JP2002253803A - Ball tank device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ball tank device capable of returning delivered balls by dividing them from an arbitrary direction and capable of returning the delivered balls without clogging. SOLUTION: This ball tank device receives the delivered ball delivered form a pachinko machine 3 and returns the delivered ball to a ball recovery gutter 5. This ball tank device 1 is constituted of a tank part body 10 receiving the delivered ball, a ball return part 14 provided along the longitudinal direction of the tank part body and provided with multiple ball return ports 13R and 13L for returning the delivered ball to the ball recovery gutter, and a ball guide member 15 guiding the delivered ball toward an either ball return ports out of the multiple ball return ports. The change in the fitting mode of the ball guide member determines the ball return port for the delivered ball to be returned.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball tank device for receiving discharged balls from a gaming machine and returning the discharged balls toward a ball collecting gutter, and more particularly, to clogging the discharged balls. The present invention relates to a ball tank device that can be returned without being used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is arranged in parallel in a longitudinal direction so as to correspond to the pachinko machine and is discharged from the pachinko machine. The ball tank device, which receives and returns pachinko balls (ie, discharged balls), is disposed to be inclined downward from the left and right ends of the game island toward the center and collects the pachinko balls returned from the ball tank device. And a ball polishing / lifting device which is disposed in the center of the game island and polishes the pachinko balls collected by the ball collecting gutter and transports them.

[0003] In the ball tank device, pachinko balls dropped and discharged from the pachinko machine are received by the tank body, and the received pachinko balls are guided by a return chute, returned from the ball return port, and returned. Pachinko balls are counted by a ball counter, and the counted pachinko balls are returned from a bellows-shaped ball return pipe and collected by a ball collection gutter. However, if the gap between the ball return pipe and the ball collection gutter is narrow, pachinko balls may be clogged, especially in the vicinity of the left and right ends in the longitudinal direction of the game island, the ball collection gutter inclined downward is located at a higher place. Since the gap becomes narrower, it is necessary to make the gap between the two as wide as possible.

Therefore, a conventional ball tank device is provided with a separate return chute for returning pachinko balls from either the right side or the left side of the ball tank device, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-155034. The pachinko balls were returned to the left or right by the return chute that was selected and attached.

More specifically, for example, when the pachinko machine is located near the left end of the gaming island, a return chute for returning the pachinko balls discharged to the ball tank device from the right side is attached, and If the pachinko machine is located near the right end of the gaming island, a return chute for returning the pachinko balls discharged to the ball tank device from the left side is attached to the ball return pipe and ball collection gutter. The pachinko balls were returned without clogging as much as possible.

[0006]

However, in the conventional ball tank device, since the return chute for returning to the right side and the return chute for returning to the left side are separate members which are incompatible with each other, for example, a large number of game fields are required. When ordering a ball tank device, it is necessary to accurately understand how many left and right return chutes are required, and to place an order. In such a case, there is a problem that they need to be reordered because they are not compatible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to discharge and return a discharged ball from an arbitrary direction without being clogged. A ball tank device is provided.

[0008]

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

A first aspect of the present invention is a ball tank device for receiving discharged balls discharged from a gaming machine and returning the discharged balls toward a ball collection gutter, wherein the tank section receives the discharged balls. A main body, a ball return portion provided along a longitudinal direction of the tank portion main body, and provided with a plurality of ball return ports for returning the discharged balls toward the ball collection gutter; and a ball return portion. A ball guiding unit that guides the discharged balls toward any one of the plurality of ball return ports.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ball tank device according to the first aspect, wherein the ball return ports are provided on both left and right sides in the longitudinal direction of the ball return portion. Device.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the ball tank device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the ball guiding means is a ball guiding member detachable from the ball returning portion. The ball tank device is characterized in that the ball return port from which the discharged balls are returned is determined by changing a mounting mode of the ball guiding member.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
The ball tank device according to any one of the above, further comprising a ball alignment unit for aligning the discharged balls guided toward the ball return port, each ball return of the plurality of ball return ports A ball tank device, wherein a first mounting portion for mounting the ball alignment portion is provided corresponding to a mouth.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1-4.
The ball tank device according to any one of the above, wherein a counter mounting portion for mounting a ball counter for counting the discharged balls returned from the ball return port is provided, the plurality of balls A ball tank device, wherein a second mounting portion for mounting the counter mounting portion is provided corresponding to each ball return port of the return port.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball tank device for receiving a discharged ball discharged from a gaming machine and returning the discharged ball toward a ball collecting gutter, wherein the tank portion receives the discharged ball. A main body, a ball return chute provided with a ball receiving area for receiving the discharged balls received by the tank portion main body and a ball return port for returning the discharged balls toward the ball collection gutter, The ball return chute is provided with a plurality of tank portion main body mounting portions for mounting to the tank portion main body, and the discharge balls are returned by selecting a tank portion main body mounting portion to be mounted on the tank portion main body. A ball tank device wherein the position of the ball return port is changed.

The invention according to claim 7 is the ball tank device according to claim 6, wherein the ball receiving area is provided corresponding to the tank body mounting portion. It is.

The invention according to claim 8 is the ball tank device according to claim 7, wherein the ball return port is provided corresponding to the ball receiving area, and the ball receiving area and the ball return port are connected to each other. A ball tank device provided with a guiding path for connection.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claims 6 to 8
The ball tank device described in any one of the above, provided with a counter mounting portion for mounting a ball counter for counting the discharged balls returned from the ball return port, the ball return port And a fourth mounting portion for mounting the counter mounting portion is provided corresponding to the position of the ball tank device.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claims 1 to
9. The ball tank device according to any one of 9, wherein the tank portion main body is movable in the left-right direction.

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claims 1 to
10. The ball tank device according to any one of 10 above,
The said tank part main body is a ball tank apparatus characterized by being movable up and down.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention.
11. A ball tank device according to any one of items 11,
The said tank part main body is a ball tank apparatus characterized by being movable in the front-back direction.

Further, the invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claim 1.
12. The ball tank device according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the ball tank device has a scale capable of grasping a mounting position of the tank body.

Specific examples of the means for solving the above-mentioned problems will be described with reference to the embodiments of the invention and the notation in the drawings. In the following embodiments, the ball guiding member 15 corresponds to the ball guiding section. The ball alignment member 53 corresponds to the ball alignment portion, and the alignment member mounting portion 14d corresponds to the first mounting portion. The counter mounting member 52 corresponds to the counter mounting portion, and the mounting member engaging portion 14c corresponds to the second mounting portion. The main body engaging claw 14e 'corresponds to the tank main body mounting portion. The counter mounting member 52 'corresponds to another counter mounting portion, and the mounting member engaging hole 10h' corresponds to the third mounting portion.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, a description will be given of a pachinko machine 3 using a pachinko ball as a game medium as a gaming machine. In the following, as shown in FIG. 1, the ball collection gutter 5 side is the front, the pachinko machine 3 side is the rear, and the width direction of the pachinko machine 3 (that is, the longitudinal direction of the game island) is the left-right direction and the height direction. Are referred to as a vertical direction, and a depth direction is referred to as a front-back direction.

[1. Configuration of Ball Tank Device] First, the configuration of the ball tank device 1 according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the ball tank device 1 receives pachinko balls (ie, discharged balls) discharged from the pachinko machine 3 and returns the discharged balls toward the ball collection gutter 5. And the one provided with a tank body 10 'according to the modification shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, the ball tank device 1 including the tank body 10 will be mainly described. The ball tank device including the tank body 10 ′ according to the modified example is different from the ball tank device 1 including the tank body 10. Only points will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ball tank device 1 is used by being attached to a setting table 2 inside a game island. Here, the installation table 2 is a table having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of pachinko machines 3 are attached in parallel on the surface side of the installation table 2 in the longitudinal direction. In the approximate center of the back of the pachinko machine 3,
A ball discharge port 4 is provided. A tank body 10 is located behind the center of each pachinko machine 3 on the upper surface of the installation table 2.
A support base 40 described later is fixed with screws or the like so that (or 10 ′) faces the ball discharge port 4, and a plurality of ball tank devices 1 are attached in parallel in the longitudinal direction. Further, at a position lower than the installation table 2 inside the gaming island, a ball collection gutter 5 is provided which is arranged to be inclined downward from the left and right ends in the longitudinal direction toward the center.

