Portable device holder

Abstract

The present invention provides a holder for portable devices that allows for greater flexibility in the placement of the portable device while also reducing the length of the arm. [Solution] This disclosure relates to a portable device holder 10 provided in a sandwich 2 adjacent to a gaming machine 1, comprising an arm 12 having an arm base end that is tiltably supported toward the sandwich 2 side about a rotation axis CL1 extending in the width direction, and an arm tip located on the opposite side of the arm base end, and a portable device holder 13 supported by the arm tip and capable of holding a portable device, wherein the arm 12 includes a first arm portion 16 having an arm base end, and a second arm portion 17 that is tiltably supported toward the tip side of the first arm portion 16 about a rotation axis CL2 extending vertically in the deployed state, and the rotation axis CL2 is located behind the front surface 1b of the gaming machine 1 in the deployed state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a holder for a portable device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a holder for a portable device that can be arranged without interfering with adjacent members in a narrow space. This holder for a portable device is supported by the inter-stage sand disposed between gaming machines such as pachinko machines. The holder for a portable device can hold a portable device such as a smartphone in its holding portion, and can change the position and direction of the holding portion so that the portable device can be easily viewed by the player. The holder for a portable device includes a fixing portion fixed to the inter-stage sand, an arm pivotally supported by the fixing portion, and a holding portion attached to the tip of the arm via a ball joint. The arm is configured to swing in a vertical plane around a horizontally disposed shaft body. The arm has a bent portion in the vicinity of the holding portion, and this bent portion is bent so as to be convex toward the partition board side and concave on the opposite side in the horizontal plane.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the holder for a portable device described in Patent Document 1 has a bent portion in the arm, when in use, a portable device such as a smartphone held in the holding portion can be directed from the outer side of the inter-stage sand in the width direction toward the player side on the inner side in the width direction. However, the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the portable device is low, and it is difficult to arrange the portable device in front of the player (between the gaming machine and the player).

[0005] Furthermore, in order to position the portable device directly in front of the player, the arm needs to be long enough to reach the player's front. However, there is also a demand to keep the arm length as short as possible in order to store it as compactly as possible.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a holder for a portable device that can improve the degree of freedom in the placement of the portable device and reduce the length of the arm. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a portable device holder provided in an adjacent part adjacent to a gaming machine, comprising: an arm base end supported so as to be tiltable toward the adjacent part with respect to a first rotation axis extending in the width direction, and an arm tip located on the opposite side from the arm base end, the arm being capable of being in a retracted state extending upward from the arm base end and an extended state extending forward from the arm base end, and a portable device holding part supported by the arm tip capable of holding a portable device, wherein the arm includes a first arm portion having the arm base end and a second arm portion supported so as to be tiltable toward the tip side of the first arm portion with respect to a second rotation axis extending vertically in the extended state, the second rotation axis being located behind the front of the gaming machine in the extended state.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a portable device holder according to the first aspect, wherein the arm includes a third arm portion that is tiltably supported toward the tip of the second arm portion about a third rotation axis that extends vertically in the deployed state, and the third rotation axis is located in front of the front of the gaming machine in the deployed state.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a portable device holder according to the first or second aspect, wherein one of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a locking portion, and the other of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a locked portion that is locked to the locking portion, and the locking portion in a locked state with the locked portion locked restricts the tilting of the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion when the external force acting on the second arm portion in the width direction is less than a predetermined magnitude, and releases the locked state and allows the tilting of the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion when the external force is greater than a predetermined magnitude.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a portable device holder according to the third aspect, wherein the predetermined magnitude of the external force is different between a first value that allows the second arm to tilt outward in the width direction from the locked state and a second value that allows the second arm to tilt inward in the width direction, and the first value is greater than the second value.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a portable device holder according to the first or second aspect, wherein one of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a shaft portion centered on the second rotation axis that protrudes from one side of the second rotation axis in the axial direction toward the other side, and the other of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a shaft support portion into which the shaft portion can be inserted, the axial length of the shaft portion is shorter than the axial length of the through hole, the first arm portion and the second arm portion are fastened together on the second rotation axis with screws in a direction that brings them closer to each other in the axial direction, with the shaft portion inserted into the through hole and the other side of the shaft support portion in the axial direction in contact with the one side of the shaft portion, and grease is applied between the one side of the shaft portion and the other side of the shaft support portion.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a portable device holder according to the fifth aspect, wherein at least one of the one side surface on the shaft portion and the other side surface on the shaft support portion is provided with a recess capable of holding the grease.

[0013] The seventh aspect of the present invention is the holder for a portable device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the concave portion is a groove extending along the circumferential direction around the second rotation axis.

Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a holder for a portable device that can improve the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the portable device and suppress the length of the arm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a schematic view showing an example of the layout of a game arcade. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the holder for a portable device in a stored state. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of the holder for a portable device in an unfolded state. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the holder for a portable device in a state where the third arm portion is bent inward in the width direction. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view from above showing the disassembled state of the holder for a portable device. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view from below showing the disassembled state of the holder for a portable device. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the width direction of the connecting portion between the first arm portion and the second arm portion. [Figure 8] It is a side view from the outside in the width direction of the first arm portion. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow IX-IX in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow X-X in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XI-XI in FIG. 7. [Figure 12] It is an explanatory view of the use of the holder for a portable device.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In each figure, UP indicates the upper side, FR indicates the front side, and IN indicates the inner side in the width direction. In the following description, the "front-rear direction" means the front-rear direction when the front side (player side) of the gaming machine is the front and the rear side of the gaming machine is the rear. The "width direction" means a direction that intersects (is orthogonal) to both the vertical direction and the front-rear direction. The inner side in the width direction means the direction toward the center of the gaming machine in the width direction, and the outer side in the width direction means the direction away from the center of the gaming machine in the width direction. The left-right direction means the left and right directions in the state facing the front of the gaming machine. In the following description, the "rotation axis" does not mean a physical axis but means the center of rotation (axis center).

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the layout of a game hall. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder for a portable device in the stored state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holder for a portable device in the deployed state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holder for a portable device with the third arm portion bent inward in the width direction. FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above showing the disassembled state of the holder for a portable device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below showing the disassembled state of the holder for a portable device. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the width direction of the connecting portion between the first arm portion and the second arm portion. FIG. 8 is a side view from the outer side in the width direction of the first arm portion. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow IX-IX in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow X-X in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XI-XI in FIG. 7. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the use of the holder for a portable device. In FIG. 1, the illustration of the chair arranged in front of the gaming machine is omitted. In FIGS. 3 to 6, the holder for a portable device supported by the bracket is illustrated, and the illustration of the base sand or the like is omitted. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the illustration of the portable device holding portion is omitted.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the holder 10 for a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in the base sand (adjacent portion) 2 adjacent to a gaming machine 1 such as a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine. In FIG. 1, a pachislot machine is illustrated as the gaming machine 1, but a pachinko machine may also be used.

[0019] (Gaming machine) As shown in Figure 1, the front panel 1a of the gaming machine 1 can be opened and closed forward around a rotation axis CLx that extends in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the rotation axis CLx of the front panel 1a is located at the left end of the gaming machine 1. That is, the right end of the front panel 1a can tilt forward to the left around the rotation axis CLx, thereby enabling it to be opened and closed. When the front panel 1b of the front panel 1a of the gaming machine 1 is closed, it is located in front of the inter-machine sandwich 2 (see Figure 12). In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the description of the gaming machine 1 refers to the gaming machine 1 with the front panel 1a closed.

[0020] (Sandwich between tables) As shown in Figure 1, the inter-machine sandwich 2 is formed in a thin, box-like shape in the width direction and is positioned adjacent to the gaming machine 1. In Figure 1, the inter-machine sandwich 2 is adjacent to the left side of the gaming machine 1. As shown in Figure 1, the inter-machine sandwich 2 is located between the gaming machines 1 when multiple gaming machines 1 are arranged in an island, and is therefore called an "inter-machine sandwich," however, it may not be located between the gaming machines 1 when the gaming machine 1 is located at the end of the island. Examples of inter-machine sandwich 2 include those disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-176554, etc. The inter-machine sandwich 2 is provided with a partition board 3 in addition to the portable device holder 10. The inter-machine sandwich 2 may also be provided with other devices besides the portable device holder 10 and the partition board 3 (such as an information guidance unit that provides information, a bottle holder that holds beverage containers, a rechargeable USB socket, etc.). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inter-machine sandwich 2 is applied as an adjacent part adjacent to the gaming machine 1, but it is not limited to this, and any part adjacent to the gaming machine 1 in the width direction is acceptable.

[0021] (Partition board) As shown in Figure 1, the partition board 3 is a board for separating adjacent gaming machines 1 and is formed in a plate shape that intersects the width direction. The partition board 3 can create a space isolated from the adjacent player and can prevent the intrusion of cigarette smoke. The partition board 3 may be supported by the inter-machine sandwich 2 so as to be slidable in the front-to-back direction, or it may be possible to store it in the inter-machine sandwich 2 by sliding it backward. The portable device holder 10 is positioned inward in the width direction from the partition board 3 (towards the corresponding gaming machine 1).

[0022] (Holder for portable devices) As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the portable device holder 10 is a holder for holding a portable device 100 (see Figure 4), such as a smartphone, and is tiltably supported on the platform sandwich 2 side. The portable device holder 10 can change the position and orientation of the portable device 100 while holding it.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the portable device holder 10 comprises an arm support member 11, an arm 12 tiltably supported by the arm support member 11, and a portable device holding part 13 supported by the arm 12. In this embodiment, a portable device holder 10 with an arm support member 11 is described, but the arm support member 11 is not required. For example, a portable device holder may be provided in which the arm 12 is tiltably supported by the sandwich 2 between the bases, without the provision of an arm support member 11.

[0024] (Arm support member) As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the arm support member 11 has an arm support portion 11a, an arm locking portion 11b, and a stopper portion 11c, and is fixed to the sandwich 2 between the bases.

[0025] (Arm support section) The arm support portion 11a supports the arm base end portion 14, which is the base end portion of the arm 12, so that it can tilt around a rotation axis (first rotation axis) CL1 that extends in the width direction. In other words, the connection portion between the arm 12 and the arm support member 11 is a movable portion (hereinafter referred to as the "first movable portion X1"). A detailed explanation of the first movable portion X1 will be given later.

