Game machine detachable coin sending device for coins inserted in a lump

A game machine wherein there is provided an attach-detach guide means D for guiding attaching and detaching of a coin-sending device C with respect to the game machine body 8 and causing an outlet passing C20 of the device C to be aligned with a communicating opening at the body 8 at an attach-finish position of the coin-sending device C with respect to the game machine body, thereby easily connecting passages and excellently receiving and transferring coins to a coin-payout hopper or the like arranged for following stages; upon detaching operation, the coin-sending device C is guided by the guide means D to be removed from the machine body 8, thereby simultaneously disengaging the outlet passage C20 from the communicating opening and providing simple separation of passages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The present invention relates to an improvement of a game machine, such as
 a reel-rotating type called a "Pachinko" type slot machine (abbreviated to
 "Pachi-slot"), a general type of slot machines, and other game machines
 including a so-called "Pachinko", "Arrange-ball", and "Majong-ball", and
 various game machines.
 2. Prior Art
 A most typical and normal type of coin slot J of the Pachinko type of slot
 machine P is, as disclosed in Examined Japanese Patent Application No. Hei
 6-73563 (1994) and as shown in FIG. 40 annexed hereto, provided in the
 form of a slit-shaped opening into which each of coins M can be put one by
 one, so that players place coins into the slot one by one by their hands.
 Inserting coins one by one is troublesome for the players. But coins
 inserted are received by the machine one by one sequentially and sent to
 further stages. Thus, at downstream side of the slot J and at the upstream
 side of the coin payout hopper H is disposed a small sized coin-separator
 S1 relatively simple in construction and having a solenoid type separator
 part in combination with a coin detector N1. This kind of coin-separator
 S1 is usually integrally assembled along a coin-passage at the downstream
 side of the coin-slot J by screwing or pawls-engagement.
 To mitigate the trouble of players inserting coins one by one, some
 machines recently given attention use a wide tray W for inserting coins in
 a lump, so that players can place a number of coins M all together into
 the machine at a time. The lump-insertion tray W shown in FIG. 40 showing
 the aforesaid Japanese publication is used jointly together with the coin
 slot J that is for inserting coins one by one. Coins M inserted in a lump
 from the wide tray W need to be first sequentially sent one by one at the
 upstream side of the coin detector N2 and coin separator S2, and there is
 interposed at the downstream side of the coins-lump insertion part W a
 coin-sending device F having a hopper type drive mechanism. In FIG. 40, K
 designates a reels panel, R a switches mounting part, S a control switch
 for driving the coin-sending device F, O a coin-payout opening, and E a
 payout tray.
 The coin-sending device F which sequentially sends coins (inserted in a
 lump) to take them into the inside has a hopper type drive mechanism to be
 relatively large in size and higher in weight, so that it does not employ
 the feature of being integrally assembled along the coin-passage as used
 in the conventional small-sized coin separator S1. Moreover, the
 coin-sending device, which is to take coins into the game machine not like
 the coin-payout hopper H, needs its outlet passage to be aligned, in the
 inside of the game machine body, with a communication port on the same,
 leading to a problem of complexity of a passage connecting structure.
 The coin-sending device F communicates a wide tray (coins-lump insertion
 part) W, so that there is a high possibility of insertion of miscellaneous
 things such as ash of cigaret, dust, trash, or juices by irresistable
 force or inadvertency, and also a possibility of being intentionally
 damaged by mischieves or illegal acts, in comparison with the slit-shaped
 coin slot J for one-by-one insertion. Furthermore, the coin-sending device
 F has to dispose of a number of and various coins before being
 discriminated by the coin-separator S2, not like the operation of the
 coin-payout hopper H, so that the coin-sending device is naturally apt to
 get dirty or smeared. Accordingly, the coin-sending device F is frequently
 to be detached from the game machine for maintenance or cleaning.
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention has been designed under the above circumstances. An
 object of the invention is to provide a game machine wherein a
 coin-sending device in a lump-mounting type is attached to or detached
 from a game machine body easily by a one-touch operation, enabling
 maintenance and cleaning at ease.
 The invention disclosed in claim 1 is a game machine comprising a machine
 body 8 provided with a coin-sending device C sequentially sending coins
 inserted in a lump to take them into the inside of the game machine,
 wherein there is provided an attach/detach guide means D which guides
 attaching and detaching of the coin-sending device C with respect to the
 game machine body 8 and causes an outlet passage C20 of the coin-sending
 device C at a position of having finished in attaching to be aligned with
 a communication opening D20 on the game machine body, as shown in FIGS. 3,
 33 to 37, in order to achieve the aforesaid object.
 The invention disclosed in claim 2 does, for easily connecting a removal
 passage C40 for false coins, as shown in FIG. 18, include in the
 coin-sending device C a coin-separation separation part C4, which
 discriminates true and false coins and cause false coins to be removed
 from the removal passage, and the removal passage C40 at the coin
 separation part C4 is aligned with the communication opening D40 on the
 machine body 8 at such a position that the coin-sending device C has
 finished in attaching to the game machine body 8 as shown in FIG. 35.
 The invention disclosed in claim 3 provides a communication opening D20 or
 D40 of the game machine body on the bottom 92 of a support member 91
 supporting the coin-sending device C, as shown in FIG. 35, for making
 especially excellent receiving and transferring coins.
 The invention disclosed in claim 4 connects electric connectors C60 between
 the coin-sending device C and the game machine body 8 at such position
 that the coin-sending device C has finished in attaching to the machine
 body 8, as shown in FIG. 35, for making simple connecting electric
 connectors.
 The invention disclosed in claim 5 causes an earth line C70 of the
 coin-sending device C to contact with a conductor part of the
 attach/detach guide means D and be connected with a casing earth of the
 game machine body 8, as shown in FIG. 36,for easily realizing
 countermeasures for static electricity.
