JP2005296226A - Game ball distributor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game ball distributor which can realize the control to distribute the game balls to replenish each of the game machines and those to overflow them the respective rates with a higher freedom in the designing. <P>SOLUTION: At the upper part, the game machine island is provided with an upper replenishment gutter 61 which makes the game balls discharged from the side of the upper end part of a polishing/hoisting device 30 flow down, a relay distribution part 41 which can receive and reserve once the game balls flowing down through the upper replenishment gutter 61 and a lower replenishment gutter 63 for replenishing each of the game machines with the game balls in the relay distribution part 41. The relay distribution part 41 is provided with a shutter mechanism which can make it communicate with the inlet 48a of an overflow path 48 adapted to let the game balls drop down to a lower storage tank 70 while selectively regulating the inflow of the game balls into the inlet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides a gaming machine installed on a gaming machine island having a plurality of gaming machines arranged side by side, and a gaming ball lifted to the upper part of the gaming machine island by a lifting device standing on the gaming machine island. The present invention relates to a game ball distribution device for moving along an island longitudinal direction to replenish each game machine.

  In conventional gaming machine islands, the game balls discharged from each gaming machine are collected and stored in a lower storage tank provided at the lower part of the gaming machine island, and then returned to the upper side of the gaming machine island again by a polishing lifting device. It was lifted and replenished to each gaming machine. In general, a large-capacity upper storage tank that collects and stores game balls discharged from the upper end side of the polishing and lifting device is disposed on the upper part of the gaming machine island, and from the upper storage tank toward both ends of the island. The game ball flows down on the supply basket extending downward and is supplied to each gaming machine through an alignment basket which is an accessory facility of the supply basket.

  In order to reduce the size of such a large-capacity upper storage tank, for example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a replenishment rod reaches the end of the island separately from the upper storage tank on the gaming machine island. Amusement machine island with a relay tank in the middle is also known. Here, the relay tank has a capacity capable of storing a sufficient amount of game balls, so that a large amount of game balls can be dispersed and stored together with the upper storage tank.

  In addition, a large amount of game balls held in the upper part of the gaming machine island are replenished to each gaming machine at any time via a supply basket, but the extra storage in the upper part of the gaming machine island is placed in the lower part of the gaming machine island. Returned to a lower storage tank. In other words, the extra game balls stored in the upper part of the gaming machine island are discharged from the terminal of the supply rod reaching the end of the island to the lower storage tank through the overflow pipe in the gaming machine island disclosed in Patent Document 1. In addition, in the gaming machine island disclosed in Patent Document 2, in addition to the end of the supply tank reaching the end of the island, it is discharged from the inclined end of the relay tank extending in the longitudinal direction of the island to the lower storage tank via the overflow pipe. It had been.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-276526 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-155051

  However, the conventional techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are excellent in that a large amount of game balls can be dispersed and stored on the upper part of the gaming machine island, but the position of the overflow pipe is the end of the supply basket at the island end. Or, it is limited to the sloping end of a long relay tank, so that the extra game balls fall down to the lower part of the gaming machine island until the gaming balls flow down the replenishment basket to the island edge, or in the relay tank I had to wait until it reached the slope after it was introduced. Therefore, in a gaming machine island designed to circulate game balls relatively frequently throughout the island, it is difficult to quickly overflow a sufficient amount of game balls.

  Here, without limiting the position of the overflow pipe to the end of the island or the inclined end of the relay tank, simply place the overflow pipe at a suitable place in the middle of the replenishment dredge, such as an intermediate point between the polishing pump and the island end. Even if the entrance is communicated, it is easily imagined that it is difficult to distribute the game balls in a desired ratio to the overflow pipe and each gaming machine. In other words, it is obvious that game balls tend to pass through the inlet of the overflow pipe with the momentum of rolling on the supply basket, and the distribution of the game balls is more biased to a plurality of supply baskets corresponding to each gaming machine than one overflow pipe. As described above, it is difficult to overflow a sufficient amount of game balls.

  Therefore, conventionally, as described above, the overflow pipe is communicated with the end of the replenishment basket, but the amount of game balls reaching the end of the replenishment basket is actually small. In addition, it is a well-known technique to provide an extra game ball overflow structure as an auxiliary facility for the upper storage tank, but in addition to this overflow structure and the overflow pipe, a sufficient amount of game balls can be quickly overflowed. Therefore, it is impossible to provide a large number of overflow pipes in terms of space inside the gaming machine island, which is limited in cost.

  By the way, even if we devise a structure that allows the game balls stored in the upper part of the gaming machine island to overflow quickly and sufficiently, if there is too much game balls to overflow, supply to each gaming machine There may be a situation where the amount of game balls to be played is insufficient. In order to prevent such inappropriate distribution of game balls, and to achieve balanced supply and overflow of game balls, it is necessary to take appropriate measures in view of the storage state of game balls in various places on the gaming machine island. It was necessary to control the distribution.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the problems of the prior art as described above, and it is possible to quickly and sufficiently overflow the game balls stored in the upper part of the gaming machine island as necessary. Yes, the position where the game ball overflows is not limited to a specific location such as an island edge, it can be determined at any position along the supply basket, and the degree of freedom in design is high, It is an object of the present invention to provide a game ball distribution device capable of realizing a control for distributing a game ball to be supplied to each game machine and a game ball to be overflowed at a desired ratio.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object described above resides in the inventions of the following items.
[1] Installed on a gaming machine island (10) formed by juxtaposing a plurality of gaming machines (20), and the upper part of the gaming machine island by a lifting device (30) standing on the gaming machine island (10) In the game ball distribution device (40) for moving the game balls lifted to the game machine island along the longitudinal direction and replenishing each game machine (20),
In the upper part of the gaming machine island,
An upper supply rod (61) that extends along the upper side of each gaming machine (20) from the upper end portion side of the lifting device (30) and flows down the game ball discharged from the upper end portion side of the lifting device (30). )When,
A relay distributor (41) that is arranged in a suitable position between the lifting device (30) and the island edge, and that can temporarily receive and hold the game balls that have flowed down the upper supply basket (61);
A lower supply rod (63) that extends from the relay distributor (41) toward each gaming machine (20) positioned below the relay distributor (41) and supplies game balls in the relay distributor (41) to each gaming machine (20). ), And
The relay distributor (41) communicates with an inlet (48a) of an overflow path (48) for dropping the game balls in the relay distributor (41) to a lower storage tank (70) provided in the lower part of the gaming machine island. And a shutter mechanism (50) capable of selectively restricting the flow of the game ball into the entrance (48a),
The lower storage tank (70) is provided with detection means (79a to 79p) for detecting the amount of game balls stored in the lower storage tank (70) and outputting a signal,
A game ball distribution device (40) comprising control means (100) for controlling the operation of the shutter mechanism (50) based on signals from the detection means (79a to 79p).

[2] A plurality of the lower storage tanks (70) are provided, and each of the lower storage tanks (70) can store game balls separately,
Of the lower storage tanks (70), one lower storage tank (70) is provided with the detecting means (79a to 79p), and a game overflowing from the upper end side of the lifting device (30). A ball is supplied, and an outlet (48b) of the overflow path (48) communicates with another lower storage tank (70) to supply a game ball that has fallen from the relay distributor (41). The game ball distribution device (40) according to [1], which is characterized.

[3] The relay distributor (41)
The downstream end of the upper supply rod (61) communicates with the upstream end of the lower supply rod (63) to receive a game ball flowing down from the downstream end of the upper supply rod (61), A ball holding portion (42) that leads to the upstream end of the lower supply rod (63) in a state where the momentum of the game ball flowing down is reduced,
An overflow path attaching portion (45) communicating with the ball retaining portion (42) via a ball passage (44a) through which the sphere can pass, and an inlet (48a) of the overflow path (48) communicating with each other;
The game ball dispensing device (40) according to [1] or [2], comprising: the shutter mechanism (50) for opening and closing the ball passage (44a).

[4] The shutter mechanism (50)
An opening / closing member (51) disposed at a position facing the ball passage (44a) and swingable between a closed position for closing the ball passage (44a) and an open position for opening the ball passage (44a);
The game ball distribution device (40) according to [3], further comprising: a driving means (52) for driving the opening / closing member (51) by power.

  [5] The control means (100) is controlled by the driving means (52) when the detection means (79a to 79p) detects the storage of a predetermined amount or more of game balls in the lower storage tank (70). When the opening and closing member (51) is held in the open position, when the storage means (79a to 79p) does not detect a predetermined amount or more of stored game balls in the lower storage tank (70), the drive means (52 The game ball dispensing device (40) according to [4], wherein the opening / closing member (51) is held in the closed position by the above-described method.

  [6] The control means (100) is a case where the detection means (79a to 79p) detects a predetermined amount or more of storage of game balls in the lower storage tank (70), and the overflow path ( 48) The opening / closing member (51) is held in the open position by the driving means (52) on the condition that the storage amount of the game balls in the lower storage tank (70) communicated with the outlet (48b) of 48) is not full. The game ball distribution device (40) according to [5], wherein

  [7] The control means (100) is a case where the detection means (79a to 79p) detects the storage of a predetermined amount or more of game balls in the lower storage tank (70), and the lifting device On the condition that the game balls stored in the upper storage tank (31) provided at the upper end of (30) are not supplied to the other gaming machine island (10), the driving means (52) The game ball distribution device (40) according to [5] or [6], wherein the opening / closing member (51) is held in an open position.

