Apparatus for providing service to player

Abstract

To provide a service providing device to a player which can be easily and stably attached to a stud provided between game machines.SOLUTION: A service providing device 11 to a player has an arm 20 extending forward from the front surface part of a stud 110, an engaging part 30 capable of being detachably fixed to a locking projection part 114 provided at the lower end part of a POP storage case 113 is provided at the base end part of the arm 20, and a holding part 40 for holding the beverage of the player is provided at the tip part of the arm 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a player service providing device that holds items for providing various services to a player playing a game on a gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, amusement halls, parlors, and other gaming facilities have installed service equipment for players in the so-called "studs" located in the spaces between adjacent gaming machines, such as partitions to prevent droplet infection between gaming machines, drink holders, and charging devices with USB ports for charging mobile phones, etc. In addition, the partition walls are fitted with storage cases made of synthetic resin and shaped like thin rectangular boxes with openings on the front, which store POPs explaining the gaming machines, drink service menus, and event information POPs as part of the services provided to players, allowing a variety of services to be provided to players while they are playing.

[0003] However, these various conventional service providing devices were all fixed in approximately the same mounting position as the gaming machine board in the front-to-back direction of the player, which meant that when a player was seated in a gaming machine chair and wanted to charge a smartphone or the like using a USB terminal, it was difficult for the player to reach out and set the smartphone into the charging device.

[0004] Therefore, there has been a demand for a device that allows players to easily temporarily place and fix drinks near the gaming machine while playing without changing their posture, to take out the drinks when needed, drink them, and then put them back, and further to be able to easily and quickly use a USB charging device for a smartphone or the like without changing their posture. Additionally, there has been a demand for players to be able to fix their smartphones in a position where they can see the display while playing games, and to play games while looking at the display or operating the smartphone as needed.

[0005] From this perspective, we searched prior art documents and extracted the following documents, but we were unable to find any patent documents that could solve the problem at hand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-135959 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-73789 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-170637 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide players with more comfortable services using the facilities installed on the studs while they are playing games. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention of claim 1 provides a player service providing device that is attached to a stud located between adjacent gaming machines, the device comprising: an information medium storage case that is attached to the stud, is generally formed in a thin box shape, is elongated in the vertical direction, has an opening that opens to the front of the stud, and has a locking protrusion at the lower end of the front of the opening, and stores information media that contains information to be provided to players so that the information media can be inserted and removed from the front of the stud; an arm extending forward from the front surface of the stud, the arm having an engaging portion formed so as to be able to engage with the locking protrusion and be fixed to the information medium storage case; This is a service provision device for players as described in claim 1, characterized in that it has a holding section provided at the tip of the arm that holds items that provide various services that the player can use at the gaming machine while playing.

[0009] The device for providing services to players described in claim 1 can be easily and stably attached to a partition wall between adjacent gaming machines by engaging and fixing the engagement portion provided at the base end of the arm with the locking protrusion on the information medium storage case, making it easier for players to use various services.

[0010] In the invention described in claim 2, a hole is formed in the locking protrusion, the engaging portion has an engaging member having a protrusion that engages with the hole, and the arm has an arm main body whose base end is connected to the engaging member so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction, and a holding member attached to the tip of the arm main body and capable of holding items that provide the various services.

[0011] The device for providing services to players described in claim 2 has the base end of the arm body connected to the engaging member so that it can be rotated left and right in the left-right direction, so that when opening and closing the board door of the gaming machine, there is no interference between the board door and items that provide various services such as mobile terminals and drinks.

[0012] The service providing device for players described in claim 3 is a service providing device for players described in claim 2, characterized in that at least the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm body has flexibility that allows it to bend and deform when subjected to an external force. The service providing device for players described in claim 3 is resistant to breakage because at least the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm body has flexibility that allows it to bend and deform under external force. Also, because it has flexibility, it can deform appropriately even when hit by a player's hand, making it possible to avoid breakage and injury to the player.