The ball tank device 1 has a tank body 1
The ball return ports 13R and 13L for returning the discharged balls received at 0 to the ball collection gutter 5 (or, as shown in FIG. Return port 13R ', 13 for returning to
L ′) is provided. When a plurality of ball return ports are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as “ball return port 13” (or “ball return port 13 ′”).

Further, the ball tank device 1 is provided with a counter mounting member 52 (or 52 '), which will be described later, and a ball alignment member 53. This counter mounting member 52 (or 5
2 '), a box-shaped ball counter 50 for counting the discharged balls returned from the ball return port 13 is attached, and the ball counter 50 weakens the momentum of the passing pachinko balls. A bellows-shaped ball return pipe 51 for hanging.

In this game island, pachinko balls flow as follows. First, the pachinko balls fired by the firing device of the pachinko machine 3 are driven into the game area of the pachinko machine 3 and are taken into a winning opening or an out port provided in the game area. Next, the winning ball taken into the winning opening passes through a winning ball processing device that performs processing for paying out prize balls,
It is dropped and discharged from the ball discharge port 4 of the pachinko machine 3. The out ball taken into the out port is dropped and discharged from the ball discharge port 4 of the pachinko machine 3 as it is.

Next, the pachinko balls dropped and discharged from the ball discharge port 4 (that is, discharged balls = prize balls + out balls) are received by the tank body 10 (or 10 ') of the ball tank device 1 and received. The pachinko balls are returned from the ball return port 13, the returned pachinko balls are counted by the ball counter 50, and the counted pachinko balls are returned from the ball return pipe 51 and collected by the ball collection gutter 5.

The pachinko balls collected by the ball collecting gutter 5 are polished and lifted by a ball polishing / lifting device (not shown) arranged at the center of the game island, and the pachinko machine 3 and, if necessary, lend balls. (Not shown).

In game machines such as the pachinko machine 3, etc.,
Since the discharge position of the discharge ball is different for each maker, when the ball tank device 1 is mounted on the installation table 2 or when the gaming machine mounted on the installation table 2 is exchanged for another manufacturer, the discharge ball is used. It is necessary to be able to adjust the mounting position of the tank portion main body 10 (or 10 '), which is the discharge ball receiving position, according to the position of the ball discharge port 4, which is the discharge position of the tank.

Therefore, in the ball tank device 1, the tank body 10 (or 10 ') itself is moved in the left-right direction, the up-down direction,
The position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) can be adjusted by moving the tank body 10 in three directions, that is, the front-back direction. More specifically, as shown in FIG.
It mainly comprises four parts of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′), the internal support legs 20, the external support legs 30, and the support base 40, between two adjacent parts thereof (that is, the connection between the support base 40 and the external support legs 30). Between the outer support leg 30 and the inner support leg 2
0, and between the internal support leg 20 and the tank body 10 (or 10 ')), the tank body 10 (or 10') in the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the front-back direction. Is adjusted.

The components constituting the ball tank device 1 including these four parts are formed into a shape to be described later by, for example, a hard synthetic resin. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

[1-1. Configuration of Tank Body] First, FIG.
Referring to FIG. 8 to FIG. 8, the tank unit main body 10 and the configuration related thereto will be described. The tank unit main body 10 receives discharge balls discharged from the pachinko machine 3, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, has an open upper surface here, has a horizontally long rectangular shape in plan view, and has a front view. Is a bottomed container having a dish-shaped bottom plate.

The recessed inside of the tank body 10 forms a receiving portion 10a for receiving the discharged balls. As shown in FIG. 15, the inner bottom surface of the tank body 10 is inclined downward from the end of the tank body 10 toward the center thereof.
As shown in FIG. 16, the tank 10 is inclined downward from the rear to the front in the tank body 10, and the discharge balls received by the receiving part 10 a roll by their own weight, and move toward the notch 10 b described later. It is designed to flow down.

On the inner bottom surface of the tank body 10, three elastic plate mounting holes 10g each having an inverted convex shape in plan view are provided.
And an elastic plate (not shown) such as a rubber sheet is attached to the elastic plate mounting hole 10 g and laid.
When receiving the discharged ball, the discharged ball is prevented from jumping or generating an impact sound.

As shown in FIG. 15, two plate-shaped fixed projections 1 are provided on the lower surface of the tank body 10 in this order from the outside.
0c, 10d, and 10e project vertically downward in the front-rear direction. Here, the fixed projections 10c and 10d are provided with front and rear engaged portions for controlling the movement of the tank body 10 in the front-rear direction, in the front-rear direction. In particular,
As shown in FIG. 17 (b), the front and rear guide grooves 11 each having a rectangular shape in a side view and constituting the front and rear engaged portions are formed in the fixed protrusions 10c.
Are horizontally formed over a predetermined range in the front-rear direction. A scale 80 for moving in the front-rear direction, which will be described later, is engraved on the fixed protruding piece 10c in a horizontal outward direction in the front-rear direction. Further, as shown in FIG.
A rack 1 having a sawtooth shape in plan view,
2 extends horizontally inward in the front-rear direction.
The teeth of the rack 12 are formed in an equilateral mountain shape.
The fixed protruding piece 10e is mounted and supported on a mounting support piece 24 described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, a notch 10b is formed at the center of the front wall of the tank body 10 so as to allow the discharged balls received by the tank body 10 to flow down to a ball return section 14, which will be described later. Is provided. Positioning cuts 10f, 10f for fitting positioning protrusions 15f of the ball guide member 15 described later are provided on both left and right sides of the notch 10b in the front wall of the tank body 10.

Further, in front of the tank body 10, a ball return port 13 for returning discharged balls toward the ball collection gutter 5 is provided.
A ball return portion 14 including a plurality of R and 13L is provided along the longitudinal direction of the tank body 10. The ball return portion 14 has a front wall having a chevron shape in a front view, a rear wall having a valley shape in a front view, side walls below the front and rear walls, and a bottom plate, Tank body 1
0 and is a portion to which a ball guide member 15 described later is attached.

In the front wall of the ball return portion 14, positioning notches 14a, 14a for fitting positioning protruding pieces 15f of a ball guiding member 15, which will be described later, at positions facing the positioning notches 10f, 10f. Is provided.
The rear wall of the ball return portion 14 is continuous from the lower edge of the tank body 10. As shown in FIG. 4B, the gap between the front wall and the rear wall in the front-rear direction is such that the ball guiding member 15 can be fitted exactly and the pachinko ball can pass through only one. Is formed.

Also, the bottom plate of the ball return section 14 has the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of ball return ports 13 are provided at both left and right ends in the longitudinal direction (that is, at both right and left ends of the tank body 10 or in the vicinity thereof).
R and 13L are provided. This ball return port 13R is
The ball return port for returning the pachinko balls from the right side is a ball return port for returning the pachinko balls from the left side, and the ball return port 13L is a ball return port for returning the pachinko balls from the left side.

The bottom plate of the ball return section 14 is provided with a plurality of dust removal ports 14b (seven in this case) in an intermittent manner, and the bottom plate other than these is used as the mounting section 14e. As shown in FIG. 6, the placing portion 14e is formed at a position where a supporting portion 15c of a ball guiding member 15 described later attached to the ball returning portion 14 is placed. As shown in FIG.
5 are formed at symmetrical positions so as to be able to cope with the case where 5 is attached.

Here, the ball guiding member 15 is an example of a ball guiding section, and a plurality of ball returning ports 13 provided in the ball returning section 14.
R and 13L are for guiding discharged balls toward one of the ball return ports 13, and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, are detachable from the ball return portion 14 here. By changing the mounting mode (specifically, the mounting direction), the ball return port 13 from which the discharged balls are returned is determined.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the ball guiding member 15 is composed of one upright portion 15a, which is a base plate, and a square bar extending from the upright portion 15a toward the distal end. A certain inclined portion 15b, a plurality of support portions 15c, which are plate members that extend horizontally from appropriate positions on the left and right sides of the inclined portion 15b, and then bend and extend downward, and an upright portion 15a. And four elastic protruding pieces 15d extending downward from appropriate positions on the left and right sides of the left and right sides and on the left and right sides of the inclined portion 15b, and inverted protruding horizontally outward at the tip of each elastic protruding piece 15d. Triangular fixing engaging claw 15e
And two positioning projections 15f projecting horizontally outward from upper ends on both right and left sides of the upright portion 15a.

