Shooting handle for game machine and game machine therewith

Abstract

To provide a shooting handle for a game machine enabling stable holding of an operation member so that players feel less fatigued to operate, and a game machine therewith.SOLUTION: A shooting handle 10 for a game machine is operated by a player when shooting game balls toward a game area. The shooting handle includes: a handle body 20 to be attached onto the front side of a frame body 2 of a game machine 1; an operation member 30 capable of relatively being displaced with respect to the handle body 20, within a predetermined range from a reference position; and a first biasing member 41 and a second biasing member 42 biasing the operation member 30 in a direction toward the reference position. The operation member 30 is slidably supported by the handle body 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a launch handle for a gaming machine and a gaming machine equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] A launch handle for a game machine is required to have a structure that does not tire the player even when the player performs the launch operation for a long time. For example, the launch lever for a game machine in Patent Document 1 includes a finger rest member that slides along the upper edge of the front side of the lower tray, a slide member that engages with a groove formed in the front cover of the lower tray and slides left and right along the groove, and a biasing member that constantly biases the slide member to the left. The launch strength of the game balls is set according to the amount of movement of the slide member, and the launch is controlled. In the launch operation, the hand is placed on the finger rest member and moved to the right, and the slide member moves to the right in conjunction with the finger rest member.

[0003] The gaming machine of Patent Document 2 is equipped with a wrist rest that is placed at a predetermined position on the gaming board for placing the palm of the hand, and a touch panel that is placed on the gaming board side of the wrist rest and that adjusts the launching force and displays the launching force. In this gaming machine, when a ball is launched, a swipe is performed by sliding a finger while touching the touch panel, and the game ball is launched with a launching force corresponding to the amount of swipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-110064 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-22636 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the launch handle of Patent Document 1, the slide member is held in a predetermined slide position in order to continue launching game balls with a predetermined strength. However, it is necessary to maintain the posture of the hand that holds the slide member in a predetermined position while receiving the biasing force from the biasing member, and it is difficult to say that it reduces fatigue during long periods of play. In the gaming machine of Patent Document 2, it is also necessary to maintain a state in which the finger or the like is swiped against the touch panel in order to continue launching game balls with a predetermined strength, and even if there is a wrist rest, it is difficult to say that it reduces fatigue by maintaining the hand in a certain posture for a long period of time.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a launch handle for an amusement machine that can stably hold the operating member and reduce fatigue when operating the device, and a gaming machine equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The launch handle for the gaming machine of the present invention is A launch handle for a gaming machine that is operated by a player when launching a gaming ball toward a gaming area, A handle body attached to the front side of the frame of the gaming machine; an operating member that is displaceable relative to the handle body within a predetermined range from a reference position; a biasing member that biases the operating member in a direction toward the reference position; Equipped with The operating member is slidably supported by the handle body.

[0008] The gaming machine of the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned gaming machine launch handle. Effect of the Invention

[0009] In the launch handle for a gaming machine and the gaming machine of the present invention, the operating member is slidably supported by the handle body, so that when a player holds and operates the handle, he or she can touch the handle body as well as the operating member. Therefore, the position of the player's hand is easily fixed by contact with the handle body, and the operating member can be easily held at a desired position relative to the handle body. Since the operating member can be stably held by gripping in this way, no special operation is required, and the player is less likely to get tired when operating the launch handle for a gaming machine.

[0010] In the launch handle for an amusement machine of the present invention, the handle body may be grippable in a state in which the operating member has slid from the reference position.

[0011] According to this configuration, by gripping the handle body in a state in which the operating member has been slid from the reference position, it becomes easier to hold the operating member in a desired slide position. In particular, it becomes easier to hold the operating member, which is biased by the biasing member in a direction toward the reference position, in the desired slide position while receiving the biasing force.

[0012] In the launch handle for an amusement machine of the present invention, the handle body is configured longitudinally, the operating member slides within a predetermined range along the longitudinal direction of the handle body, the reference position is located on the central side of the predetermined range, the operating member is slidable on both sides in the longitudinal direction relative to the reference position, and the launch strength of the game ball may change depending on the amount of movement of the operating member from the reference position.

[0013] According to this configuration, the handle body is configured longitudinally, and the operating member slides along the longitudinal direction of the handle body, so that it is easy to slide the operating member while holding the handle body. Furthermore, since the operating member can slide on both sides of the longitudinal direction relative to the reference position, it is possible to change the hand holding the launch handle for the gaming machine and change the sliding direction, so that the player can select the operation he or she prefers, and the operation can be diversified.

[0014] In the launch handle for an amusement machine of the present invention, the handle body is configured in a longitudinal shape, and the operating member is arranged in a ring shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the handle body, and may have a curved portion that expands to the opposite side of the handle body as it moves in the sliding direction from the reference position, and is concave toward the handle body.