  [8] The control means (100) is a case where the detection means (79a to 79p) detects a storage of a predetermined amount or more of game balls in the lower storage tank (70), and the lifting device The opening / closing member (51) is held in the open position by the driving means (52) on the condition that the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank (31) provided at the upper end of (30) is not empty. The game ball distribution device (40) according to [5], [6] or [7], characterized in that:

  [9] The control means (100) is a case where the detection means (79a to 79p) does not detect the storage of a predetermined amount or more of game balls in the lower storage tank (70), and the gaming machine island (10 ) On the condition that the game ball can not be supplied from the specific lower storage tank (70a) side provided corresponding to the prize ball counter (25) attached to the lifting device (30) side, The game ball distribution device (40) according to [5], [6], [7] or [8], wherein the opening / closing member (51) is held in a closed position by the driving means (52).

  [10] The relay distributing unit (41) moves the game balls in the ball holding unit (42) to the lower supply rod (63) when the opening / closing member (51) of the shutter mechanism (50) is in the closed position. When the opening / closing member (51) is in the open position, the game balls in the ball retaining portion (42) are guided to the upstream end of the lower supply rod (63) and the overflow path attaching portion (45). The game ball distribution device (40) according to [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8] or [9].

  [11] The opening / closing member (51) of the shutter mechanism (50) overflows when the lower supply rod (63) and the ball holding portion (42) are full of game balls when in the closed position. The game ball distributing device (40) according to [10], wherein the game ball is made to get over and flow into the overflow path attaching portion (45).

  [12] The lower supply rod (63) branches from both sides of the relay distributor (41) in the left-right direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, and extends in a pair of left and right, and each lower supply rod (63) [1], [2], [3], [4], characterized by being connected to each of the gaming machines (20) through an alignment basket in which game balls are aligned and dropped. [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10] or [11].

[13] A gaming machine island (10) provided with a plurality of gaming ball distribution devices (40) according to [5], [6], [7], [8] or [9],
A gaming machine island (10), wherein the control means (100) controls at least one of the plurality of gaming ball distribution devices (40).

The present invention operates as follows.
According to the gaming ball distribution device (40) described in [1] above, the gaming balls that have been lifted to the upper part of the gaming machine island by the lifting device (30) in the gaming machine island (10) ) Is discharged from the upper end side, and then flows down as it is and is first received by the relay distributor (41).

  The relay distribution unit (41) does not store a large amount of game balls once received, but temporarily stores the game balls, and then distributes them to the lower supply basket (63) and the overflow path (48). . The game balls that have flowed down the upper replenishment basket (61) in this way are distributed after being once received by the relay distributor (41), so that the rolling momentum at the time of flow is sufficiently reduced and the impact is alleviated, The game balls can be distributed in a substantially static state.

  From the relay distributor (41), a lower supply rod (63) extends toward each gaming machine (20) located below, and the relay distributor (41) has an overflow path (48). The entrance (48a) is in communication, and the flow of the game ball into the entrance (48a) can be selectively restricted by the shutter mechanism (50).

  Therefore, when the entrance (48a) of the overflow path (48) is regulated by the shutter mechanism (50), the game balls received by the relay distribution unit (41) are distributed to the lower supply basket (63), and the game balls are The game machines (20) lined below are supplied while flowing down the supply basket (63).

  On the other hand, when the inlet (48a) of the overflow path (48) is not regulated by the shutter mechanism (50), the game balls received by the relay distributor (41) flow into the inlet (48a) of the overflow path (48), At this position, the game ball can be dropped to the lower storage tank (70) provided at the lower part of the gaming machine island.

  Here, the relay distributor (41) does not need to have a large capacity like a conventional relay tank, and the arrangement position thereof is not particularly limited due to space reasons. It can be appropriately arranged at an appropriate position between the ends. At such an optimal position, the game ball can be quickly and sufficiently overflowed.

  In addition, by controlling the operation of the shutter mechanism (50), it is possible to distribute the game balls to be supplied to each game machine (20) and the game balls to be overflowed at a desired ratio. Here, the operation of the shutter mechanism (50) is controlled based on the relationship with the amount of game balls stored in the lower storage tank (70).

  That is, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls accumulate in the lower storage tank (70), the situation is detected by the detection means (79a to 79p), and the control means (79a to 79p) is controlled based on the signal output from the detection means (79a to 79p). 100) controls the operation of the shutter mechanism (50). Thereby, according to the relationship with the amount of game balls stored in the lower storage tank (70), the game balls can be quickly overflowed by a necessary amount, and the game balls to be supplied to each game machine (20) The game balls to be overflowed can be accurately distributed at a desired ratio.

  Further, as described in [2] above, a plurality of the lower storage tanks (70) are provided so that each of the lower storage tanks (70) can store a game ball separately. One of the lower storage tanks (70) is provided with the detection means (79a to 79p), and a game ball overflowing from the upper end side of the lifting device (30) is supplied to another lower storage tank (70). It is preferable that the tank (70) is connected to the outlet (48b) of the overflow path (48) so that a game ball dropped from the relay distributor (41) is supplied.

  Thereby, the game ball overflowed from the upper end side of the lifting device (30) and the game ball overflowed from the relay distributor (41) are distributed and stored in separate lower storage tanks (70). It becomes possible to do. Accordingly, the game balls overflowed from the relay distributor (41) are concentrated in the lower storage tank (70) in which game balls that overflow relatively frequently from the upper end side of the lifting device (30) are stored. There is no such thing, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which a large number of game balls are locally distributed in the lower part of the gaming machine island.

  In addition, the relay distributor (41) specifically includes, as described in [3] above, for example, a ball retaining part (42), an overflow path attaching part (45), and the shutter mechanism (50). May be configured. Here, the ball holding portion (42) receives the game ball flowing down from the downstream end of the upper supply rod (61), and reduces the momentum of the game ball flowing down while reducing the lower supply rod (63). To the upstream end of

  The overflow path attaching part (45) communicates with the ball holding part (42) via a ball path (44a) through which a game ball can pass, and an inlet (48a) of the overflow path (48) is provided. Communicated. Further, the shutter mechanism (50) opens and closes the ball passage (44a) between the ball holding portion (42) and the overflow passage mounting portion (45), thereby playing the game to the inlet (48a) of the overflow passage (48). The sphere can be selectively restricted from flowing in.

  The shutter mechanism (50) is specifically arranged at a position facing the ball passage (44a), for example, as described in [4] above, and a closed position for closing the ball passage (44a). The opening / closing member (51) swingable to the open position where the ball passage (44a) is opened and the driving means (52) for driving the opening / closing member (51) with power are simple. The operation control of the drive means (52) can be easily performed with a simple configuration.

  Furthermore, regarding the specific control of the shutter mechanism (50) by the control means (100), for example, as described in [5] above, the control means (100) and the detection means (79a to 79p). When the storage of a predetermined amount or more of the game balls is detected in the lower storage tank (70), the opening / closing member (51) is held in the open position by the driving means (52), while the detection means (79a to 79p) Therefore, when the storage of the game ball of a predetermined amount or more is not detected in the lower storage tank (70), the opening / closing member (51) may be controlled to be held at the closed position by the driving means (52).

  Thus, if there is no predetermined amount or more of game balls in the lower storage tank (70), the game balls will not overflow from the relay distributor (41), and there will be more than a predetermined amount of game balls in the lower storage tank (70). If there is, the game ball is overflowed from the relay distribution unit (41) to promote circulation of the game ball. Here, as described above, the lower storage tank (70) that detects whether or not there is a predetermined amount or more of the game balls is different from the lower storage tank (70) that overflows the game balls from the relay distributor (41). Good.

  In addition, as described in [6] above, when the control means (100) detects that a predetermined amount or more of the game balls are stored in the lower storage tank (70) by the detection means (79a to 79p). The opening / closing member (51) is opened by the driving means (52) on the condition that the amount of game balls stored in the lower storage tank (70) connected to the outlet (48b) of the overflow path (48) is not full. It is good to control to hold.

  Thereby, when the storage amount of the game balls in the overflow destination lower storage tank (70) is full, the game balls are not allowed to overflow from the relay distribution unit (41), so that the game balls are stored in the lower storage tank (70). Can be prevented from being excessively accumulated. Here, the lower storage tank (70) for detecting whether or not the game ball is full is a lower storage tank (70) for overflowing the game ball from the relay distributor (41), and this lower storage tank (70). May be different from the lower storage tank (70) for detecting whether or not there is a predetermined amount or more of game balls.

  Further, as described in [7] above, when the control means (100) detects that a predetermined amount or more of the game balls are stored in the lower storage tank (70) by the detection means (79a to 79p). The driving means is provided on the condition that the game balls stored in the upper storage tank (31) provided at the upper end of the lifting device (30) are not supplied to the other gaming machine island (10). The opening / closing member (51) may be controlled to be held in the open position by (52).

  Thereby, when the game ball is supplied from the upper storage tank (31) of the game machine island (10) to the other game machine island (10), the game ball is not overflowed from the relay distributor (41). As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation where the number of game balls to be held on the upper part of the gaming machine island is insufficient.

  In addition, as described in [8] above, when the control means (100) detects that a predetermined amount or more of the game balls are stored in the lower storage tank (70) by the detection means (79a to 79p). The opening / closing member (51) is opened by the driving means (52) on the condition that the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank (31) provided at the upper end of the lifting device (30) is not empty. It is good to control to hold. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the number of game balls in the upper part of the gaming machine island, which originally has a small amount of game balls, is still insufficient.

  Furthermore, as described in [9] above, when the control means (100) does not detect the storage of a predetermined amount or more of game balls in the lower storage tank (70) by the detection means (79a to 79p), In addition, a state in which game balls can be supplied from the specific lower storage tank (70a) side provided corresponding to the prize ball counter (25) attached to the game machine island (10) to the lifting device (30) side However, the opening / closing member (51) may be controlled to be held at the closed position by the driving means (52). As a result, when the game balls thrown into the prize ball counter (25) are not stored in the specific lower storage tank (70a) and transferred, the situation where the game balls overflow excessively to the lower part of the gaming machine island is prevented. can do.