Here, as shown also in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upright portion 15a is provided with the cutout portion 10b of the tank body 10 when the ball guiding member 15 is attached to the ball return portion 14.
The discharged balls flowing down from the ball are directed to one of the selected ball return ports 13 (for example, the ball return port 13R), that is, the unselected ball return ports 13 (for example, the ball return port 13L).
Is formed to have a sufficient height (here, a height substantially equal to the height of the ball return portion 14) so as not to go toward.

7 and 8, when the ball guiding member 15 is attached to the ball returning portion 14, the discharged ball flowing down from the cutout portion 10b of the tank body 10 is also provided, as shown in FIGS. Is rolled on the inclined portion 15b by its own weight and heads toward the ball return opening 13 selected from any of the cutouts 10b and has a length substantially equal to the length of the ball return opening 13 from the base end side. It is formed to be inclined downward at a predetermined inclination angle toward the tip end side.

With the ball guiding member 15 with its tip end directed toward any selected ball return port 13, as shown in FIG. Fit into the positioning notches 10f, 14a,
By engaging the elastic protrusion 15d and the fixing engagement claw 15e with a predetermined dust drop opening 14b, the ball is returned to the inside of the ball return portion 14 by being fitted thereto.

As shown in FIG. 3, mounting member engaging portions 14c, 14c are provided on both left and right end sides of the front wall of the ball returning portion 14 so as to protrude forward from the front wall. The mounting member engaging portion 14c is an example of a second mounting portion, and each of the ball return ports 1 of the plurality of ball return ports 13R, 13L.
3 is provided for mounting a counter mounting member 52 to be described later. Here, an extension portion extending forward from the front wall of the ball return portion 14 and a tip of the extension portion are provided. It is a bar having an engaging portion that is attached parallel to the ball return portion 14 at a distance from the front wall, and has a concave shape in plan view.

Here, the counter mounting member 52 is an example of a counter mounting portion for mounting the ball counter 50, and is formed symmetrically here as shown in FIG. 5 (a). Back plate 52a exhibiting a cross shape, and back plate 52
a lower surface supporting portion 52b extending forward from the lower edge of the ball counter 50 and supporting the lower surface of the ball counter 50, and extending forward from both left and right edges of the back plate 52a. Two side support portions 52c for supporting both side surfaces, and a front locking claw 52d provided at the end of each side support portion 52c in parallel with the back plate 52a and locking the front surface of the ball counter 50
And two flexible portions 52e that extend laterally from the upper half of the back plate 52a and then bend and extend forward.
And upper surface locking claws 52f provided at the upper edge of each flexible portion 52e in parallel with the lower surface support portion 52b and locking the upper surface of the ball counter 50, and upward from the back surface of each flexible portion 52e. It has an elastic projection 52g that extends and a triangular main body engaging claw 52h that projects horizontally forward from the tip of each elastic projection 52g.

Here, the ball counter 50 is inserted from above the counter mounting member 52 in a state in which each flexible portion 52e is expanded and deflected to the left and right, so that the lower surface is supported by the lower surface support portion 52b. The left and right sides are supported by each side support portion 52c, the front surface is locked by each front locking claw 52d, and the upper surface is locked by the top locking claw 52f by returning each flexible portion 52e to its original position. Then, it is attached to the counter attachment member 52.

The counter mounting member 52 to which the ball counter 50 is mounted is connected to any selected ball return port 13R.
Or, it is attached from below to the attachment member engaging portion 14c corresponding to 13L, and as shown in FIG.
The upper end of a is located on the back side of the mounting member engaging portion 14c, and each elastic protrusion 52g is located on the front side of the mounting member engaging portion 14c.
Each main body engaging claw 52h is hooked on the upper surface of the engaging portion in the mounting member engaging portion 14c, so that the mounting member engaging portion 1
4c and attached to the tank body 10.
The counter mounting member 52 includes the ball return port 13 and the ball counter 5.
0 is positioned and attached so that the ball flow path (not shown) at 0 coincides.

As shown in FIG. 3, alignment member mounting portions 14d, 14d are provided on both left and right sides of the front wall of the ball returning portion 14.
Is provided. The alignment member mounting portions 14d, 14d
Is an example of a first mounting portion, and a plurality of ball return ports 13
A ball alignment member 53, which will be described later, is attached to each of the ball return ports 13 of R and 13L. Here, a front wall of the ball return portion 14 is provided with two balls formed downward from the upper edge. The portion between the grooves of the book has a shape extending upward from the upper edge, and has a hole for pivotally supporting a ball alignment member 53 described later.

Here, the ball aligning member 53 is an example of a ball aligning section for aligning discharged balls guided toward the ball return port 13, and as shown in FIG. It is a bar that is formed inside the return part 14 so as to be able to move out and back.
The ball aligning member 53 is provided at a base end, and is provided at a distal end portion with a shaft 53a for pivotally supporting the ball aligning member 53 around a horizontal axis. And a hook 53 formed at the distal end thereof for suppressing the flow of pachinko balls in the protruding state.
c.

The ball alignment member 53 is mounted from above on an alignment member mounting portion 14d corresponding to any selected one of the ball return ports 13R or 13L, and a shaft 53a is formed in the alignment member mounting portion 14d. By loosely fitting into the hole, the tank member main body 1 is engaged with the mounting member engaging portion 14c.
0 is attached.

In the ball tank device 1 having the tank body 10 described above, a plurality of ball return ports 13 (here, two ball return ports 13R, 13L) are formed in accordance with the mounting position of the ball tank device 1. ) From any ball return port 1
By selecting No. 3, pachinko balls can be sorted out from any selected ball return port 13 and returned.

Specifically, for example, when the pachinko machine 3 is located near the left end of the game island (ie, at the left end of the game island or in the vicinity thereof), as shown in FIG. Of the ball return port 13R, and the ball return portion 1 with the tip end side of the ball guide member 15 facing the ball return port 13R.
4, the ball counter 50 is mounted on the counter mounting member 52 so that the ball return pipe 51 is located on the right side, and the counter mounting member 52 is attached to the right mounting member corresponding to the ball return port 13R. The ball tank device 1 in a state where the ball tank device 1 is attached to the joint portion 14c and the ball alignment member 53 is attached to the right alignment member mounting portion 14d corresponding to the ball return port 13R.
The pachinko ball can be returned from the ball return port 13R for returning the right side, and at this time, the ball return pipe 51 which is suspended from the ball counter 50 and the ball return pipe 51 are inclined downward toward the right side. Since the gap S with the ball collecting gutter 5 can be widened, the pachinko balls can be returned without being clogged.

For example, when the pachinko machine 3 is located near the right end of the game island (ie, at the right end of the game island or in the vicinity thereof), as shown in FIG. The port 13L is selected, and the ball guide member 15 is attached to the ball return section 14 with the tip end side facing the ball return port 13L, so that the ball return pipe 51 is located on the left side (that is, FIG. 7). The ball counter 50 (rotated by 180 degrees around the vertical axis as compared with the above) is mounted on the counter mounting member 52, and the counter mounting member 52 is attached to the left mounting member engaging portion corresponding to the ball return port 13L. 14c, and the ball tank device 1 in a state where the ball alignment member 53 is mounted on the left alignment member mounting portion 14d corresponding to the ball return port 13L is installed on the installation base 2, so that the pachinko balls are returned to the left. From the ball return port 13L At this time, the gap S between the ball return pipe 51 hanging down from the ball counter 50 and the ball collection gutter 5 inclined downward toward the left side can be widened, so that the pachinko machine is used. It can be returned without clogging the balls.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, a description will be given of a tank body 10 'according to a modification and a configuration related thereto. The tank unit main body 10 ′ receives discharge balls discharged from the pachinko machine 3. As shown in FIG. 9, similar to the tank unit main body 10, the tank unit main body 10 ′ has an open upper surface and a horizontally long rectangular shape in plan view. And a bottomed container having a dish-shaped bottom plate in a front view.

The tank body 10 ′ is different from the tank body 10 in that the receiving part 10 a and the notch 10
b, fixed projection 10c, fixed projection 10d, fixed projection 10
e, an elastic plate mounting hole 10g, a front and rear guide groove 11, and a rack 12;
f and the ball return section 14 provided with the ball return port 13 is not provided.

In the notch 10b of the tank body 10 ', as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 11 (a), the bottom plate extends so as to extend forward from the front wall. Is provided. The extended bottom plate is for ensuring that the discharged balls received by the tank body 10 'flow down to the ball receiving areas 14R' and 14L 'described later.

