US20060091602A1 - Reel unit - Google Patents
Reel unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060091602A1 US20060091602A1 US10/985,025 US98502504A US2006091602A1 US 20060091602 A1 US20060091602 A1 US 20060091602A1 US 98502504 A US98502504 A US 98502504A US 2006091602 A1 US2006091602 A1 US 2006091602A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- reel
- frame body
- speed reduction
- reduction gear
- center
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
- G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
- G07F17/3211—Display means
- G07F17/3213—Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
Definitions
- This invention relates to a reel unit built in a gaming machine such as a slot machine and having a reel on the outer periphery of which a plurality of kinds of symbols are successively formed.
- the gaming machine such as a slot machine incorporates a reel unit as a game device which rotatably supports a reel with a plurality of kinds of symbols successively formed thereon.
- the reel unit of the slot machine as disclosed in JP-A-10-71240, supports three reels on the same axis.
- a start lever When a player operates a start lever, all the reels are driven.
- a stopping button When the player operates a stopping button, each reel is stop-controlled individually.
- a game media medal, coin, etc.
- the above reel unit generally includes stepping motors corresponding to the respective reels. With the output axis of each stepping motor being directly fit in a central axis hole of the reel, driving and stop-control of each reel are executed.
- This invention has been accomplished in order to overcome the above problem and intends to provide a reel unit through which the reel can be precisely stopped without losing smoothness in motor braking.
- a reel unit including: a reel equipped with a frame body, on the outer periphery of which a plurality of kinds of symbols are formed; a driving motor for driving the reel; and a speed reduction gear for reducing an output from the driving motor, arranged at the center of the frame body so that it can be rotated integrally to the frame body, wherein an engaging portion is formed radially outside the center of the frame body and an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion is formed at the corresponding position of the speed reduction gear.
- the reel and the speed reduction gear are integrally rotatably fixed radially outside their centers by the engaging portion and the engaged portion, backlash which is likely to occur during the rotation of the reel can be effectively suppressed.
- the engaging portion and engaged portion are formed to constitute a baffle between the reel and the speed reduction gear at the area on which great inertial force of the reel acts (area radially outside from the center), baffling of both reel and speed reduction gear can be effectively carried out, thereby effectively preventing the backlash at the time of starting and stopping of the rotation. When the reel is stopped or started, this prevents a player from being given a sense of visual disorder such as the symbols formed on the surface of the reel deviating from the proper positions, or the backlash state of the reel being recognized.
- the reel and the speed reduction gear are integrally rotatably fixed radially outside their centers by the engaging portion and the engaged portion, backlash of the reel which is likely to occur owing to the inertial force at the time of starting or stopping of the reel can be effectively suppressed. This prevents a player from being given a sense of visual disorder such as the symbols formed on the surface of the reel deviating from the proper positions, or the backlash state of the reel being visually recognized.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of the slot machine incorporating a reel unit according to this invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the schematic configuration of the reel unit
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of the frame body constituting a reel which is rotatably supported by the reel unit;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting relationship between the frame body shown in FIG. 3 and a speed reduction gear;
- FIG. 5 is a view showing a modification of this invention which is a perspective view of a part of the frame body constituting the reel;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting relationship between the frame body shown in FIG. 5 and a speed reduction gear.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the slot machine according to this invention.
- FIG. 2 is a view showing the schematic structure of a reel unit built in the slot machine.
- a slot machine 1 has a cabinet 3 provided with a door (front door) which is openable/closable on the front face.
- the door 2 has a game region 2 a above a nearly central position on the front face.
- square display windows 4 L, 4 C and 4 R are provided from which the respective reels 3 L, 3 C and 3 R of the reel unit described later are exposed.
- a symbol column composed of a plurality of kinds of symbols is drawn. The symbols drawn on each reel can be visually recognized through the display window 4 L, 4 C, 4 R.
- Each reel is designed to be rotatable at a constant speed (e.g. 80 revolutions/minute).
- a control panel 5 which is a nearly horizontal face is formed.
- a BET button 6 is provided for betting a credited medal by a button operation.
