JP2005312886A - Premium obtaining game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a premium obtaining machine capable of adjusting a premium dispensing rate without replacing a spring with another spring with a different spring force. <P>SOLUTION: The premium obtaining machine is constituted such that gripping arms 61a, 61b are driven to be opened and closed and the spring force of a pulling coil spring 64 can be altered by the driving of an arm opening and closing motor 60. Thereby, a plurality of springs with different spring forces are not necessary for adjusting the easiness of gripping the premium by the gripping arms 61a, 61b, and no labor for changing springs is not necessary. As the result, the time used for changing spring force is reduced to a large extent. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize acquisition game machine that acquires a prize by holding a prize with a gripping arm.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game machines that acquire prizes by holding a prize and transporting it to a predetermined position, so-called crane game machines, move a movable body that can be moved back and forth and left and right to a desired prize by operating buttons. . Then, the catcher suspended from the moving body is lowered to the prize position, and a pair of gripping arms provided on the catcher is closed so that a desired prize can be gripped. At this time, the prize can be acquired when the gripping arm successfully grasps the prize and the catcher conveys the prize to a predetermined position.

However, the prize acquisition game machine has the following problems.
The closing operation of the gripping arm is performed by the action of a spring force. The stronger the spring force, the stronger the gripping force when the gripping arm grips the prize, and it becomes easier for the gripping arm to grip the prize. That is, the stronger the spring force, the higher the probability of acquiring a prize (premium payout rate). Adjustment of the prize payout probability is performed by exchanging springs having different spring forces. However, each time the spring is replaced, it is necessary to remove the catcher case and the like, which is very troublesome and requires the preparation of a plurality of springs having different spring forces.
In addition, if the spring is replaced with a spring having a different spring force, it may take a long time until the next spring is replaced, and the player may be able to see the strength of the spring force and reduce interest in the game. It was.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prize acquisition game machine capable of adjusting a prize payout rate without replacing springs having different spring forces. There is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the movable body is supported by a rotation shaft, and can be rotated in a direction toward and away from each other around the rotation shaft. A pair of gripping arms and a spring for urging the gripping arms toward each other. The player operates the gripping arms to grip and lift the prize and transport the prize to the receiving port. In the prize acquisition game machine, the spring for changing the spring force of the spring to a strong spring force capable of gripping and lifting the prize with the gripping arm and a weak spring force which is difficult to lift or cannot lift the prize The gist is that a force changing means is provided.
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the spring is a tension coil spring, one end side of the tension coil spring is supported by the grip arm, and the other end side is an adjustment member in the movable body. The gist of the spring force changing means is that the spring force is changed by changing the position of the support portion on the other end side of the tension coil spring supported by the adjusting member.
The invention according to claim 3 is the gist of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring force changing means automatically changes the spring force of the spring according to the game situation.
The gist of the invention according to claim 4 is that, in the invention according to claim 3, the spring force changing means automatically changes the spring force of the spring based on a payout state of the prize. .
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the spring force of the spring in a state where the premium is gripped and lifted by the spring force changing means with a strong spring force at a predetermined timing. The gist is that the control is made to change to a weak spring force.
The gist of the invention described in claim 6 is that, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the spring force changing means changes the spring force by manual operation from the outside.

(Function)
In the first aspect of the present invention, the spring force of the spring is changed by the spring force changing means. When the spring force is adjusted to be weak, the urging force of the gripping arms toward each other is weakened, and when the spring force is adjusted to be strong, the gripping arms are attached to each other in the close direction. The power will be strengthened. When a strong spring force is set, it is possible to grip and lift the prize if the grip arm is driven by the player's operation. However, if the spring force is weak, the prize can be lifted even if the prize is gripped. No or difficult to lift.
In the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the action of the invention according to claim 1, when changing the spring force of the spring, the position of the support portion on the other end side of the tension coil spring supported by the adjustment member is changed. Is done. As the distance between the support part on one end side and the support part on the other end side of the tension coil spring becomes longer, the spring force becomes stronger.
In the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the action of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the spring force is changed according to the game situation. For example, various actions related to the game such as the number of coins inserted by the player and the payout status of the following prizes can be a trigger.
In the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the action of the invention described in claim 3, the spring force is changed based on the payout state of the prize. For example, when the number of payouts of the prize is extremely small compared to the number of times the game has been played, the gripping force of the prize by the gripping arm is improved by increasing the spring force based on such data information, and the prize Is easier to grip.
In the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the action of the invention according to claim 3 or 4, a prize that has been once gripped and lifted by a strong spring force by control of the spring force changing means can be weakly springed at a predetermined timing. By changing the force, it can be set so that it is dropped or easily dropped before being conveyed to the receiving port.
In the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the action of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the spring force is changed by manual operation.

