Reel drive device utilizable in gaming machine

Abstract

The reel drive device is provided with the reel 3 having the cylindrical member 32 formed from transparent material, on an outer periphery of which a plurality of symbols are described, and an input gear installed in the cylindrical member 32 ; the shaft support part 720 for rotatably supporting the reel 3 ; the stepping motor 70 for rotating the reel 3 through the input gear 72 ; the detection member 11 arranged in the input gear 72 , the detection member 11 being formed from opaque material; and the position detection sensor 10 for detecting the detection member 11 as the rotation reference position of the reel 3.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reel drive device comprising: 
 a reel having a cylindrical member formed from transparent material, on an outer periphery of which a plurality of symbols are described, and a gear member installed in the cylindrical member;    a shaft support part for rotatably supporting the reel;    a motor for rotating the reel through the gear member;    a detection member arranged in the gear member, the detection member being formed from opaque material; and    a position detector for detecting the detection member as a rotation reference position of the reel.    
     
     
         2 . The reel drive device according to  claim 1 , wherein the gear member is formed from opaque material, and 
 wherein the detection member is formed into one body with the gear member.    
     
     
         3 . The reel drive device according to  claim 1 , wherein the position detector has a light emitting part and a light receiving part facing to the light emitting part, and 
 wherein the position detector detects the rotation reference position of the reel based on that the sensor light emitted from the light emitting part is interrupted by the detection member when the detection member positions between the light emitting part and the light receiving part.    
     
     
         4 . The reel drive device according to  claim 1 , wherein the position detector has a light emitting part and a light receiving part facing to the light emitting part, 
 wherein the light emitting part and the light receiving part are integrally formed in the position detector, and    wherein the detection member is constructed so as to reflect the sensor light emitted from the light emitting part.    
     
     
         5 . The reel drive device according to  claim 4 , wherein the position detector detects the rotation reference position of the reel based on that the light receiving part receives the sensor light reflected through the detection member.