[0026] (Arm locking part) The arm locking portion 11b is positioned above the arm support portion 11a and is formed to be able to lock onto the storage locking portion 23, which will be described later and is provided on the arm 12. In this embodiment, the arm locking portion 11b is positioned on both sides in the width direction of the upper end of the arm support member 11 and protrudes forward, and has claw portions 11d (see Figure 5) that protrude inward on the front end side. Note that the shape and arrangement of the arm locking portion 11b are not limited to the above, and it is acceptable as long as it can detachably lock onto the storage locking portion 23 on the arm 12 side.

[0027] (Stopper section) The stopper portion 11c is a part that restricts the downward tilting of the arm 12 to a predetermined position (the maximum tilting position described later). As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the stopper portion 11c in this embodiment is positioned below and outside in the width direction of the arm support portion 11a, protruding forward, and contacts the arm 12 from below in the deployed state described later, thereby restricting the downward tilting of the arm 12. The shape of the stopper portion 11c is not particularly limited, and any shape that can restrict the downward tilting of the arm 12 in the deployed state is acceptable.

[0028] (arm) As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the arm 12 is formed in a rod shape having an arm base portion 14 that is tiltably supported on the side of the sandwich 2 between the bases, and an arm tip portion 15 located on the opposite side from the arm base portion 14. In this embodiment, the arm base portion 14 is pivotally supported on the arm support portion 11a of the arm support member 11, with a rotation axis CL1 extending in the width direction as its center. That is, the arm base portion 14 is tiltably supported on the side of the sandwich 2 between the bases via the arm support member 11. The arm 12 can be in a retracted state (shown in Figure 2) with the arm base portion 14 extending upward, and in an extended state (shown in Figures 3 and 4) with the arm base portion 14 extending forward.

[0029] A portable device holder 13 is attached to the tip of the arm 15. The connection between the arm 12 and the portable device holder 13 in this embodiment is a movable part (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth movable part X4"). The tip of the arm 15 in this embodiment is provided with a ball portion 19 of a ball joint, which will be described later and constitutes the fourth movable part X4.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the arm 12 includes a first arm portion 16 having an arm base end 14, and a second arm portion 17 that is tiltably supported on the tip side of the first arm portion 16 around a rotation axis (second rotation axis) CL2. That is, the connecting portion between the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17 is a movable part (hereinafter referred to as "second movable part X2"). The rotation axis CL2 of the second movable part X2 is an axis that extends in the front-rear direction in the retracted state (see Figure 2) and in the up-down direction in the deployed state (see Figure 3).

[0031] Furthermore, in addition to the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17, the arm 12 of this embodiment includes a third arm portion 18 that is tiltably supported on the tip side of the second arm portion 17 around a rotation axis (third rotation axis) CL3. That is, the connecting portion between the second arm portion 17 and the third arm portion 18 is also a movable part (hereinafter referred to as "third movable part X3"). The rotation axis CL3 of the third movable part X3 is an axis that extends in the front-rear direction in the retracted state (see Figure 2) and in the up-down direction in the deployed state (see Figure 3). In this embodiment, the arm 12 is provided with a first arm portion 16, a second arm portion 17, and a third arm portion 18, but it is not limited to this, and it is sufficient to have at least a first arm portion 16 and a second arm portion 17.

[0032] As described above, the portable device holder 10 of this embodiment has four movable parts (first movable part X1, second movable part X2, third movable part X3, and fourth movable part X4). Of the four movable parts, the first movable part X1, the second movable part X2, and the third movable part X3 have substantially the same configuration, so a detailed explanation of their connecting parts will be given together later. Note that the number of movable parts is not limited to four.

[0033] (First arm section) As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the first arm portion 16 is the arm portion located at the furthest base end (towards the inter-machine sandwich 2) of the arm 12, and has an arm base end portion 14. In this embodiment, the first arm portion 16 extends substantially in a straight line from the arm base end portion 14. The length of the first arm portion 16 is set such that, in the deployed state, the tip end does not protrude forward beyond the front surface 1b of the gaming machine 1 (see Figure 12).

[0034] The base end portion 14 of the first arm portion 16 is tiltable about a rotation axis CL1 extending in the width direction, and constitutes the first movable portion X1. On the other hand, the tip portion of the first arm portion 16 supports the second arm portion 17 so that it can tilt about a rotation axis CL2, and constitutes the second movable portion X2. In this embodiment, since the rotation axis CL1 extends in the width direction, the first arm portion 16 is tiltable along a vertical plane (UP-FR plane) including the vertical and front-rear directions. A detailed explanation of the first movable portion X1 and the second movable portion X2 will be given later.

[0035] In the retracted state, the tip of the first arm portion 16 is positioned above the base end (arm base end 14), and in the deployed state, the tip is positioned in front of the base end (arm base end 14). The upward tilting of the first arm portion 16 is restricted to a position where a part of the arm 12 (the second arm portion 17 in this embodiment) contacts the front surface of the arm support member 11. On the other hand, the downward tilting of the first arm portion 16 is restricted to a position where the lower surface of the first arm portion 16 contacts the upper surface of the stopper portion 11c of the arm support member 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "maximum tilting position").