Also, the left and right sides of the notch 10b in the front wall of the tank body 10 'are shown in FIGS.
As shown in (a), the chute engaging portions 10i ', 10i' are provided so as to protrude forward from the front wall. The chute engaging portion 10i 'is for attaching a ball return chute 14' to be described later, and is a plate member having a concave shape in plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a ball return chute 14 'is provided in front of the tank body 10'. This ball return chute 14 ′ is
A ball receiving area 14R ', 14L' for receiving the discharged ball received at 0 ', and ball return ports 13R', 13L 'for returning the discharged ball toward the ball collection gutter 5 are provided. , Can be attached to and detached from the tank body 10 '.

The ball return chute 14 ′ extends from the base end communicating with the notch 10 b of the tank body 10 ′ along the longitudinal direction of the tank body 10 ′.
The partition wall 14a 'is formed to have a length reaching a tip portion on one end side (the right side in FIG. 9).
And two guide paths 15R 'and 15L' parallel to each other in front and rear of the partition wall 14a '. The taxiway 15R 'is a right-side return path for returning pachinko balls from the right side, and the taxiway 15L' is a left-side return path for returning pachinko balls from the left side.

A ball return port 13R 'for returning the right side is provided at the tip of the bottom plate of the guideway 15R' for returning the right side, and similarly, a tip end of the bottom plate of the guide path 15L 'for returning the left side is provided. Is provided with a ball return port 13L 'for left side return. The widths of these guide paths 15R 'and 15L' are formed such that only one pachinko ball can pass through.

A ball receiving area 14R 'for returning the right side is provided on the base end side of the side wall of the guiding path 15R' for returning the right side. Similarly, a base on the side wall of the guiding path 15L 'for returning the left side is provided. At the end, a ball receiving area 14 for left return
L 'is provided. This ball receiving area 14R ', 14
L ′ is a notch having a rectangular shape in a front view having a width substantially equal to that of the notch 10b of the tank body 10 ′.

The ball return chute 14 'is provided with a plurality of main body engaging claws 14e' which are an example of a tank body mounting portion for mounting the ball return chute 14 'to the tank body 10'. Specifically, ball return chute 1
In the front wall of 4 ′, a pair of left and right chute engagement portions 10
A pair of left and right main body engaging claws 14e 'and 14e' are provided at locations facing i 'and 10i'. Similarly, on the rear wall of the ball return chute 14 ', a pair of left and right main body engaging claws 14e' are provided. , 14e '.

That is, in the ball return chute 14 ′, a plurality of ball receiving regions 14 R ′ and 14 L ′ (here, two at the front and rear) are provided, and the ball receiving regions 14 R ′ and 14 L ′ are provided.
Ball receiving areas 14R 'and 14L' are provided corresponding to L ', and ball return ports 13R' and 13L 'are provided corresponding to the ball receiving areas 14R' and 14L '.
Guideways 15R 'and 15L' are provided to connect R 'and 14L' with the ball return ports 13R 'and 13L'.

Here, the main body engaging claw 14e 'is a plate material which extends horizontally from the front wall and the rear wall and then bends and extends downward. The ball return chute 14 ′ is engaged with the chute engagement portion 10 i ′ from above, so that the ball return chute 14 ′
Is engaged and attached in front of the vehicle.

The bottom plate of the ball return chute 14 ′
As shown in FIG. 0 (b) and FIG. 11 (b), in a state where the ball return chute 14 ′ is attached to the tank body 10 ′, the discharged balls flowing down from the notch 10b of the tank body 10 ′ are Ball return port 1 by rolling on the bottom plate by its own weight
It is formed to be inclined downward from the base end side toward the distal end side at a predetermined inclination angle toward 3 ′. In addition, a plurality of dust removal ports (not shown) are provided intermittently on the bottom plate of the ball return chute 14 '.

The partition wall 14 of the ball return chute 14 ′
a ′ is, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 11 (a),
In a state where the ball return chute 14 'is attached to the tank body 10', the discharged balls received by the tank body 10 'are transferred to the selected ball return port 13' (for example, the ball return port 13R '). Ball receiving area 14 'that communicates
(Here, the ball receiving area 14R '), which is in communication with the unselected ball return port 13' (for example, the ball return port 13L '). It is formed high enough to be unacceptable.

The partition wall 14 of the ball return chute 14 ′
As shown in FIG. 9, an alignment member mounting portion 14d 'is provided on the tip end side of a'. The alignment member mounting portion 14d 'is for mounting the ball alignment member 53, and has the same shape as the alignment member mounting portion 14d.

In addition, the front wall of the tank body 10 ′ is provided at the left and right ends of the extended front wall extending downward.
As shown in FIG. 0 (b) and FIG. 11 (b), mounting member engaging holes 10h ′, 10h ′ are provided. The mounting member engaging hole 10h 'is an example of a third mounting portion, and corresponds to a position of the ball return port 13', and
It is for attaching 2 '.

Here, the counter mounting member 52 'is an example of a counter mounting portion for mounting the ball counter 50. Unlike the counter mounting member 52, the counter mounting member 52' has a rear surface. Mounting hole 1 that is attached to the side and that corresponds to the position of any selected ball return port 13 ′
0h 'is attached from the back side.

In the ball tank device provided with the tank body 10 'according to the modified example described above, the main body engaging claw 14e' to be mounted on the tank body 10 is selected according to the mounting position of the ball tank device. Then, the position of the ball return port 13 '(here, the right side or the left side) where the discharged balls are returned is changed, and the pachinko balls are sorted and returned from any selected position of the ball return port 13'. Can be.

Specifically, for example, when the pachinko machine 3 is located near the left end of the game island (that is, at or near the left end of the game island), as shown in FIG. The right side is selected, and the tank body 1 with the tip end side of the ball return chute 14 'turned to the right so that the notch 10b and the ball return area 14R' for right side return communicate with each other.
0 ', the ball counter 50 is mounted on the counter mounting member 52' so that the ball return pipe 51 is located on the right side, and the counter mounting member 52 'is connected to the right mounting member engaging hole 10h'. And the ball tank device attached to the alignment member mounting portion 14d 'such that the ball alignment member 53 can be moved into and out of the right-side return guide path 15R'. Pachinko balls can be returned from the ball return port 13R 'for right side return,
Since the gap S between the ball return pipe 51 hung down from the ball counter 50 and the ball collection gutter 5 inclined downward toward the right side can be widened, pachinko balls can be returned without being clogged.

For example, when the pachinko machine 3 is located near the right end of the game island (ie, at the right end of the game island or in the vicinity thereof), as shown in FIG. 11, the left side is selected as the position of the ball return port 13 '. Then, the ball return chute 14 'is connected so that the notch 10b and the ball return area 14L' for returning to the left side communicate with each other.
Is attached to the tank body 10 ′ with the tip end side facing the left side, and accordingly, the ball return pipe 51 is rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis so as to be located on the left side (that is, as compared with FIG. 10). The ball counter 50 (in the state) is attached to the counter mounting member 52 '.
The counter mounting member 52 'is mounted on the left mounting member engaging hole 10h', and the ball aligning member 53 can be moved into and out of the left return guide path 15L '. By installing the ball tank device attached to 14d 'on the installation table 2, pachinko balls can be returned from the ball return port 13L' for left-side return, and at that time, the ball is dropped from the ball counter 50. The gap S between the ball return pipe 51 and the ball collection gutter 5 inclined downward toward the left can be widened, so that pachinko balls can be returned without being clogged.

[1-2. Configuration of Internal Support Leg] The internal support leg 20 is, as shown in FIGS.
It constitutes a support leg for supporting 0 (or 10 '), and here is a rectangular hollow cylinder whose upper and lower surfaces are open. Two L-shaped elastic projecting pieces 20a are provided on the left and right peripheral walls at the upper portion of the inner support leg 20 so as to project outward. Further, on the left and right peripheral walls above the inner support leg 20, a portion between the elastic protruding pieces 20a, 20a is
It is a plate-shaped flexible piece 20b. In addition, the internal support legs 20
The portion between the two grooves formed upward from the lower edge of the left and right peripheral walls of the right and left sides is a plate-shaped flexible piece 20c. Further, plate-shaped mounting and supporting pieces 24 project horizontally outward from the front and rear peripheral walls above the internal support legs 20.

