JP2006068217A - Crane game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a crane game machine constituted so as to appropriately adjust a crane machine corresponding to the kind, size or shape of a premium in the crane game machine and surely energize clamping force to the premium corresponding to the kind, size or shape of the premium. <P>SOLUTION: This crane game machine is provided with an arm means to be opened and closed, a clamping means operated in linkage with the arm means, a sliding means for sliding the clamping means, and a control means for controlling the sliding means so as to slide the clamping means in linkage with the arm means when the arm means is in a prescribed state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a crane game machine that is installed in a game center or the like and catches various prizes such as stuffed animals and small items.

As a conventional crane device for a crane game machine, for example, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-46730 is known.
This crane game machine is provided with a viewing window where prizes can be seen and the prizes can be seen, and a prize outlet for taking the prizes to the outside, and a casing that is physically closed so that prizes cannot be taken out illegally. A plurality of catchers provided in the housing, a moving device capable of moving three-dimensionally by suspending the catchers in the housing, and a catcher portion and its movement provided from the outside for each of a plurality of terminals. An operating unit for operating the mechanism, a speaker for generating sound effects and explanatory sounds, and a prize field unit that is rotationally driven in the housing and on which prizes are placed.

The catcher section has two catcher arms, a catcher motor that opens and closes the catcher arm, a catcher spring that adjusts the gripping force (ie, payout rate) that acts between the catcher arms, and the strength of this catcher spring. It has a catcher spring motor.
The catcher portion can be held to a certain extent at the moment when the prize is grabbed, and can be controlled to automatically weaken the tension of the spring at the same time that the prize is lifted, thereby reducing the image of the weak spring. In addition, the catcher unit itself can be rotated to adjust the direction in which the prize is grabbed.

  The control unit of the crane game machine includes a main CPU for controlling the progress of the game and setting / controlling the payout rate, and an EEPROM for storing the set payout rate and the current payout rate. The main CPU software determines the progress of the payout rate according to the program, and the catcher spring strength is set so that the set payout rate is obtained by rotating the catcher spring motor according to the instruction from the main CPU. Is configured to automatically adjust.

  In the conventional crane game machine described above, the two catcher arms are driven to open and close by the catcher motor, the gripping force acting between the catcher arms is adjusted by the catcher spring, and the strength of the catcher spring is further increased by the catcher spring motor. Since it is configured to adjust, the size and shape of the prize that can be grasped are limited by the shape of the catcher arm and the degree of opening and closing, and depending on the type of prize, the grasping force is reliably urged There was a problem that could not be done.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional crane game machine, and can appropriately adjust the crane machine according to the type, size, or shape of the prize in the crane game machine, It is an object of the present invention to provide a crane game machine configured so that a gripping force can be more reliably urged against a prize according to the type, size, or shape of the prize.

  The above-described problems of the present invention include an arm means that opens and closes, a gripping means that operates in conjunction with the arm means, a sliding means that slides on the gripping means, and an arm means when the arm means is in a predetermined state. It is achieved by a crane game machine comprising control means for controlling the sliding means so as to slide the gripping means in conjunction with each other.

  According to the present invention, according to the above configuration, the crane machine can be appropriately adjusted according to the type, size, or shape of the prize in the crane game machine, and the prize can be adjusted according to the type, size, or shape of the prize. On the other hand, there is an effect that the gripping force can be urged more reliably.

  In the crane game machine of the present invention, the control means may be configured to slide the gripping means by the sliding means and project from the arm means when the arm means is in a predetermined tension state. .

  In the crane game machine of the present invention, when the arm means is completely closed, the control means slides the gripping means by the sliding means and protrudes from the arm means, so that the gripping force adapted to the prize is obtained. You may comprise so that can be energized.

  In the crane game machine according to the present invention, the control means slides the gripping means by the sliding means when the gripping means protrudes from the arm means and then a specific tension is applied to the arm means. You may comprise so that it may accommodate in a means.

  In the crane game machine of the present invention, the control means slides the gripping means to the arm means by the sliding means when the arm means is fully opened after the gripping means protrudes from the arm means. You may comprise so that it may accommodate.

