Abstract:
In a panel mounting apparatus for mounting a light-transmittable panel to an opening of a top box of a game machine containing a fluorescent lamp, a pair of retainer frames for retaining a pair of parallel ends of the panel are formed on the periphery of the opening. One of the retainer frames is provided with a movable member for changing the shape of the retainer frames between a state of preventing the removal of the panel and a state of allowing the attachment and detachment of the panel. Disclosed also is a game machine using the panel mounting apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a light-transmittable panel to an accommodating section of a lighting fixture in a game machine, such as a slot machine, and to a game machine using the same. 
     In a game machine, a panel, on which various information such as the title of the game machine and illustration of prizes are painted, is usually provided on a front surface of a housing and it is illuminated from an inside of the housing to decorate the game machine. Such a panel mounting apparatus has been popular in which the whole circumference of a panel formed by a light-transmittable material, such as acryl, is surrounded by a single retainer frame, and the retainer frame is secured to the housing of the game machine by a fixing member, such as a bolt (disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 6-261972 and 7-31717). 
     According to the above conventional mounting apparatus, it is necessary to remove the large retainer frame from the housing when checking and exchanging the panel and lighting fixture, and to reassemble the retainer frame after the checking operation and so forth, resulting in the efficiency of the operation being reduced. 
     Regarding a top box provided on the upper portion of the housing, there is an example whereby the panel and its retainer frame are mounted to a door of the front of the box, and the lighting fixture is accommodated in the main body of the box, thereby allowing the lighting fixture to be detachable without the attachment and detachment of the panel (disclosed in, for example, Australian Patent No. 644996). Even in this case, however, there has not been improvement in the amount of labor required to attach and detach the panel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a panel mounting apparatus which allows easy detachment and attachment of a panel and a lighting fixture placed inside thereof, and a game machine using the same. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel mounting apparatus for a game machine for mounting a light-transmittable panel to an opening of a lighting fixture accommodating section provided in a housing of a game machine. The panel mounting apparatus includes: a pair of retainer frames for retaining a pair of parallel ends of the panel which are formed on the periphery of the opening of the accommodating section, and a movable member which is provided on one of the retainer frames for changing the shape of the retainer frames between a state of preventing the removal of the panel and a state of allowing the attachment and detachment of the panel. 
     By the above arrangement, the movable member provided on one of the retainer frames is operated to change the shape of the retainer frames, whereby the panel can be attached and detached, so that there is no need for removing the overall large retainer frame surrounding the whole circumference of the panel. In addition, by removing the panel, not only the panel can be exchanged, but also the accommodating section can be opened to effect the exchange, and the maintenance and checking of the lighting fixture. 
     In the panel mounting apparatus, the movable member may be movably provided between the position where the movable member opposes the front surface of the panel to prevent the removal of the panel and the position where the movable member is pulled out substantially toward a front of the game machine to allow the panel to be attached and detached. 
     By the above arrangement, a space between the movable member and the panel is expanded when the movable member is pulled out to the front of the game machine, so that the panel can be removed to the front of the housing by disengaging the panel and the retainer frame. 
     In the panel mounting apparatus, the accommodating section may be provided in a top box placed on the upper end of the housing, the pair of retainer frames may be provided on the upper and lower edges of an opening formed at the front of the top box, and the movable member may be provided on the retainer frame of the lower end of the top box. 
     By the above arrangements, the restraint of the lower end of the panel by the retainer frame is removed by pulling out the movable member toward the front of the top box, whereby the panel can be pulled out diagonally downward. Therefore, the panel of the top box, especially when placed at high position, can be easily removed. 
     The panel mounting apparatus may further comprise: a restraining member movable between the position where the movable member is restrained at the removal-preventing position of the panel and the restraint-removal position where the restraint is removed; a driving member for driving the restraining member towards the restraint-removal position by an operation from outside of the housing; and locking means for switching between an unlocked state of allowing the restraining member to be driven by the driving member towards the restraint-removal position and a locked state of preventing the restraining member from being driven by the driving member towards the restraint-removal position on the basis of an operation of a predetermined key. 
