JPH0757592A - Composite operation switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a composite operation switch having a novel operating method and showing up not poorly when fitted to a large game machine by protruding an action lever above an operation panel, covering this projection with an operation cover body, and coupling it horizontally movably and/or rotatably. CONSTITUTION:An action lever 10 is protruded upward via a fitting hole 9a provided on an operation panel 9, and a coupling ball 10a fitted at its tip is coupled with an operation cover body 23. Ball bearings 27 serving as sliding means 26 are arranged at four positions on a base board 25, and the bearings 27 are kept in contact with the upper face of the operation panel 9 to keep the horizontal motion of the cover body 23 smooth. A coupling board 29 is arranged on the back side of the operation panel 9, the insertion hole 29a of the lever 10 is provided at the center section of the coupling board 29, and the center section is fixed to the base board 25. Ball bearings 31 are arranged on the coupling board 29 to keep the horizontal sliding of the cover body 23 smooth. A pair of spring receiving members 33, 34 are fitted to the lever 10 between a fitting plate 7 and the base board 25, and a coil spring 35 invariably returning the lever 10 to the neutral position is elastically provided between the members 33, 34.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite operation switch suitable for use in various large game machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a support board and a swingable and / or rotatable support board can be used as an operation switch for a video game machine in which a plurality of micro switches can be appropriately selected and opened / closed by a single operation lever. A supported operation lever, a plurality of microswitch groups installed on the support board surrounding the operation lever, and a guide hole through which a free end side of the operation lever is inserted to fix the microswitch. It consists of a guide plate that is rotatably mounted with a mounting screw on a support pillar that projects from the support board side,
In particular, composite operation switches for video game machines are known.

[0003]

This conventionally known composite operation switch is convenient and convenient because a large number of micro switches can be turned on and off with a single operation lever, but recently it has been a video game. Since the game machine itself including the game machine is becoming larger and more complicated, there is a problem that the conventional control of the game machine by the operation lever gives the player a feeling that something is insufficient.

Further, the conventional operation lever system is being dismissed, and there is a strong demand for a composite operation switch by a new operation method replacing the conventional one.

An object of the present invention is to provide a composite operation switch which has a novel operation method and is not inferior even when attached to a large game machine.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a swingable and / or rotatable actuating lever attached to a support board attached to an operation board of various game machines, and the actuating lever is In a configuration in which a plurality of micro switches and / or contacts arranged around the actuating lever can be automatically returned to a neutral position and turned on and off by swinging and turning operation of the actuating lever, The operation lever is projected above the operation plate, and the operation cover body is covered on the protruded portion so that the operation cover body can be horizontally moved and / or rotated in multiple directions with respect to the operation plate. It is a combination.

At this time, in engaging the operation cover body so as to be horizontally movable and / or rotatable in multiple directions of the operation plate, an engagement board attached to the operation cover body on the back side of the operation plate. Can be placed.

Further, according to the present invention, the operation cover body is composed of a base board for holding the actuating lever and a cover body fixed to the upper part of the base board, and the engaging board and / or the base board. A sliding means such as a bearing can be interposed between the board and the operation plate.

Further, according to the present invention, an elastic means may be further provided between the operating lever and the upper portion of the support board for always holding the operating lever in a self-supporting state.

[0010]

When the operation cover body is pressed by the palm of the hand and pressed in multiple directions, or is rotated to the left or right, the operation cover body slides or rotates in the horizontal direction in multiple directions. Then, the actuating lever engaged with the operation cover body swings or rotates to turn on a large number of micro switches and contacts arranged around it.
N, turn off.

At this time, if the engaging plate fixed to the operation cover body is arranged on the back side of the operation plate, the operation cover body will not come out upward even if the operating lever is not connected to the operation cover body. Further, the horizontal movement operation of the operation cover body is stabilized.

Further, when the operation cover body is composed of the base board and the cover body, the operation cover body can be separated and the sliding means, the operating lever and other accessory parts can be incorporated in the base board.

When the sliding means is provided on the cover body and / or the engaging plate, the operation cover body moves smoothly with a weak pressing force.

If elastic means is further provided between the operating lever and the upper part of the support board, even if the operating lever is used in a state where a load is applied, the operation cover body is automatically weakened or the hand is released. Return to original position.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 is a support board made of synthetic resin having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and a support hole 2 is provided in the center thereof. At the same time, a curved recess 3 is provided on the upper surface of the support hole 2 so as to surround the support hole 2. On the lower surface of the support board 1, a seat portion 4 is provided so as to surround the support hole 2 as well. On the lower surface of the support board 1, four locking members 5 to which elasticity is given from the edge thereof are further erected, and a base portion having a projection 6a at the lower part facing each locking member 5 is provided. 6 is installed vertically. This support board 1
Is fixed to a mounting plate 7 having an insertion hole 7a in the center thereof, and the mounting plate 7 is mounted on an operation plate 9 of various game machines via fixing members 8 having a crank-shaped cross section. 10
Is an actuating lever. This actuating lever 10 has an engaging ball 10a at the upper end thereof, and a curved convex portion 10c fixed to the substantially central portion of the rod portion 10b is fitted into the curved concave portion 3 provided in the support board 1. While the rod portion 10b is inserted through the support hole 2 and the insertion hole 7a, the free end side of the rod portion 10b, that is, the engaging ball 10 is inserted.
The a side is projected above the operation plate 9.

