Button unit, gaming machine

Abstract

To achieve a button unit that is hard to be damaged and is rigid and a game machine including the button unit.SOLUTION: Provided is a button unit (10) attached to a mounting hole (7a) of a panel (7) being a game machine body and including: a cylindrical case member (20) attached to the mounting hole (7a); a depression member (30) movably accommodated in the inside of the case member (20); and a regulation part (15) that regulates movement of the depression member (30) in a depression direction by the case member (20) and the depression member (30) abutting with each other in the inside of the case member (20). The depression member (30) includes a depression part (31) that receives depression operation. The depression part (31) is larger than the case member (20) when viewed from the depression direction and is provided to be close to or abut with a panel (7) around the mounting hole (7a) in a depressed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a button unit for a gaming machine and a gaming machine equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0002] Some gaming machines installed in gaming arcades such as pachinko parlors and pachislot parlors include a button unit (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional button unit 110 provided in a gaming machine. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the conventional button unit 110 shown in FIG. 11. Note that FIGS. 11 and 12 show the normal state where the pressing member 130 is not pressed.

[0004] As shown in FIG. 12, the conventional button unit 110 is attached to a mounting hole 7a of a panel 7 corresponding to the gaming machine body. The conventional button unit 110 includes a cylindrical case member 120 attached to the mounting hole 7a and a pressing member 130 movably accommodated inside the case member 120.

[0005] The pressing member 130 has a pressing portion 131 on its top surface that receives a pressing operation. The pressing portion 131 is formed smaller than a hole 120a of the cylindrical case member 120 and is located inside the hole 120a of the case member 120 when viewed from the pressing direction.

[0006] When the pressing portion 131 is pressed, the pressing member 130 moves downward inside the hole 120a of the case member 120. A regulating portion 115 is provided on the case member 120 and the pressing member 130 inside the case member 120 to restrict the downward movement of the pressing member 130 by abutting the case member 120 and the pressing member 130 against each other. The pressing member 130 to which a downward force is applied stops at the pressing position by the regulation of the regulating portion 115 and returns to its original position by the restoring force of the return spring 140 when the downward force is released.

Prior Art Documents

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6294433 specification [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, in the conventional button unit 110 configuration described above, the force applied to the pressing member 130 when pressed is concentrated on the restricting portion 115. Therefore, if an operation such as striking the pressing portion 131 is performed and excessive force is applied to the pressing member 130, there is a risk of damage such as cracks or breaks occurring at the parts where the case member 120 and the pressing member 130, which constitute the restricting portion 115, abut against each other. Since the case member 120 and the pressing member 130 are generally formed from molded resin, cracks or breaks are likely to occur when strong force is applied to the restricting portion 115.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a durable button unit that is resistant to damage, and a gaming machine equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

[0011] In other words, a button unit according to one aspect of the present invention is a button unit that is attached to a mounting hole in the main body of a gaming machine, comprising: a cylindrical case member attached to the mounting hole; a pressing member movably housed inside the case member; and a restricting portion that abuts against each other inside the case member to restrict the movement of the pressing member in the pressing direction, wherein the pressing member has a pressing portion that receives a pressing operation, the pressing portion is larger than the case member when viewed from the pressing direction, and is provided to be close to or in contact with the main body of the gaming machine around the mounting hole when the movement of the pressing member is restricted by the restricting portion.

[0012] With the above configuration, if excessive force is applied to the pressing member, the pressing part and the gaming machine body come into contact around the mounting hole, allowing the force to be absorbed at the contact point. This prevents the force applied to the pressing member from concentrating on the regulating part, thereby preventing or suppressing damage to the regulating part.

[0013] In a button unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the pressing portion may be configured to be in close proximity to or in contact with the gaming machine body around the mounting hole at its entire outer circumference.

[0014] With the above configuration, the force can be received over a wider area, making it possible to more effectively prevent or suppress damage to the restricting part 15.

[0015] In a button unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the case member has a flange portion extending outward from the center of the case member at the end on the side where the pressing portion is located, and the flange portion is attached so as to abut against the surface side of the gaming machine body around the mounting hole, and the height of the flange portion is H1, and the distance between the surface of the pressing portion on the mounting hole side and the gaming machine body around the mounting hole in the normal state when not pressed is H2, such that H1 > H2.