 The invention disclosed in claim 6 provides a detachable holding means D90
 for holding the position of coin-sending device that the coin-sending
 device has finished in attaching to the game machine body 8, as shown in
 FIG. 37, for making higher reliability of the mounting the device against
 vibration or the like.
 Next, functional effects of the inventions will be detailed.
 In the invention disclosed in claim 1, as shown in FIGS. 34 to 37, the
 coin-sending device C upon mounting operation is guided by the
 attach/detach guide means D to be attached to the game machine body 8. At
 a position that the coin-sending device has finished in attaching to the
 machine body 8, the outlet passage C20 is brought into alignment with the
 communicating port D20 on the machine body, thereby providing simple and
 easy connecting of passages to thereby allow coins to be excellently
 received and transferred to a coin-payout hopper or the like arranged for
 following stages. Upon detaching operation, the coin-sending device C is
 guided by the guide means D to be disconnected from the game machine body
 8. When the coin-sending device is shifted from the attach-finish
 position, the outlet passage C20 and communicating port D20 are disengaged
 from each other, thereby providing easy separation of passages. Due to the
 simple and easy attaching and detaching of the coin-sending device C with
 respect to the game machine body 8, the machine can be easily cleaned or
 subjected to maintenance.
 According to the invention disclosed in claim 2, as seen in FIG. 35, at the
 attach-finish position of the coin-sending device with respect to the game
 machine body 8, the removal passage C40 at the coin separator C4 can be
 aligned with the communicating port D40 at the machine body 8, so that the
 removal passage C40 for false coins can be simply connected, thereby
 enabling false coins to be returned finely.
 According to the invention in claim 3, as shown in FIG. 17, coins can be
 received and transferred by gravity from the coin-sending device C to the
 communicating ports D20 or D40 formed on the bottom 92 of the support
 member 91, whereby making especially excellent receiving and transferring
 coins.
 In the invention disclosed in claim 4, as shown in FIG. 35, at the
 attach-finish position of the coin-sending device C with respect to the
 machine body 8, the electric connectors C60 between the device C and the
 body 8 are connected, thereby enabling the coin-sending device C to be
 further readily mounted to and disconnected from the game machine body 8.
 According to the invention disclosed in claim 5, as shown in FIGS. 17 and
 36, at the attach-finish position of the coin-sending device C with
 respect to the game machine body 8, earth line of the device C is caused
 to contact with the conductor part of the attach/detach guide means D and
 be automatically set to a casing earth at the game machine body 8, whereby
 necessitating no additional earthing and facilitating a simple and easy
 countermeasure for static electricity.
 In the invention disclosed in claim 6, as shown in FIG. 37, at the
 attach-finish position of the coin-sending device with respect to the game
 machine body 8, the holding means D90 holds the attach-finish position, so
 that the coin-sending device C can be prevented from detaching from the
 body 8 unexpectedly due to vibration or the like, enjoy an increased
 reliability. Upon detaching operation, the holding means D90 is released
 to simply and easily detach the device C from the machine body 8.

MOST PREFERABLE EMBODIMENTS FOR USING THE INVENTION
 FIG. 1 shows a game machine which is the pachinko type of slot machine
 incorporating the present invention. Coins referred to herein employ metal
 discs (called "game medals"), for example, of 24.6 to 25.5 mm in diameter
 and of 1.4 to 1.8 mm in thickness. A body 8 of game machine comprises a
 box-shaped casing 81 and a front door 82 openable in the direction
 indicated by the arrow t and is further provided with an indicator 8A
 showing the states of playing the game, an allotment panel 8B, a reel-part
 panel 8C, a switches-mounting part 8D, a waist panel 8E, a front-speaker
 panel 8F, and a coin-tray 8G. The switches-mounting part 8D includes a
 coins-lump insertion part A for receiving a plurality of coins at a time,
 and an image-display device 8H using a liquid crystal display or the like
 used for special dramatic effects in playing games or for explanation of
 the game.
 As shown in FIG. 2, three mechanical reels 8L, 8M and 8R, on the outer
 peripheries of which figures such as "7", "cherries" and "oranges" are
 expressed,are housed inside the reel-part panel 8C. When the reels are
 stopped, three figures are seen one each reel. The number of the figures
 expressed on each reel is about twenty one (21). A bet switch 83 is
 provided for setting the number of coins to be bet for each play and may
 be depressed once for betting three coins, twice for two and three times
 or more for one coin. Depressing the switch 83 one time enables the
 three-coins betting which is most frequently used in playing the game.
 Alternatively, the number of coins to be bet may be directly proportional
 to the number of depressing the switch 83, or separate bet switches may be
 provided for specific numbers (one to three) of coins to be bet. According
 to the number of coins to be bet, judgement lines become valid, namely, a
 single coin when used or inserted causes the central judgement line L1 to
 become valid, two coins do so three judgement lines, i.e., the upper and
 lower lines L2 as well as the central one L1, and three coins do so five
 judgement lines including the slant lines L3. Indication lamps E1 to E3
 are lit corresponding to specific judgement lines when become valid.
 The game is started by moving up or down a game start switch 84 comprising
 a lever with a coin or coins having been bet by means of the bet switch,
 whereby the three reels 8L, 8M, 8R start simultaneously. The reels can be
 separately stopped by pushing stop buttons 8e, 8m, and 8r corresponding to
 the respective reels, and winnings and the number of coins to be alloted
 corresponding to winnings are determined according to a combination or
 combinations of the foregoing figures aligned on the valid judgement
 line(s). The reference numeral 85 designates a settlement switch for
 switching between a credit state, in which coins are credited to players
 or preliminarily memorized, with a predetermined upper limit of 50 coins,
 for a play or plays about to be started or occurring afterwards, and a
 settlement state in which the credit and coins remaining in the
 coin-sending device are paid out to appear onto the tray 8G.