- a medal insertion slot 7 in which a medal or a game medium is inserted is provided.
- a C/P button 8 is provided for switching the credit/paying of the medal(s) acquired in the game by the player by a pushing button operation. By switching the C/P button 8 , the medal(s) is paid from a medal paying mouth at the lower part of the front face and accumulated in a medal receiving portion 10 .
- a starting lever 12 is provided for rotating the reels 3 L, 3 C and 3 R by the operation of the player.
- the starting lever 12 is attached to be movable within a predetermined angular range.
- three stopping buttons 13 L, 13 C and 13 R are provided for stopping the rotation of the above three reels 3 L, 3 C and 3 R, respectively.
- the configuration can be modified, as the stopping buttons do not exist.
- a bonus game information display segment 16 On the game region 2 a are provided a bonus game information display segment 16 , BET lamps 17 a - 17 c , a paying display segment 18 , a credit display segment 19 , etc. These elements are displayed (lit) according the status of the game.
- the respective reels 3 L, 3 C and 3 R start to rotate.
- the stopping button 13 L, 13 C or 13 C the corresponding reel 3 L, 3 C or 3 R stops rotation.
- the manner of win is determined by a combination of the symbols of the respective reels which is visually recognized through the display windows 4 L, 4 C and 4 R.
- the medal(s) the number of which corresponds to the manner of win is paid out in the medal receiving portion 10 .
- FIG. 2 is a view showing the schematic structure of the reel unit mounted within the cabinet 3 of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1 .
- the stepping motor is arranged at the position shifted from the central axis of the reel, and a speed reduction transmission mechanism (speed reduction gear) is arranged between the output of the stepping motor and the central axis of the reel.
- a speed reduction transmission mechanism speed reduction gear
- the reel unit 20 is provided with a base plate. On the base plate, three attaching plates 21 for rotatably supporting the reels 3 L, 3 C and 3 R, respectively are provided in parallel and adjacently to each other. On each attaching plate 21 , a driving motor (illustrated for only the reel 3 L) is provided at a position shifted from the central position of the reel. The rotation and stopping of the reel is controlled in such a manner that the driving and stopping of the driving motor 22 is controlled.
- the reel 3 L includes a pair of ring-shaped frame bodies 30 and 31 and a symbol sheet 35 with a continuous symbol column drawn thereon which is provided on the outer periphery of each frame body 30 , 31 .
- the ring-shaped frame body 30 as seen from FIG. 3 , includes an outer ring 30 a , a central support 30 b and a plurality of spokes 30 c coupled therebetween. These elements are integrally formed of synthetic resin.
- the frame body 31 opposite to the frame body 30 includes no spoke so that it does not interfere with the driving motor 22 and driving force transmission mechanism attached to the attaching plate 21 , and is construed of an outer ring 31 a .
- the frame body 31 is integrally formed of synthetic resin.
- the outer rings 30 a and 31 a of both frame bodies 30 and 31 may be coupled with each other by a coupling member as the need arises. Both frame bodies may be integrally formed.
- a speed reduction gear 40 is firmly fit, at its center, in the central support 30 b of the frame body 30 ; the speed reduction gear 40 is engaged with an output gear 22 a fixed to the output axis of the driving motor 22 to constitute the driving force transmission mechanism.
- the central support 30 b of the frame body 30 includes a fitting slot 30 d formed in a non-circular shape (D-cut), a plurality of ribs 30 e formed at nearly regular intervals so that they extend radially outward from the circumferential wall defining the fitting slot 30 d with their one ends being connected to the circumferential wall, the ribs being formed in order to reinforce the fitting hole 30 d , and a circular wall 30 f to which the other end of each rib 30 e is connected.
- a fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear 40 is fit in the fitting slot 30 d.
- the speed reduction gear 40 includes a fitting protrusion 40 a protruded from its center and cut in a sectional non-circular shape (D-cut); the fitting protrusion 40 a to be firmly fit in the above fitting slot 30 d .