[0016] According to the above configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent liquid such as a beverage spilled on, for example, a panel or the like to which the button unit is attached from getting over the flange portion and entering the inside of the button unit.

[0017] In the button unit according to one aspect of the present invention, a light source located inside the case member is provided, and the push-down member includes a case body that is cylindrical and slides inside the case member, and the push-down portion provided at one end in the axial direction of the case body. The push-down portion may be configured to transmit light irradiated from the light source. According to the above configuration, the push-down portion can be configured to emit light.

[0018] In the button unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the case body and the push-down portion are made of separate parts, and the push-down portion is attached to the case body.

[0019] According to the above configuration, while using the case member and the case body as common parts, the shape and size of the push-down portion attached to the case body can be freely designed according to the space on the surface side of the installation surface of the gaming machine body.

[0020] A gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes the button unit according to one aspect of the present invention. According to the above configuration, a gaming machine in which the button unit is hardly damaged can be realized.

Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a durable button unit that is hardly damaged and a gaming machine including the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a general perspective view of a pachislot machine equipped with the button unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the button unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a longitudinal sectional view of the button unit shown in FIG. 2 in a normal state. [Figure 4] Another longitudinal sectional view of the normal state of the button unit shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] A longitudinal sectional view of the pressed state of the button unit shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] Another longitudinal sectional view of the pressed state of the button unit shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] An exploded perspective view of the button unit shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] An explanatory view showing variations of the pressing portion in the button unit shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] A longitudinal sectional view of the normal state of the button unit in another embodiment of the present embodiment. [Figure 10] A longitudinal sectional view of the pressed state of the button unit shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] A perspective view of a conventional button unit provided in a gaming machine. [Figure 12] A longitudinal sectional view of the conventional button unit shown in FIG. 11.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments according to one aspect of the present disclosure (hereinafter, also referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described based on the drawings. In the present embodiment, as an aspect of the push button unit of the present disclosure, a configuration in which a button unit is mounted on a pachislot machine, which is a gaming machine, will be exemplified.

[0024] §1 Application Example First, an example of a scene where the button unit 10 is applied will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an overview perspective view of a pachislot machine 1 on which the button unit 10 according to the embodiment is mounted. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachislot machine 1 has a reel unit 2 provided at the center of the front facing the player. The reel unit 2 is provided with a plurality of reels 2a on which a plurality of types of symbols are displayed. Above the reel unit 2, a display device 3 is provided, and below the reel unit 2, a start lever 4, a stop button 5, a MAX bet switch 6, etc. are arranged.

[0025] The start lever 4 is a lever for rotating multiple reels 2a. The stop button 5 is a switch for stopping multiple reels 2a and consists of a triple button switch. The MAX bet switch 6 is a switch for selecting the maximum bet amount. In the pachislo machine 1 shown in Figure 1, the button unit 10 according to this embodiment is positioned as the MAX bet switch 6.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2, 5, and 6, in the button unit 10, the pressing portion 31, located on the top surface of the pressing member 30 and receiving the pressing operation, is formed to be larger than the case member 20 and cover the case member 20 when viewed from the pressing direction. Furthermore, when the movement of the pressed pressing member 30 is restricted by the restricting portion 15, that is, when the pressing member 30 is in the pressed position, the pressing portion 31 is positioned to be close to or in contact with the panel 7 surrounding the mounting hole 7a.

[0027] §2 Example Configuration [Embodiment 1] (Overview of button unit 10) Figure 2 is a perspective view of a button unit 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the button unit 10 shown in Figure 2 in its normal state. The button unit 10 is attached to the mounting hole 7a of the panel 7, which is the main body of the gaming machine.

