JP6281066B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a push button type input device for a player is mounted on a button mounting portion in front of the machine.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming machine in which a push button type input device for a player is mounted on a button mounting portion in front of the machine.
The outline of the push button type input device of the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 25 (a1) and (b1), a two-dot chain line L indicates, for example, the upper surface line of the operation panel of the ball tray unit provided in front of the pachinko machine or the operation panel on the front surface of the slot machine. The button-type input device is mounted on a button mounting portion 100 that opens in the operation panel so that a movable button 101 (described later) faces the outside.

  The push button type input device of Patent Document 1 includes a staging element, and a fixed base 102 fixedly mounted in the button mounting portion 100 and a state in which the fixed base 102 can be moved up and down. And a unit moving means 104 for moving the button unit 103 up and down.

  The fixed base 102 is a short cylindrical fixed part, and a driving member 105 such as a motor that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions constituting a part of the unit moving means 104 is fixed to the center thereof. Two round bar-shaped guide columns 106 and 106 that constitute a part of the unit moving means 104 are erected upward on both sides. A sensor 107 is attached to the fixed base 102 to detect the pressing of a movable button 101 (described later) of the button unit 103. The sensor 107 optically detects a downward tongue (not shown) formed as a detected portion on the movable button 101, and an input for detecting the pressing of the movable button 101 in combination with the downward tongue. Detection means is configured.

  The button unit 103 is placed on the upper surface of the movable base 108 and a donut disk-shaped movable base 108 slidably supported by the guide columns 106, 106 of the fixed base 102 so as not to rotate. Short button springs 109, 109 as button urging means, and a substantially hollow mounted on the button springs 109, 109 and supported by the guide posts 106, 106 so as to be vertically slidable and non-rotatable. And a movable button 101 having a cylindrical shape (precisely, a donut disk-shaped guide lid 101b attached to the bottom surface of an inverted cup-shaped button main body 101a).

The unit moving means 104 includes the guide struts 106 and 106 erected on the fixed base 102, and a base that is attached to the guide struts 106 and 106 in a compressed state and biases the button unit 103 in the push-up direction. FIG. 25 (a2) shows the long base springs 110, 110 as the urging means and the output shaft 105a of the drive member 105, and the rotation axis is directed in the vertical direction parallel to the guide column 106 and directed to the side peripheral surface 111a. ), (B2), and a cylindrical cam 111 provided with a cam groove 112 having a groove shape that changes from top to bottom in the expanded state, and a cylindrical cam 111 on the lower surface of the movable base 108 of the button unit 103. A roller-type cam follower 113 projecting toward the cam groove 112.
The cam groove 112 of the cylindrical cam 111 is formed such that the first groove wall 112a constituting the cam surface is appropriately inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the other second groove wall 112b is formed substantially straight in the vertical direction. .

  In the conventional push button type input device, as shown in FIGS. 25A1 and 25A2, the cam follower 113 of the movable base 108 is engaged with the lower end surface of the cylindrical cam 111, so that the button unit 103 has a long base. The spring is moored in the first position against the bias of the spring. This first position is set to the normal state, and when the player pushes and releases the movable button 101 at a timing necessary for the game in this state, the movable button 101 is attached with the short button springs 109 and 109. The downward movement of the movable button 101 is detected by the sensor 107 on the fixed base 102 side, which is an input detection means, and the original position is restored by the urging of the short button springs 109 and 109. .

On the other hand, when the cylindrical cam 111 is rotated in the forward rotation direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 25A2 when the game has shifted to a special stage, for example, it contacts the lower end surface 111b of the cylindrical cam 111. The inclined first groove wall 112a of the cam groove 112 faces on the cam follower 113. Then, the cam follower 113 rises at a constant speed while slidably contacting the first groove wall 112a by the urging of the long base spring 110, and reaches the upper end of the cam groove 112 as shown in FIGS. 25 (b1) and (b2). Stop. Therefore, the button unit 103 changes from the first position in FIG. 25 (a1) to the second position in FIG. 25 (b1) at a predetermined speed.
When the cylindrical cam 111 is rotated from the state of FIG. 25 (a2) in the reverse rotation direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 25A, the vertical direction of the cam groove 112 is placed on the cam follower 113 in contact with the lower end surface 111b of the cylindrical cam 111. A straight second groove wall 112b faces. Then, the cam follower 113 reaches the upper end of the cam groove 112 in a no-brake state with almost no contact with the second groove wall 112b by the urging of the long base spring 110. Accordingly, the button unit 103 instantly changes from the first position in FIG. 25A1 to the second position in FIG. 25B1.

A player who knows that the button unit 103 is in the projecting state of the second position is a symbolic state of moving to a special stage, and pushes the movable button 101 with a great sense of achievement and satisfaction. . Then, the movable button 101 is moved down to the first position together with the button unit 103 against the urging of the long base springs 110, 110, and the movable button 101 also presses and shortens the shorter button spring 109. When approaching the movable base 108, the downward movement of the movable button 101 is detected by the sensor 107.
When the player releases the movable button 101, the short button springs 109 and 109 and the long base springs 110 and 110 are moved back together, and the button unit 103 is instantaneously returned to the second position.

  On the other hand, when the special stage of the game ends, the cylindrical cam 111 rotates in the reverse rotation direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 25 (b2) from the state of FIGS. 25 (b1) and (b2) according to a predetermined program. Then, the cam follower 113 is pushed down by the inclination of the first groove wall 112a of the cam groove 112, and finally the cam follower 113 comes into contact with the lower end surface 111b of the cylindrical cam 111, and FIGS. 25 (a1) and (a2). ) To the first position.

  The conventional push button type input device having the above-described configuration is not only operated when the button unit 103 is in the second position where it protrudes, but it is necessary not only to push the movable button 101 down to the first position, but also to operate deeper than that. Since the stroke is long, the input detection means does not operate normally due to insufficient push-in, or the time from the start of push-in to the detection is too long and the timing is lost.

JP2013-116169A

  The conventional push button type input device mainly has an effect of changing one movable button between the first position and the second position, and thus has a problem that the effect mode becomes monotonous.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine including a push button type input device capable of widening the range of effects.