- the fitting protrusion 40 a has a circular slot 40 b which axially passes therethrough and is adapted to be rotatably supported by a supporting shaft (not shown) fixed to the attaching plate 21 .
- the frame body 30 and the speed reduction gear 40 are adapted to be integrally rotatable because the fitting protrusion 40 a is fit in the above fitting slot 30 d and the fitting shape is non-circular. Further, between the frame body 30 and speed reduction gear 40 , an engaging portion and an engaged portion are formed radially outside their fitting areas (centers), respectively so that they can be more integrally rotated during rotation.
- the engaging portion formed in the frame body 30 is composed of a plurality of ribs 30 e formed to extend radially outward from the circumferential wall defining the fitting slot 30 d .
- the engaged portion formed in the speed reduction gear 40 is composed of recesses 40 d formed at nearly regular intervals in a circular wall 40 c formed protrusively around the fitting protrusion 40 a .
- the recess 40 d has a width enough for the rib 30 e to be fit tightly therein to produce no backlash therebetween (i.e. the width approximately equal to that of the rib 30 e ).
- the recesses 40 c are at three positions formed at intervals of about 120 degrees so that they are engaged alternately of the ribs 30 e formed at the intervals of about 60 degrees.
- the reel 3 L and speed reduction gear 40 designed as described above are mounted on the attaching plate 21 of the reel unit 20 in the following procedure.
- the fitting protrusion 40 a of the speed reduction gear 40 is fit in the fitting slot 30 d formed at the central portion of the frame body 30 constituting the reel.
- the recesses 40 d (engaged portion) of the speed reduction gear 40 are engaged with the ribs (engaging portion) 30 e of the frame body 30 .
- the reel 3 L and the speed reduction gear 40 are integrated.
- the circular slot 40 b of the speed reduction gear 40 integrated with the frame body 30 is passed over the supporting shaft so that the speed reduction gear 40 is rotatably supported by the attaching plate. In this state, the speed reduction gear 40 is engaged with the output gear 22 a of the driving motor 22 .
- the reel 3 L is rotatably supported on the attaching plate 21 .
- the reels 3 C and 3 R are also rotatably supported by the corresponding attaching plates 21 by means of the same structure.
- the reel 3 L ( 3 C, 3 R) and the speed reduction gear 40 are adapted to be integrally rotatable by the engaging slot 30 d and engaging protrusion 40 a at their centers and baffle-fixed radially outside there by the ribs 30 e and recesses 40 d .
- This increases a baffle effect between the reel and the speed reduction gear and hence surely prevents backlash from occurring at the time of starting or stopping of the reel. More specifically, when the reel is stopped or rotated, this prevents the player from being given a sense of visual disorder such as the symbols formed on the surface of the reel deviating from the positions to stop properly, or the backlash state of the reel being recognized.
- the reel and speed reduction gear are baffle-fixed radially outside their fitting areas so that the effect of baffling is enhanced, thereby permitting the backlash to be effectively prevented.
- the engaging portion (ribs 30 e ) of the frame body 30 and the engaged portion (recesses 40 d ) of the speed reduction gear 40 which baffle-fix the reel and the speed reduction gear are formed radially outside their fitting areas and at nearly regular intervals in their circumferential direction. For this reason, the inertial force in the circumferential direction can be uniformly acted on the respective ribs 30 e so that the backlash between the reel 3 L and the speed reduction gear 40 can be effectively suppressed.
- the frame body 30 generally constituting the reel 3 L employs the ribs 30 e for reinforcement formed on the circumferential wall defining the central fitting slot 30 d as they are, the recesses 40 d in which the ribs fit, respectively have only to be formed around the fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear 40 . This reduces the manufacturing cost.
- the reel and the speed reduction gear are firmly fit to each other at their centers, at the time of starting or stopping of the reel, the backlash therebetween can be suppressed more surely.
- the ribs for reinforcement formed on the circumferential wall defining the central fitting slot are employed as they are, the recesses in which the ribs fit, respectively have only to be formed around the fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear. This reduces the labor of machining.