  Further, as described in [10] above, with respect to the relay distribution unit (41), when the opening / closing member (51) of the shutter mechanism (50) is in the closed position, the game ball in the ball holding unit (42) When the opening and closing member (51) is in the open position, the game ball in the ball holding portion (42) is attached to the upstream end of the lower supply rod (63) and the overflow path. It is good to comprise so that it may guide to both of a part (45), respectively.

  Thereby, when the opening / closing member (51) of the shutter mechanism (50) is in the closed position, all the game balls are distributed to each gaming machine (20), and the opening / closing member of the shutter mechanism (50). When (51) is in the open position, the game balls are not all overflowed but rather distributed to the gaming machines (20), so that the distribution of the gaming balls to each gaming machine (20) is constantly Will be guaranteed. Here, when the opening / closing member (51) of the shutter mechanism (50) is in the open position, the distribution ratio of the gaming balls to the gaming machine (20) and the overflow path (48) should be appropriately determined according to the structural design specifications. Can do.

  In addition, as described in [11] above, when the opening / closing member (51) of the shutter mechanism (50) is in the closed position, the lower supply rod (63) and the ball holding portion (42) are filled with game balls. In such a case, it is preferable that the game ball overflowing from the ball holding portion (42) is overcome and can flow into the overflow path attaching portion (45). Thereby, even when an unexpected situation occurs in which the lower supply rod (63) and the ball holding portion (42) are filled with game balls when in the closed position, the opening position of the opening / closing member (51) It is possible to escape the game ball without waiting for the operation to be performed, and it is possible to prevent a failure due to the ball clogging.

  In addition, as described in [12] above, the lower supply rod (63) branches from both sides of the relay distribution unit (41) in the left-right direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, respectively. It is good to extend and to connect the middle part of each lower supply basket (63) to each game machine (20) through the alignment basket in which a game ball aligns and falls, respectively. Thereby, the game balls flowing down the lower supply rod (63) can be efficiently supplied to each gaming machine (20).

  Furthermore, as described in [13] above, the gaming machine island (10) has a gaming ball distribution device (in [5], [6], [7], [8] or [9]). 40) may be installed, and control by the control means (100) may be performed by at least one of the plurality of game ball distribution devices (40). As a result, it is possible to realize an optimal distribution of game balls for each game ball distribution device (40) in the entire gaming machine island (10).

  According to the game ball distribution device according to the present invention, the game balls discharged from the upper end side of the lifting device on the gaming machine island flow down the upper supply basket and are once received by the relay distribution unit before each game. Since the game balls are distributed to the lower supply tank for supplying the game balls to the machine, or the overflow path through which the game balls are dropped to the lower storage tank via the shutter mechanism, the game balls received by the relay distribution unit are rolled Can be dispensed in a nearly static state that has been sufficiently attenuated.

  Here, the relay distribution unit does not need to have a large capacity like a conventional relay tank, and can be appropriately arranged at an optimal position between the lifting device and the island end. The balls can be quickly and sufficiently overflowed, and the gaming balls to be supplied to the gaming machines and the gaming balls to be overflowed can be distributed at a desired ratio by the shutter mechanism.

  In particular, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls accumulate in the lower storage tank, the situation is detected by the detection means, and the control means controls the operation of the shutter mechanism based on the signal from the detection means. Depending on the relationship with the amount of balls stored, the game balls can be quickly overflowed by the required amount, and the game balls to be replenished to each game machine and the game balls to be overflowed can be accurately set at a desired ratio. Can be distributed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment representing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 20 show an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 12, the gaming machine island 10 according to the present embodiment is formed by arranging a plurality of gaming machines 20 in parallel, and an island frame 10a for assembling the gaming machines 20 back to back is as follows. It is built on the floor of the playground. Here, the gaming machine 20 is a pachinko machine that launches game balls (pachinko balls) on the surface of the game board by rotating the handle 20a and enjoys winning. In addition, a ball lending machine 21 (see FIG. 12) for lending game balls is disposed between the adjacent gaming machines 20.

  A portion of the island frame 10a corresponding to the lower part of the gaming machine island is formed in a box-like frame shape that is disposed with a lower space between the floor surface by a housing frame 11 standing on the floor. The inside is configured as a lower storage tank 70 that stores a large amount of game balls. As will be described in detail later, a plurality of lower storage tanks 70 are provided. Further, a top plate 12 extending substantially horizontally is assembled in the middle of each housing frame 11, and between the upper ends of each housing frame 11, islands 13 that extend in parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island. Is built. A curtain plate 14 is attached to the island 13 so as to be openable and closable, and a call lamp (not shown) or the like is attached to the front side of the curtain plate 14 corresponding to each gaming machine 20.

  A gaming machine 20 and a ball lending machine 21 are juxtaposed on the top board 12 in the middle of the gaming machine island. In addition, between the backs of the gaming machines 20 arranged in two rows in the front and rear, a banknote transport device 22 that transports the banknotes taken into the ball lending machine 21 to the island edge, and coins taken into the ball lending machine 21 to the island edge. The coin transfer device 23 is arranged so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island apart from each other. Also, at one end of the gaming machine island 10 (the right end in FIG. 1), a bill safe 24a for sorting and storing bills transported by the bill transport device 22 and a coin transported by the coin transport device 23 are sorted and stored. A coin safe 24b is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an upper storage tank 31 and the like are installed on the upper part of the gaming machine island, in addition to the game ball distribution device 40 that forms the basis of the present invention. A prize ball counter 25 is installed at the other end of the gaming machine island 10 (left end in FIG. 1). The prize ball counting machine 25 counts the game balls thrown from the prize ball insertion slot 26, transmits the count result to the management computer of the game hall, and displays the count result on the display section so that it can be visually checked or printed. This is a device for paying out receipts and the like.

  At the center of the gaming machine island 10, a polishing and lifting device for lifting the game ball guided from the lower storage tank 70 at the lower part of the gaming machine island to the upper storage tank 31 at the upper part of the gaming machine island ( (Lifting device) 30 is erected. Specifically, the polishing and lifting device 30 includes, for example, an endless annular lifting belt that extends in the up-down direction and a polishing belt that is stretched so as to face the conveying surface, and is sandwiched between both belts. It is a device that lifts the game ball while polishing it with the rotational driving of the lifting belt.

  Further, the upper storage tank 31 has an upper storage full detection sensor 33a for detecting whether or not the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 is full, and the game balls in the upper storage tank 31 are empty. An upper storage space detection sensor 33b for detecting whether or not there is provided. Each of the sensors 33a and 33b includes, for example, a proximity sensor such as a photo sensor that operates according to the distance from the game ball that is the object to be detected, a magnetic sensor that detects the approach of the game ball, and the like. The game ball is arranged so as not to come into direct contact with the game ball outside the side wall.

  More specifically, in the upper storage tank 31, the game balls are sequentially accumulated from the bottom surface side to the upper surface side. However, when the game balls are accumulated up to the position of the upper storage space detection sensor 33b near the bottom portion, the upper storage space detection is detected. When the detection signal is output from the sensor 33b and the game ball is accumulated up to the position of the upper storage full detection sensor 33a near the upper end, the detection signal is also output from the upper storage full detection sensor 33a. The level of the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 can be determined by which of the sensors 33a and 33b is continuously turned on and outputs a detection signal.

  A ball introduction port 30a for receiving a game ball supplied from a recovery conveyor device 80, which will be described later, is provided at the lower end portion of the polishing and lifting device 30, and a discharge port (not shown) at the upper end portion is an upper storage. It is provided in the state which discharges | emits the game ball in the tank 31. FIG. The polishing and lifting apparatus 30 in the present embodiment is configured to use both the polishing apparatus and the lifting apparatus. For example, a polishing apparatus that polishes a game ball separately from the lifting apparatus is a gaming machine. It may be arranged at an appropriate place on the island 10.

  The game ball distribution device 40 is a device that moves the game balls that have been lifted by the polishing and lifting device 30 and stored in the upper storage tank 31 along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island to replenish each gaming machine 20. . Here, since the gaming machine 20 is not a CR machine dedicated to a valuable value card but a gaming ball is lent out from the ball lending machine 21 itself, not only each gaming machine 20 but also each ball lending machine 21 is replenished with gaming balls. However, if the gaming machine 20 is a CR machine dedicated to a valuable value card and the ball lending machine 21 is a card unit, it is configured so that only each gaming machine 20 is supplied with a gaming ball. Will be.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the gaming ball distribution device 40 includes an upper supply basket 61, a relay distribution unit 41, a lower supply basket 63, an overflow pipe 48 that is an overflow path, a shutter mechanism 50, and FIG. The control means 100 etc. which are shown are comprised. In the present embodiment, a pair of game ball distributors 40 (however, the control means 100 is provided on both sides of the game machine island 10 with the polishing / lifting device 30 erected substantially at the center of the game machine island 10 in between. Are arranged so as to be substantially symmetrical. Hereinafter, one half of the gaming machine island 10 will be mainly described.

  The upper replenishment rod 61 extends from the upper end side of the polishing and lifting apparatus 30 along the upper side of each gaming machine 20 and causes the game balls discharged from the upper end side of the polishing and lifting apparatus 30 to flow down. At both ends of the bottom of the upper storage tank 31, there are provided heel mounting portions 60 for discharging the game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 in two upper and lower stages, and at the upper outlet of the heel mounting portion 60. The upstream end of the upper supply rod 61 is connected. In addition, at the lower outlet of the basket attachment portion 60, there is an upstream end of a supply basket 62 for supplying game balls to the gaming machines 20 and the ball lending machines 21 near the center of the gaming machine island 10 close to the polishing and lifting device 30. It is connected.