[0036] (Second arm section) As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the second arm portion 17 is an arm portion that is tiltably supported on the tip side of the first arm portion 16 around the rotation axis CL2. The base end of the second arm portion 17 is tiltably supported by the first arm portion 16 around the rotation axis CL2, forming the second movable portion X2. On the other hand, the tip end of the second arm portion 17 tiltably supports the third arm portion 18 around the rotation axis CL3, forming the third movable portion X3. In this embodiment, since the rotation axis CL2 extends in the vertical direction when deployed, the second arm portion 17 is tiltable along a horizontal plane (FR-IN plane) including the front-rear and width directions. The length of the second arm portion 17 is set such that, when deployed and the second arm portion 17 is extended linearly along the extension direction of the first arm portion 16, its tip protrudes forward from the front surface 1b of the gaming machine 1 (see Figure 12). Further details regarding the second movable part X2 and the third movable part X3 will be provided later.

[0037] (Third arm section) As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the third arm portion 18 is an arm portion that is tiltably supported on the tip side of the second arm portion 17 around the rotation axis CL3. The base end of the third arm portion 18 is tiltably supported by the second arm portion 17 around the rotation axis CL3, forming the third movable portion X3. In this embodiment, since the rotation axis CL3 extends in the vertical direction when deployed, the third arm portion 18 is tiltable along a horizontal plane (FR-IN plane) including the front-rear direction and the width direction. A detailed explanation of the third movable portion X3 will be given later.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the tip of the third arm portion 18 is the arm tip portion 15, which supports the portable device holder portion 13 so that its orientation can be changed, and constitutes the fourth movable portion X4. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the arm tip portion 15 of the third arm portion 18 in this embodiment is provided with a ball portion 19 that constitutes a ball joint for attaching the portable device holder portion 13. The ball portion 19 protrudes in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the third arm portion 18. For example, with the arm 12 in the extended state and the third arm portion 18 bent inward in the width direction from the third movable portion X3 (as shown in Figure 4), the ball portion 19 may protrude forward (towards the player). The arm tip portion 15 may also be rotatable about the extension direction of the third arm portion 18 as an axis. In this case, the ball portion 19 can be oriented in any direction intersecting the extension direction of the third arm portion 18.

[0039] Preferably, the third arm portion 18 is a flexible arm that can be bent and deformed. For example, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the third arm portion 18 may consist of a base member 20 tiltably supported at the tip of the second arm portion 17, a flexible arm 21 that can be attached to and detached from the base member 20 without the use of tools, and a tip member 22 attached to the tip of the flexible arm 21. In this case, the tip member 22 functions as the arm tip portion 15. This allows for easy assembly and replacement of the portable device holder 10, or replacement of parts such as the flexible arm 21, without the use of tools. Furthermore, since the third arm portion 18 is provided with a flexible arm 21 and the arm tip portion 15 is provided with a ball joint ball portion 19, the user can easily adjust the position and orientation of the portable device 100 (see Figure 4) attached to the portable device holding portion 13, which will be described later.

[0040] (Storage locking mechanism) The arm 12 has a storage locking portion 23 that, when stored, is detachably locked to the arm locking portion 11b of the arm support member 11. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the storage locking portion 23 is provided on the second arm portion 17. In this embodiment, the storage locking portion 23 is provided on both sides in the width direction of the second arm portion 17 and is formed in the shape of a groove that extends forward from the rear surface when the second arm portion 17 is stored. The front end of the groove-shaped storage locking portion 23 in the stored state is formed deeper than other areas so that the claw portion 11d of the arm locking portion 11b of the arm support member 11 can be locked. Note that the shape and arrangement of the storage locking portion 23 are not limited to the above, and any shape that can be detachably locked to the arm locking portion 11b of the arm support member 11 is acceptable.

[0041] (Holding device section) As shown in Figure 4, the portable device holder 13 is formed to accommodate the portable device 100. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the portable device holder 13 has a rear support portion 13a that supports the back of the portable device 100, a mounting portion 13b on which the portable device 100 is placed, and a lateral displacement prevention portion 13c that prevents the portable device 100 from shifting laterally. The shape of the portable device holder 13 is not limited to the above, and any shape that can hold the portable device 100 is acceptable.

[0042] In this embodiment, a socket 24 (see Figure 3) constituting a ball joint as a fourth movable part X4 is provided on the back of the rear support part 13a of the portable device holder part 13. The socket 24 is formed to be attachable to the ball part 19 of the arm tip part 15. The socket 24 supports the ball part 19 of the arm tip part 15 in a state of spherical contact with the ball part 19. As a result, the portable device holder part 13 can change its orientation relative to the arm tip part 15 of the arm 12 along the spherical surface of the ball part 19 of the ball joint. Note that the configuration of the fourth movable part X4 between the portable device holder part 13 and the arm tip part 15 is not limited to a ball joint. Also, in this embodiment, the connecting part between the portable device holder part 13 and the arm tip part 15 is a movable part (fourth movable part X4), but it is not limited to this. For example, if a flexible arm 21 is used for the third arm portion 18, the position and orientation of the portable device holder portion 13 can be changed by the flexible arm 21, so the portable device holder portion 13 may be fixedly attached to the arm tip portion 15.

