Switch unit and game machine

Abstract

A switch unit has a display part configured to display an image, and an operation part provided on the display part in a stacked manner. The operation part includes a plurality of press buttons each having a pressable top surface formed to be transparent, a transparent base having a plurality of openings which are formed so as to be spaced from each other in positions corresponding to a display region of the display part, while avoiding a peripheral edge of the display region, a transparent substrate provided below the base and mounted with an electronic component, and a top plate having openings in positions corresponding to the press buttons and provided on the base, with the press buttons mounted thereon, so as to cover the base.

Claims

1. A switch unit comprising: a display part configured to display an image; and an operation part provided on the display part in a stacked manner, wherein the operation part includes: a plurality of press buttons each having a pressable top surface formed to be transparent; a transparent base having a plurality of openings which are formed so as to be spaced from each other in positions corresponding to a display region of the display part, while avoiding a peripheral edge of the display region; a transparent substrate provided below the base and mounted with an electronic component; and a top plate having openings in positions corresponding to the press buttons and provided on the base, with the press buttons mounted thereon, so as to cover the base, and each of the press buttons includes, and forms into a unit, a button body integrally formed of the top surface, a frame-like stand that is larger than the top surface, and an elastically transformable bending transformation part configured to couple the top surface with the stand, a transparent frame-like cover configured to cover an outer periphery of the button body except for the top surface, a first sealing part integrally formed with the bending transformation part, and configured to be elastically transformed to adhere to the cover and seal a gap between the button body and the cover, and a second sealing part integrally formed with an outer peripheral surface of the cover, and configured to be elastically transformed to adhere to the base and the top plate and seal a gap between the cover and the base, the press button being mounted on the transparent substrate via the opening provided in the base.

2. The switch unit according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing part is integrally formed with the top surface and the stand by double-molding, along with the bending transformation part.

3. The switch unit according to claim 2, wherein the second sealing part is integrally formed with the cover by double-molding.

4. A game machine comprising the switch unit according to claim 2.

5. The switch unit according to claim 1, wherein the second sealing part is integrally formed with the cover by double-molding.

6. A game machine comprising the switch unit according to claim 5.

7. A game machine comprising the switch unit according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a slot machine mounted with a switch unit according to an embodiment;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the switch unit;

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the switch unit;

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a top plate in the switch unit;

(5) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an operation unit in the switch unit;

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a transparent substrate in the operation unit;

(7) FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a press button in the operation unit;

(8) FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part for explaining movement of the press button in the switch unit;

(9) FIG. 9 is a sectional perspective view of the main part for explaining a light performance in the switch unit;

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining how to attach the press button in the switch unit;

(11) FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the main part for explaining a water-resistant structure in the switch unit; and

(12) FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the main part for explaining a water-resistant structure between the switch unit and the slot machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) Hereinafter, a embodiments of the present invention is described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention.

(14) A switch unit of the present invention can be employed in operation boards of various game machines, industrial equipment, and consumer equipment.

(15) In the embodiment, a description is given of an example of mounting the switch unit in a slot machine as a game machine installed in a game hall such as a casino.

(16) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a slot machine 1 mounted with a switch unit 10 according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the slot machine 1, a reel part 2 is provided at the center of the front surface facing a player (operator), and an operation board 3 is provided below the reel part 2.

(17) The reel part 2 includes a plurality of reels (not shown) displaying a plurality of types of symbols. The plurality of reels start spinning by the player pressing down a SPIN button, described later, in the switch unit 10 and automatically stop by control of the equipment. A winning combination is determined based on a matching pattern of symbols and the matched symbols which are displayed in a window (not shown) of the reel part 2 when the reels stop. A prize is given to the player in accordance with the determined winning combination and the number of bets. Other than the configuration where the reels are actually provided, the reel part 2 may have a configuration where the reel part 2 is formed by an LCD (liquid crystal display) and an image corresponding to the reels is displayed, or some other configuration.

(18) The operation board 3 is provided with the switch unit 10 including a plurality of press-button switches, a bill inlet 4, and a ticket outlet 5. The switch unit 10 accepts specification of the number of bets and an instruction to start spinning of the reels at the time of the player playing with the slot machine 1.

(19) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the switch unit 10, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the switch unit 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch unit 10 is formed in a rectangular shape and includes a display device (display part) 100, an operation unit (operation part) 30, and a top plate 20.

(20) The display device 100 is formed of an LCD or the like, for example, and displays image data concerning a game. For example, the display device 100 displays images of functions of the respective press buttons 50 in the operation unit 30 disposed thereabove, a performance of the game, the characters that appear in the game, and the like. Thereby, the display device 100 can appeal to the player to play with its own device.