As described in claim 1, a gaming machine in which a push button type input device for a player is mounted on a button mounting portion in front of the machine,
The push button type input device is:
A movable pedestal button that is displaceable to a first position and a second position protruding outward from the first position;
First moving means for displacing the movable pedestal button from the first position to the second position, and vice versa;
The position of the upper surface is set at substantially the same level as the upper surface of the movable pedestal button, and is arranged in an island shape inside the movable pedestal button in plan view, the first position, the second position, A movable switch button displaceable to a third position protruding outward from the upper surface of the movable pedestal button;
A button urging means that constantly urges the movable switch button to the outside and can move the movable switch button that has been pushed by hand and displaced from the current position to the lower position by its own urging;
A second moving means may also be displaced in one and vice versa displacing the second position the movable switch button from the first position,
A third moving means for displacing the movable switch button to the third position and vice versa;
Input detection means adapted to detect the displacement of the movable switch button that is pushed by the hand from the current position to the one lower position by moving together with the movable switch button to change the detection position; Provide gaming machines.

  Since the gaming machine of the present invention can move only the movable switch button to the third position from the state where the movable base button and the movable switch button are moved from the first position to the second position, the push button type input It is possible to widen the range of effects produced by the device.

It is a perspective view of a slot machine. It is a disassembled perspective view of the pushbutton type input device of the basic form 1. It is a front view of the pushbutton type input device of basic form 1. It is a longitudinal direction longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pushbutton type input device of the basic form 1. It is a transversal longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pushbutton type input device of the basic form 1. It is a transversal direction longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which pushed the movable button of FIG. It is a longitudinal direction longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pushbutton type input device which shows the state which switched the button unit of the basic form 1 to the 2nd position. It is a transversal direction longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pushbutton type input device which shows the state which switched the button unit of the basic form 1 to the 2nd position. It is a transversal direction longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which pushed the movable button of FIG. The combination of the end face cam which is a unit moving means of a basic form 1, and a rotation cam follower is shown, (a) is a development view of the state where the button unit is in the first position, (b) is the state where the button unit is in the second position FIG. The combination of the end face cam which is a unit moving means and the basic form 2 of a rotation cam follower is shown, (a) is a development view of the state where the button unit is in the first position, and (b) and (c) are the button unit being the second. It is an expanded view of the state in a position. 11A is a sectional view showing the relationship between the upper rotary cam follower of FIG. 11 and the rotation shaft of the drive member, and FIG. 11B is a sectional view showing the relationship between the lower rotation cam follower of FIG. 11 and the rotation shaft of the drive member. is there. (A1), (b1) is a front view of the push button type input device showing the basic form 3, and (a2), (b2) are developed views of a cylindrical cam. (A1), (b1) is a front view of a push button type input device showing a basic form 4, and (a2), (b2) are developed views of a cylindrical cam. It is a front view of a push button type input device. It is a top view of a push button type input device. It is a longitudinal direction longitudinal cross-sectional view of a push button type input device. It is a longitudinal direction sectional view of a push button type input device. It is a longitudinal direction longitudinal cross-sectional view which decomposes | disassembles and shows FIG. It is a longitudinal direction longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pushbutton type input device which shows the state which switched the base button unit and the movable switch button unit to the 2nd position. It is a longitudinal direction longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pushbutton type input device which shows the state which switched the movable switch button unit to the 3rd position. It is a principal part expanded view of the end surface cam and rotation cam follower which shows the state which has a base button unit and a movable switch button unit in a 1st position. It is a principal part expanded view of the end surface cam and rotation cam follower which shows the state which has a base button unit and a movable switch button unit in a 2nd position. It is a principal part expanded view of the end face cam and rotation cam follower which show the state which has a movable switch button unit in a 3rd position. FIG. 2 shows a conventional technique, in which (a1) and (b1) are front views of a push button type input device, and (a2) and (b2) are development views of a cylindrical cam.

[Basic form 1]
First, a gaming machine of basic form 1 serving as a base of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 by taking a slot machine as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 includes a box-shaped outer main body 2 having an open front surface, a door-shaped front member 3 that is pivotally attached to the front surface of the outer main body 2 in the form of a side-opening door, It has a symbol variation display device 4 that varies a plurality of symbols, and an image display device 5 that displays an arbitrary image.

[Door type front member]
The door-shaped front member 3 is provided with a medal tray 12 below the front side, and an operation panel 6 is provided substantially at the center on the front side. The operation panel 6 has a slot 7 for inserting medals and a single slot for instructing the insertion (withdrawal) of only one of the medals stored as data in the memory of the main board (not shown) in the machine. The button 8, the MAX insertion button 9 for instructing the insertion of the maximum number (for example, three) that can be used in one game, and a medal tray in a medal selector (not shown) in the machine The medal return button 10 for returning to 12, the start lever 11 for operating the symbol variation display device 4, and the three reel stop buttons 13a, 13b for stopping the reels 4a, 4b, 4c of the symbol variation display device 4 , 13c, etc. are provided.
Further, the operation panel 6 is provided with a button mounting portion 14 at the center, and a push button type input device 15 for game effect is mounted on the button mounting portion 14.
Needless to say, the configuration of the operation panel 6 shown here is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Push button type input device]
The push button type input device 15 has an elliptical appearance in plan view with the long axis directed in the left-right direction of the operation panel 6, and is a fixed base fixedly mounted in the button mounting portion 14 of the operation panel 6. The table 16 is schematically constituted by a button unit 17 supported by the fixed base 16 so as to be movable up and down, and unit moving means 18 for moving the button unit 17 up and down.

[Fixed base]
The fixed base 16 is in the form of an elliptical transparent cup, and has a decorative collar 19 that hides the opening edge of the button mounting portion 14 at the upper peripheral edge of the fixed base 16, and an ellipse on the upper surface of the collar 19. A ring-shaped decorative plate 20 is superposed. In addition, the collar part 19 and the decorative board 20 are each formed with the synthetic resin which has translucency, and the radial light diffusion V-shaped groove | channel 21 which goes to the center of an ellipse is engraved on each opposing surface. .
On the other hand, a bottomed cylindrical motion conversion chamber 22 is connected to the center of the fixed base 16. The motion conversion chamber 22 is a space for converting a rotary motion into a vertical motion by an end face cam 39 and a rotary cam follower 40, which will be described later, and has a step having a large diameter upper cylinder 22a and a smaller diameter lower cylinder 22b. It is cylindrical, and the boundary between the upper cylinder 22a and the lower cylinder 22b is a flat sliding receiving surface 22c.

