JP2001224829A - Pachinko ball counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko ball counter capable of changing counting speed according to the condition of a pachinko island (a ball supply system) and improving ball counting ability, particularly counting ability after the number of balls becomes small, and provided with a compact and simple smoothing means capable of quickly smoothing the balls to prevent a ball jam. SOLUTION: This pachinko ball counter 1 has a hopper 3 for receiving charged pachinko balls 2; a ball aligning unit 5 for aligning the pachinko balls 2 flowing out of the hopper 3, in a row and a stage every plurality count lanes 4 to deliver them; and a ball counting sensor 6 for counting the number of pachinko balls 2 aligned and delivered by the ball aligning unit 5. The ball aligning unit 5 is provided with a regulating means 9 capable of cutting off and releasing the flow of the balls to the specified lane 4 out of a plurality of count lanes 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pachinko ball counter installed at one end of a pachinko island or the like and counting the number of inserted pachinko balls. , And a variable counting capability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a normal play hall, a large number of support frames are built, and a plurality of pachinko tables are supported for each support frame to constitute one pachinko island having a group of pachinko tables. . At one end of this pachinko island, there is a case where a ball counter having a function of counting the number of inserted balls and printing out is installed, in which case, the ball counter and balls collected from each unit are transported. After being collected in the storage tank via the rail and being pumped up through the lifter device while being polished by the polishing tower, it is sent to each unit by the supply rail and sent to the ball receiving part of each unit via the nozzle Be composed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the above ball counting machine generally includes a hopper for receiving balls to be thrown in and a row of balls flowing out of the hopper in a row for each of a plurality of counting lanes.
It consists of a ball alignment unit that arranges and sends out balls in one stage, and a ball counting sensor that counts the number of balls that are arranged and sent out by the ball alignment unit, and the ball that the player puts in the hopper is a ball alignment unit. Thus, the number of balls inserted by the player is counted and printed out by counting the aligned balls with a ball counting sensor by one row and one row for each counting lane.

[0004] This ball counting machine is configured to have a certain ball counting capability, and has a high counting capability capable of counting the number of balls at a speed of, for example, about 24,000 pieces per minute.
Therefore, when a ball counter is installed at one end of the pachinko island as described above, the capacity of the ball counter is determined by the capacity of the polishing tower of the ball supply system, the capacity of the storage tank, the processing capacity of the lifter device, etc. Is too large compared to the processing capacity of the ball replenishment system system determined by
It is used with a reduced counting speed. However, during normal business hours during business hours, although the counting speed must be reduced and used as described above, the hall side has a long time for the player to flow balls to the ball counting machine just before closing. In such a case, the closing process is delayed, and the player is required to wait. Therefore, the counting process as fast as possible during the closing time period is desired, and use of the counting lane by crushing the counting lane is disliked.

[0005] When considering the processing capacity of the balls flown from the ball counter in Pachinko Island, for example, one player plays 10,000 balls, and five players play 2000 balls each. In the case of flushing, the former case requires higher processing capacity because of the ticketing time of the printer, the turnover time of the player, the loss at the beginning and the end of the flushing of the ball, etc. The upper limit of the ball counting speed was limited on the basis of the maximum processing capacity of the ball supply system. In view of the above circumstances, a ball counter capable of changing the ball counting speed in accordance with the state of the pachinko island (ball replenishment system) has been demanded in view of the delay in closing hours and the problem of waiting time for players. That is the fact.

In consideration of delays in closing hours and waiting times for players, counting processing of balls as fast as possible is required. However, when a large number of balls are passed through a ball counter, the number of balls is large at the beginning of counting. As a result, the pressure (ball pressure) due to the balls accumulated in the hopper is applied, and the balls can be counted efficiently. On the other hand, as the number of balls decreases, the ball pressure is not applied and the rolling speed of the balls decreases, Because the balls are sparse, the count value displayed on the ball counter will also be counted up slowly, which is a factor that makes it difficult for the player counting the balls to recognize the end of ball counting. Becomes
This causes a delay in the operation timing of the ticketing switch after the end of the counting, which takes a long time to replace a player. For this reason, there has been a demand for a ball counter capable of speeding up the ball counting process when the number of balls is decreasing.

