Game machine

Abstract

To provide a mechanism for suitably moving a lever to the right and left of a case in, for example, a game machine.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a lever for starting a game and a case part having a guide groove for guiding the lever to the right and left of the case of the game machine. The guide groove is formed in a shape that moves the lever upward when the lever is moved from one end of the guide groove to the other end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a lever, such as a slot machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Gaming machines such as slot machines are provided with a lever for starting a game. The lever can be operated by pushing it downward, which starts a game. Furthermore, the lever is usually provided on the left side of the front of the slot machine cabinet. This is because the stop button is operated with the right hand, which is the dominant hand, so the lever is provided on the left hand side for operation. However, these configurations are designed for players who are right-handed, and do not take into account players who are left-handed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that enables the position of a firing handle for starting a game in a pachinko machine to be moved left or right to suit the player's dominant hand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-134086 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above conventional technology, although it is proposed to provide a handle in a pachinko machine that can be moved left and right, no consideration has been given to arranging a lever on the housing of a gaming machine that can be moved left and right. Since the handle and the lever in the above conventional technology are devices that have different operating methods, it is difficult to use the conventional technology applied to the above-mentioned shooting handle as a mechanism for moving the lever left and right. For example, there is a possibility that a player may erroneously operate the lever when moving the lever left and right.

[0006] Specifically, while the handle of a pachinko machine is rotated clockwise, the lever of a slot machine is pushed downward. Also, since the lever of a slot machine is located relatively low when the player is facing the gaming machine, when the player tries to move the lever located on the left side of the cabinet to the right, for example, it is expected that the player will move the lever by touching it from the upper left diagonally. In that case, a force is applied to the lever diagonally downward right, and a downward component of the force is also generated, which may cause the lever to be operated erroneously.

[0007] The present invention provides a mechanism for, for example, a gaming machine, which allows a lever to be suitably moved to the left or right of a cabinet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is, for example, a gaming machine comprising a lever for starting a game, and a housing part having guide grooves on the left and right sides of the gaming machine housing for guiding the lever, the guide groove being formed in a shape that moves the lever upwards when the lever is moved from one end of the guide groove to the other end. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, for example, in a gaming machine, a mechanism can be provided that allows a lever to be suitably moved to the left or right of the cabinet. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the appearance of a gaming machine according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lever mechanism of a gaming machine according to one embodiment, seen from the front. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lever mechanism of the gaming machine according to one embodiment, seen from the rear. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a lever of the gaming machine according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the gaming machine according to one embodiment when the lever is operated. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a housing part having a guide groove of an gaming machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing the movement of a lever of a gaming machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of housing parts having guide grooves for an amusement machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the arrangement of the levers in the gaming machine according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features among the multiple features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0012] <Appearance of the gaming machine> First, referring to FIG. 1, an example of the external configuration of the gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows the external front view of the gaming machine 100. The gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment will be described taking a slot machine using medals as a gaming medium as an example. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention can also be applied to a smart slot (smart pachislot) machine, which is a medal-less gaming machine. When the present invention is applied to a smart pachislot machine, the configuration related to medals described below is omitted. In addition, the present invention can be applied to any gaming machine having a lever for starting a game described below, not limited to slot machines. Note that the up / down, left / right, and front / back arrows indicate the direction of the gaming machine in the figure, and the same applies to other figures.

[0013] The gaming machine 100 includes a reel section 101, a main display section 102, a sub display section 103, a medal insertion slot 104, a stop button 105, a lever 106, a guide groove 107, and a medal payout port 108. The reel section 101 includes a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel from the left in the figure. Each reel has a plurality of patterns formed thereon, and a game evaluation is performed when the patterns on the three reels stop at a predetermined position. In a game, a predetermined number of medals are acquired when a predetermined pattern stops at a predetermined position on each of the three reels. Each reel rotates when a game is started in response to the operation of the lever 106, and the rotation of the corresponding reel stops in response to the operation of the first stop button, the second stop button, and the third stop button included in the stop button 105. The number of medals acquired is determined and paid out according to the stopped pattern, which is the game result.

[0014] Medals, which are game media, are inserted into the medal insertion slot 104. The inserted medals are used to play the game. For example, one game can be played with three medals. When the game starts, a lottery is held using random numbers, and the image that appears when the reels stop is determined based on the lottery result. Medals are paid out based on the stopped image, and when the upper limit of the medal credit number in the machine is exceeded, medals are output from the medal payout outlet 108. Note that the smart pachislot machine does not have the configuration of the medal insertion slot 104 and the medal payout outlet 108.