[0013] The service providing device for players described in claim 4 is characterized in that the engaging member has an engaging piece that can be engaged and detached with the opening, and the engaging piece can be engaged with the opening, thereby being removably fixed to the information-containing medium storage case. The engaging member has an engaging piece that can be inserted into an opening of the information-containing medium storage case for inserting and removing the information-containing medium, and is characterized in that the engaging piece can be removably fixed to the information-containing medium storage case by removably engaging with the information-containing medium storage case.

[0014] With the above configuration, the player service provision device described in claim 4 can be easily and stably attached to a partition wall located between adjacent gaming machines by inserting the engaging member into the opening of the information-containing medium storage case and engaging and fixing it to the information-containing medium storage case.

[0015] The service providing device for players described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the service providing device for players described in claim 2, the item is a mobile terminal and the holding member has a holding portion capable of holding the mobile terminal.

[0016] With the above-mentioned configuration, the player service providing device according to claim 5 can hold the player's beverage at a position that is easily reachable by the player playing on the gaming machine.

[0017] The service providing device for players described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the service providing device for players described in claim 2, the items for providing various services are beverage bottles, and the holding member has a cup-shaped portion that can accommodate at least the lower part of the beverage bottle.

[0018] With the above-mentioned configuration, according to the device for providing services to players as set forth in claim 6, a player playing on a gaming machine can easily take a beverage bottle, drink a beverage, and return it as needed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] In the player service providing device of claim 1, the engaging portion provided at the base end of the arm can be engaged and fixed with the locking protrusion at the lower end of the opening of the information medium storage case provided on the partition wall between adjacent gaming machines, thereby making it possible to easily and stably install the device in a position appropriate for the player.

[0020] In the game player service providing device described in claim 2, the engaging member is engaged with the locking projection of the information medium storage case, so that the device can be easily and stably attached to the stud. In addition, since the base end of the arm body is connected to the engaging member so that it can be rotated left and right in the left-right direction, it is possible to prevent items providing various services from interfering with the front member when opening and closing the front member of the gaming machine.

[0021] Furthermore, by adjusting the rotation position of the arm body, the player can easily reach the beverage held by the holding member while remaining in the gaming position, which improves convenience for both the staff and players at the gaming facility.

[0022] The service providing device for players of claim 3 is resistant to breakage because at least the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm body has flexibility that allows it to bend and deform under external force. Furthermore, even if a player's hand accidentally hits the arm body, the arm will bend and deform, preventing injury to the player.

[0023] The player service providing device described in claim 4 can be easily and stably attached to the lower end of the opening of a partition wall located between adjacent gaming machines by inserting the engaging member into the opening of the information-containing medium storage case and engaging and fixing it to the left and right inner surfaces of the information-containing medium storage case.

[0024] According to the device for providing services to players as set forth in claim 5, the mobile terminal of the player can be placed in a position that is easily visible and easy to operate for the player playing on the gaming machine.

[0025] According to the device for providing services to players as set forth in claim 6, the player can easily take a drink bottle and drink a drink as needed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a device for providing services to players according to the present invention, configured to hold a smartphone, which is a mobile terminal, and illustrating the state in which the device for providing services to players according to the first embodiment is attached to a stud installed between adjacent gaming machines. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the service providing device for players of the first embodiment is engaged with and fixed to a locking protrusion of an information medium storage case. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a service providing device for a player according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of an engaging member of the device for providing services to players in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of an arm body used in the device for providing services to players according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a joint between an arm body and a holding member used in the device for providing services to players in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a joining state between a holding member and an arm body used in the device for providing services to players in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a joining state between a holding member and an arm body used in the device for providing services to players in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory view showing a case where the holding portion is formed of a cup-shaped portion capable of storing a drink in the device for providing services to players according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10]10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a service providing device for players according to a third embodiment is engaged with and fixed to a locking protrusion and an opening of an information medium storage case. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a device for providing services to players according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First embodiment] [composition] The device 11 for providing services to players according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a device for holding a mobile terminal. As shown in Fig. 1, the player service providing device 11 is attached to a stud 110 provided between adjacent gaming machines 101. A partition 111 for preventing droplet infection, a USB charging terminal 112, a POP storage case 113, etc. are attached to the panel that constitutes the stud 110.

