Button device

Abstract

The objective is to provide a button device that controls the protrusion and retraction of buttons while not compromising the button's illumination effect. [Solution] The invention comprises a plurality of button units 2 that can be pressed, a case 80 that houses the button units 2, a panel 10 positioned on the surface of the case 80, a plate-shaped adjustment plate 50 positioned between the panel 10 and the case 80 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and regulating the height position of the button units 2, a lifting means 6 connected to the adjustment plate 50 and moving the adjustment plate 50 in the vertical direction, and a detection unit 90 positioned in the case 80 below the button units 2 and having a light source 92, wherein the lifting means 6 is positioned to the side of the button units 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a button device.

Background Art

[0002] In a gaming machine, a button used for a reel stop operation is known to have a mechanism that moves between a protruding position and a retracted position according to the gaming state. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a lifting means (e.g., an actuator, a solenoid, etc.) arranged directly below a button is moved up and down to protrude the button to the front surface or retract it inside the machine. In this method, by protruding only the button that can be pressed, assist information such as an operation sequence can be notified to the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the lifting mechanism is positioned next to the button unit, and the height of the button unit is controlled by moving an adjustment plate connected to the lifting mechanism up and down. This eliminates the need to position the lifting mechanism directly below the button unit, preventing the light source from being obscured by the lifting mechanism. Furthermore, by not positioning the lifting mechanism directly below the button unit, interference with other mechanisms is reduced, the vertical height can be reduced, and maintainability is improved.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the adjustment plate contacts the restricted portion formed on the button unit to restrict the height position of the button unit.

[0009] According to the present invention, the vertical movement of the button unit can be restricted with a simple configuration.

[0010] Furthermore, the button unit is capable of switching between a reference position corresponding to the normal state, a first position protruding from the reference position, and a second position retracted from the reference position, as its height relative to the panel. It is preferable to switch the height of the button unit between the reference position, the first position, and the second position by operating the lifting mechanism.

[0011] According to the present invention, in the first position, the button unit protrudes from the surface of the panel, visually emphasizing to the user that it is in an operational state. In the second position, it is easier to recognize that it is in an operational state.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that the case includes a spring member that biases the button unit upward, and that when the button unit is in the reference position and the first position, the pressed-down button unit returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the spring member.

[0013] According to the present invention, when the user's pressing operation is released, the biasing force of the spring member can automatically return the button unit to its initial position. This prevents the pressed state from remaining active, ensures a consistent starting position (initial position) for each operation, and improves the reliability of operation detection.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the button unit is restricted to a position where it cannot be pressed at the second position.

[0015] According to the present invention, in the second position, the button unit is restricted to a position where it cannot be pressed, thus preventing user error.

[0016] Furthermore, in the second position, it is preferable that the upper surface of the button unit is located substantially on the same plane as the upper surface of the panel.

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to visually confirm that the button unit is inoperable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the button device of the present invention, it is possible to control the protrusion and retraction of the button and prevent interference with the button's illumination effect. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the button device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of the button device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow III-III in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow IV-IV in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged perspective view showing the panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged perspective view showing the button unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing the button unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing the adjustment plate according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing the case according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing the detection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view of the button device showing the state where the button unit is pushed down from the reference position of the button unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view of the button device showing the first position of the button unit according to the embodiment. [[ID=?]] [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view of the button device showing the state where the button unit is pushed down from the first position of the button unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a cross-sectional view of the button device showing the second position of the button unit according to the embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with appropriate reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited only to the following embodiments. In the description, "surface" means the surface opposite to the "back surface".

[0021] It should be noted that there seems to be an error in the original text where the tag "ID=?" is present. It should probably be "ID=37".As shown in Figure 1, the button device 1 is a stop button device provided on the front of the gaming machine, which inputs a reel stop command in response to a user's press. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the button device 1 comprises a button unit 2, a lifting mechanism 6, a panel 10, an adjustment plate 50, a spring member 70, a case 80, and a detection unit 90. The button device 1 may also be used in devices and equipment other than gaming machines. The button device 1 may function not only as a stop command button but also as other instruction buttons.

