism and the signal is input to the control board 85, or detection means for detecting the tilting of the regulating member is provided as described later, and the detection signal is sent to the control board 85. When the reset button is pressed when releasing the unlocked holding state or when the regulation member tilting (disengagement) is detected from the regulation release detecting means, an abnormality is not judged for a certain period of time. By configuring, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection associated with the forced lifting operation of the first lifting operation rod with a simple configuration.
[0080]
Alternatively, for example, the signal pattern detected by the photo interrupter when the unlocked holding state is released and the signal pattern detected by the photo interrupter when closing the front frame assembly are set and stored in the control board 85, and By using the same abnormality determination method as the abnormality determination for preventing unauthorized unlocking operation, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection associated with the forced lifting operation of the first lifting operation rod. It is possible to provide a locking device that can reliably detect whether or not the frame is closed and locked to notify the state.
[0081]
In the third and fourth embodiments described above, an example is disclosed in which the lifting / lowering operation of the first lifting / lowering operation rod is detected using a photo interrupter as the detecting means. However, the detecting means has a light-transmitting / shading state like a photo interrupter. It is not limited to the means for detecting, but may be, for example, a means for detecting the presence or absence of a reflection state of light from the detected part, and a magnetic detection such as a proximity switch or a reed switch. There may be. In addition, the configuration of the detected portion 453 in the fourth embodiment, for example, increasing or decreasing the number of light transmitting portions, setting the relative positional relationship so as to be in a light blocking state in the locked holding state, It is possible to appropriately change the setting for setting the light transmission and the light shielding to be opposite in the unlocked holding state, and the criteria for determining the abnormality.
[0082]
Next, still another preferred embodiment of the unlock detection unit will be described with reference to FIG. The unlocking detection unit 580 shown in the figure shows a fifth embodiment of the unlocking detection unit. In the unlocking holding mechanism 70 disclosed in the first embodiment, the tilt position state of the regulating member 71 is detected by the limit switch 581. The detection signal is input to the control board 85 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the turning point at which the contact of the limit switch 581 is switched, for example, the changing point at which the switch contact changes from the open state to the closed state, is that the engaging portion 53d of the first lifting / lowering operation rod 53 is the guide end surface 71au of the regulating member 71. The tilt angle position is set to be slightly smaller than the maximum tilt angle when the restricting member 71 is tilted by engaging and moving upward.
[0083]
In the unlock detection unit 580 having such a configuration, the first lifting operation rod 53 moves up based on the unlocking operation, and the engagement portion 53d of the first lifting operation rod 53 engages with the guide end surface 71au of the regulating member 71. In the process of tilting the restricting member 71 (immediately before the maximum tilt angle), the contact point is switched from the open state to the closed state immediately before the maximum tilt angle, and the distal end portion of the engagement guide portion 71a in the restricting member becomes the engagement portion 53d. The closed state is maintained while riding and sliding while contacting the surface, and the engagement of the engaging portion 53d and the engaging guide portion is released by the further raising of the first elevating operation rod 53, and the regulating member 71 is twisted. When the self-tilt is restored by the urging force of the spring 72, that is, when the tilt angle position is in the unlocked holding state, the contact is switched from the closed state to the open state, and the open state is held. That is, the contact of the limit switch 581 is once opened in accordance with the change from the locked holding state to the unlocked holding state.
[0084]
Further, when the predetermined work in the unlocked holding state is completed and the restriction of the first elevating operation rod 53 by the restriction member 71 is released, the restriction member 71 is tilted by pulling the knob 71c in the anti-engagement direction. The engagement between the stop end surface 71au and the engaging portion 53d is released. In order to release the engagement between the locking end surface 71au and the engaging portion 53d, it is necessary to tilt the restricting member 71 to the maximum tilt angle. At this time, the switch contact is changed from the closed state to the open state again. That is, when releasing the unlocked holding state, the contact of the limit switch 581 is once opened.
[0085]
The control board 85 monitors the detection signal input from the limit switch, and counts the number of times that the switch contact has been opened. For example, the count value when the front frame assembly is closed after the start inspection is stored as an initial value. When the count value is an odd number, the unlocked state is determined, and when the count value is plural, the locked state is determined. Then, for example, when it is determined that the lock is released, the lamp 91 provided on the front frame is turned on to check how the lock device is locked / unlocked from the front side of the front frame. It is possible to prevent forgetting to lock and forgetting to return the regulating member.
[0086]
Alternatively, when the detection time of the unlocked state of the control board 85 is detected exceeding a predetermined time set in advance, it is determined to be abnormal, and is provided in a game facility management room or the like via the external output terminal board of the gaming machine. By operating the lamp 91, the speaker 92, or the like, or displaying a warning on the CRT screen of the management computer that the gaming machine is still unlocked. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game from being used in a state in which it has been played and to provide a fair game.
[0087]
In the fifth embodiment, the limit switch 581 is used as the detection means and the tilt position of the restriction member 71 is detected by this switch. However, the detection means can detect the tilt state of the restriction member. For example, the displacement of the restraining portion 71b in the regulating member may be detected by an optical detection stage such as a photo interrupter or magnetic detection means such as a proximity switch. Further, for example, a tilting shaft may be provided integrally with the regulating member 71, and the tilting shaft may be rotatably supported by the base frame body, and the rotation angle of the tilting shaft may be detected.