[Button unit]
The button unit 17 is fitted to the fixed base 16 and is supported on a movable base 23 that can be vertically slidable and non-rotatable. The movable button 24 is generally composed of a button spring 25 as button urging means for urging the movable button 24 upward, and input detection means for detecting depression of the movable button 24.

[Button unit-movable base]
The movable base 23 has an elliptical cup shape that is substantially aligned with the inner periphery of the fixed base 16 and is supported on the fixed base 16 so as to be vertically slidable and non-rotatable. The movable base 23 has a height dimension that fits perfectly inside the fixed base 16, and elastic ratchet protrusions 26 that are fixed at the lower end and are free from the upper end are projected at four locations on the peripheral wall 23 a. On the other hand, the peripheral wall 16a of the fixed base 16 is provided with a vertically long opening 27 in which the elastic ratchet projecting piece 26 of the movable base 23 enters and can be freely moved up and down. The elastic ratchet protrusion 26 can move in the vertical direction inside the fixed base 16 with the position where the elastic ratchet protrusion 26 abuts the upper edge of the vertically long opening 27 of the fixed base 16 as an upper limit. In addition, the vertically long opening 27 of the fixed base 16 also functions as a drain outlet when liquid is accidentally entered or liquid is intentionally introduced.
Further, an elliptical receiving tube 29 that opens upward is provided at the center of the bottom wall 28 of the movable base 23, and lighting LEDs 30 a, 30 a... Are installed on the upper surface of the bottom wall 28. A wiring board 30 is attached.

[Moveable button]
The movable button 24 includes a button head portion 31 having a shape in which the elliptical cup of the movable base 23 is substantially inverted, and a slightly loosely-fitting cylinder portion 32 that protrudes below the button head portion 31. The loosely fitting cylindrical portion 32 is loosely fitted on the upper surface of the movable base 23 and is mounted so as to be slidable up and down and not rotatable.
In addition, the movable button 24 includes an elliptical shaft cylinder 34 having a downward opening shape that is slidably fitted into the elliptical receiving cylinder 29 of the movable base 23 at the center of the reinforcing girder 33 that crosses the loosely fitting cylindrical portion 32. The button spring 25 is loaded in a compressed state inside the elliptical cylinder 34 and the elliptical receiving cylinder 29. Therefore, the movable button 24 is always urged upward by the urging of the button spring 25.
Further, the movable button 24 has downward anchor claws 35 formed at four positions of the loose fitting cylinder portion 32, and the anchor claws 35 are formed in the anchor receiving holes 36 formed in the peripheral wall 23 a of the movable base 23. It engages so as not to come out upward.

[Button unit-Input detection means]
The input detection means is for detecting depression of the movable button 24, and as shown in the enlarged views of FIGS. 5 and 6, a downward tongue piece 37 protruding from the reinforcing beam 33 of the movable button 24, A combination of a light-emitting element 38a and a known optical sensor 38 in which the light-receiving element 38b is in contact with each other, and electrically detects a state in which a downward tongue piece 37 enters between the light-emitting element 38a and the light-receiving element 38b. It is determined that the movable button 24 is pressed.

[Unit moving means]
The unit moving means 18 moves the button unit 17 up and down, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, and a first position at a height at which the top of the movable button 24 faces slightly above the button mounting portion 14, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, almost the entire button head 31 of the movable button 24 can be switched to the second position having a height protruding from the button mounting portion 14, and the bottom of the movable base 23. An end face cam 39 integrally formed on the lower surface of the wall 28, a rotating cam follower 40 slidably in contact with the end face cam 39, and a drive member 41 such as a motor capable of rotating forward and reverse to rotate the rotating cam follower 40 are roughly constituted.

[End face cam]
As shown in the developed views of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the end face cam 39 has three identical cam faces arranged at intervals of 120 degrees with the axis passing through the center of the ellipse of the movable base 23 as the center. This is a so-called three-fold rotationally symmetric solid cam. One cam surface of the end surface cam 39 includes, in order from the end, a first stop surface 39a flush with the bottom wall 28 of the movable base 23, an elevating surface 39b inclined with respect to the first stop surface 39a, The second stop surface 39c is a substantially horizontal (strictly curved surface that is slightly recessed upward), and a detent piece 39d that protrudes substantially perpendicularly downward from the second stop surface 39c.

[Rotating cam follower]
The rotary cam follower 40 is rotatably installed in the motion conversion chamber 22 of the fixed base 16, and has a large diameter portion 40a that fits in the upper cylinder 22a of the motion conversion chamber 22, a small diameter portion 40b that fits in the lower cylinder 22b, Three sliding contact pieces 40c projecting from the large-diameter portion 40a toward the respective cam surfaces of the end face cam 39, and are attached to the bottom surface of the motion conversion chamber 22 of the fixed base 16. The drive member 41 is directly connected to the rotation shaft 41a.

  2, 4, and 7, reference numeral 42 is a tongue-shaped detection piece suspended from the bottom wall 28 of the movable base 23, and reference numeral 43 is the same optical sensor as the sensor 38 of the input detection means. The position of the button unit 17 is detected by the combination of the detection piece 42 and the sensor 43, and the signal is used for controlling the unit moving means 18.

[Description of operation]
The push button type input device 15 of the basic form 1 has a button when the sliding contact piece 40c of the rotating cam follower 40 is in contact with the first stop surface 39a of the end cam 39 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and FIG. 10A, the unit 17 is in a first position at a height at which the top of the movable button 24 faces slightly above the button mounting portion 14. This first position is set to the normal state, and when the player pushes and releases the movable button 24 at a timing necessary for the game in this state, the movable button 24 is moved to the button spring as shown by the solid line in FIG. 25, the downward movement of the movable button 24 is detected by the sensor 38 of the movable base 23 serving as an input detection means, and the original position is restored by the urging of the button spring 25.