 As shown in FIG. 3, there are provided, at the downstream side of the
 coins-lump insertion part A inside the game machine body 8, a foreign
 objects separator B for capturing any foreign objects among the inserted
 things and removing the foreign objects from the coin-passage, and a
 coin-sending device which receives at a first-side reservoir C1 a number
 of coins from the separator B and sends the coins one by one sequentially
 to a coin-reserving backet 860 of a coin-payout hopper 86 provided at a
 lower part inside the machine body 8. The lump insertion part A is formed
 at an assembly AA and mounted to the switches-mounting part 8D by use of a
 fitting pawl AA1, retaining pawl AA2, and thread boss AA3 formed on the
 assembly AA. The foreign objects separator B is screwed at the rear of the
 front door 82 through brackets 87, 88. The coin-sending device C is
 detachably mounted, by means of an attach/detach guide means D having a
 rail mechanism, on a support member 91 supported on a frame 810 in the
 casing 81 through brackets 89, 90.
 Mounted at the rear of the front door 82 is a cancel chute 92 connecting a
 coin payout and return part 8K (FIG. 2) formed inwardly of the coin tray
 8G. The reels panel 8C above the coins lump insertion part A has a window
 93 made of a transparent material for observing the inside of the
 first-side reservoir C1 in the coin-sending device. A mirror C7 set in the
 first-side reservoir C1 allows blind spots in the reservoir C1 to be seen
 from the observation window 93.
 FIG. 4 shows the assembly AA including the coins lump insertion part A and
 integrally provided with a control switch AS for driving the foreign
 objects separator B and the coin-sending device C, so that operations of
 inserting coins in a lump and taking them into the inside can be performed
 in a consecutive series of actions with an excellent controllability, and
 workability of assembling and exchanging parts may be improved. The
 control switch AS comprises a movable control member A1 which adjoins to
 an opening A0 of the insertion part A and is slidably and rotatably
 supported with respect to a guide member A3 forming a switch base, as
 indicated by the hollow arrow and an arrow q in FIG. 5.
 The movable control member A1 does, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, comprise an
 elongated member extending along the longitudinal direction of the opening
 A0 and is provided with a depression element A11 made of a round,
 elongated and transparent material; and an interlocking element A12 made
 of a transparent material which has a rectangular recess A120 to receive a
 rectangular base A110 of the element A11 and a retaining hole A121 to
 receive a pawl A111, thereby making integral the depression element A11
 and interlocking element A12, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9
 The head of the depression element A11 projects outwards from a switch hole
 AA0 on the assembly AA. The guide member A3 does, as shown in FIG. 6,
 comprise a switch base body A30 in a U-like shape in the front view and
 connection parts A31 and A32 connected to respective connecting elements
 AA4, AA5 which project downwards on the left and right sides of the
 assembly AA.
 Between the movable control member A1 and the guide member A3 is provided a
 guide means A2 which guides sliding and rotation of the movable control
 member A1 at both lateral sides of the guide member A3. The guide means A2
 comprises pins A21 at both lateral sides of a body A122 of interlocking
 element A12 forming the movable control member A1, and elongated
 pin-receiving holes A22 on the left side and right side walls of the
 switch base body A30 forming the guide member A3. As shown in the Detail
 indicated by the arrow AX in FIG. 8, the pin A21 is inserted through an
 opening A220 opening at the lower part of the pin receiving hole A22.
 As seen in FIG. 5, between the movable control member A1 and the guide
 member A3 is provided a swing member A4 which swings in the direction of
 arrow r following sliding movement of the movable control member A1. The
 swing member A4 does, as shown in FIG. 7, include integrally a swing axle
 A41 and a connection axle A42 having a power frame A430 therebetween at
 both lateral sides of a base A43 having a rectangular shape in a plan
 view. As seen in FIG. 8, the swing axle A41 is rotatably received by a
 holder A33 which projects on a bottom wall of the switch base body A30.
 And a hook A123, which is formed at both lateral sides of the lower end of
 the interlocking element A12 forming the movable control member A1, is
 rotatably connected to the connection axle A42 displaced from an axis A40
 of the swing axle A41.
 Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, a return spring A6 using a coiled spring
 is interposed between spring supports A44 and A34, the spring support A44
 being integrally formed at the front of the swing member A4 and the other
 A34 at the guide member A3.
 A mounting seat A35 is integrally formed at the back of the bottom wall of
 the switch base body A30 and is screwed with an insertion part base plate
 A7. The base plate A7 mounts on the upper surface a non-contact type
 detection means A5 comprising a photointerrupter, and three LEDs A8 which
 lights by switch-on, and on the rear surface a connector A9. As seen in
 FIG. 9, the switch base body A30 has a hole A37 for the detection means A5
 and holes A38 for LEDs A8. The detection means A5 is in a U-like shape
 opening at the upper end and has a detection path A50 which faces or is
 positioned on or along a track of a swinging element A45 which is
 integrally formed at the lower end of the swing member A4; has a T-like
 cross section; and swings forwards or backwards following the swing of the
 swing member A4.
 As shown in FIG. 9, the switch base body A30 is provided on the upper
 surface at the bottom wall symmetrically with a pair of slide stoppers A36
 which projects to abut against an abutment A124 integrally formed on the
 interlocking element A12 of the movable control member A1, thereby
 limiting the stroke of the movable control member A1 to a predetermined
 range. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 7, the coin-guide floor AA6 in the
 assembly AA is provided with a plurality of rails for mitigating friction,
 and also provided inwardly and in the transverse direction with a
 plurality of elongated small holes AA8 for removing dust as shown in FIG.
 8.