  In the crane game machine of the present invention, after the gripping means protrudes from the arm means, the control means moves the gripping means by the sliding means when the arm means is positioned at a specific position and fully opened. You may comprise so that it may slide and accommodate in an arm means.

  In the crane game machine of the present invention, the gripping means may be configured to be exchangeable with parts having different shapes and sizes depending on the types and sizes of the prizes.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a crane game machine according to the present invention, particularly a crane device for a crane game machine will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a crane apparatus 10 (hereinafter abbreviated as a crane apparatus) for a crane game machine according to the present invention.

A crane device 10 for a crane game machine shown in FIG. 1 is housed in a control unit 11, base arms 12 and 13 whose operations are controlled by the control unit 11, and base arms 12 and 13. , 13 and gripping claws 14, 15 that are controlled in operation.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the crane apparatus 10 and shows a state in which the base arms 12 and 13 are opened and the gripping claws 14 and 15 are stored in the base arms 12 and 13. It is a front view of the crane apparatus 10, and the state which the base arms 12 and 13 closed and the holding claws 14 and 15 protruded from the base arms 12 and 13 is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 11 includes a control motor 14 that controls the opening and closing operations of the base arms 12 and 13. The control motor 14 is used only for driving for opening and closing the base arms 12 and 13.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the crane apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, and is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit 11 of the crane apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 includes a drive mechanism including weights 16 and 17, rods 18 and 19 interlocked with the weights 16 and 17, rack and pinion interlocked with the rods 18 and 19, and the like. 20 and 21 and screws 22 and 23 interlocking with the drive mechanisms 20 and 21, and by moving the positions of the rods 18 and 19 by rotating the screws 22 and 23, the positions of the weights 16 and 17 are moved up and down. Thus, the tension strength of the springs 24 and 25 is adjusted, and the degree of opening and closing of the base arms 12 and 13 is adjusted based on the tension strength of the springs 24 and 25 adjusted as described above. As described above, the control motor 14 controls the opening / closing operation of the base arms 12 and 13 whose opening / closing degree is adjusted.
When the base arms 12 and 13 are opened, the base arm is opened by driving the control motor 14 so that the springs 24 and 25 are pulled. That is, in FIG. 1, the control motor 14 is driven so that the connecting portions J1 and J2 between the base arms 12 and 13 and the springs 24 and 25 are positioned at the low level positions LL1 and LL2.
On the other hand, when the base arm is closed, the base arm is closed by driving the control motor 14 so that the springs 24 and 25 return to the neutral state (contracted state). That is, in FIG. 1, the control motor 14 is driven so that the connecting portions J1 and J2 between the base arms 12 and 13 and the springs 24 and 25 are positioned at the high level positions HL1 and HL2.

  For example, when the control unit 11 rotates the screws 22 and 23 counterclockwise, the rods 18 and 19 rise to raise the positions of the weights 16 and 17, and as the positions of the weights 16 and 17 rise, the spring 24 , 25 to increase the tensile strength. Thereby, when the crane machine 10 is operated, the base arms 12 and 13 are opened more widely, and it is possible to adapt to a large prize.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 11 rotates the screws 22 and 23 clockwise, for example, the rods 18 and 19 are lowered to lower the positions of the weights 16 and 17, and as the positions of the weights 16 and 17 are lowered, The tensile strength of the springs 24 and 25 is weakened. Thereby, when the crane machine 10 is operated, the base arms 12 and 13 do not open so much, and it is possible to adapt to a small prize.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the mechanism configuration of the gripping claws 14 and 15 configured to control the operation of the gripping force gripping the prize in conjunction with the base arms 12 and 13 in the crane device 10. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gripping claws 14 and 15 slide out from the inside of the base arms 12 and 13 when a predetermined tension is applied to the base arms 12 and 13 by the springs 14 and 25, and give premiums. It is configured to force. That is, when the base arms 12 and 13 reach a predetermined magnitude of tension, the control motors 27 and 28 for the gripping claws 14 and 15 start driving to move the gripping claws 14 and 15, thereby The gripping claws 14 and 15 slide on the rack rail ribs 29 and 30 attached to the inside of the arms 12 and 13. In other words, the movements of the gripping claws 14 and 15, the sliding direction, and the gripping force are adjusted by the control motors 27 and 28.