[0022] <Panel> As shown in Figure 5, the panel 10 is a decorative panel formed from a resin material and constitutes the upper part of the appearance of the button device 1. The panel 10 comprises a flat portion 11, a peripheral wall portion 12, a button unit insertion hole 13, a screw fastening portion 14, and a connecting portion 15. The flat portion 11 is plate-shaped and is the surface portion that the user touches. The peripheral wall portion 12 is a wall portion formed on the back surface of the flat portion 11 in the circumferential direction. The length of the peripheral wall portion 12 in the left-right direction is set to be slightly shorter than the length of the flat portion 11 in the left-right direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the button unit insertion hole 13 is provided to allow the button unit 2 to protrude outwards, and is a circular through-hole that penetrates the flat portion 11 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, since three button units are arranged, there are also three button unit insertion holes 13. The button unit 2 is arranged in the hollow space surrounded by the flat portion 11 and the peripheral wall portion 12, and the button unit 2 is configured to protrude in part from the button unit insertion hole 13.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the screw fastening portion 14 is provided for fixing the panel 10 to the case 80. The screw fastening portion 14 extends downward from the back surface of the flat portion 11, has a hole for inserting a screw on its bottom surface, and has a screw groove formed on its inner circumferential surface. The screw fastening portion 14 is inserted through the through hole 53 of the adjustment plate 50 and the through hole 87 of the case 80, so that the part for inserting the screw is located on the back surface of the case 80. In this state, the panel 10 can be fixed to the case 80 by attaching a screw N1 to the screw hole of the screw fastening portion 14.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the connecting portions 15, 15 are formed at both ends of the peripheral wall portion 12 and are parts that connect to external components (e.g., panels) located on the outer circumference. The connecting portion 15 is made up of a cylindrical member with a female threaded portion (screw hole) formed on its inner circumferential surface. The connecting portion 15 is inserted into the fixing portion 85 of the case 80, which will be described later.

[0026] <Button Unit> As shown in Figure 6, the button unit 2 consists of a cap 20, a filter 30, and a reflector 40. The cap 20 can be made of any material that transmits light, for example, plastic. The cap 20 has a pressing portion 21 and a restricted portion 22. The pressing portion 21 is a bottomed cylindrical shape and is the button portion that the user presses. The restricted portion 22 is formed circumferentially at the lower part of the pressing portion 21 and is a portion that protrudes radially outward. As shown in Figure 3, the restricted portion 22 is the portion that contacts the adjustment plate 50. The restricted portion 22 contacts the lower surface of the adjustment plate 50, restricting the upward movement of the button unit 2. In other words, the height position of the adjustment plate 50 determines the height position of the button unit 2.

[0027] The filter 30 is an optical component positioned on the back surface of the cap 20 and is provided to improve the visibility and design of the display by diffusing or attenuating the light emitted from the light source 92 (see Figure 10). For example, the filter 30 may be made of a light-transmitting resin sheet or a colored filter to mitigate the direct light from the light source 92 and suppress uneven illumination and glare.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the reflector 40 is a substantially cylindrical component that slides the cap 20 in response to the pressing operation of the cap 20. The reflector 40 comprises a reflector body portion 41, a circumferential portion 42, temporary fixing portions 43, 43, and a light-shielding portion 44. The reflector body portion 41 is cylindrical and is the part that is housed inside the pressing portion 21 of the cap 20. The circumferential portion 42 is formed circumferentially at the lower part of the reflector body portion 41 and is the part that protrudes radially outward. The outer diameter of the circumferential portion 42 is set to the same outer diameter as the restricted portion 22 of the cap 20, and is the part on which the restricted portion 22 of the cap 20 is placed. As shown in Figure 11, when the button unit 2 is pressed, the circumferential portion 42 comes into contact with the case 80, thereby restricting the pressing operation of the button unit 2.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6, the temporary fastening portions 43, 43 each extend downward from the circumferential portion 42 and are arranged with a 180-degree phase difference. As shown in Figure 7, the lower end of the temporary fastening portion 43 has a claw portion 43a that protrudes radially outward. During assembly, the reflector 40 is inserted into the case 80 from above while pushing the temporary fastening portions 43 toward each other. After passing the temporary fastening portions 43 through the mounting holes 86 (described later), releasing the pushing of the temporary fastening portions 43 toward each other causes the temporary fastening portions 43 to spread apart due to elastic restoring force, and the claw portions 43a catch on the stepped portion 86a, making it difficult to remove.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the light-shielding portion 44 is a part that extends downward from the reflector body portion 41. The light-shielding portion 44 is a member that moves vertically in conjunction with the pressing operation of the button unit 2, and is a light-shielding member for blocking light from the sensor 93 provided in the detection unit 90, which will be described later.