[0028] The POP storage case 113 is a plastic case that stores POP panels and the like (not shown) so that they can be inserted and removed from the front of the stud 110. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the POP storage case 113 extends in the vertical direction and has a slit-shaped opening 113a that opens toward the front of the gaming machine 101. Locking protrusions 114 that protrude from the front surface of the stud 110 are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the POP storage case 113. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the locking protrusions 114 have rectangular holes 114a for connecting wires (not shown) that connect a POP panel or the like (not shown) to the POP storage case 113. The holes 114a pass through the locking protrusions 114 in the vertical direction.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the service providing device 11 for players has an arm 20 extending forward from the front portion of the partition wall 110, and the base end of the arm 20 is provided with an engagement portion 30 that can be releasably fixed to the locking protrusion 114 at the lower end of the POP storage case 113, and the tip of the arm 20 is provided with a holding portion 40 that holds the player's mobile terminal SF. In this embodiment, the overall dimension of the arm 20 and the engaging portion 30 is approximately 16 cm or approximately 13 cm. With a length of this order, when attached to the studs of a gaming machine, the distance between the arm 20 and the player when the player is seated and playing is appropriate for allowing the player to use various services using the items held by the holding member 41 without changing their posture during play.

[0030] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the service providing device 11 for players has an engaging member 31 having a protrusion 32 that engages with the hole 114a of the locking protrusion 114, an arm main body 21 whose base end is connected to the engaging member 31 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction, and a holding member 41 attached to the tip of the arm main body 21 so as to be able to hold the player's beverage (not shown).

[0031] The engaging member 31 has an arm connecting portion 33 to which the base end of the arm body 21 is connected so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 4, the arm connecting portion 33 has a bracket portion 34 having a pair of support pieces 34a facing each other above and below. A screw hole 34b penetrating in the vertical direction is provided in the center of each support piece 34a when viewed from above. The protrusion 32 protrudes downward from the base end of the bracket part 34. Locking protrusions 32a that are locked to the lower ends of the left and right ends of the locking protrusions 114 are provided on both left and right sides near the lower end of the protrusion 32.

[0032] 2 and 3, a pivoting piece 22 is formed at the base end of the arm body 21. The pivoting piece 22 is inserted between both support pieces 34a of the arm connecting part 33. A screw hole 22a (see FIG. 5) is provided at the center of the pivoting piece 22 in a plan view, penetrating in the vertical direction. The arm main body 21 and the arm connecting portion 33 are connected to each other so that they can rotate left and right by inserting the rotating piece 22 of the arm main body 21 between the two support pieces 34a of the arm connecting portion 33, screwing screws 35 into the screw holes 34b of the two support pieces 34a and the screw holes 22a of the rotating piece 22, and tightening the two support pieces 34a and the rotating piece 22. At least the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm body 21 has flexibility that allows it to bend and deform under external force.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the player service providing device 12 of this embodiment is configured to function as a smartphone holder. The holding member 41 of the service providing device 12 for the player is composed of a holding portion 44 that holds a smartphone SF, which is a type of mobile terminal, and a universal joint portion 49 (see Figure 5) formed between the holding portion 44 and the arm main body 21.

[0034] 2 and 3, the grip portion 45 has a U-shape in plan view and is formed by a rectangular flat plate portion 45a and a pair of grip pieces 45b, 45b protruding from both ends of the flat plate portion 45a. Elastic buffer members (not shown) are provided on the inner sides of the grip pieces 45b, 45b. As shown in Fig. 5, the universal joint portion 49 is composed of a spherical joint portion 46 connected to the large diameter portion 43 on the tip side of the arm body 21, a cylindrical connecting portion 47 provided on the back side of the flat plate portion 45a as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, and a fixing cap 48 screwed onto the connecting portion 47. The fixing cap 48 is screwed onto the connecting portion 47 and is configured to be removed during assembly.

