Inter-machine

Abstract

To provide an inter-machine device that can be used both when the inter-machine device is placed on the right hand side and when it is placed on the left hand side with respect to a game machine without preparing a dedicated device, and that allows a rotation range of a display unit to be changed appropriately according to an arrangement mode.SOLUTION: There is provided an inter-machine device that can be arranged on the right side or on the left side with respect to a game machine. The inter-machine device includes: a display unit that can be attached to the inter-machine device so that a display is directed either to the right side or to the left side with respect to the inter-machine device, and that can be rotated in a predetermined rotation range around a vertical axis; and a vertical moving member for switching the rotation range. The display unit can be switched so that the rotation ranges by the vertical movement of the vertical moving member are different when the display is attached so as to be directed to one of the right side and the left side, and when the display is attached so as to be directed to the other of the right side and the left side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine-to-machine device for dispensing gaming media that can be placed on either the left or right side of a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The so-called inter-machine devices for dispensing gaming media, which are located on the left or right of the gaming machines, are typically located on the left when adjacent to a pachinko machine P', as shown in Figure 13(a), and on the right when adjacent to a pachislot machine S', as shown in Figure 13(b). Dedicated inter-machine devices for pachinko machines P'U and pachislot machines S'U are available. As can be seen from the figure, for pachinko machine P', a nozzle extending from the left is suitable to guide game balls dispensed from the inter-machine device P'U upstream of the upper tray. For pachislot machine S', there is no distinction between upstream and downstream medal payout trays. However, when opening a pachislot machine with a hinge on the left side, the nozzle of the inter-machine device S'U for pachislot machines is positioned on the right because it interferes with the nozzle. Incidentally, some inter-machine machines corresponding to pachinko machines do not have a mechanism for dispensing pachinko balls, but instead use the machine's prize ball payout device as a ball lending mechanism. When a dispense operation is performed, a signal is sent to the machine via a relay board, and the machine, upon receiving the signal, dispenses pachinko balls from its own prize ball payout device. There are also pachinko machines called "managed gaming machines" that manage pachinko balls in a manner that prevents players from directly touching them. Similar proposals have been made for pachislot machines. That is, proposed are medalless gaming machines that electronically manage the medals held by players within the gaming machine, allowing medal-less play. In addition to medalless systems, it is also possible to utilize the medal discharge mechanism of pachislot machines. If a medal-less gaming machine or a pachislot machine uses the medal discharge mechanism, it would be possible to place the machine on the left side of the gaming machine and share the same configuration as the controlled gaming machine because there is no nozzle, but in reality, this does not work out so well. Pachinko players (pachinko game enthusiasts) and slotters (pachislot game enthusiasts) have been accustomed to having machines on the left and right between the machines for many years, so they are reluctant to change this, and with a familiar gaming style, there is a risk of unnecessary trouble occurring with players playing next to them. There are other reasons as well. In recent years, the mainstream of inter-machine machines has been equipped with relatively large LCD displays. The inter-machine machine described in Patent Document 1 allows the display screen of the LCD display to be rotated left or right to make it easier for players to view the LCD display. This range of rotation is typically set so that the display can be rotated to a position facing backwards, so that even if the thick front door of the adjacent pachislot machine on the right is opened, the LCD display does not interfere with the front door. On the other hand, interference between the front door and the LCD display is not an issue with pachinko machines. While pachinko machines also have hinges on the left side, inter-machine machines are located on the left side, so tilting the LCD display to make it easier to view automatically avoids interference with the front door. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6654867 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Due to the background art described above, even if a gaming machine is a managed gaming machine P or a medalless gaming machine S, it is still common to provide dedicated devices called a managed gaming machine spacer PU and a medalless gaming machine spacer SU, as shown in Figure 14. The liquid crystal display unit of the managed gaming machine spacer PU, which is located to the left of the managed gaming machine P in Figure 14(a), does not rotate to a position where the display faces backward, while the liquid crystal display unit of the medalless gaming machine spacer SU, which is located to the right of the medalless gaming machine S in Figure 14(b), can rotate to a position where the display faces backward, preventing interference between the thick front door of the medalless gaming machine S (not shown) to the right and the liquid crystal display unit when the door is opened. However, even though the device does not have a payout mechanism for game media and most of the components can be shared, it is wasteful to prepare a dedicated device just because of the difference in the rotation range of the LCD display. This problem becomes even more pronounced when a gaming parlor wants to change the mix of pachinko and pachislot machines when replacing them with new machines. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a machine that can be used whether the machine is placed on the left or right of the gaming machine without the need for a dedicated device, and that allows the rotation range of the display unit to be appropriately changed depending on the placement mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The inter-machine of the present invention has at least the following configuration. This is a machine that can be placed on the left or right of a gaming machine, and is equipped with a display unit that can be attached to the machine so that the display faces either right or left, and that can rotate within a predetermined rotation range around a vertical axis, and an up-and-down moving member for switching the rotation range, and is characterized in that the display unit can be switched so that the rotation range differs when the display is attached so that it faces either right or left, and when it is attached so that it faces the other, by moving the up-and-down moving member up and down. The machine according to the present invention has at least the following configuration. A gaming machine that can be placed on the left or right of a gaming machine includes a display unit that can be attached to the gaming machine so that the display faces either right or left and can be rotated within a predetermined rotation range around a vertical axis, and a rotation range switching operation unit, and the rotation range of the display unit differs when the display is attached so that it faces either right or left and when it is attached so that it faces the other, by operating the rotation range switching operation unit. (However, this does not include cases where the difference between left and right placement is simply symmetrical.) The feature of this method is that it can be switched as follows. Here, "switching to make the rotation range different" means that at least one of the starting point and end point of the rotation range is switched and set to be different. In other words, it also includes a mode in which the total angle corresponding to the rotation range is the same on the left and right as a result of both the starting point and end point being set to be different. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are front views of a space-between-machine device and a corresponding gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows a state in which the device is arranged relative to a controlled gaming machine, and (b) shows a state in which the device is arranged relative to a medalless gaming machine. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a space-between machine and a corresponding managed gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a top view of only the space-between machine. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a space-between-machine and a corresponding medalless gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a top view of only the space-between-machine. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are perspective views of the left rear of a machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) and (b) show the state when placed on the left, and (c) and (d) show the state when placed on the right. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are left side views of a display unit in a machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1A shows the state when it is disposed on the left, and FIG. 1B shows the state when it is disposed on the right. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the movable shaft and the surrounding area of ​​the display unit in the inter-unit assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are perspective views of the movable shaft of the display unit in the inter-unit device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A shows the state when the display unit is disposed on the right side, and FIG. 1B shows the state when the display unit is disposed on the left side. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing how the display unit of a machine for use in an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the device body in a right-side arrangement, where (a) is a left rear oblique view, (b) is a rear view, (c) is a left cross-sectional view, and (d) is a top view. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing how the display unit of a machine for use in an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the device body in a left-side arrangement mode, where (a) is a left rear oblique view, (b) is a rear view, (c) is a left side cross-sectional view, and (d) is a top view. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the movable shaft and the surrounding area of ​​the display unit in the inter-unit assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing how a display unit in a machine for another embodiment of the present invention is attached to the device body in a right-side installation mode, where (a) shows a state in which the rotation range switching operation unit is not in the appropriate position, and (b) shows a state in which the rotation range switching operation unit is in the appropriate position. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing how a display unit in a machine for another embodiment of the present invention is attached to the device body in a left-side installation mode, where (a) shows a state in which the rotation range switching operation unit is not in the appropriate position, and (b) shows a state in which the rotation range switching operation unit is in the appropriate position. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are front views of a conventional inter-machine machine and a corresponding gaming machine, where (a) shows a device for a pachinko machine and (b) shows a device for a pachislot machine. [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are front views of a conventional inter-machine machine and a corresponding gaming machine, where (a) shows a device for a controlled gaming machine, and (b) shows a device for a medalless gaming machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings have been created for explanatory purposes, and for the sake of clarity, components not necessary for the explanation may be intentionally omitted. Furthermore, components may be intentionally enlarged or reduced in size for the purpose of explanation, and the drawings are not drawn to an exact scale. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate parts with the same function, and duplicate explanations in each drawing will be omitted as appropriate.