[0028] In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the button unit 10 is mounted on a horizontal panel 7. That is, the direction of the case member 20 is downward when viewed from the pressing part 31, which is the direction in which the pressing part 31 is pressed, and the direction of the pressing part 31 is upward when viewed from the case member 20. However, the button unit 10 is not necessarily mounted horizontally to the gaming machine.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the button unit 10 includes a cylindrical case member 20 that is attached to the mounting hole 7a, and a pressing member 30 that is movably housed inside the case member 20. The pressing member 30 has a pressing portion 31 on its upper surface (top surface) that receives the pressing operation.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the button unit 10 is mounted with the pressing portion 31 exposed on the panel 7. The button unit 10 is also provided with a restricting portion 15 inside the case member 20, which abuts against the case member 20 and the pressing portion 30 to restrict the movement of the pressing portion 30 in the pressing direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the button unit 10 includes a return spring 40 that returns the pressed pressing member 30 to its original position, a sensor 41 that detects the pressing of the pressing member 30, an LED board 42 equipped with an LED (light source) 43 that illuminates the pressing part 31, and a cover 44 that covers the bottom of the button unit 10.

[0032] (Details of button unit 10) The configuration of the button unit 10 will be described in detail below, using Figures 4 to 7 in addition to Figure 3. Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the button unit 10 in its normal state, as shown in Figure 2. Figures 3 and 4 have different cross-sectional views. Figures 5 and 6 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the button unit 10 in the pressed state, as shown in Figure 2. Figures 5 and 6 have different cross-sectional views. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the button unit 10 shown in Figure 2.

[0033] <Case components> As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the case member 20 has a cylindrical housing portion 21 for housing the pressing member 30 and a flange portion 22 formed at the upper end of the housing portion 21. The flange portion 22 is formed to extend radially outward from the housing portion 21 and forms an annular shape when viewed from above (see Figure 7). Such a case member 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 7a from the surface side of the panel 7 and attached to the panel 7 by bringing the flange portion 22 into contact with the panel 7 around the mounting hole 7a. The case member 20 can be formed, for example, from a molded resin product.

[0034] The side circumference of the housing section 21 has a first cylindrical section 25-1 located at the bottom, a second cylindrical section 25-2 located in the middle, and a third cylindrical section 25-3 located at the top. The second cylindrical section 25-2 is formed with a larger diameter than the first cylindrical section 25-1, and the third cylindrical section 25-3 is formed with a larger diameter than the second cylindrical section 25-2.

[0035] A horizontal first stepped portion 26 is formed between the second cylindrical portion 25-2 and the third cylindrical portion 25-3. The first stepped portion 26 is formed to extend radially outward from the housing portion 21 and is formed in an annular shape on the inner circumferential surface of the housing portion 21 when viewed from above. The first stepped portion 26, together with the second stepped portion 36 formed on the case body 32 of the pressing member 30 (described later), constitutes the aforementioned restricting portion 15.

[0036] A bottom portion 23 is formed at the lower end of the housing portion 21, closing the opening on the lower end side. A through hole 23a is provided in the bottom portion 23. One end of the return spring 40 is locked in the axial direction to the side (upper surface) of the bottom portion 23 that houses the pressing member 30. The other end of the return spring 40 is locked to the lower end of the case body 32 of the pressing member 30, which will be described later. In this way, the return spring 40 is interposed between the pressing member 30 and the bottom portion 23 of the housing portion 21.

[0037] On the lower surface of the bottom portion 23, opposite to the housing portion 21, are the sensor 41 and the LED substrate 42. The LED substrate 42 is positioned so that the side on which the LED 43 is mounted faces the inside of the housing portion 21 through the through hole 23a. The sensor 41 is positioned on the side circumference of the housing portion 21.

[0038] Furthermore, a cover 44 is attached to the bottom 23 so as to cover the sensors 41 and the LED board 42. The cover 44 and the bottom 23 support the sensors 41 and the LED board 42.

[0039] <Pressing member> The pressing member 30 consists of a cylindrical case body 32 that slides inside the case member 20, the aforementioned pressing part 31 provided at one axial end of the case body 32 and closing the upper opening of the case body 32, and a design sheet 33 (see Figure 7). The case body 32 and the pressing part 31 are separate parts, and the pressing part 31 is attached to the case body 32.

[0040] The case body 32 is the body portion of the pressing member 30, and more specifically, it slides inside the housing portion 21 of the case member 20. The case body 32 can be formed from, for example, a resin molded product.

[0041] The upper end of the case body 32 is provided with a mounting structure 34 for attaching the pressing part 31. The pressing part 31, which is a separate component, is attached to the upper end of the case body 32 by this mounting structure 34.