  The crane apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 further includes a detection device (not shown, for example, a micro switch) that detects tension applied to the base arms 12 and 13, and based on the detection result of the detection device, the control arm 14 causes the base arm 12, 13 may be configured to control the operation of the gripping claws 14 and 15 by the control motors 27 and 28. With this configuration, the tension applied to the base arms 12 and 13, that is, the arm open state of the base arms 12 and 13 is controlled, and the grip claws 14 and 15 are based on the arm open state of the base arms 12 and 13. It is possible to control the protrusion / storage of the. Further, the gripping force of the gripping claws 14 and 15 can be controlled based on the arm open state of the base arms 12 and 13.

  In addition, the gripping claws 14 and 15 can be exchanged as necessary depending on the type and size of the prize.

  4-6 is an operation | movement flowchart for demonstrating one Embodiment of operation | movement of the crane apparatus 10 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4-6, one Embodiment of operation | movement of the crane apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is described.

  When the user of the crane game machine 1 inserts a predetermined coin or token from the coin / token insertion slot, the crane game machine 1 can be operated by the operation panel 200 shown in FIG.

  First, the user depresses the operation button 1 on the operation panel 200 to activate the crane apparatus 10 and store the protruding gripping claws 14 and 15 in the base arms 12 and 13 (step S1). Next, in order to move the crane apparatus 10 to the upper position of the prize to be acquired, when the operation button 1 is pressed again, the crane apparatus 10 starts to move in the lateral direction (step S2). Since the crane apparatus 10 continues to move in the lateral direction as long as the operation button 1 is kept pressed, if the crane apparatus 10 is moved to a desired position, the operation button 1 is stopped and the crane apparatus 10 is moved in the lateral direction. The movement is stopped (step S3).

Next, when the operation button 2 is pressed, the crane device 10 starts to move in the vertical direction, and the crane device 10 continues to move in the vertical direction as long as the operation button 2 is kept pressed. 10 stops the movement in the vertical direction (step S4).
At this time, in order to operate the vertical movement of the crane apparatus 10, the user may press the operation button 2 while turning around the side window of the housing (step S5).

  When the crane apparatus 10 stops at the upper position of the desired prize by stopping the pressing of the operation button 2 in step S4, the control unit 11 fully opens the base arms 12 and 13 of the crane apparatus 10 (step S6). When the crane 30 is gradually lowered by the actuator 30 (step S7) and a predetermined tension is applied to the base arms 12 and 13 (step S8), the control unit 11 drives the control motors 27 and 28. Then, the gripping claws 14 and 15 are operated to protrude from the base arms 12 and 13 (step S9), and the crane apparatus 10 is completely lowered to the place of the prize (step S10).

  Regardless of whether or not the gripping claws 14 and 15 of the crane apparatus 10 grip the prize in step S10, the control unit 11 closes the base arms 12 and 13 with the gripping claws 14 and 15 protruding. (Step S11), almost simultaneously with the actuator 30, the crane apparatus 10 starts to rise again (step S12).

Subsequent to step S12, the crane apparatus 10 is automatically moved above the prize discharge port 32 by a driving device (not shown) (step S13), and the base arms 12 and 13 are once fully opened at that position. (Step S14).
At this time, if there is a prize that has been gripped (step S15), the prize is dropped to the prize discharge port 32 (step S16), and the base arms 12 and 13 return to the closed state soon (step S17). ) One play ends (step S18).

  On the other hand, following the step S14, when the prize is not gripped (step S19), the base arms 12 and 13 are soon returned to the closed state (step S20), and one play is completed (step S21). ).

  If the user again inserts tokens or coins and restarts the game, the crane apparatus 10 repeats the above operation.

  Next, another embodiment of the crane apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, only the operation in this embodiment will be briefly described here.