Further, in order to improve the counting speed of the ball counting machine, how to flow a large number of balls which have been inserted and overlapped so as not to cause clogging is smoothed out. It is important to arrange the balls in one row and one stage.Conventionally, a plurality of partition plates are arranged in a vertical state, and a ball alignment unit having a configuration including a plurality of counting lanes having a gently inclined bottom surface has been used. . In the ball alignment unit having such a configuration, if the length of the counting lane having the inclined bottom surface is short, the overlapping of the balls is eliminated, the ball is hardly formed, and the ball is easily clogged. Although it is necessary, if the length is too long, the unit becomes large and the ball counting machine becomes large. Therefore, a simple means capable of quickly smoothing the balls flowing out of the hopper has been demanded. At the same time, as a function required for the ball counter, there is a problem of eliminating illegal counting and erroneous counting, and measures for this are also required.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to address the above problems, and the first object of the present invention is to reduce the counting speed according to the situation of a pachinko island (ball supply system). It is to provide a pachinko ball counting machine that can be changed. A second object of the present invention is to improve the ball counting ability, particularly the counting ability after the number of balls has decreased, in order to eliminate delays in closing hours and waiting times for players, and to improve pachinko ball counting. To provide machines. A third object of the present invention is to improve the ball counting ability by quickly smoothing the balls and preventing the balls from being clogged.
An object of the present invention is to provide a pachinko ball counter provided with a smoothing means having a compact and simple configuration. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball counter having a high counting capability as described above and capable of solving the problem of illegal counting and erroneous counting.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention comprises a hopper for receiving pachinko balls to be inserted, and a pachinko ball flowing out of the hopper for each of a plurality of counting lanes. A ball counting unit having a ball aligning unit for aligning and sending out one row and one stage, and a ball counting sensor for counting the number of pachinko balls aligned and sent out by the ball aligning unit, wherein the ball The alignment unit is provided with regulating means capable of blocking and releasing the flow of the ball for a predetermined lane among the plurality of counting lanes. By shutting off the ball, the ball counting speed can be changed by an amount corresponding to the predetermined lane, so that it can be changed according to the situation on the pachinko island (ball replenishment system) side. While operating or releasing the appropriate restriction means, it is possible to efficiently use the capacity of the ball counting machine. In addition, since the regulating means can be provided on both sides of the ball alignment unit, the ball counting speed can be changed in at least three stages.

In the pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention, in the pachinko ball counting machine described above, the regulation means is controlled based on a set maximum ball flow value in a specified time unit. By setting the monitoring time and the maximum ball flow rate for that time, when the maximum ball flow rate in the specified time unit exceeds a set value, the regulating means can be operated to reduce the ball counting speed. ,
The ball counting speed can be adjusted to the situation (processing capacity) on the pachinko island (ball supply system system) side.

Further, in the pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned pachinko ball counting machine, the regulation means is controlled based on an input signal from a sensor provided in a ball replenishment system. The ball counting speed can also be reduced by operating the regulating means to reduce the ball counting speed by using an external signal from a sensor provided in a ball supply system such as a storage tank or a ball rail as an input signal. Ball supply system).

In the pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention, in the pachinko ball counting machine described above, the regulating means is controlled based on a ball jam or ball backflow detection signal. Or since the ball backflow detection signal is an event that occurs when a ball is flown to the ball counter exceeding the processing capacity of the ball supply system,
By operating the regulating means in response to those detection signals to reduce the ball counting speed, it is possible to prevent the ball replenishment system from being subjected to a further burden. In this case, it is possible to return to the normal counting speed after a set time after the ball counting speed is reduced.

A pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention comprises: a hopper for receiving a pachinko ball to be inserted; and a pachinko ball flowing out of the hopper in a line for each of a plurality of counting lanes.
A pachinko ball counting machine having a ball aligning unit for aligning and sending in one stage, and a ball counting sensor for counting the number of pachinko balls that are aligned and sent out by the ball aligning unit, and is put into the hopper. The ball amount is sensed, the ball alignment unit or the ball conveying surface at the entrance side thereof is configured to be variable in inclination angle,
Since the inclination angle of the ball alignment unit or the ball transfer surface can be changed, when the amount of balls is large, the inclination of the ball alignment unit or the ball transfer surface is gently prevented so that balls do not overlap due to ball pressure, and ball jamming is prevented. And when the ball quantity is low,
By increasing the angle of inclination of the ball aligning unit or the ball transport surface to increase the rolling speed of the balls, the counting speed of the balls can be increased and the counting process can be terminated quickly.