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, it is possible to easily change the gripping force of the prize by the gripping arm without exchanging the spring, and to easily adjust the prize payout rate. There is an effect.
According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the spring force can be automatically changed according to the game situation, so that the game content is changed. Is easy. According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 3, since the spring force can be automatically changed based on the payout state of the prize, the game content is changed. Is easy. In these third and fourth aspects of the invention, for example, when the number of giveaways is extremely small, the gripping force of the gripping arm can be increased if the spring force is automatically increased, so that a prize can be easily obtained. Become. As a result, it is possible to play the game happily without feeling distrust that the player cannot acquire a prize for the game machine.
In the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effects of the invention according to claim 3 or claim 4, for example, a prize that has been lifted up by initially setting the spring force to be strong and then weakening the spring force is provided. It is possible to make the player fall naturally in the middle of transportation, and to continue the game without making the player feel unnatural.
According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the spring force can be manually changed. By increasing the spring force by the operation, it is possible to easily obtain prizes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, a prize display room 12 is provided in the upper part of the housing 11, and a plurality of prizes 13 are displayed and arranged in the display room 12. An operation panel 14 is provided at the front of the housing 11, and the operation panel 14 is provided with a first button B 1, a second button B 2, a third button B 3, a fourth button B 4, and a coin slot 15. . In addition, a prize takeout port 16 is provided in the lower front part of the housing 11. The prize display room 12 is provided with a prize receiving port 17. The prize receiving port 17 communicates with the prize taking-out port 16. A first guide rail 18 extending in the left-right direction and a second guide rail 19 extending in the front-rear direction are installed in the upper part of the prize display room 12. The second guide rail 19 is moved in the left-right direction along the first guide rail 18 along the first guide rail 18 by the driving force of the first moving motor 20a. Further, a catcher bracket 21 is engaged with the second guide rail 19, and the catcher bracket 21 is moved forward and backward in the prize display room 12 along the second guide rail 19 by the driving force of the second moving motor 20b. It is supposed to move.

As shown in FIG. 9, a catcher rotating motor 22 is provided in the catcher bracket 21. A driving pulley 23 is pivotally supported on the motor 22. A driven pulley 24 is pivotally supported on the catcher bracket 21. The driving pulley 23 and the driven pulley 24 are connected by a belt 25 so that the driven pulley 24 rotates as the catcher rotating motor 22 is driven. A motor bracket 26 is pivotally supported on the driven pulley 24, and a shaft telescopic motor 27 is attached to the motor bracket 26. A shaft 28 is attached to the lower part of the motor bracket 26, and the shaft 28 is held in a state protruding from the lower part of the catcher bracket 21. With the driving of the shaft expansion / contraction motor 27, the expansion / contraction mechanism 29 is driven so that the shaft 28 extends or contracts (see FIG. 12).
A catcher unit 30 is attached to the lower portion of the shaft 28. An arm adjustment motor 32 is attached inside the casing 31 of the catcher unit 30. A pinion gear 33 is pivotally supported on the motor 32. In FIG. 8, guide rails 34 and 35 are respectively attached to the inner side surfaces of the casing 31 in the front-rear direction. A pair of guide plates 36 and 37 are engaged with each guide rail 34. A first rack 38 and a second rack 38 are connected to the guide plates 36 and 37. Both racks 38, 39 mesh with the pinion gear 33 and move along the guide rails 34, 35 as the arm adjustment motor 32 is driven.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a first arm unit 41 and a second arm unit 42 are attached and fixed to the outer guide plate 36. As the arm adjustment motor 32 is driven, the distance between the arm units 41 and 42 is changed between the positions shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the positions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a gear box 44 is arranged in the arm casing 43 of each arm unit 41, 42. The gear box 44 is divided into a first chamber 44a and a second chamber 44b, and folders 45 and 46 constituting spring force changing means are arranged in both chambers 44a and 44b so as to be movable in the left-right direction in FIG. Yes. Both folders 45 and 46 are formed in a box shape, and upper and outer end faces thereof are open. Spring struts 47 project from the lower portions of both folders 45 and 46, and both spring struts 47 project from a long hole 48 formed in the lower portion of the gear box 44 to the lower portion of the gear box 44. A position detection sensor 66 for detecting the position of the spring column 47 is attached to a portion facing the lower end surface of the spring column 47.
A first shaft 51 and a second shaft 52 are rotatably supported by the gear box 44. A first pinion gear 53 constituting a spring force changing means is supported on the first shaft 51, and a second pinion gear 54 constituting a spring force changing means is supported on the second shaft 52 so as to be integrally rotatable.