  The upper replenishment rod 61 is disposed so as to incline downward toward the island end, and the downstream end of the upper replenishment rod 61 is a relay distributor disposed at an appropriate position between the polishing and lifting device 30 and the island end. 41. The relay distribution unit 41 is arranged at a suitable position between the polishing and lifting device 30 and the island edge, and has a structure that can temporarily receive and hold the game balls that have flowed down the upper supply basket 61. The relay distributor 41 does not need to have a large capacity like a conventional relay tank, and the position of the relay distributor 41 is not particularly limited due to space reasons. It can be appropriately arranged in place.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the relay distributor 41 is suspended by a pair of attachment members 15 installed between the front and rear island trees 13 at an appropriate position between the polishing and lifting device 30 and the island edge. It is arranged in such a state. The relay distribution unit 41 includes a ball holding unit 42, an overflow path mounting unit 45, a shutter mechanism 50, and the like. Here, the ball holding section 42 communicates with the downstream end of the upper supply rod 61 and the upstream end of the lower supply rod 63, and accepts a game ball flowing down from the downstream end of the upper supply rod 61. The box is configured in a box shape that leads to the upstream end of the lower supply rod 63 in a state where the momentum of the game ball flowing down is reduced.

  More specifically, the ball holding portion 42 has a double box shape as shown in FIG. 10 in particular, and the partition plate 43b ( In FIG. 9), a drop hole 43a that is partitioned to the left and right is opened. Connected to the left and right ends of the lower bottom plate 44 on the lower space side located below the drop hole 43a are the upstream ends of a pair of lower supply rods 63, 63 extending in a branching direction in the left-right direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island. Has been. On the surfaces of the upper and lower bottom plates 43, 44, soundproofing cushioning sheets that alleviate the impact of the game balls are attached. The lower supply rod 63 will be described later.

  The overflow path attaching part 45 is provided so as to be adjacent to the ball retaining part 42, and a ball path through which a game ball facing the front end side of the lower bottom plate 44 of the ball retaining part 42 can pass is passed in the overflow path attaching part 45. It communicates with the lower space side of the ball retaining portion 42 through 44a. A ball inlet (inlet) 48a of the overflow pipe 48 is connected to one end side of the bottom plate 46 of the overflow path mounting portion 45 so as to communicate therewith.

  In addition, a ball guide for receiving the game ball dropped through the ball passage 44a and guiding the game ball to the ball inlet 48a of the overflow pipe 48 is provided at a position directly below the ball passage 44a in the overflow path attachment portion 45. A plate 47 is provided. The sphere guide plate 47 is inclined downward toward the sphere inlet 48a of the overflow pipe 48, and a soundproofing cushioning sheet for attenuating the impact of the falling sphere is attached to the surface of the sphere guide plate 47.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 4, 10, and 11, the overflow pipe 48 is suspended so as to pass between the back-to-back gaming machines 20, and the ball outlet 48 b of the overflow pipe 48 has a pair of ceilings. It passes through the gap 12 a between the plates 12 and is disposed at a position facing the upper opening surface of the lower storage tank 70. The shutter mechanism 50 capable of selectively restricting the flow of the game ball into the ball inlet 48a of the overflow pipe 48 is configured to open and close the ball passage 44a between the ball holding portion 42 and the overflow path mounting portion 45. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter mechanism 50 is arranged at a position facing the ball passage 44 a, a closed position (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 8) for closing the ball passage 44 a, and an open position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 8). 8 includes a swingable opening / closing member 51 and driving means for driving the opening / closing member 51 with power. The driving means is composed of a solenoid 52, and is set so as to swing the opening / closing member 51 which forms a part of the four-bar rotation mechanism. Further, the solenoid 52 is electrically connected to the control means 100 described later via a signal line, and the drive is controlled by the control means 100.

  More specifically, the four-bar rotation mechanism includes a first link member 53, a second link member 54, and a substantially U-shaped opening / closing member 51 having a link-like arm portion 51b. One end of the first link member 53 and the middle of the arm portion 51b of the opening / closing member 51 are pivotally supported at a fixed position such as a side wall of the ball retaining portion 42, respectively, and the other end of the first link member 53 And the other end of the arm portion 51b are rotatably connected to both ends of the second link member 54 as a follower.

  On one end side of the arm portion 51b of the opening / closing member 51, a shutter piece 51a that expands to the left and right with a predetermined width is formed. Further, one end of the arm portion 51 b and one end of the first link member 53 are connected to each other by a spring member 55 for biasing one end of the arm portion 51 b in a direction in which the one end of the first link member 53 is located. The plunger 52 a that drives the solenoid 52 to move in and out is connected to the first link member 53 so as to be pushed and pulled.

  When the solenoid 52 is in a non-energized state and the plunger 52a protrudes, the first link member 53 and the second link member 54 are pushed down and the urging force of the spring member 55 causes the shutter member 51a to be When the solenoid 52 is energized and the plunger 52a is retracted while the passage 44a is closed, the first link member 53 and the second link member 54 are pulled up, so that the opening / closing member 51 has its shutter. The piece 51a is set to be held in the open position where the ball passage 44a is opened.

  When the opening / closing member 51 of the shutter mechanism 50 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 10, the game ball in the ball holding portion 42 is guided to the upstream end of the lower supply basket 63, while the opening / closing member 51 of the shutter mechanism 50. When the is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 11, the game balls in the ball holding portion 42 are respectively guided to both the upstream end of the lower supply rod 63 and the overflow path attaching portion 45. Here, when the opening / closing member 51 is in the open position, the distribution ratio of the game balls to the lower supply rod 63 (the gaming machine 20 side) and the overflow path mounting portion 45 (the overflow pipe 48 side) is the shape of the ball passage 44a. It can be determined as appropriate according to the design specifications on the structure of the relay distributor 41, such as the layout and arrangement.

  In addition, the opening / closing member 51 of the shutter mechanism 50 is mounted on the overflow path when the lower supply rod 63 and the ball holding portion 42 are filled with game balls when in the closed position so as to get over the game balls that overflow. It is made to flow into the part 45 side. That is, when the opening / closing member 51 is in the closed position, the shutter piece 51a is set so as to dam the ball passage 44a at a position lower than the diameter of one game ball. When the game balls are stacked in two or more layers above, the game balls above the second layer get over the upper edge of the shutter piece 51a and flow into the overflow path attaching portion 45 side.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the upstream ends of the pair of lower supply rods 63, 63 are connected to both sides of the lower bottom plate 44 of the ball retaining portion 42. As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of lower supply rods 63, 63 are disposed so as to be inclined downward in the left-right direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island. Each lower supply rod 63 is configured to supply game balls to the gaming machine 20 and the ball lending machine 21 located directly below.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 12, game balls are arranged in the middle of each lower replenishment basket 63 individually corresponding to the gaming machine 20 and the ball lending machine 21 located directly below the lower supply basket 63. An alignment rod 64 that is dropped in the state of being dropped is provided, and the alignment rod 64 and the gaming machine 20 and the ball lending machine 21 communicate with each other by a bellows 65 that guides the falling gaming ball. A prize ball tank 66 to which the lower end of the bellows 65 is connected is provided at the upper part on the back side of the gaming machine 20.

  In addition, the replenishment rod 62 (see FIG. 1) connected to the lower outlet of the above-described rod mounting portion 60 is also inclined downward to allow the game ball to flow down. The gaming balls are supplied to the gaming machines 20 and the ball lending machine 21 by the alignment rod 64. In addition, a stopper that is manually opened and closed is provided at the end of each lower replenishing rod 63 and replenishing rod 62. By opening this stopper, the game ball staying at the end is appropriately discharged from the bellows connected to the end. It can be done.

  In addition, in the lower part of the gaming machine island, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in addition to the lower storage tank 70, a recovery conveyor device for moving out game balls from each gaming machine 20 to the polishing and lifting device 30. 80 is arranged. The collection conveyor device 80 is provided below the lower storage tank 70 and includes a guide passage 83 arranged to give the highest priority to the out-game balls discharged from each gaming machine 20 to the polishing and lifting device 30. ing. An out game ball collecting unit 201 for collecting out game balls is provided at the lower end of the gaming machine 20, and an out game ball counter for counting out game balls is provided downstream of the out game ball collecting unit 201. A container 202 is arranged.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 13, the out-game ball counter 202 is connected to one end side of a flow path tube 27 through which the out-game ball discharged from the gaming machine 20 flows. The flow path pipe 27 is a bellows pipe having a close coil spring shape. The other end side of the flow channel pipe 27 is extended to the guide passage 83 of the recovery conveyor device 80 through the gap 12 a between the pair of top plates 12 and the lower storage tank 70. The guide passage 83 is formed such that all of the out-game balls flowing through the respective channel pipes 27 flow into the guide passage 83 without leakage by connecting the other end sides of the respective channel pipes 27 to the guide passages 83 respectively. ing.

  The guide passage 83 is formed in a substantially concave groove cross-sectional shape and has a bottom portion 83a and both side wall portions 83b. Holder members 83c are provided on the side wall portions 83b, and are fixed to the holder members 83c in a state in which the other end side of the flow channel tube 27 is fitted. Inside the guide passage 83, an inflow stage 83d into which the out game balls discharged from the other end side of the flow path pipe 27 flows is formed. The inflow stage 83d is arranged so as to be installed between both side walls 83b, and a partition wall that prevents the out-game balls that have flowed in from the flow path pipes 27 on both sides from colliding with each other at the center of the inflow stage 83d. 83e is formed. In addition, game balls in the lower storage tank 70 flow into a gap between the side wall portions 83b of the guide passage 83 via an opening / closing device 90 described later.