     By the above arrangement, in the unlocked state, the restraint of the movable member can be removed by operating the driving member from the outside of the housing and thereafter, the panel can be attached and detached by operating the movable member. In the locked state, the movable member cannot be operated through the driving member, and the movable member is restrained, whereby the panel cannot be attached and detached. The panel cannot be removed by operating the movable member without a key suitable for the lock means, so that the security of the game machine against an offense is increased. 
     In the panel mounting apparatus, the movable member may be provided so as to oppose one end surface of said panel, and the movement of the movable member in the direction to cross a plane of one end surface may allow the panel to be attached and detached. 
     By the above arrangements, by pressing the panel towards the movable member provided on one of the retainer frames, the other retainer frame can be disengaged from the panel and the panel can be pulled out to the front of the housing. 
     In the panel mounting apparatus, the movable member may be formed as an elongated member extending along one end surface of the panel, the movement of the movable member along the length thereof may allow an engaging portion provided on one end of the movable member along the length thereof to be engaged with a corresponding engaging portion of the housing, and the other end of the movable member is mounted to the housing through a mounting member with the engagement of the engaging portions maintained. 
     By the above arrangements, by only moving the movable member in the direction along the length thereof to bring the engaging portions into engagement with each other and thereafter, the other end of the movable member is mounted to the mounting member, the mounting of the movable member is completed. Therefore, the movable member can be mounted easily as compared with a case where both ends of the movable member are secured by mounting members such as screws. 
     In the panel mounting apparatus, the mounting member may be a screw, and play for allowing the movable member to be moved in the direction to cross a plane of one end surface may be produced between the engaging portions when the screw is loosened. 
     By the above arrangements, only loosening of the screw on the other end of the movable member allows the panel to be attached and detached. Therefore, the panel can be efficiently attached and detached. 
     In the panel mounting apparatus, the housing includes a main body, a door for opening and closing the front of the main body, and locking means for restricting the opening and closing of the door, the accommodating section is provided in the door, the movable member is mounted in the door by a mounting member mounted from the inside of the door, and the movable state of the movable member in the direction to cross a plane of one end surface of the panel and the unmovable state are switched in response to the operation of the mounting member. 
     By the above arrangement, the panel cannot be attached and detached unless the lock member is unlocked to open the door, and unless the mounting member is operated from the inside of the door to switch the movable member to a movable state. Therefore, the security of the game machine against an offense is increased. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine including: a housing having provided therein a lighting fixture accommodating section; a light-transmittable panel to be mounted to an opening of the accommodating section; and a panel mounting apparatus for mounting the light-transmittable panel, wherein the panel mounting apparatus includes: a pair of retainer frames for retaining a pair of parallel ends of the panel which are formed on the periphery of the opening of the accommodating section, and a movable member which is provided on one of the retainer frames for changing the shape of the retainer frames between a state of preventing the removal of the panel and a state of allowing the attachment and detachment of the panel. 
