Gaming machine holding device

Abstract

To minimize the operating space required for the gaming machine holding device when it supports the side of a gaming machine.SOLUTION: A side support unit (130) is arranged to be horizontally slidable between a first position, in which it abuts a side (700A) of a gaming machine (700), and a second position, in which it is separated from the side of the gaming machine (700). A link mechanism (140) converts a rotational motion of an operating lever (120) into a horizontal linear motion, and transmits the linear motion to the side support unit (130). As a result, the side support unit (130) slides between the first and second positions in response to the rotational motion of the operating lever (120).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a game table holding device for holding a pachinko game table, a slot game table, and other game tables in a game table installation frame.

Background Art

[0002] In game table installation stores such as pachinko parlors, a plurality of game tables are arranged within a predetermined space. The area where such a plurality of game tables are grouped together (or those plurality of game tables within that space) is called an "island". In a game table installation store, a game table installation frame is configured by combining a plurality of plate materials and column materials in a rectangular shape for each island, and each game table is arranged in a horizontal row while being fixed to this game table installation frame. As an example of a game table holding device for removably fixing a game table to a game table installation frame, there is a game table holding device described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 26 is a front view of a plurality of game tables 700 arranged in a horizontal row. A conventional game table holding device 500 described in Patent Document 1 is attached to each of the plurality of game tables 700. FIG. 27 is a rear view of FIG. 26 with the game table 700 omitted to clarify the position of the game table holding device 500.

[0003] A game table installation frame 800 is arranged around a plurality of game tables 700 arranged in a horizontal row. The game table installation frame 800 includes a lower frame 810 extending in the same horizontal direction as the direction in which the game tables 700 are aligned directly below the plurality of game tables 700, a second lower frame (not shown) extending horizontally backward from the lower frame 810, an upper frame 830 extending horizontally in parallel with the lower frame 810 behind and above the game tables 700, and side frames (vertical frames) 820 extending in the vertical direction at both ends of the lower frame 810, the second lower frame, and the upper frame 830, which connect the lower frame 810, the second lower frame, and the upper frame 830. A game media lending machine 710 is arranged adjacent to each gaming table 700 (there are smart slot machines, smart pachinko machines, etc. which are gaming tables equipped with the functions of the game media lending machine 710. Although the game media lending machine 710 is not arranged for these gaming tables, it is assumed that the gaming table 700 includes such smart machines). When a user of the gaming table 700 inserts banknotes (or cards) into the game media lending machine 710, a number of game media (such as pachinko balls or medals) corresponding to the amount of the inserted banknotes are paid out.

[0004] Each gaming table 700 is placed and held on the lower frame 810. That is, the lower surface of the gaming table 700 is supported by the lower frame 810. As shown in FIG. 26, a game media lending machine 710 is arranged adjacent to the right side of each gaming table 700, and the game media lending machine 710 is in contact with the side frame 820. In this way, each gaming table 700 has its lower surface supported by the lower frame 810 and its right side surface supported by the side frame 820 via the game media lending machine 710. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the gaming table holding device 500 when viewed from the front side of the gaming table 700. As shown in FIG. 28, the gaming table holding device 500 is composed of a base member 510 fixed to the upper frame 830 and a side support unit 520. FIGS. 29 and 30 are rear views of the side support unit 520 (views seen from the rear side of the gaming table 700).

[0005] As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the gaming table holding device 500 is arranged above each gaming table 700 and has a function of removably supporting the gaming table 700 with respect to the upper frame 830. As shown in FIG. 28, the base member 510 is an L-shaped member and is fixed to the upper surface of the upper frame 830 via an L-shaped angle 510C by screws or other coupling means. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the side support unit 520 includes a base plate 521 fixed to the base member 510, an operation lever 522, a contact pad unit 530, and a link mechanism 540 that operatively connects the operation lever 522 and the contact pad unit 530. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the link mechanism 540 includes a linear first link member 523, an L-shaped second link member 524, and a linear third link member 525.

[0006] The first link member 523 is rotatably connected to the base plate 521 and the operation lever 522 via a first pin 527A and a second pin 527B, respectively. The second link member 524 is rotatably connected to the base plate 521 and the operation lever 522 via a third pin 527C and a fourth pin 527D, respectively, and is further rotatably connected to the third link member 525 via a fifth pin 527E. The contact pad unit 530 includes a contact pad 533, and the contact pad 533 is rotatable about a fulcrum 534. Specifically, the contact pad 533 contacts the left side surface 700A of the game table 700 and rotates about the fulcrum 534 between a first position (the position shown in FIG. 29) where it presses the game table 700 in the leftward direction of FIG. 29 and a second position (the position shown in FIG. 30) where it is separated from the left side surface 700A of the game table 700 and does not contact the left side surface 700A.

[0007] The contact pad 533 is rotatably connected to the third link member 525 via a pin 525B. Therefore, the rotational movement of the operation lever 522 is transmitted to the contact pad 533 via the link mechanism 540 and is converted into the rotational movement of the contact pad 533 about the fulcrum 534. Specifically, when the operation lever 522 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction R (Fig. 30), the contact pad 533 rotates in the clockwise direction about the fulcrum 534 and reaches the first position in contact with the left side surface 700A of the game table 700 (Fig. 29). When the operation lever 522 is rotated in the clockwise direction S (Fig. 29), the contact pad 533 rotates in the counterclockwise direction about the fulcrum 534 and shifts to the second position away from the left side surface 700A of the game table 700 (Fig. 30). As described above, the game table holding device 500 can removably fix the game table 700 to the game table installation frame 800.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] However, the conventional game table holding device 500 had the following problems. The first problem is a space problem. As shown in Figs. 29 and 30, since the contact pad 533 rotates about the fulcrum 534, a relatively large space is required for the rotation. However, there is only a narrow space around the game table 700, and it is often difficult to secure the space required for the rotation of the contact pad 533. The second problem is the problem of contact between the contact pad 533 and the game table 700. As shown in Fig. 29, the contact pad 533 is required to contact the left side surface 700A of the game table 700 over its entire surface. That is, when the contact pad 533 contacts the left side surface 700A of the game table 700, it is necessary for the surface of the contact pad 533 to be in the vertical direction. For this purpose, it is necessary to accurately determine the relative positional relationship between the game table holding device 500 and the game table 700, but this is often difficult at the installation site of the game table 700.