Further, in the pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned pachinko ball counting machine, the ball aligning unit supports the ball aligning unit variably with the sending side as a fulcrum, and the inlet side thereof has the aforementioned inlet side. It is supported by an elastic member that expands and contracts according to the ball feed pressure from the hopper, and the elastic member expands and contracts depending on the amount of balls, the inclination angle of the ball alignment unit changes, and when the ball amount is large Since the inclination is gentle, and the inclination angle is large when the inclination is small, the rolling speed of the ball can be increased and the counting speed can be increased as the amount of the ball decreases, thereby shortening the counting processing time. .

Further, the pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned pachinko ball counting machine, is supported at an entrance of the ball alignment unit by an elastic member which expands and contracts in accordance with a ball feeding pressure from the hopper. It is characterized by providing a ball transport surface that makes the inclination angle variable,
The elastic member expands and contracts depending on the amount of balls, and the inclination angle of the ball transfer surface changes.When the amount of balls is large, the angle can be gradual, and when the amount is small, the angle can be increased. Thus, the counting speed can be increased, and the ball counting processing time can be shortened.

Further, in the pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned pachinko ball counting machine, the hopper is supported so as to be tiltable in accordance with the amount of balls put in, and the ball alignment unit is provided with the hopper. It is characterized by supporting the tilt angle variably in conjunction with the hopper,
The hopper inclines according to the amount of balls charged, and in conjunction with this inclination, the inclination angle of the ball alignment unit changes so as to be gentle when the amount of balls is large, and to be large when the amount is small.
Therefore, as the ball quantity decreases, the rolling speed of the ball can be increased to increase the counting speed, and the ball counting process can be completed quickly.

In the pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned pachinko ball counting machine, the ball aligning unit supports the ball arranging unit variably with its sending side as a fulcrum. Elevating drive means for detecting the amount of balls put into the hopper and raising and lowering it is provided, wherein the inclination angle of the ball alignment unit is changed via the elevation drive means according to the amount of balls put into the hopper. Therefore, when the amount of balls is reduced, the rolling speed of the balls can be increased by increasing the inclination angle of the ball alignment unit, and the counting speed can be increased, thereby shortening the ball counting process time. Can be.

A pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention includes a hopper for receiving pachinko balls to be inserted, and a ball alignment unit for aligning and sending out pachinko balls flowing out of the hopper in a line and a stage for each of a plurality of counting lanes. A ball counting sensor that counts the number of pachinko balls that are aligned and sent out by the ball alignment unit, wherein the width of an outflow hole that allows the balls to flow from the hopper to the ball alignment unit. The size is made smaller than the width of the ball alignment unit. By making the width of the hole through which the balls flow out to the ball alignment unit smaller than the width of the ball alignment unit, the outflow is reduced. Balls flowing out to the ball alignment unit through the holes can escape not only in the ball flow direction but also in the horizontal direction, so that the overlapping state of the balls is eliminated faster and smoothed It can be.

The pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention comprises:
A hopper for receiving the inserted pachinko balls, a ball alignment unit for aligning and sending out the pachinko balls flowing out of the hopper in a line and a single row for each of a plurality of counting lanes, and a ball aligning unit for sending out the balls. A ball counting machine having a ball counting sensor for counting the number of pachinko balls, wherein the depth and width of the groove of the inclined plate provided on the entrance side of the ball alignment unit are gradually reduced in the ball sending direction. By adopting such a groove configuration, it is possible to always speed up the movement of the ball on the downstream side in the sending direction, so that the ball that quickly overlaps over a short distance due to the speed difference is smoothed. Can be

