Abstract: The present invention provides a vending machine that converts a force applied from a manual operation means into an electric power, and operates by utilizing the electric power as a source of power. A drive force generation/transmission mechanism includes a generator (45) that generates the electric power by utilizing the force applied from the manual operation means (9) and motors (49-55) driven by the electric power generated by the generator (45). Article moving mechanisms (63-69) are constructed to operate by utilizing the output of the motors (49-55) as the operation source.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining completion of coin insertion capable of easily and reliably determining whether or not a number of coins required for purchasing an article has been inserted. A coin holding portion (105) is constructed such that coins are retained in row in the coin holding portion (105) being electrically connected to each other in series. Further, a first electrode (121) that comes into contact with the coin located at one end side of the row is provided in the coin holding portion (105); and a second electrode (123) that comes into contact with the coin located at the other end side of the row is provided in the coin holding portion (105). The coin holding portion (105) is constructed to detect an electric current between the first electrode (121) and the second electrode (123) to determine whether or not the required number of coins has been inserted.

Abstract: A game card provided herein does not allow a player to easily predict the strategy of an opponent player. A plurality of identifying indications to be utilized in the course of a game are provided on a front face 3 of a card 1 by using a visually unrecognizable but optically, magnetically, or electronically recognizable material. Positions 17 through 21 at which the plurality of identifying indications are disposed are defined to be on or adjacent to a plurality of parts (a plurality of visually recognizable informational indications) of a character displayed on the card 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vending machine that converts a force applied from a manual operation means into an electric power, and operates by utilizing the electric power as a source of power. A drive force generation/transmission mechanism includes a generator (45) that generates the electric power by utilizing the force applied from the manual operation means (9) and motors (49-55) driven by the electric power generated by the generator (45). Article moving mechanisms (63-69) are constructed to operate by utilizing the output of the motors (49-55) as the operation source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vending machine capable of smoothly selling articles, each of which is enclosed in a case, such as a box-shaped case, that won't freely rotate. The article stockers 27-33 each include a plurality of article receiving paths 73a-73d in which a plurality of articles are received and vertically stacked one upon another. The article receiving paths 73a-73d are arranged around the vertically extending center line 77. The article moving mechanisms 63-69 each include a rotating shaft 61a-61d having an axis which coincides with the center line 77 of the associated article stocker. The rotating shaft is rotated by a drive force of a motor to rotate the article stocker. The article moving mechanisms, while turning their rotating shafts 61a-61d, move an article to the article guide path 71 from one article receiving path sequentially selected from the plurality of article receiving paths 73a-73d.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining completion of coin insertion capable of easily and reliably determining whether or not a number of coins required for purchasing an article has been inserted. A coin holding portion (105) is constructed such that coins are retained in row in the coin holding portion (105) being electrically connected to each other in series. Further, a first electrode (121) that comes into contact with the coin located at one end side of the row is provided in the coin holding portion (105); and a second electrode (123) that comes into contact with the coin located at the other end side of the row is provided in the coin holding portion (105). The coin holding portion (105) is constructed to detect an electric current between the first electrode (121) and the second electrode (123) to determine whether or not the required number of coins has been inserted.

Abstract: A number drawing apparatus includes a rotating unit and collecting holes. Each ball, supplied from a supply unit provided in the central portion of the rotating unit when it rotates, randomly rolls on a surface of the rotating unit. A centrifugal force by the rotation causes each ball to move outwardly from the rotating unit, and each ball is caught in one of catching holes. Unique identifying symbols are assigned to the catching holes. This enables the draw.

Abstract: A medal game machine has a fixed table for placing medals thereon, a medal acquisition opening defined alongside of the fixed table and communicating with a medal outlet slot accessible by the player, a pusher table for pushing a medal on the fixed table toward the medal acquisition opening, and a supply mechanism for supplying medals onto the fixed table. The supply mechanism includes a turntable for placing medals thereon, a drive mechanism for rotating the turntable, a medal supply mechanism for supplying medals onto the turntable, and a transfer mechanism for transferring medals from the turntable onto the fixed table.

Abstract: A token discriminating device includes: a rolling member having two guide walls and a bottom for defining a rolling passage in which a token is rolled; and a smaller unacceptable token discriminating portion having: a cut-away portion formed in one of the two guide walls; a deflective wall provided in an upper portion of the cut-away portion to define a discriminating opening, a discriminating distance between the bottom and a lower end of the deflective wall being smaller than the diameter of an acceptable token, the deflective wall being bent outward of the rolling passage; a deflector provided on the other guide wall at a position facing the discriminating opening for deflecting a rolling token to the discriminating opening.

Abstract: A medal game machine has a fixed table for placing medals thereon, a medal acquisition opening defined alongside of the fixed table and communicating with a medal outlet slot accessible by the player, a pusher table for pushing a medal on the fixed table toward the medal acquisition opening, and a supply mechanism for supplying medals onto the fixed table. The supply mechanism includes a turntable for placing medals thereon, a drive mechanism for rotating the turntable, a medal supply mechanism for supplying medals onto the turntable, and a transfer mechanism for transferring medals from the turntable onto the fixed table.