[0042] The side circumference of the case body 32 has a first sliding portion 35-1 located at the bottom and a second sliding portion 35-2 located at the top. The second sliding portion 35-2 is formed to have a larger diameter than the first sliding portion 35-1. The first sliding portion 35-1 slides against the first cylindrical portion 25-1 in the housing portion 21 of the case member 20, and the second sliding portion 35-2 slides against the third cylindrical portion 25-3 in the housing portion 21.

[0043] A horizontal second step 36 is formed between the first sliding portion 35-1 and the second sliding portion 35-2. The second step 36 is formed to extend radially outward from the case body 32 and forms an annular shape when viewed from below. As described above, the regulating portion 15 is formed by this second step 36 and the first step 26 of the housing portion 21 of the case member 20.

[0044] Furthermore, a light-shielding piece 32a, used for detecting the pressing of the pressing member 30, is provided on the lower surface of the case body 32 so as to extend downward.

[0045] A recess 31a is provided in the center of the lower surface (the surface facing the case body 32) of the press-button portion 31, forming a space that communicates with the space inside the case body 32. The design sheet 33 is positioned to divide the space formed by the press-button portion 31 and the case body 32 vertically.

[0046] The design sheet 33 is illuminated by light from the aforementioned LED 43 shining from below. The pressable part 31 is made of, for example, a transparent material and is designed to transmit light from the LED 43. As a result, the characters and patterns on the design sheet 33 can be seen through the pressable part 31. Here, the pressable part 31 has a lens function that magnifies the characters and patterns on the design sheet 33.

[0047] What is noteworthy here is that the pressing portion 31 is formed to be larger than the case member 20 when viewed from above (from the direction of pressing), covering the case member 20, and is configured to be close to or in contact with the panel 7 surrounding the mounting hole 7a when the pressing member 30 is in the pressed position. Here, the pressing portion 31 may be configured to be close to or in contact with the panel 7 surrounding the mounting hole 7a along its entire outer circumference.

[0048] Specifically, a groove 31b is provided on the outer circumference of the lower surface 31c of the pressing portion 31 to accommodate the flange portion 22 of the case member 20. The groove 31b is provided in an annular shape when viewed from below (from the opposite direction of pressing). With the groove 31b provided, when the pressing member 30 is pressed, the flange portion 22 of the case member 20 fits into the groove 31b. This allows the lower surface 31c of the pressing member 30, which is the side facing the case member 20, to be brought close to or in contact with the panel 7 surrounding the mounting hole 7a.

[0049] In addition, proximity means, for example, that the distance between the lower surface 31c and the panel 7 is 1 mm or less. When the pressing member 30 is in the pressed state restricted by the restricting part 15, the lower surface 31c of the pressing part 31 does not necessarily have to be in contact with the panel 7, and there may be a gap of about 1 mm or less. Having such a gap allows the unevenness of the surface of the panel 7 to be absorbed, and the pressing part 31 does not come into contact with (butt against) the panel 7, thus preventing the pressing member 30 from moving to the pressed position and avoiding problems such as the pressing of the pressing member 30 not being detected.

[0050] (effect) With this configuration, if excessive force is applied to the pressing member 30 in the button unit 10, the pressing portion 31 and the panel 7 come into contact, and the force can be absorbed at the contact point. This prevents the force applied to the pressing member 30 from concentrating on the restricting portion 15, thereby preventing or suppressing damage to the first stepped portion 26 of the case member 20 and the second stepped portion 36 of the pressing member 30, which constitute the restricting portion 15.

[0051] Furthermore, by configuring the pressing portion 31 to be in close proximity to or in contact with the panel 7 surrounding the mounting hole 7a along its entire outer circumference, it is possible to receive force over a wider area. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress damage to the first stepped portion 26 of the case member 20 and the second stepped portion 36 of the pressing member 30, which constitute the restricting portion 15 more effectively.

[0052] Furthermore, the case member 20 is attached to the panel 7 such that the flange portion 22 abuts against the surface side of the panel 7 around the mounting hole 7a. In this configuration, the force applied to the pressing member 30 is also applied to the portion where the flange portion 22 and the panel 7 abut via the first stepped portion 26 of the restricting portion 15. Therefore, there is a risk of damage to the flange portion 22. With the above configuration, such damage to the flange portion 22 can be prevented or suppressed.