(21) Each member of the operation unit 30 is made of a transparent material except for a part thereof. Accordingly, the player can view the image displayed on the display device 100 through the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 has a plurality of press buttons 50 and is used for inputting the number of bets (bet button), and instructing to start a game (spin button).

(22) The top plate 20 is a transparent cover provided on the upper surface of the operation unit 30. An opening 21a through which each press button 50 projects is formed in a position corresponding to each press button 50 in the top plate 20. Further, the top plate 20 is made of a transparent material except for its peripheral edge.

(23) The display device 100 and the operation unit 30 are fixed with screws or the like to be formed into a unit (integrated), and thereon, the top plate 20 is provided.

(24) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the top plate 20. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the top plate 20 includes a top plate body 21, a top frame 22, and water-resistant rubber 23.

(25) The top plate body 21 is made of a transparent material such as transparent plastic, and formed with the plurality of openings 21 a. The top frame 22 is a frame-like support for supporting the peripheral edge of the top plate body 21. The peripheral edge of the top frame 22 is supported by a casing of the slot machine 1. The water-resistant rubber 23 is attached to the rear side of the peripheral edge of the top frame 22 with, for example, a double-sided tape or the like.

(26) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the operation unit 30, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a transparent substrate 34. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the operation unit 30 includes a plurality of press buttons 50, a switch base (base) 32, four LED control substrates 33, the transparent substrate 34, an insulating sheet 35, a spacer 36, and a base frame 37.

(27) The plurality of press buttons 50 are different in size, but the same in structure, and therefore, a detail thereof is described later with reference to FIG. 7. The switch base 32 is made of a transparent material such as transparent plastic, and a plurality of openings 32a are formed in positions corresponding to a display region of the display device 100. The press buttons 50 are mounted on the transparent substrate 34 located below the openings 32a via the openings 32a. The openings 32a are formed so as to be spaced from each other while avoiding the peripheral edge of the display region. Hence the image of the display device 100 is displayed also between the press buttons 50 and on the periphery of a placement region of the press buttons 50.

(28) The transparent substrate 34 is made of a thin transparent resin sheet such as an OHP sheet. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a plurality of LEDs 40 and a plurality of photo-sensors 41 which are electronic components are mounted in positions corresponding to the press buttons 50 on the transparent substrate 34.

(29) The LED 40 illuminates the peripheral edge of the press button 50, specifically the periphery of a top surface 52a described later, and is a full-color LED. The photo-sensor 41 detects pressing-down of the press button 50, specifically the pressing-down of the top surface 52a. In the example of FIG. 6, one photo-sensor 41, and two LEDs 40 for each side, that is, eight LEDs 40 in total, are mounted with respect to one press button 50.

(30) Returning to FIG. 5, four LED control substrates 33 are electrically connected with the transparent substrate 34 to drive the plurality of LEDs 40. Further, the four LED control substrates 33 detect pressing-down of the press button 50 based on a signal inputted from the photo-sensor 41.

(31) The transparent substrate 34 and the four LED control substrates 33 are provided on the base frame 37 with the insulating sheet 35 interposed therebetween, and the switch base 32 is further provided thereon. The parts from the switch base 32 to the base frame 37 are fixed with screws or the like to be formed into a unit (integrated).

(32) It is to be noted that the spacer 36 is a thickness adjustment member for filling a gap between the display device 100 and the insulating sheet 35. Naturally, the spacer 36 and the insulating sheet 35 are also made of transparent materials.

(33) FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the press button 50. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the press button 50 includes a button cover (cover) 51, a button body 52, a light shielding piece 55, a diffusion member 53, and a light guiding member (light guiding body) 54.

(34) The button cover 51 is made of a transparent material such as transparent plastic, and is a frame-like member having the opening 51a on its upper surface. The button cover 51 covers the outer periphery of the button body 52, except for the top surface 52a described later. Herein, the button cover 51 is attached from above the button body 52 so as to cover an outer peripheral lower part of the button body 52, including the light guiding member 54 provided at the lower end thereof.

(35) A light-shielding sealing part (second sealing part) 60 is formed in the outer peripheral lower part of the button cover 51. The light-shielding sealing part 60 is a wall-like projection annularly provided so as to be placed on the whole outer periphery of the button cover 51, and is made of a black resin material having elasticity, for example.