  On the other hand, when the game is shifted to a special stage, for example, when the rotating cam follower 40 is rotated about 120 degrees in the forward rotation direction as shown by an arrow in FIG. The piece 40c slides on the cam surface of the end face cam 39 and stops from the first stop surface 39a through the elevating surface 39b to the rotation stop piece 39d of the second stop surface 39c. Thereby, the button unit 17 is changed to the second position together with the movable base 23. If the lighting LEDs 30a, 30a,... Are turned on or blinked in accordance with the change of the button unit 17 to the second position, it is possible to produce a strong and gorgeous effect of shifting to a special stage.

  A player who knows that the button unit 17 is in the projecting state of the second position is a symbolic state of having shifted to a special stage, and obtains a great sense of achievement and satisfaction with the movable button 24, for example. Push it in as if you were hitting it with your palm. Also in this case, it is the same as the first position, and as shown by the solid line in FIG. 9, the movable button 24 descends against the button spring 25, and the movement of the movable button 24 is the movement of the movable base 23 as the input detection means. It is detected by the sensor 38 and returned to its original position by the urging of the button spring 25. The lower limit position when the movable button 24 is pushed in with the button unit 17 in the second position is preferably set to a position higher than the opening of the button mounting portion 14 as shown by the solid line in FIG. By doing so, even if the movable button 24 is pushed so as to be struck with the palm as described above, the input can be made reliably.

  As described above, the push button type input device 15 of the basic form 1 has the operation stroke from the first position necessary for detecting the pushing operation of the movable button 24 by the input detecting means (the downward tongue piece 37 and the sensor 38), Similarly, the operation stroke from the second position necessary for detecting the pressing operation of the movable button 24 by the input detection means is substantially the same.

[Basic form 2]
FIGS. 11A to 11C show the basic form 2. FIG. In this basic form 2, the moving speed of the button unit 17 by the unit moving means 18 can be switched in two steps. For this purpose, an end face cam 390 having a steep rising / lowering surface 390b and a rotating cam follower 400 are provided. Pairs have been added.

Specifically, a high-speed end cam 390 and a rotary cam follower 400 are added below the end cam 39 and the rotary cam follower 40 of the basic configuration 1.
The upper end cam 39 is the same as in the basic form 1, but the upper rotary cam follower 40 is slidably mounted on the upper surface of the lower end cam 390 and is relative to the rotation shaft 41a of the drive member 41. As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the external teeth 44 of the rotating shaft 41a and the engagement step portion 46 of the shaft hole 45 on the rotating cam follower 40 side mesh with each other in the forward rotation direction of the rotating shaft 41a, and reversely rotate. The outer teeth 44 of the rotating shaft 41a are set in a spline shape so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and are further urged by a biasing means (not shown) such as a spiral spring. It is biased in the reverse rotation direction.
On the other hand, the lower end cam 390 is set so as to be loosely fitted to the rotating shaft 41a so that bidirectional rotation is not transmitted and can slide only in the axial direction.

Further, the lower rotating cam follower 400 is rotatably mounted on the sliding receiving surface 22c of the motion conversion chamber 22, and is rotated with respect to the rotating shaft 41a of the driving member 41 as shown in FIG. The outer teeth 440 and the engagement step portion 460 of the shaft hole 450 on the rotating cam follower 400 side are engaged with each other with respect to rotation in the reverse rotation direction of the rotation shaft 41a, and are engaged with each other to idle with respect to rotation in the normal rotation direction. Further, it is urged in the forward rotation direction by urging means (not shown) such as a spiral spring.
In addition, since the structure except the above of the basic form 2 is the same as the basic form 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Since the unit moving means 18 of the basic form 2 is configured as described above, when the rotation shaft 41a of the drive member 41 is rotated about 120 degrees in the forward rotation direction as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), The lower end face cam 390 and the rotating cam follower 400 do not move at all because they are not meshed with respect to the positive rotation direction of the rotating shaft 41a. On the other hand, the upper rotating cam follower 40 rotates in the forward rotation direction as shown in FIG. 11B due to the meshing relationship between the external teeth 440 of the rotating shaft 41a and the engaging step portion 460 of the shaft hole 450. Thereby, the button unit 17 changes to the 2nd position at the same speed as the basic form 1. Further, when the rotating shaft 41a rotates in the reverse rotation direction at a predetermined timing, the upper rotary cam follower 40 rotates in the reverse rotation direction by the biasing means such as a winding spring, and the state shown in FIG. Go back.

  Next, when the rotation shaft 41a of the drive member 41 is rotated about 120 degrees in the reverse rotation direction opposite to the above, the upper end face cam 39 and the rotation cam follower 40 do not mesh with the reverse rotation direction of the rotation shaft 41a. It does n’t move at all. On the other hand, the lower rotation cam follower 400 rotates in the reverse rotation direction as shown in FIG. 11C due to the meshing relationship between the external teeth 440 of the rotation shaft 41a and the engagement step portion 460 of the shaft hole 450. As a result, the button unit 17 changes to the second position at a speed higher than that of the basic form 1. Further, when the rotation shaft 41a rotates in the forward rotation direction at a predetermined timing, the lower rotary cam follower 400 rotates in the forward rotation direction by the biasing means such as a winding spring, so that the state shown in FIG. Go back.

  As described above, the push button type input device 15 of the basic form 2 can switch the speed at which the button unit 17 changes from the first position to the second position by rotating the driving member 41 forward and backward. Therefore, various changes to a special stage of the game can be produced more effectively by changing the speed of the button unit 17 of the push button type input device 15.

[Basic form 3]
FIG. 13 shows the application of the invention of the basic form to the push button type input device 15 described in the prior art. As described above, “the operation stroke is long, so that the input detection means does not operate normally due to insufficient push, or the push The problem that “the time from the start to the detection is too long and the timing is lost” can be solved. In FIG. 13, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

In the basic form 3, a convex braking portion 114 is provided on the upper wall surface of the second groove wall 112b, which can come into contact with the cam follower 113 when it moves downward in the cam groove 112 by the pushing operation of the movable button 101 by the player. It is a thing.
In such a configuration, the movable button 101 of the button unit 103 approaches the movable base 108 against the bias of the button springs 109 and 109 due to the resistance generated in the cam follower 113 when passing over the braking portion 114 and immediately It is detected by the customer input detection means. Since the cam follower 113 that has passed through the braking unit 114 is pushed down as it is, even if the input detection means does not operate due to resistance when passing through the braking unit 114, the cam follower 113 is pushed down to the same level as in the prior art. The input detection means operates with a certain degree of probability.