[0015] According to this configuration, the operating member is arranged in a ring shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the longitudinal handle body, so that the operating member can be easily touched while holding the handle body. In addition, the operating member has a curved portion that expands toward the opposite side of the handle body and is recessed toward the handle body as it moves in the sliding direction from the reference position. Therefore, a hand or the like that is holding the handle body on the opposite side of the sliding direction relative to the operating member can easily enter and contact the curved portion. This allows the operating member to be stably held in a desired position while holding the handle body.

[0016] The launch handle for a gaming machine of the present invention may be provided with a launch stop switch for stopping the launch of gaming balls, the launch stop switch being exposed from the outer surface of the operating member and being slidable together with the operating member.

[0017] According to this configuration, the firing stop switch is exposed from the outer surface of the operating member, so it is easy to touch while operating the operating member. Moreover, since the firing stop switch slides together with the operating member, the relative position between the hand of the player operating the operating member and the firing stop switch is unlikely to change, so the firing stop switch can be easily operated regardless of the sliding position of the operating member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an example of a gaming machine equipped with a launching handle for a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the launch handle for the gaming machine as viewed from the front and upper right side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the launch handle for the gaming machine as seen from the rear and lower right side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the launch handle for the gaming machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the launch handle for the gaming machine as viewed from the front and upper right side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the launch handle for the gaming machine as viewed from the rear and lower left side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the axial direction of the launch handle for the gaming machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA cross section of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the launch handle for the gaming machine in a state where the operating member is slid leftward with the right hand. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the launch handle for the gaming machine in a state where the launch stop switch is being touched while the part of the operating member in the handle body exposed on the right side is being held with the right hand. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the launch handle for the gaming machine in a state where the operating member is slid rightward with the left hand. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] [First embodiment] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a launch handle for a gaming machine and a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] The gaming machine 1 shown in Fig. 1 is configured as a so-called pachinko machine. In the gaming machine 1, a transparent plate 4 (glass plate or the like) is arranged in a window portion 3 formed on the front side (player side) of a frame body 2. In addition, a gaming board (not shown) is arranged behind (at the back side) the transparent plate 4, and a gaming area (area where gaming balls can flow down) is formed on this gaming board, so that the player can see the gaming area through the transparent plate 4. A ball launcher (not shown) that launches gaming balls toward the gaming area is provided below the gaming board.

[0021] On the front side of the frame 2, there are provided a game ball receiving tray 5 for storing game balls, and a game machine launch handle 10 operated by the player when launching the game balls toward the game area. Specifically, the game ball receiving tray 5 is provided below the window portion 3. The game ball receiving tray 5 is covered by a cover 6 from the front side. A recess 6a recessed toward the rear is formed from the center of the cover 6 to the lower edge. The game machine launch handle 10 is provided in the recess 6a. The game machine launch handle 10 is supported at both ends by the left inner surface 6b and the right inner surface 6c of the recess 6a so as to extend along the left-right direction.

[0022] In this specification, the direction perpendicular to the surface of the transparent plate 4 (surface of the gaming board) is defined as the front-rear direction, the side where the player should be positioned with respect to the surface of the transparent plate 4 (surface of the gaming board) is defined as the front side, and the opposite side (i.e., the back side of the gaming machine 1) is defined as the rear side. The direction in which the gaming ball flows down the gaming area (vertical direction) is defined as the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as the left-right direction, and the left side as viewed from the front side of the gaming machine 1 is defined as the left direction, and the right side is defined as the right direction.

[0023] Next, the launch handle 10 for the gaming machine will be described in detail. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the launch handle 10 for a gaming machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as the launch handle 10) includes a handle body 20, an operating member 30, a first biasing member 41 (see Fig. 7, etc.), a second biasing member 42 (see Fig. 7, etc.), and a launch stop switch 50. The handle body 20 is attached to the front side of the frame 2 of the gaming machine 1. The operating member 30 is configured to be displaceable relative to the handle body 20 within a predetermined range from a reference position. The operating member 30 is supported by the handle body 20 so as to be slidable. The first biasing member 41 and the second biasing member 42 bias the operating member 30 in a direction toward the reference position. The first biasing member 41 and the second biasing member 42 correspond to the "biasing member" of the present invention. The launch stop switch 50 stops the launch of the gaming ball.

[0024] First, the handle body 20 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 1, the handle body 20 is attached to the front side of the frame 2 (more specifically, the left inner surface 6b and the right inner surface 6c of the recess 6a) in a double-supported manner. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the handle body 20 is configured in a longitudinal (axial) shape. Specifically, the handle body 20 is cylindrical (rod-shaped). The axial direction of the handle body 20 is approximately parallel to the left-right direction.

