JP2007014402A - Game medium counter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a counter capable of executing a speedy counting process without keeping a customer waiting. <P>SOLUTION: The counter C is disposed between pachinko machines for counting the number of pachinko balls used in the pachinko machines. The counter C comprises a slot for receiving pachinko balls, a counting part for counting pachinko balls loaded into the slot, a hopper storage part for storing a hopper 10 with a slot, and a hopper drawing button 11 for drawing the hopper 10 out of the hopper storage part. The hopper 10 has a telescopic part 30 with a side panel facing the direction of drawing composed of first to third slide parts 31-33. At least part of the side frame of the first to third slide parts 31-33 is slid at a prescribed angle of rotation to the direction orthogonally crossing the direction of drawing of the hopper 10 with one end of the telescopic part 30 as the center of rotation axis to expand the slot. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game media counter that counts the number of game media such as pachinko balls and medals used in gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines.

  In general, in a game arcade where game machines such as pachinko machines are installed, a pachinko island made up of a plurality of pachinko machines is configured. A game medium counter for counting the number of game media such as pachinko balls to be paid out as a result of the game is installed, for example, at one end or the center of a prize exchange or pachinko island (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  The pachinko ball counter (jet counter) disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a hopper that receives a pachinko ball that is input, and the pachinko balls that flow in from the hopper are aligned and sent in a row for each of a plurality of parallel counting lanes. And a ball counting sensor for counting the number of pachinko balls arranged and sent out by the ball alignment unit. This pachinko ball counting machine has a mechanism for counting the number of pachinko balls thrown into the hopper and issuing a pachinko ball number recording ticket (receipt) on which the pachinko ball counting result is printed as necessary. Yes. The receipt is used for gift exchange.

At the amusement hall, when a customer calls an employee (store clerk) at the amusement hall and asks for a count of the number of balls (pachinko balls acquired), the called store clerk receives a dollar box (made of plastic to put the balls in). No.) is carried to one end or the center of the pachinko island where the pachinko ball counter is installed, and the balls are counted. Or the present condition is that the customer himself carries the dollar box to the place where the pachinko ball counter is installed and counts out the balls.
JP 2001-224829 A (paragraph 0022, FIG. 1)

  However, when the number of customers calling the store clerk increases just before the game hall is closed, the time for the store clerk to stick to the pachinko ball counter increases, and the work load of the store clerk also increases. As a result, the reception of the clerk will be delayed and the customer will wait. In addition, even when the customer counts, they are arranged in a row and wait for the counting order. Furthermore, it takes too much time to close the store on the game hall side. Therefore, in particular, a quick counting process is desired in the closing time zone.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a game medium counter capable of solving the above-described problems and executing a quick counting process without waiting for a customer.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the gaming medium counter according to claim 1 is provided with the gaming machines arranged in parallel to count the number of gaming media used in at least a gaming machine including a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine. A gaming medium counter provided between the gaming machines and receiving the gaming medium and counting means for counting the gaming media thrown into the receiving slot, the casing having the receiving slot being accommodated It is characterized by comprising storage means and drawing means for pulling out the casing from the storage means.

  According to such a configuration, since the game medium counter includes the storage means and the drawer means, the casing having the receiving port is always stored in the storage means, and the casing is pulled out of the storage means by the drawer means when in use. Can be used for Therefore, even if it is provided between the gaming machines, it does not get in the way. Here, the game medium is a pachinko ball or a medal corresponding to the gaming machine. Further, the drawing means may be automatic or manual.

  A game medium counter according to a second aspect of the present invention is the game medium counter according to the first aspect, wherein the housing includes an expansion component that expands the receiving port.

  According to such a configuration, in the game medium counter, the housing having the receiving port can expand the receiving port by the expansion configuration means. The expansion component means is not particularly limited as long as it has a configuration for expanding the receiving port. For example, the horizontal receiving port may be expanded in the horizontal direction as it is by the drawer structure, or the receiving port may be rotated. You may change the direction of the receptacle. In order to expand, an elastic body such as a spring may be provided.

  The game medium counter according to claim 3 is the game medium counter according to claim 2, wherein the expansion component means is composed of a plurality of plate-like members facing a side surface orthogonal to a drawing direction of the housing. When the casing is pulled out by the pull-out means, the plate-shaped member has at least a part of the side plate parallel to the pull-out direction of the casing with the one end side of the plate-shaped member as the center of the rotation axis. The housing is arranged to be slidable at a predetermined rotation angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction of the housing.

  According to this configuration, the gaming medium counter can expand the receiving port in a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction because the plurality of plate-like members slide when the housing having the receiving port is pulled out by the pulling means. it can. In addition, since the receiving port expands after the housing is pulled out, the front opening in a state in which the housing is accommodated can be shortened. The plurality of plate-like members are predetermined in a direction perpendicular to the drawing-out direction of the case, with at least a part of the side plate parallel to the drawing-out direction of the case, with one end of the plate-like member being the center of the rotation axis. Therefore, the working space for putting the game medium into the receiving port can be reduced, and the expanded receiving port does not get in the way. Here, when the whole part of the side plate to be slid is slid, the receiving port can be expanded to the maximum. It is also possible to slide a part of the side plate so that a game medium flow path is formed inside the housing, and the game medium introduced from the receiving port is guided to the flow path.

  The game medium counter according to claim 4 is the game medium counter according to claim 2, wherein the expansion component means is composed of a plurality of plate-like members facing a side surface orthogonal to a drawing direction of the housing. When the casing is pulled out by the pull-out means, the plate-shaped member has at least a part of the side plate parallel to the pull-out direction of the casing with the one end side of the plate-shaped member as the center of the rotation axis. And a pair of engaging portions and a locking portion for sliding at a predetermined rotation angle and fixing with respect to a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction of the housing.