[0043] (Movable part) Next, the first movable part X1, the second movable part X2, and the third movable part X3 will be described. Since the first movable part X1, the second movable part X2, and the third movable part X3 of this embodiment have substantially the same configuration, the second movable part X2 will be described below, and a detailed description of the first movable part X1 and the third movable part X3 will be omitted.

[0044] In the following description, the tip of the first arm portion 16 and the base of the second arm portion 17 that constitute the second movable portion X2 correspond to the arm support portion 11a of the arm support member 11 and the base of the first arm portion 16 (arm base portion 14) in the first movable portion X1, and to the tip of the second arm portion 17 and the base of the third arm portion 18 in the third movable portion X3. Also, the rotation axis CL2 of the second movable portion X2 corresponds to the rotation axis CL1 in the first movable portion X1 and to the rotation axis CL3 in the third movable portion X3. Furthermore, in the following description, each direction refers to the direction in the deployed state.

[0045] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second movable part X2 is composed of the tip of the first arm part 16 and the base of the second arm part 17. The tip of the first arm part 16 and the base of the second arm part 17 each have opposing surfaces 25 and 26 that face each other in the axial direction of the rotation axis CL2. In this embodiment, the opposing surface (one side) 25 of the first arm part 16 is the lower surface (one side on one side in the axial direction of the rotation axis CL2), while the opposing surface (other side) 26 of the second arm part 17 is the upper surface (the other side on the other side in the axial direction of the rotation axis CL2).

[0046] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the tip of the first arm portion 16 is provided with a shaft portion 27 that protrudes downward (to one side in the axial direction) from the opposing surface 25. The shaft portion 27 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the rotation axis CL2 as its center. A screw hole 28 is formed in the shaft portion 27, extending upward from the lower surface with the rotation axis CL2 as its center. In addition, a groove (recess) 29 is formed on the opposing surface 25 around the shaft portion 27 of the first arm portion 16, extending in the circumferential direction with the axis of the shaft portion 27 (rotation axis CL2) as its center (see Figure 6). The groove 29 is for holding grease to assist the movement of the second arm portion 17 relative to the first arm portion 16. The groove 29 may extend continuously in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 27 or it may extend intermittently.

[0047] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the base end of the second arm portion 17 is tiltably supported on the tip of the first arm portion 16 with respect to the rotation axis CL2. In this embodiment, the base end of the second arm portion 17 functions as a shaft support portion 30 that supports the shaft portion 27 of the first arm portion 16. The shaft support portion 30 of the second arm portion 17 has a through hole 31 that extends downward from the opposing surface 26 and penetrates the shaft support portion 30 in the vertical direction (axial direction of the rotation axis CL2). The through hole 31 is formed so that the shaft portion 27 of the first arm portion 16 can be inserted into it. In addition, a groove (recess) 32 is formed on the opposing surface 26 around the through hole 31 of the second arm portion 17, extending in the circumferential direction of the through hole 31 with respect to the rotation axis CL2 (see Figure 5). The groove 32 is a groove for holding grease to assist the movement of the second arm portion 17 relative to the first arm portion 16. The groove 32 may extend continuously in the circumferential direction of the through hole 31, or it may extend intermittently.

[0048] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, when connecting the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17 in the second movable portion X2, first, grease (not shown) is applied to at least one of the opposing surfaces 25 around the shaft portion 27 of the first arm portion 16 and the opposing surface 26 of the through hole 31 of the shaft support portion 30. Next, the shaft portion 27 of the first arm portion 16 is inserted into the through hole 31 of the shaft support portion 30 of the second arm portion 17. As shown in Figure 7, the axial length L1 of the shaft portion 27 is set to be slightly shorter than the axial length L2 of the through hole 31 of the shaft support portion 30. Therefore, when the shaft portion 27 is inserted into the through hole 31, the tip of the shaft portion 27 does not protrude from the through hole 31 of the shaft support portion 30. Next, as shown in Figure 7, with the washer W in contact with the lower opening of the through hole 31 of the shaft support portion 30, the screw S is inserted through the central hole of the washer W and screwed into the screw hole 28 of the shaft portion 27. At this time, a gap is created between the tip of the shaft portion 27 and the washer W, as shown in Figure 7. Finally, the screw S is tightened with appropriate force. In this state, as shown in Figure 7, the opposing surface 25 around the shaft portion 27 of the first arm portion 16 and the opposing surface 26 around the through hole 31 of the shaft support portion 30 are in surface contact (contact). That is, the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17 are fastened together on the rotation axis CL2 in a direction that brings them closer to each other in the axial direction, with the shaft portion 27 inserted into the through hole 31 and the opposing surface 26 on the shaft support portion 30 side in contact with the opposing surface 25 on the shaft portion 27 side. The grease is contained within the groove 29 around the shaft portion 27 and the groove 32 around the through hole 31 of the shaft support portion 30.

[0049] In this embodiment, the shaft portion 27 is provided on the first arm portion 16 and the shaft support portion 30 is provided on the second arm portion 17, but the invention is not limited to this, and the shaft portion 27 may be provided on the second arm portion 17 and the shaft support portion 30 on the first arm portion 16. Also, in this embodiment, the above configuration is applied to the first movable portion X1, the second movable portion X2, and the third movable portion X3, but the movable portion to which the above configuration is applied is not limited to this.

[0050] (holding means) The second movable part X2 and the third movable part X3 of the portable device holder 10 may be provided with holding means for maintaining the angle of the second arm part 17 relative to the first arm part 16 and the angle of the third arm part 18 relative to the second arm part 17 at a predetermined angle (hereinafter referred to as the "storage angle") when putting it into the stored state (the state shown in Figure 2). For example, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the storage angle of the second arm part 17 relative to the first arm part 16 is the angle at which the second arm part 17 extends in a straight line along the extending direction of the first arm part 16. Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the storage angle of the third arm part 18 relative to the second arm part 17 is the angle at which the tip side of the third arm part 18 is slightly inclined in the width direction compared to the virtual extension line (not shown) of the second arm part 17. Note that the storage angle is not limited to the above angle and can be set to any desired angle. Since the holding means for the second movable part X2 and the third movable part X3 have substantially the same configuration, the holding means for the second movable part X2 will be described below, and a detailed description of the third movable part X3 will be omitted.

[0051] In the following description, the tip of the first arm portion 16 and the base of the second arm portion 17 that constitute the second movable portion X2 correspond to the tip of the second arm portion 17 and the base of the third arm portion 18 in the third movable portion X3. Also, the rotation axis CL2 of the second movable portion X2 corresponds to the rotation axis CL3 in the third movable portion X3. Furthermore, in the following description, each direction refers to the direction in the deployed state.

[0052] As shown in Figures 8 to 11, one of the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17 (the first arm portion 16 in this embodiment) has a locking portion 33, and the other of the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17 (the second arm portion 17 in this embodiment) has a locked portion 34 that is locked to the locking portion 33. The locking portion 33 and the locked portion 34 function as a holding means. Alternatively, the locking portion 33 may be provided on the second arm portion 17 and the locked portion 34 on the first arm portion 16.

[0053] (locked part) As shown in Figures 6 and 11, a locking portion 34 is formed on the outer circumferential surface 35 of the shaft support portion 30 of the second arm portion 17, extending radially outward and in the axial direction of the rotation shaft CL2. The locking portion 34 is positioned on the outer circumferential surface 35 of the shaft support portion 30 so as to be able to lock onto the locking portion 33 of the first arm portion 16 when the second arm portion 17 is at its retracted angle. That is, in the locked state where the locking portion 34 is locked onto the locking portion 33, the angle of the second arm portion 17 relative to the first arm portion 16 is at its retracted angle.

[0054] (Locking part) As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the first arm portion 16 has an opposing surface 36 that faces the outer circumferential surface 35 of the shaft support portion 30 of the second arm portion 17. In this embodiment, the opposing surface 36 of the first arm portion 16 is the front surface located behind the shaft portion 27. The locking portion 33 is positioned on the opposing surface 36 of the first arm portion 16 in a position where the locked portion 34 of the second arm portion 17 can be locked when the second arm portion 17 is at its retracted angle. In this embodiment, the locking portion 33 is composed of two protrusions 33a and 33b that extend axially and protrude from the opposing surface 36. The two protrusions 33a and 33b are spaced apart from each other in the width direction to the extent that the locked portion 34 can be locked between them (see Figure 11).

[0055] The amount of protrusion of the two protrusions 33a and 33b of the locking portion 33 is set to an amount that, when an external force acts on the second arm portion 17 in the width direction in the locked state (storage angle), maintains the locked state if the external force is smaller than a predetermined size, and releases the locked state if the external force is larger than the predetermined size. In other words, in the locked state, the locking portion 33 restricts the tilting of the second arm portion 17 relative to the first arm portion 16 when the external force acting on the second arm portion 17 in the width direction is smaller than the predetermined size, and releases the locked state and allows the tilting of the second arm portion 17 relative to the first arm portion 16 when the external force is larger than the predetermined size.

[0056] When the second arm portion 17 is tilted inward in the width direction from the locked state, the locked portion 34 comes into contact with the protrusion 33a located on the front side in the rotation direction (outward in the width direction in this embodiment). At this time, as long as the external force acting on the second arm portion 17 is less than a predetermined magnitude, the locked portion 34 does not go over the protrusion 33a, and the locked state (storage angle) is maintained. When the external force acting on the second arm portion 17 becomes greater than the predetermined magnitude, the locked portion 34 goes over the protrusion 33a, and tilting of the second arm portion 17 inward in the width direction is permitted.

[0057] On the other hand, when tilting the second arm portion 17 outward in the width direction from the locked state, the locked portion 34 comes into contact with the protrusion 33b located on the front side in the rotation direction (in this embodiment, the inside side in the width direction). At this time, as long as the external force acting on the second arm portion 17 is less than a predetermined magnitude, the locked portion 34 does not go over the protrusion 33b, and the locked state (storage angle) is maintained. When the external force acting on the second arm portion 17 becomes greater than the predetermined magnitude, the locked portion 34 goes over the protrusion 33b, and tilting of the second arm portion 17 outward in the width direction is permitted.