[0015] The main display unit 102 is a liquid crystal display unit that outputs effects according to the game. The effects are output together with sounds output from a speaker (not shown) to enhance the entertainment value of the game. There are no particular limitations on the display contents, and output is performed according to the game situation and the expected value of the game result. The sub-display unit 103 displays the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out after the game, etc.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the lever 106 is located on the left side of the center of the cabinet of the gaming machine 100. The lever 106 is operated by pushing the spherical operating part downward. When a game is started by the lever 106, each reel of the reel section 101 spins, and the spinning of each reel can be stopped by operating the stop button 105.

[0017] In the case of gaming machines that require medals, the player must insert medals through medal insertion slot 104. Compared to the action of inserting medals into medal insertion slot 104 and the operation of each stop button, the operation of lever 106 is an action of simply pushing down the operating section and can be easily performed. Therefore, for inserting medals and operating stop button 105, which require more complicated operations, the player will want to use his dominant hand.

[0018] In the example of FIG. 1, the medal insertion slot 104 is located on the right side, and the lever 106 is located on the opposite side, that is, the left side. However, if the dominant hand is left-handed, the medal insertion slot 104 is located on the right side, which is the opposite side of the dominant hand, making it more difficult for the left-handed player to operate the game compared to a right-handed player. Therefore, in the gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment, the position of the lever 106 can be moved left or right depending on the dominant hand (or according to the user's request). This allows the player to move the lever 106 to a desired position to play the game, making the player more enjoyable.

[0019] <Lever mechanism configuration> Next, the configuration of the lever mechanism 200 of the gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The lever mechanism 200 is provided near the center of the cabinet of the gaming machine 100, and includes a lever 106. Note that the configuration of the lever 106, which is important in explaining the present invention, will be mainly described here. Therefore, the detailed configuration of the stop button 105 will not be described and is not shown in Figures 2 and 3. The lever mechanism 200 shown in Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front, and the lever mechanism 200 shown in Figure 3 is a perspective view from the rear.

[0020] The lever mechanism 200 includes a lever member 201, a housing part 202, soft resin rings 203, 209, a lever inner cover (shaft cover) 204, a lever stopper 205, a sensor passing rod 206, a spring 207, a lever outer cover (shaft cover) 208, an inner cover 210, and electrical conductivity sensors 211, 212. The lever member 201 forms the operating portion of the lever 106, and includes a spherical operating portion and a rod portion. A player can operate the lever 106 by operating the lever member 201.

[0021] The housing part 202 is a part that is a part of the front surface of the housing of the gaming machine 100. A guide groove 107 is formed in the housing part 202, and is capable of guiding the movement of the lever 106. The lever 106 can move to the left and right of the housing of the gaming machine 100 by moving along the guide groove 107. Details of the guide groove will be described later with reference to FIG. 6. Note that, of the members of the lever mechanism 200, only the lever member 201 is exposed to the outside of the gaming machine 100 via the housing part 202.

[0022] Each component is assembled along the dashed line in the figure. Specifically, the lever component 201 passes through the guide groove 107 of the housing part 202 and is inserted into the lever inner cover 204 until it abuts against the lever stopper 205. The lever stopper 205 further abuts against the sensor passing rod 206, which is biased in the direction of the lever stopper 205 by a spring 207. Furthermore, the parts 201 to 207 are inserted into the lever outer cover 208. The soft resin rings 203 and 209 are examples of rotating rings, and are rotatably fitted to cover the outer peripheries of the ends of the lever inner cover 204 and the lever outer cover 208.

[0023] The assembled lever 106 is further inserted into the inner cover 210, and is connected to the electrical conductivity sensor 211 at the tip. A space for the lever 106 to move is provided inside the inner cover 210. The lever 106 can move in the space provided in the inner cover 210 along the guide groove 107 of the housing part 202. When the lever 106 moves, the soft resin rings 203 and 209 formed in a ring shape rotate, thereby supporting the movement of the lever 106 inside the inner cover 210. The inner cover 210 is formed to have an inner wall on the back side on the inside side of the gaming machine 100. This makes it possible to prevent fraudulent acts and the like that are performed by entering the inside of the machine.

[0024] <Side cross section of lever> Next, a side cross section of the lever according to this embodiment and its operation will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a side cross section of the lever mechanism 200 in a normal state, operably connected to a current sensor 211.