[0010] For example, if the position of the game table holding device 500 (and thus the position of the contact pad 533) shifts to the right or left from the position shown in FIG. 29, when the contact pad 533 contacts the left side surface 700A of the game table 700, the surface of the contact pad 533 will shift in a direction inclined from the vertical direction, and the contact pad 533 will contact the left side surface 700A of the game table 700 only at its upper end or lower end, and thus it will not be able to exert sufficient holding force on the game table 700. The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the conventional game table holding device 500 as described above, and an object thereof is to provide a game table holding device that requires a minimum amount of space when holding the game table 700 and can exert sufficient holding force on the game table 700.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] To achieve this object, the present invention provides a game table holding device (100) for releasably holding a game table (700) with respect to a game table installation frame (800) disposed around the game table (700), the game table holding device (100) including a base member (110) fixed to the game table installation frame (800), an operation lever (120) supported by the base member (110) so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane, a side surface support unit (130) slidably formed between a first position in contact with either one (700A) of the right side surface and the left side surface of the game table (700) and a second position away from either one (700A) of the right side surface and the left side surface of the game table (700), and a link mechanism (140) operatively connecting the operation lever (120) to the side surface support unit (130), the link mechanism (140) converting the rotational movement of the operation lever (120) into a sliding movement of the side surface support unit (130) and sliding the side surface support unit (130) from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position according to the rotational direction of the operation lever (120).

[0012] The side support unit (130) includes, for example, a support member (131) fixed to the base member (110) and having a vertical surface (131B), and a pad (132). Horizontal slots (111D, 131D) extending in the horizontal direction and facing each other are formed in the base member (110) and the support member (131), respectively. The pad (132) fits into the slots (111D, 131D) and has a protrusion (132C) that can slide within the slots (111D, 131D). It is preferable that the pad (132) slides between the first position and the second position as the protrusion (132C) slides within the slots (111D, 131D).

[0013] The link mechanism (140) includes, for example, a base plate (144) fixed to the base member (110) and having a vertical surface (144A), a first link member (141), a second link member (142) having a first portion (142A) and a second portion (142B) extending in a direction perpendicular to the tip of the first portion (142A), and a third link member (143). One end of the first link member (141) is rotatably connected to the base plate (144), and the other end is rotatably connected to the operation lever (120). One end of the first portion (142A) of the second link member (142) is rotatably connected to the base plate (144) at a position closer to the game table (700) than the one end of the first link member (141), and the other end of the first portion (142A) is rotatably connected to the operation lever (120) at a position closer to the game table (700) than the other end of the first link member (141). One end of the third link member (143) is rotatably connected to the tip of the second portion (142B) of the second link member (142), and the other end is rotatably connected to the pad (132). It is preferable that this is characterized by the above structure.

[0014] The gaming table holding device according to the present invention includes, for example, a base plate (144) fixed to the base member (110) and having a vertical surface (144A), and the operation lever (120) is supported by the base plate (144) so as to be rotatable within the vertical surface. The base member (110) includes a horizontal surface (110A), and it is preferable that the base plate (144) is attached to the base member (110) so as to be slidable with respect to the horizontal surface (110A) of the base member (110). The gaming table holding device according to the present invention can include a slide length adjustment mechanism (210) for adjusting the length by which the base plate (144) slides with respect to the horizontal surface (110A) of the base member (110).

[0015] The gaming table holding device (100) is, for example, fixed to the gaming table installation frame (800) and attached to a support plate (561) having a support surface (561A) facing the back surface (700C) of the gaming table (700). It includes a back surface support unit (550) for supporting the back surface (700C) of the gaming table (700), and a transmission member (580) for transmitting the operation of the side surface support unit (130) to the back surface support unit (550) when the side surface support unit (130) operates. The back surface support unit (550) is rotatable within a plane orthogonal to the back surface (700C) of the gaming table (700). When the pad (132) rotates from the second position to the first position, the rotation operation of the pad (132) is transmitted to the back surface support unit (550) via the transmission member (580), and it is preferable that the back surface support unit (550) is fixed at a position in contact with the back surface (700C) of the gaming table (700).

[0016] The transmission member (580) is made of a non - extensible wire, and the transmission member (580) moves in its length direction in response to the operation of the side surface support unit (130) when the side surface support unit (130) operates, and transmits the operation of the side surface support unit (130) to the back surface support unit (550) by moving in the length direction. The back support unit (550) includes, for example, a support plate (561) having the support surface (561A) extending in the vertical direction, a first member (562) rotatable in a plane orthogonal to the support plate (561) about a first point (562A) between both ends in the length direction of the support plate (561), a second member (563) surrounding the first member (562), the second member (563) having a long hole (563A) extending in the vertical direction on a side wall, and a slide member (564) slidable along the long hole (563A). The slide member (564) is in contact with the first member (562) between the first point (562A) and one end of the first member (563). The slide member (564) is connected to the transmission member (580). When the transmission member (580) moves in its length direction, the slide member (564) slides along the long hole (563A). When the slide member (564) slides along the long hole (563A), it is preferable that the first member (562) is fixed at a position in contact with the back surface (700C) of the game table (700).