- the method of engaging the engaging portion and engaged portion with each other can be modified in various manners as long as they are formed radially outside their respective centers of the frame body 30 and the speed reduction gear 40 to constitute the baffle therebetween.
- recess 30 g serving as an engaging portion being formed in the circular wall 30 f on the side of the frame body 30
- protrusion 40 e to fit in the recesses 30 g respectively may be formed around the fitting protrusion 40 a of the speed reduction gear 40 .
- the recesses 30 g and protrusions 40 e are preferably formed at nearly regular intervals in the circumferential direction.
- the structure of the frame body 30 constituting the reel As the occasion demands, proper modifications can be made for the structure of the frame body 30 constituting the reel, arrangement of the driving force transmission mechanism, manner of supporting the reel by the reel unit. Further, as long as the frame body 30 and the speed reduction gear 40 are integrally rotatably adapted, contrary to the above embodiment, the fitting protrusion may be provided in the frame body whereas the fitting slot may be provided in the speed reduction gear. Otherwise, without providing the fitting slot and the fitting protrusion at the central portions of the frame body 30 and speed reduction gear 40 , the baffle therebetween may be constituted by only the engaging portion and engaged portion.
- This invention can be applied to various gaming machines incorporating a reel unit equipped with a reel as well as the slot machine explained with reference to the embodiment.
Abstract
A reel unit according to this invention includes a reel equipped with a frame body 30, on the outer periphery of which a plurality of kinds of symbols are formed; a driving motor 30 for driving the reel; and a speed reduction gear 40 for reducing an output from the driving motor, arranged at the center of the frame body so that it can be rotated integrally to the frame body. The reel unit is characterized in that an engaging portion 30 is formed radially outside its center of the frame body and an engaged portion 40 to be engaged with the engaging portion is formed at the corresponding position of the speed reduction gear 40.
Description
- This application is based upon and claims a priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-37993 filed on Nov. 10, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/697,085 entitled to “Motor Stop Control Device” filed on Oct. 31, 2003 and Ser. No. 10/697,085 entitled to “Motor stop control device utilizable for reel-type gaming machine” filed on Apr. 29, 2004. The co-pending applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to a reel unit built in a gaming machine such as a slot machine and having a reel on the outer periphery of which a plurality of kinds of symbols are successively formed.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- The gaming machine such as a slot machine incorporates a reel unit as a game device which rotatably supports a reel with a plurality of kinds of symbols successively formed thereon. Generally, the reel unit of the slot machine, as disclosed in JP-A-10-71240, supports three reels on the same axis. When a player operates a start lever, all the reels are driven. When the player operates a stopping button, each reel is stop-controlled individually. When the exposed symbols of the stopped reels become prescribed symbols (when a prize symbol holds), a game media (medal, coin, etc.) is given for the player.
- As disclosed in JP-A-10-71240, the above reel unit generally includes stepping motors corresponding to the respective reels. With the output axis of each stepping motor being directly fit in a central axis hole of the reel, driving and stop-control of each reel are executed.
- However, an inertial force acted on the reel to a certain degree in a rotating direction occasionally presents precisely stopping the symbols on the reel. This gives an inconvenience of giving a sense of visual disorder to the player such as the symbols when stopped slightly deviating from the positions to stop properly when seen from the player, the backlash state of the reel being visually recognized during stopping, etc.
- This invention has been accomplished in order to overcome the above problem and intends to provide a reel unit through which the reel can be precisely stopped without losing smoothness in motor braking.
- In order to solve the above problem, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a reel unit including: a reel equipped with a frame body, on the outer periphery of which a plurality of kinds of symbols are formed; a driving motor for driving the reel; and a speed reduction gear for reducing an output from the driving motor, arranged at the center of the frame body so that it can be rotated integrally to the frame body, wherein an engaging portion is formed radially outside the center of the frame body and an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion is formed at the corresponding position of the speed reduction gear.
