Pulling the handle..
Pulling the handle on the slot machine starts a series of events.
Here’s a rundown:
- The handle rotates a hook mechanism, which grabs hold of the kicker, pulling it forward ( toward the player ) A catch on the opposite end of the kicker grabs a CONTROL CAM piece and turns it forward. Next, a series of GEARS connected to the control cam is rotated. Then, the control cam is pulled back to its initial position by a spring. Here, gears play important role. They act as a MECHANICAL DELAY, slowing down the process of pulling back the control cam.
- After the control cam is turned forward, it releases a spring-mounted machine CAM PLATE extending across the back of the machine.
- The next role of control cam is to pull the stoppers away from the notched discs. As the kicker keeps moving, it pushes the stoppers against several catches on the cam plate. They are responsible for holding the stoppers in place in order to enable a free rotation of discs and reels.
- The kicker is still moved by the handle. At the same time, the discs are pushed forward by the kicker paddles. When the handle is pulled all the way back and the kicker has passed the discs,the bottom of the hook mechanism moves up against a slanted surface. The hook is turned forward by the slants, and the kicker is released.
- The kicker spring jerks the kicker backward at a good speed. The kicker paddles hit the notches on discs, spinning the reels rapidly.
- When this complicated operation is taking place, the control cam is slowly returning to its original position. Then, it pushes the cam plate back, which releases the stoppers. The different catches holding onto the differnt stoppers are positioned what further enables the cam plate to release the stoppers one at time.
Each stopper springs forward and locks into a notch, holding the reel in position.
That’s how it looks from the inside point of view. As we can expect, the player sees it completely different, because he’s concentrated on what’s going on outside or on the surface of the machine. For a player the “visible” things are important. Here’s how a player would describe it:
The player pulls the handle. There is a clunk, and the three reels start spinning. Suddenly, they stop one at time and the payout follows ( if necessary ). The moment of great excitement is exactly when they stop.
The player can’t wait to see the result. If the first, second and third reel stops on the jackpot symbol, the player is a lucky one and wins!
The history of slots is as long as the computer technology development. The latest technology enabled the conventional mechanical slot machines to slowly change into ELECTRICAL MACHINES, which worked and still work on similar rules. In other words, basically, the game itself plays out the same way. Yet, the inner construction changed a bit.
The reels are spun by MOTORS and the stoppers are generally activated by SELENOIDS. The money-handling systems also changed. They are more advanced now. Just look at the vending machine, flashier light and sound displays.