[0088]
In each of the embodiments of the unlocking detection unit described above, as a means for detecting the unlocking / locking state of the locking device 50, the first lifting operation rod 53 that moves up and down in accordance with the unlocking operation and tilts the hook member. An example of detecting and detecting the ascending / descending state, and an example of detecting and detecting the tilting position of the regulating member that is tilted based on the unlocking operation and holds and holds the first lifting operation lever and the hook member at the unlocking holding position. However, the detection part is not limited to this, and for example, the tilt position of the hook member 55 may be detected. Moreover, the unlocking detection unit disclosed in each embodiment may be used not only independently as disclosed in each embodiment but also in combination to constitute a locking device. Furthermore, the same effect can be acquired by comprising similarly these unlocking detection parts also with respect to a 2nd raising / lowering operation rod.
[0089]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the locking device of the gaming machine according to the present invention is supported by the base frame fixed to the front frame so as to be movable up and down, and is always supported in the locking direction. The frame body has a tilting connection fulcrum and is connected to a lifting / lowering operation rod so that it is always locked and engaged with the receiving device arranged on the outer frame, and can be engaged and disengaged based on the disengagement position with this receiving device. A hook member and a regulating member that is supported in a tiltable manner at a predetermined part of the base frame or a predetermined part in the vicinity thereof and is always biased and held in an engagement direction with respect to the lifting operation rod. Is formed with an engaging portion that can be engaged and disengaged with respect to the engaging guide portion provided on the regulating member. Then, at a position after the hook member is disengaged from the receiving member with the displacement of the lifting operation rod based on the unlocking operation in the unlocking direction, the regulating member tilts and the engaging portion of the lifting actuation rod is The engaging member is engaged with a predetermined position, and the hook member is restrained to the unlocking holding position together with the lifting operation rod. On the other hand, when the restricting member is displaced in the anti-engagement direction and the engagement portion is released from the engagement guide portion, the lifting operation rod can self-return and the hook member can be returned and held in the original lock holding state. Thus, the locking device is configured.
[0090]
That is, when the hook member is tilted beyond the unlocking holding position based on the unlocking operation, the unlocking holding state is maintained until the regulating member is displaced in the anti-engagement direction, and the unlocking operation force is released. Even so, the hook member is constrained to the unlock holding position. For this reason, when the front frame assembly is opened, after the unlocking operation is once performed to the unlocking holding position, there is no need to hold the key in a twisted state. The front frame assembly can be opened by grasping a place where the drawer operation or the support operation is easy, such as the lower plate part, and pulling it horizontally. Therefore, it is possible to provide a locking device for a gaming machine that can reduce the complexity and work load of the unlocking operation and can easily open the front frame assembly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine shown as an embodiment of a gaming machine equipped with a locking device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the overall configuration of the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a locked state of the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a rear view showing the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the main part of the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a detailed side view of main parts showing the operation of each main part during the unlocking operation of the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a detailed side view of main parts showing the position of each main part in the unlocked holding state of the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an operation state when the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is closed and locked;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the locking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a side view showing the main part of the locking device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view showing a main part of an unlocking holding mechanism according to a third embodiment of the locking device of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a side view showing an essential part of a third embodiment and a fourth embodiment of the unlocking detection unit used in the locking device of the present invention, among which (a) shows the third embodiment, (b The figure shows each configuration of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a detection signal by the unlock detection unit of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a side view showing an essential part of a fifth embodiment of an unlocking detection unit used in the locking device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
PM Pachinko machine (game machine)
P ₁ Dissociation position
P ₂ Unlocking holding position (position after the hook member is disengaged from the receiver)
1 Hinge part
10 Outer frame
20 Front frame
50 Locking device
51 Base frame
53 First lifting operation rod (Elevating operation rod)
53d, 153d, 253d Engagement part
54 Tilt connection fulcrum
55 Hook member
65 receptacle
71,171,271 regulating member
71a, 171a, 271a engagement guide part
81,181,581 Limit switch (detection means)
381 Photo interrupter (detection means)

Claims

An outer frame for fixed holding and a front frame for opening and closing equipped with necessary game components are connected and supported through a hinge portion disposed on one side edge of each other so as to be openable and closable. In a gaming machine adapted to be closed and held via a locking device in an unlocking operation mode disposed on the other side edge,
In the locking device,
Vertically movably supported relative to said other side fixed base frame member to the edge of the front frame, always a lift actuating rod to the locking biasing force Ru biased held in the locking direction acting in the locking direction,
A receiver that is supported by the base frame body so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction and is connected to the elevating operation rod, and is tilted as the elevating operation rod is moved up and down to be disposed on the other side edge of the outer frame. A hook member detachable from the tool;
Is tiltably supported at a predetermined position at or near a predetermined part of the base frame, always a regulating member is biased held in a direction toward the lift operating rod by restricting biasing force acting in a direction towards the lifting operating rod ,
An elevating operation eaves side engaging portion that is provided at a predetermined portion of the elevating operation eaves and is engageable with a restriction member side engaging portion provided in the restriction member as the elevating operation elevating movement is performed ;
In accordance with the displacement in the unlocking direction of the lifting / lowering operation rod based on the unlocking operation, the restricting member is located at the position where the hook member is further tilted beyond the disengagement position where the engagement with the receiver is disengaged. The hook member is moved in the locking direction and the hook member is tilted in the direction of the elevating operation rod by the urging force and the restriction member side engaging portion and the elevating operation rod side engaging portion are engaged. When the tilting operation of the restraining member in the direction away from the lifting / lowering operation rod against the restriction biasing force is controlled, the restriction member side engagement portion and the lifting / lowering operation rod are controlled. The engagement with the side engaging portion is released, and the elevating operation rod is moved in the locking direction by the locking urging force, so that the hook member is tilted to a position where it can engage with the receiver. Locking machine .