(36) Although described later in detail, the light-shielding sealing part 60 takes a water-resistant structure as follows: the press button 50 adheres to the members therearound (the switch base 32 and the top plate body 21), while being mounted in the opening 32a in the switch base 32, to seal the outer peripheral side of the press button 50. Further, while taking the water-resistant structure, the light-shielding sealing part 60 shields light leaking to the outer peripheral side of the button cover 51. The light-shielding sealing part 60 as thus described is integrally formed with the button cover 51 by double-molding, for example.

(37) The button body 52 is a lid-like member with its bottom surface open, and the top surface 52a is pressable. The lower part of the button body 52 serves as a frame-like stand 52b that is formed a size larger than the top surface 52a, and an elastically transformable bending transformation part 52c couples the top surface 52a with the stand 52b. An attachment part 52d for attachment of the light shielding piece 55 is formed on one surface (lower surface) of the stand 52b where the light guiding member 54 is to be provided.

(38) With the button cover 51 having been attached, the top surface 52a projects upward through the opening 51a of the button cover 51. When the top surface 52a is pressed down, the bending transformation part 52c is bent, and only the top surface 52a is pressed down. When the pressed-down state of the top surface 52a is canceled, the top surface 52a is pushed up upward by elastic force of the bending transformation part 52c to return to its fixed position.

(39) The top surface 52a and the stand 52b are made of transparent plastic or the like, and the bending transformation part 52c is made of elastomer resin having optical transparency, for example. The bending transformation part 52c is integrally formed with the top surface 52a and the stand 52b by double-molding, for example. Further, an inner sealing part (first sealing part) 61 made of the same resin material as that for the bending transformation part 52c is integrally formed with the bending transformation part 52c in a portion abutting on the rear surface of the button cover 51. The inner seating part 61 is a wall-like projection annularly provided so as to be placed on the whole outer periphery of the bending transformation part 52c. Although described later in detail, the inner seating part 61 takes a water-resistant structure as follows: even when the top surface 52a is pressed down, the leading end of the projection keeps adhering to the rear side of the button cover 51 to seal a gap between the button body 52 and the button cover 51.

(40) The light shielding piece 55 is a detection target for the photo-sensor 41 on the transparent substrate 34 described above. The light shielding piece 55 is attached to the attachment part 52d and vertically moves together with the top surface 52a of the button body 52.

(41) The light guiding member 54 is a frame-like light guiding body made of a light guiding material, and is attached below the stand 52b of the button body 52. A recessed part 54a for accommodating the LED 40 on the transparent substrate 34 is formed on one surface (lower surface) of the light guiding member 54, the surface being in contact with the transparent substrate 34. Although not shown, the bottom surface of the light guiding member 54 is processed so as to propagate partially present light of the LED 40 throughout the light guiding member 54 to form it into a surface light source.

(42) Further, on the upper surface of the light guiding member 54, a recessed part 54b for avoiding interference with the light shielding piece 55 is formed, and a projection 54c that abuts on the button body 52 is formed on the opposite side to the recessed part 54b. Forming the projection 54c controls the button body 52 such that only the side thereof provided with the light shielding piece 55 is lowered with respect to the button cover 51. In addition, the light shielding piece 55 is normally provided on the closer side of the press button 50 to the player.

(43) Further, an inner light shielding part 62 for shielding light leaking from the light guiding member 54 to the inner periphery side of the top surface 52a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the light guiding member 54. The inner light shielding part 62 is provided so as to be placed on the whole inner peripheral surface of the light guiding member 54, and is made of a black resin material having elasticity, for example. The inner light shielding part 62 is integrally formed with the light guiding member 54 by double-molding, for example.

(44) The diffusion member 53 is a sheet-like member provided between the stand 52b of the button body 52 and the light guiding member 54. The diffusion member 53 is provided for scattering light released from the light guiding member 54 to suppress the unevenness of brightness. The diffusion member 53 is formed in the frame shape as is the light guiding member 54, and is formed with a cut for allowing passage of the light shielding piece 55.

(45) The press button 50, including the button cover (cover) 51, the button body 52, the light shielding piece 55, the diffusion member 53, and the light guiding member (light guiding body) 54, is formed as a unit (integrated).

(46) FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the main part for explaining movement of the press button 50 in the switch unit. As an arrow in FIG. 8 indicates, when the top surface 52a of the press button 50 is pressed down by the player, the one side of the top surface 52a having the projection 54c is not pressed down, while the side thereof having the light shielding piece 55 is pressed down due to bending of the bending transformation part 52c. At this time, the top surface 52a abuts onto the light shielding piece 55 and also presses down the light shielding piece 55. Hence the photo-sensor 41 senses the light shielding piece 55 to detect turning-on of the press button 50.