[0017] The game table holding device (300) preferably includes an elastic member (565) that biases the first member (562) so that the first member (562) is at a position in contact with the back surface (700C) of the game table (700). The game table holding device (300) preferably includes an elastic member (565A) that biases the first member (562) so that the first member (562) is at a position away from the back surface (700C) of the game table (700). When the pad (132) rotates from the first position to the second position, the rotation operation of the pad (132) is transmitted to the back support unit (550) via the transmission member (580), and it is preferable that the first member (562) moves from a position in contact with the back surface (700C) of the game table (700) to a position away from the back surface (700C) of the game table (700). The reference signs in parentheses are used only for the purpose of showing the correspondence with the embodiments described later, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the game table holding device according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. The first effect is that the problem of securing space can be solved. In the conventional game table holding device 500, a relatively large space for the contact pad 533 to rotate was required. On the other hand, in the game table holding device according to the present invention, the side support unit does not rotate but only slides in the horizontal direction. Therefore, as long as the space is considerably smaller than the space required for the rotation of the contact pad 533, it can operate sufficiently. In this way, the game table holding device according to the present invention can operate with a minimum required space, and it is not necessary to secure a large space around the game table 700, thus solving the conventional space problem.

[0019] The second effect is that sufficient support force can be exerted on the game table. In the conventional game table holding device 500, when the contact pad 533 contacts the left side surface 700A of the game table 700, it was necessary for the surface of the contact pad 533 to be in the vertical direction. On the other hand, in the game table holding device according to the present invention, since the contact surface of the side support unit is always in the vertical direction, when the side support unit contacts the left side surface 700A of the game table 700, it can always contact the entire surface. Therefore, it is possible to always exert sufficient holding force on the game table 700.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

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[0021]

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[0022]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 are rear views (views seen from the back side of the game table 700) similar to FIGS. 29 and 30 of the game table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The game table holding device 100 is used in a state fixed to the game table installation frame 800, similar to the conventional game table holding device 500. The game table holding device 100 includes a base member 110 fixed to the game table installation frame 800, an operation lever 120 supported by the base member 110 so as to be rotatable within a vertical plane, a side support unit 130 formed to be slidable horizontally between a first position (the position shown in FIG. 1) where it contacts the left side surface 700A of the game table 700 and a second position (the position shown in FIG. 2) away from the left side surface 700A of the game table 700, and a link mechanism 140 that operatively connects the operation lever 120 and the side support unit 130 to each other.

[0024] As will be described later, the link mechanism 140 converts the rotational movement of the operation lever 120 (rotation in the clockwise direction S shown in FIG. 1 and rotation in the counterclockwise direction R shown in FIG. 2) into the sliding movement of the side support unit 130, and has a function of sliding the side support unit 130 from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position according to the rotational direction S or R of the operation lever 120. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game table holding device 100 is disposed above each game table 700 and has a function of releasably supporting the game table 700 with respect to the upper frame 830. FIG. 3(A) is a perspective view of the base member 110, and FIG. 3(B) is a side view of the base member 110.

[0025] The base member 110 includes a horizontal plane 110A extending in the horizontal direction, a vertical plane 110B extending in a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the horizontal plane 110A from one end of the horizontal plane 110A, an L-shaped angle 110C fixedly attached to the vertical plane 110B (the same as the L-shaped angle 510C shown in FIG. 28), and a plane 110D joined to the horizontal plane 110A and the vertical plane 110B at one end (the left end in FIG. 3(A)) of the horizontal plane 110A and the vertical plane 110B. The base member 110 is fixed to the upper frame 830 via the L-shaped angle 110C by screws or other coupling means. As shown in Fig. 3(A), a rectangular opening 111A is formed in the horizontal plane 110A. Four screw holes 111B are formed on one side of the opening 111A (the left side in Fig. 3(A)), and two through holes 111C are formed on the other side of the opening 111A (the right side in Fig. 3(A)). A long hole-shaped slot 111D extending horizontally is formed in the vertical plane 110B near the other end (the right end in Fig. 3(A)).

[0026] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the link mechanism 140 is composed of a pair of first link members 141, a pair of second link members 142, a pair of third link members 143, and a base plate 144. The base plate 144 is an L-shaped flat plate member having a vertical plane 144A and a horizontal plane 144B. It is screwed to the screw holes 111B of the base member 110 on the horizontal plane 144B, and the vertical plane 144A stands upright on the horizontal plane 110A of the base member 110. Since the base member 110 is fixed to the upper frame 830 via the vertical plane 110B and the L-shaped angle 110C, the base plate 144 is also indirectly fixed to the upper frame 830 via the base member 110. Fig. 4 is a partial rear view of the operation lever 120 and the link mechanism 140, and Fig. 5 is a partial side view of the operation lever 120 and the link mechanism 140.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, two through holes 144A and 144B are formed in the base plate 144. The through hole 144A is located above the through hole 144B, that is, farther from the game table 700, and the through hole 144B is formed on the right side of the through hole 144A, that is, closer to the operation lever 120. The operation lever 120 is composed of a flat plate member, and a handle 120A is attached to one end (the upper end in Fig. 4). Two through holes 120B and 120C are formed in the operation lever 120. The through hole 120B is located above the through hole 120C, that is, farther above from the game table 700. Each of the pair of first link members 141 is a flat plate-shaped member of the same shape, and two through holes 141A and 141B are formed in each first link member 141. As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of first link members 141 are rotatably attached to both sides of the base plate 144 and the operation lever 120 so as to sandwich them.

[0028] The base plate 144 and the first link member 141 are interconnected and rotatably connected by passing a first pin 145A through the through hole 144A of the base plate 144 and the through hole 141A of the first link member 141. Further, the first link member 141 and the operation lever 120 are interconnected and rotatably connected by passing a second pin 145B through the through hole 141B of the first link member 141 and the through hole 120B of the operation lever 120. Each of the pair of second link members 142 is a flat plate-shaped member of the same shape, and as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of second link members 142 are rotatably attached to both sides of the base plate 144 and the operation lever 120 so as to sandwich them. Each second link member 142 has an L shape. Specifically, it is composed of a first portion 142A extending in one direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 1) and a second portion 142B extending in a direction perpendicular to the tip of the first portion 142A (the right end in FIG. 1, i.e., the downward direction in FIG. 1). The second portion 142B protrudes below the horizontal plane 110A of the base member 110 through an opening 111A formed in the horizontal plane 110A of the base member 110.