     Other features and objects of the present invention will be made clear together with variation thereof from the following description regarding the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a top box in a longitudinal direction in a slot machine to which a panel mounting apparatus of the present invention is incorporated; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a retainer frame provided on the upper part of the top box of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a retainer frame provided on the lower part of the top box of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the retainer frame provided on the lower part of the top box of FIG.  1  and its peripheral components; 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the part V of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the part VI of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII—VII of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a door in a longitudinal direction in a slot machine to which a panel mounting apparatus of the present invention is incorporated; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the part IX of FIG. 8; 
     FIGS. 10A to  10 C illustrate a movable member in detail which is provided to the mounting apparatus of FIG. 9, in which 
     FIG. 10A is a plan view; 
     FIG. 10B is a front view; and 
     FIG. 10C is a side view in the direction of the arrow Xc of FIG. 10B; 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a construction on the side of the inner surface of the door of FIG. 8, in which 
     FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the overall construction; and 
     FIG. 11B is a vertical sectional view of the movable member in the part XIB of FIG. 11A along the length thereof; and 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a construction of a slot machine to which a locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated, in which 
     FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a state where the door of the housing is closed; and 
     FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing the internal structure by opening the door of the housing. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a slot machine to which a mounting apparatus of the present invention is incorporated. A slot machine  1  is composed of a longitudinal housing  2  having various types of components fitted to the inside and outside thereof. The housing  2  has a main body  3  and a top box  4  mounted on the main body  3 . A door  5  is mounted to the front of the main body  3  so as to be opened and closed using a hinge  6  fitted to the left of the door  5 . A monitor  7  is accommodated in the main body  3 , and an electric parts box  8 , an AC power-supply unit  9  and a mount base  10  for mounting a device (not shown) for checking a piece of paper inserted in a slip insert  5   a  are provided below the monitor  7 . A fixing member  12  disposed at the right of the door  5  is engaged with an engagement pawl  13 , so that the door  5  is closed. When a knob  14  projected from the right of the door  5  is operated, the engagement pawl  13  is disengaged from the fixing member  12 , so that the door  5  can be opened. A lock  15  is disposed above the knob  14 . The lock  15  can switch between a locked and unlocked state of the door  5 . 
     Display panels  16  and  17  are provided on the front of the top box  4  and the door  5 , respectively. The display panels  16  and  17  include rectangular panels formed of light-transmittable materials, such as acryl, on which the title of the game machine, illustration of prizes and decorative patterns are painted. The present invention is applicable to the mounting of the display panels  16  and  17 . 
     FIGS. 1 to  7  illustrate details of an apparatus for mounting the display panel  16  to the top box  4 . As shown in FIG. 1, a fluorescent lamp accommodating section  21  including a fluorescent lamp  18 , a fluorescent lamp holder  19  and a reflecting plate  20  are provided inside the top box  4 . An opening  4   a  is provided at the front of the top box  4 , and a pair of retainer frames  31  and  32  to be engaged with the upper and lower ends  16   a  and  16   b , respectively, of the display panel  16  are formed at the upper and lower edges of the opening  4   a . The left and right ends of the opening  4   a  are defined by a pair of side frames  22  mounted to the front end of the top box  4  (see FIG.  4 ). 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the upper retainer frame  31  is composed of a front wall portion  34   a , an upper wall portion  35   a  and a rear wall portion  36   a  provided to retainer frame components  34 ,  35  and  36 , respectively, which are fixed to the front end of a top plate  4   b  of the top box  4 , so as to surround the upper end portion  16   a  of the display panel  16  from front and back (left and right in FIG. 2) and from above. The space between the front wall portion  34   a  and the rear wall portion  36   a  is set somewhat wider than the thickness of the display panel  16  so that the display panel  16  can be rocked back and forth using the retainer frame  31  as a fulcrum. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 to  5  in detail, a mount base  37  extending along substantially the entire length of the lower edge of the opening  4   a  is mounted to the bottom plate  4   c  of the top box  4  by the use of joining means, such as welding. The mount base  37  includes a junction  37   a  to be joined to the bottom plate  4   c  and a supporting portion  37   b  raised higher than the junction  37   a . A holding member  40  and a movable member  41  for forming the retainer frame  32  are disposed on the upper surface of the supporting portion  37   b , and a restraining member  50  is provided on the upper surface of the junction  37   a . The mount base  37 , holding member  40 , movable member  41  and restraining member  50  are made of thin plate, such as steel plate, formed into a predetermined shape by a plate work. 
     The holding member  40  is secured to the mount base  37  by a plurality of screws  43  (see FIG.  4 ). A panel receiver  40   a  raised higher than the supporting portion  37   b  of the mount base  37 , a front wall portion  40   b  bent almost perpendicularly upward from the panel receiver  40   a , and a rear wall portion  40   c  are provided at the front end of the holding member  40 . The space between the front and rear wall portions  40   b  and  40   c  is set somewhat wider than the thickness of the display panel  16  so as to receive the lower end  16   b  of the display panel  16 . 