  As described above, the basic form 3 is the conventional push button type input device 15, but the time from the start of pressing the movable button 101 to the detection regardless of whether the button unit 103 is in the first position or the second position. Is almost unchanged, and the pressing of the movable button 101 can be reliably detected regardless of whether the button unit 103 is in the first position or the second position.

The technical idea of the basic form 3 can be grasped as follows.
[Technical thought]
A gaming machine in which a push button type input device for a player is mounted on a button mounting portion in front of the machine,
The push button type input device is:
A movable button that is urged by the button urging means from the inside of the machine toward the outside of the machine and that can be pushed against the urging and that can be moved back by the urging of the button urging means by releasing the pushing; ,
A movable base that supports the movable button and the button biasing means and constitutes a button unit together with the movable button;
Unit moving means for moving the button unit in the same direction as the pushing / returning direction of the movable button so that the button unit can be switched between a first position and a second position protruding therefrom;
Input detecting means for detecting the push of the movable button, and
The input detection means is provided on the movable base and the movable button of the button unit,
The button unit is biased toward the second position by base biasing means for biasing the movable base,
The unit moving means is
When the first position is down and the second position is up,
A groove-shaped cam that is controlled so as to be able to rotate in the forward and reverse directions by a drive member, and whose rotation axis is directed in the vertical direction that coincides with the moving direction of the movable button, and that widens from top to bottom in a deployed state on the side peripheral surface A cylindrical cam having a groove;
A cam follower provided on the movable base of the button unit and engaged with the cam groove of the cylindrical cam and a lower end surface of the cylindrical cam;
The cylindrical cam is used to moor the button unit against the urging force of the base urging means in a state where the cam follower is engaged with its lower end surface,
Further, the cam groove of the cylindrical cam is formed so that the first groove wall constituting the cam surface is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, while the other second groove wall is directed substantially straight in the vertical direction,
Further, the second groove wall includes a braking portion on the upper wall surface thereof that can come into contact when the cam follower moves downward in the cam groove by a pushing operation of the movable button by a player, and passes through the braking portion. A game characterized in that the movable button of the button unit is detected by the input detection means in the vicinity of the movable base against the urging of the button urging means by the resistance generated in the cam follower. Machine.

[Basic form 4]
FIG. 14 is similar to the basic mode 3 in that the present invention is applied to the push-button type input device 15 described in the prior art, and the above-described “the operation stroke is long. Or the time from the start of pushing to the detection is too long and the timing is lost "can be solved. 14 that are the same as those in FIG. 25 are the same or have the same functions, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

In the basic form 4, a mooring step portion 115 capable of receiving the cam follower 113 and mooring the movable base 108 of the button unit 103 at the second position is provided at the upper end of the second groove wall 112b.
In such a configuration, the cam follower 113 can be received by the mooring step portion 115 by rotating the cylindrical cam 111 in the forward rotation direction with the cam follower 113 reaching the upper end of the cam groove 112 in FIG. it can. When the cam follower 113 is received by the mooring step portion 115, the button unit 103 is moored at the second position, so that the movable button 101 can be pushed in the same state as when the button unit 17 is at the first position.
In addition, what is necessary is just to rotate the cylindrical cam 111 to a reverse rotation direction, when changing the button unit 103 in a 2nd position to a 1st position. As a result, first, the cam follower 113 comes out of the mooring step portion 115 and comes into sliding contact with the second groove wall 112b, and the button unit 103 is moved by the same operation as in the prior art.

The technical idea of the basic form 4 can be grasped as follows.
[Technical thought]
A gaming machine in which a push button type input device for a player is mounted on a button mounting portion in front of the machine,
The push button type input device is:
A movable button that is urged by the button urging means from the inside of the machine toward the outside of the machine and that can be pushed against the urging and that can be moved back by the urging of the button urging means by releasing the pushing; ,
A movable base that supports the movable button and the button biasing means and constitutes a button unit together with the movable button;
Unit moving means for moving the button unit in the same direction as the pushing / returning direction of the movable button so that the button unit can be switched between a first position and a second position protruding therefrom;
Input detecting means for detecting the push of the movable button, and
The input detection means is provided on the movable base and the movable button of the button unit,
The button unit is biased toward the second position by base biasing means for biasing the movable base,
The unit moving means is
When the first position is down and the second position is up,
A groove shape that is controlled so that it can be rotated at least in the forward and reverse directions by the drive member, and whose rotation axis is directed in the up and down direction that coincides with the moving direction of the movable button, and that changes widely from top to bottom in a deployed state on the side peripheral surface A cylindrical cam having a cam groove;
A cam follower provided on the movable base of the button unit and engaged with the cam groove of the cylindrical cam and a lower end surface of the cylindrical cam;
The cylindrical cam is used to moor the button unit against the urging force of the base urging means in a state where the cam follower is engaged with its lower end surface,
The cam groove of the cylindrical cam is formed so that the first groove wall constituting the cam surface is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, while the other second groove wall is directed substantially straight in the vertical direction. A gaming machine, wherein the cam follower is received at an upper end of the second groove wall to moor the movable base of the button unit at the second position.