- In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, since the reel and the speed reduction gear are integrally rotatably fixed radially outside their centers by the engaging portion and the engaged portion, backlash which is likely to occur during the rotation of the reel can be effectively suppressed. Specifically, since the engaging portion and engaged portion are formed to constitute a baffle between the reel and the speed reduction gear at the area on which great inertial force of the reel acts (area radially outside from the center), baffling of both reel and speed reduction gear can be effectively carried out, thereby effectively preventing the backlash at the time of starting and stopping of the rotation. When the reel is stopped or started, this prevents a player from being given a sense of visual disorder such as the symbols formed on the surface of the reel deviating from the proper positions, or the backlash state of the reel being recognized.
- In accordance with the reel unit according to this invention, since the reel and the speed reduction gear are integrally rotatably fixed radially outside their centers by the engaging portion and the engaged portion, backlash of the reel which is likely to occur owing to the inertial force at the time of starting or stopping of the reel can be effectively suppressed. This prevents a player from being given a sense of visual disorder such as the symbols formed on the surface of the reel deviating from the proper positions, or the backlash state of the reel being visually recognized.
- These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of the slot machine incorporating a reel unit according to this invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the schematic configuration of the reel unit; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of the frame body constituting a reel which is rotatably supported by the reel unit; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting relationship between the frame body shown inFIG. 3 and a speed reduction gear; -
FIG. 5 is a view showing a modification of this invention which is a perspective view of a part of the frame body constituting the reel; and -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting relationship between the frame body shown inFIG. 5 and a speed reduction gear. - Now referring to the attached drawings, a detailed explanation will be given of an embodiment of the reel unit according to this invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the slot machine according to this invention.FIG. 2 is a view showing the schematic structure of a reel unit built in the slot machine. - As seen from
FIG. 1 , a slot machine 1 has acabinet 3 provided with a door (front door) which is openable/closable on the front face. Thedoor 2 has agame region 2 a above a nearly central position on the front face. On thegame region 2,square display windows respective reels display window - Beneath the
game region 2 a, acontrol panel 5 which is a nearly horizontal face is formed. On the left side of thecontrol panel 5, aBET button 6 is provided for betting a credited medal by a button operation. On the right side of thecontrol panel 5, amedal insertion slot 7 in which a medal or a game medium is inserted is provided. At the left end of the front face, a C/P button 8 is provided for switching the credit/paying of the medal(s) acquired in the game by the player by a pushing button operation. By switching the C/P button 8, the medal(s) is paid from a medal paying mouth at the lower part of the front face and accumulated in amedal receiving portion 10. - On the right side of the C/
P button 8, astarting lever 12 is provided for rotating thereels starting lever 12 is attached to be movable within a predetermined angular range. Further, at the central portion on the front face of thecontrol panel 5 and on the right side of thestarting lever 12, threestopping buttons reels - Besides, the configuration can be modified, as the stopping buttons do not exist.
- On the
game region 2 a are provided a bonus gameinformation display segment 16, BET lamps 17 a-17 c, a payingdisplay segment 18, acredit display segment 19, etc. These elements are displayed (lit) according the status of the game. - When the player inserts the medal(s) in the medal insertion slot and operates the
starting lever 12, therespective reels stopping button corresponding reel display windows medal receiving portion 10. -
FIG. 2 is a view showing the schematic structure of the reel unit mounted within thecabinet 3 of the slot machine shown inFIG. 1 . - In this embodiment, for the purpose of downsizing the stepping motor arranged to correspond to each reel, the stepping motor is arranged at the position shifted from the central axis of the reel, and a speed reduction transmission mechanism (speed reduction gear) is arranged between the output of the stepping motor and the central axis of the reel. In such a configuration, with the central axis hole of the frame body constituting each reel being formed in a sectional non-circular shape, a protrusion formed in a sectional non-circular shape at the center of the speed reduction gear is fit in this central axis hole so that both can be rotated integrally.