     The front wall portion  40   b  is formed lower than the rear wall portion  40   c . More particularly, the height of the front and rear wall portions  40   b  and  40   c  is set such that the front wall portion  40   b  is below the locus L of the lower end of the display panel  16 , and the rear wall portion  40   c  projects above the locus L when the display panel  16  is rocked using the upper retainer frame  31  (see FIG. 2) as a fulcrum while abutting the display panel  16  against the retainer frame  31 . 
     The movable member  41  is provided with a front frame  41   a  extending along substantially the entire lateral length of the opening  4   a , and three supporting plates  41   b  extending from the lower end of the front frame  41   a  to the inside of the opening  4   a . Before the holding member  40  is secured to the mount base  37 , the movable member  41  is attached to the lower surface of the panel receiver portion  40   a  of the holding member  40  while fitting the supporting plates  41  b to cutouts  40   d  of the holding member  40 . Thereafter, the holding member  40  is secured to the mounting base  37  by screws  43 . 
     The holding member  40  is provided with a plurality (three in the drawing) of guide wall portions  40   e  which are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the game machine, and each of the supporting plates  4  lb of the movable member  41  is provided with an attachment plate  41   c  extending along the guide wall portions  40   e . As is apparent from FIG. 3, an elongated hole  40   f , or slot, extending longitudinally is formed in the guide wall portion  40   e . A screw  45  attached to the elongated hole  40   f  through a washer  44  is screwed into the attachment plate  41   c , whereby the movable member  41  is supported by the holding member  40  in the state where it can move forward and backward along the elongated hole  40   f.    
     When the movable member  41  is pulled out to a maximum to the front of the game machine, the screw  45  is guided by an upward flexure  40   g  provided at the front end of the elongated hole  40   f , so that the movable member  41  projects to the front of the game machine in a forward lowering state, as shown by solid lines in FIG.  3 . In this state, the front frame  4  la moves to the outside of the locus L of the display panel  16 . Therefore, the upper end portion  16   a  of the display panel  16  is fitted to the retainer frame  31  to raise the whole display panel  16  (the arrow A), and then the display panel  16  is rocked toward the back of the game machine using the retainer frame  31  as a fulcrum (the arrow B), and the display panel  16  is lowered onto the upper surface of the panel receiver  40   a  (the arrow C), whereby the lower end portion  16   b  of the display panel  16  can be inserted into a space surrounded by the front and rear wall portions  40   b  and  40   c  and the panel receiver  40   a.    
     When the front frame  4  la of the movable member  41  is pressed in to a maximum while being raised after the insertion of the display panel  16  (see the arrows D and E), the front frame  41  a covers the front wall portion  40   b  of the holding member  40  and projects to the inside of the locus L of the display panel  16 , as shown by imaginary line in FIG.  3 . This makes it impossible to remove the display panel  16 . The lower retainer frame  32  of the top box  4  is constituted by the front frame  4  la of the movable member  41 , the front wall portion  40   b  of the holding member  40 , the panel receiver  40   a  and the rear wall portion  40   c.    
     To remove the display panel  16 , the movable member  41  is pulled out to the front, and the display panel  16  is raised to rock the lower end portion  16   b  thereof to the front of the game machine, and thereafter the display panel  16  is lowered and the upper end  16   a  is removed from the retainer frame  31 . This allows the display panel  16  to be exchanged, and allows maintenance and exchange of the fluorescent lamp  18  to be effected. As is apparent from FIG. 4, the front wall portion  40   b  and the rear wall portion  40   c  are shifted in the lateral direction of the top box  4 , and the panel receiver  40   a  does not exist in front of the rear wall portion  40   c . Therefore, at the forward portion of the rear wall portion  40   c , the lower end  16   b  can be directly held by hand to raise the display panel  16 . 
     Engagement plates  41   d  parallel to the lateral direction of the game machine are disposed at the rear ends of the left and right supporting plates  41   b  of the movable member  41 . The engagement plates  41   d  are engaged with engagement pawls  50   a  of the restraining member  50 , so that the movable member  41  is restrained at the rearmost end of its moving range, i.e., the position where the removal of the display panel  16  is prevented. 