[0008] (Overall configuration of the underlying machine) 1A and 1B are front views of a space-between-machine unit and a corresponding gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows a state in which the space-between-machine unit is arranged relative to a controlled gaming machine, and (b) shows a state in which the space-between-machine unit is arranged relative to a medalless gaming machine. As shown in the figure, the space-between-machine unit 1 is arranged to the left of the controlled gaming machine P, and the space-between-machine unit 1 is arranged to the right of the medalless gaming machine S.

[0009] Above the inter-machine machine 1, a banknote insertion slot 12 is provided on the front, and inside the machine, a banknote recognition unit is arranged at a position corresponding to the banknote insertion slot 12, and inside the banknote recognition unit, a banknote stocker is arranged.

[0010] A display unit 11 consisting of a liquid crystal display unit is provided on the front surface below the bill insertion slot 12. As shown in FIG. 1(a), when the inter-machine device 1 is positioned on the left, the display unit 11D is positioned on the right side when viewed from the front, and the display unit rear surface 11B is positioned on the left side. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1(b), when the inter-machine device 1 is positioned on the right, the display unit 11D is positioned on the left side when viewed from the front, and the display unit rear surface 11B is positioned on the right side. The display unit 11D displays rental information and operating status of the inter-machine device 1, displays operating status of the managed gaming machine P and the medalless gaming machine S, and displays performance information linked to these gaming machines. Furthermore, the display unit 11D also displays television images, advertising images, etc. distributed from the host computer.

[0011] A card slot 13 is provided on the front below the display unit 11, and inside is a card reader / writer unit that reads and writes information from inserted prepaid cards or membership cards. A control unit is placed in the space vacant by these units. The control unit communicates with a host computer installed in the gaming facility, and with the managed gaming machine P and medalless gaming machine S that are responsible for lending gaming media, via a relay board (not shown).

[0012] Three switches are provided between the display unit 11 and the card slot 13: a loan switch 13a for receiving loaned gaming media, a return switch 13b for returning cards, and a replay switch 13c for paying out saved balls and held balls. Instead of or in addition to these three switches, the display of the display unit 11 may be configured as a touch panel to allow various operations.

[0013] A hook portion 14 is provided at the top to facilitate pulling out the entire cabinet forward. The hook portion 14 is not used when the machine 1 is normally in use, but is used only during maintenance of the machine 1 or when collecting banknotes. It is intended to enable a store employee or other person involved with the gaming facility to hook a withdrawal jig (not shown) onto the hook and pull out the entire cabinet forward. The hook portion 14 is shaped so that it can be hooked onto a withdrawal jig, but it may also be shaped so that it can be easily gripped with a hand or fingers.

[0014] (Characteristic configuration of the present invention) The characteristic configuration of the inter-machine machine according to an embodiment of the present invention can be clearly understood by looking at Figures 2 to 5. Figure 2 shows an inter-machine machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and a corresponding managed gaming machine, where (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a top view of the inter-machine machine only. Figure 3 shows an inter-machine machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and a corresponding medalless gaming machine, where (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a top view of the inter-machine machine only. Figure 4 is a left rear perspective view of the inter-machine machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) and (b) show the state when the machine is arranged on the left, and (c) and (d) show the state when the machine is arranged on the right. Figure 5 is a left side view of the display unit in the inter-machine machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the state when the machine is arranged on the left, and (b) shows the state when the machine is arranged on the right.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, when the inter-machine unit 1 is placed to the left of the controlled gaming machine P, the display unit 11 can be tilted to the left to improve visibility for the player seated to the right. Even if the front door of the controlled gaming machine P is opened in this state, interference with the front door can be avoided, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). On the other hand, even if the front door of the controlled gaming machine P (not shown) adjacent to the left is opened, the front door will not interfere with the display unit 11 as long as the display unit 11 is raised to a position perpendicular to the front of the device body. For this reason, when the inter-machine unit 1 is placed on the left, the rotation range of the display unit 11 is limited to a position from a viewing position where the display unit 11D is reclined to a position perpendicular to the front of the device body. Note that when placed on the left, the display unit 11 is slightly biased to the right with respect to the rotation axis, as shown in FIG. 2(c).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, when the inter-machine unit 1 is placed to the right of the medalless gaming machine S, the display unit 11 can be tilted to the right to improve visibility for a player seated on the left. As mentioned above, because the front door of the medalless gaming machine S is thick, even if the display unit 11 is raised to a position perpendicular to the front of the device body, there is a risk that the display unit 11 will interfere with the front door of the medalless gaming machine S adjacent to the right. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the display unit 11 can be rotated until the display unit rear surface 11B is visible from the front. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), even if the front door of the medalless gaming machine S adjacent to the right is opened, the front door and the display unit 11 will not interfere with each other. Note that in the case of right-side placement, the display unit 11 will be slightly biased to the left with respect to the rotation axis, as shown in FIG. 3(c).

