Gaming and amusement machines

Abstract

 The carcase of a fruit machine is formed in two separable parts (A and B). The main part (A) contains all the coin-handling apparatus including coin entry slots (5), a coin accepting and validating mechanism (6), stack tubes (7) and a cash box (11), and the other part (B) contains all the game-playing apparatus including rotatable reels (13) or their equivalent and display panels (14 and 15). The side walls (2) of the main part (A) extend upwards into the other part (B) and all the components of the coin-handling apparatus apart from the coin box (11) are positioned in the upper region of the main part (A) at or above the level of the reels (13) which are disposed in a projecting lower region of the other part (B). This arrangement enables the payout tray (10) to be located in the lower region of part (B) below the level of the reels (13). Access to the interior components of both parts (A and B) is through hinged panels (3,14 and 15) of the front wall of the carcase.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to coin-released or token-released gaming and amusement machines, primarily of the kind commonly known as 'fruit machines' which have game-playing apparatus in the form of either rotatable reels which carry different symbols on their peripheries or a mechanism which simulates such reels and which is used to play a game that can result in the award of prizes depending upon the combinations of symbols that are visible on a display at the end of a game. The invention, however may also be applicable to other similar kinds of machine in which a coin or token is inserted to release a mechanism for playing a game which may or may not result in the award of prizes.

[0002] The invention is concerned in particular with the overall construction and layout of such machines. Although small machines for mounting on tables are known, almost all fruit machines nowadays are of the console type comprising a floor-standing cabinet with vertical side walls extending the full height, a display panel in the upper part of the front wall with the symbols on the reels (or on simulated reels) visible through it, as well as other features, the operating buttons below the panel, and a pay-out tray in the lower part of the front wall. Access for maintenance, and for collection of the money from the cash box, is by means of a hinged door forming the back of the casing.

[0003] This layout is standard. It means that the machine has to be moved away from its position (usually against a wall) for all maintenance work, and even for the regular collecting visits, although it is true that machines with a front-access or side-access cash box are also known.

[0004] A further drawback of most known machines is the low position of the pay-out tray; this is a consequence of the need to have stack tubes of adequate height to handle large payouts, but it is unpopular with the users, who have to bend down to retrieve their winnings. Again, remedies are known, for example by using hoppers instead of stack tubes, but these have their own drawbacks.

[0005] It is also known, for example as disclosed in Patent Specification GB-2 112 985 A, to have a fruit machine made in two separate parts one above the other, with all the game-playing apparatus, i.e. the reel mechanism and display in the upper (or lower) part and all the coin-handling or token-handling apparatus i.e. coin or token entry slots, a coin or token accepting and validating mechanism and a payout tray in the lower (or upper) part. However, this means either that the pay-out tray is too low if the coin or token entry slots are themselves at a low level in the lower part (below the reel mechanism and display), or the reel mechanism and display is too low (if the coin-handling or token-handling apparatus is in the upper part).

[0006] The aim of the invention, therefore, is to introduce greater flexibility and ease of access into a fruit machine or similar amusement or gambling machine. According to the main feature of the invention the carcase or cabinet of such a machine is made in at least two separable parts, a first part of which contains at least one display panel in the upper part of the machine and game-playing apparatus, whilst the second main part of the machine contains coin-handling or token-handling apparatus including a coin or token accepting and validating mechanism, and a cash box in the lower region of the machine, the machine being characterised in that the parts interengage so that rather than being one above the other, they overlap with the coin accepting and validating mechanism positioned at or above the level of the game-playing apparatus.

[0007] In this arrangement, one part nests within the other part, so that even though the parts are separable they are not one above the other.