Further, the pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention comprises:
In each of the above-mentioned pachinko ball counting machines, a backflow preventing means of the ball is provided for each row on an exit side of an installation position of the ball counting sensor, and once the backflow preventing means is provided, Balls that have passed through the ball counting sensor are prevented from backflow by backflow prevention means. This can prevent erroneous counting such as excessive counting.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view (A) of a pachinko ball counting machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention, its cross-sectional equivalent view (B) and its vertical cross-section equivalent view (C), and FIG. 2 is a second embodiment of the present invention. (A) and (B) corresponding to the cross section of the pachinko ball counting machine and the configuration diagram (C) of the regulating plate thereof, and FIG. 3 shows the pachinko ball counting machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional equivalent view of a pachinko ball counting machine showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional equivalent view of a pachinko ball counting machine showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional equivalent view of a pachinko ball counting machine showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a plan view (A) and a cross-sectional equivalent view of a pachinko ball counting machine showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention. (B), FIG. 8 is a plan view (A) showing a groove configuration of a ball alignment unit showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention, a cross-sectional equivalent view (B) and a right side view (C), and FIG. It is the front view (A) which shows the structure of the backflow prevention means which shows 9th Embodiment of this invention, and its side view (B).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a pachinko ball counting machine which may be installed at one end of a pachinko island so as to be connected to the ball transport rail. The pachinko ball counting machine 1 includes a hopper 3 for receiving a pachinko ball 2 to be thrown in, and a ball alignment for sending the pachinko balls 2 flowing out of the hopper 3 in a line and a single row for each of a plurality of parallel counting lanes 4. A unit 5 and a ball counting sensor 6 that counts the number of pachinko balls 2 that are aligned and sent out by the same ball aligning unit 5, and counts the number of pachinko balls 2 put into the hopper 3. It has a function to print out according to

When such a pachinko ball counting machine 1 is installed at one end of a pachinko island, the processing capacity of the pachinko ball counting machine 1 is extremely high at about 24,000 pieces per minute. And the maximum processing capacity on the pachinko island (ball supply system system) side. However, if the counting speed is limited, the time to play the ball becomes longer in a time zone immediately before closing, etc., and the player is made to wait. Therefore, Pachinko Island (ball supply system)
A plurality of counting lanes 4 are operated by a solenoid or a motor 7 via a link 8 adjacent to the counting lane 4 of the ball aligning unit 5 so that the counting speed of the pachinko ball counting machine 1 can be changed according to the situation on the side. A ball flow regulating plate 9 capable of blocking and releasing the flow of a ball to a predetermined lane 4 inside is provided via a return spring 10.

The ball flow regulating plate 9 capable of blocking and releasing the flow of the ball is installed as a shutter member slidable between the hopper 3 and the ball alignment unit 5 as shown in FIG. The flow of the ball is blocked for a predetermined lane 4 among the plurality of counting lanes 4 of the ball alignment unit 5 on the side.
It may be provided releasably. When the above-mentioned pachinko ball counting machine 1 is installed at one end of a pachinko island and used, by configuring as follows, the pachinko ball counting machine 1 according to the situation on the pachinko island (ball replenishment system system) side. Can be used in accordance with the processing capacity of the pachinko island (ball replenishment system).

(1) Automatic deceleration control by setting The monitoring time and the maximum ball flow rate for the monitoring time are set to specify the maximum ball flow value for a specified time alone. Alternatively, the motor 7 is operated to operate the ball flow restricting plate 9 so as to interrupt the flow of the balls to the predetermined counting lane 4 and control the counting speed to be reduced. (2) Automatic deceleration control by external signal input The first signal, the second signal, etc. can be input as an external signal, and a signal from a sensor provided in a ball storage tank, a ball transport rail, etc. of a ball supply system is input. By doing
Control is performed so that the counting speed is reduced according to the input signal. (3) Automatic deceleration control based on detection of clogging or backflow The detection of clogging is a function that is detected when the detection state of presence of a ball in the counting sensor 6 has continued for a specified time or longer. Is a function that can be used in a ball counter that can detect the direction of ball flow using a dual sensor, etc. Therefore, when this is detected, the counting speed is decelerated and controlled, so that no further burden is imposed on the ball supply system.
In addition, it is possible to set so as to decelerate by detecting a clogging or a backflow, and to automatically return to a normal counting speed after a lapse of a predetermined time.

According to the above embodiment, the counting capability of the pachinko ball counter 1 can be automatically controlled in accordance with the processing capacity of the pachinko island (ball replenishment system). Can be used without crushing the counting lane 4, and in the time zone immediately before closing, etc., the counting speed can be increased and the ball counting can be performed efficiently, so that the waiting time of the player can be shortened. Can be expected. In addition, since the ball flow regulating plate 9 is provided as a pair of left and right, the counting speed can be changed in at least three steps by only one operation or simultaneous operation of both. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, the counting speed may be changed as a matter of course.