The technical ideas of the basic forms 1 to 4 can be grasped as follows.
[Technical thought]
A gaming machine in which a push button type input device for a player is mounted on a button mounting portion in front of the machine,
The push button type input device is:
A movable button that is urged by the button urging means from the inside of the machine toward the outside of the machine and that can be pushed against the urging and that can be moved back by the urging of the button urging means by releasing the pushing; ,
A movable base that supports the movable button and the button biasing means and constitutes a button unit together with the movable button;
Unit moving means for moving the button unit in the same direction as the pushing / returning direction of the movable button so that the button unit can be switched between a first position and a second position protruding therefrom;
An input detection means having a detected part and a sensor for detecting the pressing of the movable button,
By providing the input detection means on the movable base side and the movable button side of the button unit, an operation from the first position necessary for detecting the pressing operation of the movable button by the input detection means. A gaming machine in which the stroke and the operation stroke from the second position necessary for detecting the pressing operation of the movable button by the input detection means are substantially the same.
[effect]
Such a gaming machine is provided with input detection means including a detected portion and a sensor for detecting depression of the movable button on the movable base side and the movable button side of the button unit. The operation stroke from the first position necessary for detecting the push-in operation by the input detection means is substantially the same as the operation stroke from the second position. Therefore, the time from the start of pressing the movable button to the detection hardly changes regardless of whether the button unit is in the first position or the second position, and the button unit is in either the first position or the second position. Can reliably detect the pressing of the movable button.

[Embodiment]
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a slot machine as a gaming machine as an example. The configuration of the slot machine 1 excluding the push button type input device 115 is the same as that of the basic form 1 and will not be described. Further, since the push button type input device 115 is based on the basic form 1, the same or the same functions as those of the basic form 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, or 100 added thereto. Therefore, constituent elements that are the same as those in the basic form 1 or that have been added with a reference numeral 100 and that are not described below will be described in the basic form 1 instead of the description in the embodiment.

[Push button type input device]
In short, the push button type input device 115 includes the combination of the button unit 17 and the unit moving means 18 described in the basic form 1 as the pedestal button unit 17 and the first moving means 18, and is further movable in a configuration in which these are downsized. A combination of the switch button unit 117 and the second moving means (used in the embodiment by the first moving means 18, which will be described later) and the third moving means 118 is added, and they are combined into one drive. It is made to operate | move with the member 41, and is comprised roughly from the fixed base 16 fixedly attached in the button mounting part 14 of the operation panel 6 with them.

[Fixed base]
The fixed base 16 has the same elliptical shape as that of the base form 1 and has a transparent cup form that is longer than the base form 1.
A bottomed cylindrical first motion conversion chamber 22 is connected to the center of the bottom of the fixed base 16. The first motion conversion chamber 22 is a space for converting a rotational motion into a vertical motion of the pedestal button unit 17 by a first end cam 39 and a first rotating cam follower 40, which will be described later, a large diameter upper cylinder 22a, A stepped cylindrical shape having a lower cylinder 22b having a smaller diameter is formed, and the boundary between the upper cylinder 22a and the lower cylinder 22b is a flat sliding receiving surface 22c.

[Pedestal button unit]
The pedestal button unit 17 is mounted on the fixed base 16 so as to be vertically slidable and non-rotatably supported, and is mounted on the upper surface of the movable base 23 so as to be vertically slidable and non-rotatable. A movable pedestal button 24, and button springs 25 and 25 as button urging means for urging the movable pedestal button 24 upward.

[Pedestal button unit-movable base]
The movable base 23 has an elliptical cup shape that is substantially aligned with the inner periphery of the fixed base 16 and is supported on the fixed base 16 so as to be vertically slidable and non-rotatable. The movable base 23 has a height dimension that fits perfectly inside the fixed base 16, and elastic ratchet protrusions 26 that are fixed at the lower end and are free from the upper end are projected at four locations on the peripheral wall 23 a. On the other hand, the peripheral wall 16a of the fixed base 16 is provided with a vertically long opening 27 in which the elastic ratchet projecting piece 26 of the movable base 23 enters and can be freely moved up and down. The elastic ratchet protrusion 26 can move in the vertical direction inside the fixed base 16 with the position where the elastic ratchet protrusion 26 abuts the upper edge of the vertically long opening 27 of the fixed base 16 as an upper limit. In addition, the vertically long opening 27 of the fixed base 16 also functions as a drain outlet when liquid is accidentally entered or liquid is intentionally introduced.
Further, on the bottom wall 28 of the movable base 23, upward spring receiving cylinders 29 project from the left and right on the long axis of the ellipse, and further on the top surface of the bottom wall 28 are LEDs for illumination (not shown). ) Etc. are mounted.

[Movable pedestal button]
The movable pedestal button 24 includes a button head 31 having a shape in which the elliptical cup of the movable base 23 is substantially inverted, and a slightly loosely-fitting cylinder portion 32 projecting below the button head 31. The loosely fitting cylinder portion 32 is loosely fitted on the upper surface of the movable base 23 and is slidable up and down and non-rotatable.
The movable pedestal button 24 is provided with a downward spring shaft tube 240 at a position facing the spring receiving tube 29 of the movable base 23, and the button spring is provided on the spring shaft tube 240 and the spring receiving tube 29. 25 is loaded in a compressed state. Therefore, the movable pedestal button 24 is always urged upward by the urging of the button spring 25.
Further, although not shown, the movable pedestal button 24 is formed with four downward anchor claws in the loosely fitting cylindrical portion 32 as in the basic form 1, and the anchor claws are opened on the peripheral wall 23a of the movable base 23. It engages with the anchor receiving hole formed so as not to come out upward.

[First moving means]
The first moving means 18 moves the pedestal button unit 17 up and down, and as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a first position at a height at which the top of the movable pedestal button 24 faces slightly above the button mounting portion 14. As shown in FIG. 20, almost the entire button head 31 of the movable pedestal button 24 can be switched between the second position of the height protruding from the button mounting portion 14, and the movable base 23. A first end cam 39 integrally formed on the lower surface of the bottom wall 28, a first rotating cam follower 40 that is slidably in contact with the first end cam 39, and a drive member such as a motor that can rotate forward and reverse to rotate the first rotating cam follower 40. 41.

[First end face cam]
The first end face cam 39 is a so-called three-fold rotationally symmetric three-dimensional cam in which three identical cam faces are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees with an axis passing through the center of the ellipse of the movable base 23 as the center. One cam surface of the first end face cam 39 includes, in order from the end, the first stop surface 39a flush with the bottom wall 28 of the movable base 23, as shown in the lower stage of the development view of FIG. A lift surface 39b that is inclined with respect to the first stop surface 39a, a second horizontal stop surface 39c that is substantially horizontal (strictly, a curved surface that is slightly recessed upward), and protrudes substantially perpendicularly downward from the second stop surface 39c. The rotation stop surface 39b is completed by rotation of about 60 degrees from the beginning of rotation, and the second stop surface 39c continues for the remaining about 60 degrees.