 The above feature enables that the depression element A11 employs an
 elongated member to be improved in controllability and is guided in
 sliding movement at both lateral sides by the guide means A2 to slide
 smoothly. The interlocking element A12 can rotate around the pin A21 so
 that the depression element A11 even when depressed more or less slantwise
 can be smoothly guided in sliding movement, providing an excellent
 controllability. Moreover, the interlocking element A12 and swing member
 A4 are coupled through the hook A123, there could occur no time lag between
 operation of the switch and detection by the detection means A5 upon
 depression of the depression element A11 and its returning through the
 spring A6, whereby ensuring a sure and dependable operation.
 Next, the foreign objects separator B will be detailed. The foreign objects
 separator B does, before the process at the coin-sending device, catch any
 foreign objects among the inserted things received from the coins-lump
 insertion part A. The separator B comprises a foreign objects capturing
 roller B0 with a capturing surface B00 having magnetism attracting metal.
 A tubular magnet is applied, for example, by adhering, to the outer
 periphery of a roller shaft B03, thereby providing magnetism. The
 capturing surface B00 is adpated to face the coin-passage BM in a
 slit-like configuration allowing substantially one coin to pass through,
 and forms a foreign objects capturing means B01 and a removing means B02
 for catching any foreign objects on the coin-passage and removing them
 therefrom. The capturing roller B0 rotates in the direction indicated by
 the arrow in FIG. 10.
 Provided before the foreign objects capturing roller B0 are a receiving
 means B1 for receiving the things inserted in the machine in a lump, and a
 transfer means B3 for moving the received inserted things in the inside of
 the receiving means B1. The receiving means B1 is formed inwardly of a
 backet B10 which is in an almost tubular shape extending slantwise
 forwardly. The transfer means B3 comprises a turntable B30 which has a
 rotation axle extending perpendicularly to that of the capturing roller B0
 and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 11.
 As seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, the turntable B30 is connected under the same
 directly with a drive source B5 by use of a motor base B8. The drive
 source B5 includes a motor B51 such as a D.C. motor, and a reduction gear
 B52 having a reduction gear ratio, for example, of 1/10. Reduction output
 shaft B53 is fit into hub B31 of the turntable B30 and fixed with a
 locking pin B54. The turntable B30 includes a projecting tubular part B32
 extending above the hub, a disc part B33 having a predetermined area, and
 a peripheral tubular part B34 extending downwards. The motor base B8
 comprises a front edge B81 bent upwards, a plate body B82 and holes B83 at
 the rear end, and is fit onto a base BB1 (FIG. 15) under the main frame BB
 to be tightened by screws B85 screwed in holes 84 and bosses BB2.
 The drive source B5 and foreign objects capturing roller B0 interlock by
 means of an interlock means B6 arranged at a position kept away from the
 inserted things. The interlocking means B6 comprises a small diameter
 pulley B61 integrally formed at the lower part of the hub B31 of the
 turntable B30, a drive-belt B62, a large diameter pulley B63 of a drive
 worm B60 rotatably supported on a drive shaft B600, a worm gear B64 of the
 drive worm B60, and a drive gear B65 comprising a helical gear fit on a
 roller shaft B03 and meshing with the worm gear B64. The interlocking
 means B6 is arranged under the turntable B30 and main frame BB, and
 outwardly of an end surface of the foreign objects capturing roller B0,
 thereby not interfering with the inserted things.
 As seen in FIG. 15, the main frame BB has at its central part a hole BB0
 for the turntable B30 and is provided at the rear side with bearings BB3,
 BB4 for the shaft of the capturing roller B0. A coin-guide floor B7 is
 formed adjacent to the receiving hole BB0 which connects the turntable B30
 with the capturing roller B0. The coin-guide floor B7 includes a
 coin-support B71 having a plurality of or various openings B72 which have
 widths smaller than diameter(s) of coin(s), so that smaller foreign
 objects, liquid and so on not subjected to capturing by the capturing
 roller B0 are caused to fall from the openings B72 and be discharged to a
 cancelling chute 92 through an overflow guide C6 provided in the
 coin-sending device C as shown in FIG. 3.
 The main frame BB retains at the side of drive gear B65 a gear support
 means B67 (which has a hole B66 in which the drive gear B65 rotates) by
 engaging the support means B67 with a side ratch BB5 and screwing a screw
 B68 with a rear end screw boss BB6. Moreover, a bucket B10 shown in FIG.
 16 is mounted on the main frame BB interposing therebetween a liner plate
 B9 which has a central bore B90 slightly smaller in diameter than the
 receiving bore BB0, and screw holes B91 and positioning holes B92
 corresponding to the screw bosses BB2 and upper end positioning pins BB7
 respectively.
 The bucket B10 is provided integrally at both lateral sides at the upper
 part with an anti-leakage supporter B11. A carry-prevention means B2,
 which prevents any foreign objects caught by the capturing roller B0 from
 rotating with the same, is tightened at the three mounting seats B12 by
 use of screws B23. The carry-prevention means B2 comprises a thin selector
 sheet B21, which contacts with the capturing surface B00 at a position
 away from the coin-passage, and a sheet base B22 for holding the mounting
 base of the selector sheet.
 Mounted above the bucket B10 is an overflow chute B4 which allows the
 inserted things overflowing the receiving means B1 to bypass the foreign
 objects capturing roller B0 and be introduced toward the coin-sending
 device. The chute B4 has a slide B42 including a steep slope B41 at the
 downstream side and engages a pair of pawl-receiving holes B43 with pawls
 B13 on the bucket B10.
 The bucket B10 is mounted to the main frame BB by screwing screws B16 with
 thread bores B15 at a flange B14 and thread bosses BB2 on the main frame
 BB (FIG. 15). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the whole of the foreign
 objects separator B is backwards downwards slantwise installed so that the
 intermediate or mutually adjoining part between the turntable B30 and the
 capturing roller B0 is placed low and slanted backwards downwards about
 25.degree..