[0025] 3, a guide hole 21 for guiding the movement of the operating member 30 (more specifically, the fixed member 80) is formed at the center in the axial direction (left-right direction) on the lower end side of the handle body 20. The guide hole 21 has a rectangular shape that is long along the axial direction of the handle body 20.

[0026] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the handle body 20 is configured by combining a first divided body 61 and a second divided body 62. The handle body 20 is configured to be divided into two, the first divided body 61 and the second divided body 62, on a plane including the axis S1 (see Figs. 4 to 6). In other words, the handle body 20 is configured to be divided into two, the first divided body 61 and the second divided body 62, so that the cross sections perpendicular to the axis S1 (see Figs. 4 to 6) are each semicircular. The first divided body 61 and the second divided body 62 are assembled by fastening the screws 20a inserted into the seven holes 61a (see Fig. 5) formed in the first divided body 61 to the seven bosses 62a (see Fig. 6) formed in the second divided body 62.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the first divided body 61 has a semi-cylindrical first outer shell portion 61b. At the lower edge of the first outer shell portion 61b, a notch 61c that constitutes the guide hole 21 is formed at the center in the axial direction (left-right direction). The notch 61c has a shape that is long along the axial direction. As shown in Fig. 6, grooves 61d are formed on the outer surface of the first outer shell portion 61b at predetermined intervals in the axial direction and along the circumferential direction.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of first inner wall portions 61e and a plurality of second inner wall portions 61f are formed inside the first outer shell portion 61b. Specifically, five first inner wall portions 61e are provided at the center side in the axial direction inside the first outer shell portion 61b. The five first inner wall portions 61e are arranged at intervals along the axial direction. Six second inner wall portions 61f are provided on both sides of the five first inner wall portions 61e inside the first outer shell portion 61b. The six second inner wall portions 61f are arranged at intervals along the axial direction. A recess 61g recessed toward the rear and upward sides is formed on the edge portion of the first inner wall portion 61e (the edge portion on the opening side of the first outer shell portion 61b). A recess 61h recessed toward the rear side is formed on the edge portion of the second inner wall portion 61f (the edge portion on the opening side of the first outer shell portion 61b). A plate-shaped beam portion 61j extending in the axial direction is formed inside the first outer shell portion 61b so as to bridge the recessed portion 61g of the first inner wall portion 61e. A plate-shaped beam portion 61k extending in the axial direction is formed inside the first outer shell portion 61b so as to bridge the recessed portion 61h of the second inner wall portion 61f.

[0029] Inside the first outer shell portion 61b, holes 61m are formed in the recesses 61h of the second inner wall portion 61f at both axial ends to receive an axial member 41c that holds one end of the first biasing member 41, and an axial member 42c that holds one end of the second biasing member 42, which will be described later.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 6, the second divided body 62 has a semi-cylindrical second outer shell portion 62b. At the lower edge of the second outer shell portion 62b, a notch 62c that constitutes the guide hole 21 is formed at the center in the axial direction (left-right direction). The notch 62c has a shape that is long along the axial direction. As shown in Fig. 5, grooves 62d are formed on the outer surface of the second outer shell portion 62b at predetermined intervals in the axial direction and along the circumferential direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of third inner wall portions 62e and a plurality of fourth inner wall portions 62f are formed inside the second outer shell portion 62b. Specifically, five third inner wall portions 62e are provided at the center side in the axial direction inside the second outer shell portion 62b. The five third inner wall portions 62e are arranged at intervals along the axial direction. Six fourth inner wall portions 62f are provided on both sides of the five third inner wall portions 62e inside the second outer shell portion 62b. The six fourth inner wall portions 62f are arranged at intervals along the axial direction. A recess 62g recessed toward the front and upper side is formed on the edge portion of the third inner wall portion 62e (edge ​​portion on the opening side of the second outer shell portion 62b). A recess 62h recessed toward the front side is formed on the edge portion of the fourth inner wall portion 62f (edge ​​portion on the opening side of the second outer shell portion 62b). A plate-shaped beam portion 62j extending in the axial direction is formed inside the second outer shell portion 62b so as to bridge the recessed portion 62g of the third inner wall portion 62e. A plate-shaped beam portion 62k extending in the axial direction is formed inside the second outer shell portion 62b so as to bridge the recessed portion 62h of the fourth inner wall portion 62f.

[0032] Inside the second outer shell portion 62b, at positions corresponding to the pair of holes 61m of the first divided body 61, a pair of holes 62m are formed, into which shaft members 41c, 42c, which will be described later, fit.