[0035] Therefore, in the player service providing device 12 according to this embodiment, when assembling, the fixing cap 48 is removed from the connection portion 47, the spherical portion 46 of the arm main body 21 is inserted into the connection portion 47, and then the fixing cap 48 is inserted into the arm main body 21 to be connected. Thereafter, the spherical joint 46 is inserted into the connecting portion 47 , and in this state the fixing cap 48 is moved to the connecting portion 47 and screwed into place, thereby fixing the gripping portion 44 to the arm body 21 .

[0036] Therefore, in the player service providing device 12 of this embodiment, the smartphone SF is inserted and fixed between the gripping pieces 45b, 45b of the gripping portion 45, and the smartphone SF is supported at its back by the flat plate portion 45a and at both widthwise sides by the pair of gripping pieces 45b, 45b, so that it is removably held and fixed to the holding member 41.

[0037] [Action and effect] In the player service providing device 11 configured as described above, the engaging portion 30 provided at the base end of the arm 20 can be engaged with and fixed to the locking protrusion 114 at the lower end of the POP storage case 113, thereby making it possible to easily and stably attach the device to the partition 110 provided between adjacent gaming machines 101. More specifically, the player service providing device 11 can be easily and stably attached to a partition wall 110 provided between adjacent gaming machines 101 by engaging and fixing the engaging member 31 to a locking protrusion 114 provided at the lower end of the POP storage case 113.

[0038] Furthermore, the base end of the arm body 21 of the player service providing device 11 is connected to the engaging member 31 so that it can be rotated left and right in the left and right directions, so that when the front member of the gaming machine 101 is opened or closed, the items providing various services do not interfere with the front panel. Furthermore, by adjusting the rotation position of the arm body 21, the beverage held by the holding member 41 (holding portion 40) can be easily reached by the player while maintaining the player's posture for playing the game, that is, while the player is sitting on a chair 120 (see FIG. 1) in front of the gaming machine 101 and facing the gaming machine 101. This improves convenience for both the staff of the gaming facility and the players.

[0039] Furthermore, the service providing device 11 for players is resistant to breakage because at least the central portion in the length direction of the arm body 21 has flexibility that allows it to bend and deform under external force.

[0040] In particular, in this embodiment, the holding member 40 is configured to be able to fix the smartphone SF, and is further fixed to the arm body 21 by a universal joint portion 49. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the holding member 40 can rotate (A) the smartphone SF in a 360-degree direction around the tip of the arm body 20, and position it, and together with the movement of the arm 20 left and right (B), it is possible to form the optimal position of the smartphone SF and the angle of the display D for the player. As a result, while playing on the gaming machine, the player can view the screen of the smartphone SF placed in an appropriate position as needed without significantly changing his / her posture while playing, and similarly, can operate the smartphone SF as needed without significantly changing his / her posture while playing.

[0041] [Second embodiment] [composition] In the following description, components that are the same as or in common with components already described will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0042] As shown in Figure 9, the holding member 41 is an attachment member having a cylindrical cup-shaped portion 42 with a bottom and an open top, and an arm fitting portion 43 that protrudes rearward from the rear of the cup-shaped portion 42. The cup-shaped portion 42 has dimensions and a shape selected so that it can accommodate and hold at least the lower end of a player's beverage (not shown). The arm fitting portion 43 is a portion that fits and is fixed to the tip of the arm main body 21. The cup-shaped portion 42 is formed with a diameter and height that allow it to stably store a single-serving PET bottle.

[0043] [Action, effect] Therefore, in this embodiment, the player can store PET bottles, canned drinks, etc. in the cup-shaped portion 42, so in addition to the effects and advantages of the above embodiment, the player can drink the beverages in the PET bottles and canned drinks in the cup-shaped portion 42 as needed without having to significantly change their playing posture during play, making it possible to play comfortably.

[0044] [Third embodiment] [composition] The third embodiment of the player service providing device 13 shown in Figures 10 and 11 has the same configuration as the player service providing device 11 of the first embodiment, and in addition, the engaging member 31 has a pair of left and right engaging pieces 36 that can be inserted into the opening 113a of the POP storage case 113. Both engagement pieces 36 protrude upward and rearward from the base end of the bracket portion 34 of the engagement member 31. The outer surface portions of both engagement pieces 36 are provided with locking protrusions 36a that are locked into slit-shaped locking holes 113b provided near the opening 113a of the POP storage case 113.