 According to the above features, namely, rotation of the turntable B30;
 prevention of foreign objects from being carried rotated; and installation
 of the separator as being slanted backwards downwards, the inserted things
 received from the coins-lump insertion part A into the bucket B10 can be
 properly handled and moved to be smoothly directed to the foreign objects
 capturing roller B0, so that regular or true coins are transferred
 smoothly to the following coin-sending device C while metal foreign
 objects MD such as paper clips, wire, nails, keys, counterfit metal coins
 or the like (see FIG. 10) are caught excellently by the capturing surface
 B00 on the capturing roller B0 to be held at the separator sheet B21
 placed away from the coin-passage and be effectively prevented from
 flowing to the coin-sending device C.
 Next, the coin-sending device will be detailed. The coin-sending device C
 does, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, receive coins from the foregoing
 coins-lump insertion part A and foreign objects separator B and store the
 coins in a first reservoir C1 formed inwardly of a hopper bucket C10. The
 stored coins are sent sequentially one by one to a second-side passage C2
 by driving a rotary disc C3 to be subjected to separation of true and
 false coins by a coin separation part C4. True coins TM are then counted
 by a true-coins detector C250 and taken into a coin payout hopper 86 from
 an outlet C202 of the second-side passage C2 through a duct-like outlet
 passage C20. False coins IM are discharged to an inlet 922 on the middle
 of the cancel chute 92 from a removal opening C404 at the coin separation
 part 04 through a removal passage C40 in a substantially L-like box shape
 extending forwards along the rear side of the rotary disc C3, and an
 intervening passage C444 communicating the removal passage C40.
 As seen in FIGS. 19 to 22, the rotary disc C3 is interposed or sandwiched
 between a main base C21 and a top cover C22 layered thereon. Outer pawls
 C262 of the top cover C22 (FIGS. 22 and 23) are received (following turn
 of the top cover) into the innermost of pawl receiving parts C261 on the
 main base C21, and a mounting element C264 on the top cover C22 aligned
 with a thread hole C263 at the main base C21 is screwed.
 As seen in FIG. 21, the whole assembly of the rotary disc C3, main base C21
 and top cover C22 is supported by right and left side stands C23 and C24
 which have on the top a slanted mounting part C230, C240 at the front and
 rear parts slanting backward upwards and are retained by engaging a L-like
 hook C212 in a receiving hole C211 on the main base C21 and screwing a
 screw C213 with a boss C214. The whole assembly is installed slantwise
 with the front part being set low so that the first side reservoir C1
 faces toward the coins-lump insertion part A on the upper surface of the
 rotary disc C3. The slant angle .alpha. to a horizontal plane HP is about
 25.degree..
 The coin separation part 04 is formed on an uphill slope C204 on the
 second-side passage C2. An outlet C202 of the second-side passage C2 opens
 in the region extending backward upwards as shown in FIG. 17. The right
 and left side stands C23, C24 are connected to each other at their rear
 part by use of a rear stand C25.
 As seen in FIG. 22, a coin guide C27 is mounted on the main base C21
 correspondingly to a predetermined position of the lower surface of the
 rotary disc C3 and extends in the peripheral direction except a
 coin-outlet C270 to the second-side passage C2. A plurality of coin
 supporter guides C281-C285 are mounted around or at the outside of the
 rotary disc C3 and second-side passage C2.
 The rotary disc C3 is driven by an output shaft C301 of a drive means
 comprising a motor C300 using D.C. motor and a reduction gear C310. The
 rotary disc C3 includes a boss C31 connected to the output shaft C301, a
 disc body C32, a coin guide means C33 in a truncated conical shape
 swelling upwards centrally of the disc body C32, four coin-holes C34
 around the coin guide means C33, a tubular guide C35 projecting toward the
 first-side reservoir C1 an annular flange C36 which is almost flat and
 extends on the outer periphery of the disc C3, four coin-sending means C37
 which project on the rear surface of the disc C3 and are disposed between
 adjacent holes C34, and four coin-transfer means C30 which project on the
 same rear surface and are apart from the coin-sending means C37 at a
 predetermined phase difference. The rotary disc C3 is entirely formed by
 integral molding using synthetic resin such as polyacetal. The number of
 rotation of the rotary disc C3 may be several dozens to several hundreds
 rpm, for example, about 70 rpm.
 As shown in FIG. 18, a coin sent to the second-side passage C2 is received
 by the coin transfer means C30 at its front part C38 (which is narrowed or
 concaved) to be guided and transferred on the second-side passage C2. A
 forcible-transfer passage C203 in which the transfer means C30 exerts a
 transfer-force on coins occupies the entire area of the uphill slope C204
 from an inlet C201 to an outlet C202 of the second-side passage C2.
 A coin-separation part C4 is provided on the way of the uphill slope C204
 and discriminates true coins TM and false coins IM smaller in diameter.
 The coin separation part C4 is provided with a coin-removal opening C404
 slightly smaller in width than the diameter of true coins TM, a first
 coin-supporter C41, which includes a narrow coin-supporting part
 positioned at the outer side of the coin-separation part C4, a second
 coin-supporter C42, which forms a movable member C400 positioned inwardly,
 the coin-supporters C41 and C42 facing the coin-removal opening C404, and
 a coin-scoop means C43 disposed at the end of the coin-removal opening
 C404 and extending downwards at an angle of about 10 from a plane of the
 main base C21. The second coin supporter C42 is mounted to a swing member
 C422, which is swung around a fulcrum C421 by use of a connection link
 C425 and a drive means C424 of solenoid type having a rod C423 movable
 forward and backward according to electricity turned on and off, so that
 the normal coin-separation state (FIG. 18) and the all coins retrieval
 state (FIG. 32) described later can be switched.