[0033] Next, the operating member 30 will be described in detail. 2 to 4, the operating member 30 is disposed in an annular shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the handle body 20. The operating member 30 covers part of the axial direction of the handle body 20. The operating member 30 is assembled to the handle body 20 so as to be movable (slidable) relative to the handle body 20 in the axial direction (longitudinal direction). In other words, the operating member 30 is assembled to the handle body 20 so that the handle body 20 passes through it.

[0034] 5 and 6, the operating member 30 is configured by combining a first operating part 71 and a second operating part 72. Specifically, the first operating part 71 and the second operating part 72 are assembled by fastening screws 30a, which are respectively inserted into three holes 72a (see FIG. 6) formed in the second operating part 72, to three bosses 71a (see FIG. 5) formed in the first operating part 71.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 5, the first operating part 71 has a curved part 71b having a generally truncated cone shape with a side surface curved inward, and a cylindrical part 71d provided inside the curved part 71b. The curved part 71b is shaped so that as it moves in the sliding direction (rightward) from the reference position, it expands to the opposite side (radially outward) from the handle body 20, and is recessed toward the handle body 20 (radially inward). A circular hole 71c (see Fig. 6) is formed at the tip (left end) of the curved part 71b.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 6, the cylindrical portion 71d is connected to the hole 71c and extends axially toward the base end side (right end side) of the curved portion 71b. Three ribs 71e (see Fig. 8) extending in the axial direction are formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 71d. As shown in Fig. 8, the ribs 71e are provided at predetermined intervals (equal to 120°) along the circumferential direction as viewed from the axial direction. As shown in Fig. 5, a rectangular notch 71f is formed in the base end (right end) of the cylindrical portion 71d toward the tip (left end).

[0037] As shown in Fig. 5, a notch 71g is formed in a portion of the base end (right end) of the curved portion 71b, which is cut out toward the tip (left end). The first operating portion 71 is formed with walls 71h, 71j so as to connect the edge of the notch 71g and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 71d. The wall 71h is curved so as to be convex toward the inside. The wall 71j is formed with a recess 71k that is recessed toward the tip side (left end side). The wall 71h faces the wall 71j from the clockwise front side when viewed from the right side in the axial direction. The wall surface of the wall 71h is a flat surface.

[0038] A protrusion 71m (see FIG. 8) protruding toward the base end side (right direction) is formed on the inside of the curved portion 71b at a position radially outward from the notch 71f. As shown in FIG. 5, a boss portion 71a protruding toward the base end side (right direction) is formed on the inside of the curved portion 71b at a position radially outward from the protrusion 71m (see FIG. 8). An inner frame portion 71p extending from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 71d is formed on the inside of the curved portion 71b between the wall portion 71j and the protrusion 71m. A shaft portion 71q protruding toward the base end side (right direction) is formed on the inside of the curved portion 71b between the wall portion 71j and the inner frame portion 71p.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5, the second operating part 72 has a curved part 72b having a generally truncated cone shape with a side surface curved inward. The curved part 72b is shaped so that as it moves in the sliding direction (left direction) from the reference position, it expands to the opposite side (radially outward) from the handle body 20 and is recessed toward the handle body 20 side (radially inward). A circular hole 72c is formed at the tip (left end) of the curved part 72b. The second operating part 72 has a square-shaped plate part 72d formed therein, which is connected to the hole 72c and extends axially toward the base end side (left end side) of the curved part 72b.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 5, a notch 72e is formed in a portion of the base end (left end) of the curved portion 72b, which is cut out toward the tip (right end). As shown in Fig. 6, the second operating portion 72 is formed with walls 72f, 72g that are connected to the edge of the notch 72e and extend radially inward. The wall 72f is curved so as to be convex toward the inside. The wall 72g faces the wall 72f from the clockwise rear side when viewed from the right side in the axial direction. The wall surface of the wall 72g is a flat surface.

[0041] 7 and 8, the cylindrical portion 71d of the operating member 30 is arranged in an annular shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the handle body 20. The inner surface of the cylindrical portion 71d faces a central part of the outer surface of the handle body 20. The operating member 30 is slidably supported by the handle body 20. Specifically, the operating member 30 is supported by the handle body 20 with three ribs 71e on the inner side of the cylindrical portion 71d in slidable contact with the outer surface of the handle body 20.

[0042] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the firing handle 10 further includes a fixed member 80 disposed inside the handle body 20 and connected to the operating member 30 to slide and move integrally therewith. The fixed member 80 is movable within a predetermined range in the axial direction (within the range inside the guide hole 21). The fixed member 80 is assembled to the operating member 30, and the first biasing member 41 and the second biasing member 42 are fixed to the fixed member 80. The fixed member 80 has a main body portion 81 assembled to the operating member 30, and a support portion 82 that sandwiches the first biasing member 41 and the second biasing member 42 between the main body portion 81 and the support portion 82. A screw 80a inserted into a hole 82a formed in the support portion 82 is fastened to a boss portion 81a formed in the main body portion 81, whereby the main body portion 81 and the support portion 82 are assembled together.

