WO2014035404A1

WO2014035404A1 - Game machine

Info

Publication number: WO2014035404A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/053138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daisuke Matsuki; Shoki Kogure; Masato Okuaki
Original assignee: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
Priority date: 2012-08-30
Filing date: 2012-08-30
Publication date: 2014-03-06

Abstract

The game machine (1) comprises: a center unit (3) in which a physical drawing is carried out; an outer unit (4) which encircles the center unit (3) in a state in which a space (S) for preventing physical contact with respect to the center unit (3) is secured; a beam member (30) which is disposed in the space (S) so as to be interposed between the center unit (3) and the outer unit (4), and is fixed to the center unit (3); and a pair of connectors (31) which connect the outer unit (4) and the beam member (30), and can be attached to and detached from the outer unit (4) and the beam member (3).

Description

GAME MACHINE

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a game machine for carrying out a physical drawing.

Background Art

[0002] Game machines which carry out a physical drawing such as a roulette game are widely known. For example, there is a game machine which includes a central drawing apparatus having an apparatus that carries out a physical drawing in which a ball enters any of a plurality of accommodation spaces, and a plurality of game terminals disposed around the central drawing apparatus (Patent Literature 1).

[0003] Patent Literature 1 : Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-36550.

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0004] In a game machine carrying out a physical drawing, there is a risk of the drawing result being changed due to vibration or impact applied from the outside. In order to ensure fairness in the drawing by preventing improprieties of applying vibration or impact from the outside, it is desirable to prevent the transmission of vibration or impact to the drawing-performing unit that performs the physical drawing.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine which can prevent the transmission of vibration or impact from the outside.

Solution to Problem

[0006] To solve the above problem, a game machine of the present invention includes: a center unit in which a physical drawing is carried out; an outer unit which encircles the center unit in a state in which a space for preventing physical contact with respect to the center unit is secured; a beam member which is disposed in the space so as to be interposed between the center unit and the outer unit, and is fixed to one of the center unit or the outer unit; and a connecting member which connects the other one of the center unit or the outer unit and the beam member, and can be attached to and detached from the other one of the center unit or the outer unit and the beam member.

[0007] According to the game machine, the space is secured between the center unit in which the physical drawing is carried out and an outer unit which encircles the center unit in order to prevent contact therebetween. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the impact or vibration applied to the outer unit from being transmitted to the center unit by removing the connecting member to release the connection of the beam member with the center unit or the outer unit. If the center unit or the outer unit and the beam member are connected by mounting the connecting member, the center unit and the outer unit are connected through the beam member and the connecting member. Thereby, when the center unit and the outer unit are provided on a predetermined floor, the center unit and the outer unit can be moved together in a state in which they are connected each other. Accordingly, when moving the game machine, it is not necessary to carry out the work of disassembling the outer unit encircling the center unit, moving the center unit and the outer unit separately, and returning to the original state by assembling the disassembled outer unit.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0008] Fig. 1 is a view showing a whole configuration of a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0009] Fig. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of a center unit of the game machine of Fig. 1.

[0010] Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of a base unit included in the center unit of Fig. 2.

[0011] Fig. 4A is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 1, which is a view showing operation of the game machine.

[0012] Fig. 4B is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 1 , which is a view showing movement of the game machine.

[0013] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the mounted state of a pair of connectors.

[0014] Fig. 6A is a view for explaining a first procedure of movement.

[0015] Fig. 6B is a view for explaining a second procedure of movement.

[0016] Fig. 6C is a view for explaining a third procedure of movement.

Description of Embodiments

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, a game machine 1 includes a plurality of station units 2, a center unit 3 that carries out a physical drawing, and an outer unit 4 that encircles the center unit 3. The outer unit 4 is interposed between the respective station units 2 and the center unit 3. The respective station units 2 are disposed around the center unit 3 through the outer unit 4.

[0018] In the station unit 2, for example, a slot game for spending and exchanging coins is provided. The slot game refers to a well-known game in which the display of a plurality of symbols is varied according to the drawing result and a predetermined bonus is given if the combination of the display of the plurality of symbols after variation forms a predetermined winning array. The station unit 2 has a housing 5 and a station monitor 6 is provided on the front of the housing 5. [0019] In the center unit 3, a so-called roulette game is provided under a condition that a predetermined game condition is satisfied in the slot game of the station unit 2. The roulette game is a well-known game in which a physical drawing is carried out using a circular roulette disk and a ball which makes rotary movement so as to follow the outer circumference of the roulette disk.