The elastic projection 20a and the flexible piece 20b are provided with front-rear engagement portions for controlling the movement of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the elastic protrusion 2
A front-rear guide claw 21, which is a triangular shape in a front view and forms a front-rear engagement portion, protrudes horizontally outward so as to engage with the front-rear guide groove 11 at the front end of the front end 0 a. The front and rear guide claw 21 is also provided with a mark 81 for moving in the front and rear direction described later. At the tip of the flexible piece 20 b, a crown-shaped engaging claw 22, which constitutes a front-rear engaging portion, projects in a horizontal outward direction so as to engage with the rack 12 in plan view.

The flexible piece 20c is provided with an upper and lower engaging portion for controlling the vertical movement of the tank body 10 (or 10 '). Specifically, an upper / lower engagement guide claw 23 constituting an upper / lower engagement portion is provided at a distal end portion of the flexible piece 20c so as to project horizontally outward so as to engage with an up / down engagement guide groove 33 described later. ing. The vertical engagement guide claw 23 is provided with a wide groove 3 described later.
3a, for example, a wide portion 23a on the base end side and a narrow portion 23b on the front end side are formed in a convex shape in plan view.
The vertical engagement guide claw 23 is also provided with a vertical movement mark 71 described later. The mounting support piece 24 is
The fixed projection 10e is placed and supported.

[1-3. Configuration of External Support Leg] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 13, the external support leg 30 is externally fitted to the internal support leg 20 during assembly, and
0 '), and is a rectangular bottomed cylinder having an open upper surface and a convex raised bottom when viewed from the front.

Below the outer support leg 30, there is provided a left-right engaging portion which controls the left-right movement of the tank body 10 (or 10 '). Specifically, a portion between two grooves formed upward from the lower edge on the front and rear peripheral walls of the external support leg 30 is further extended vertically downward to form a plate-shaped elastic protruding piece. 30a, the elastic protruding piece 30a
A left and right guide claw 31, which is an inverted triangular shape in side view and forms a left and right engagement portion, is protruded horizontally outward so as to engage with a left and right guide groove 41 to be described later. At the center of the front and rear peripheral walls of the external support legs 30, marks 61 for left and right movement, which will be described later, are engraved. At the center of the lower surface of the external support leg 30, a pair of curved plate-shaped holding pieces 32a is provided to project vertically downward in the left-right direction.
2a is a fitting concave portion 32 forming a left-right engaging portion.

On the side of the external support leg 30, there is provided a vertically engaged portion that controls the vertical movement of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') over the vertical direction. Specifically, upper and lower engagement guide grooves 33 constituting upper and lower engaged portions are vertically formed in left and right peripheral walls of the outer support leg 30 in a vertical direction over a predetermined range. The upper / lower engagement guide groove 33 has a shape (here, “O”) in which a plurality of (here, three places) wide grooves 33a and a plurality of (here, two places) narrow grooves 33b are alternately provided in a vertical view. "Shaped"). In the vicinity of the upper and lower engagement guide grooves 33, scales 70 for vertically moving, which will be described later, are engraved on the left and right peripheral walls of the external support legs 30 in the vertical direction.

[1-4. Configuration of Support Base] Support Base 40
2 and 14 to 16 support the supporting legs (ie, the inner supporting legs 20 and the outer supporting legs 30). It is a rectangular box with a bottom. Screw holes 40a for inserting screws for attaching the support base 40 to the installation base 2 are formed in upper surfaces on the left and right sides of the support base 40.

On the upper surface of the support base 40, the tank body 1
Right and left engaged portions that control 0 (or 10 ′) left-right movement are provided in the left-right direction. Specifically, on the upper surface before and after the support base 40, a left-right guide groove 41, which is a rectangular shape in plan view and forms a left-right engaged portion, is horizontally formed in a predetermined range in the left-right direction. . On the bottom surface at the center of the support base 40, fitting projections 42 forming left and right engaged portions are provided so as to intermittently protrude in the left-right direction. The fitting projection 42 is provided with a plurality of (in this case, nine) projections 42a intermittently projecting vertically upward from the bottom surface of the support base 40 at regular intervals, and a connection piece 42b connecting between the projections 42a. Consists of In the vicinity of the left and right guide grooves 41 and the fitting protrusions 42, scales 60 for moving in the left and right directions, which will be described later, are provided on the upper surface before and after the support base 40.
Are engraved in the left-right direction.

[1-5. Configuration of Scales and Marks] As described above, the ball tank device 1 includes the tank body 10 (or 1).
0 ') scales 60, 70, 80,
And marks 61, 71, 81 indicating the scale. Note that these scales and marks are provided from the installation table 2 to the pachinko machine 3.
It is preferable that the mounting member be provided at a position where the worker who moves the tank portion main body 10 (or 10 ′) to adjust the mounting position when the user removes the tank can be visually recognized.

The scale 60 for moving in the left-right direction is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), it is displayed on the support base 40, so that the mounting position in the left-right direction of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') can be grasped. Specifically, the scale 60 is provided near the support base 40 near the left and right guide grooves 41 and the fitting protrusion 42.
Are engraved in the left and right direction on the upper and lower surfaces before and after. In this case, the scale 60 is “+4, +3, +2, from the left side in order to correspond to the positions of the plurality of protrusions 42a.
+1, 0, -1, -2, -3, -4 "are displayed in nine stages, and the tank body 10 (or 10 ') is displayed.
Are displayed in a format in which the center position (here, “0”) of the movable range can be grasped.

On the other hand, the mark 61 for the left-right movement is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 17 (a), it is displayed on the external support leg 30 and indicates the scale 60. Specifically, the mark 61 is engraved as a downward arrow at the center of the front and rear peripheral walls of the external support leg 30.

The scale 70 for vertical movement is displayed on the external support leg 30 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 17 (a) to grasp the vertical mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 '). It is possible. Specifically, the scale 70
Near the upper and lower engagement guide grooves 33,
It is engraved on the left and right peripheral walls in the vertical direction.
In this case, the graduations 70 correspond to “upper, middle, lower” in order from the upper side so as to correspond to the positions of the plurality of wide grooves 33a.
The kanji of the stage is displayed, and is displayed in a format in which the center position (here, “medium”) of the range in which the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) can move can be grasped.

On the other hand, the mark 71 for vertical movement is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 17 (a), it is displayed on the inner support leg 20 and points to the scale 70. Specifically, the mark 71 is engraved on the vertical engagement guide claw 23 as a lateral arrow. Note that it is also possible to use the upper and lower engagement guide claws 23 themselves as a mark and omit the mark 71.

The scale 80 for the forward and backward movement is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the tank body 10 (or 10 ')
Is displayed, and it is possible to grasp the mounting position of the tank portion main body 10 (or 10 ′) in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the scale 80 is provided on the lower surface of the tank main body 10 (or 10 ′) and horizontally outwardly in the front-rear direction below the fixed protrusion 10 c in which the front-rear guide groove 11 is formed. It is engraved on. The graduations 80 are arranged from the rear side in order from “A, B, C..., J, K,
"L" is displayed in 12 stages of alphabetic characters.

On the other hand, the mark 81 for moving in the front-back direction is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 17 (b), it is displayed on the inner support leg 20 and points to the scale 80. Specifically, the mark 81 is engraved on the front and rear guide claws 21 of the pachinko machine 3 as a downward arrow.

The operator can easily and accurately grasp the mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') by having the scales 60, 70, 80 and the marks 61, 71, 81. In addition, the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) is moved based on these scales and marks (while watching, touching, etc.).
Moving work (position adjustment) by moving in a predetermined direction
In this case, the mounting position of the tank portion main body 10 (or 10 ') can be easily and accurately grasped, so that the operation does not require more time than necessary. The scales 60 and 70 do not necessarily need to be displayed in a format in which the center position can be grasped. Conversely, the scale 80 may be displayed in a format in which the center position can be grasped.

[1-6. Assembly of Ball Tank Device] The ball tank device 1 is configured by assembling the above-described respective components as follows.

First, the support base 40 and the external support legs 30
As shown in FIG. 16, when the external support leg 30 is pushed into the support base 40, the front and rear elastic protrusions 30a return to the original position after bending inward, and the left and right guide claws 31 are moved to the left and right guide grooves. 41 and the fitting recess 32 is
Fits. Thereby, the external support legs 3 are attached to the support base 40.
0 is mounted and supported, and both are assembled so that they can move in the left-right direction while restraining the movement in the vertical direction and the front-back direction.