- The
reel unit 20 is provided with a base plate. On the base plate, three attachingplates 21 for rotatably supporting thereels plate 21, a driving motor (illustrated for only thereel 3L) is provided at a position shifted from the central position of the reel. The rotation and stopping of the reel is controlled in such a manner that the driving and stopping of the drivingmotor 22 is controlled. - Now, an explanation will be given of the configuration of
- the reel and that of the driving force transmission mechanism arranged between the output axis of the driving motor and the reel. Incidentally, since each
reel reel 3L. - The
reel 3L includes a pair of ring-shapedframe bodies symbol sheet 35 with a continuous symbol column drawn thereon which is provided on the outer periphery of eachframe body frame body 30, as seen fromFIG. 3 , includes anouter ring 30 a, acentral support 30 b and a plurality ofspokes 30 c coupled therebetween. These elements are integrally formed of synthetic resin. Theframe body 31 opposite to theframe body 30 includes no spoke so that it does not interfere with the drivingmotor 22 and driving force transmission mechanism attached to the attachingplate 21, and is construed of anouter ring 31 a. Like theframe body 30, theframe body 31 is integrally formed of synthetic resin. Incidentally, the outer rings 30 a and 31 a of bothframe bodies - A
speed reduction gear 40 is firmly fit, at its center, in thecentral support 30 b of theframe body 30; thespeed reduction gear 40 is engaged with anoutput gear 22 a fixed to the output axis of the drivingmotor 22 to constitute the driving force transmission mechanism. More specifically, thecentral support 30 b of theframe body 30 includes afitting slot 30 d formed in a non-circular shape (D-cut), a plurality ofribs 30 e formed at nearly regular intervals so that they extend radially outward from the circumferential wall defining thefitting slot 30 d with their one ends being connected to the circumferential wall, the ribs being formed in order to reinforce thefitting hole 30 d, and acircular wall 30 f to which the other end of eachrib 30 e is connected. A fitting protrusion of thespeed reduction gear 40 is fit in thefitting slot 30 d. - The
speed reduction gear 40, as seen fromFIG. 4 , includes afitting protrusion 40 a protruded from its center and cut in a sectional non-circular shape (D-cut); thefitting protrusion 40 a to be firmly fit in the abovefitting slot 30 d. Incidentally, thefitting protrusion 40 a has acircular slot 40 b which axially passes therethrough and is adapted to be rotatably supported by a supporting shaft (not shown) fixed to the attachingplate 21. - The
frame body 30 and thespeed reduction gear 40 are adapted to be integrally rotatable because thefitting protrusion 40 a is fit in the abovefitting slot 30 d and the fitting shape is non-circular. Further, between theframe body 30 andspeed reduction gear 40, an engaging portion and an engaged portion are formed radially outside their fitting areas (centers), respectively so that they can be more integrally rotated during rotation. - In this embodiment, the engaging portion formed in the
frame body 30 is composed of a plurality ofribs 30 e formed to extend radially outward from the circumferential wall defining thefitting slot 30 d. The engaged portion formed in thespeed reduction gear 40 is composed ofrecesses 40 d formed at nearly regular intervals in acircular wall 40 c formed protrusively around thefitting protrusion 40 a. In this case, therecess 40 d has a width enough for therib 30 e to be fit tightly therein to produce no backlash therebetween (i.e. the width approximately equal to that of therib 30 e). Therecesses 40 c are at three positions formed at intervals of about 120 degrees so that they are engaged alternately of theribs 30 e formed at the intervals of about 60 degrees. - The
reel 3L andspeed reduction gear 40 designed as described above are mounted on the attachingplate 21 of thereel unit 20 in the following procedure. - The
fitting protrusion 40 a of thespeed reduction gear 40 is fit in thefitting slot 30 d formed at the central portion of theframe body 30 constituting the reel. Therecesses 40 d (engaged portion) of thespeed reduction gear 40 are engaged with the ribs (engaging portion) 30 e of theframe body 30. Thus, thereel 3L and thespeed reduction gear 40 are integrated. With the supporting shaft (not shown) being fixed to the attaching plate, thecircular slot 40 b of thespeed reduction gear 40 integrated with theframe body 30 is passed over the supporting shaft so that thespeed reduction gear 40 is rotatably supported by the attaching plate. In this state, thespeed reduction gear 40 is engaged with theoutput gear 22 a of the drivingmotor 22. - By mounting a vibration damping (backlash preventing)
screw 50, acollar 51, a tighteningscrew 52, etc. for the supporting shaft from the protruding side, thereel 3L is rotatably supported on the attachingplate 21. It should be noted that thereels plates 21 by means of the same structure. - In accordance with the reel unit having the configuration described above, the