[0058] In this embodiment, the protrusion amounts of the two protrusions 33a and 33b of the locking portion 33 are different. Of the two protrusions 33a and 33b, the protrusion amount of protrusion 33b that contacts the second arm portion 17 when it is tilted outward in the width direction from the locked state is greater than the protrusion amount of protrusion 33a that contacts it when it is tilted inward in the width direction. As a result, when the second arm portion 17 is tilted outward in the width direction from the locked state, the locked portion 34 must overcome the protrusion 33b with the larger protrusion, so the external force required to allow the tilting of the second arm portion 17 is greater than when the second arm portion 17 is tilted inward in the width direction. In other words, the predetermined magnitude of the external force required to tilt the second arm portion 17 from the locked state is different for a first value that allows the second arm portion 17 to tilt outward in the width direction from the locked state, and for a second value that allows the second arm portion 17 to tilt inward in the width direction, with the first value being greater than the second value.

[0059] (Storage state) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the portable device holder 10 is not in use, the arm 12 can be stored. In the stored state, both the second arm portion 17 and the third arm portion 18 are locked (stored angle). In this embodiment, the storage locking portion 23 of the stored arm 12 is locked to the arm locking portion 11b of the arm support member 11 (see Figure 2).

[0060] (Deployed state) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when using the portable device holder 10, the arm 12 can be extended. In the extended state, the first arm portion 16 is in the maximum tilt position, contacting the stopper portion 11c of the arm support member 11. In this embodiment, when extending the arm 12 from the retracted state, the retraction locking portion 23 of the arm 12 is released from the arm locking portion 11b of the arm support member 11, allowing it to tilt. Figure 3 shows the extended state where both the second arm portion 17 and the third arm portion 18 of the arm 12 are in the locked state (retracted angle). Figure 4 shows the extended state where the second arm portion 17 of the arm 12 is in the locked state (retracted angle), and the third arm portion 18 has tilted inward in the width direction from the retracted angle.

[0061] In this embodiment, the holding means is applied to the second movable part X2 and the third movable part X3, but the movable parts to which the holding means is applied are not limited to the second movable part X2 and the third movable part X3.

[0062] In the portable device holder 10 configured as described above, the second arm portion 17 of the arm 12 is supported so as to be tiltable toward the tip of the first arm portion 16, with respect to the rotation axis CL2 which extends vertically when extended. Therefore, by tilting the second arm portion 17 inward in the width direction, the portable device 100 held by the portable device holding portion 13 can be positioned toward the player on the inside in the width direction, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the positioning of the portable device 100 (especially in the width direction).

[0063] Furthermore, since the rotation axis CL2 of the second movable part X2 is located behind the front surface 1b of the gaming machine 1 when deployed, the movable part (second movable part X2) that can tilt the arm 12 inward in the width direction can be positioned as far as possible towards the machine-to-machine sandwich 2 side (rear side). For example, compared to the case where the second movable part X2' is positioned in front of the front surface 1b of the gaming machine 1 as shown by the dashed line A' in Figure 12, if the portable device holder 13 is to be positioned at the same position P, the closer the second movable part X2 is positioned to the machine-to-machine sandwich 2, as in this embodiment, the shorter the length of the arm 12 can be, as shown by the dashed line A.

[0064] Thus, according to this embodiment, the degree of freedom in the placement of the portable device 100 can be improved, and the length of the arm 12 can be reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, in addition to the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17, the arm 12 of this embodiment includes a third arm portion 18 that is tiltably supported on the tip side of the second arm portion 17 around the rotation axis CL3, and the rotation axis CL3 is located in front of the front surface 1b of the gaming machine 1 when deployed. In this way, the movable parts (second movable part X2 and third movable part X3) that move inward in the width direction are provided both in front of and behind the front surface 1b of the gaming machine 1, so that the degree of freedom in the placement position of the portable device 100 (especially the degree of freedom in the width direction) can be further improved.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the second movable part X2, the locked locking part 33 restricts the tilting of the second arm part 17 when the external force acting on the second arm part 17 is less than the predetermined magnitude, and allows the tilting of the second arm part 17 when the external force is greater than the predetermined magnitude. Therefore, by locking it, the free tilting of the arm 12 due to its own weight, etc., can be suppressed, and it can be stably stored. The third movable part X3 has a similar effect.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined magnitude of the external force required to tilt the second arm portion 17 from the locked state in the second movable portion X2 is different for a first value that allows the second arm portion 17 to tilt outward in the width direction from the locked state, and for a second value that allows the second arm portion 17 to tilt inward in the width direction, with the first value being greater than the second value. Therefore, it is possible to allow the second arm portion 17 to tilt inward in the width direction while suppressing tilting outward in the width direction beyond the storage angle of the second arm portion 17. The third movable portion X3 has a similar effect.

[0068] Furthermore, in the second movable part X2, the locked locking part 33 allows the second arm part 17 to tilt if the value of the external force acting on the second arm part 17 is greater than the first value. For example, when the front panel 1a of the gaming machine 1 is opened, the front panel 1a of the gaming machine 1 comes into contact with the deployed arm 12, and even if an excessive external force in the width direction is unintentionally applied from the front panel 1a to the deployed arm 12, the second arm part 17 is allowed to tilt outward in the width direction. This helps to prevent damage to the arm 12 (second movable part X2). The third movable part X3 has a similar effect.