[0031] <Lifting and lowering mechanism> As shown in Figure 4, the lifting mechanism 6 is a component that moves the adjustment plate 50 back and forth in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, a solenoid is used for the lifting mechanism 6, but it may also be an actuator or the like. The lifting mechanism 6 comprises a main body 61 and a pin 62. The main body 61 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped part. The main body 61 houses an electromagnetic coil (not shown) inside. An opening is formed on the surface of the main body 61 for extending and retracting the pin 62. The pin 62 is cylindrical and is supported by the main body 61 so as to be able to move back and forth. A groove 62a is formed at the tip of the pin 62, which is recessed toward the main body 61. The pin 62 is connected to the adjustment plate 50, and the height position of the adjustment plate 50 can be adjusted by extending and retracting the pin 62. In other words, by extending the pin 62, the height position of the adjustment plate 50 can be raised, and by retracting the pin 62, the height position of the adjustment plate 50 can be lowered.

[0032] <Adjustment plate> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the adjustment plate 50 is made of a resin material and is a component for regulating the height position of the button unit 2. The adjustment plate 50 is positioned to be vertically movable in the space U formed between the panel 10 and the case 80. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the adjustment plate 50 comprises a main body portion 51, a button unit insertion hole 52, a through hole 53, and a fitting portion 54.

[0033] The main body portion 51 is plate-shaped, and its back surface is the part that contacts the button unit 2. More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the restricted portion 22 of the cap 20 and the back surface of the main body portion 51 come into contact, thereby restricting the upward movement of the button unit 2 against the biasing force of the spring member 70. In other words, by moving the adjustment plate 50 upward, the button unit 2 is pushed upward by the biasing force of the spring member 70.

[0034] As shown in Figure 8, the button unit insertion hole 52 is a circular through-hole that penetrates the main body 51 in the vertical direction. The button unit insertion hole 52 is provided to allow the cap 20, which is part of the button unit 2, to protrude to the outside. In other words, the button unit insertion hole 52 is formed in a position corresponding to the button unit insertion hole 13 of the button unit 2 and the panel 10.

[0035] The through-holes 53 are circular holes that penetrate the main body 51 in the vertical direction and are provided at two locations corresponding to the screw fastening portions 14 (see Figure 5) of the panel 10. The diameter of the through-holes 53 is made larger than the diameter of the screw fastening portions 14 so as not to obstruct the vertical movement of the adjustment plate 50.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the fitting portion 54 is the part that fits with the pin 62 of the lifting mechanism 6. The fitting portion 54 is formed protruding from the back surface of the main body portion 51 and is composed of a bottomed cylindrical shape with walls. A fitting projection 55 is formed in the center of the fitting portion 54 and fits with the groove portion 62a of the pin 62. This allows the adjustment plate 50 and the lifting mechanism 6 to be firmly connected. Note that if the pin 62 of the lifting mechanism 6 is glued to the fitting portion 54, the fitting projection 55 may be omitted.

[0037] <Case> As shown in Figure 9, the case 80 is made of a resin material and is a component that constitutes the lower part of the button device 1. The case 80 comprises a case body portion 81, a button unit housing portion 82, a lifting mechanism housing portion 83, a through hole 84, a fixing portion 85, and a mounting hole 86. The case body portion 81 has a roughly oblong shape when viewed from above. As shown in Figure 3, the circumferential portion 42 of the reflector 40 abuts against the surface 81a of the case body portion 81, thereby restricting the downward movement of the button unit 2.

[0038] As shown in Figure 9, the button unit housing portion 82 is the area on which the button unit 2 and spring member 70 are placed, and is recessed downward from the surface 81a of the case body portion 81. The button unit housing portion 82 corresponds to the position of the button unit 2, and in this embodiment, a total of three are formed. A through hole 82a is formed at the bottom of the button unit housing portion 82, penetrating the case 80 in the vertical direction. The through hole 82a is provided to guide light from the light source 92 of the detection unit 90 located below to the button unit 2 side.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the lifting mechanism housing section 83 is formed on the back surface of the case 80. The lifting mechanism housing section 83 is composed of a wall section shaped to conform to the shape of the lifting mechanism 6. A through hole 84 is formed in the upper part of the lifting mechanism housing section 83 for passing a pin 62 provided on the lifting mechanism 6 through. The pin 62 of the lifting mechanism 6 is configured to protrude upward from the case 80 through the through hole 84. As shown in Figure 9, the fixing section 85 is formed at both ends in the left-right direction of the case body section 81 and is the part into which the connecting section 15 (see Figure 3) of the panel 10 is inserted. An opening is formed in the bottom surface of the fixing section 85 through which a screw member is inserted. The screw member is inserted through an insertion hole formed on the panel side (not shown), which is an external component, and the screw member passes through the opening of the fixing section 85 and is screwed into the female thread of the connecting section 15. In this way, the case 80 is fastened and fixed to the external component via the connecting section 15.