 As seen in FIG. 19, any coins larger in diameter than the normal true coins
 TM do not fall through a tapered part C341 formed at the inlet side of the
 coin-holes C34 to thereby be expelled at the inlet part. Also, any coins
 larger in thickness than the true coins TM when fall in the hole C34
 cannot pass a coin-releasing point C342 near the hole C34 to be removed at
 the outlet part of the hole C34. In any case, larger non-standardized
 coins are not sent to the second-side of the rotary disc C3. The coin
 holes C34 have the same function as that provided by the feature that the
 opening slit of the conventional one-by-one insertion is set in size
 according to standardized coins.
 As seen in FIG. 23, a cylindrical part C101 of a hopper bucket C10 is fit
 (being turned) onto an upper tubular part C100 of the top cover C22 with a
 fitting pawl C292 being engaged into the innermost of a pawl receiving
 part C291. The top cover C22 supports a coin sensor C200 which comprises,
 for example, a reflection type photo-sensor for detecting coins sent from
 the rotary disc C3 to the second-side passage C2 and not yet introduced to
 the coin-separation part C4, and a behaviour stabilizing means C5 for
 stabilizing behaviour of coins being about to enter the coin separation
 part C4.
 Furthermore, an overflow guide C6 is integrally formed at the front of the
 hopper bucket C10 for causing coins (when excessively placed in the
 first-side reservoir C1) to overflow forwardly downwards and be discharged
 into a wide inlet 921 at the uppermost of the cancel chute 92.
 The foregoing mirror C7 is mounted above a mounting seat C102 at the back
 of the hopper bucket C10, and provided under the mounting seat C102 is an
 assist means C8 which interferes coins stored in the first-side reservoir
 C1 to assist taking coins to the rotary disc C3. The assist means C8
 comprises an elastic member made of a damper spring having a small wound
 part C81 for screwing to the mounting seat C102 with a screw C103, a body
 wound part C82 having separate looping in a plan view, and a hook C83.
 As illustrated in FIG. 24, when the rotary disc C3 rotates counterclockwise
 (indicated by the hollow arrow), each coin M which has fallen in the hole
 C34 to the bottom shifts slightly outwards from the hole to abut against
 the inner periphery of the coin guide C27 and be transferred by the
 coin-sending means C37. The coin when reaches the coin-releasing point
 C270, at which the coin guide C27 terminates, is released in the direction
 indicated by the solid line a by a centrifugal force to the second-side
 passage 2. Releasing the coin M is smooth since the plane on which the
 coin is transferred along the coin guide C27 is level with the plane of
 the second-side passage C2. The coin-transfer means C30 has at its rear
 side a narrow concaved part C39 by which the coin M is guided to the
 second-side passage C2 without being prevented from being sent from the
 rotary disc C3.
 As shown in FIG. 25, a coin M which did not shift from the bottom of the
 hole C34 outwards to the coin guide C27 and has been carried by the
 coin-sending means C37 as illustrated can be helped going out by an
 anti-lock mechanism C220 formed near the end of the coin-sending point
 C270. In detail, the anti-lock mechanism C220 comprises a fulcrum C221, a
 swing member C222 swingable around the fulcrum, a pin C223 projecting on
 the swing member, an elongate hole C224 for the pin C223 and a spring C225
 for biasing the swing member. The antilock mechanism causes a stagnated
 coin M to be brought into contact with the pin C223 so that the pin's
 counterclockwise restoring force (indicated by the arrow b) causes the
 coin M to escape from the coin-sending means C37 outwards (indicated by
 the arrow c).
 In case that a coin M is not sufficiently away from the coin-releasing
 point C270 and stops on the way as shown in FIG. 26, one end of the
 coin-transfer means C30 flicks the coin M circumferentially (indicated by
 the arrow d), causing the coin M to be sent outwards (indicated by the
 arrow e) without returning inwardly due to hindering by the coin-sending
 means C37 and pin C223 of the anti-lock mechanism C220.
 FIG. 27 shows the coin M sent to the second-side passage C2 and forcibly
 transferred by the coin-transfer means C30. T h e coin M passing the coin
 sensor C200 is detected by the sensor and then enters the coin separation
 part C4.
 As seen in FIG. 28, the coin M at the coin separation part C4 is properly
 pushed from above by the behaviour stabilizing means C5, which comprises a
 lever element C51 swingable around a lever shaft C50 and a biasing spring
 C52 for the lever element, so that the coin can be stabilized in
 behaviour.
 As explained in FIG. 29, true coins TM in a standardized size are supported
 at both lateral ends opposing in the direction of diameter by the first
 and second coin supporters C41, C42 to be conveyed without falling in the
 coin removal opening C404. True coins TM when tend to sink down or slant
 at their front side at the end of the coin-separation part C4 can be
 supported or received by the coin-scoop means C43 to be smoothly
 transferred to the second-side passage C2.
 As shown in FIG. 30, a true-coin sensor C250 is provided downstream of the
 coin-separation part 4. The sensor C250 comprises a detecting unit C251
 using a transmission type photosensor, a swing member C253 swingable to
 move in and away from a detection optical path C252, a fulcrum C254 for
 the swing member C253, a pin C255, an elongate slot C256 for the pin and a
 spring C257 for biasing the swing member. True coins TM subjected to the
 discriminating operation are brought into contact with the pin C255 to
 cause the swing member C253 to move backwards counterclockwise (indicated
 by the arrow f), whereby causing the swing member C253 to be across the
 optical path C252 to detect a true coin TM and add one to the credit
 accordingly.