reel 3L (3C, 3R) and thespeed reduction gear 40 are adapted to be integrally rotatable by the engagingslot 30 d and engagingprotrusion 40 a at their centers and baffle-fixed radially outside there by theribs 30 e and recesses 40 d. This increases a baffle effect between the reel and the speed reduction gear and hence surely prevents backlash from occurring at the time of starting or stopping of the reel. More specifically, when the reel is stopped or rotated, this prevents the player from being given a sense of visual disorder such as the symbols formed on the surface of the reel deviating from the positions to stop properly, or the backlash state of the reel being recognized. Namely, at the time of stopping when high load acts on the reel, the inertial force of the reel is concentrated on the central fitting area, and also at the time of starting when the high load acts on the speed reduction gear, great force urging the reel to rotate occurs. Therefore, possible manufacturing error and/or secular change existing between the reel and the speed reduction gear gives rise to the backlash. However, in accordance with this embodiment, the reel and speed reduction gear are baffle-fixed radially outside their fitting areas so that the effect of baffling is enhanced, thereby permitting the backlash to be effectively prevented. - Further, in accordance with this embodiment, the engaging portion (
ribs 30 e) of theframe body 30 and the engaged portion (recesses 40 d) of thespeed reduction gear 40 which baffle-fix the reel and the speed reduction gear are formed radially outside their fitting areas and at nearly regular intervals in their circumferential direction. For this reason, the inertial force in the circumferential direction can be uniformly acted on therespective ribs 30 e so that the backlash between thereel 3L and thespeed reduction gear 40 can be effectively suppressed. In the configuration described above, since theframe body 30 generally constituting thereel 3L employs theribs 30 e for reinforcement formed on the circumferential wall defining the centralfitting slot 30 d as they are, therecesses 40 d in which the ribs fit, respectively have only to be formed around the fitting protrusion of thespeed reduction gear 40. This reduces the manufacturing cost. - Further, in accordance with this embodiment, since the inertial force which circumferentially acts uniformly acts on the engaging portion and engaged portion uniformly, the backlash between the frame body of the reel and the speed reduction gear can be suppressed more effectively.
- Further, in accordance with this embodiment, since the reel and the speed reduction gear are firmly fit to each other at their centers, at the time of starting or stopping of the reel, the backlash therebetween can be suppressed more surely. Further, in the frame body generally constituting the reel, the ribs for reinforcement formed on the circumferential wall defining the central fitting slot are employed as they are, the recesses in which the ribs fit, respectively have only to be formed around the fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear. This reduces the labor of machining.
- Although the embodiment of this invention has been explained hitherto, this invention can be carried out in various modifications other than the embodiment explained above. For example, the method of engaging the engaging portion and engaged portion with each other can be modified in various manners as long as they are formed radially outside their respective centers of the
frame body 30 and thespeed reduction gear 40 to constitute the baffle therebetween. For example, as seen fromFIGS. 5 and 6 , withrecess 30 g serving as an engaging portion being formed in thecircular wall 30 f on the side of theframe body 30,protrusion 40 e to fit in therecesses 30 g, respectively may be formed around thefitting protrusion 40 a of thespeed reduction gear 40. If a plurality ofrecesses 30 g andprotrusions 40 e exists, it is needless to say that in such a configuration, therecesses 30 g andprotrusions 40 e are preferably formed at nearly regular intervals in the circumferential direction. - As the occasion demands, proper modifications can be made for the structure of the
frame body 30 constituting the reel, arrangement of the driving force transmission mechanism, manner of supporting the reel by the reel unit. Further, as long as theframe body 30 and thespeed reduction gear 40 are integrally rotatably adapted, contrary to the above embodiment, the fitting protrusion may be provided in the frame body whereas the fitting slot may be provided in the speed reduction gear. Otherwise, without providing the fitting slot and the fitting protrusion at the central portions of theframe body 30 andspeed reduction gear 40, the baffle therebetween may be constituted by only the engaging portion and engaged portion. - This invention can be applied to various gaming machines incorporating a reel unit equipped with a reel as well as the slot machine explained with reference to the embodiment.