In the folders 45 and 46, a first rack 55 and a second rack 56 constituting spring force changing means are arranged so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The first rack 55 is engaged with the first pinion gear 53, and the second rack 56 is engaged with the second pinion gear 54. A through hole 57 is formed in a portion of the gear box 44 facing the one end face side of both racks 55 and 56. Relay gears 58 and 59 constituting spring force changing means are pivotally supported at the ends of the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 52, respectively. The relay gear 58 that is pivotally supported by the first shaft 51 is engaged with a drive gear 65 that constitutes a spring force changing means that is pivotally supported by a spring force adjusting motor 60 that constitutes a spring force changing means.
A pair of left and right arms 61 a and 61 b are supported in the casing 41 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 62. On the base end side (axis 62 side) of the arms 61a and 61b, a spring stopper pin 63 is formed to project. The spring retaining pin 63 and the spring support 47 of the folders 44a and 44b are connected by a tension coil spring 64 as a spring. The arms 61a and 61b are always urged toward each other by the spring force of the tension coil spring 64.

Next, the electrical configuration will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.
A first button B1 to a fourth button B4 are connected to the controller C constituting the spring force changing means. Each button B1 to B4 outputs an ON signal to the controller C when pressed by the player. A coin sensor 71 is connected to the controller C. The coin sensor 71 is provided in the vicinity of the coin slot 15 and outputs an ON signal to the controller C when a coin is inserted from the coin slot 15. A premium sensor 72 is connected to the controller C. The prize sensor 72 is installed between the prize receiving port 17 and the prize taking-out port 16, and detects the prize 13 and outputs an ON signal to the controller C when the prize 13 moves from the prize receiving port 17 to the prize taking-out port 16 side. It is supposed to be.
Further, a first coin counter 73 and a second coin counter 74 are connected to the controller C. Each time the controller C inputs an ON signal from the coin sensor 71, the count of the first coin counter 73 is incremented by one. Each time the controller C inputs an ON signal from the coin sensor 71, the controller C increments the count of the second coin counter 74 by one count, and when the ON signal is input from the prize sensor 72, the second coin counter The count number of 74 is once cleared. The controller C is connected with a first movement motor 20a, a second movement motor 20b, a catcher rotation motor 22, a shaft expansion / contraction motor 27, an arm adjustment motor 32, and a spring force adjustment motor 60.

  Furthermore, a mode changeover switch 75 is connected to the controller C. The mode changeover switch 75 can be switched between an automatic mode position and a manual mode position, and the controller C controls the spring force adjusting motor based on a predetermined condition when the switch 75 is held at the automatic mode position. 60 is driven and controlled. When the mode changeover switch 75 is held at the manual mode position, the controller C drives the spring force adjusting motor 60 to forcibly move the position of the spring column 47 to the position shown in FIGS. It is like that. The controller C advances the game by controlling the driving of each motor based on the output signals from the buttons B1 to B4, the sensors 71 and 72, and programs.