On the amusement hall side, the longer the time during which the player is playing the ball in the pachinko ball counting machine 1, the longer the closing time of the store is, and the longer the player is allowed to wait. Therefore, a pachinko ball counting machine is required to have a counting capability as fast as possible. However, in a normal pachinko ball counting machine, the number of balls is large at the beginning of counting, and the hopper 3
Since the feed pressure (ball pressure) of the ball 2 accumulated in the ball is applied, counting can be performed efficiently. However, when the number of balls is reduced, the ball pressure is not applied. It takes time. Therefore, focusing on the fact that the ball counting speed can be increased by increasing the rolling speed of the balls when the number of balls is decreasing, the following mechanism is built in the pachinko ball counting machine 1 and the counting is performed. Try to increase processing capacity.

(1) Configuration for Changing the Inclination Angle of the Ball Alignment Unit or Its Entry Side Ball Conveying Surface As shown in FIG. 3, the ball alignment unit 5 is variably supported with its ball delivery side as a fulcrum 11. Along with
The ball inlet side is supported by an elastic member (spring) 12 which expands and contracts according to the ball pressure from the hopper 3. When the ball amount is large, the weight and the ball pressure make the inclination of the ball alignment unit 5 gentle, and As the number decreases and the weight and ball pressure decrease, the ball alignment unit 5 is repelled by the elastic member (spring) 12.
Of the ball is increased from the hopper 3 at the entrance of the ball alignment unit 5 at the entrance of the ball alignment unit 5 as shown in FIG. Elastic member (spring) that expands and contracts according to pressure
A ball transfer surface 15 supported by the support 13 and having a variable inclination angle about a fulcrum 14 is provided.
Is changed in the same manner as described above according to the amount of balls, so that the ball counting capability can be increased in a region where the number of balls is reduced.

(2) Configuration Utilizing the Weight of the Ball Charged into the Hopper The hopper 3 is supported so that it can be tilted about the fulcrum 16 by the weight of the ball charged, and interlocked with the hopper 3 as described above. In the same manner as in the above embodiment, the ball counting speed can be increased when the number of balls is reduced by configuring the ball alignment unit 5 having a variable tilt angle so that the tilt angle can be changed. Can be. In this case, the hopper 3 is supported by an elastic member (spring) 17 which expands and contracts according to the amount of balls. However, since the power is increased, the elastic force of the elastic member (spring) 17 can be increased, and the inclination angle can be increased. Change operation can be stabilized. The elastic member (spring) 12 on the ball alignment unit 5 side
May be omitted.

(3) Configuration Using Driving Means for Solenoid, Motor, etc. The hopper 3 is provided with detecting means 18 such as a pressure sensor for detecting the amount of balls, a weight sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, etc., and a detection signal from the detecting means 18 By rotating the solenoid or the motor 19, the ball alignment unit 5 is configured to be able to forcibly change the inclination angle about the fulcrum 11 via the pinion 20 and the rack 21. As a result, the ball amount is monitored by the detecting means 18 and the inclination angle is forcibly changed at a predetermined state as a boundary, so that the ball counting speed can be controlled to an arbitrary value.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, when the number of balls is reduced, the rolling speed of the balls is increased, so that the counting capacity of the pachinko ball counting machine can be increased. In order to increase the ball counting speed, it is only necessary to increase the inclination angle of the ball alignment unit 5 to increase the ball rolling speed. However, simply increasing the inclination angle of the ball alignment unit 5 causes a problem when the ball amount is small. However, when the number of balls is large, the balls tend to overlap due to the ball pressure, and the balls tend to be clogged. Therefore, the inclination angle is restricted, and there is a limit in improving the counting performance. However, in this embodiment, since the counting speed can be increased in the region where the number of balls has decreased, the counting processing ability can be improved while keeping the inclination angle of the ball alignment unit 5 at an appropriate level.

On the other hand, in order to count the balls in the pachinko ball counting machine 1, it is necessary to pass the balls 2 through the counting sensor 6 and to count them.
The balls 2 must be arranged in a row and in a row. The ball alignment unit 5 generally includes a plurality of partitioning plates arranged in a row, and a plurality of counting lanes 4 having a gently inclined bottom surface.
However, if the length of the inclined bottom surface is short, the balls are difficult to be further increased and the ball is easily clogged, so that a certain length is required. For this reason, in order to make the ball alignment unit 5 compact and improve the ball counting speed, it is important how to arrange the balls in one row and one stage at a smooth distance over a short distance. In the conventional pachinko ball counting machine 1,
As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the width of the outflow hole 22 </ b> A that is provided on the bottom surface of the hopper 3 and allows the balls 2 to flow from the hopper 3 to the ball alignment unit 5 is the same as the width of the ball alignment unit 5. And had