     A plurality of elongated holes, or slots  50   b , (only one is shown in FIG. 5) extending along the lateral direction of the game machine are formed in the constraining member  50 . A nut  52  is screwed into a screw member  37   c  secured to the junction  37   a  through a washer  51  from above the restraining member  50  with the screw member  37   c  slidably fitted to the slot  50   b . This allows the restraining member  50  to be mounted to the mount base  37  in a movable state in the lateral direction of the game machine. A tension spring  53  is provided between one of the screws  43  for securing the holding member  40  and a spring retainer  50   c  of the restraining member  50 . The restraining member  50  is urged by the tensile force of the spring  53  toward the right of FIG. 4, i.e., in the direction in which the engagement pawl  50   a  is engaged with the engagement plate  41   d . 
     As shown in FIGS. 5 to  7  in detail, a drive portion  50   d  extending upward is disposed at the right end of the restraining member  50 . In order to press the drive portion  50   d  toward the left in FIG. 4, a shaft-like driving member  54  is fitted movably in a lateral direction to the right side plate  4   d  of the top box  4  through a bushing  55 , and is prevented from falling out by a snap ring  56 . A lock  57  is disposed near the driving member  54 . The lock  57  is provided with a rotation shaft (not shown) which is rotated only when a predetermined key is inserted into the lock  57 , and a locking plate  58  is mounted to the end of the rotation shaft. 
     When the lock  57  is operated to rotate the locking plate  58  to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 with the engagement pawl  50   a  of the restraining member  50  engaged with the engagement plate  41  d of the movable member  40 , the locking plate  58  opposes the drive portion  50   d  of the restraining member  50  and the driving member  54  is locked. That is, in this state, the driving member  54  cannot be pressed in, and the movable member  41  cannot be pulled out to remove the display panel  16 . 
     On the other hand, the lock  57  is operated to separate the locking plate  58  from the drive portion  50   d  (the arrow F in FIG.  4 ), and the driving member  54  is pressed in so as to allow the restraining member  50  to move such that the engagement pawls  50   a  are disengaged from the engagement plates  41  d of the movable member  41  (the arrows G and H), whereby the movable member  41  can be pulled out (the arrow I) and the display panel  16  can be removed. When pressing in the movable member  41 , the engagement plates  41  d come into contact with tapered portions  50   e  of the engagement pawls  50   a , so that the restraining member  50  is gradually pressed toward the left of FIG.  4 . When the engagement plates  41   d  cross over the engagement pawls  50   a , the restraining member  50  moves to the right of FIG.  4  and the engagement pawls  50   a  are engaged with the engagement plates  41   d , whereby the movable member  41  is restrained. 
     FIGS. 8 to  11  illustrate an apparatus for mounting the display panel  17  to the door  5  of the housing  2 . As shown in FIG. 8, a lighting box  25  defining an accommodating section  24  for a fluorescent lamp  23  is provided inside the door  5 . The display panel  17  is mounted to an opening  25   a  provided at the front of the lighting box  25 , whereby the lighting box  25  is closed. 
     A pair of retainer frames  61  and  62  to be engaged with the upper and lower ends  17   a  and  17   b , respectively, of the display panel  17  are formed at the upper and lower edges of the opening  25   a  of the lighting box  25 . The lower retainer frame  62  is constructed so as to surround the lower end  17   b  of the display panel  17  from front and back, and from below by a bent portion  63   a  of a lower front plate  63  which constitutes the front surface of the door  5 , a panel receiver  64   a  and a vertical wall portion  64   b  of a stiffening plate  64  fixed to the back of the lower front plate  63 . 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the upper retainer frame  61  is constructed so as to surround the upper end  17   a  of the display panel  17  from front and back, and from above by a front wall portion  66   a  formed at the end of an upper front plate  66 , a rear wall portion  67   a  formed at the front end of an upper wall plate  67  constituting the ceiling of the lighting box  25  and a panel receiver  68   a  of a movable member  68  mounted on the upper surface of the upper wall plate  67 . 