  The collection conveyor device 80 includes a driving body that conveys the out game balls by power in the guide passage 83. The driving body forcibly conveys the out-game ball in the guide passage 83 in a substantially horizontal direction, and includes a plurality of belt conveyors 81 and 82. That is, the out-game ball used by the player is transferred to the polishing and lifting device 30 with the highest priority. The collection conveyor device 80 is also configured such that the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 flow in via the opening / closing device 90 and the flowed game balls move to the polishing / lifting device 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, each belt conveyor 81, 82 has a driving pulley 84 and a driven pulley such that the tight side passes through the guide passage 83 and the slack side passes outside the guide passage 83. It is wrapped around 85. The tension side of each belt conveyor 81, 82 is routed along the bottom 83a of the guide passage 83. In addition, a tension pulley 86 is provided for loosening the belt conveyors 81 and 82.

  A transmission belt 89 is wound around the driving pulley 84 and the output pulley 88 of the drive motor 87. The side where the driving pulley 84 is provided is configured so that the game balls that have moved on the tight sides of the belt conveyors 81 and 82 can be delivered to the ball introduction port 30a of the polishing and lifting device 30. Further, the rotation shaft 85 a of the driven pulley 85 is supported via a position adjusting means 85 b for adjusting the distance from the rotation shaft of the driving pulley 84.

  The plurality of belt conveyors 81 and 82 are arranged in a plurality of rows, respectively. The movement speed of the out game balls is controlled differently when the out game balls are moved by the plurality of rows of belt conveyors 81 and 82 and when the out game balls are moved by any single row of the belt conveyors 81 and 82. Further, the plurality of belt conveyors 81 and 82 are driven (driven) at a high speed when moving the out game balls and the game balls in the lower storage tank 70, and are moved at a low speed when only the out game balls are moved. It is controlled to be driven by.

  Two lower storage tanks 70 are connected to the left and right sides of the gaming machine island 10 around the polishing and lifting device 30 disposed in the center of the gaming machine island 10. Each lower storage tank 70 is formed so that a game ball flows toward the center of its bottom 71. A discharge port 72 is opened at the center of the bottom 71 of each lower storage tank 70, and the flow of game balls from the lower storage tank 70 to the recovery conveyor device 80 is controlled by opening and closing each discharge port 72. An opening / closing device 90 is provided for each.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 16 to 18, the bottom 71 of the lower storage tank 70 is inclined so that the game balls gather toward the center of the bottom 71. A pair of game ball passages are arranged in the center of the bottom 71. The game ball passage is formed to guide the game ball in the lower storage tank 70 to the discharge port 72. The game ball passage is composed of a bottom 71 as a road surface, a pressure member 73 as a ceiling, and wall members 73a on both sides.

  The pressure member 73 is formed in a roof shape inclined downward from the center toward both ends. The pressure member 73 is configured to withstand the pressure of the game balls stored in multiple layers in the lower storage tank 70, and is configured so that the game balls flow into the game ball passage in a single layer. Yes. Therefore, the pressure member 73 is installed at a predetermined height position from the bottom portion 71 of the lower storage tank 70, and flange portions 75 are formed at both ends of the pressure member 73 so as to be bent downward.

  The opening / closing device 90 includes a main body case 91 and a tank opening / closing member 92 disposed inside the main body case 91. The tank opening / closing member 92 opens and closes the discharge port 72 by being in a predetermined posture inside the main body case 91, and the game ball flows into the main body case 91 from the discharge port 72 and is discharged to the outside of the main body case 91. It is configured to control what is done.

  Specifically, the main body case 91 is disposed between the pair of discharge ports 72. The main body case 91 is fitted into an opening formed in the central portion of the bottom 71 of the lower storage tank 70 and serves as an inflow portion through which game balls flow from a pair of discharge ports 72. The discharge port 72 is an opening surrounded by the inlet edge of the main body case 91, the pressure member 73, and the wall members 73a on both sides. A communication port 91b (see FIG. 18) is opened at the bottom 91a of the main body case 91 so that the game balls flowing into the main body case 91 are discharged into the guide passage 83 of the collection conveyor device 80.

  The tank opening / closing member 92 is formed in a container shape so as to receive a game ball flowing from the discharge port 72, and includes a bottom portion 92b, both side walls 92c, a front wall 92d, and a back wall 92e. Both side walls 92c of the tank opening / closing member 92 are provided with a pair of weir portions 92a arranged corresponding to the pair of discharge ports 72, respectively.

  At least one of the bottom 92b, the front wall 92d, and the back wall 92e of the tank opening / closing member 92 has an outlet 92f through which game balls received in the container-like tank opening / closing member 92 flow toward the bottom 91a of the main body case 91. It has been established. Accordingly, the game ball is temporarily received from the discharge port 72 into the tank opening / closing member 92, temporarily falls from the outlet 92 f of the tank opening / closing member 92 to the bottom 91 a of the main body case 91, and is guided from the communication port 91 b of the main body case 91. By flowing into the passage 83, the impact when the game ball flows into the guide passage 83 from the discharge port 72 is reduced.

  The tank opening / closing members 92 are movable so as to be inclined alternately. A pair of tank opening and closing members 92 are arranged from a discharge port closed posture (position shown in FIG. 16 (a)) in which a pair of dam portions 92a respectively close a pair of discharge ports 72, and a discharge port closed posture centered on a pivot 91c. The pair of dam portions 92a alternately open the pair of discharge ports 72 by alternately tilting toward the discharge ports 72, and the game balls flowing in from the opened discharge ports 72 are received in the tank opening and closing member 92 and the flow It is arranged so as to be able to swing to a partially discharged outlet opening posture (the posture shown in FIGS. 16B and 16C) which is discharged from the outlet 92f.

  An electric motor 96 that is a power source for swinging the tank opening / closing member 92, a screw member 97 that rotates forward and backward by the electric motor 96, a nut member 98 that is screwed into the screw member 97, and the electric motor 96 power. A power transmission member 99 for transmitting to the tank opening / closing member 92 and a movement detection unit 99c for detecting the movement of the nut member 98 are provided.

  The power transmission member 99 has a proximal end portion 99a fixed to the pivot 91c. The front end 99b of the power transmission member 99 is extended to the nut member 98 side, is engaged with the engaged groove 98a of the nut member 98, and the screw member 97 is rotated forward or reverse by the start of the electric motor 96. When the nut member 98 moves in the direction of the rotation axis of the screw member 97, the nut member 98 is arranged to swing integrally with the tank opening / closing member 92.

  When the tank opening / closing member 92 is in the discharge port closing posture, the nut member 98 is positioned at the detection unit center 99M of the movement detection unit 99c, and the nut member 98 detects the screw member 97 on the forward rotation of the electric motor 96. Move toward the left 99L. At this time, the tank opening / closing member 92 is inclined to the right, and the tank opening / closing member 92 is partially in a state of opening the discharge port, and one of the discharge ports 72 is opened.

  The nut member 98 is moved toward the detection unit center 99M by the reverse drive of the electric motor 96, and the tank opening / closing member 92 is once in the horizontal posture, that is, the discharge port closing posture. Furthermore, the nut member 98 moves toward the detection unit right 99R by reverse rotation driving. At this time, the tank opening / closing member 92 is inclined to the left, and the tank opening / closing member 92 is partially in a state of opening the discharge port, and the other of the discharge ports 72 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 1, two lower storage tanks 70 are provided in series on the left and right sides of the gaming machine island 10 around the polishing and lifting device 30 as described above. Here, the lower storage tanks 70 are designated as the L1 lower storage tank 70 and the L2 lower storage tank 70 from the side closer to the polishing / lifting device 30 on the left side of the gaming machine island 10 as necessary for explanation. The right side of the island 10 is distinguished as the R1 lower storage tank 70 and the R2 lower storage tank 70 from the side close to the polishing and lifting device 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 19, each lower storage tank 70 is divided into one or two in the left-right direction with the pair of discharge ports 72 and the like interposed therebetween, and further in the vertical direction at a predetermined height position. As a general rule, the interior of one lower storage tank 70 is divided into two or six storage sections that are divided into left and right and up and down. However, the left half region of the L2 lower storage tank 70 closest to the prize ball counter 25 corresponds to the prize ball counter 25 arranged on one end side (the left end in FIG. 1) of the gaming machine island 10. Is set as a buffer tank (specific lower storage tank) 70a into which game balls thrown into the prize ball counter 25 are intensively introduced.

  Further, in order from the side closer to the buffer tank 70a, the right half area of the L2 lower storage tank 70 is vertically divided into storage sections (1) and (2). The storage sections (3) and (4), the middle area are set up and down as storage sections (5) and (6), and the right area is set up and down as storage sections (7) and (8).

  Further, with respect to the R1 lower storage tank 70, the left area is stored vertically (9) and (10), the middle area is stored vertically (11) and (12), and the right area is stored vertically. With respect to the R2 lower storage tank 70, the left half area is vertically divided into the storage sections (15), (16), and the right half area is vertically divided into the storage sections (17), (18). ) Is set.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the buffer tank 70a on the left half side of the L2 lower storage tank 70, a collection basket 76 that receives and flows down the game balls discharged from the prize ball insertion port 26 is inclined downward. It is arranged. Further, on the upper right half of the L2 lower storage tank 70, a collection rod 77 for receiving and flowing down the game balls discharged from the ball outlet 48b of the overflow pipe 48 is disposed so as to incline downward.

  In the L1 lower storage tank 70, a recovery rod 78 extending from the upper end of the storage section (7) to the lower end of the storage section (3) is disposed so as to incline downward. The collection basket 78 receives the game ball from the lower end of the overflow pipe 32 provided as an incidental facility for the upper storage tank 31 and causes it to flow down.