However, in the above-described conventional device, the balls 2 cannot be supplied to the ball alignment unit 5 in a state where they are sufficiently smoothed. Therefore, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 7, the width of the outflow hole 22 through which the balls 2 flow from the hopper 3 to the ball alignment unit 5 is configured to be smaller than the width of the ball alignment unit 5. In this way, the width of the outflow hole 22 is made smaller than the width of the ball alignment unit 5, and the width of the relay portion is also reduced.
And the ball width from the hopper 3 is received, and the ball is aligned in the same width dimension as the ball alignment unit 5 in front of the ball alignment unit 5, so that the overlapping balls 2 are not only in the ball flow direction. Since it is possible to escape in the lateral direction, the balls can be smoothed more quickly and at a shorter distance, and the ball alignment unit 5 can be shortened and made compact. Improvement can be achieved.

Further, as a method of smoothing the overlapping balls, a method of smoothing while rolling on a gentle inclined plate is usually employed. However, if the gradient is too steep, a counting sensor is provided before the balls become smooth. 6 and clogging occurs,
On the other hand, if the speed is too slow, the speed of the ball becomes slow, and the counting capacity is reduced. Moreover, even if the inclined plate is made moderately gently and ideally as the counter body, if the installation state is bad, the angle may be changed, and a problem may occur. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the depth and the width of the groove 24 of the inclined plate 23 provided on the entrance side of the ball alignment unit 5 are gradually reduced in the ball sending direction, so that problems due to installation conditions can be avoided. The occurrence can be suppressed.

That is, by configuring the groove 24 of the inclined plate 23 as described above, the ball 2 on the downstream side always moves to the downstream side faster, and the interval between continuously connected balls is increased. Therefore, smoothing can be achieved by increasing the distance between the overlapping balls and dropping them. This is because, when the ball rolling on the inclined plate 23 while rotating is viewed from the side, the circumferential speed is slow near the center of the circle and becomes faster as it approaches the outer periphery.
As shown in (B), the point supporting the ball is closer to the center of the circle on the upstream side, and the point supporting the ball shifts to the outer peripheral side toward the downstream side, and the ball 2 on the downstream side always moves faster. Become like Therefore, the overlapping balls can be quickly smoothed.

As a function required of the pachinko ball counting machine 1, a function of preventing illegal counting and erroneous counting can be provided. The illegal counting of the pachinko ball counting machine 1 can be performed by connecting a plurality of pachinko balls or balls having a similar shape with a thread or the like to form a rosary, and moving the pachinko balls back and forth at the installation position of the counting sensor 6 to cause the illegal counting. Conceivable. On the other hand, as the erroneous counting, due to the limitation or trouble of the processing capacity of the storage tank or the lifter device for processing the balls discharged from the ball counting machine 1, the balls may be stagnated and the balls may be connected to the ball counting machine 1. At this time, if there is a vibration or the like, the ball moves before and after the counting sensor 6, and it is conceivable that the ball counts excessively.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a backflow prevention stopper 26 rotatably supported on a support shaft 25 for each row is provided on the outlet side of the ball counting sensor 6 in the ball alignment unit 5 at each position. By setting the tip so as to face the ball feed path along the ball feed direction, the ball 2 that has once passed through the backflow prevention stopper 26 is prevented from flowing backward and moving to the upstream side of the backflow prevention stopper 26 again. can do. Thereby, the illegal counting and the erroneous counting by the pachinko ball counting machine 1 as described above can be prevented.
The backflow prevention stopper 26 can be used in combination with any of the above-described embodiments.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the pachinko ball counting machine according to the present invention, the counting speed can be changed according to the situation of the pachinko island (ball replenishment system). In addition to being able to be used without crushing, in the time zone immediately before closing, etc., the counting speed can be increased to efficiently count the balls, and the waiting time of the player can be shortened. Also, ball counting ability,
In particular, since the counting speed after the number of balls is reduced can be increased to improve the ball counting processing capability, it is possible to contribute to delaying the closing time and eliminating waiting time for the player.