[0053] Furthermore, in the configuration of the conventional button unit 110 (see Figures 11 and 12) described above, increasing the size of the pressable portion 131 naturally increases the size of the case member 120, requiring a larger internal space below the panel 7. However, while there is ample space above the panel 7, it is difficult to enlarge the internal space below the panel 7 where other components are located.

[0054] In contrast, with the above configuration, the size and shape of the press-button portion 31 can be designed without being limited by the size of the case member 20 when viewed from above and its internal shape (the shape of the hole in the cylindrical case member 20). This expands the design possibilities of the press-button portion 31.

[0055] Furthermore, since the case body 32 and the pressing part 31 are separate parts, the case member 20 and the case body 32 are common parts, and the shape and size of the pressing part attached to the case body 32 can be freely designed according to the space on the surface side of the installation surface of the gaming machine body.

[0056] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing variations of the pressable portion 31 in the button unit 10. As shown in the figures labeled 801 to 804 in Figure 8, the shape and size of the pressable portion 31 attached to the case body 32 can be freely designed according to the space on the surface side of the panel 7.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the upper opening of the case member 20 is completely covered by the pressing portion 31, so even if a liquid such as a beverage is spilled on the button unit 10, it is difficult for it to penetrate into the inside of the button unit 10. This effectively suppresses malfunctions of the button unit 10 caused by the liquid that has penetrated it.

[0058] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0059] Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the button unit 10A in its normal state according to this embodiment. Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the button unit 10 shown in Figure 9 in the pressed state.

[0060] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the difference between the button unit 10A and the button unit 10 according to the previously described embodiment (see Figures 3 to 6) lies in the flange portion of the case member 20. The flange portion 22A of the case member 20 of the button unit 10A is formed to be thicker than the flange portion 22 of the case member 20 of the button unit 10.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9, if H1 is the height of the flange portion 22A, and H2 is the distance between the lower surface 31c, which is the side of the pressing portion 31 facing the mounting hole 7a in the normal state when the pressing member 30 is not pressed, and the panel 7 surrounding the mounting hole 7a, then H1 > H2.

[0062] This configuration effectively prevents liquids such as beverages spilled on panel 7 from overflowing the flange portion 22A and entering the interior of the button unit 10A.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1. Pachislo machine (gaming machine) 6 MAX Bet Switch 7 Panels (Gaming machine main unit) 7a Mounting hole 10, 10A button unit 15 Regulatory Department 20 Case components 21 Storage Unit 22, 22A Flange section 23 Bottom 25-1 First cylindrical section 25-2 Second cylindrical section 25-3 Third cylindrical section 26. First step section (regulating section) 30 Pressing member 31 Pressing part 31c bottom surface 32 Case Body 32a Light shielding piece 35-1 First sliding part 35-2 Second sliding part 36. Second step section (regulating section) 43 LED (light source)

Claims

1. A button unit that is attached to the mounting hole of the gaming machine body, A cylindrical case member that is attached to the mounting hole, A pressing member is movably housed inside the case member, The case member comprises a restricting portion that abuts against the case member and the pressing member inside the case member, thereby restricting the movement of the pressing member in the pressing direction. The pressing member has a pressing portion that receives a pressing operation, The pressing portion is larger than the case member when viewed from the pressing direction, and the button unit is provided so as to be in close proximity to or in contact with the gaming machine body around the mounting hole when the movement of the pressing member is restricted by the restricting portion.

2. The button unit according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion is in close proximity to or in contact with the gaming machine body around the mounting hole at the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the pressing portion.

3. The case member has a flange portion extending outward from the center of the case member at the end on the side where the pressing portion is located, and is attached so as to abut the flange portion against the surface side of the gaming machine body around the mounting hole. The button unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein H1 is the height of the flange portion, and H2 is the distance between the side surface of the mounting hole of the pressing portion and the gaming machine body around the mounting hole in the normal state when not pressed, and H1 > H2.

4. The case member is equipped with a light source located inside the case member, The pressing member is, A case body that is cylindrical and slides inside the case member, The case body comprises the pressing portion provided at one end in the axial direction, The button unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressing portion transmits light irradiated from the light source.

5. The button unit according to claim 4, wherein the case body and the pressing part are made of separate parts, and the pressing part is attached to the case body.

6. A gaming machine comprising the button unit according to claim 1 or 2.

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