  The overflow pipe 32 is a path for dropping the game balls that could not be discharged into the upper storage tank 31 from the upper end side of the polishing / lifting device 30. In the R2 lower storage tank 70 and the R1 lower storage tank 70, the recovery rods 76, 77, 78 are similarly arranged, but there is no recovery rod 76 in the R2 lower storage tank 70. Instead, the collection basket 77 is arranged to extend in a pair of left and right.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 19, in the buffer tank 70a, a buffer full detection sensor 79a for detecting whether or not the game balls in the buffer tank 70a are full on the upstream side of the collection basket 76a. A buffer empty detection sensor 79b for detecting whether or not the game ball in the buffer tank 70a is empty is provided on the bottom left end side of the buffer tank 70a. Further, in the right half region of the L2 lower storage tank 70, a lower storage detection sensor 79c for detecting the storage of game balls in the storage section (1) is provided in the middle of the collection basket 77, and L2 On the other end side of the bottom of the lower storage tank 70, a lower storage detection sensor 79d is provided for detecting storage of game balls in the storage section (2).

  Further, in the region on the left side of the L1 lower storage tank 70, a lower storage detection sensor 79e for detecting storage of game balls in the storage section (3) is provided on the downstream side of the collection basket 78, and L1 On the bottom left end side of the lower storage tank 70, a lower storage detection sensor 79f for detecting storage of game balls in the storage section (4) is provided. Further, in the region on the inner right side of the L1 lower storage tank 70, the lower storage detection sensor 79g for detecting the storage of game balls in the storage sections (5), (7) is located upstream of the recovery rod 78. A lower storage detection sensor 79h for detecting storage of game balls in the storage sections (6) and (8) is provided on the right end side of the bottom of the L1 lower storage tank 70.

  Further, in the region on the left side and the middle side of the R1 lower storage tank 70, the lower storage detection sensor 79i for detecting the storage of game balls in the storage sections (9) and (11) is located upstream of the recovery rod 78. A lower storage detection sensor 79j for detecting storage of game balls in the storage sections (10) and (12) is provided on the left end side of the bottom of the R1 lower storage tank 70. Further, in the area on the right side of the R1 lower storage tank 70, a lower storage detection sensor 79k for detecting storage of game balls in the storage section (13) is provided on the downstream side of the collection basket 78, On the bottom right end side of the R1 lower storage tank 70, a lower storage detection sensor 79l for detecting storage of game balls in the storage section (14) is provided.

  In addition, in the left half region of the R2 lower storage tank 70, a lower storage detection sensor 79m for detecting storage of game balls in the storage section (15) is provided on the downstream side of the collection basket 77, A lower storage detection sensor 79n for detecting storage of game balls in the storage section (16) is provided on the bottom left end side of the R2 lower storage tank 70. Further, in the right half region of the R2 lower storage tank 70, a lower storage detection sensor 79o for detecting the storage of game balls in the storage section (17) is provided downstream of the collection basket 77, On the bottom right end side of the R2 lower storage tank 70, a lower storage detection sensor 79p for detecting the storage of game balls in the storage section (18) is provided.

  Each of these 16 sensors 79a to 79p is a proximity switch or a magnetic sensor that operates according to the distance from the game ball as the detected object, similarly to the above-described upper storage full detection sensor 33a and upper storage empty detection sensor 33b. Etc. Each of the sensors 33a, 33b, 79a to 79p is connected to the control means 100 described below by a signal line. Each of the sensors 33a, 33b, 79a to 79p is turned on when the game ball is on the side, and is turned off when the game ball is not on the side. Is set to output a detection signal indicating that the water is stored. The upper storage sky detection sensor 33b and the buffer sky detection sensor 79b may be set to be turned on when the sky of the game ball is detected.

  The control means 100 centrally manages the replenishment / collection of game balls in the gaming machine island 10, and based on the detection signals from the sensors 33a, 33b, 79a-79p, etc. 30, the operation of the game ball distribution device 40, the recovery conveyor device 80, and the opening / closing device 90 are controlled. The control means 100 is specifically composed of a microcomputer constituted by an interface, CPU, RAM, ROM and the like. The control means 100 is housed in a dedicated case, and is disposed on one end side of the gaming machine island 10 as shown in FIG. 1 in a state protected from static electricity and electrical noise in addition to external dust. Yes.

  Moreover, the lower storage tank 70 is good to comprise with the wood composite material which is a recycling material. If a hollow portion is provided inside the wood composite material and a plurality of small holes are formed on the inner wall surface with which the game ball is in contact to form a porous surface, the resonance of sound inside the lower storage tank 70 can be removed. it can. Moreover, since the lower part of the gaming machine island including the lower storage tank 70 is disposed with a lower space between the floor surface, the player can relax by stretching his / her legs. Further, lighting means 17 for production (see FIG. 2) is arranged along the lower surface side of the lower part of the gaming machine island so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island.

Next, the operation of the game ball distribution device 40 in the gaming machine island 10 will be mainly described.
In the gaming machine island 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, the game balls lifted while being polished by the polishing and lifting device 30 are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the upper part of the gaming machine island starting from the polishing and lifting device 30. The game ball distributing device 40 moves along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island and is replenished to each gaming machine 20 and the ball lending machine 21. The sphere discharged from the upper end of the polishing and lifting device 30 is first introduced into the upper storage tank 31.

  The game balls discharged from the upper storage tank 31 are distributed to the upper supply basket 61 and the supply basket 62 by the basket mounting portion 60 and flow down on the respective baskets. The game balls flowing down the upper supply basket 61 are once received by the relay distribution unit 41. The game balls flowing down the replenishment basket 62 are replenished to the gaming machines 20 and the ball lending machine 21 located directly below via the alignment basket 64 (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, when a game ball that does not fit into the upper storage tank 31 is lifted, it passes through the overflow pipe 32, which is an auxiliary facility of the upper storage tank 31, to the L1 lower storage tank 70 and the R1 lower storage tank 70, respectively. be introduced.

  The relay distribution unit 41 does not store a large amount of game balls once received for a long period of time, but temporarily stores the game balls and then distributes them immediately to the lower supply basket 63 and the overflow pipe 48. Since the game balls that have flowed down the upper supply basket 61 in this way are once received by the relay distribution unit 41 and then distributed, the momentum of the rolling at the time of flow is sufficiently reduced and the impact is alleviated, and the game balls are almost Can be distributed in a static state.

  Specifically, in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the game ball that has flowed down the upper supply basket 61 is introduced to the upper space side of the ball holding portion 42 in the relay distribution portion 41, and the lower space from the drop hole 43 a of the upper bottom plate 43. Falls on the lower bottom plate 44 on the side, and is distributed from the left and right sides of the lower bottom plate 44 to the pair of lower supply rods 63 or to the overflow path mounting portion 45 through the ball passage 44a on the front end side of the lower bottom plate 44. . Thus, since the game ball is once received by the ball holding unit 42 and then distributed, the momentum when the game ball flows out of the ball holding unit 42 is weak.

  The overflow path attaching part 45 communicates with the ball holding part 42 via a ball path 44a through which a game ball can pass, but as shown in FIG. 8, the shutter mechanism 50 opens and closes the ball path 44a. It is possible to selectively restrict the game ball from flowing into the ball inlet 48 a of the overflow pipe 48 communicating with the overflow path mounting portion 45. The opening / closing operation of the shutter mechanism 50 is controlled by the control means 100.

  In FIG. 8, when the solenoid 52 of the shutter mechanism 50 is in a normal non-energized state and the plunger 52a protrudes, the first link member 53 and the second link member 54 are pushed down, and the biasing force of the spring member 55 The opening / closing member 51 is held at a closed position where the shutter piece 51a closes the ball passage 44a. On the other hand, when the solenoid 52 is energized based on a command from the control means 100 and the plunger 52a is immersed, the first link member 53 and the second link member 54 are pulled up, so that the opening / closing member 51 has its shutter piece 51a. Is held in the open position for opening the ball passage 44a.

  When the opening / closing member 51 of the shutter mechanism 50 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 10, the game balls in the ball holding portion 42 are guided to the pair of left and right lower supply rods 63, 63, and each lower supply rod The game balls flowing down 63 are appropriately replenished to the gaming machines 20 and ball lending machines 21 arranged directly below through the alignment basket 64 and the bellows 65 (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, when the open / close member 51 of the shutter mechanism 50 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. Is also led.

  Such a relay distribution unit 41 does not need to have a large capacity like a conventional relay tank, and the arrangement position thereof is not particularly limited due to space reasons. It can be appropriately arranged at an appropriate place in between. At such an optimal position, it is possible to quickly and sufficiently overflow the game balls by a sufficient amount, and in particular, by controlling the shutter mechanism 50, a game ball to be supplied to each gaming machine 20 and a game ball to be overflowed are respectively desired. Can be distributed in proportions.

  Further, even when the opening / closing member 51 of the shutter mechanism 50 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 11, not all the game balls overflow but are distributed to the gaming machines 20 as well. The distribution of game balls to 20 will always be guaranteed. Here, when the opening / closing member 51 is in the open position, the distribution ratio of the game balls to the gaming machine 20 and the overflow pipe 48 depends on the design specifications on the structure of the relay distributor 41 such as the shape and arrangement of the ball passage 44a. It can be determined as appropriate.

  Furthermore, when the opening / closing member 51 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 11, the shutter piece 51a in the opening / closing member 51 is set to dam the ball passage 44a at a position lower than the diameter of one game ball. If the game balls are stacked in two or more layers on the lower bottom plate 44 of the solenoid 52, the game balls above the second layer get over the upper edge of the shutter piece 51a and overflow path mounting portion 45. Can flow to the side. Thereby, the clogging of the balls in the relay distributor 41 can be prevented in advance.