[0029] A through hole 142C is formed at the tip of the first portion 142A (the left end in FIG. 4), a through hole 142D is formed at the other end (the right end in FIG. 4, i.e., the intersection of the first portion 142A and the second portion 142B), and a through hole 142E is formed at the tip of the second portion 142B. The base plate 144 and each second link member 142 are rotatably connected to each other by passing a third pin 145C through a through hole 144B in the base plate 144 and a through hole 142C in each second link member 142. Further, the second link member 142 and the operation lever 120 are rotatably connected to each other by passing a fourth pin 145D through a through hole 142D in each second link member 142 and a through hole 120C in the operation lever 120.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third link member 143 is formed of a flat and elongated member, and a long hole 143A extending in the longitudinal direction of the third link member 143 is formed at one end (the left end in FIGS. 1 and 2), and a through hole 143B is formed at the other end (the right end in FIGS. 1 and 2). As shown in FIG. 4, the third link member 143 is connected to the second link member 142 so as to be rotatable with respect to the second link member 142 and slidable along the long hole 143A by passing a fifth pin 145E through the long hole 143A and a through hole 142E in the second link member 142. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side support unit 130 includes a support member 131 and a pad unit 132. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support member 131.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, the support member 131 has a horizontal plane 131A and a vertical plane 131B extending vertically downward from one end of the horizontal plane 131A. Two screw holes 131C are formed in the horizontal plane 131A, and a long hole-shaped slot 131D extending in the horizontal direction is formed in the vertical plane 131B. The support member 131 is attached to the back side of the horizontal plane 110A by being screwed to the screw holes 131C through two through holes 111C formed in the horizontal plane 110A of the base member 110 (only a part of the support member 131 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). When the support member 131 is attached to the base member 110, the slot 131D is opposed to the slot 111D formed in the vertical plane 110B of the base member 110 in the horizontal direction. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pad unit 132.

[0032] The pad unit 132 has a horizontal plane 132A and a vertical plane 132B extending vertically downward from one end of the horizontal plane 132A. On both side edges of the horizontal plane 132A, protruding bodies 132C of the same shape protruding outward in the horizontal direction are formed at the same positions. Each protruding body 132C has a size that can be fitted into the slots 111D and 131D, and can slide inside the slots 111D and 131D. By fitting the two protruding bodies 132C into the slots 111D and 131D respectively, the pad unit 132 is in a state of being attached to the support member 131. On the horizontal plane 132A, two support bodies 134 are formed upright facing each other between the two protruding bodies 132C. Through holes 134A are respectively formed in each support body 134, and by passing a pin 145F (see FIGS. 1 and 2) through the through hole 143B formed at the right end of the third link member 143 and each through hole 134A, the third link member 143 is rotatably connected to the pad unit 132.

[0033] A rubber contact pad 133 is attached to the back side of the vertical plane 132B, and the contact pad 133 contacts the left side surface 700A of the game table 700. FIG. 8 is a partial side view showing the positional relationship between the support member 131 and the pad unit 132 when the pad unit 132 slides. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the operation of the game table holding device 100 will be described. Before installing the game table 700, as shown in FIG. 2, the side support unit 130 is maintained in the second position. In this state, the operation lever 120 is inclined in the clockwise direction from the vertical direction, and the pad unit 132 is at a position away from the contact planned position of the left side surface 700A of the game table 700. Also, the two protruding bodies 132C are respectively fitted into the slots 111D and 131D, and as shown in FIG. 8(B), they are at positions closer to the right side inside the slots 111D and 131D.

[0034] After the gaming table 700 is installed, when the operation lever 120 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction R, the rotation motion of the operation lever 120 is converted by the link mechanism 140 into a horizontal linear motion of the tip of the second portion 142B of each second link member 142. That is, the tip of the second portion 142B performs a linear motion toward the left direction in FIG. 2. Since the third link member 143 is connected to the tip of the second portion 142B of each second link member 142 via the fifth pin 145E, when the tip of the second portion 142B performs a linear motion toward the left direction, the third link member 143 is also pulled by the second portion 142B and performs a similar linear motion. Since the third link member 143 is connected to the pad unit 132 via the pin 145F at its right end, as shown in FIG. 8(A), the two protrusions 132C slide within the slots 111D and 131D and move to positions close to the left ends within the slots 111D and 131D. That is, the pad unit 132 shifts from the second position (FIG. 2) to the first position (FIG. 1), contacts the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700, and supports (holds down) the gaming table 700 at the left side surface 700A.

[0035] When releasing the support for the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700, the operation lever 120 is rotated in the clockwise direction S. Thereby, the reverse operation to the above is performed, the two protrusions 132C slide within the slots 111D and 131D, and shift from the position shown in FIG. 8(A) to the position shown in FIG. 8(B). Along with this, the pad unit 132 shifts from the first position (FIG. 1) to the second position (FIG. 2), and the support by the gaming table holding device 100 for the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700 is released. According to the gaming table holding device 100 that performs the operations as described above, the following effects can be obtained. In the conventional gaming table holding device 500, a relatively large space was required for the contact pad 533 to rotate.