[0040] <Detection Unit> As shown in Figure 3, the detection unit 90 is fixed to the case 80 from below by screws N2. As shown in Figure 10, the detection unit 90 comprises a detection unit body 91, a light source 92, and a sensor 93. The detection unit body 91 is rectangular in shape and contains a circuit board (not shown) connected to the light source 92 and the sensor 93. The light source 92 is a light-emitting means for illuminating the button unit 2 (cap 20), and is composed of, for example, an LED light. The sensor 93 is an optical sensor that detects a state based on the state of light blocking. The sensor 93 is a transmissive optical sensor consisting of an irradiating unit (light-emitting side) and a receiving unit (light-receiving side) arranged opposite each other, and under normal circumstances, light from the irradiating unit reaches the receiving unit. On the other hand, when the button unit 2 is pressed down, the light-shielding unit 44 enters between the irradiating unit and the receiving unit and blocks the light path, and the receiving unit detects the light-blocking state, thereby detecting that the button unit 2 has been pressed.

[0041] <Operation> Next, the operation of the button unit 2 in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the height position of the button unit 2 relative to the panel 10 is switched between a reference position, which is the normal position (the state used in normal gameplay), a first position that protrudes more than the reference position, and a second position that is retracted more than the reference position. As shown in Figure 3, in the free state of the reference position, the adjustment plate 50 is not in contact with either the panel 10 or the case 80. In this state, the pressing portion 21 of the cap 20 protrudes slightly from the surface of the panel 10 and is in a state where it can be pressed. In the reference position, when the user presses the button unit 2, as shown in Figure 11, the restricted portion 22 of the cap 20 separates from the adjustment plate 50, and the circumferential portion 42 of the reflector 40 comes into contact with the surface 81a of the case body 81 and stops.

[0042] As shown in Figure 12, in the first free position, the adjustment plate 50 is moved to a position where its surface contacts the back surface of the panel 10 by raising the pin 62 of the lifting mechanism 6 further than the reference position. As a result, the position of the adjustment plate 50, which was restricting the height of the button unit 2, is raised, and the restricted portion 22 of the cap 20 is pushed up by the biasing force of the spring member 70 to a position where it contacts the back surface of the adjustment plate 50. As a result, the pressing portion 21 of the cap 20 protrudes more than the surface of the panel 10. In the first position, the button unit 2 can be pressed down in the same way as in the reference position. In the first position, when the user presses the button unit 2, as shown in Figure 13, the restricted portion 22 of the cap 20 separates from the adjustment plate 50, and the circumferential portion 42 of the reflector 40 contacts the surface 81a of the case body 81 and stops. In other words, in the first position, the stroke when operating the button unit 2 is longer compared to the reference position.

[0043] As shown in Figure 14, the second position is a state in which the user cannot operate the device, and the pin 62 of the lifting mechanism 6 is retracted to its maximum extent. As a result, the adjustment plate 50 is pulled down, and the restricted portion 22 of the cap 20 is pushed down by the adjustment plate 50. The height of the button unit 2 is lowered to a position where the circumference 42 of the reflector 40 contacts the surface 81a of the case body 81. In other words, in the second position, the lower side of the button unit 2 is restricted by the surface 81a of the case body 81 and cannot be pressed down. On the other hand, the lower side of the button unit 2 is restricted by the adjustment plate 50, and the pressing portion 21 of the cap 20 is flat (approximately on the same plane) with respect to the surface of the panel 10.

[0044] <Effects and Effects> The button device 1 of this embodiment, as described above, comprises a plurality of button units 2 that can be pressed, a case 80 that houses the button units 2, a panel 10 disposed on the surface of the case 80, a plate-shaped adjustment plate 50 that is movable vertically between the panel 10 and the case 80 and regulates the height position of the button units 2, a lifting means 6 connected to the adjustment plate 50 and having a pin that moves vertically, and a detection unit 90 connected to the lower part of the case 80 and having a light source 92, wherein the lifting means 6 is positioned outside the direction of pressing down with respect to the button units 2 and adjacent to the button units 2.