[0025] 4, when lever member 201 is in a normal state (unoperated state), the rod portion of lever member 201 abuts against sensor passing rod 206 via lever stopper 205. Sensor passing rod 206 has a rod portion that is inserted into electrical conductivity sensor 211, and when the rod portion is inserted, electrical conductivity sensor 211 can determine that lever 106 has been operated.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a side cross section of the lever mechanism 200 when the lever member 201 is operated. When the lever member 201 is operated downward, the lever stopper 205 also tilts according to the tilt of the rod portion of the lever member 201. When the lever stopper 205 tilts, a part of it moves in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the sensor passing rod 206 is pushed by the lever stopper 205 and moves in the direction of the arrow. Then, the rod portion of the sensor passing rod 206 enters the recess of the electrical conductivity sensor 211, and when the electrical conductivity sensor 211 detects the rod portion, the electrical conductivity sensor 211 issues a start signal to start the game. The start signal is transmitted to a control unit (not shown), and the control unit starts the game. When the player releases the lever 106 after operating it, the lever member 201 returns to the position shown in FIG. 4 by the biasing force of the spring 207.

[0027] <Guide groove> Next, the guide groove 107 of the housing part 202 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 6. In addition to the guide groove 107, the housing part 202 is provided with spaces 602-604 into which the stop buttons are fitted, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0028] The guide groove 107 according to the present embodiment is formed, for example, in an M-shape. Note that there is no intention to limit the present invention, and any shape may be used as long as it has the characteristics described below. Specifically, the guide groove 107 is formed in a shape that moves the lever 106 upward (including diagonally upward) when the lever 106 of the guide groove 107 moves from one end to the other end of the guide groove 107. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation at the start of the movement of the lever 106. In other words, since the game operation of the lever 106 itself requires a force with a downward component, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation by moving the lever 106 upward where such force is not generated and connecting it to left and right movement.

[0029] Furthermore, lever 106 can be operated when it is located at both ends of guide groove 107, and is restricted so as to be inoperable while guide groove 107 is moving from one end to the other. First, guide groove 107 is formed facing downward at both ends. This makes it possible to secure space for operating lever 106 downward. Meanwhile, vertical width 612 in the movement path of lever 106 is formed smaller than vertical width 611 at both ends, so that lever 106 cannot be operated downward. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation (operation downward) while lever 106 is moving.

[0030] Furthermore, since the lever 106 is connected to the conduction sensors 211, 212 when it is located at one end or the other end of the guide groove 107, the rod portion of the sensor passing rod 206 can be detected by the conduction sensors 211, 212 when the lever 106 is operated downward. On the other hand, since the lever 106 is not connected to the conduction sensors 211, 212 while the guide groove 107 is moving, no start signal is issued to start a game even if an erroneous operation occurs. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation mechanically and in terms of control while the lever 106 is moving between the left and right.

[0031] <Movement> Next, with reference to Fig. 7, a description will be given of an operation of the lever 106 according to this embodiment when it moves from one end to the other along the guide groove 107. Fig. 7 shows the movement in the order of 711 to 716.

[0032] Reference numeral 711 indicates a state in which the lever 106 is located at one end of the guide groove 107. In this state, the lever 106 can be operated downward 701, and the electrical conductivity sensor 211 can detect the operation of the lever 106.

[0033] 712 shows a state where the lever 106 is lifted in the direction of the arrow from the state 711 where the lever 106 is located at the end, which is the operating position. As shown by the arrow, when the lever 106 starts moving, it is first moved upward (including diagonally upward). This upward movement releases the soft resin ring 203 fixed by the lever inner cover 204. Here, the lever inner cover 204 is an example of a restricting member that restricts the rotation of the soft resin ring 203, which is a rotating ring. In other words, these restrictions are released in response to the upward movement. Note that any method can be used for the fixing method. For example, the soft resin ring 203 may be engaged with a rib provided on the outer periphery of the lever inner cover 204, and the engagement may be released by the upward movement. This allows the soft resin rings 203 and 209 to move the lever 106 smoothly while rotating along the inner edge of the inner cover 210. In other words, the soft resin rings 203 and 209 assist the left and right movement of the lever 106.

[0034] Thereafter, the lever 106 is moved diagonally downward as shown at 713, and then from the left side to the right side of the cabinet of the gaming machine 100 as shown at 714. It is further moved diagonally upward as shown at 715, and then moved downward as shown at 716, and the lever 106 reaches the other end. In the state of 716, the lever 106 can be operated in the downward direction as shown by the arrow 702.