[0036] On the other hand, in the game table holding device 100 according to the present embodiment, since the pad unit 132 (the member corresponding to the contact pad 533) does not rotate and only performs a sliding operation in the horizontal direction, a space considerably smaller than the space required for the rotation of the contact pad 533 is sufficient. In this way, the game table holding device 100 according to the present embodiment can operate with a minimum required space, eliminating the need to secure a large space around the game table 700, and solving the problem of space. Furthermore, in the conventional game table holding device 500, there was a problem in that it was necessary for the surface of the contact pad 533 to be in the vertical direction when the contact pad 533 contacted the left side surface 700A of the game table 700. On the other hand, in the game table holding device 100 according to the present embodiment, since the surface of the pad unit 132 is always in the vertical direction, when the pad unit 132 contacts the left side surface 700A of the game table 700, it can always contact with the entire surface of the pad unit 132. Therefore, it is possible to always exert a sufficient holding force on the game table 700.

[0037] (Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, a game table holding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The game table holding device according to the present embodiment has a mechanism for displacing the slide start position (or the slide end position) of the side support unit 130 to the left and right in the horizontal direction as compared with the game table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment. Except for this point, the game table holding device according to the present embodiment has the same structure as the game table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the game table holding device according to the present embodiment. The game table holding device according to the present embodiment additionally includes a slide position adjustment member 200 as compared with the game table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the slide position adjustment member 200. As shown in FIG. 10, the slide position adjusting member 200 includes a vertical plane 200A extending in the vertical direction and a horizontal plane 200B extending in the horizontal direction orthogonally to the vertical plane 200A from the lower end of the vertical plane 200A.

[0038] The width of the vertical plane 200A is smaller than the width of the horizontal plane 200B, and the vertical plane 200A and the horizontal plane 200B have a common center line (a line extending left and right of the horizontal plane 200B in FIG. 10). Four screw holes 200C are formed in the horizontal plane 200B so as to be located at the respective vertices of a square. A rectangular opening 111E is formed in the horizontal plane 110A of the base member 110. The opening 111E has a width into which the vertical plane 200A of the slide position adjusting member 200 can be fitted and a length L such that the vertical plane 200A can slide in the length direction of the base member 110. That is, the vertical plane 200A of the slide position adjusting member 200 can slide between one end 111Ea and the other end 111Eb of the opening 111E within the opening 111E.

[0039] In addition, in the horizontal plane 110A of the base member 110 in the present embodiment, instead of two adjacent screw holes 111B in the length direction of the base member 110, one elongated hole (two elongated holes in total) is formed. Each elongated hole extends parallel to each other in the length direction of the base member 110. The slide position adjusting member 200 is attached to the base member 110 by being screwed to the screw holes 200C in the horizontal plane 200B through the through holes formed in the horizontal plane 144B of the base plate 144 and the elongated holes formed in the horizontal plane 110A of the base member 110. In this state, the horizontal plane 200B is in contact with the back surface of the horizontal plane 110A of the base member 110, and the vertical plane 200A protrudes upward from the opening 111E. The base plate 144 is fixed to the base member 110 via screws, but by loosening the screws, it can slide within the range of the elongated holes formed instead of the screw holes 111B.

[0040] As described above, since the slide position adjusting member 200 and the base plate 144 are interconnected, if the base plate 144 is slid in the longitudinal direction of the base member 110, the slide position adjusting member 200 also slides within the range of the length L together with the base plate 144. The gaming table holding device according to the present embodiment having the above-described structure exhibits the following functions and effects. The operation lever 120, the side support unit 130, and the link mechanism 140 are directly or indirectly connected to the base plate 144. Therefore, if the base plate 144 moves (slides) left and right, the operation lever 120, the side support unit 130, and the link mechanism 140 also move left and right accordingly.

[0041] As described above, since the slide position adjusting member 200 is slidable together with the base plate 144, if the base plate 144 is slid, the slide position adjusting member 200 also slides in the same direction together with the operation lever 120, the side support unit 130, and the link mechanism 140. The slide amount is defined by the length of the long hole and the length L of the opening 111E, and the slide amount can be adjusted by changing the length of the long hole and the length L of the opening 111E. In this way, by sliding the base plate 144, the slide start position (or the slide end position) of the side support unit 130 can be displaced left and right, and as a result, the position of the contact pad 133 can be finely adjusted, and it becomes possible to more reliably bring the entire surface of the contact pad 133 into contact with the left side surface 700A of the gaming table 700.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of a slide amount adjusting mechanism for adjusting the slide amount of the base plate 144. As shown in FIG. 11, this slide amount adjusting mechanism includes, in addition to the slide position adjusting member 200, a fixing member 210, a screw member 211, and a fixing nut 212. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the slide position adjusting member 200 used in the slide amount adjusting mechanism. The slide position adjustment member 200 used in the slide amount adjustment mechanism has a screw hole 200D additionally formed at the center of the vertical surface 200A as compared with the slide position adjustment member 200 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fixing member 210.

[0043] The fixing member 210 has the same shape as the slide position adjustment member 200 shown in FIG. 12, has a vertical surface 210A and a horizontal surface 210B, a through hole 210C is formed in the vertical surface 210A, and two screw holes 210D are respectively formed in the horizontal surface 210B. The screw member 211 is composed of an ordinary bolt, the fixing nut 212 has a screw hole into which the screw member 211 can be screwed, and is formed as a knob composed of two cylindrical shapes with different diameters. The fixing member 210 is attached to the base member 110 by being screwed into the screw hole 210D of the horizontal surface 210B through the through hole formed in the horizontal surface 144B of the base plate 144. In this state, the horizontal surface 210B is in contact with the back surface of the horizontal surface 110A of the base member 110, the vertical surface 210A protrudes upward from the opening 111E, faces the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200 in parallel, and the through hole 210C formed in the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210 and the screw hole 200D formed in the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200 are located opposite to each other on the same horizontal line.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 11, the screw member 211 is fixedly screwed into the screw hole 200D formed in the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200, and its tip passes through the through hole 210C formed in the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210 and protrudes outside the vertical surface 210A. A fixing nut 212 is screwed onto the tip of the screw member 211. The slide amount adjustment mechanism is used as follows. If the base plate 144 is slid rightward, the operation lever 120, side support unit 130, and link mechanism 140 connected to the base plate 144 also slide in the same direction, and the slide position adjustment member 200 also slides in the same direction. When the slide position adjustment member 200 slides rightward, the screw member 211 fixed to the vertical surface 200A of the slide position adjustment member 200 and thus the fixing nut 212 screwed onto the tip of the screw member 211 also move rightward.