[0020] The center unit 3 includes a center monitor 11 and a roulette game unit RG. The roulette game unit RG has a roulette ring 12 and a ball guidepath 13 extending along the outer circumference of the roulette ring 12. The roulette ring 12 is disposed to be inclined in such a way that the side on which the station unit 2 is disposed is positioned lower and the opposite side is positioned higher. A plurality of pockets 14 are provided around the roulette ring 12, and each pocket 14 is related to a predetermined bonus.

[0021] A roulette game starts when a ball is put into the ball guidepath 13 by a ball input mechanism that is not shown and the roulette ring 12 rotates. The roulette game ends when the ball put into the ball guidepath 13 enters any of the pockets 14 provided in the roulette ring 12. A bonus is given according to the pocket 14 the ball enters.

[0022] An image corresponding to the hidden portion of the roulette ring 12 is displayed on the center monitor 11 so as to have connectivity with the roulette ring 12. While the roulette ring 12 is rotating, the image of the roulette ring 12 displayed on the center monitor 11 also rotates so as to virtually simulate the rotation of the roulette ring 12. Likewise, when the roulette ring 12 stops, the image of the roulette ring 12 displayed on the center monitor 11 also stops.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the center unit 3 includes a center game unit 3a and a base unit 3b as a drawing-performing unit. The center game unit 3a and the base unit 3b are independent of each other. That is, delivery and disposition are possible in the center game unit 3a only or the base unit 3b only. The center game unit 3a is disposed on the base unit 3b. The center monitor 11 and the roulette game unit RG are provided in the center game unit 3 a.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, a base table portion 20 is provided in the base unit 3b. The base table portion 20 is formed in a triangular shape in which three corners of the edge 20a are chamfered to form three chamfer portions 20b. In two of the three chamfer portions 20b, leveling machines 21 are provided. The leveling machine 21 is a machine for adjusting the inclination of the base table portion 20. More specifically, the leveling machines 21 are disposed so as to move the respective chamfer portions 20b upward and downward. Rollers 22 are provided on the base table portion 20. On the rollers 22, a support table 23 is rotatably provided around the center C. The support table 23 is a table for supporting the center game unit 3a. That is, the center game unit 3 a is disposed on the base table portion 20 through the support table 23. A rotation drive source 24 for rotating the support table 23 is provided inside the base table portion 20.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 4 A and 4B, the outer unit 4 encircles the center unit 3 in a state in which a space S for preventing physical contact with respect to the center unit 3 is secured. Three beam members 30, which are provided in different positions, are disposed in the space S. Each beam member 30 is interposed between the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4, and is fixed to the center unit 3. Specifically, each beam member 30 is fixed to the edge 20a of the base table portion 20, extends in the horizontal direction, and is disposed at the same height (see Fig. 5). As shown in Fig. 4B, in order to enable the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 to be moved together when the game machine 1 is moved, the respective beam member 30 and the outer unit 4 can be connected by a pair of connectors 31 as the connecting member. The respective connectors 31 are screw-fixed to the beam members 30 and the outer unit 4 to be mounted thereon. By loosening the screws, the respective connectors 31 can be detached from the beam members 30 and the outer units 4. That is, the respective connectors 31 can be attached to and detached from the beam member 30 and the outer unit 4. As shown in Fig. 4A, a total of eight screw holes 32 for fixing the connector 31 with screws are formed in predetermined positions in each of the beam members 30 and outer unit 4. Therefore, the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 are positioned in a predetermined positional relationship by mounting the respective connectors 31 on the beam members 30 and the outer unit 4. The respective connectors 31 are screw-fixed along the screw holes 32 formed in the predetermined positions, so that the positioning device related to the present invention is realized.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 6A, three maintenance holes 34 are formed in the outer unit 4 to enable the respective connectors 31 to be mounted from outside. Through these maintenance holes 34, it is possible to access from the outside a connection place at which the respective beam members 30 and the outer unit 4 are connected by the pair of connectors 31. Each maintenance hole 34 is opened and closed by a maintenance door 33.

[0027] To move the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 together, first, as shown in Fig. 6A, each maintenance door 33 is removed from the outer unit 4 to open the maintenance hole 34. After this work or simultaneously with this work, the lower panels 35 for hiding the leg portion 4a of the outer unit 4 are removed from the outer unit 4. By this, access from the outside to each connecting place becomes possible. Thus, as shown in Fig. 6B, the pair of connecting members 31 is mounted to each connecting place. Through this, the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 are connected while positioned in a predetermined positional relationship. Next, as shown in Fig. 6C, adjusters Ad which are provided in each of the leveling machines 21 of the base table portion 20 and the leg portion 4a of the outer unit 4 are retreated upwardly from the floor to make each caster Ca effective. Thus, the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 can be moved freely on the floor while positioned in the predetermined positional relationship. Then, in a sequence reverse to the above sequence, the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 can be returned to the state of operation in Fig. 4A. That is, the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 can be supported by the respective adjusters Ad by returning the respective adjusters Ad to the original positions and removing the connectors 31 to mount the respective maintenance doors 33 and the lower panels 35 to the outer unit 4, then these can be returned to the state of operation as shown in Fig. 4A.