Further, the ball can be quickly smoothed by simple smoothing means to prevent clogging.
It is possible to reduce the size of the counter itself and improve the ball counting capability. In addition, by providing the ball backflow prevention means, the problem of illegal counting and erroneous counting can be solved at the same time, even though the ball counter has a high counting ability as described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view (A) of a pachinko ball counting machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention, a cross sectional equivalent view (B), and a vertical cross sectional equivalent view (C).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional equivalent view (A), a vertical cross-sectional equivalent view (B), and a configuration diagram (C) of a regulating plate of a pachinko ball counting machine showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional equivalent view of a pachinko ball counter showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional equivalent view of a pachinko ball counting machine showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional equivalent view of a pachinko ball counting machine showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional equivalent view of a pachinko ball counter showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a pachinko ball counter showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.

FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a groove configuration of a ball alignment unit according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional equivalent view thereof, and FIG.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a front view (A) and a side view (B) showing a configuration of a backflow preventing means according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko ball counting machine, 2 ... Pachinko ball, 3 ... Hopper, 4 ... Counting lane, 5 ... Ball alignment unit, 6 ... Counting sensor, 7 ... Solenoid or motor, 9 ... Regulatory plate, 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... fulcrum, 12 ... elastic member (spring), 13 ... elastic member (spring), 14 ... fulcrum, 15 ... ball conveyance surface, 16 ... fulcrum,
17 ... elastic member (spring), 18 ... ball amount detecting means, 19 ...
Solenoid or motor, 20: pinion, 21: rack, 22: ball outflow hole, 23: inclined plate, 24: groove, 26:
Backflow prevention stopper

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A hopper for receiving pachinko balls to be thrown in, a ball alignment unit for aligning and sending out pachinko balls flowing out of the hopper in a line and a single row for each of a plurality of counting lanes, and a ball alignment unit for aligning the balls. A ball counting sensor that counts the number of pachinko balls that are sent out. A pachinko ball counting machine provided with a releasable regulating means. 2. The pachinko ball counting machine according to claim 1, wherein said regulating means is controlled based on a set maximum ball flow value in a specified time unit. 3. A pachinko ball counting machine according to claim 1, wherein said regulating means is controlled based on an input signal from a sensor provided in a ball supply system. 4. The pachinko ball counting machine according to claim 1, wherein the regulating means is controlled based on a detection signal of a clogged ball or a ball backflow. 5. A hopper for receiving pachinko balls to be inserted, a ball aligning unit for aligning and sending out pachinko balls flowing out of the hopper in a line and a single row for each of a plurality of counting lanes, and a ball aligning unit for aligning the pachinko balls. And a ball counting sensor that counts the number of pachinko balls that are sent out. The ball counting surface senses the amount of balls put into the hopper, and the ball transport unit at the ball alignment unit or the entrance side thereof. A pachinko ball counting machine characterized in that the inclination angle of the ball is variable. 6. The ball alignment unit is supported so that the inclination angle can be changed with its delivery side as a fulcrum, and the inlet side is supported by an elastic member that expands and contracts according to the ball feed pressure from the hopper. The pachinko ball counter according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. A ball transfer surface, which is supported by an elastic member that expands and contracts in accordance with a ball feed pressure from the hopper and has a variable inclination angle, is provided at an entrance of the ball alignment unit. The pachinko ball counting machine according to claim 5. 8. The hopper is supported so as to be tiltable in accordance with the amount of balls charged, and the ball alignment unit is
The pachinko ball counting machine according to claim 5, wherein the tilt angle is variably supported in conjunction with the hopper. 9. The ball aligning unit is variably supported with its sending side as a fulcrum, and is provided with an elevating drive means for detecting the amount of balls put into the hopper and moving it up and down at the entrance side. The pachinko ball counting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: 10. A hopper for receiving pachinko balls to be thrown in, a ball alignment unit for aligning and sending out pachinko balls flowing out of the hopper in a row and a row for each of a plurality of counting lanes, and a ball alignment unit for aligning the pachinko balls. And a ball counting sensor that counts the number of pachinko balls that are sent out from the hopper. A pachinko ball counter that is narrower than its width. 11. A hopper for receiving pachinko balls to be thrown in, a ball alignment unit for aligning and sending pachinko balls flowing out of the hopper in a row and a single row for each of a plurality of counting lanes, and a ball alignment unit for aligning the balls. A ball counting sensor that counts the number of pachinko balls that are sent out.The depth and width of the groove of the inclined plate provided on the entrance side of the ball alignment unit, in the ball sending direction. A pachinko ball counting machine characterized by a gradual decrease. 12. The pachinko ball counting machine according to claim 1, wherein a backflow preventing means for the balls is provided for each row on the exit side of the installation position of the ball counting sensor.