 The true coins TM after passing the sensor C250 are discharged from the
 outlet C202 of the passage C2, as indicated by the arrow g, to the coin
 payout hopper 86 through an outlet path C20, as shown in FIG. 31. When a
 false coin IM smaller in diameter than true coins is introduced to the
 coin-separation part C4, the false coin is not supported at both lateral
 ends by the first and second coin supporters C41, C42 and falls in the
 coin-removal opening C404 (indicated by the arrow h) to the cancel chute
 92 through a removal path C40.
 As seen in FIG. 32, when the electricity is off at the solenoid type drive
 means C424 provided at the coin-separation part C4, the rod C423 which has
 been retracted with the electricity being on is stretched to shift the
 second coin supporter C42 forming the movable member C400 (in the
 direction indicated by the arrow i) to make larger the width of the
 removal opening C404. When the rotary disc C3 rotates in this instance,
 all coins including true coins TM and false coins IM can be retrieved to
 the cancel chute 92 through the removal opening C404 and removal path C40
 (as indicated by the arrow i).
 According to the above features, coins placed in the first side reservoir
 C1 are sent sequentially one by one by the rotary disc C3 slanted forwards
 downwards to be taken from the outlet C202 of the second-side passage C2
 opening at the part slanted backwards upwards. And discrimination of coins
 is performed through transfer of coins against gravity by the coin
 separation part C4 formed on the uphill slope C204 of the second-side
 passage C2. Hence, there is no need to have a large difference in height
 between the inlet side and outlet side of the coin-sending device C, and
 an excellent discrimination can be carried out without provision of an
 additional coin-separation part on the outside of the machine, thereby
 enabling specific sizes in the direction of height of the machine to be
 reduced effectively.
 Next, an attach-detach guide means D for the coin-sending device C will be
 detailed. The attach-detach guide means D comprises, as shown in FIGS. 33
 to 35, a rail mechanism DD which is made of sheet metal and integrally
 includes a base plate D1 mounted through screws 93 and positioning pins 94
 on the bottom 92 of the support member 91 (which supporting the
 coin-sending device C), right and left rails D2, D3 and stoppers D4, D5 at
 the rear edge. The support member 91 has a left side plate 95 standing
 thereon, so that a shelf DD0 having a front in a rectangular shape is
 formed by the bottom 92, left side plate 95 of the support member 91, and
 a right inner frame 811 and a reels-mounting frame 812 forming a frame 810
 of the casing 81.
 Supported in front of a back plate 96 at the rear of the support member 91
 via a connector holder D600 an electric connector D60 which sends and
 receives signals to and from a control device (described later) for
 controlling the game machine. Reference numeral 97 designates vent holes
 opened on the left side plate 95; 98 a bent wall at the front of the
 bottom 92 provided with an intervening passage C444 as shown in FIG. 17;
 and 99 a fitting pawl into which the intervening passage C444 being fit at
 its rear end.
 As seen i n FIG. 35, the base plate D1 of the rail mechanism DD is provided
 with openings D200 and D400 corresponding to communication openings D20
 D40 on the bottom 92 of the support member 91, so that in such position
 that the coin-sending device C has finished being attached to the game
 machine body 8, an outlet passage C20 of the coin-sending device C is
 brought into alignment with a communication opening D20 of the bottom 92
 through the opening D200 of the base plate D1. Similarly, the coin-removal
 passage C40 of the coin separation part C4 is aligned with the
 communication opening D40 on the bottom 92 through the opening D400 of the
 base plate D1. Other openings D100, D300 on the base plate D1 are not used
 as a coin passage and are closed on the plane of the bottom 92.
 In FIG. 35, C60 is an electric connector mounted on the rear stand C25 of
 the coin-sending device C and connected, directly or indirectly through a
 circuit board C500 (see FIG. 36), with a motor C300 for the coin-sending
 device C, solenoid type drive means C424, and coin sensors C200, C250. In
 the position that the coin-ending device C has finished being attached to
 the machine body 8, the electric connector C60 of the coin-sending device
 C is connected with the electric connector D60 for the machine body 8
 supported to the support member 91.
 As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the right and left side stands C23 C24 of the
 coin-sending device C have at the lower ends lateral pawls C235, C245
 which extend lengthwise of the side stands and are fit into the right and
 left rails D2, D3 to be slided, thereby guiding the coin-sending device C
 in attaching to and detaching from the machine body 8. In the position
 that the coin-sending device C has finished being attached to the machine
 body 8 the side stands C23, C24 and rear stand C25 abut against and be
 stopped by stoppers D4 and D5.
 As seen in FIG. 36, an earth plate C70 is retained on the main base C21 at
 the back of the bottom by use of a screw C71 with a brush C72 at the lower
 end of the earth plate C70 being in contact with the inside of the right
 rail D2 whereby the earth line of the coin-sending device C is connected
 with the casing earth of the game machine body 8 through the rail
 mechanism DD entirely made of sheet metal to have conductivity and the
 support member 91 also having conductivity. The right rail D2 is shorter,
 at the inlet side, than the left rail D3 and has the inlet side a cut
 guide D6 tapered for easy insertion.
 FIG. 37 shows a releasable holding means D90 which is formed at the lower
 part of the left side stand C24 of the coin-sending device C and is
 adapted to engage with a cut D7 at the left rail D3 to hold the
 coin-sending device C in the position of having finished being attached to
 the game machine body 8. The holding means D90 is made of synthetic resin
 material having flexibility and is used in such manner that a chamfered
 utmost end D92 of a lever-shaped body D91 is inserted into a bore C26 at
 the left side stand C24 to be retained by a stopper pawl D93. The lever
 shaped body D91 has a triangular engaging Pawl D94 integrally formed at
 the lower end and engages The pawl D94 with the cut D7 of the left rail D3
 to hold The coin-sending device C in the attaching-finish position. For
 releasing, the lever shaped body D91 may be inwardly bent at the rear end
 to disconnect the engaging pawl D94 from the cut D7.