Next, control of the shutter mechanism 50 by the control means 100 will be described.
The operation of the shutter mechanism 50 is controlled based on the relationship with the amount of game balls stored in the lower storage tank 70. The amount of game balls stored in the lower storage tank 70 is detected by the sensors 79a to 79p, and the control means 100 controls the operation of the shutter mechanism 50 based on signals output from the sensors 79a to 79p. Thereby, according to the relationship with the storage amount of the game balls in the lower storage tank 70, the game balls can be quickly overflowed by a necessary amount, and the game balls to be supplied to each game machine 20 and the game balls to be overflowed. Can be reliably and accurately distributed at a desired ratio.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of specific control of the shutter mechanism 50.
The control means 100 first determines whether or not a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the L1 lower storage tank 70 of the lower storage tank 70 (S401). There are a total of four lower storage detection sensors 79e to 79h in the L1 lower storage tank 70 as described above, and when no detection signal is output from any three or more of these sensors, that is, the L1 lower storage tank. If storage of game balls of a predetermined amount or more is not detected at 70 (S401; N), it is next determined whether or not game balls of a predetermined amount or more are stored in the R1 lower storage tank 70 (S402). .

  The R1 lower storage tank 70 also has a total of four lower storage detection sensors 79i to 79l as described above, and when no detection signal is output from any three or more of these sensors, that is, the R1 lower storage tank. If the storage of game balls of a predetermined amount or more is not detected at 70 (S402; N), then whether or not the game balls can be supplied from the buffer tank 70a side to the polishing and lifting apparatus 30 side is determined. Is determined (S403). Here, if the tank opening / closing member 92 of the opening / closing device 90 in the buffer tank 70a is partially open, the game ball can be supplied from the buffer tank 70a side to the polishing / lifting device 30 side. If the member 92 is in the outlet closing position, it is not in a state in which game balls can be supplied from the buffer tank 70a side to the polishing / lifting apparatus 30 side.

  When the tank opening / closing member 92 is in the outlet closing position (S403; N), the opening / closing member 51 is held at the closing position by the driving means 52 (S407). Specifically, in FIG. 8, the solenoid 52 of the shutter mechanism 50 is maintained in a normal non-energized state, the plunger 52 a protrudes, and the shutter member 51 a has a spherical passage 44 a by the biasing force of the spring member 55. Is held in the closed position.

  As described above, the control means 100 is the case where the lower storage detection sensors 79e to 79l do not detect the storage of a predetermined amount or more of the game balls in the L1, R1 lower storage tank 70, and the polishing and lifting device from the buffer tank 70a side. The opening / closing member 51 is controlled to be held in the closed position by the driving means 52 on condition that the game ball cannot be supplied to the 30 side.

  As a result, when the game balls thrown into the prize ball counter 25 are stored in the buffer tank 70a and are not transferred, the situation where the game balls overflow to the L2 lower storage tank 70 including the buffer tank 70a is prevented. be able to. Further, if step S403 is omitted and there is no game ball of a predetermined amount or more in the L1, R1 lower storage tank 70, basically, the open / close member 51 is held at the closed position, and the game ball overflows from the relay distributor 41. You may control so that it may not be made.

  Further, in determining whether or not a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the L1 lower storage tank 70 described above (S401), among the four lower storage detection sensors 79e to 79h in the L1 lower storage tank 70 in total. When detection signals are output from any three or more sensors, that is, when a predetermined amount or more of storage of gaming balls is detected in the L1 lower storage tank 70 (S401; Y), then, the relay distributor It is determined whether or not the L2, R2 lower storage tank 70 that overflows the game ball from 41 is full of game balls (S404).

  Further, when it is detected that a predetermined amount or more of the game balls are stored in the R1 lower storage tank 70 (S402; Y), the game balls can be supplied from the buffer tank 70a side to the polishing and lifting apparatus 30 side. In some cases (S403; Y), the process proceeds to a determination as to whether or not the L2 and R2 lower storage tanks 70 are full of game balls (S404). There are a total of four lower storage detection sensors 79a to 79d / 79m to 79p in the L2 and R2 lower storage tanks 70 respectively, and when the detection signals are output from all four sensors, the L2 and R2 lower storage tanks. 70 is determined to be full of game balls.

  When the overflow destination L2, R2 lower storage tank 70 is full of game balls (S404; Y), the opening / closing member 51 is held at the closed position by the driving means 52 (S407). Accordingly, when the overflow destination L2, R2 lower storage tank 70 is full of game balls, the game balls are not overflowed from the relay distribution unit 41, so that the game balls are excessively stored in the L2, R2 lower storage tank 70. The situation which accumulates can be prevented.

  On the other hand, on condition that the amount of game balls stored in the L2, R2 lower storage tank 70 is not full (S404; N), the game balls currently stored in the upper storage tank 31 are transferred to another gaming machine island 10. It is determined whether or not it is supplied via a crossover (S405). Although not shown in the drawings, the crossover is provided with a shutter for restricting the supply of game balls, and the presence or absence of supply of game balls to other gaming machine islands can be easily determined by the open / closed state of the shutters. it can.

  When the game ball in the upper storage tank 31 is supplied to another gaming machine island 10 (S405; Y), the opening / closing member 51 is held at the closed position by the driving means 52 (S407). Thereby, when the game balls are supplied from the upper storage tank 31 of the game machine island 10 to the other game machine islands 10, the game balls are not overflowed from the relay distribution unit 41, thereby It is possible to prevent a situation where there are not enough game balls to be held.

  On the other hand, on the condition that the game balls in the upper storage tank 31 are not supplied to other gaming machine islands 10 (S405; N), it is determined whether or not the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 is empty. Judgment is made (S406). As described above, the upper storage tank 31 is provided with the upper storage full detection sensor 33a. When no detection signal is output from the upper storage full detection sensor 33a, the game balls in the upper storage tank 31 are not detected. It is determined that the storage amount is empty.

  When it is determined that the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 is actually empty (S406; Y), the opening / closing member 51 is held in the closed position by the drive means 52 (S407). Thereby, when the inside of the upper storage tank 31 of the game machine island 10 is empty, the game balls in the upper part of the game machine island where the storage amount of the game balls is originally scarce by preventing the game balls from overflowing from the relay distribution unit 41. However, it is possible to prevent the situation where there is a shortage.

  On the other hand, on condition that the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 is not empty (S406; N), the control means 100 outputs a command to supply power to the solenoid 52 of the shutter mechanism 50. Then, the plunger 52a of the solenoid 52 is immersed, and the first link member 53 and the second link member 54 are pulled up accordingly, so that the opening / closing member 51 is held at an open position where the shutter piece 51a opens the ball passage 44a. (S408). As described above, by overflowing the game balls from the relay distributor 41, circulation of the game balls can be promoted.

  As described above, when the lower storage detection sensors 79e to 79l detect the storage of more than a predetermined amount of game balls in the L1, R1 lower storage tank 70, the control means 100 further satisfies some conditions. The opening / closing member 51 is controlled to be held in the open position by the driving means 52. If at least one of step S404, step S405, and step S406 is omitted and there is a predetermined amount or more of game balls in the L1, R1 lower storage tank 70, basically the opening / closing member 51 is held in the open position. The game ball may overflow from the relay distribution unit 41.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the game ball that has fallen through the overflow pipe 48 flows into the L2, R2 lower storage tank 70 through the gap 12a between the top plates 12, and flows down the recovery basket 77 to lower the lower storage tank 70. Introduced at the end. Further, since the guide passage 83 of the recovery conveyor device 80 is disposed below the lower storage tank 70, the game ball that has passed through the overflow pipe 48 does not use the guide passage 83 as an obstacle, and the lower storage tank 70. Will be introduced in.

  In the present embodiment, regarding the control of the operation of the shutter mechanism 50, the lower storage tank 70 detects whether or not there is a predetermined amount or more of the game ball, and the game ball from the upper end side of the polishing and lifting device 30. The L1, R1 lower storage tank 70 that overflows the game ball is different from the L2, R2 lower storage tank 70 that overflows the game ball from the relay distributor 41. Accordingly, the overflowing game balls from the relay distribution unit 41 are not concentrated in the L1 and R1 lower storage tanks 70 in which the game balls that overflow relatively frequently from the upper end side of the polishing / lifting device 30 are stored. It is possible to prevent a situation in which a large number of game balls are locally distributed in the lower part of the gaming machine island 10.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the game ball distribution devices 40 are installed on the left and right sides of the gaming machine island 10 respectively, and the control by the control means 100 is performed simultaneously by these two game ball distribution devices 40. The control may be performed separately at different times. In any case, in the entire gaming machine island 10, it is possible to realize an optimal distribution of game balls for each game ball distribution device 40. Of course, the number of game ball distribution devices 40 installed on one gaming machine island 10 is not limited to two, but may be three or more, or may be configured to install only one. It doesn't matter.

  Next, how the out-game balls and the game balls returned to the lower storage tank 70 are processed in the gaming machine island 10 will be described. Out game balls discharged from each gaming machine 20 on the gaming machine island 10 flow from the out game ball collection unit 201 to the out game ball counter 202. The out game balls counted by the out game ball counter 202 flow into the collection conveyor device 80 through the flow path pipe 27. As shown in FIG. 13, the flow path pipe 27 is connected to the guide passage 83 of the recovery conveyor apparatus 80, so that all of the out-game balls flowing through the flow path pipe 27 are not leaked into the guide path 83 of the recovery conveyor apparatus 80. It begins to flow.

  At this time, the out game ball flows from the side of the guide passage 83 to the inflow stage 83d in the guide passage 83, so that the sound generated when the out game ball collides with the inflow stage 83d of the guide passage 83 is reduced. The out-game ball on the inflow stage 83d falls on the belt conveyors 81 and 82 arranged along the bottom 83a of the guide passage 83.

  When the opening / closing device 90 is in the closed state, the belt conveyors 81 and 82 of the collection conveyor device 80 are operated at a low speed. Thereby, the out game ball can be transferred to the polishing and lifting device 30. The out game balls are lifted to the upper storage tank 31 while being polished by the polishing and lifting device 30. When the game balls in the upper storage tank 31 become lower than a predetermined storage level, the six opening / closing devices 90 are released according to a predetermined priority. When the opening / closing device 90 is opened, the belt conveyors 81 and 82 are operated by the control means 100 from a low speed to a high speed. Since the opening / closing device 90 is in the open state, the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 flow into the guide passage 83 of the collection conveyor device 80.