Next, the operation performed by the controller C will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. Here, a case where the mode changeover switch 75 is held at the automatic mode position will be described.
In step 101, the controller C waits for input of an ON signal from the coin sensor 71. When an ON signal is input from the coin sensor 101 here, the process proceeds to step 102 where the first coin counter 73 and the second coin counter 74 are counted up. Then, the process proceeds to step 103 and waits for an ON signal input from the first button B1. Here, when an ON signal is input from the first button B1, the first moving motor 20a is driven in Step 104 to move the catcher unit 30 in the lateral direction. When the ON signal from the first button B1 is stopped in step 105, the driving of the first moving motor 20a is stopped in step 106.

In step 107, an on signal input from the second button B2 is waited. Here, when an ON signal is input from the second button B2, the second moving motor 20b is driven in Step 108 to move the catcher unit 30 in the forward direction. When the ON signal from the second button B2 is stopped in step 109, the driving of the second moving motor 20b is stopped in step 110.
In the subsequent step 111, an on signal input from the third button B3 is waited. When an ON signal is input from the third button B3, the catcher rotating motor 22 is driven in step 112 to rotate the catcher unit 30 relative to the prize display room 12. When the ON signal from the third button B3 is stopped in step 113, the drive of the catcher rotation motor 22 is stopped in step 114.
In the next step 115, an on signal input from the fourth button B4 is waited. Here, when an ON signal is input from the fourth button B4, the arm adjustment motor 32 is driven in step 116, and the distance between the first arm unit 41 and the second arm unit 42 is changed. When the ON signal from the fourth button B4 is stopped in step 117, the drive of the arm adjustment motor 32 is stopped in step 118.

  In the next step 119, the spring force adjusting motor 60 is driven to rotate the gripping arms 61a, 61b in the opening direction of FIGS. 6 and 7, and in step 120, the shaft extension motor 27 is driven to extend the shaft 28. The catcher unit 30 is lowered. In the next step 121, it is determined whether or not the count value of the second coin counter 74 has reached a predetermined value (for example, the count value is 10). If it is determined that the count value of the second coin counter 74 has not yet reached the predetermined value, the routine proceeds to step 122. In step 122, the spring force adjusting motor 60 is driven to hold the position of the spring support 47 at the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (position where the spring force is weak). At this time, the gripping arms 61 a and 61 b are rotated in the closing direction for gripping the prize 13 by the spring force of the tension coil spring 64. In step 123, the shaft extension motor 27 is driven to contract the shaft 28. In the next step 124, the first moving motor 20a, the second moving motor 20b, etc. are driven to move the catcher unit 30 to the prize receiving port 17, and in step 125, the spring force adjusting motor 60 is moved to the gripping arms 61a, 61b. Drive to rotate in the opening direction. If an on signal is input from the prize sensor 72 in step 126, the process proceeds to step 127, the count value of the second coin counter 74 is cleared, and the process proceeds to step 128. On the other hand, if the ON signal is not input from the prize sensor 72 in step 126, the process proceeds to step 128 without clearing the count value of the second coin counter. In step 128, each motor is driven to return the catcher unit 30 to the home position, and the subsequent processing is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, when the count value of the second coin counter 74 reaches the predetermined value in the step 121, the routine proceeds to step 129, where the spring force adjusting motor 60 is driven and the position of the spring support 47 is shown in FIGS. Hold in position (position where spring force is strong). At this time, the gripping arms 61 a and 61 b are rotated in the closing direction for gripping the prize 13 by the spring force of the tension coil spring 64. In step 123, the shaft extension motor 27 is driven to contract the shaft 28, and the subsequent processing is performed.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. It is assumed that the mode changeover switch 75 is set to the automatic mode position.
When playing the game, the player first inserts a predetermined coin from the coin insertion slot 15. When a coin is inserted, the first button B1 can be pressed. Here, the player presses the first button B1 to move the catcher unit 30 to a desired position (lateral direction). Next, the player presses the second button B2 to move the catcher unit 30 to a desired position (forward direction). Next, the player presses the third button B3 to rotate the catcher unit 30 to a predetermined angle (see FIG. 12). Next, the player presses the fourth button B4 to adjust the interval between the arm units 41 and 42 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). When the position of the catcher unit 30 and the interval between the arm units 41 and 42 are determined, the catcher unit 30 descends while opening the gripping arms 61a and 61b.