[0045] When the fixing nut 212 moves rightward, the fixing nut 212 abuts against the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210, and further sliding of the base plate 144 rightward is inhibited. Thus, the fixing member 210 functions as a stopper against the rightward sliding of the base plate 144 and the slide position adjustment member 200. The slidable amount of the base plate 144 is equal to the distance between the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210 and the fixing nut 212. Therefore, by turning the fixing nut 212 clockwise or counterclockwise, the distance between the vertical surface 210A of the fixing member 210 and the fixing nut 212 can be adjusted, so that the slidable amount of the base plate 144 and the slide position adjustment member 200 can be increased or decreased. FIG. 11 shows an example of the structure of the slide amount adjustment mechanism, and the slide amount adjustment mechanism can have other structures.

[0046] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the game table holding device 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 15 and 16 are rear views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the game table holding device 100 (views seen from the back side of the game table 700). The game table holding device 300 according to this embodiment is additionally provided with a back support unit 550 that supports the back surface of the game table 700, and a steel wire 580 as a transmission member that operatively connects the side support unit 130 and the back support unit 550, compared with the game table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment. Except for this point, it has the same structure as the game table holding device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0047] FIGS. 17 to 20 are diagrams showing the structure and operation of the back support unit 550. Specifically, FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of the back support unit 550, FIG. 19 is a front view (omitting the second member 563 described later), and FIGS. 20(A) and 20(B) are a perspective view and a side view of the back support unit 550, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the back support unit 550 has a support surface 561A facing the back surface 700C (see FIGS. 15 and 16) of the game table 700, a support plate 561 extending in the vertical direction, and a point (pin 562A described later) near the lower end 561C of the support plate 561 and away from the support surface 561A of the support plate 561. It includes a first member 562 that is rotatable in a plane orthogonal to the support surface 561A of the support plate 561 with the rotation center, a box-shaped second member 563 (see FIG. 20) that surrounds the first member 562, and a slide member 564. The first member 562 is supported by both side walls of the second member 563 and is rotatably supported by a pin 562A passing through the above rotation center, and rotates around the pin 562A.

[0048] The support plate 561 is fixed to the upper frame 830 and the lower frame 810 at its upper end 561B and lower end 561C (see FIG. 14), respectively, and the support plate 561 stands upright in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 20(A), long holes 563A extending in the vertical direction are formed in both side walls of the second member 563, and the slide member 564 is supported so as to be slidable along the long holes 563A. The slide member 564 is in contact with the back surface of the first member 562 (the surface facing the back surface 700C of the game table 700 is the front surface of the first member 562, and the back surface is the surface on the back side thereof, that is, the surface visible in FIG. 17) between the pin 562A and one end 562D (the upper end in FIG. 17) of the first member 562, and slides on the back surface of the first member 562.

[0049] A through hole (not shown) through which the wire 580 passes is formed in the flat surface 110D of the base member 110. One end of the wire 580 is rotatably connected to the fifth pin 145E through this through hole (see FIGS. 15 and 16), and the other end is rotatably connected to the slide member 564 (see FIG. 17). As the wire 580 moves in its longitudinal direction as described later, accordingly, the slide member 564 slides on the back surface of the first member 562 along the long hole 563A without rotation. When the slide member 564 slides, the first member 562 rotates about the pin 562A. A spring 581 is stretched around the wire 580, and the spring 581 is fitted between a screw 582 fixed to the wire 580 and the slide member 564. The spring 581 is a compression spring, and acts on the slide member 564 with an elastic force in a direction away from the screw 582. An opening 561D is formed in the support surface 561A of the support plate 561. The first member 562 rotates through the opening 561D and does not interfere with the support surface 561A of the support plate 561.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20(B), the back support unit 550 further includes a spring 565. One end of the spring 565 is attached to the support surface 561A of the support plate 561, and the other end is attached near the tip (the lower end in FIG. 19) of the first member 562. The spring 565 is a tension spring, and acts on the first member 562 with an elastic force so that the first member 562 stays at the rotation limit position, that is, the position shown in FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 17, a pad 562B having a high coefficient of friction is attached to the tip of the first member 562, and when the first member 562 is at the rotation limit position (the position shown in FIG. 18), the pad 562B abuts against the back surface 700C of the game table 700. As the pad 562B, for example, a brake pad for a bicycle or the like is used.

[0051] As described above, the wire 580 is connected to the fifth pin 145E and the slide member 564 at each of its both ends. Since the wire 580 as a transmission member is made of steel, it does not expand or contract (or the expansion and contraction rate is extremely small to the extent that it can be ignored). The wire 580 is covered with a resin coating material (not shown), and inside the coating material, it is movable in the length direction of the wire 580. The coating material is fixed to the support plate 561 at an appropriate position of the support plate 561, for example, so that the wire 580 does not meander. The wire 580 is displaced in the length direction of the wire 580 in accordance with the movement of the operation lever 120 of the side support unit 130 (accurately, the movement of the fifth pin 145E attached to the second link member 142). That is, since the wire 580 is attached to the fifth pin 145E, when the fifth pin 145E is displaced, the wire 580 is also displaced in the same direction by the same horizontal length together with the fifth pin 145E.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 15, let the horizontal distance from the through hole 111D to the fifth pin 145E when the contact pad 133 is in the first position be La, and as shown in FIG. 16, let the horizontal distance from the through hole 111D to the fifth pin 145E when the contact pad 133 is in the second position be Lb. When the contact pad 133 shifts from the second position (FIG. 16) to the first position (FIG. 15), accordingly, the third link member 143 shifts entirely to the left direction, and the fifth pin 145E also shifts to the left direction in the same manner. For this reason, La is shorter than Lb (La < Lb). That is, when the contact pad 133 moves from the second position (FIG. 16) to the first position (FIG. 15), accordingly, the wire 580 also displaces leftward by a distance of (Lb - La) in its longitudinal direction.