  Since the out game balls flow into the guide passage 83 of the recovery conveyor device 80 through the flow path pipe 27, the out game balls and the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 are preferentially retained. It can be transferred to the polishing and lifting apparatus 30. The out game balls and the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 are transferred to the upper storage tank 31 while being polished by the polishing / lifting device 30. When the upper storage tank 31 reaches a predetermined storage level, the opening / closing device 90 is closed and the belt conveyors 81 and 82 are operated from the high speed to the low speed by the control means 100, and only the out game balls are transferred to the polishing / lifting device 30. To come.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention can be changed or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the opening / closing member 51 of the shutter mechanism 50 is configured to be opened / closed via the four-bar rotation mechanism, but may be configured to be opened / closed by another driving mechanism.

  In addition, if the capacity of the relay distributor 41 is set so that the position of the relay distributor 41 increases as the distance from the polishing and lifting device 30 increases, it takes time for the game balls to be transported by the upper replenishment rod 61 as the distance from the starting point increases. Can be offset. That is, even if transport is delayed by a distance far from the starting point, a necessary amount of game balls can be supplied to the lower supply basket 63 from the relay distribution unit 41 that can store more game balls until the transport is performed. It becomes.

It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the game machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the game machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which expands and shows the principal part of the game machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which expands and shows the relay distribution part of the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which expands and shows the relay distribution part of the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the state in which the shutter mechanism is closed in the relay distribution part of the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the state in which the shutter mechanism is open in the relay distribution part of the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which partially enlarges and shows the relay distribution part of the game ball distribution apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining distribution of the game ball when the shutter mechanism is closed in the relay distribution unit of the game ball distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining distribution of the game ball when the shutter mechanism is open in the relay distribution unit of the game ball distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the internal structure (a game machine and a ball lending machine are included) of the game machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the collection conveyor apparatus contained in the gaming machine island in which the game ball distribution apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed, broken in the vicinity of the opening / closing device. It is a front view which abbreviate | omits and shows the intermediate part of the collection | recovery conveyor apparatus contained in the game machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which abbreviate | omits and shows the intermediate part of the collection | recovery conveyor apparatus contained in the game machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the mounting state of the opening / closing apparatus of the path for game balls contained in the gaming machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a pair of discharge port closed, respectively. (B) is a view when one of the pair of discharge ports is opened, and (c) is a view when the other of the pair of discharge ports is opened. It is a top view which shows the mounting state of the opening / closing apparatus of the passage for game balls contained in the game machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which fractures | ruptures and shows the opening / closing apparatus of the channel for game balls contained in the game machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the storage division of the lower storage tank in the lower part of game machine island which installed the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control regarding the shutter mechanism of the game ball supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game machine island 10a ... Island frame 11 ... Housing frame 12 ... Top plate 12a ... Gap 13 ... Shimaki 14 ... Curtain board 15 ... Mounting member 17 ... Illuminating means 20 ... Game machine 20a ... Handle part 21 ... Ball lending machine 25 ... Premium sphere counter 26 ... Premium sphere inlet 27 ... Channel pipe 30 ... Polishing and feeding device 30a ... Sphere inlet 31 ... Upper storage tank 32 ... Overflow pipe 33a ... Upper storage full detection sensor 33b ... Upper storage empty detection sensor DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 ... Game ball distribution apparatus 41 ... Relay distribution part 42 ... Ball holding part 43 ... Upper bottom plate 43a ... Drop hole 43b ... Partition plate 44 ... Lower bottom plate 44a ... Ball passage 45 ... Overflow path attaching part 46 ... Bottom plate 47 ... Ball guide plate 48 ... Overflow pipe 48a ... Sphere inlet 48b ... Sphere outlet 50 ... Shutter mechanism 51 ... Opening / closing member 51a ... Shutter piece 51b ... Arm part 52 ... Solenoi 52a ... plunger 53 ... first link member 54 ... second link member 60 ... 樋 mounting portion 61 ... upper supply rod 62 ... supplement rod 63 ... lower supply rod 64 ... alignment rod 65 ... bellows 66 ... prize ball tank 70 ... lower storage Tank 70a ... Buffer tank 71 ... Bottom 72 ... Discharge port 73 ... Pressure member 75 ... Flange part 76 ... Recovering bowl 77 ... Recovering bowl 78 ... Recovering bowl 80 ... Recovery conveyor device 81,82 ... Belt conveyor 83 ... Guide path 83a ... Bottom part 84 ... Drive pulley 85 ... Drive pulley 85a ... Rotating shaft 85b ... Position adjusting means 86 ... Tension pulley 87 ... Drive motor 88 ... Output pulley 89 ... Transmission belt 90 ... Opening / closing device 91 ... Main body case 92 ... Tank opening / closing member 96 ... Electric motor 97 ... Screw member 98 ... Nut member 99 ... Power transmission member 100 ... Control means 201 ... Out game balls collected 202 ... out the game ball counter

Claims (13)

A game ball is installed on a gaming machine island formed by arranging a plurality of gaming machines in parallel, and the game ball lifted to the upper part of the gaming machine island by a lifting device standing on the gaming machine island is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island. In the game ball distribution device for moving along and replenishing each gaming machine,
In the upper part of the gaming machine island,
An upper replenishment rod that extends along the upper side of each gaming machine from the upper end side of the lifting device, and flows down the game balls discharged from the upper end side of the lifting device;
A relay distribution unit that is arranged at a suitable position between the lifting device and the island edge, and that can temporarily accept and hold the game balls that have flowed down the upper supply basket;
A lower replenishment bowl that extends from the relay distribution unit toward each gaming machine located below the redistribution unit and replenishes each gaming machine with the game balls in the relay distribution unit;
The relay distributor is connected to an inlet of an overflow path for dropping the game balls in the relay distributor to a lower storage tank provided at the lower part of the gaming machine island, and selectively restricts the game balls from flowing into the inlet. Possible shutter mechanism,
The lower storage tank is provided with detection means for detecting the amount of game balls stored in the lower storage tank and outputting a signal,
A game ball distribution device comprising control means for controlling the operation of the shutter mechanism based on a signal from the detection means. A plurality of the lower storage tanks are provided, and each lower storage tank can store a game ball separately,
Among the lower storage tanks, one of the lower storage tanks is provided with the detecting means and supplied with game balls overflowing from the upper end side of the lifting device, The game ball distribution device according to claim 1, wherein an outlet of the overflow path is communicated to supply a game ball dropped from the relay distribution unit. The relay distributor is
The downstream end of the upper supply rod communicates with the upstream end of the lower supply rod, accepts game balls flowing down from the downstream end of the upper supply rod, and reduces the momentum when the game balls flow down A ball holding portion that leads to the upstream end of the lower supply rod in a state of being
An overflow path mounting part that communicates with the ball holding part and a ball path through which the sphere can pass, and an inlet of the overflow path communicates with the ball holding part,
The game ball distribution device according to claim 1, further comprising: a shutter mechanism that opens and closes the ball passage. The shutter mechanism is
An opening / closing member disposed at a position facing the ball passage and swingable between a closed position for closing the ball passage and an open position for opening the ball passage;
4. The game ball distribution device according to claim 3, further comprising drive means for driving the opening / closing member by power.   The control means holds the opening / closing member in the open position by the driving means when the detection means detects that a predetermined amount or more of the game balls are stored in the lower storage tank, while the detection means 5. The game ball dispensing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the storage tank stores no more than a predetermined amount of game balls, the opening and closing member is held in a closed position by the driving unit.   The control means is a case where the detection means detects that a predetermined amount or more of storage of game balls is detected in the lower storage tank, and the storage amount of game balls in the lower storage tank in which the outlet of the overflow path is communicated 6. The game ball dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the opening / closing member is held in the open position by the driving means on condition that the game is not full.   The control means is a case where the detection means detects that a predetermined amount or more of storage of game balls is detected in the lower storage tank, and is stored in an upper storage tank provided at an upper end of the lifting device. 7. The game ball distribution device according to claim 5, wherein the open / close member is held in the open position by the driving means on condition that a game ball being supplied is not supplied to another game machine island.   The control means is a case where a predetermined amount or more of storage of game balls is detected in the lower storage tank by the detection means, and the game balls in the upper storage tank provided at the upper end of the lifting device 8. The game ball dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the opening / closing member is held in an open position by the driving means on condition that the storage amount is not empty.   The control means is a case in which the detection means does not detect the storage of a predetermined amount or more of the game balls in the lower storage tank, and the control means is provided corresponding to a prize ball counter attached to the gaming machine island. The opening / closing member is held in a closed position by the driving means on condition that a game ball cannot be supplied from the lower storage tank side to the lifting device side. 8. The game ball distribution device according to 8.   The relay distributing unit guides the game ball in the ball holding unit to the upstream end of the lower supply basket when the opening / closing member of the shutter mechanism is in the closed position, and the ball distributing unit when the opening / closing member is in the open position. The game ball distribution according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein the game ball in the holding part is led to both the upstream end of the lower supply basket and the overflow path attaching part, respectively. apparatus.   The opening / closing member of the shutter mechanism causes the overflowing game ball to get over and flow into the overflow path mounting portion side when the lower supply rod and the ball holding portion are full of game balls when in the closed position. The game ball dispensing device according to claim 10.   The lower supply rods branch from both sides of the relay distributing portion in the left-right direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, and extend in a pair of left and right. The game ball distribution device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein the game ball distribution device is connected to each of the game machines via a falling alignment basket. A gaming machine island having a plurality of gaming ball distribution devices according to claim 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9,
A gaming machine island, wherein the control means controls at least one of the plurality of game ball distribution devices.

Images