As shown in FIG. 15, the outer support leg 30 and the inner support leg 20 are moved relative to the outer support leg 30 with the left and right flexible pieces 20c bent inward. Then, the left and right flexible pieces 20 c return to their original positions, and the wide portions 23 a of the upper and lower engaging guide claws 23 engage with the wide grooves 33 a of the upper and lower engaging guide grooves 33. As a result, the outer support leg 30 is externally fitted to the inner support leg 20, and both are assembled so that they can move in the vertical direction while restraining the movement in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

The inner support leg 20 and the tank body 10
(Or 10 ′) means that when the internal support leg 20 is pushed into the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) as shown in FIG. Returning to the position, the front and rear guide claws 21 engage with the front and rear guide grooves 11, and the engaging claws 22 engage with the rack 12. As a result, the tank body 10 (or 1
0 ') is mounted and supported, and both are assembled so that they can move in the front-rear direction while restraining the movement in the left-right direction and the up-down direction.

Further, in the ball tank device 1 having the tank body 10, as shown in FIG. 7 or 8, the ball guiding member 15 is provided in a manner corresponding to any selected one of the ball return ports 13R or 13L. , A counter mounting member 52 to which the ball counter 50 is mounted, and a ball aligning member 53 are respectively mounted, and the tank portion main body 10 ′ according to the modified example.
In the ball tank device provided with an optional ball return port 13 ′, as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG.
The ball return chute 14 ', the counter mounting member 52' to which the ball counter 50 is mounted, and the ball aligning member 53 are respectively mounted in a manner corresponding to the position.

In the ball tank device 1 assembled as described above, the position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') itself is adjusted, and the support base 40 is fixed with screws or the like. It is attached to the mounting table 2. The order of assembling the components is arbitrary. The disassembly of the ball tank device 1 may be performed in the reverse order of the assembly. In this ball tank device 1, since each part is independent, maintenance and replacement of each part can be easily performed.

As shown in the figure, each of the parts has the engaged portion longer than the engaging portion, ie, the tank body 10 (or 1) at the front and rear depths than the inner support leg 20.
0 ′) is longer, the support base 40 may be longer than the external support legs 30 in the left and right widths, and other dimensions are arbitrary.

[2. Operation of ball tank device] Next, the operation of the ball tank device 1 according to the present invention will be described. In addition,
In the following, first, the tank body 10 (or 10 ')
Will be described, and then the receiving and returning of the discharged balls will be described.

[2-1. Position Adjustment of Tank Unit Main Body] First, the horizontal position adjustment of the tank unit main body 10 (or 10 ') is mainly performed by external support legs with respect to the support base 40 as shown in FIG. 30 is moved to change the engagement position of the left and right engagement portions with respect to the left and right engaged portions. Specifically, when the operator pushes the external support leg 30 leftward or rightward, the holding piece 32a flexes outward and separates from the projection 42a, and the holding piece 32a
b, the external support leg 30 moves while holding the
a fits into the projection 42a at the desired position.

That is, the fitting recess 32 is fitted into the plurality of fitting projections 42 protruding intermittently, so that the external support legs 3
Since 0 is fixed to the support base 40, the position adjustment in the left-right direction is performed stepwise. At this time, the left and right guide claws 3
1 slides inside the left and right guide grooves 41 while the external support legs 3
Since 0 moves, position adjustment in the left-right direction is performed within a predetermined range without blurring in other directions. Further, the operator performs the moving operation while looking at the scale 60 and the mark 61 for moving in the left-right direction, whereby the position is adjusted while grasping the mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′).

In order to adjust the position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') in the vertical direction, the inner support leg 20 is moved relative to the outer support leg 30, as shown mainly in FIG. This is performed by changing the engagement position of the upper and lower engaging portions with respect to the upper and lower engaged portions. Specifically, the worker
When the narrow portion 23b is pinched and the left and right flexible pieces 20c are bent inward (see the imaginary line), the wide portion 23a becomes the wide groove 33a.
When the internal support leg 20 moves upward or downward, the narrow portion 23b moves inside the narrow groove 33b while sliding within the narrow groove 33b, and the narrow portion 23b moves at a desired position.
When the knob is released, the left and right flexible pieces 20c return to their original positions (see the solid line), and the wide portion 23a engages with the wide groove 33a.

That is, the inner support leg 20 is fixed to the outer support leg 30 by engaging the wide portion 23a of the upper and lower engagement guide claw 23 in the projecting state with the wide groove 33a of the upper and lower engagement guide groove 33. The vertical position adjustment is performed step by step. Also, at this time, since the internal support leg 20 moves while the vertical engagement guide claw 23 slides inside the vertical engagement guide groove 33, it does not move in other directions within a predetermined range.
Vertical position adjustment is performed. Further, the operator performs the moving operation while looking at the vertical movement scale 70 and the mark 71, whereby the position is adjusted while grasping the mounting position of the tank unit main body 10 (or 10 ').

Further, the position adjustment of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') in the front-rear direction is mainly performed by referring to FIG.
As shown in FIG.
This is performed by moving 0 (or 10 ′) and changing the engagement position of the front and rear engaged portion with respect to the front and rear engagement portion. Specifically, when the operator pushes the tank portion main body 10 (or 10 ′) forward or backward, the flexible piece 20 b is bent inward and the engaging claw 22 is disengaged from the teeth of the rack 12. The tank body 10 (or 10 ') moves while the engaging claws 22 sequentially engage the teeth of the rack 12, and the engaging claws 22 engage the teeth of the rack 12 at the desired positions.

That is, the tank main body 10 (or 10 ') moves while the engaging claws 22 engage the teeth of the saw-toothed rack 12, so that the position in the front-rear direction is adjusted stepwise.
In addition, since the teeth of the rack 12 are formed in an equilateral mountain shape, the position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') can be easily adjusted in any of the front and rear directions. Also, at this time, the tank body 10 (or 10 ') moves while the front and rear guide claws 21 slide inside the front and rear guide grooves 11, so that the tank body 10 (or 10') does not move in other directions within a predetermined range, and does Is adjusted. Further, the operator can move the scale 80 for moving in the front-rear direction.
By performing the moving operation while looking at the mark 81, the position is adjusted while grasping the mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ').

By such an operation, when the worker first mounts the ball tank device 1 on the installation table 2 or replaces the pachinko machine 3 mounted on the installation table with a machine of a different manufacturer, FIG. As shown in FIG. 16 to FIG. 16, the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) itself can be moved up to the position of the imaginary line at the maximum, and can be moved in the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the front-back direction according to the position of the ball discharge port 4. The position can be easily adjusted independently in each of the three directions. At this time, scale 60,7
If the work is performed based on 0, 80 and the marks 61, 71, 81 (while watching, touching, etc.), the desired mounting position can be easily and accurately grasped.

[2-2. Receiving and Returning of Discharged Balls] As described above, the position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') itself is adjusted, and as shown in FIG. Pachinko balls (ie, discharge balls) dropped and discharged from the ball discharge port 4 of the machine 3 are received by the tank body 10 (or 10 ′).
Here, the inner bottom surface of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′)
Since the tank body 10 (or 10 ') is inclined down in a dish-like manner in the direction from the end to the center and in the direction from the rear to the front, the pachinko balls received by the receiving part 10a are rolled by their own weight. It moves and is smoothly guided toward the notch 10b.