[First rotating cam follower]
The first rotating cam follower 40 is rotatably installed in the first motion conversion chamber 22 of the fixed base 16, and has a large diameter portion 40a that fits in the upper cylinder 22a of the first motion conversion chamber 22, and a lower cylinder 22b. A small-diameter portion 40b that fits, and three sliding contact pieces 40c that project from the large-diameter portion 40a toward the respective cam surfaces of the first end face cam 39. It is directly connected to the rotating shaft 41 a of the drive member 41 attached to the bottom surface of the motion conversion chamber 22.

  In FIG. 17, reference numeral 42 denotes a tongue-shaped detection piece suspended from the bottom wall 28 of the movable base 23. Similarly, reference numeral 43 denotes an optical sensor which is the same as the sensor 38 of the input detection means. The position of the pedestal button unit 17 is detected by the combination of the sensor 42 and the sensor 43, and the signal is used for controlling the unit moving means 18.

[Moving switch button unit and second and third moving means]
The movable switch button unit 117 and the third moving means 180 for displacing the movable switch button unit 117 are obtained by reducing the size of the pedestal button unit 17 and the first moving means 18 so that they can be accommodated in a cylinder. Components having the same or the same function as those of the moving means 18 are denoted by reference numerals obtained by adding 100 to the reference numerals, and the description of the principle is omitted. Differences will be described below. The second moving means for displacing the movable switch button unit 117 from the first position to the second position or vice versa is also used by the first moving means 18 as will be described later.

[Movable switch button unit]
The movable switch button unit 117 has an upper surface set at substantially the same level as the upper surface of the movable pedestal button 24 in the first position, and is formed in an island shape in the center of the movable pedestal button 24 in plan view as shown in FIG. The movable pedestal button 24 is disposed so as to be displaced in the vertical direction.

[Second moving means]
The second moving means displaces the movable switch button 124, that is, the movable switch button unit 117 from the first position to the second position as shown in FIG. 20, and vice versa. In the embodiment, a second movement conversion chamber 122 corresponding to the first movement conversion chamber 22 is integrally formed on the movable base 23, and the third moving means 118 and the movable switch button unit 117 for displacing the movable switch button unit 117 therein. Accordingly, the movable switch button 124 is also displaced from the first position to the second position or vice versa together with the pedestal button unit 17 in a state of being placed in the second motion conversion chamber 122. Therefore, in the embodiment, the second moving means for displacing the movable switch button 124 from the first position to the second position or vice versa is also used by the first moving means 18 of the pedestal button unit 17. Of course, the second moving means may be provided separately from the first moving means 18.

[Third moving means]
The third moving means 118 moves the movable switch button unit 117 up and down so that the upper surface of the movable switch button 124 is substantially at the same level as the upper surface of the movable base button 24 as shown in FIG. The second end cam 139 corresponding to the first end cam 39 of the pedestal button unit 17 and the second end cam 139 slidably contacting the third end cam 139 are projected to the third position. The two-rotation cam follower 140 and the drive member 41 that rotates the second rotation cam follower 140 are schematically configured.

[Second rotating cam follower and second end face cam]
The second rotating cam follower 140 is slidable in the axial direction with the rotating shaft 41a of the driving member 41 as a spline shaft, and the rotating shaft 41a is moved when the pedestal button unit 17 moves from the first position to the second position. Sliding in the axial direction while rotating together.
The second end face cam 139 is a so-called three-fold rotationally symmetric three-dimensional cam in which three identical cam faces are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees around the central axis. One cam surface of the second end surface cam 139 includes a first stop surface 139a and an ascending / descending surface inclined with respect to the first stop surface 139a in order from the end as shown in the upper stage of the development view of FIG. 139b, a substantially horizontal (curved surface that is slightly concave upward), and a detent piece 139d that protrudes substantially perpendicularly downward from the second stop surface 139c. The first stop surface 139a occupies about 60 degrees from the first half, and the lift surface 139b and the second stop surface 139c occupy about 60 degrees in the second half.

[Description of operation]
In the push button type input device 115 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the sliding contact piece 40 c of the first rotating cam follower 40 of the first moving means 18 is in contact with the first stop surface 39 a of the first end cam 39. When the pedestal button unit 17 and the movable switch button unit 117 are in the state, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the top surfaces of the movable pedestal button 24 and the movable switch button 124 are so high that the top surfaces of the button mounting portion 14 slightly face up. In one position. This first position is set to the normal state, and when the player pushes and releases the movable switch button 124 at a timing necessary for the game in this state, the movable switch button 124 opposes the button spring 125. The movable switch button 124 moves downward and is detected by the sensor 138 serving as an input detection means, and further returns to its original position by the urging of the button spring 125. At this time, since the movable pedestal button 24 can be pushed together with the movable switch button 124, the feeling of use is almost the same as the basic form 1.

On the other hand, when the game is shifted to a special stage, for example, when the first rotating cam follower 40 is rotated about 60 degrees in the forward rotation direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 22, the lower stage as shown in FIG. The sliding contact piece 40c of the first rotating cam follower 40 slides on the cam surface of the first end face cam 39 and stops from the first stop surface 39a through the elevating surface 39b to the second stop surface 39c. Thereby, the base button unit 17 and the movable switch button unit 117 are changed to the second position together.
On the other hand, simultaneously with the lower first rotating cam follower 40, the upper second rotating cam follower 140 also rotates about 60 degrees in the forward rotation direction. In this case, the sliding contact piece 140c of the second rotating cam follower 140 is as shown in FIG. Since the second end cam 139 stops at the end of the first stop surface 139a, the movable switch button unit 117 is not displaced alone.
In addition, if the LED for illumination is turned on or blinked according to the change to the 2nd position of the base button unit 17 and the movable switch button unit 117, it will produce that it moved to the special stage more strongly and gorgeously. Can do.