[0045] In this embodiment, the button device 1 has a lifting mechanism 6 positioned next to the button unit 2, and the height of the button unit 2 is restricted by moving an adjustment plate 50 connected to the lifting mechanism 6 up and down. In other words, the lifting mechanism 6 is positioned between adjacent button units 2. This eliminates the need to position the lifting mechanism 6 directly below the button unit 2, preventing the light from the light source 92 from being blocked by the lifting mechanism 6 and preventing the button unit 2 from emitting light. Furthermore, by not positioning the lifting mechanism 6 directly below the button unit 2, interference with other mechanisms is reduced, the vertical height can be reduced, and maintainability is improved.

[0046] Furthermore, the adjustment plate 50 is configured to restrict the height position of the button unit 2 (cap 20) by contacting the restricted portion 22 formed on the button unit 2. This allows for the restriction of the vertical movement of the button unit 2 with a simple configuration.

[0047] Furthermore, the button unit 2 can switch between three height positions relative to the panel 10: a reference position corresponding to the normal state, a first position that protrudes from the reference position, and a second position that is retracted from the reference position. By operating the lifting mechanism 6, the height position of the button unit 2 can be switched between the reference position, the first position, and the second position. In the first position, the button unit 2 protrudes from the surface of the panel 10, visually emphasizing to the user that it is an operable object. In the second position, it is easier to recognize that it is not operable.

[0048] Furthermore, the case 80 is configured to include a spring member 70 that biases the button unit 2 upward. When the button unit 2 is in the reference position and the first position, the pressed button unit 2 returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the spring member 70 when the user releases the pressing operation. As a result, when the user releases the pressing operation, the biasing force of the spring member 70 automatically returns the button unit 2 to its initial position (the state before the pressing operation). This prevents the pressed state from remaining, ensures a consistent starting position for each operation, and improves the reliability of operation detection.

[0049] Furthermore, in the second position, the button unit 2 is restricted to a position where it cannot be pressed. In other words, in the second position, the lower side of the button unit 2 is restricted by the surface 81a of the case body 81, making it impossible to press down. As a result, the button unit 2 is fixed in a position where it cannot be pressed, thus preventing accidental operation by the user.

[0050] Furthermore, in the second position, the surface of the button unit 2 is located on the same plane as the surface of the panel 10. In other words, the pressing portion 21 of the cap 20 is approximately flat with respect to the surface of the panel 10. This makes it visually clearer that the button unit 2 is inoperable.

[0051] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the design can be modified as appropriate without violating the spirit of the present invention. In this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the height position of the button unit 2 can be adjusted to three positions: a reference position, a first position, and a second position. However, variations in the height position of the button unit 2 can be set as appropriate. For example, the height position of the button unit 2 may be adjustable to three or more positions. Alternatively, there may be two configurations that switch between the reference position and a protruding first position. Another configuration may be two configurations that switch between the reference position and a flat second position.

[0052] Furthermore, although the lifting mechanism 6 is positioned between the button units 2, 2 in this embodiment, it may also be positioned to the right of the rightmost button unit 2, or to the left of the leftmost button unit 2. Alternatively, one lifting mechanism 6 may be placed next to each button unit 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Button device 2-button unit 6. Lifting and lowering means 10 panels 20 caps 22 Regulated part 30 filters 40 Reflectors 50 Adjustment plate 70 Spring component 80 cases 90 Detection unit 92 Light source

Claims

1. Multiple button units that can be pressed, A case for housing the aforementioned button unit, A panel placed on the surface of the case, A plate-shaped adjustment plate is positioned between the panel and the case so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and which regulates the height position of the button unit. A lifting mechanism connected to the adjustment plate and for moving the adjustment plate in the vertical direction, The case is located below the button unit and includes a detection unit having a light source, The button device is characterized in that the lifting mechanism is located next to the button unit.

2. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment plate contacts a restricted portion formed on the button unit to restrict the height position of the button unit.

3. The button unit has a height position relative to the panel, which includes a reference position corresponding to the normal state, A first position that protrudes from the aforementioned reference position, It is possible to switch between a second position, which is set back from the aforementioned reference position, The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that the height position of the button unit is switched between the reference position, the first position and the second position by operating the lifting means.

4. The case is provided with a spring member that biases the button unit upward. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the button unit is in the reference position and the first position, the pressed-down button unit returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the spring member.

5. The button device according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the second position, the button unit is restricted to a position where it cannot be pressed.

6. The button device according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the second position, the upper surface of the button unit is located substantially on the same plane as the upper surface of the panel.

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