[0053] When the wire 580 displaces in this way, since the wire 580 is non - extensible, the slide member 564 connected to one end of the wire 580 is displaced by the wire 580 by a distance of (Lb - La) in the direction in which the wire 580 extends from the fifth pin 145E (downward in FIG. 17). When the slide member 564 moves downward in FIG. 17, as shown in FIG. 18, the slide member 564 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the first member 562. In this state, the slide member 564 becomes an obstacle to the first member 562, and the first member 562 cannot rotate clockwise about the pin 562A. As described above, since the first member 562 is fixed in a state of being in contact with the rear surface 700C of the game table 700 by the descending slide member 564, the first member 562 in contact with the rear surface 700C of the game table 700 will, even if the game table 700 tries to shift backward (in the direction toward the first member 562), perform a function of inhibiting the backward shift of the game table 700, and can prevent the backward shift of the game table 700.

[0054] When the contact pad 133 moves from the first position (FIG. 15) to the second position (FIG. 16), the third link member 143 as a whole moves rightward, and the fifth pin 145E also moves rightward in the same manner. Thereby, the wire 580 also displaces rightward by a distance of (Lb - La) in its longitudinal direction. When the wire 580 displaces in this way, the slide member 564 connected to one end of the wire 580 is displaced by the wire 580 in the reverse direction (upward in FIG. 18). When the slide member 564 moves upward in FIG. 18, the contact between the first member 562 and the slide member 564 is released, and the first member 562 becomes freely rotatable about the pin 562A, and the function of supporting the rear surface 700C of the game table 700 stops. As described above, when the contact pad 133 rotates from its second position (FIG. 16) to its first position (FIG. 15), the rotation operation of the contact pad 133 is transmitted to the back support unit 550 via the wire 580. As a result, the slide member 564 descends and contacts the first member 562, preventing the first member 562 from rotating about the pin 562A. For this reason, the first member 562 is fixed at a position where it abuts against the back surface 700C of the game table 700, preventing the game table 700 from shifting backward even if the game table 700 tries to shift backward. Further, when the contact pad 133 rotates from its first position to its second position, the first member 562 is released from the state of being fixed at a position where it abuts against the back surface 700C of the game table 700.

[0055] The game table holding device 300 having the above-described structure is used as follows. As described above, the contact pad 133 slides between a first position (the position shown in FIG. 15) where it contacts the left side surface 700A of the game table 700 and presses the game table 700 leftward, and a second position (the position shown in FIG. 16) where it does not contact the left side surface 700A of the game table 700. When the contact pad 133 is rotated from its second position to its first position, the fifth pin 145E to which one end of the wire 580 is attached is displaced in the horizontal direction, so that the sliding operation of the contact pad 133 is converted into the movement of the wire 580 in its longitudinal direction. Specifically, the wire 580 is pushed leftward by a length of (Lb - La).

[0056] As a result, the slide member 564 attached to the wire 580 moves downward along the support plate 561 and contacts the first member 562 between the upper end 562D of the first member 562 and the pin 562A. When the slide member 564 contacts the first member 562 in this way, the rotation of the first member 562 about the pin 562A is inhibited by the slide member 564. Therefore, the first member 562 is fixed at a position where it abuts against the back surface 700C of the game table 700, preventing the game table 700 from shifting backward. When the contact pad 133 is shifted from the first position (FIG. 15) to the second position (FIG. 16), as described above, the wire 580 is also pulled rightward in its longitudinal direction and displaced by a distance of (Lb−La). As a result, the slide member 564 connected to one end of the wire 580 is displaced in the reverse direction (upward in FIG. 18) by the wire 580. When the slide member 564 moves upward in FIG. 18, since the contact between the first member 562 and the slide member 564 is released, the state where the first member 562 is fixed at the position where it abuts against the rear surface 700C of the game table 700 is released, and the support of the rear surface 700C of the game table 700 by the rear support unit 550 is released.

[0057] According to the game table holding device 300 according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. When the contact pad 133 is rotated from the second position to the first position, as the contact pad 133 rotates, the slide member 564 moves downward and comes into contact with the first member 562, so that the first member 562 is fixed at the position where it abuts against the rear surface 700C of the game table 700. As a result, even if the lower part of the game table 700 tends to shift rearward, it will be inhibited by the first member 562, and the backward shift of the game table 700 can be prevented. In this way, by performing a single operation of rotating the operation lever 120, it is possible to simultaneously support the left side surface 700A and the rear surface 700C of the game table 700, and it is possible to prevent the game table 700 from shifting in the left - right direction and the backward direction.

[0058] Furthermore, since the shift of the contact pad 133 from the first position to the second position involves releasing the state where the first member 562 of the rear support unit 550 is fixed at the position where it abuts against the rear surface 700C of the game table 700, it is possible to easily release the support for the game table 700 in the left - right direction and the backward direction by a single operation of rotating the operation lever 120 (the handle 120A) in the clockwise direction S. The game table holding device 300 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above structure, and various modifications are possible. In the game table holding device 300 according to this embodiment, although the spring 565 is configured as a tension spring, it is also possible to use a spring 565A made of a compression spring instead of the spring 565.