[0028] According to the above game machine 1, the space S is secured between the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 to prevent contact therebetween, as shown in Fig. 4A. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the impact or vibration applied to the outer unit 4 from being transmitted to the center unit 3 when operating the game machine 1 with the respective connectors 31 removed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the impact or vibration applied to the outer unit 4 from affecting the roulette game played in the center unit 3. Further, by the mounting of the respective connectors 31 , the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 can be moved together in a connected state. Accordingly, when moving the game machine 1, it is not necessary to carry out the work of disassembling the outer unit 4 encircling the center unit 3, moving the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 separately, and returning to the original state by assembling the disassembled outer unit 4.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the beam members 30 are fixed at different positions and extend in a horizontal direction. Therefore, when both of the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 with the respective connectors 31 mounted thereon are moved horizontally, the deviation of moving force between the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 is mitigated. Thereby, it is possible to attain smooth movement. Further, since the beam members 30 are disposed at the same height, it is possible to suppress generation of moment in the direction in which the center unit 3 falls when moving the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, the respective beam members 30 are loaded on the center game unit 3a and are fixed to the edge 20a of the horizontally wide base table portion 20, as shown in Fig. 4B. Thus, force acts on the structurally robust and stable base table portion 20 when the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4 are moved. Therefore, smooth and stable movement becomes possible.

[0030] In the outer unit 4, the maintenance hole 34 which enables access from the outside to the connection place at which the connectors 31 are mounted is formed, and the maintenance door 33 which opens and closes the maintenance hole 34 is provided. Thus, it is not necessary to disassemble the outer unit 4 when the respective connectors 31 are attached and detached. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the work required for the movement of the center unit 3 and the outer unit 4.

[0031] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various forms within the gist of the present invention. A roulette game to be carried out by the center unit 3 is an example of a game involving the physical drawing. Therefore, games involving the physical drawing such as a bingo game may be played by the center unit. In short, the physical drawing refers to any drawing, the result of which is affected by disturbance such as vibration and impact.

[0032] The game machine 1 includes the beam members 30 fixed to the center unit 3, and the pair of connectors 31 as the connecting device for connecting the respective beam members 30 and the outer unit 4. However, it is also possible for each beam member to be fixed to the outer unit, and each beam member and the center unit to be connected by the connecting member to make them detachable.

[0033] The pair of connectors 31 shown is no more than one example of a connecting member. The connecting member may also be realized by one connector 31. In addition, the connecting member being screw-fixed is merely an example. As long as the connecting member can be attached to and detached from the center unit or the outer unit and the beam member, it is also possible to make the connecting member attachable to and detachable from the center unit or the outer unit and the beam member using various joining device such as a pin, fastener, or clip. When the connecting member is mounted on the center unit or the outer unit and the beam member using such the joining device, it is also possible to realize the positioning device related to the present invention by positioning the center unit and the outer unit in a predetermined positional relationship.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A game machine comprises:

a center unit in which a physical drawing is carried out;

an outer unit which encircles the center unit in a state in which a space for preventing physical contact with respect to the center unit is secured;

a beam member which is disposed in the space so as to be interposed between the center unit and the outer unit, and is fixed to one of the center unit or the outer unit; and

a connecting member which connects the other one of the center unit or the outer unit and the beam member, and can be attached to and detached from the other one of the center unit or the outer unit and the beam member.

2. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the beam members are provided in different positions, and the plurality of the beam members extend in the horizontal direction and are disposed at the same height, and

a plurality of the connecting members are provided for every beam member.

3. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the beam member is fixed to the center unit, and

the connecting member is attachable to and detachable from the center unit and the beam member.

4. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein the center unit includes a horizontally expanded base table portion, and a drawing-performing unit which is disposed on the base table portion to perform the physical drawing, and

the beam member extends in the horizontal direction and is fixed to an edge of the base table portion.

5. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the outer unit includes a maintenance door which opens and closes a maintenance hole enabling access from an outside to a connection place at which the center unit or the outer unit is connected with the beam member by the connecting member.

6. The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning device that positions the center unit and the outer unit in a predetermined positional relationship, when the beam member is connected with the center unit or the outer unit by the connecting member.