  When the user of the crane game machine 1 inserts a predetermined coin or token from the coin / token insertion slot, the crane game machine 1 can be operated by the operation panel 200 shown in FIG. 1 (step S101).

First, the user operates the operation button 1 of the operation panel 200 to horizontally move the crane apparatus 10 to a position above the premium to be acquired (step S102). Next, the operation button 2 is operated, the actuator 30 is operated, and the crane apparatus 10 is lowered from the upper position of the prize to be acquired to try to grab the prize (step S103).
When the crane apparatus 10 is lowered with respect to the prize by the actuator 30, the control unit 11 opens the base arms 12 and 13 of the crane apparatus 10 (step S104), and the crane apparatus 10 further becomes a prize by the actuator 30. When it descends, the photo sensor 31 installed in the control unit 11 detects the relative position of the crane apparatus 10 with respect to the prize (step S105).

  When the detection result reaches a predetermined threshold value, the base arms 12 and 13 are gradually closed (step S106), and then a predetermined tension is applied to the base arms 12 and 13 where the detection device is gradually closed. If it is detected (step S107), the control unit 11 drives the control motors 27 and 28 to operate the gripping claws 14 and 15 to protrude from the base arms 12 and 13 (step S108). The prize is securely held by the claws 14 and 15 (step S109).

  Next, the user operates the operation button 2 to raise the base arms 12 and 13 again by the actuator 30 (step S110), and the operation button 1 is operated to hold the gripping claws 14 and 15 holding the prize. The base arms 12 and 13 are moved above the prize outlet 32 (step S111), and the operation button 2 is operated to lower the base arms 12 and 13 again with respect to the prize outlet 32 by the actuator 30 ( Step 112).

  When the crane apparatus 10 is lowered with respect to the prize outlet 32 by the actuator 30, the photo sensor 31 installed in the control unit 11 detects the relative positions of the base arms 12 and 13 of the crane apparatus 10 with respect to the prize outlet 32. (Step S113) When the detection result reaches a predetermined threshold value, the base arms 12 and 13 are gradually opened (Step S114), and then the detection device is gradually opened. , 13 is detected (step S115), the control unit 11 drives the control motors 27, 28 to operate the gripping claws 14, 15, and uses the gripping claws 14, 15 as a base. The prize is gradually stored in the arms 12 and 13 (step S117), and the prize is lowered with respect to the prize discharge port 32 (step S118).

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an embodiment of a crane device for a crane game machine according to the present invention, and is a front view showing a state in which a base arm is opened. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the base arm of the crane apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is closed. FIG. 3 is a rear view schematically showing a mechanism configuration of a gripping claw of the crane apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the operation of the crane apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a continuation of the operation flow diagram of FIG. FIG. 6 is a continuation of the operation flow diagram of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Crane apparatus 11 Control part 12, 13 Base arm 14, 15

Claims (7)

Arm means for opening and closing;
Gripping means operating in conjunction with the arm means;
Sliding means for sliding the gripping means;
A crane game machine comprising: control means for controlling the sliding means so as to slide the gripping means in conjunction with the arm means when the arm means is in a predetermined state.   2. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the control means slides the gripping means by the sliding means to project from the arm means when a predetermined tension is applied to the arm means. Crane game machine.   2. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the control means is configured to slide the gripping means by the sliding means and project from the arm means when the arm means is in a closed state. Crane game machine.   The control means is configured to slide the gripping means by the sliding means when the gripping means protrudes from the arm means and the arm means is in a specific tension state. The crane game machine according to claim 1, wherein the crane game machine is configured to be housed in a box.   The control means slides the gripping means by the sliding means and stores the gripping means in the arm means when the arm means is opened after the gripping means protrudes from the arm means. The crane game machine according to claim 4, wherein the crane game machine is configured.   The control means slides the gripping means by the sliding means at a stage where the arm means is positioned at a specific position and opened after the gripping means is projected from the arm means. The crane game machine according to claim 4, wherein the crane game machine is configured to be housed in an arm means.   The crane game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gripping means is configured to be exchangeable with parts having different shapes and sizes.

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