Claims (6)
1. A reel unit comprising:
a reel equipped with a frame body, on the outer periphery of which a plurality of symbols are formed;
a driving motor for driving the reel; and
a speed reduction gear for reducing an output from the driving motor, arranged at center of the frame body so that the reel is rotated integrally to the frame body, wherein
an engaging portion is formed radially outside the center of the frame body and an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion is formed at a corresponding position of the speed reduction gear.
2. The reel unit according to claim 1 , wherein
the engaging portion and the engaged portion are formed at nearly uniform positions in a circumferential direction.
3. The reel unit according to claim 1 , wherein
the frame body and the speed reduction gear are baffle-fixed by a fitting slot formed at the center of the frame body and a fitting protrusion formed at the center of the speed reduction gear and to be fit in the fitting slot; and
the engaging portion including a plurality of ribs formed to radially outward from a circumferential wall defining the fitting slot, and the engaged portion including a plurality of recesses to be fit over the plurality of ribs, respectively formed around the fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear.
4. The reel unit according to claim 1 , wherein
the frame body and the speed reduction gear are baffle-fixed by a fitting slot formed at the center of the frame body and a fitting protrusion formed at the center of the speed reduction gear and to be fit in the fitting slot; and
the engaging portion includes a recess formed to radially outward from a circumferential wall defining the fitting slot; and
the engaged portion includes a rib to be fit over the recess formed around the fitting protrusion of the speed reduction gear.
5. The reel unit according to claim 1 , further comprising
a circumferential wall defining a fitting slot formed at the center of the frame body, wherein
the engaging portion is defined in an outer peripheral surface of the circumferential wall.
6. A gaming machine comprising
a reel unit, wherein
the reel unit comprises:
a reel equipped with a frame body, on the outer periphery of which a plurality of symbols are formed;
a driving motor for driving the reel; and
a speed reduction gear for reducing an output from the driving motor, arranged at center of the frame body so that the reel is rotated integrally to the frame body, wherein
an engaging portion is formed radially outside the center of the frame body and an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion is formed at a corresponding position of the speed reduction gear.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003379937A JP2005137765A (en) | 2003-11-10 | 2003-11-10 | Reel unit |
JPP.2003-379937 | 2003-11-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060091602A1 true US20060091602A1 (en) | 2006-05-04 |
Family
ID=34431389
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/985,025 Abandoned US20060091602A1 (en) | 2003-11-10 | 2004-11-10 | Reel unit |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060091602A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1530176A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2005137765A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100522297C (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004229025A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200409106B (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102289888A (en) * | 2010-06-16 | 2011-12-21 | 安德米罗有限公司 | Method and driving device for roulette game machine |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2009201719A1 (en) | 2008-05-05 | 2009-11-19 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | A method of gaming and a gaming system |
JP4791507B2 (en) * | 2008-05-16 | 2011-10-12 | 株式会社バンダイ | Toy with a rotating body |
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- 2004-11-10 ZA ZA2004/09106A patent/ZA200409106B/en unknown
- 2004-11-10 AU AU2004229025A patent/AU2004229025A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-11-10 US US10/985,025 patent/US20060091602A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-11-10 CN CNB2004100954001A patent/CN100522297C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2005137765A (en) | 2005-06-02 |
EP1530176A3 (en) | 2006-08-30 |
CN1616129A (en) | 2005-05-18 |
AU2004229025A1 (en) | 2005-05-26 |
ZA200409106B (en) | 2005-09-28 |
CN100522297C (en) | 2009-08-05 |
EP1530176A2 (en) | 2005-05-11 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ARUZE CORP., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:EMORI, KAZUKI;REEL/FRAME:016252/0194 Effective date: 20041110 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |