JP2006238995A - Ball body cleaner and game machine with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the cleaning of more area of the surface of ball bodies without adding a drive mechanism in a ball body cleaner. <P>SOLUTION: A game ball cleaner (ball body cleaner) 25 for cleaning up the surface of the game balls B is interposed in a hoisting path 32 for conveying a plurality of game balls B aligned. It is provided with a tubular conveying guide member 33 for conveying and guiding the plurality of game balls B and a cleaning member 34 which is kept in contact with the game balls B within a tube through a side opening part 33a of the conveying guide member 33 to clean up the surface of the game balls B. A spiral groove 33b for promoting the spinning of the game balls B is formed in the inner circumference of the conveying guide member 33. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sphere cleaning device that cleans a sphere such as a game ball (pachinko ball) or a golf ball, and a gaming machine such as a slot machine that is played using the game sphere.

  2. Description of the Related Art Sphere cleaning devices that clean spheres such as game balls and golf balls are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). The ball cleaning device for game balls is usually provided in the game ball circulation path (multi-row lifter device) on Pachinko Island, and the game balls are cleaned in the process of being returned from the collection basket to the supply basket. Is going.

  In recent years, a slot machine for playing a game using a game ball (hereinafter referred to as a ball-type slot machine) has been recognized due to a revision of the game machine rules (technical standards related to a rotating game machine). Since game balls are superior to medals in handling, the ball-type slot machine has an advantage that a player can automate the operation of inserting game media.

  The ball type slot machine can be divided into a type that circulates and uses game balls in units of islands as shown in Patent Document 4, and a type that circulates and uses game balls in units of gaming machines as shown in Patent Document 5. it can. The former can be easily installed on existing Pachinko islands, but cannot be installed on existing slot islands or new islands that do not have game ball circulation facilities.

  On the other hand, the latter can be installed on existing slot islands or new islands that do not have game ball circulation facilities, but it is necessary to provide a ball cleaning device for game balls in the game ball circulation path in the ball-type slot machine. There is. For example, a ball-type slot machine described in Patent Document 5 includes a lifter device (lifting device) that lifts the taken game balls in a line to the upper storage tank, and cleans the sphere in the transport path of the lifter device. A device (polishing device) is installed to clean the game balls.

JP 2000-126433 A JP 2002-103198 A JP-A-7-144028 Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-11138 JP 2003-70965 A

  However, the game balls transported by the lifter device are mutually restrained by the game balls arranged in the vertical direction, and therefore pass through the sphere cleaning device with little rotation. As a result, only a small part of the surface of the game ball contacts the cleaning member (polishing cloth), and there is a possibility that sufficient cleaning is not performed. The same applies to the case where an abrasive is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the transport pipe as described in Patent Document 1.

  Moreover, in the spherical body cleaning apparatus shown in Patent Document 5, a polishing cassette in which a tape-like polishing cloth is stored is used. However, according to such a configuration, a drive mechanism for winding up the used polishing cloth is necessary. In addition to this, there is a concern about an increase in running cost due to cassette replacement.

  Note that Patent Document 3 discloses a method of cleaning the entire surface of a sphere such as a golf ball by rotating a linear rotary brush and an external screw type feed screw. However, since a driving mechanism for rotating the rotating brush and the feed screw is necessary, there is a concern that the cost of the sphere cleaning device may be significantly increased.

  The present invention has been considered in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sphere cleaning device that can clean more of the sphere surface without using a drive mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that cleans a game ball with a device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a sphere cleaning device according to the present invention is provided in a transport path for transporting a plurality of spheres arranged in a row, and cleans the sphere surface. And a tubular conveyance guide member that conveys and guides a plurality of spheres, and a cleaning member that contacts the spheres in the tube via the side opening of the conveyance guide member and cleans the sphere surface, A spiral groove that facilitates rotation of the sphere is formed on the inner periphery of the transport guide member.

If it does in this way, the opportunity of contact of a spherical body surface and a cleaning member can be increased by encouraging rotation of a spherical body with the spiral groove formed in the inner periphery of a conveyance guide member. This makes it possible to clean more of the sphere surface without providing a drive mechanism.
The width of the side opening of the conveyance guide member is smaller than the diameter of the sphere to be cleaned, and the sphere does not jump out of the conveyance guide member even if the cleaning member such as a brush is removed. In addition, brush replacement, device cleaning, maintenance, and the like can be easily performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cleaning member is a brush that cleans the surface of the sphere with a large number of hairs.
If it does in this way, reduction of a running cost can be aimed at by using a brush with a long lifetime compared with polishing cloth.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a brush position correcting unit that corrects the position of the brush is provided.
If it does in this way, even if the hair of a brush wears out, a brush position is correct | amended appropriately and the favorable contact state of a brush and a spherical body can be maintained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the brush position correcting means automatically corrects the position of the brush in accordance with wear of the hair.
In this way, the automatic correction of the brush position according to the wear of the hair can not only maintain a good contact state between the brush and the sphere, but also save the trouble of manual position correction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine includes a storage tank that stores game balls, a payout device that pays out the game balls in the storage tank to the player as prize balls, A take-in device for picking up game balls bet on a game, a lifter device for transferring the game balls taken in by the take-up device in a line to the storage tank, and a transfer path of the lifter device, provided on the surface of the game ball A gaming machine including a game ball cleaning device to be cleaned, wherein the game ball cleaning device includes the ball cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
This makes it possible to clean well the game balls that are circulated and used in the game machine without adding a drive mechanism to the game machine.

According to the sphere cleaning device of the present invention, by promoting the rotation of the sphere in the spiral groove formed on the inner periphery of the conveyance guide member, it is possible to increase the contact opportunity between the sphere surface and the cleaning member, Even without providing a drive mechanism, it becomes possible to clean more of the surface of the sphere.
In addition, the width of the side opening of the conveyance guide member is formed smaller than the diameter of the sphere to be cleaned, and the sphere does not jump out of the conveyance guide member even when the cleaning member is removed. Maintenance and the like can be easily performed.
When the sphere cleaning device of the present invention is applied to a gaming machine, it is possible to clean well the gaming balls that are circulated and used in the gaming machine without adding a drive mechanism to the gaming machine.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a gaming machine equipped with a sphere cleaning device and a sphere cleaning device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an internal rear view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an inside of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view.
The gaming machine 1 shown in these drawings is a ball-type slot machine that is played using a gaming ball B (pachinko ball), and is located on the front side of the front door 10 that opens and closes the front opening of the gaming machine 1. , A slot 11 into which the game ball B is inserted, a BET switch 12 and a MAXBET switch 13 for designating the number of game balls B to be applied to the game, a start lever 15 for starting rotation of the rotating drum 14 (14a to 14c), Three stop buttons 16 (16a to 16c) for stopping the rotation of the rotating cylinder 14, a return button 17 for returning the inserted game ball B, and a payout port 18 for paying out the game ball B (prize ball and return ball) And a tray 19 for collecting the game balls B paid out from the payout port 18.

  Further, inside the gaming machine 1, a drum unit 20 in which the revolving drum 14 is incorporated, a storage tank 21 for storing the game ball B, and a payout device for paying out the game ball B in the storage tank 21 to the tray 19 as a prize ball. 22 and a take-in device 23 that takes the game ball B thrown into the slot 11 into the gaming machine according to the player's BET operation, and the game balls B taken in by the take-in device 23 are lined up to the storage tank 21 in a line. A lifter device 24 to be sent, a game ball cleaning device (sphere cleaning device) 25 for cleaning the surface of the game ball B along the transport path of the lifter device 24, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the drum unit 20 and the like. And.

  A player who wants to play a game on the gaming machine 1 first borrows a game ball B at a predetermined unit price. It is preferable that the unit price of the game ball B rented out here matches the unit price of the pachinko ball used in the current pachinko gaming machine. In this way, not only can the game ball B be shared between the ball-type slot machine and the pachinko gaming machine, but also the existing game ball equipment (game ball counter, etc.) installed in the hall can be diverted. . Note that the gaming ball B can be rented out by the stand ball lending machine 26 or the gaming machine 1.

  When matching the unit price of the game ball B with the current pachinko ball, the unit price of the game ball B is 4 yen, which is 1/5 of the unit price (20 yen) of medals used in the current slot machine. Accordingly, the game balls B bet on the game are handled in units of five, and the maximum bet number of one game is 15 (equivalent to three medals). Further, the number of game balls B to be paid out according to the winning contents of the game is in units of 5, and the maximum payout amount per time is 75 (equivalent to 15 medals).

  The player inserts a predetermined number or more of game balls B into the insertion slot 11 and then operates the BET switch 12 or the MAXBET switch 13 to determine the number of game balls B to bet on the game. For example, if the BET switch 12 is operated once, five game balls B are bet on one game, and if the BET switch 12 is operated twice, ten game balls B are bet on one game, and the BET switch 12 is turned on. When three times or the MAXBET switch 13 is operated once, 15 game balls B are bet on one game.

  The take-in device 23 holds the game balls B thrown from the insertion slot 11 in units of five, and takes in the game balls B into the game machine in units of five according to the operation of the BET switch 12 or the MAXBET switch 13. The game ball B captured here is sent to the lifter device 24 via the capture path 27. Further, when the number of game balls B inserted is insufficient with respect to the set bet number or when the return button 17 is operated, the path is switched by the switching machine 28 and the game in the capturing device 23 is performed. The ball B is returned to the tray 19.

  After the player operates the BET switch 12 or the MAXBET switch 13, the player rotates the three rotating cylinders 14 based on the operation of the start lever 15, and then rotates the rotating cylinders 14 based on the operation of the stop button 16. Are stopped sequentially. A plurality of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery of each spinning cylinder 14, and the winning combination is determined based on the stopped symbols on the active line.

  The payout device 22 holds the game balls B supplied from the storage tank 21 in units of five, and discharges the game balls B in units of five according to the winning contents of the game. The game ball B discharged by the payout device 22 is normally paid out to the tray 19 via the payout route 29. When a prize ball number error or the like occurs in the payout device 22, the switching device 30 switches the route. The game ball B in the payout device 22 is sent to the lifter device 24. In addition, in the storage tank 21 of this embodiment, in order to accommodate the game ball B with the adjacent gaming machine 1, a spiral transport body 31 that transports the game ball B in the horizontal direction is incorporated. The presence or absence of the spiral carrier 31 can be arbitrarily selected.

  The lifter device 24 lifts the game balls B sent from the take-in device 23 and the payout device 22 to the storage tank 21 in a state of being aligned in a line via a lifting path 32 that rises substantially vertically. The lifter device 24 of the present embodiment immediately lifts the game ball B sent from the take-in device 23 or the payout device 22, but temporarily stores the game ball B sent from the take-in device 23 or the payout device 22. A lower storage tank may be provided, and the game ball B may be lifted according to the storage status of the lower storage tank or the storage tank 21. The structure of the sphere lifting mechanism provided in the lifter device 24 is not limited. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-126433 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-70965, a known sphere lifting mechanism including a sprocket-shaped feed rotor and a motor that drives the sprocket can be used. .

[First embodiment]
4 is a side view of the game ball cleaning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the game ball cleaning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the gaming ball cleaning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along the line BB.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the game ball cleaning device 25 is provided in a lifting path 32 of the lifter device 24, and has a tubular transport guide member 33 that transports and guides a plurality of game balls B, and a transport guide. A cleaning member 34 that contacts the game ball B in the pipe via the side opening 33a of the member 33 and cleans the surface of the game ball B is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a spiral groove 33 b that promotes the rotation of the game ball B is formed on the inner periphery of the conveyance guide member 33. That is, the game balls B that are lifted in a row are restrained by the game balls B that are vertically adjacent to each other, but when they touch the inner peripheral surface on which the spiral groove 33b is formed, they are lifted by the contact resistance. A part of the force is converted into a rotational force, and the rotation of the game ball B is promoted. Thereby, without adding a drive mechanism, the contact opportunity of the game ball B and the cleaning member 34 can be increased, and more of the surface of the game ball B can be cleaned. In the present embodiment, when forming the spiral groove 33b, the inner periphery of the transport guide member 33 is spirally processed. However, another spiral member (for example, a coil spring shape) is formed on the inner periphery of the transport guide member 33. May be provided integrally.

The cleaning member 34 of this embodiment is a so-called brush, and includes a plate-like brush holder 35 and a large number of hairs 36 that are implanted on one side of the brush holder 35. The brush holder 35 is supported by a pair of upper and lower brackets 37 projecting from the conveyance guide member 33 via shaft members 38, and the bristles 36 protruding from the brush holder 35 toward the conveyance guide member 33. When the tip comes into contact with the game ball B in the pipe via the side opening 33a of the transport guide member 33, the surface of the game ball B is cleaned.
Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the width of the side opening 33a of the conveyance guide member 33 is formed smaller than the diameter of the game ball B to be cleaned, and the game ball B is conveyed from the side opening 33a to the conveyance guide. It is held so as not to fall out of the member 33. Thereby, even if the brush holder 35 and the like are removed, the game ball B does not jump out of the transport guide member 33, and the brush can be easily replaced and the apparatus can be cleaned and maintained.

  The brush holder 35 can correct the position with respect to the conveyance guide member 33. This is to maintain a good contact state between the hair 36 and the game ball B even if the hair 36 is worn out. In the present embodiment, the position correction of the brush holder 35 is allowed by making the through hole 35a of the shaft member 38 formed in the brush holder 35 into a long hole.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the position of the brush holder 35 is automatically corrected in accordance with wear of the bristles 36. If comprised in this way, the effort of the position correction by a manual will not be saved, but the contact state of the hair | bristle 36 and the game ball B can always be kept favorable. In this embodiment, the through-hole 35a of the brush holder 35 is an inclined long hole, and the brush holder 35 is displaced toward the conveyance guide member 33 by its own weight. As a result, the bristles 36 come into contact with the game ball B while receiving an appropriate load, and not only a good cleaning action is obtained, but also the position of the brush holder 35 is automatically corrected according to the wear of the bristles 36.

  The position correction means (brush position correction means) for the cleaning member 34 is not limited to the above. For example, the position of the brush holder 35 may be corrected using a parallel link mechanism. In the above embodiment, the brush holder 35 is displaced by its own weight toward the conveyance guide member 33 due to the inclination of the long hole. However, a spring that urges the brush holder 35 toward the conveyance guide member 33 may be provided.

  According to the game ball cleaning device 25 of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, a tubular transport guide member 33 that transports and guides the game ball B, and a side opening 33a of the transport guide member 33. And a cleaning member 34 that contacts the game ball B in the tube and cleans the surface of the game ball B, but on the inner periphery of the transport guide member 33, there is a spiral groove 33b that promotes the rotation of the game ball B. Is formed, the chance of contact between the game ball B and the cleaning member 34 can be increased by the rotation of the game ball B. This makes it possible to clean more of the surface of the game ball B without adding a drive mechanism.

  Moreover, since the cleaning member 34 is a brush that cleans the surface of the game ball B with a large number of hairs 36, the life of the cleaning member 34 is extended and the running cost is reduced as compared with the case where an abrasive cloth is used. Can do.

  Further, since the cleaning member 34 automatically corrects the position of the brush holder 35 in accordance with the wear of the hair 36, it is possible to maintain a good contact state between the hair 36 and the game ball B regardless of the wear of the hair 36. In addition, manual correction of the position of the brush holder 35 is unnecessary, and maintenance can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a game ball cleaning device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, about the structure common to the said embodiment, the same code | symbol as the said embodiment is attached | subjected and description of the said embodiment is used.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the gaming ball cleaning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the gaming ball cleaning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The game ball cleaning device 39 according to the second embodiment shown in these drawings includes two cleaning members 34, and these cleaning members 34 are formed on two side surfaces of the transport guide member 33. The point which contacts the game ball B in a pipe | tube simultaneously via the part 33a is different from 1st embodiment. According to such a configuration, the contact area between the game ball B and the hair 36 is doubled as compared to the first embodiment, so that the game ball B can be cleaned better.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a game ball cleaning device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, about the structure common to the said embodiment, the same code | symbol as the said embodiment is attached | subjected and description of the said embodiment is used.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a game ball cleaning device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of the game ball cleaning device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The game ball cleaning device 40 of the third embodiment shown in these drawings is different from the first embodiment in that the position of the cleaning member 34 is manually corrected. Specifically, the through hole 35a of the brush holder 35 is a horizontal long hole, and the shaft member penetrating the through hole 35a is constituted by a thumbscrew 41. According to such a configuration, when the bristle 36 is worn out, the thumbscrew 41 is loosened, the brush holder 35 is displaced toward the conveyance guide member 33, and then the thumbscrew 41 is tightened. The position is manually corrected appropriately, and a good contact state between the hair 36 and the game ball B can be maintained.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a game ball cleaning device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, about the structure common to the said embodiment, the same code | symbol as the said embodiment is attached | subjected and description of the said embodiment is used.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gaming ball cleaning device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional view of the gaming ball cleaning device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The game ball cleaning device 42 of the fourth embodiment shown in these drawings is different from the first embodiment in that the cleaning member is not a brush but is composed of a sheet-like member 43 made of paper or cloth. Yes. Specifically, two side opening portions 33a are formed in the conveyance guide member 33, and a sheet-like member 43 is wound around the outer periphery of the conveyance guide member 33 so as to close the side opening portions 33a. The member 43 is held by a detachable sheet holder 44 along the outer periphery of the conveyance guide member 33. Even in such a configuration, the game ball B lifted in the conveyance guide member 33 is positively brought into contact with the sheet-like member 43 while receiving a rotation action by the spiral groove 33b, and has a larger area. It will be cleaned well.

As mentioned above, although the preferable embodiment was shown and demonstrated about the sphere cleaning apparatus of this invention and the game machine provided with this sphere cleaning apparatus, this invention is not limited only to embodiment mentioned above, this It goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.
For example, as the sphere to be cleaned by the sphere cleaning device of the present invention, in the above-described embodiment, a game ball used for a pachinko game or a slot machine game has been described as an example, but the sphere to be cleaned of the present invention is In particular, it is not limited to game balls such as pachinko games. For example, any sphere that needs to be cleaned, such as a golf ball or a baseball, can be targeted.

  In addition, as the gaming machine provided with the sphere cleaning device of the present invention, in the above-described embodiment, a ball type slot machine that is played using a gaming sphere has been described as an example, but the sphere cleaning according to the present invention is described. As a gaming machine equipped with a device, if it is a variety of gaming machines that use gaming balls, in addition to ball-type slot machines, pachinko machines, arrange ball machines, sparrow ball machines, etc. An installation form etc. are not specifically limited.

  The present invention is applied to a sphere cleaning device that cleans a sphere such as a game ball or golf ball, or a gaming machine such as a slot machine that is played using a game sphere. In particular, it is useful in a ball type slot machine in which game balls are circulated and used in units of game machines.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an internal rear view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an internal side view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the game ball cleaning device concerning a first embodiment of the present invention. It is AA sectional drawing of the game ball cleaning apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is BB sectional drawing of the game ball cleaning apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the game ball cleaning apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is CC sectional drawing of the game ball cleaning apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the game ball cleaning apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the game ball cleaning apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the game ball cleaning apparatus which concerns on 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view of the game ball cleaning device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 11 Input port 18 Discharge port 19 Receptacle 21 Storage tank 22 Discharge device 23 Pick-up device 23 Lifter device 25, 39, 40, 42 Game ball cleaning device 32 Lifting path 33 Conveyance guide member 33a Side opening 33b Spiral groove 34 Cleaning member 35 Brush holder 36 Hair B Game ball

Claims (5)

A sphere cleaning device that is provided in a transport path for transporting a plurality of spheres arranged in a row and cleans the sphere surface,
A tubular conveyance guide member for conveying and guiding a plurality of spheres;
A cleaning member that contacts the sphere in the pipe through the side opening of the conveyance guide member and cleans the sphere surface;
The spherical body cleaning apparatus, wherein a spiral groove that promotes rotation of the spherical body is formed on an inner periphery of the conveyance guide member.   The sphere cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is a brush that cleans the surface of the sphere with a plurality of hairs.   The sphere cleaning device according to claim 2, further comprising brush position correcting means for correcting the position of the brush.   The sphere cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the brush position correcting means automatically corrects the position of the brush in accordance with wear of the hair. A storage tank for storing game balls;
A payout device for paying out a game ball in the storage tank to a player as a prize ball;
A capture device that captures a game ball bet on the game by the player;
A lifter device that lifts the game balls taken in by the take-in device in a line to the storage tank; and
A game machine provided with a game ball cleaning device that is provided in a transfer path of the lifter device and cleans the surface of the game ball,
A gaming machine comprising the ball cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 as the game ball cleaning device.