[0069] Furthermore, in the second movable part X2, the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17 are fastened together on the rotation axis CL2 with screws in a direction that brings them closer to each other in the axial direction. Therefore, when the second arm portion 17 is tilted relative to the first arm portion 16, the frictional force between the opposing surface 25 of the first arm portion 16 and the opposing surface 26 of the second arm portion 17 allows the second arm portion 17 to be held at the tilted angle. The first movable part X1 and the third movable part X3 have similar effects.

[0070] Furthermore, in the second movable part X2, grease is applied between the opposing surface 25 on the shaft portion 27 side and the opposing surface 26 of the shaft support portion 30. Therefore, even if the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17 are tightened together with screws, the tilting of the second arm portion 17 relative to the first arm portion 16 can be made smooth. The first movable part X1 and the third movable part X3 have similar effects.

[0071] Furthermore, in the second movable part X2, the arm 12 has grooves (recesses) 29, 32 capable of holding grease, so grease can be retained in the second movable part X2. The first movable part X1 and the third movable part X3 have similar effects.

[0072] Furthermore, in the second movable part X2, the groove 29 around the shaft portion 27 and the groove 32 around the through hole 31 of the shaft support portion 30 extend circumferentially with respect to the rotation axis CL2. Therefore, when the second arm portion 17 is tilted relative to the first arm portion 16, the outflow of grease from the grooves 29 and 32 can be suppressed, and the grease can be suitably retained in the second movable part X2. Similar effects are observed in the first movable part X1 and the third movable part X3.

[0073] In this embodiment, the grooves (recesses) 29 and 32 extend axially around the axis of rotation, but the shape of the recess is not limited to this; any recess capable of holding grease is acceptable.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17 of the second movable portion X2 are connected by fastening them together on the rotation axis CL2 with screws in a direction that brings them closer to each other in the axial direction. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the first arm portion 16 and the second arm portion 17 may be connected to each other in a tiltable manner using other configurations.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a holding means is provided to maintain the angle of the arm 12 at the storage angle, but it is not necessary to provide a holding means.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the arm support member 11 is provided with an arm locking portion 11b and the arm 12 is provided with a storage locking portion 23, but the arm locking portion 11b and the storage locking portion 23 do not necessarily have to be provided.

[0077] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and can naturally be modified as appropriate without departing from the present invention. In other words, all other embodiments, examples, and operational techniques made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are of course included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1: Gaming machine 1b:Front 2: Sandwich between machines (adjacent area) 10: Holder for portable devices 12: Arm 13: Mobile device holder 14: Arm base 15: Arm tip 16: First Arm Section 17: Second Arm Section 18: Third arm section 25: Opposing surface (one side) 26: Opposing surface (other side) 27: Shaft 29,32: Groove (recess) 30: Shaft support part 31: Through hole 33: Locking part 34:Locked part CL1: Axis of rotation (first axis of rotation) CL2: Axis of rotation (second axis of rotation) CL3: Axis of rotation (third axis of rotation)

Claims

1. A holder for portable devices, provided in an adjacent area next to a gaming machine, An arm having a base end that is tiltably supported toward the adjacent part about a first rotation axis extending in the width direction, and an arm tip located on the opposite side of the arm base end, and capable of being in a retracted state extending upward from the arm base end and an extended state extending forward from the arm base end, The arm tip is supported by a portable device holder capable of holding a portable device, The arm includes a first arm portion having the base end of the arm, and a second arm portion that is tiltably supported on the tip side of the first arm portion about a second rotation axis that extends vertically in the deployed state, The second rotation axis is located behind the front of the gaming machine in the deployed state. A holder for portable devices characterized by the following features.

2. The arm includes a third arm portion that is tiltably supported towards the tip of the second arm portion, with respect to a third rotation axis that extends vertically in the deployed state. The third rotation axis is located in front of the front of the gaming machine in the deployed state. The holder for portable devices according to claim 1.

3. One of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a locking portion, The other of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a locking portion that is locked to the locking portion, When the locking portion is locked, the locking portion restricts the tilting of the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion when the external force acting on the second arm portion in the width direction is less than a predetermined magnitude, and when the external force is greater than a predetermined magnitude, the locking state is released and the tilting of the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion is permitted. A portable device holder according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The predetermined magnitude of the external force is different for a first value that allows the second arm portion to tilt outward in the width direction from the locked state and a second value that allows the second arm portion to tilt inward in the width direction. The first value is greater than the second value. The portable device holder according to feature 3.

5. One of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a shaft portion centered on the second rotation axis that protrudes from one side of the second rotation axis in the axial direction toward that side, The other of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a shaft support portion into which the shaft portion can be inserted, The axial length of the shaft portion is shorter than the axial length of the through hole. The first arm portion and the second arm portion are fastened together on the second rotation axis with screws in a direction that brings them closer to each other in the axial direction, with the shaft portion inserted into the through hole and the other side of the shaft support portion in contact with one side of the shaft portion. Grease is applied between the one side of the shaft portion and the other side of the shaft support portion. A portable device holder according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A recess capable of holding the grease is provided on at least one of the one side surface of the shaft portion and the other side surface of the shaft support portion. The portable device holder according to feature 5.

7. The recess is a groove that extends circumferentially with respect to the second axis of rotation. The portable device holder according to feature 6.

Images