When the lowering operation of the catcher unit 30 is completed, the catcher unit 30 is lifted while the gripping arms 61a and 61b are closed and the desired prize 13 is gripped. At this time, if the count value of the second coin counter 74 has not reached the preset count value, the tension coil spring 64 is held in the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the spring force is held in a weak state. ing. Accordingly, the gripping force of the gripping arms 61a and 61b that grip the prize 13 is also weakened, and the probability that the gripping arms 61a and 61b drop the prize 13 is increased. That is, it becomes difficult to hold the prize 13 by the holding arms 61a and 61b. When the catcher unit 30 rises to a predetermined position, the catcher unit 30 automatically moves between the prize receiving ports 17 to open the gripping arms 61a and 61b (the raising timing and the movement start timing may be substantially the same). At this time, if the prize 13 is gripped by the gripping arms 61 a and 61 b well, the prize 13 falls from the prize receiving port 17, and the player can take out the prize from the prize takeout port 16.
On the other hand, when the count value of the second coin counter 74 reaches a predetermined count value, the tension coil spring 64 is maintained in the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the spring force is maintained in a strong state. That is, if the spring force is increased, the gripping force of the gripping arms 61a and 61b is increased, and accordingly, the prize 13 is easily acquired.
When the mode changeover switch 75 is switched to the manual mode position, the spring support 47 is driven so that the spring force is forcibly increased regardless of the count value of the second coin counter. Are switched to the positions shown in FIGS.

By configuring as described above, the following effects are achieved in the first embodiment.
(1) The spring force of the tension coil spring 64 can be changed as the spring force adjusting motor 60 is driven. This eliminates the need to prepare a plurality of springs having different spring forces, and does not require a spring replacement operation. As a result, the time spent for changing the spring force can be greatly reduced.
(2) When the prize 13 has not been paid out a predetermined number of times, the spring force is automatically forcibly increased to increase the gripping force of the gripping arms 61a and 61b, thereby making it easy to acquire the prize 13. When the prize 13 is acquired, the spring force is automatically weakened again to make it difficult to acquire the prize 13. As a result, unlike the conventional technique in which the prize 13 is always gripped with a constant spring force, the gripping force can be changed even if the same tension coil spring 64 is used in this embodiment. Can be prevented, and the interest in the game can be further improved.
(3) Since the spring force can be increased manually and forcibly by the switching operation of the mode changeover switch 75, it is effective when it is desired to easily obtain the prize 13 immediately.
(4) By providing two sets of arm units 41 and 42, it is possible to hold a large prize 13 and to diversify the types of prizes 13 to be displayed in the prize exhibition room 12. You can improve your interest.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, the basic configuration, that is, the structural configuration and electrical configuration of the game machine is the same as in the first embodiment, but the operation (control content) by the controller C is different. Hereinafter, the operation of the controller C different from the first embodiment will be described in detail. In particular, in the second embodiment, the operations to be executed from step 101 to step 120 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description of steps 101 to 120 is omitted, and mainly the operations different from the first embodiment. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17, the controller C drives the spring force adjusting motor 60 in the next step 121 to hold the position of the spring support 47 at the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (position where the spring force is strong). At this time, the gripping arms 61 a and 61 b are rotated in the closing direction for gripping the prize 13 by the spring force of the tension coil spring 64. In step 122, the shaft expansion motor 27 is driven to contract the shaft 28. In step 123, the first moving motor 20a, the second moving motor 20b, etc. are driven to start the movement of the catcher unit 30 in the direction of the prize receiving port 17. Next, at step 124, it is determined whether or not the count value of the second coin counter 74 has reached a predetermined value (for example, the count value is 10). Here, if it is determined that the count value of the second coin counter 74 has not yet reached the predetermined value, the routine proceeds to step 125. In step 125, the controller drives the spring force adjusting motor 60 at a predetermined random timing within a predetermined time (for example, within a range of 0.1 to 2 seconds from the driving of the shaft extension motor 27 in step 123), and the spring column 47. 2 is held at the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (position where the spring force is weak). As a result, the spring force of the tension coil spring 64 once set to a strong spring force is changed to a weak spring force during the game.
In the next step 126, the catcher unit 30 is moved over the prize receiving port 17, and in step 127, the spring force adjusting motor 60 is driven so as to rotate in the opening direction of the gripping arms 61a and 61b. If an on signal is input from the prize sensor 72 in step 128, the process proceeds to step 129, the count value of the second coin counter 74 is cleared, and the process proceeds to step 130. On the other hand, if no ON signal is input from the prize sensor 72 in step 128, the process proceeds to step 130 without clearing the count value of the second coin counter. In step 130, each motor is driven to return the catcher unit 30 to the home position, and the subsequent processing is temporarily terminated.
On the other hand, when the count value of the second coin counter 74 reaches a predetermined value in step 124, the process proceeds to step 126.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. It is assumed that the mode changeover switch 75 is set to the automatic mode position.
When playing the game, the player first inserts a predetermined coin from the coin insertion slot 15. When a coin is inserted, the first button B1 can be pressed. Here, the player presses the first button B1 to move the catcher unit 30 to a desired position (lateral direction). Next, the player presses the second button B2 to move the catcher unit 30 to a desired position (backward). Next, the player presses the third button B3 to rotate the catcher unit 30 to a predetermined angle (see FIG. 12). Next, the player presses the fourth button B4 to adjust the interval between the arm units 41 and 42 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). When the position of the catcher unit 30 and the interval between the arm units 41 and 42 are determined, the catcher unit 30 descends while opening the gripping arms 61a and 61b.