     FIGS. 10A to  10 C illustrate the movable member  68  in detail. The movable member  68  is formed by a plate work using thin plate, such as steel plate as a material, and includes the panel receiver  68   a , a junction  68   b  provided on the level lower than the panel receiver  68   a , and an engaging portion  68   c  disposed on one end of the junction  68   b . On the lower surface of the panel receiver  68   a , i.e., the surface opposing the end surface, i.e., the edge surface, of the display panel  17 , there are provided projections  68   d  at suitable intervals along the length of the movable member  68 . A single female screw hole  68   e  is provided on the other end of the junction  68   b.    
     As shown in FIG. 11A, an engagement portion  68   c  of the movable member  68  is inserted into a punched hole  67   b  (an engaging portion of the casing) formed in the upper wall plate  67 , and a screw  71  fitted from the lower surface of the upper wall plate  67  through a washer  70  is screwed into the female screw hole  68   e , whereby the movable member  68  is mounted on the upper surface of the upper wall plate  67 . That is, as shown in FIG. 11B in detail, the punched hole  67   b  is sufficiently large for passing therethrough the engaging portion  68   c  of the movable member  68 . When the engaging portion  68   c  is inserted into the punched hole  67   b  and the movable member  68  is slid along the length thereof, as shown by the arrow S, the engaging portion  68   c  opposes the lower surface of an engaging portion  67   c  of the upper wall plate  67 , whereby one end of the movable member  68  is prevented from being removed upward. In this state, the screw  71  is fitted to secure the movable member  68 . However, even if the screw  71  is fastened, the engaging portion  68   c  of the movable member  68  is not adhered closely to the engaging portion  67   c  of the upper wall plate  67 . 
     A depression  25   b  is formed in the lighting box  25  corresponding to the position of the screw  71 , and the lower surface of the upper wall plate  67  is exposed to the outside of the lighting box  25  at the depression  25   b  when the door  5  is opened. Therefore, the door  5  can be opened to operate the screw  71  from below by an operating tool, such as a screwdriver. 
     According to the mounting apparatus shown in FIGS. 8 to  11 , loosening of the screw  71  produces play between the engaging portion  68   c  of the movable member  68  and the engaging portion  67   c  of the upper wall plate  67  corresponding to the size of the gap therebetween, whereby the movable member  68  can move up and down. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, when the upper end  17   a  of the display panel  17  is inserted into the retainer frame  61  and pressed upward, the panel receiver  68   a  of the movable member  68  moves upward. In this state, when the display panel  17  is rocked using the retainer frame  61  as a fulcrum so as to fit its lower end  17   b  to the retainer frame  62 , and then the screw  71  is fastened, the movable member  68  is adhered closely to the upper wall plate  67  without any play, so that the display panel  17  is held between the panel receivers  68   a  and  64   a . Even if warpage occurs in the movable member  68  during its plate working, the upper end  17   a  of the display panel  17  abuts against the projections  68   d  at a plurality of points, thereby holding the display panel  17  securely. 
     If the door  5  is opened and the screw  71  is loosened, the display panel  17  can be pulled out to the front of the door  5  by reversing the above order. This allows the display panel  17  to be exchanged, and allows maintenance and exchange of the fluorescent lamp  23  accommodated in the lighting box  25  to be effected. 
     The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications may be made. For example, a pair of retainer frames for retaining the left and right ends of the panel may be provided, and a movable member is provided on one of the retainer frames. In addition, the movable member may be provided on both of the retainer frames so as to attach and detach the panel to and from each of the retainer frames. 
     As described above, according to the present invention, a retainer frame for retaining an end of a panel of a game machine is provided with a movable member so as to change the shape of the retainer frame. Thus, the panel can be retained, and attached and detached only by moving the movable member. Therefore, the panel can be easily attached and detached as compared with the conventional apparatus which requires removal of a large retainer frame surrounding the whole circumference of the panel, thereby reducing the labor required for maintenance and exchange of the panel and the lighting fixture placed inside thereof.