[0008] According to a further feature of the invention the first part of the carcase is wider than the second, main part and fits partially over it, with the side walls of the second, main part extending upwards into the first part, so that the first part has the appearance of overhanging the second part at the sides; this facilitates concealment of the attachment between the two parts.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the main feature of the invention is applied to a gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine which is arranged to award prizes following winning games and the coin-handling and/or token-handling apparatus within the second, main part includes stack tubes for storing the accepted coins and/or tokens and a coin or token payout mechanism which is arranged to transfer coins or tokens to a payout tray positioned in the front wall of the machine. In such a gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine the stack tubes are preferably mounted in the upper region of the second, main part which may be itself within the first part, so that the payout tray can actually be in the lower region of the first part below the display panel or panels. This may be facilitated if instead of single stack tubes for each denomination of coin one has two or more stack tubes side by side, with coins overflowing from the top of the first cascading into the second, and so on, so that for a given total value of coins held the height of the stack tubes can be relatively small and their lower ends, from which the prizes are paid out in the usual way, are above the level of the bottom of the upper part of the carcase.

[0010] According to another feature of the invention access to the game-playing apparatus and to the coin-handling and/or token-handling apparatus within the first and second parts is through hinged or otherwise openable access panels of the front wall of the machine.

[0011] Preferably the back of the machine is permanently closed and all access is through the front by means of the access panels. The entire display panel which carries the artwork may be hinged to swing upwards, giving access to the coin validators and lights, whilst a lower transparent panel in the first carcase portion over the reels may hinge sideways to give access to the reels (mounted in the first portion) and the stack tubes (mounted in the upper region of the second portion). A door in the front of the second portion may give access to the cash-box and a mains supply transformer.

[0012] Preferably only one of these doors or access panels needs to be locked, and it is only when this one is opened that access can be gained to release latches for the others.

[0013] The coin entry slot, or each such slot, leading to the coin token accepting and validating mechanism is mounted in the main part and according to a further feature of the invention it is at the top of this part and accessible through an opening in the upper display area but, being behind that panel, does not have to register accurately with the opening, so that tight tolerances on the fit between the parts at this point are not required.

[0014] Finally, as the back wall of the machine is now not a door but a fixed part of the carcase, it may be used as a mounting board for virtually all the wiring and the electrical components of the machine, and so the wiring up can now be done, not in the interior of an upright cabinet, but on a horizontal board resting on a workbench at a convenient level; this board, for example with all the main electrical components such as micro-chip boards, mains supply, and any relays present, and fully wired up is then built into the carcase as its back wall, and it may extend the full height of the machine.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fruit machine carcase formed in two parts;

Figure 2 is a front view of the carcase shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the carcase shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the carcase showing schematically some internal components of the fruit machine.

[0016] The fruit machine carcase shown in the drawings is formed in two parts A and B. The main part A comprises a base 1, side walls 2, a hinged front wall 3 forming a door, and a fixed back wall 4. The side and back walls 2 and 4 extend up the full height of the machine.

[0017] The main part A extends upwards into the other part B of the carcase and contains all the coin-handling or token-handling apparatus of the machine. Located in the upper region of part A are most of the components of the coin-handling or token-handling apparatus namely coin or token entry slots 5, a coin or token accepting and validating mechanism 6, stack tubes 7 for storing the coins or tokens and a payout mechanism 8 which when a win is achieved operates to transfer coins or tokens via a payout chute 9 to a payout tray 10 in the lower region of the part B. A cash box 11 located in the lower region of part A receives coins or tokens from the coin accepting and validating mechanism 6 when the stack tubes 7 contain enough coins and/or tokens for payout purposes. Coins rejected by the mechanism 6 are passed via a coin reject chute 12 into the payout chute 9.

[0018] Part B of the carcase contains all the game-playing apparatus of the machine, namely rotatable reels 13, a reel-spinning mechanism (not shown), upper and lower illuminated display panels 14 and 15 which form the front wall of Part B and lamps 22 for illuminating the display panels 14 and 15. Part B has side walls 23 which overlap the side walls 2 of Part A and which project forwards to form a fascia portion 16 carrying operating controls in the form of buttons 17 and the payout tray 10. The lower display panel 15 is hinged at one side and covers the reels 13, and the upper display panel 14, hinged at the top, displays other features of the game. Notches in the top of this panel provide access to the coin entry slots 5, which are carried on the main part A behind the panel. The entire coin-entry and validating mechanism may be mounted on the part A on a hinged panel which can be swung aside for servicing when the display panel 14 on the part B is opened.