When the lowering operation of the catcher unit 30 is completed, the catcher unit 30 is lifted while the gripping arms 61a and 61b are closed and the desired prize 13 is gripped. At this time, if the count value of the second coin counter 74 has not reached the preset count value, the tension coil spring 64 is maintained in the state of FIGS. 4 and 5 as an initial setting, and the spring force is strong. Is held in. Accordingly, since the gripping force of the grip arms 61 a and 61 b that grip the prize 13 is strong, the probability that the grip arms 61 a and 61 b lift the prize 13 increases. That is, it becomes easy to hold the prize 13 by the holding arms 61a and 61b.
When the catcher unit 30 rises to a predetermined position, the catcher unit 30 starts moving in the direction of the prize receiving port 17 (the rising timing and the movement start timing may be substantially the same). The tension coil spring 64 shifts to the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 on the way to the prize receiving port 17 and the spring force is changed to a weak state. There is a greater possibility of being dropped.
Regardless of whether or not the prize 13 is grasped, the grasping arms 61a and 61b are opened on the prize receiving port 17. At this time, if the prize 13 is gripped by the gripping arms 61 a and 61 b well, the prize 13 falls from the prize receiving port 17, and the player can take out the prize from the prize takeout port 16.
On the other hand, when the count value of the second coin counter 74 reaches a predetermined count value, the tension coil spring 64 is maintained in the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the spring force is maintained in a strong state. That is, if the spring force is increased, the gripping force of the gripping arms 61a and 61b is increased, and accordingly, the prize 13 is easily acquired.
When the mode changeover switch 75 is switched to the manual mode position, the spring support 47 is driven so that the spring force is forcibly increased regardless of the count value of the second coin counter. Are switched to the positions shown in FIGS.

By configuring as described above, the second embodiment provides the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.
(1) Since the spring force of the tension coil spring 64 is initially set to be strong enough to lift the prize 13 regardless of the payout state of the prize 13, the lifting itself is difficult and the player loses interest in the game. The problem of end up not occurring.
(2) Since the controller C changes the spring force of the tension coil spring 64 from “strong” to “weak” at a predetermined random timing, the controller C does not always remove it at the same position. Even if the prize 13 is withdrawn due to the weak spring force, it is recognized by the player as a very natural phenomenon, and there is no loss of interest in the game.