[0017] As shown in Fig. 4, the display unit 11 can be mounted so that the display 11D faces either the right or left side when viewed from the front. This can be achieved by rotating the display unit 11 180 degrees around its front-to-back axis. Figs. 4(a) and (b) show the left-side mounting configuration, where the display 11D faces the right side and the display unit rear surface 11B faces the left side. Figs. 4(c) and (d) show the right-side mounting configuration, where the display 11D faces the left side and the display unit rear surface 11B faces the right side.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting portion 11F for mounting the display unit 11 to the device body is The display surface is not point symmetrical with respect to the center of rotation when changing the installation so that it is on either the right or left side.The shape of the slot is as follows: When the slot-slot device 1 is placed on the left side of the managed gaming machine P, it is screwed into the slot marked "P" in FIG. 5(a), and when the slot-slot device 1 is placed on the right side of the medalless gaming machine S, it is screwed into the slot marked "S" in FIG. 5(b). As is well known, the unit prices of gaming media are generally different between pachinko machines and pachislot machines, and therefore the lending control must also be different. In an embodiment of the present invention, a means for detecting the mounting state of the mounting portion is provided, and the lending control content is automatically changed depending on the detection result of the means. Furthermore, the top and bottom of the display unit 11D are reversed depending on whether it is placed left or right, and the display screen control content is also automatically changed.

[0019] (Structure for switching rotation range of the present invention) So far, we have explained that the rotation range of the display unit 11 is switched and set differently depending on whether the inter-unit device 1 is disposed on the left or the right, but we will now explain how this is specifically achieved. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the movable shaft and its surroundings of the display unit 11 in the inter-unit device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, drawn as a view seen in a state in which the movable shaft is laid horizontally. The display unit first movable shaft 112, drawn on the near side of the page, is positioned above when the inter-unit device 1 is disposed on the left, but the display unit second movable shaft 113 is positioned above when the inter-unit device 1 is disposed on the right.

[0020] A display unit first movable shaft 112 and a display unit second movable shaft 113 fixed to the display unit 11 are pivotally supported on the display unit movable bearing 111, so that the display unit 11 can rotate within a predetermined range. The display unit first movable shaft 112 has a first outer protrusion 1121 and a first inner protrusion 1122, and the display unit second movable shaft 113 has a second outer protrusion 1131 and a second inner protrusion 1132. These protrusions come into contact with a maximum rotation range restriction wall 1111 or a small rotation range restriction wall 1141, thereby restricting the rotation of the display unit 11 so that it rotates within the maximum rotation range or the small rotation range. The maximum rotation range restriction wall 1111 is located on the inner surface of the display unit movable bearing 111 and on the far side (left side in the drawing) when viewed from the front of the device body, so the first inner protrusion 1122 comes into contact with the maximum rotation range restriction wall 1111.