[0045] [Action and effect] The player service providing device 13 of the third embodiment configured as described above can be easily and stably attached to a partition wall 110 provided between adjacent gaming machines 101 by engaging the convex portion 32 of the engaging member 31 provided at the base end of the arm 20 with the locking convex portion 114 provided at the lower end of the POP storage case 113 and by engaging the pair of left and right engaging pieces 36 with the left and right inner surfaces of the POP storage case 113. The player service providing device 13 of the third embodiment has a pair of left and right engaging pieces 36 that engage with the POP storage case 113 in addition to the convex portion 32 of the engaging member 31, so it can be attached to the stud 110 with greater strength than the player service providing device 11 of the first embodiment.

[0046] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0047] For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration is exemplified in which the engagement portion 30 engages with the locking protrusion 114 at the lower end of the POP storage case 113, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the engagement portion 30 engages with the locking protrusion 114 at the upper end of the POP storage case 113.

[0048] In addition, in the third embodiment, the engagement member 31 of the player service providing device 13 is provided with a convex portion 32 and an engagement piece 36, but if the player service providing device 13 can be stably attached to the POP storage case 113 using only the engagement piece 36, the convex portion 32 may be omitted.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, examples of items that can provide various services to players have been described as mobile terminals, USB-compatible charging devices, and beverage bottles, but these are not limited to these and may also be, for example, ashtrays or jackpot lamps provided by stores, which can be realized as appropriate by changing the shape and structure of the holding part. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] The present invention can be applied to a service providing device for players in amusement facilities, and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 11. Device for providing services to players (first embodiment) 12. Device for Providing Services to Players (Second Embodiment) 13. Device for Providing Services to Players (Third Embodiment) 20 Arm 21 Arm body 30 Engagement portion 31 Engagement member 32 Convex part 36 Engagement piece 40 Holding part 41 Retaining member 42 Cup-shaped portion 44 Gripping part 45a Plane plate part 45b Grip piece 46 Spherical joint 47 Connection 48 Fixing cap 49 Universal joint part 101 Gaming Machines 110 Studs 113 POP storage case (information media storage case) 113a opening 114 Locking protrusion 114a Hole SF Smartphone (Mobile Device)

Claims

1. A service providing device for players that is attached to a stud provided between adjacent gaming machines, An information medium storage case is disposed on the stud, and stores information medium carrying information to be provided to players so that the information medium can be inserted and removed from the front surface of the stud; an arm extending forward from the front surface of the stud; The base end of the arm is provided with an engaging portion that can be releasably fixed to a locking protrusion provided on at least one of the upper and lower ends of the information publishing medium storage case, A service providing device for players, characterized in that the tip of the arm is provided with a holding section for holding items that provide various services that the player can use at the gaming machine while playing.

2. an engaging member having a protrusion that engages with a hole formed in the locking protrusion; an arm body whose base end is connected to the engaging member so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction; 2. The device for providing services to players according to claim 1, further comprising a holding member attached to the tip of said arm body so as to be able to hold the items for providing said various services.

3. 3. The service providing device for players according to claim 2, wherein at least a central portion of said arm body in the longitudinal direction has flexibility such that it can be bent and deformed by an external force.

4. A service providing device for players as described in claim 2, characterized in that the engaging member has an engaging piece that can be inserted into an opening of the information containing medium storage case for inserting and removing the information containing medium, and the engaging piece can be removably fixed to the information containing medium storage case by removably engaging with the information containing medium storage case.

5. 3. The device for providing services to players according to claim 2, wherein the article is a portable terminal, and the holding member has a gripping portion capable of gripping the portable terminal.

6. 3. The device for providing services to players according to claim 2, wherein the item is a USB compatible charging device.

7. 3. The service providing device for players according to claim 2, wherein the article is a beverage bottle, and the holding member has a cup-shaped portion capable of accommodating at least a lower portion of the beverage bottle.

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