[0043] The main body 81 is configured in a box shape, and a protruding piece 81b extending downward is formed at the lower end. A hole 81c penetrating in the plate thickness direction (left-right direction) is formed in the protruding piece 81b. The screw 30a inserted into the hole 72a of the second operating part 72 is also inserted into the hole 81c and fastened to the boss part 71a (see FIG. 8) of the first operating part 71. As shown in FIG. 6, a recess 81d recessed to the right (left in FIG. 6) is formed above the hole 81c in the main body 81. As shown in FIG. 8, a protrusion 71m is fitted into the recess 81d. In this manner, the fixing member 80 is assembled to the operating member 30.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 5, on the upper surface of the main body 81, a boss 81a and a pair of support projections 81e, 81f are formed, each of which projects upward with the boss 81a sandwiched therebetween. The support 82 is a rectangular plate, and is formed with a hole 82a and a pair of holes 82b, 82c penetrating in the plate thickness direction at positions sandwiching the hole 82a. The support projection 81e is inserted into the ring 41a at one end of the first biasing member 41, and is also inserted into the hole 82b of the support 82. The support projection 81f is inserted into the ring 42a at one end of the second biasing member 42, and is also inserted into the hole 82c of the support 82.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the first biasing member 41 and the second biasing member 42 are configured as coil springs. A shaft member 41c is inserted into a ring 41b at the other end of the first biasing member 41. The shaft member 41c is fitted and fixed in a hole 61m on the left side of the first divided body 61 and a hole 62m on the right side of the second divided body 62. A shaft member 42c is inserted into a ring 42b at the other end of the second biasing member 42. The shaft member 42c is fitted and fixed in a hole 61m on the left side of the second divided body 62 and a hole 62m on the right side of the second divided body 62.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a part (upper end part) of the fixed member 80 is disposed inside the handle body 20. As shown in Fig. 8, the lower end part (mainly the protruding piece 81b) of the fixed member 80 is exposed from the guide hole 21 formed in the handle body 20. The protruding piece 81b is guided by the guide hole 21 which is long in the axial direction (left-right direction) and is movable in the axial direction. The upper end part (mainly the main body part 81) of the fixed member 80 is movable in the axial direction along the recesses 61g and beams 61j (see Fig. 5) of the five first inner wall parts 61e, and the recesses 62g and beams 62j (see Fig. 6) of the five third inner wall parts 62e. The first biasing member 41 is expandable and contractible along the recesses 61h and beams 61k (see Fig. 5) of the six second inner wall parts 61f on the left side, and the recesses 62h and beams 62k (see Fig. 6) of the six fourth inner wall parts 62f on the left side. The second biasing member 42 is extendable and contractable along the recesses 61h and beams 61k (see FIG. 5) of the six second inner wall portions 61f on the right side, and along the recesses 62h and beams 62k (see FIG. 6) of the six fourth inner wall portions 62f on the right side.

[0047] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the reference position of the operating member 30 is the central side (more specifically, the center) in the axial direction of the handle body 20. As shown in Fig. 7, when the operating member 30 is in the reference position, the first biasing member 41 and the second biasing member 42 are in a natural state or have the same elastic force.

[0048] The amount of movement of the operating member 30 can be detected, for example, by using a variable resistor (not shown) mounted on the operating member 30. For example, a rack (gear teeth) is arranged inside the handle body 20, and a pinion (gear teeth) that meshes with the rack (gear teeth) rotates as the operating member 30 moves, causing the variable resistor to detect the amount of rotation of the pinion (gear teeth). A ball launching device (not shown) adjusts the launching speed of the game balls based on the amount of rotation detected by the variable resistor.

[0049] Next, the firing disable switch 50 will be described in detail. 4, the firing stop switch 50 is housed within the operating member 30 so as to be exposed from the outer surface of the operating member 30. The firing stop switch 50 is slidable together with the operating member 30. The firing stop switch 50 is exposed from the notches 71g and 72e of the operating member 30. Specifically, the firing stop switch 50 is disposed between the walls 71h and 71j of the first operating section 71 and the walls 72f and 72g of the second operating section 72.