[0021] The small rotation range restricting wall 1141 is disposed on the outer surface of the vertically movable member 114 for switching the rotation range, which is a characteristic component of this embodiment of the present invention, and is located on the front side (right side in the drawing) when the device body is viewed from the front. The vertically movable member 114 is movable up and down in the vertical direction (toward the front and back in the drawing). When the display unit 11 is rotated 180 degrees around its front-to-back axis, the vertically movable member 114 moves under its own weight to take two positions: a position on the front side of the drawing in FIG. 6 or a position on the back side of the drawing in FIG. 6.

[0022] The operation of the vertically movable member 114 will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the movable shaft of the display unit in the inter-unit machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the state in which it is disposed on the right side, and (b) shows the state in which it is disposed on the left side. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing how the display unit in the inter-unit machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the device main body in the state in which it is disposed on the right side, where (a) is a left rear perspective view, (b) is a rear view, (c) is a left sectional view, and (d) is a top view. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing how the display unit in the inter-unit machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the device main body in the state in which it is disposed on the left side, where (a) is a left rear perspective view, (b) is a rear view, (c) is a left sectional view, and (d) is a top view.

[0023] When the display unit 11 is positioned on the right, the vertically movable member 114 shown in FIG. 7( a) is positioned upward and therefore sinks into the page due to its own weight. Therefore, the rotation range of the first inner protrusion 1122 and the second inner protrusion 1132 (not shown) is restricted by the maximum rotation range restriction wall 1111, but there is nothing restricting the first outer protrusion 1121 (not shown). As a result, the rotation range of the display unit 11 is set to the maximum movable range. On the other hand, when the display unit 11 is positioned on the left, the vertically movable member 114 shown in FIG. 7( b) is positioned downward and therefore sinks into the page due to its own weight. Therefore, the rotation of the first outer protrusion 1121 (not shown) is restricted by the small rotation range restriction wall 1141. As a result, the rotation range of the display unit 11 is set to the small movable range.

[0024] 8 shows a case where the inter-machine unit 1 is disposed on the right side of the medalless gaming machine S, and as shown in FIG. 8(a), the display 11D faces left. As shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 8(c), the vertically movable member 114 drops to a position where its small rotation range restriction wall 1141 does not face the first outer protrusion 1121. As a result, the rotation range of the display unit 11 is set to the maximum movable range, as shown in FIG. 8(d).

[0025] 9 shows a case where the inter-machine unit 1 is disposed on the left side of the managed gaming machine P, and as shown in FIG. 9(a), the display unit rear surface 11B faces left. As shown in FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c), the vertically movable member 114 drops to a position where its small rotation range restriction wall 1141 faces the first outer protrusion 1121. As a result, the rotation range of the display unit 11 is set to the small movement range, as shown in FIG. 9(d).

[0026] (Another embodiment) In the first embodiment, the vertically movable member 114 naturally moves up and down due to its own weight when the display unit 11 is rotated 180 degrees around its front-to-back axis. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, the vertically movable member 114 is configured to move up and down by an operator's operation, preventing free fall by increasing friction between the vertically movable member and the bearing for switching or by providing an appropriate locking point on the slider. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the movable axis of the display unit 11 in a table spacing device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, depicted as viewed in a horizontally positioned state. The first display unit movable axis 112, depicted on the near side of the page, is positioned above when the table spacing device 1 is installed on the left, but the second display unit movable axis 113 is positioned above when the table spacing device 1 is installed on the right.

[0027] The display unit 11 is configured to be rotatable within a predetermined range by pivoting a display unit first movable shaft 112 and a display unit second movable shaft 113 fixed to the display unit 11 on the display unit movable bearing 111. The display unit first movable shaft 112 has a first outer protrusion 1121 and a first inner protrusion 1122, and the display unit second movable shaft 113 has a second outer protrusion 1131 and a second inner protrusion 1132. These protrusions come into contact with the maximum rotation range restriction wall 1111 or the small rotation range restriction wall 1151, thereby restricting the rotation of the display unit 11 so that it rotates within the maximum rotation range or the small rotation range. The maximum rotation range restriction wall 1111 is located on the inner surface of the display unit movable bearing 111 and on the far side (left side in the drawing) when viewed from the front of the device body, and therefore the first inner protrusion 1122 comes into contact with it.