 According to the above features, upon attaching the coin-sending device C,
 the laterally projecting pawls C235, C245 at the lower end of the right
 and left side stands C23, C24 are received and slided in the right and
 left rails D2, D3 of the rail mechanism DD, thereby inserting the
 coin-sending device C inwardly of the machine body 8. When the
 coin-sending device C is positioned in the attaching-finish position, the
 outlet passage C20 is automatically aligned with the communicating opening
 D20 on the bottom 92 of the support member 91, so that coins can be
 excellently transferred to the coin payout hopper 86 as indicated by the
 arrow G in FIG. 35.
 At the same time, the removal passage C40 of the coin separation part C4
 can be automatically aligned with the communicating opening D40 opened on
 the bottom 92, so that as shown in FIG. 35, false coins can be excellently
 returned to the cancel chute 92 through the intervening passage C444.
 Furthermore, upon the coin-sending device C being in the position of
 having finished being attached to the machine body, the electric
 connectors C60 and D60 are automatically connected to each other. Also,
 earth line of the coin-sending device C is automatically set to the casing
 earth through the earth plate C70 and right rail D2. Moreover, the
 attaching-finish position of the coin-sending device can be excellently
 held by engagement between the lever shaped body D91 of the holding means
 D90 and the cut D7 of the left rail D3.
 Upon detaching the coin-sending device C, the lever-shaped body D91 is
 disconnected from the left rail D3, and the coin-sending device C is
 slided through the rail mechanism DD to be removed from the machine body
 8, whereby the outlet passage C20, removal passage C40, electric connector
 C60, and earth plate C70 are automatically disconnected to be readily
 detached.
 Accordingly, the coin-sending device C can be readily attached to and
 detached from the game machine body 8, and cleaning and maintenance can be
 easily and effectively performed.
 FIG. 38 is a block diagram of control for the whole of the game machine.
 The game machine is provided with a control device 900 comprising a
 microcomputer CPU, read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).
 901 is a clock pulse generation circuit, 902 a frequency divider, 903 a
 random number generator used in lottery for generating specific features
 of winnings, and 904 a random number sampling circuit.
 Connected to the input side of the CPU are the inserted-coin sensor 200,
 true-coin sensor C250, control switch AS, coin-insertion switch 83, game
 start switch 84, settlement switch 85, a stop signal circuit 905 from the
 stop buttons 8e, 8m and 8r, a position detector circuit 906 for the reels
 8L, 8M and 8R, and a payout finish signal circuit 907 for the coin payout
 hopper 86.
 Connected to the output side of the CPU are the objects to be controlled,
 i.e., the motor B51 for the foreign objects separator B, motor C300 for
 the coin-ending device C, solenoid type drive means C424 at the
 coin-separation part C4, a drive circuit 908 for the stepping motors SL SM
 SR for the reels 8L, 8M and 8R, a hopper drive circuit 909 for the
 coin-payout hopper housed in the coin payout hopper 86, an indicator drive
 circuit 910, and a sounds generation circuit 911.
 FIG. 39 shows control by the control means 900 from the start of the game
 to the end thereof.
 In case that the settlement switch 85 is turned on to request coin-payout
 (the step S1), coins corresponding to the credit are paid out from the
 coin payout hopper 86 to the payout tray 8G (S2) and coins remaining in
 the first-side reservoir C1 are then paid out to the tray 8G (S3), and the
 control returns to the initial state. Upon payout of the residual coins,
 motors B51, C300 for the separator B and the coin-sending device C are
 rotated with the solenoid type drive means 424 being turned off.
 In case that the settlement switch is not turned on, when the
 coin-insertion switch 83 is turned on (S4), any of three to one coin(s)
 corresponding to the number of depression of the switch 83 is used or bet
 from the credit, and the credit is subjected to deduction accordingly
 (S5), and the control returns to the initial state.
 When the control switch AS is turned on (S6), the motors B51 and C300 for
 the separator B and coin-sending device C are driven rotated and the
 solenoid type drive means C424 for the coin separation part C4 is turned
 on (S10) unless any of such events occurs that the number of coins in the
 credit becomes an upper limit 50 (S7); the coin-insertion or bet switch 83
 is turned on (S8); or the coin sensor C200 continues non-detecting state
 for 3 seconds with no coins being actually sent from the rotary disc (S9).
 The specification provides or allows that in case that the control switch
 AS is depressed once to be turned on, letting go of the control switch AS
 causes no troubles or problems.
 Then, separation of foreign objects by the separator B, sending coins by
 the coin-sending device C, and discrimination of true and false coins by
 the coin separation part C4 are carried out (S11), resulting in that false
 coins found in the coin separation are returned to the tray 8G. Regular
 true coins can be detected by the true coins sensor C250 and added to the
 credit (S12)
 On the way of the processes of the step S6 and the following steps, when
 the credit becomes 50 (S7), or the coin sensor C200 continues
 non-detection state for 3 seconds (S9), the motors B51 and B300 are
 stopped and the drive means C424 is turned off (S13) and the control
 returns to the initial state. On the way of the operation, when the
 coin-insertion or bet switch 83 is turned on (S8), the motors B51, B300
 are turned off (S14), followed by returning to the initial state after
 coin-insertion or betting and deduction in the credit (S5).
 When the game start switch 84 is turned on (S15), in case that any of three
 to one coin(s) are normally used or bet from the credit (S16), rotation of
 the reels 8L, 8M and 8R (S17), stopping by the stop buttons 8e, 8m, 8r
 (S18), determination of winnings (S19) and payout of coins according to
 winnings (S20) are performed followed by ending the game. When winnings
 occur, coins in number corresponding to specific features of winnings may
 be added to the credit, or actually paid out to the payout tray 8G from
 the coin payout device 86 through a payout port 861 (see FIG. 2) and
 cancel chute 92.