Here, as shown in FIG.
Ball return port 13 for right side return in ball tank device 1 equipped with
When R is selected, the pachinko ball that has flowed down from the notch portion 10b rolls on the inclined portion 15b of the ball guiding member 15 by its own weight while being restricted by the front and rear walls of the ball returning portion 14. And is guided to the portion of the ball alignment member 53, and is aligned in a row by the action of the ball alignment member 53 described later.
It is returned from the ball return port 13R. The direction toward the left return ball return port 13L that is not selected is the upright section 1
Since the pachinko ball is closed by the cutout 5a, the pachinko ball flowing down from the notch 10b does not head toward the ball return port 13L. As shown in FIG. 6, dust adhering to the pachinko ball is removed from the gap between the support portions 15c and the dust dropper 14b.
Fall through.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Ball return port 13L for left side return in ball tank device 1 provided with
Is selected, the pachinko ball that has flowed down from the notch portion 10b rolls on the inclined portion 15b of the ball guiding member 15 by its own weight while being restricted by the front wall and the rear wall of the ball return portion 14. The ball is guided to the portion of the ball aligning member 53, is aligned in a line by the action of the ball aligning member 53 described later, and is returned from the ball return port 13L. The direction toward the unselected right-side return ball return port 13R is the upright portion 15
Since it is closed by a, the pachinko ball that has flowed down from the notch 10b does not head toward the ball return port 13R. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, dust adhering to the pachinko balls falls through the gap of the support portion 15c and the dust dropping port 14b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, in a ball tank device provided with a tank body 10 'according to a modification, a ball return port 1 is provided.
When the right side is selected as the position of 3 ′, the pachinko ball that has flowed down from the notch 10b is received from the ball receiving area 14R ′ for returning the right side, and is placed on the bottom plate of the guiding path 15R ′ for returning the right side. Is rolled by its own weight to be guided to the portion of the ball aligning member 53, and is aligned in a line by the action of the ball aligning member 53, which will be described later, and the ball return port 13 for the right-side return
Returned from R '. In this case, FIG.
As shown in (a), the ball receiving area 14L 'for return on the left side located on the near side of the partition wall 14a', the taxiway 15
L ′ and the ball return port 13L ′ are not used. Garbage adhering to the pachinko balls is a trash dropper (not shown)
Fall through.

As shown in FIG. 11, a ball return device 1 having a ball tank device provided with a tank portion main body 10 'according to a modification example.
When the left side is selected as the position of 3 ′, the pachinko ball that has flowed down from the notch 10b is received from the ball receiving area 14L ′ for returning the left side, and is located on the bottom plate of the guide path 15L ′ for returning the left side. Is rolled by its own weight to be guided to the portion of the ball aligning member 53, and is aligned in a row by the action of the ball aligning member 53, which will be described later, and the ball return port 13 for returning the left side
Returned from L '. In this case, FIG.
As shown in (a), the ball receiving area 14R 'for right-side return located on the near side of the partition wall 14a', the taxiway 15
R 'and the ball return port 13R' are not used. Garbage adhering to the pachinko balls is a trash dropper (not shown)
Fall through.

Next, the operation of the ball alignment member 53 in each case will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko balls in the portion of the ball aligning member 53 are aligned in a line when viewed in a plan view, but may be in a state of being stacked vertically in two steps when viewed from an elevation. In such a case, the head pachinko ball is a ball alignment member 53 in a protruding state represented by a solid line.
However, when the number of pachinko balls is increased and the pressing force is increased, the first pachinko ball that has been suppressed swings the ball alignment member 53 to a retracted state represented by a virtual line. Pass through the portion of the ball alignment member 53. It should be noted that the ball aligning member 53 has a weight 53 after the leading pachinko ball has passed.
b returns from the evacuation state to the protruding state again, and suppresses the next pachinko ball. Accordingly, the pachinko balls pass through the portion of the ball aligning member 53 one by one by the action of the ball aligning member 53 that moves in and out, so that the pachinko balls are aligned in a line even in an elevation view.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, or FIG. 11, the pachinko balls arranged in a line are returned from the selected ball return port 13 or 13 ′, and the returned pachinko balls are returned. The pachinko balls counted by the ball counter 50 are returned from the bellows-shaped ball return pipe 51 and collected by the ball collection gutter 5. Here, the gap S between the ball return pipe 51 and the ball collection gutter 5 is sufficiently wide so that the pachinko balls can be returned without being clogged.

[3. Modified Example of Ball Tank Device] Lastly, a modified example of the ball tank device 1 according to the present invention will be described.

First, in the above embodiment, the support base 40
Has described an example in which the outer support leg 30 supports the outer support leg 30 and the inner support leg 20 supports the tank body 10 (or 10 ′). However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure so that the legs are supported and the external support legs support the tank body. Further, it is also possible to configure so that the engaging portion and the engaged portion provided on each component are reversed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the support base 40
Although the example in which the lower surface of is formed horizontally has been described,
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the installation table 2 is inclined in the front-rear direction, the tank body 10 (or 1
It is also possible to configure the lower surface of the support base 40 to be inclined in the front-rear direction in accordance with the inclination of the installation base 2 so that 0 ′) is kept horizontal.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ball guiding member 15 is configured such that the ball guiding member is detachable from the ball returning portion 14.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ball guiding means is a rotating member that is rotatable around a horizontal axis with respect to the ball returning portion, and the rotating member is rotated. It is also possible to determine the ball return port 13 where the discharged balls are returned by causing the pachinko balls to be guided by the magnetic force.

In the above embodiment, in the ball return chute 14 ′, the ball return port 13 R ′ for right return and the taxiway 15 R ′ and the ball return port 13 L ′ for left return and the taxiway 15 L ′ are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the right return taxiway 15R 'and the left return taxiway 15 are provided.
L ′ is an integral passage at a point a short distance from the ball receiving areas 14R ′ and 14L ′ toward the distal end, and one ball return port is provided at the distal end of the integral passage. It is also possible. In other words, ball return shoot 1
In 4 ', a plurality of ball return ports and a plurality of taxiways may not necessarily be provided.

In the above embodiment, in the ball return chute 14 ', the guide path 15R' communicating with the ball return area 14R 'for the right return and the ball return for the left return are separated by the partition wall 14a'. Taxiway 15 communicating with area 14L '
Although the example in which L ′ is provided separately has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and communicates with both the right-side returning ball receiving area 14R ′ and the left-side returning ball receiving area 14L ′. A single passage without the partition wall 14a 'is provided,
For example, when discharged balls are received from the right-side return ball receiving area 14R ', the left-side return ball reception area 14R'
L ′ so that the discharged ball does not fly out of L ′.
L ′ is closed by a closing member, and conversely, when a discharged ball is received from the left return ball receiving area 14L ′, the discharged ball is prevented from jumping out of the right return ball receiving area 14R ′. It is also possible to configure so that the receiving area 14R 'is closed by a closing member. In this case, the closing member for closing the left side and the closing member for closing the right side are common.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the counter mounting member 52 or 52 'is attached to and detached from the mounting portion and the mounting position is changed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure so that the machine mounting member 52 or 52 'is slid in the longitudinal direction to change the mounting position.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the direction in which the discharged balls are returned is the right side or the left side, and the plurality is “two”, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure to return in the direction of. In this case, the plurality is “two or more”.

The gaming machine is not limited to the pachinko machine 3 using pachinko balls as a game medium, but may be any gaming machine that plays games using balls, such as a ball-and-ball gaming machine such as an arrangement ball or a pinball. Alternatively, a slot machine (so-called pachilot) for playing a game using pachinko balls may be used.

[0124]

According to the ball tank device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pachinko ball is distributed from any one of the plurality of ball return ports formed by the action of the ball guiding section. It can be returned without clogging the discharged balls. Therefore, for example, even when a game arcade orders a large number of ball tank devices, it is sufficient to order only one type of ball tank device in a required amount.

According to the ball tank device of the second aspect, since the ball return ports are provided at both left and right sides in the longitudinal direction of the ball return portion, the ball return apparatus is hung down from the ball counter below the ball return port. The clearance between the ball return pipe and the downwardly inclined ball collection gutter can be widened, so that there is an effect that interference between the two can be prevented.

According to the ball tank device of the third aspect, by changing the mounting mode of the detachable ball guiding member (for example, the mounting direction of the ball guiding member), the discharged ball is returned. Since the return port can be determined, there is an effect that the pachinko balls can be sorted and returned with a simple configuration and easy operation.

Further, according to the ball tank device of the fourth aspect, even if any ball return port is selected as a ball return port for returning discharged balls, the ball return port corresponding to the selected ball return port can be used. Since the ball arranging portion can be attached, it is possible to arrange the discharged balls guided toward the selected ball return port.

According to the ball tank device of the fifth aspect, even if any ball return port is selected as a ball return port to which discharged balls are returned, the ball return port corresponds to the selected ball return port. Since the counter mounting portion can be attached, it is possible to count the number of discharged balls returned from the selected ball return port.

According to the ball tank device of the sixth aspect, the tank portion to be mounted on the tank portion main body is selected from the plurality of tank portion main body mounting portions provided in the ball return chute having the ball receiving area and the ball discharge port. By selecting the body mounting part, the position of the ball return port where the discharged balls are returned is changed, so it is possible to sort and return pachinko balls from any arbitrary position, without clogging the discharged balls It can be returned. Therefore, for example, even when a game arcade orders a large number of ball tank devices, it is sufficient to order only one type of ball tank device in a required amount.