[0028] The small rotation range limiting wall 1151 is disposed on the outer surface of the vertically movable member 115 for switching the rotation range, which is a characteristic component of another embodiment of the present invention, and is located on the near side (right side in the drawing) when viewed from the front of the device body. Meanwhile, a rotation range switching operation unit 1152 for moving the vertically movable member 115 up and down in the vertical direction (toward the front and back in the drawing) extends from the far side (left side in the drawing) when viewed from the front of the device body, and is configured so that an operator can operate the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 when the display unit 11 is removed. In other words, in another embodiment, the vertically movable member 115 does not move up and down even when the display unit 11 is rotated 180 degrees around its front-to-back axis. To move it up and down, the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 must be operated.

[0029] When the vertically movable member 115 is moved up and down by the operator, the restriction by the small rotation range restriction wall 1151 or the maximum rotation range restriction wall 1111 is switched, and the rotation range is switched, just as in the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation will be omitted and the characteristic configuration of the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 will be explained here using Figures 11 and 12.

[0030] 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a display unit in a machine for a stand-by machine according to another embodiment of the present invention is attached to the machine body in a right-side installation mode, where (a) shows a state in which the rotation range switching operation unit is not in the appropriate position, and (b) shows a state in which the rotation range switching operation unit is in the appropriate position. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which a display unit in a machine for a stand-by machine according to another embodiment of the present invention is attached to the machine body in a left-side installation mode, where (a) shows a state in which the rotation range switching operation unit is not in the appropriate position, and (b) shows a state in which the rotation range switching operation unit is in the appropriate position. In each diagram, the upper view is an enlarged view of the area around the display unit movable bearing, and the lower view is a view showing the entire display unit and housing.

[0031] As described above, in another embodiment, the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 must be operated to move the vertically movable member 115 up and down. FIG. 11 shows a case where the inter-machine unit 1 is disposed to the right of the medalless gaming machine S, and the vertically movable member 115 must be positioned downward to allow rotation within the maximum movable range. If the vertically movable member 115 were positioned upward, the first outer protrusion 1121 would be restricted to a small rotation range, and this would result in a situation where the display unit 11 could not be rotated sufficiently despite the arrangement relative to the medalless gaming machine S.

[0032] However, in another embodiment, a measure is taken to prevent such a situation from occurring. As shown in Fig. 11(a), if the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 is positioned in an inappropriate upper position, the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 hits the housing wall 15, and the display unit 11 cannot be pushed in to a position sufficiently deep to be attached to the inter-unit machine 1. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 11(b), if the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 is positioned in an appropriate lower position, the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 can pass through a hole drilled in the housing wall 15, and the display unit 11 can be pushed in to a position sufficiently deep to be attached to the inter-unit machine 1.

[0033] 12 shows a case where the inter-machine unit 1 is placed to the left of the controlled gaming machine P, and the vertically movable member 115 must be positioned downward so that rotation is restricted within a small movable range. If the vertically movable member 115 were positioned upward, the first outer protrusion 1121 would not be restricted within the small rotation range, and therefore, despite the placement relative to the controlled gaming machine P, the display unit 11 would rotate excessively to an unnecessary position.

[0034] However, measures have been taken to prevent such a situation from occurring. As shown in Fig. 12(a), if the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 is positioned in an inappropriate upper position, the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 will hit the housing wall 15, and the display unit 11 will not be able to be pushed in to a position deep enough to be attached to the inter-unit machine 1. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 12(b), if the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 is positioned in an appropriate lower position, the rotation range switching operation unit 1152 can pass through a hole drilled in the housing wall 15, and the display unit 11 will be able to be pushed in to a position deep enough to be attached to the inter-unit machine 1.

[0035] However, the relationship between rotation range switching operation unit 1152 and housing wall 15 described here is not essential, and it is also possible to configure rotation range switching operation unit 1152 so that it does not interfere with housing wall 15 under any circumstances, so that rotation can be restricted within a small rotation range even when the device is installed on the right. This is because manual switching can be particularly effective with such a configuration.