[0050] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the firing stop switch 50 is a box shape that narrows toward the tip side (the front lower side in Fig. 5). The firing stop switch 50 has a pair of switch side curved parts 50a, 50b exposed on both sides in the axial direction (left and right direction) and a pair of flat parts 50c, 50d exposed on both sides in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The switch side curved parts 50a, 50b are curved so as to be concave toward the inside. The flat parts 50c, 50d are approximately triangular. As shown in Fig. 6, the flat part 50d has an extension piece 50e that extends outward. The extension piece 50e has a hole 50f that penetrates in the axial direction. The flat part 50d has a slit 50g that is cut from the edge to the base of the extension piece 50e.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 8, the shaft 71q of the first operating part 71 is inserted through the coil portion of the third biasing member 51 and through a hole 50f (see Fig. 6) of the extension piece 50e. The third biasing member 51 is configured as a torsion spring. One end 51a of the third biasing member 51 contacts an inner frame portion 71p of the first operating part 71. The other end 51b of the third biasing member 51 contacts an inner wall (rear wall) of a slit 50g of the firing stop switch 50 through a recess 71k in the first operating part 71.

[0052] The firing stop switch 50 can rotate around the shaft portion 71q (see FIG. 8) of the first operation portion 71. The pressing operation of the firing stop switch 50 can be detected by, for example, a tactile switch (not shown), and the firing of the game balls is stopped based on the detection.

[0053] 4, the outer surface of the operating member 30 and the outer surface of the firing stop switch 50 are arranged to form a continuous surface. That is, the outer surface of the firing stop switch 50 is arranged to cover the notches 71g and 72e of the operating member 30. As a result, the operating member 30 and the firing stop switch 50 form an integrated curved shape having ring-shaped curved surfaces on both the left and right sides.

[0054] Next, the operation of the launch handle 10 for the gaming machine will be described. The operating member 30 is slidable within a predetermined range along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the handle body 20. The predetermined range corresponds to the range within which the fixed member 80 can move inside the guide hole 21. The reference position is located on the central side of the predetermined range. For example, the predetermined range is a range that is centered on the reference position and is smaller than the overall length of the handle body 20. The operating member 30 is slidable on both sides in the longitudinal direction relative to the reference position. The strength of the launch of the game ball changes depending on the amount of movement of the operating member 30 from the reference position.

[0055] To start playing, the player grips the launch handle 10 and slides the operating member 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the right part (curved part 72b) of the operating member 30 is pressed leftward while gripping the part of the handle body 20 exposed on the right side of the operating member 30 with the right hand. When the operating member 30 slides from the reference position, the game balls stored in the game ball tray 5 are sent to a ball launching device (not shown), and the game balls are launched onto the game board (game area). At this time, the game balls are launched with a preset strength based on the amount of sliding of the operating member 30 from the reference position to the left. For example, the greater the amount of sliding of the operating member 30 to the left, the greater the launch strength.

[0056] Since the operating member 30 is slidably supported by the handle body 20, when a player holds and operates the operating member 30, the player can touch the handle body 20 as well as the operating member 30, as shown in FIG. 9. In particular, the handle body 20 can be held in a state in which the operating member 30 has been slid from the reference position. That is, in the handle body 20, a portion adjacent to a portion covered by the operating member 30 (an adjacent portion on the opposite side to the sliding direction) is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the position of the player's hand is easily fixed by contact with the handle body 20, and even if the operating member 30 is applied with a biasing force from the first biasing member 41 and the second biasing member 42, the operating member 30 can be easily stably held at a desired sliding position relative to the handle body 20.

[0057] In addition, the hand gripping the handle body 20 can easily reach and contact the curved portions 71b, 72b. This puts the hand in a state of gripping the operating member 30 (more specifically, the curved portions 71b, 72b), and the operating member 30 can be stably held in a desired position while gripping the handle body 20.

[0058] The operating member 30 is applied with a biasing force in the direction opposite to the sliding direction from the first biasing member 41 and the second biasing member 42 via the fixed member 80. Therefore, when the operating member 30 is released, the operating member 30 returns from the sliding position to the initial position based on the biasing forces of the first biasing member 41 and the second biasing member 42.

[0059] 10, for example, the player's hand (e.g., thumb) can touch the firing stop switch 50 while gripping the handle body 20 and touching the curved portion 72b of the operating member 30. Therefore, when the operating member 30 is in the sliding position, the firing stop switch 50 can be easily pressed.

[0060] When the firing stop switch 50 is pressed, it rotates toward the inside of the operating member 30 around the shaft portion 71q of the first operating portion 71 as the center of rotation against the biasing force of the third biasing member 51 (see FIG. 8). When the pressing operation is released, the firing stop switch 50 rotates based on the biasing force of the third biasing member 51 and returns to the state before the pressing operation.