(47) FIG. 9 is a sectional perspective view of the main part for explaining a light performance in the switch unit 10. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the press button 50 is provided with the button cover 51, the bending transformation part 52c, the stand 52b, the light guiding member 54, and the diffusion member 53 on the outer periphery of the top surface 52a. The LED 40 is disposed in a position corresponding to the outer periphery of the top surface 52a on the transparent substrate 34. Hence it is possible to make the outer periphery of the top surface 52a of the press button 50 emit light with various colors, so as to enhance the performance effect.

(48) The inner light shielding part 62 is provided inside the button body 52, more specifically on the inner peripheral surface of the light guiding member 54, to shield light leaking from the light guiding member 54 to the inside of the top surface 52a. Hence it is possible to prevent (suppress) interference of light in the light performance with an image of the display device displayed inside the top surface 52a.

(49) Further, the light-shielding sealing part 60 is provided outside the press button 50, more specifically on the outer peripheral surface of the button cover 51, to shield light leaking from the light guiding member 54 to the outside of the press button 50 via the button cover 51. The light-shielding sealing part 60 fills a gap between the button cover 51 and the switch base 32, and its leading end part is squashed by the top plate body 21 to be inwardly elastically transformed. The light-shielding sealing part 60 in the squashed state can prevent (suppress) interference of light in the light performance with an image of the display device displayed outside the press button 50.

(50) FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining how to attach the press button 50 in the switch unit 10. As illustrated in FIG. 10, by removal of the top plate 20, the press button 50 formed as a unit becomes detachable from the operation unit 30 in the state of being integrated with the display device 100. With the press button 50 having been removed, the LED 40 and the photo-sensor 41 mounted on the transparent substrate 34 are exposed through the opening 32a of the switch base 32. The press button 50 is attached so as to be mounted on the transparent substrate 34 via the opening 32a.

(51) FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the main part for explaining a water-resistant structure in the switch unit 10. As illustrated in FIG. 11, with the switch unit 10 having been assembled, the light-shielding sealing part 60 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the button cover 51 adheres to the inner wall surface of the opening 32a to seal a gap between the opening 32a and the outer periphery of the button cover 51. Further, the rising leading end part of the light-shielding sealing part 60 is squashed by the top plate body 21 to be elastically transformed, thereby to more firmly seal the gap between the opening 32a and the outer periphery of the button cover 51 (a water-resistant structure of the outer periphery side of the press button 50).

(52) Accordingly, even when the press button 50 is made detachable, entry of a liquid from between the press button 50 and the opening 32a in the switch base 32 can be inhibited to prevent the electronic component, such as the LED 40, mounted on the transparent substrate 34 from getting wet. Further, since the light-shielding sealing part 60 has been formed by the double-molding, it is possible to enhance the sealability between the button cover 51 and the light-shielding sealing part 60, compared with a configuration where different members are integrated by being pasted together.

(53) Moreover, in a state where the button cover 51 is fitted in the outer periphery of the button body 52, the inner seating part 61 provided on the bending transformation part 52c is squashed by the button cover 51 to be elastically transformed. The inner seating part 61 in the elastically transformed state adheres to the rear surface of the button cover 51 to seal the gap between the button body 52 and the button cover 51. Even when the top surface 52a is pressed down, the inner seating part 61 keeps adhering to the rear side of the button cover 51 to seal the gap between the button body 52 and the button cover 51.

(54) Accordingly, even when the top surface 52a is made pressable, entry of a liquid from between the button cover 51 and the button body 52 having the top surface 52a can be inhibited to prevent the electronic component, such as the LED 40, mounted on the transparent substrate 34 from getting wet. Further, since the inner seating part 61 has been formed by the double-molding, it is possible to enhance sealability of the button body 52 itself, compared with a configuration where different members are integrated by being pasted together.

(55) FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the main part for explaining a water-resistant structure between the switch unit 10 and the slot machine. As illustrated in FIG. 12, in a state where a unit formed of the display device 100 and the operation unit 30 is attached to the slot machine 1, when the top plate 20 is provided on the unit, the water-resistant rubber 23 adheres to a casing 101 of the slot machine 1 to inhibit entry of a liquid from between the top plate 20 and the casing 101 of the slot machine 1.

(56) The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments, but various modifications can be made within the scope defined in the claims. An embodiment obtained in appropriate combination of the technical methods disclosed respectively in the different embodiments is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

(57) The present invention can be employed in operation boards of various game machines, industrial equipment, consumer equipment, and the like.

(58) While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.