A spring receiving member 11 and a coil spring 1 are provided at a portion of the operating lever 10 which projects downward from the support hole 2.
2, a small-diameter contact portion 13a and a large-diameter switch pressing portion 1
Each member of the cylindrical body 13 having 3b is fitted in order, and the spring receiving member 11 is brought into contact with the seat portion 4, and the contact portion 13
By mounting the E-ring 14 on the a side, the operation lever 10 is supported so as to be able to swing without coming out and to be always kept in an independent state by the elasticity of the coil spring 12.

A micro switch group 15 composed of four micro switches 15a is fixed between the bases 6 of the support board 1 so as to surround the actuating lever 10 with each push button 15b facing inward. A circuit board 16 is interposed between each micro switch 15a and the support board 1.
Each micro switch 15a has its own lead terminal 15c,
15d is connected to the circuit board 16. A fixing plate 17 is provided on each micro switch 15a with a locking hole 17a.
Are attached by locking to the locking hooks 5a of the locking member 5, and each microswitch 15a and the circuit board 16 are sandwiched between the locking board 5 and the support board 1.

The fixing plate 17 is provided with a mounting hole 18 having a pair of guide grooves 18a in the center thereof.
A large-diameter hole 18b is provided on the upper surface, and a curved groove 18c is provided at an opposing position on the lower edge portion. In the mounting hole 18 of the fixed plate 17, the guide tubular body 20 is attached to the tubular portion 2 thereof.
0a is inserted therethrough, and the tubular portion 20a is fitted with the flange portion 20b in the large diameter hole 18b while engaging the pair of locking portions 20c protruding from the outer periphery of the tubular portion 20a with the curved groove 18c. The flange portion 20b of the guide tubular body 20 is pushed upward by a pair of elastic pieces 21 provided on the fixed plate 17, and presses the locking portion 20c into the curved groove 18c. The guide tubular body 20 is rotated while pressing the tubular portion 20a from below the mounting hole 18 into the guide groove 18a with the engaging portion 20c aligned against the elastic force of the elastic piece 21 abutting the flange portion 20b. Then, the locking portion 20c engages with the curved groove 18c,
It can be easily and rotatably attached to the fixed plate 17 with one touch. A guide hole 22 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view is provided inside the guide cylinder 20.
The cylindrical body 13 attached to 0 loosens the contact portion 13a into the guide hole 22. In this state, the switch pressing portion 13b has the push button 15b of each micro switch 15a.
Is facing.

The operating lever 10 projects upward through a mounting hole 9a provided in the operating plate 9, and an engaging ball 10a attached to the tip of the operating lever 10 engages with an operating cover body 23 having a bowl-like shape. . More specifically, the operation cover body 23 is composed of a cover body 24 and a base board 25 fixed to the cover body 24, and the curved portion of the inner top portion of the operation cylinder portion 25a protruding from the central portion of the base board 25. 25b and operating lever 1
The engagement ball 10a of 0 is engaged. As shown in FIG. 3, in particular, ball bearings 27, which are sliding means 26, are arranged at four locations on the base board 25. The bearings 27 come into contact with the upper surface of the operation plate 9 to make the operation cover body 23 contact. Smooths horizontal sliding.
Incidentally, 28 is an engaging member of the bearing 27. The engaging member 28 has a plurality of locking leg portions 28a, and by engaging the locking leg portions 28a with the base board 25, the bearing 27 is held so as not to come off.

An engagement board 29 is arranged on the back side of the operation plate 9. The engagement board 29 has an insertion hole 29a for the actuating lever 10 in its central portion, and the central portion is fixed to the base board 25. . As shown in FIG. 4, a ball bearing 31 which is a sliding means 30 is also provided on the engagement plate 29.
The bearings 31 are arranged at various points, and contact the back side of the operation plate 9 to smooth the horizontal sliding of the operation cover body 23. Incidentally, 32 is an engaging member of the bearing 31. The engagement member 32 includes a plurality of locking legs 32a.
By engaging this locking leg portion 32a with the engaging plate 29, the bearing 31 is held so as not to come off.

The operating lever 14 further includes a pair of spring receiving members 3 located between the mounting plate 7 and the base plate 25.
3, 34 are attached, and a coil spring 35 is elastically provided between the spring receiving members 33, 34 so as to return the operating lever 10 to the neutral state. The spring 35 is attached to the operating lever 10 by the operation cover body 23.
It is for smoothing the self-returning of the operating lever irrespective of the load due to the attachment of the above. The elasticity of the coil spring 12 on the switch side may be increased, or other known means may be used instead.