[0035] As described above, the gaming machine according to this embodiment includes a lever for starting a game, and a housing part having a guide groove for guiding the lever on the left and right sides of the housing of the gaming machine. The guide groove is formed in a shape that moves the lever upward when the lever is moved from one end of the guide groove to the other end. This makes it possible to prevent an erroneous downward operation when moving the lever from the left side (or right side) to the right side (or left side) of the housing of the gaming machine. Therefore, the player can freely move the lever 106 left and right according to his / her dominant hand, etc., and a game with a higher degree of freedom can be provided.

[0036] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the guide groove is formed in an M-shape has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the guide groove may be formed in any shape as long as it is a shape that prevents erroneous operation in the downward direction when moving the lever. FIG. 8 shows a modified example of the guide groove formed in the housing part. As shown in the figure, the guide groove 803 according to the modified example is formed in a trapezoidal shape that does not include a base. Even with such a shape, when the lever 106 starts to move, it first moves upward, and erroneous operation in the downward direction can be prevented.

[0037] Reference numeral 811 indicates a state in which the lever 106 is located at one end of the guide groove 803. In this state, the lever 106 can be operated downward 801, and the electrical conductivity sensor 211 can detect the operation of the lever 106.

[0038] 812 shows a state in which lever 106 is lifted in the direction of the arrow from state 811 in which lever 106 is located at the end, which is the operating position. As shown by the arrow, lever 106 is first moved upward (including diagonally upward) when starting to move. At this point, soft resin rings 203, 209 fixed at both ends are released. This allows soft resin rings 203, 209 to rotate along the inner edge of inner cover 210, allowing lever 106 to move smoothly.

[0039] Thereafter, as indicated by 813, the lever 106 is moved from the left side to the right side of the cabinet of the gaming machine 100. Furthermore, as indicated by 814, the lever 106 is moved downward (including diagonally downward) and reaches the other end. In the state of 814, the lever 106 can be operated in the downward direction indicated by the arrow 802. Therefore, even with the shape of the modified example as described above, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the lever 106 when it starts to move.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the lever mechanism 200 is provided near the center of the cabinet of the gaming machine 100. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to such a configuration. Fig. 9 shows a modified example of the position of the lever mechanism. The gaming machine 900 shown in Fig. 9 is an example of the machine configuration of a medal-less smart slot machine.

[0041] In the medal-less gaming machine 900, medals are not inserted or paid out. Therefore, compared to the gaming machine 100, there is no need to provide at least the medal insertion port 104 and the medal payout port 108. In this case, since space can be secured at the bottom of the body of the gaming machine 900, it is also possible to provide the lever mechanism 901 at the bottom of the cabinet. Even in such an arrangement, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained by applying the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 100: gaming machine, 101: reel section, 102: main display section, 103: main display section, 104: medal insertion slot, 105: stop button, 106: lever, 107: guide groove, 108: medal payout outlet, 201: lever member, 202: housing part, 203, 209: soft resin ring, 204: lever inner cover, 205: lever stopper, 206: sensor passing rod, 207: spring, 208: lever outer cover, 210: inner cover 211, 212: electrification sensor

Claims

1. A gaming machine, A lever for starting a game; and a housing part having a guide groove for guiding the lever on the left and right sides of the housing of the gaming machine, The guide groove is formed in a shape that moves the lever upward when the lever moves from one end of the guide groove to the other end.

2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the lever is operable when positioned at either end of the guide groove, and is restricted so as to be inoperable while moving along the guide groove.

3. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the guide groove has a width in the vertical direction along the moving path of the lever between both ends that is smaller than the width in the vertical direction at both ends.

4. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the guide groove is formed with a groove facing downward at both ends.

5. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising an electrical conductivity sensor for detecting operation of the lever when the lever is positioned at either end of the guide groove.

6. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove is M-shaped.

7. The lever is A shaft and a shaft cover; an operation unit operated by a player; a rotating ring attached to the shaft cover; 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotating ring rotates to assist the movement of the lever along the guide groove.

8. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, further comprising restricting members for restricting rotation of the rotating ring when the lever is positioned at either end of the guide groove.

9. 9. The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein the restricting member releases the restriction on the rotation of the rotating ring when the lever is moved upward along the guide groove.

10. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the lever and the housing part are provided near the center or at a lower portion of the housing of the gaming machine.

Images