[0061] The switch side curved portions 50a, 50b of the firing stop switch 50 are curved so as to be concave inward (toward the handle body 20). Therefore, when the switch side curved portions 50a, 50b are pressed in the axial direction (left-right direction), a pressing force component toward the inside (toward the handle body 20) is generated, so that the firing stop switch 50 rotates toward the inside (diametrically inward) of the operating member 30. Therefore, in addition to pressing the tip of the firing stop switch 50, pressing the switch side curved portions 50a, 50b is also possible.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 11, it is also possible to hold the part of the handle body 20 exposed on the left side of the operating member 30 with the left hand and press the left side portion (curved portion 71b) of the operating member 30 to the right. At this time, the game ball is launched with a preset strength based on the amount of sliding movement of the operating member 30 from the reference position to the right. For example, the greater the amount of sliding movement of the operating member 30 to the right, the greater the launch strength. As described above, the operating member 30 can be moved to either the left or right, and the player can hold and operate it with either the right or left hand, allowing the player to operate it as they prefer.

[0063] (Main Effects of the First Embodiment) In the launch handle 10 for a gaming machine of the first embodiment, the operating member 30 is slidably supported by the handle body 20, so that when a player holds and operates the launch handle 10, the player can touch the handle body 20 as well as the operating member 30. Therefore, the position of the player's hand is easily fixed by contact with the handle body 20, and the operating member 30 can be easily held at a desired position relative to the handle body 20. Since the operating member 30 can be stably held by gripping it in this way, no special operation is required, and the player is less likely to get tired when operating the launch handle 10 for a gaming machine.

[0064] In the launch handle 10 for a gaming machine of the first embodiment, the handle body 20 can be gripped in a state in which the operating member 30 has slid from the reference position. With this configuration, by gripping the handle body 20 in a state in which the operating member 30 has slid from the reference position, it becomes easier to hold the operating member 30 in a desired slide position. In particular, it becomes easier to hold the operating member 30, which receives a biasing force in a direction toward the reference position by the first biasing member 41 (biasing member) and the second biasing member 42 (biasing member), in a desired slide position while receiving that biasing force.

[0065] In the launch handle 10 for a gaming machine of the first embodiment, the handle body 20 is configured to be longitudinal. The operating member 30 slides within a predetermined range along the longitudinal direction of the handle body 20. The reference position is located at the center of the predetermined range. The operating member 30 can slide on both sides in the longitudinal direction relative to the reference position. The launch handle 10 changes the launch strength of the game ball according to the amount of movement of the operating member 30 from the reference position. According to this configuration, the handle body 20 is configured to be longitudinal and the operating member 30 slides along the longitudinal direction of the handle body 20, so that it is easy to slide the operating member 30 while holding the handle body 20. In addition, since the operating member 30 can slide on both sides in the longitudinal direction relative to the reference position, the hand holding the launch handle 10 for a gaming machine can be changed or the sliding direction can be changed, so that the player can select the operation he or she prefers, and the operation can be diversified.

[0066] In the launch handle 10 for a gaming machine of the first embodiment, the handle body 20 is configured in a longitudinal shape. The operating member 30 is arranged in a ring shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the handle body 20. The operating member 30 has curved portions 71b, 72b that expand to the opposite side of the handle body 20 as it moves in the sliding direction from the reference position and are recessed toward the handle body 20. According to this configuration, since the operating member 30 is arranged in a ring shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the longitudinal handle body 20, it becomes easy to touch the operating member 30 while holding the handle body 20. In addition, the operating member 30 has curved portions 71b, 72b that expand to the opposite side of the handle body 20 as it moves in the sliding direction from the reference position and are recessed toward the handle body 20. Therefore, the hand or the like holding the handle body 20 on the opposite side of the sliding direction relative to the operating member 30 can easily enter and contact the curved portions 71b, 72b. This allows the operating member 30 to be stably held in a desired position while gripping the handle body 20.

[0067] The launch handle 10 for a gaming machine of the first embodiment is equipped with a launch stop switch 50 that stops the launch of gaming balls. The launch stop switch 50 is exposed from the outer surface of the operating member 30 and is slidable together with the operating member 30. With this configuration, the launch stop switch 50 is exposed from the outer surface of the operating member 30, making it easy to touch while operating the operating member 30. Furthermore, since the launch stop switch 50 slides together with the operating member 30, the relative position between the hand of the player operating the operating member 30 and the launch stop switch 50 is unlikely to change, making it easy to operate the launch stop switch 50 regardless of the sliding position of the operating member 30.

[0068] [Other embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0069] In the above-described first embodiment, the handle body 20 is illustrated as having a cylindrical (rod-like) configuration as an example of a longitudinal (axial) shape, but may have a curved shape such as a U-shape.