Therefore, in particular, as shown in FIG. 5, when the palm of the hand is placed on the operation cover body 23 and the operation cover body 23 is grabbed by using the entire fingers and is pressed in all the front, rear, left and right directions, The operation cover body 23 horizontally moves in the pushed direction. Then, as described above, the operation lever 10 is always in the self-standing state due to the elasticity of the coil springs 12 and 35, and the switch pressing portion 13b is not in contact with the push button 15b of any micro switch 15a, but the operation cover body 23 is horizontal. The contact portion 14a is swung by sliding, and the contact portion 14a is guided by the guide hole 22 and hits the corner portion 22a or the peripheral edge portion 22b, and at this time, the push button 15b of each micro switch 15a is pushed by the switch pushing portion 13b. It can be opened and closed.

At this time, the guide hole 22 of the guide cylinder 20
2 is in the state shown in FIG.
It is engaged with a recess (not shown) at the starting end of c,
Since the corner portions 22a are located between the push buttons 15b of the micro switches 15a, when the operating lever 10 swings, the corner portions 22a come into contact with the side edge portions 22b to push only the micro switches corresponding to the side edge portions 22b. The buttons can be individually opened and closed by the switch pressing portions 13b, and the contact pressing portions 13a fall into the respective corner portions 22a, so that the switch pressing portions 13b can form two micro switches 15a and 15b.
It becomes possible to open and close each push button 15b of a at the same time.

However, when the guide cylinder 20 is held by hand and slightly lifted and rotated clockwise until it stops, the locking portion 20c causes the recess 19a at the end of the curved groove 18c.
The corners 2 of the guide hole 22 are engaged with
2a is just the push button 15 of each micro switch 15a.
Come to the position corresponding to b. Therefore, the switch pressing portion 13b is moved to the corner portion 2a only when the operating lever 10 is swung to drop the contact portion 13a into each corner portion 22a.
Since only the push button 15b corresponding to 2a can be pressed, only the single micro switch 15a is individually opened and closed.

As described above, when four micro switches are used in the micro switch group 15 as shown in the drawing, both the four-direction switching and the eight-direction switching can be performed by one operating lever 11. Means

Although not shown, the present invention can be implemented as it is even when the microswitch groups are arranged in a plurality of stages (usually two stages) in an overlapping manner. It is not limited to the microswitch group.

Next, although not shown in the figure, instead of or in combination with the microswitch group, a circuit board provided with a large number of contacts is provided swingably together with the operating lever, and the contacts are operated. A known composite operation switch configured to turn on / off by rotating a lever, or a known structure configured to turn on / off a large number of contacts provided on a fixed circuit board by swinging the operating lever. The present invention can be applied to the composite operation switch of.

In order to enable the horizontal movement operation and the rotation operation of the operation cover body to be performed at the same time, the operating lever and the operation cover body must be connected by the universal joint means.

In the case of this embodiment, when the operation cover body 23 is rotated or horizontally moved, the operating lever 10 is rotated or rocked to turn on or off each micro switch and each contact.

[0030]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above,
In addition to realizing a new method of operating the compound operation switch, it is possible to give the player a feeling of operation corresponding to it, especially in a large-sized game machine, and satisfy the interest. It is also possible to additionally provide a new switch means or control means, and it is possible to provide a more complex and sophisticated game with a lot of interest.

At this time, if the engaging plate fixed to the operation cover body is attached to the back side of the operation plate, the operation of the operation cover body can be stabilized.

Further, when the operation cover body is composed of the base board and the cover body, there is an advantage that the operation lever and the sliding means can be easily attached.

Further, the provision of the sliding means on the cover body and / or the engaging plate has the effect of facilitating the operation of the operation cover body.

If elastic means for holding the operating lever in a self-supporting state is provided between the upper part of the operating lever support plate and the operating lever support board, the operating cover body is always self-supporting even if the load when swinging the operating lever increases. It is possible to return to the position.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an embodiment of a compound operation switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the composite operation switch according to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of a base board.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of an engagement board.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the operation cover body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support board 9 Operation board 10 Actuating lever 11 Spring receiving member 12 Coil spring 15 Micro switch group 15a Micro switch 23 Operation cover body 24 Cover body 25 Base board 26 Sliding means 27 Ball bearing 29 Engaging board 30 Sliding means 31 Ball bearing 33 Spring receiving member 34 Spring receiving member 35 Coil spring

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An operating lever is rotatably and / or rotatably attached to a support plate attached to an operation plate of various game machines, and the operating lever can always be automatically returned to a neutral position. In which a plurality of microswitches and / or contacts arranged at are turned on and off by swinging and rotating the operating lever, the operating lever is projected above the operating plate,
An operation cover body is covered on the projected portion, and the operation cover body is engaged with the operation plate so as to be horizontally movable and / or rotatable in multiple directions.
Compound operation switch. 2. When engaging the operation cover body with the operation plate so as to be horizontally movable and / or rotatable in multiple directions,
The composite operation switch according to claim 1, wherein an engagement board attached to the operation cover body is arranged on the back side of the operation plate. 3. The operation cover body comprises a base board for holding the operation lever and a cover body fixed to the upper part of the base board. Composite operation switch. 4. The composite operation switch according to claim 2, wherein a sliding means such as a bearing is interposed between the operation plate and the engagement plate and / or the base plate. 5. The elastic means for always holding the operating lever in a self-supporting state is further installed between the operating lever and the upper part of the support board. Compound operation switch.