[0019] It is important to note that the slots 5 are behind the panel 14 and so, although accessible for the insertion of coins, they do not have to be aligned accurately with the notches in the panel. This avoids the need for any close tolerances in the location of the panel (mounted on part B) and the slots (mounted on part A).

[0020] Only the door 3 is locked from outside. Opening this door gives access to a rod (not shown) actuating latches for the panel 15 in the part B. Only when this panel 15 is opened does it give access to latches to allow the opening of panel 14.

[0021] The entire game-containing part B of the carcase may be detached from the main part A by sliding it forwards, after the release of screws. This modular construction allows not only flexibility in manufacture (since standard main parts may be fitted with a variety of different game-containing parts), but also allows existing machines to be updated by exchanging only the game-containing part for a new one, leaving the coin entry and validating mechanism, the stack tubes, coin box and mains supply undisturbed.

[0022] The stack tubes may themselves be mounted on an easily removable shelf to form a self-contained sub-assembly within the main part.

[0023] In the further pursuit of flexibility in manufacture, provision may be made for the optional mounting of an operating handle on the right-hand side of the game-containing part B of the carcase, so that machines with handles and those with buttons can be supplied as required, almost at will. Where a handle is fitted, it may be arranged, in a known manner, to actuate micro-switches to spin the reels, i.e. without any direct mechanical connection, the wiring and mechanism therefore being identical in both kinds of machine.

[0024] Although the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings is a gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind known as a fruit machine, it will be appreciated that most of the features of the present invention may also be applied to other types of amusement machines including those which do not give prizes in which case the stack tubes and the payout mechanism may be omitted and the payout tray will simply be used for returning rejected coins to the player.

Claims

1. A coin-released or token-released gaming or amusement machine comprising a carcase or cabinet made in at least two separable parts (A and B), in which a first part (B) contains game-playing apparatus (13) and at least one display panel (14,15) in the upper region of the front wall of the machine, and a second, main part (A) of the machine contains coin-handling and/or token-handling apparatus including a cash box (11) in the lower region of the machine and a coin or token accepting or validating mechanism (6), characterised in that the first and second separable parts (A and B) interengage so that they overlap with the coin or token accepting or validating mechanism (6) positioned at or above the level of the game-playing apparatus (13).

2. A coin-released or token-released gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine comprising a carcase or cabinet made in at least two separable parts (A and B) in which a first part (B) contains game-playing apparatus (13) and at least one display panel (14,15) in the upper region of the front wall of the machine, and a second, main part (A) of the machine contains coin-handling and/or token-handling apparatus including a cash box (11) in the lower region of the machine and a coin or token accepting and validating mechanism (6), stack tubes (7) for storing the accepted coins and/or tokens and a coin or token payout mechanism (8) which is arranged to transfer coins or tokens from the stack tubes (7) to a payout tray (10) in the front wall of the machine, characterised in that the first and second separable parts (A and B) interengage so that they overlap with the coins or token accepting and validating mechanism (6) positioned at or above the level of the game-playing apparatus (13).

3. A machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the stack tubes are mounted in the upper region of the second, main part (A) and the payout tray (10) is in the lower region of the first part (B) below the display panel or panels (14,15).

4. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the first part (B) of the carcase or cabinet is wider than the second, main part (A) and fits at least partially over it with the side walls (2) of the main part extending upwards into the first part (B) so that the first part (B) which contains the display panel or panels and the game playing apparatus has the appearance of overhanging the main part (A) at the sides.

5. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the lower region of the first part (B) projects forwards to form a fascia portion (16) which overhangs the lower region of the second part (A) and which carries operating controls (17) used for playing a game on the machine.

6. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that access to the interior of the first and second parts (A and B) of the machine is through hinged or otherwise openable access panels (3,14 and 15) of the front wall.

7. A machine according to claim 6 characterised in that one of the access panels (3) is lockable and at least one release latch for the other access panel or panels (14,15) is located within the carcase or cabinet of the machine behind said lockable panel (3).

8. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that at least one coin entry slot (5) is mounted at the top of the second, main part (A) of the machine and is accessible through an opening in a display panel (14) in the upper region of the first part (B).

9. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inner surface of the back wall (4) of the machine is used as a mounting board for wiring and electrical components of the machine.

Drawing