According to the ball tank device of the present invention, since the ball receiving area is provided corresponding to the plurality of tank unit body mounting portions, the ball return port at the position where the pachinko ball is selected is provided. Thus, there is an effect that the ball is not returned toward the ball return port at a position not selected.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a ball return port is provided corresponding to a plurality of ball receiving areas, and a guide path connecting the ball receiving area and the ball return port is provided. This has the effect that the ball is reliably returned to the ball return port at the selected position, and is not returned to the ball return port at a non-selected position.

Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, no matter which position is selected as the position of the ball return port from which the discharged balls are returned, the position of the selected ball return port corresponds to the selected position. Since the counter mounting portion can be attached to the device, the number of discharged balls returned from the position of the selected ball return port can be counted.

According to the ball tank device of the tenth aspect, the position of the tank body in the left-right direction can be adjusted.
According to the ball tank device of the eleventh aspect, the vertical position of the tank body can be adjusted. According to the ball tank apparatus of the twelfth aspect, the front-rear position of the tank body can be adjusted. When installing a ball tank device on a mounting table or replacing a pachinko machine that was mounted on the mounting table with one of a different manufacturer, adjust the position of the ball discharge port in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front and rear. There is an effect that the position can be easily and independently adjusted in each of the three directions.

Further, according to the ball tank device of the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to easily and accurately adjust the position while grasping the mounting position of the tank body on the basis of the scale.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a ball tank device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a tank body, an internal support leg, an external support leg, and a support base.

FIG. 3A is a partial plan view showing a tank unit main body, and FIG. 3B is a front view of the same.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a ball guiding member,
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an attached state of the ball guiding member.

5A is a perspective view illustrating a counter mounting member, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a mounting state of the counter mounting member.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a ball alignment member.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the mounting state of the ball guiding member, the counter mounting member, and the ball alignment member when the pachinko ball is returned to the right side.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a mounting state of a ball guiding member, a counter mounting member, and a ball alignment member when a pachinko ball is returned to the left side.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a tank body and a ball return chute according to a modification.

FIG. 10 (a) is a partial plan view showing the mounting state of a ball return chute, a counter mounting member, and a ball alignment member when a pachinko ball is returned to the right side in a tank body according to a modification. FIG. 10B is a front view of the same.

FIG. 11 (a) is a partial plan view showing the mounting state of a ball return chute, a counter mounting member, and a ball alignment member when a pachinko ball is returned to the left side in a tank body according to a modification. FIG. 11B is a front view of the same.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an internal support leg.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an external support leg.

FIG. 14 is a sectional plan view showing a ball tank device.

FIG. 15 is a sectional front view showing a ball tank device.

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional right side view showing a ball tank device.

17A is a perspective view showing a scale and a mark for moving in the left-right direction and a scale and a mark for moving in the vertical direction, and FIG. 17B is a diagram showing the scale and mark for moving in the front-rear direction. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ball tank apparatus 2 ... Installation table 3 ... Pachinko machine 4 ... Ball discharge port 5 ... Ball collection gutter 10 ... Tank part main body 10a ... Receiving part 10b ... Notch part 10c ... Fixed projection piece 10d ... Fixed projection piece 10e ... Fixed projection Piece 10f Positioning cut 10g Elastic body plate mounting hole 11 Front and rear guide groove 12 Rack 13R Ball return port (for right side return) 13L Ball return port (for left side return) 14 Ball return section 14a Notch for positioning 14b ... Dust drop 14c ... Mounting member engaging part 14d ... Alignment member mounting part 14e ... Placement part 15 ... Ball guiding member 15a ... Standing part 15b ... Inclination part 15c ... Support part 15d ... Elastic protruding piece 15e ... Fixing engaging claw 15f Positioning protruding piece 20 Internal supporting leg 20a Elastic protruding piece 20b Flexible piece 20c Flexible piece 21 Front-rear guide claw 22 Engagement claw 23 Vertical engagement guide claw 2 3a: Wide portion 23b: Narrow portion 24: Mounting support piece 30: External support leg 30a: Elastic protruding piece 31: Left and right guide claw 32: Fitting recess 32a: Nipping piece 33: Vertical engagement guide groove 33a: Wide groove 33b ... narrow groove 40 ... support base 40a ... screw hole 41 ... left and right guide groove 42 ... fitting convex part 42a ... projection 42b ... connection piece 50 ... ball counter 51 ... ball return pipe 52 ... counter mounting member 52a ... back Face plate 52b Lower surface support 52c Side support 52d Front locking claw 52e Flexible portion 52f Upper locking claw 52g Elastic protruding piece 52h Main body engaging claw 53 Ball alignment member 53a Shaft 53b Weight 53c: hook-shaped part 60: scale (for moving in the left-right direction) 61: mark (for moving in the left-right direction) 70: scale (for moving in the vertical direction) 71: mark (for moving in the vertical direction) 80 ... Scale 81 (for movement) Mark S (for moving in the front-rear direction) S: Gap 10 '... (according to a modified example) Tank body 10h': Mounting member engaging hole 10i ': Chute engaging portion 13R': Ball return port 13L (for right-side return) 13L '... Ball return port (for returning to the left side) 14' ... Ball returning chute 14a '... Partition wall 14d' ... Alignment member mounting portion 14e '... Main body engaging claw 14R' ... Ball receiving area 14L '(for returning to the right side) ... Ball receiving area (for returning to the left) 15R '... Taxiway (for returning to the right) 15L' ... Taxiway (for returning to the left) 52 '... Counter mounting member

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A ball tank device for receiving a discharged ball discharged from a gaming machine and returning the discharged ball toward a ball collecting gutter, wherein a tank portion main body for receiving the discharged ball, and the tank portion main body. A ball return portion provided along the longitudinal direction of the ball return portion having a plurality of ball return ports for returning the discharged balls toward the ball collection gutter, and a plurality of ball return ports provided in the ball return portion. And a ball guiding unit that guides the discharged balls toward any one of the ball return ports. 2. The ball tank device according to claim 1, wherein the ball return ports are provided at both left and right ends in the longitudinal direction of the ball return portion. 3. The ball tank device according to claim 1, wherein the ball guiding means is a ball guiding member detachable from the ball returning portion, and the ball guiding member is mounted in a manner as described above. The ball return device is configured to determine the ball return port from which the discharged balls are returned. 4. The ball tank device according to claim 1, further comprising: a ball aligning unit for aligning the discharged balls guided toward the ball return port. A ball tank device, wherein a first mounting portion for mounting the ball alignment portion is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of ball return ports. 5. The ball tank device according to claim 1, wherein a ball counter for mounting the ball counter for counting the discharged balls returned from the ball return port is provided. A ball tank device, wherein a mounting portion is provided, and a second mounting portion for mounting the counter mounting portion is provided corresponding to each ball return port of the plurality of ball return ports. 6. A ball tank device for receiving a discharged ball discharged from a gaming machine and returning the discharged ball toward a ball collection gutter, wherein a tank portion main body for receiving the discharged ball, and the tank portion main body. A ball return chute provided with a ball receiving area for receiving the discharged balls received at a ball return port for returning the discharged balls toward the ball collection gutter; and Is provided with a plurality of tank portion body mounting portions for mounting to the tank portion body, by selecting a tank portion body mounting portion to be mounted on the tank portion body, the position of the ball return port in which the discharge ball is returned is A ball tank device characterized by being changed. 7. The ball tank device according to claim 6, wherein the ball receiving area is provided corresponding to the tank portion main body mounting portion. 8. The ball tank device according to claim 7, wherein the ball return port is provided corresponding to the ball receiving area, and a guiding path connecting the ball receiving area and the ball return port is provided. A ball tank device characterized by the following. 9. The ball tank device according to claim 6, wherein a ball counter for mounting the ball counter for counting the discharged balls returned from the ball return port. A ball tank device comprising: a mounting portion; and a third mounting portion for mounting the counter mounting portion corresponding to a position of the ball return port. 10. The ball tank device according to claim 1, wherein the tank body is movable in the left-right direction. 11. The ball tank device according to claim 1, wherein the tank portion main body is movable in a vertical direction. 12. The ball tank device according to claim 1, wherein the tank body is movable in the front-rear direction. 13. A ball tank device according to claim 1, wherein said ball tank device has a scale capable of grasping a mounting position of said tank body.