The present invention may be embodied in the following manner.
-It may be embodied using a torsion spring or the like instead of the tension coil spring 64 as a spring.
-You may actualize by changing suitably the number of arm units 41 and 42. FIG. Further, the distance between the arm units may be embodied as being unchangeable.
The spring force adjusting motor 60 may be embodied by a stepping motor so that the strength of the spring force can be changed steplessly.
In the above embodiment, the tension coil spring 64 has two strengths: strength and weakness. However, the strength of the spring force may be set to three or more levels, and different spring forces may be selected at random. It may be embodied in.
-You may make it apply to the game machine which has only 1 set of existing arm units other than the game machine provided with 2 sets of arm units 41 and 42 like the said embodiment.
-The catcher unit 30 may be embodied as non-rotatable.
In the second embodiment, the spring force is set to “strongly and weaken initially” when there is a payout state of the prize 13 as past data, but this is set so that the spring force is weakened from the beginning. Even if the prize 13 is paid out in the very near past, settings that do not weaken in the middle may be combined.
The above control of the controller C is an example, and other control methods may be used.
In addition, the present invention can be freely implemented in the sun that has been changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Other technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiments in order to achieve the object of the present invention will be described below as additional notes.
(1) Two sets of moving bodies that support the pair of gripping arms are provided, and both the moving bodies are supported by the support body so as to be movable in directions toward and away from each other. The prize acquisition game machine according to claim 4.
(2) The prize acquisition game machine according to claim 5, wherein the spring force is changed at a predetermined timing by the spring force changing means at a random timing.

The perspective view of the game machine in embodiment concerning this invention. The fragmentary plane sectional view of an arm unit which shows the closed state of a grasping arm in the state where spring force is weak. The fragmentary front sectional view of an arm unit which shows the closed state of a grasping arm in the state where spring force is weak. The fragmentary plane sectional view of an arm unit which shows the closed state of a grasping arm in the state where spring force is strong. The fragmentary front sectional view of the arm unit which shows the closed state of the holding arm in the state where spring force is strong. The fragmentary plane sectional view of the arm unit which shows the open state of a holding arm. The fragmentary front sectional view of the arm unit which shows the open state of a holding arm. The partial plane sectional view of the catcher unit which shows the state where the interval of a pair of arm units is the maximum. The partial front sectional view of a catcher unit which shows the state where the interval of a pair of arm units is the maximum. The partial plane sectional view of the catcher unit which shows the state where the space | interval of a pair of arm unit is the minimum. The partial front sectional view of the catcher unit which shows the state where the space | interval of a pair of arm unit is the minimum. The partial front sectional view of a state where the catcher unit is rotated 90 °. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration. The flowchart figure explaining the processing operation of a controller. The flowchart figure similarly explaining the processing operation of a controller. The flowchart figure similarly explaining the processing operation of a controller. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the controller according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  45, 46: Folder constituting spring force changing means, 53, 54: First and second pinion gears constituting spring force changing means, 55, 56 ... Racks constituting spring force changing means, 58, 59 ... Relay gear constituting spring force changing means, 60 ... Spring force adjusting motor constituting spring force changing means, 61a, 61b ... Holding arm, 64 ... Tension coil spring as a spring, 65 ... Drive constituting spring force changing means Gear, C: child controller constituting spring force changing means.

Claims (6)

A pair of gripping arms supported by a rotating shaft with respect to the moving body, and capable of rotating in directions toward and away from each other about the rotating shaft;
A spring for biasing the gripping arms toward each other,
In the prize acquisition game machine in which both the gripping arms are driven by the operation of the player, the prize is gripped and lifted, and the prize is conveyed to the receiving port.
Spring force changing means for changing the spring force of the spring to a strong spring force capable of gripping and lifting the prize with the gripping arm and a weak spring force which is difficult or impossible to lift the prize. To win premium game machines. The spring is a tension coil spring, one end side of the tension coil spring is supported by the gripping arm and the other end side is supported by an adjustment member in the movable body, and the spring force changing means is supported by the adjustment member. 2. The prize acquisition game machine according to claim 1, wherein the spring force is changed by changing the position of the support portion on the other end side of the tension coil spring. The prize acquisition game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring force changing means automatically changes the spring force of the spring according to a game situation. 4. The prize acquisition game machine according to claim 3, wherein the spring force changing means automatically changes the spring force of the spring based on a payout state of the prize. The spring force changing means controls to change the spring force of the spring in a state where the premium is gripped and lifted by a strong spring force to a weak spring force at a predetermined timing. 4. The prize acquisition game machine according to any one of 4 above. The prize acquisition game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring force changing means changes the spring force by manual operation from the outside.

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