[0070] In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration in which a variable resistor is used to detect the amount of movement of the operating member 30 has been exemplified, but other configurations may be used. For example, the amount of movement of the operating member 30 may be detected using a spiral shaft and a nut screwed onto the spiral shaft. For example, a spiral shaft (not shown) is rotatably assembled inside the handle body 20. A nut (not shown) is assembled to a fixed member 80 inside the handle body 20. As the operating member 30 moves, the nut moves in the axial direction of the spiral shaft, causing the spiral shaft to rotate. The amount of rotation of this spiral shaft can be detected to indirectly detect the amount of movement of the operating member 30. Also, for example, the extension of the first biasing member 41 or the second biasing member 42 may be measured by a distance measuring sensor to indirectly detect the amount of movement of the operating member 30. Also, the amount of movement of the operating member 30 may be detected by measuring the amount of movement of the fixed member 80 using a distance measuring sensor or the like.

[0071] In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration for detecting the amount of movement of the operating member 30 is exemplified in which a pinion (gear teeth) and a variable resistor are provided on the operating member 30, and a rack (gear teeth) is provided on the handle body 20. However, a configuration in which a rack (gear teeth) is provided on the operating member 30, and a pinion (gear teeth) and a variable resistor are provided on the handle body 20 may also be used.

[0072] In the first embodiment described above, the operating member 30 is configured to be slidable in both directions from a reference position relative to the handle body 20, but it may be configured to be slidable only in one direction from the reference position. In this case, it is sufficient that at least the operating member 30 has a curved portion (curved portions corresponding to the curved portions 71b and 72b) on the side opposite to the moving direction from the reference position.

[0073] In the first embodiment described above, a touch sensor for detecting whether or not a player has touched the surface of the operating member 30 may be provided. When the player touches the touch sensor, a game ball is launched from the ball launching device.

[0074] In the above-described first embodiment, the handle body 20 is disposed so that the axial direction is substantially parallel to the left-right direction, but the axial direction may be parallel to another direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1. Gaming machine 2…Frame body 3…Window section 4...Transparent plate 5…Ball tray 6…Cover 6a…Depression 6b…Left inner surface 6c…Right inner surface 10...Amusement machine launch handle (launch handle) 20…Handle body 20a...bis 21...Guide hole 30...Operation member 30a...bis 41...First biasing member (biasing member) 41a…Ring 41b…Ring 41c...Shaft member 42...Second biasing member (biasing member) 42a…Ring 42b…Ring 42c...Shaft member 50…Fire stop switch 50a, 50b... Switch side curved portion 50c,50d…flat part 50d...Flat area 50e...Extending piece 50f…hole 50g…Slit 51...Third biasing member 51a…one end 51b...other end 61...first division body 61a…hole 61b…First outer shell 61c…notch 61d…Groove 61e…First inner wall 61f…Second inner wall 61g…Concave 61h…recess 61j…beam part 61k…beam part 61m…hole 62…Second division body 62a…Boss section 62b…Second outer shell 62c…notch 62d…Groove 62e…Third inner wall part 62f…4th inner wall part 62g…Concave 62h…recess 62j...beam part 62k…beam part 62m…hole 71...1st operation section 71a…Boss section 71b…Bend 71c…hole 71d…Cylindrical section 71e…Rib 71f…Notch 71g…notch 71h...Wall part 71j...Wall part 71k…recess 71m…protrusion 71p…Inner frame 71q…Shaft part 72...Second operation section 72a…hole 72b…Bend 72c…hole 72d…Plate part 72e…Notch 72f…Wall part 72g…Wall part 80…Fixing member 80a...bis 81…Main body 81a…Boss section 81b…Protruding piece 81c…hole 81d…dent 81e…Support protrusion 81f…Support protrusion 82...Support part 82a…hole 82b…hole 82c…hole

Claims

1. A launch handle for a gaming machine that is operated by a player when launching a gaming ball toward a gaming area, comprising: A handle body attached to the front side of the frame of the gaming machine; an operating member that is displaceable relative to the handle body within a predetermined range from a reference position; a biasing member that biases the operating member in a direction toward the reference position; Equipped with 13. A launch handle for a gaming machine, comprising: a control member supported slidably by the handle body.

2. 2. The launch handle for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the handle body is grippable when the operating member is slid from the reference position.

3. The handle body is configured in an elongated shape, The operating member slides within the predetermined range along the longitudinal direction of the handle body, the reference position is located on the central side of the predetermined range, The operating member is slidable on both sides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the reference position, 3. The launch handle for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the strength of the launch of the gaming balls is changed according to the amount of movement of the operating member from the reference position.

4. The handle body is configured in an elongated shape, The operating member is The handle body is provided with a ring-shaped outer periphery.

3. A launch handle for an amusement machine as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it has a curved portion that expands toward the opposite side of the handle body as it slides from the reference position and is concave toward the handle body.

5. A launch stop switch is provided to stop the launch of the game balls, 3. The launch handle for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the launch stop switch is exposed from an outer surface of the operating member and is slidable together with the operating member.

6. A gaming machine comprising the launch handle for a gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2.

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