[0036] The above has described in detail the inter-machine machine according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes design changes within the scope of the present invention that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the rotation range switching operation unit is operated to move up and down, but a configuration may be adopted in which the rotation range switching operation unit is operated to move back and forth relative to the housing of the machine by providing an easy-to-grip knob shape and click position. Interference with the housing wall 15 must be taken into consideration, but this can be set appropriately. It should be fully understood that the significance of the present invention lies in the fact that the rotation range can be switched between different ranges by operating the rotation range switching operation unit. Furthermore, while the embodiments have been described as being used with managed gaming machines and medal-less gaming machines, the technical concept of the present invention also encompasses applications with pachinko and pachislot machines in which the gaming machines dispense pachinko balls or medals from their own gaming media payout devices. Essentially, the present invention is equally applicable to applications in which the inter-machine unit itself does not have a mechanism for dispensing gaming media. Furthermore, when considering changing the left-right arrangement of pachinko machines or pachislot machines alone, the present invention is also applicable to applications in which the inter-machine unit itself has a mechanism for dispensing gaming media. Due to space constraints within the parlor, some pachinko machines may require the inter-machine unit to be positioned to the right. Even when the inter-machine unit is positioned to the right of a pachinko machine, the front door of the adjacent pachinko machine to the right may interfere with the display unit, as with pachislot machines. Therefore, the display must be tilted so that the back of the display can be viewed from the front. The nozzle can be simply replaced as a separate component. In addition, although the second outer protrusion 1131 and the second inner protrusion 1132 have been described in each embodiment as not contacting the regulating wall, these protrusions may also be configured to contribute to regulation. Furthermore, although the embodiments have been described as being arranged on the left side for pachinko machines and on the right side for pachislot machines, if a major change in specifications were made, such as changing the front door from a left hinge to a right hinge, all of the conditions could be reversed. Therefore, the technical idea of ​​the invention should be understood as meaning that the rotation range is larger when the display is attached to either the right or left side than when it is attached to the other side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1……Inter-stand machine 11...Display unit 11D...Display 11B……Display unit rear 11F...Attachment section 111...Display unit movable bearing 1111...Maximum rotation range limit wall 112...Display unit first movable axis 1121...first external process 1122…First internal process 113...Display unit second movable axis 1131…Second external process 1132…Second internal process 114……Vertical movement member 1141...Small rotation range restriction wall 114……Vertical movement member 1141...Small rotation range restriction wall 115……Vertical movement member 1151...Small rotation range restriction wall 1152...Rotation range switching operation unit 12……Banknote slot 13...Card slot 13a...rental switch 13b...Return switch 13c...Replay switch 14...Hook part 15....Enclosure wall P'...Pachinko machine S'... Pachislot machine P'U...Pachinko machine spacing unit S'U... Pachislot machine spacer P…………Managed gaming machine (pachinko machine) S…………Medalless gaming machine (Pachislot machine) PU: Controlled gaming machine spacing unit SU....Medalless gaming machine inter-machine unit

Claims

1. A machine that can be placed to the left or right of a gaming machine, a display unit that can be attached to the display unit so that the display faces either right or left and that can be rotated within a predetermined rotation range around a vertical axis; A vertically movable member for switching the rotation range; Equipped with The display unit is switched so that the rotation range differs depending on whether the display is attached so that it faces one of the right and left sides or the other side, by the up-and-down movement of the up-and-down moving member. A machine characterized by:

2. A machine that can be placed to the left or right of a gaming machine, a display unit that can be attached to the display unit so that the display faces either right or left and that can be rotated within a predetermined rotation range around a vertical axis; A rotation range switching operation unit; Equipped with The display unit can be switched by operating the rotation range switching operation unit so that the rotation range differs between when the display is attached to face one of the right and left and when it is attached to face the other (however, this does not include a case where the left-right arrangement is simply a symmetrical difference). A machine characterized by:

3. If the rotation range switching operation unit is not operated properly, The display unit cannot be attached. The machine according to claim 2 .

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