  The player who knows that the base button unit 17 and the movable switch button unit 117 are in the projecting state of the second position is a symbolic state of shifting to a special stage, has a great sense of achievement and satisfaction. Then, the movable switch button 124 is pushed and released with a fingertip or together with the movable base button 24, for example, with a palm. In this case as well, it is the same as in the first position, and the movable switch button 124 or the movable pedestal button 24 descends against the button springs 25 and 125, and the movement of the movable switch button 124 serves as the input detection means. It is detected by the sensor 138 and returned to its original position by the urging of the button springs 25 and 125.

  The pedestal button unit 17 and the movable switch button unit 117 in the second position are shown by rotating the first and second rotating cam followers 40 and 140 about 60 degrees in the reverse rotation direction from the state of FIG. 23 when the special stage is completed. Returning to the 22 state, i.e. the first position, there may be a transition to the highest stage further while the special stage is being executed. If it does so, the drive member 41 will further rotate about 60 degree | times to the normal rotation direction from the state of FIG. As a result, as shown in the developed view of FIG. 24, the sliding contact piece 140c of the upper second rotary cam follower 140 slides on the lifting surface 139b of the second end face cam 139, so that the movable switch button unit 117 is in the third position as shown in FIG. Protrusively. At this time, the lower rotary cam follower 40 also rotates about 60 degrees in the forward rotation direction, but the sliding contact piece 40c of the first rotary cam follower 40 simply slides on the second stop surface 39c of the lower first end cam 39. Accordingly, the pedestal button unit 17 remains in the second position.

  The player who knows that the movable switch button unit 117 is in the projecting state of the third position is a symbolic state of the transition to the highest stage above the special stage, even greater sense of satisfaction and satisfaction Upon obtaining a feeling, the movable switch button 124 is pushed in and released by hitting it with the fingertip or the palm of the hand. In this case as well, the movable switch button 124 descends against the button spring 125, and the movement of the movable switch button 124 is detected by the sensor 138 as input detection means, and further the button spring. Returning to the original position by urging 125.

  When the highest stage is completed, the first and second rotating cam followers 40 and 140 rotate about 120 degrees in the reverse rotation direction from the state of FIG. 24, and the movable switch button 124 first returns to the second position to move the movable base button. 24, the movable switch button 124 and the movable pedestal button 24 are lowered together to return to the first position.

As described above, in the push button type input device 115 of the present invention, the movable base button 24 and the movable switch button 124 are displaced from the first position to the second position, and only the movable switch button 124 is further moved to the third position from there. Since it is displaced, the width of the production can be greatly expanded.
In addition, as in the basic mode 1, the time from the start of pressing the movable switch button 124 to the detection hardly changes, regardless of where the movable switch button unit 117 is in the first position, the second position, or the third position. The push of the movable switch button 124 can be reliably detected regardless of where the movable switch button unit 117 is in the first position, the second position, and the third position.

  As mentioned above, although the present invention was explained about basic forms 1-4 and an embodiment, the above-mentioned embodiment etc. may be made as follows. For example, in the embodiments and the like, a slot machine is exemplified as a gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, a sparrow ball machine, and an arrange ball machine. In addition, when applying to a pachinko machine, it is preferable to provide a button mounting part in the operation panel (especially the center) of the ball tray unit before the machine which stores a pachinko ball.

  Further, in the embodiments and the like, the push button type input devices 15 and 115 are used for a game effect, but can be used as an input device not intended for the effect.

  In the embodiment, the sensor 138 serving as an input detection unit is provided only in the movable switch button unit 117. However, as in the embodiment, the movable pedestal button 24 is always urged outward and pressed by hand. The same input detection means may be provided in the pedestal button unit 17 provided with the button urging means that can move the movable pedestal button 24 displaced by its own urging. In this case, when the movable switch button 124 and the movable pedestal button 24 are in the first position or the second position, by setting the input detection means so that the input detection can be performed by either of the respective input detection means, it can be handled as one large button switch. Therefore, the player can operate the buttons accurately even in a state close to groping without removing the line of sight from the display of the symbol variation display device 4 or the image display device 5. Further, the input detection means provided separately for the movable switch button unit 117 and the pedestal button unit 17 is input as an independent switch for the movable switch button 124 and the movable pedestal button 24 when the movable switch button unit 117 is in the third position. If the setting is detected, for example, an input pattern such as the input order of the movable switch button 124 and the movable pedestal button 24 and the input pattern of alternately hitting the movable switch button 124 and the movable pedestal button 24 three times are incorporated in the game element. Therefore, the range of production can be further expanded.

  Further, in the embodiment, the position protruding outward from the upper surface of the movable pedestal button 24 at the second position is the third position of the movable switch button 124. However, each of the first moving means 18 and the third moving means 118 By providing an independent driving member, the movable switch button 124 can be protruded outward from the movable base button 24 in the first position and displaced to the third position. Thereby, since the pattern of the form change of the push button type input device 115 increases, the range of production can be further expanded.

1 ... Slot machine (game machine)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Button mounting part 115 ... Push button type input device 18 ... 1st moving means, 2nd moving means 118 ... 3rd moving means 24 ... Movable base button 124 ... Movable switch button 25 ... Spring for buttons (button urging means)
125 ... Spring for button (button biasing means)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine in which a push button type input device for a player is mounted on a button mounting portion in front of the machine,
The push button type input device is:
A movable pedestal button that is displaceable to a first position and a second position protruding outward from the first position;
First moving means for displacing the movable pedestal button from the first position to the second position, and vice versa;
The position of the upper surface is set at substantially the same level as the upper surface of the movable pedestal button, and is arranged in an island shape inside the movable pedestal button in plan view, the first position, the second position, A movable switch button displaceable to a third position protruding outward from the upper surface of the movable pedestal button;
A button urging means that constantly urges the movable switch button to the outside and can move the movable switch button that has been pushed by hand and displaced from the current position to the lower position by its own urging;
A second moving means may also be displaced in one and vice versa displacing the second position the movable switch button from the first position,
A third moving means for displacing the movable switch button to the third position and vice versa;
Input detection means adapted to detect the displacement of the movable switch button that is pushed by the hand from the current position to the one lower position by moving together with the movable switch button to change the detection position; A gaming machine characterized by that.

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