[0059] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the rear support unit 550 when the spring 565A is used (the second member 563 is omitted), FIG. 22 is a front view thereof, FIG. 23(A) is a perspective view of the rear support unit 550 similar to FIG. 21 (the second member 563 is shown), FIG. 23(B) is a side view thereof, and FIG. 24 is an overall perspective view of the game table holding device 300 similar to FIG. 14. When the spring 565A made of a compression spring is used, as shown in FIG. 21, the first member 562 is biased by the spring 565A so as to be in a position where it does not contact the rear surface 700C of the game table 700 or a position away from the rear surface 700C of the game table 700. When the slide member 564 moves downward as the contact pad 133 rotates from the second position to the first position, the first member 562 rotates counterclockwise about the pin 562A against the biasing force of the spring 565A and is fixed in a position where it contacts the rear surface 700C of the game table 700 (the state shown in FIG. 18). Thereby, the game table 700 is prevented from shifting backward.

[0060] When the slide member 564 moves upward as the contact pad 133 rotates from the first position to the second position, the first member 562 rotates clockwise about the pin 562A by the biasing force of the spring 565A and returns to the original position (the position shown in FIG. 21). Thus, if the spring 565A is used instead of the spring 565, although the position of the spring 565A when it does not contact the rear surface 700C of the game table 700 is different from the position of the spring 565 in the same case, it is possible to exhibit the same function as when the spring 565 is used. The attachment position of the spring 565 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 20(B). FIG. 25 is a partial side view showing another attachment position of the spring 565.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 25, one end of the spring 565 can be attached near the upper end 562D of the first member 562 (specifically, between the upper end 562D of the first member 562 and the pin 562A), and the other end can be attached to the inner wall of the second member 563 (the inner surface of the wall parallel to the support surface 561A of the support plate 561). Even when the spring 565 is attached at the position shown in FIG. 25, it exhibits the same function as when it is attached at the position shown in FIG. 20(B).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 100 Game table holding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention 110 Base member 120 Operation lever 130 Side support unit 140 Link mechanism 141 First link member 142 Second link member 143 Third link member 300 Game table holding device according to the third embodiment of the present invention 550 Rear support unit 700 Game table

Claims

1. A game table holding device that releasably holds a game table with respect to a game table installation frame disposed around the game table, wherein the game table holding device, a base member fixed to the game table installation frame, an operation lever supported by the base member so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane, a side support unit slidably formed between a first position in contact with either the right side or the left side of the game table and a second position away from either the right side or the left side of the game table, a link mechanism operatively connecting the operation lever to the side support unit, and, the link mechanism converts the rotational movement of the operation lever into the sliding movement of the side support unit, and slides the side support unit from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position according to the direction of rotation of the operation lever. A game table holding device.

2. The side support unit, a support member fixed to the base member and having a vertical plane, a pad, and, horizontal slots extending in the horizontal direction and facing each other are respectively formed in the base member and the support member, the pad has a protrusion fitted into the slot and slidable within the slot, the game table holding device according to claim 1, wherein the pad slides between the first position and the second position when the protrusion slides within the slot.

3. The link mechanism, a base plate fixed to the base member and having a vertical plane, a first link member, a second link member having a first portion and a second portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the tip of the first portion, a third link member, and, one end of the first link member is rotatably connected to the base plate and the other end is rotatably connected to the operation lever, one end of the first portion of the second link member is rotatably connected to the base plate at a position closer to the game table than the one end of the first link member, and the other end of the first portion is rotatably connected to the operation lever at a position closer to the game table than the other end of the first link member, The third link member is rotatably connected at one end thereof to the tip of the second portion of the second link member, and is rotatably connected at the other end thereof to the pad. The gaming table holding device according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. Fixed to the base member, and provided with a base plate having a vertical plane, The operation lever is supported by the base plate so as to be rotatable within the vertical plane, The base member is provided with a horizontal plane, and the base plate is attached to the base member so as to be slidable with respect to the horizontal plane of the base member. The gaming table holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. The gaming table holding device according to claim 4, further comprising a slide length adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length by which the base plate slides with respect to the horizontal plane of the base member.

6. The gaming table holding device is Fixed to the frame for installing the gaming table, and attached to a support plate having a support surface facing the back surface of the gaming table, a back support unit for supporting the back surface of the gaming table; A transmission member that transmits the operation of the side support unit to the back support unit when the side support unit operates; Comprising The back support unit is rotatable within a plane orthogonal to the back surface of the gaming table, When the pad rotates from the second position to the first position, the rotation operation of the pad is transmitted to the back support unit via the transmission member, and the back support unit is fixed at a position in contact with the back surface of the gaming table. The gaming table holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. The transmission member is made of a non-elastic wire, The transmission member moves in its length direction in response to the operation of the side support unit when the side support unit operates, and transmits the operation of the side support unit to the back support unit by moving in the length direction. The gaming table holding device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The back support unit is A support plate having the support surface extending in the vertical direction; A first member rotatable within a plane orthogonal to the support plate about a first point located between both ends in the length direction of the support plate; A second member surrounding the first member, the second member having a long hole extending in the vertical direction in a side wall; A slide member slidable along the long hole; Comprising The slide member is in contact with the first member between the first point and one end of the first member. The slide member is connected to the transmission member. When the transmission member moves in its longitudinal direction, the slide member slides along the long hole. When the slide member slides along the long hole, the first member is fixed at a position where it contacts the back surface of the game table. The game table holding device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

9. The game table holding device according to claim 8, characterized by comprising an elastic member that biases the first member so that the first member is at a position in contact with the back surface of the game table.

10. The game table holding device according to claim 8, characterized by comprising an elastic member that biases the first member so that the first member is at a position away from the back surface of the game table.

11. When the pad rotates from the first position to the second position, the rotation operation of the pad is transmitted to the back surface support unit via the transmission member. The first member moves from a position in contact with the back surface of the game table to a position away from the back surface of the game table. The game table holding device according to claim 10, characterized in that.

Images