  According to such a configuration, in the game medium counting machine, in addition to the operation described in claim 3, since the plurality of plate-like members each have the pair of engaging portions and the locking portions, they are fixed at a predetermined rotation angle. This makes it easier to insert game media from the receiving port. Here, the pair of engaging portions and the locking portion maintain a predetermined rotation angle when the receiving port is expanded, and are easily released when the receiving port is restored. This is a combination with a protrusion to be used or a step.

  The game medium counter according to claim 5 is the game medium counter according to claim 2, wherein the expansion component means has one end connected to a side plate perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the housing and the other end. Is a bellows connected to a side plate parallel to the drawing direction of the housing.

  According to this configuration, in the game medium counter, one end of the casing is connected to the side plate orthogonal to the drawer direction of the casing, and the other end is connected to the side plate parallel to the drawer direction of the casing. Since the bellows is connected, the expanded receptacle can be easily restored to the original size. Here, the direction in which the plurality of plate-like members are overlapped may be a direction parallel to or perpendicular to the drawing-out direction of the receptacle. Moreover, you may make it form a bellows by coat | covering a several plate-shaped member with leather, cloth, a synthetic resin, etc., for example.

  The game medium counter according to claim 6 is the game medium counter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drawer means is an input means for inputting an instruction to drive the housing. The control means for controlling the drive direction of the casing based on the drive instruction input by the input means, the guide for guiding the casing, and the drive controlled by the control means along the guide Drive means for driving the housing in a direction.

  According to such a configuration, the game medium counter automatically pulls out the casing along the guide through the driving means by the drawing-out means, and also pulls the pulled-out casing into the storage means along the guide through the driving means. And store automatically. Here, the driving means includes various members such as a roller, a gear, and a motor connected to the housing.

  The game media counter according to claim 7 is the game media counter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one game media passage through which the game media can pass one by one is provided. And an alignment means for aligning the game media inserted into the receptacle by the game medium passage, wherein the counting means counts the game media aligned by the alignment means, and the alignment means and the counting means are The game medium counter is disposed outside the housing.

  According to such a configuration, the game media counter aligns the game media thrown into the receiving port by the aligning means. The game medium passage provided in the aligning means is a lane in which the game media can be arranged in, for example, one row and one stage. Then, the game medium counter counts the game media aligned by the alignment means, for example, by a counting means corresponding to the lane. Since the aligning means is disposed outside the housing, the aligning means can be enlarged, that is, the number of lanes can be increased. As a result, even if a large amount of game media is inserted from the receiving port, it can be accurately counted. Here, the outside of the housing of the game medium counter is, for example, the inside of a support frame for supporting a plurality of game machines and game medium counters to form a game machine island.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the casing having the receiving port is normally stored in the storage means, and when used, the drawer means can be used to pull out the casing from the storage means. Even if it is provided, the customer who uses the game machine can count the number of balls. Thereby, the customer does not need to call an employee of the amusement hall or line up himself / herself, and can quickly perform the counting process at any time.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the housing having the receiving port can expand the receiving port, it becomes easy to insert the game medium from the receiving port. Further, it is suitable for being disposed in a relatively narrow place such as between gaming machines.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the receiving port can be expanded after the housing having the receiving port is pulled out, it is easy to insert the game medium from the receiving port. Moreover, the frontage in the state in which the housing is accommodated can be shortened. In addition, the game medium counter slides the side plate parallel to the drawing direction of the housing with the one end side of the plate-like member as the rotation axis, thus reducing the work space for inserting the game media into the receiving port of the housing Yes, the expanded receptacle does not get in the way.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the expansion component means has the engaging portion and the locking portion respectively on the plate-like member, it can be fixed at a predetermined rotation angle, and the game medium is inserted from the receiving port. It becomes easy.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the bellows composed of a plurality of plate-like members is connected to the receptacle of the housing, the expanded receptacle can be easily restored to the original size.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the outlet can be opened and closed automatically by the drawing means, the usability is improved.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a large amount of gaming media are smoothed by the aligning means, so that the gaming media can be prevented from being clogged and accurately counted. Further, since the aligning means and the counting means are disposed outside the housing of the game medium counter, the housing can be miniaturized.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
[Counter configuration]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a counter and a gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 1, in a game hall, a plurality of gaming machines P are supported by a support frame W and arranged side by side in the width direction (left and right direction when the gaming machine P is viewed from the front) to form a gaming machine island. The A counter (game media counter) C and a sand (inter-table lending machine) S are accommodated in the pillar H between the gaming machines P. In the present embodiment, although not shown, a gaming machine P, a counter C, and a sand S are installed back-to-back on both sides of the support frame W, and the pachinko balls used for the game are placed inside the support frame W. A transport basket (Toyo) is provided to collect the waste.

The gaming machines P include pachinko machines, pachislot machines, video game machines and the like.
The counter C counts the number of game media used for the gaming machine P. Here, the game medium differs depending on the type of the gaming machine P, and is, for example, a pachinko ball or a medal.
The sand S is a lending machine such as a card-type or cash-type pachinko ball or medal, and is provided with, for example, a call lamp and a lighting device, although not shown.
In the following description, it is assumed that the gaming machine P is a pachinko machine and the counter C counts pachinko balls.

2 is an external view of the counter shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the counter when the hopper shown in FIG. 2 is viewed from the direction indicated by arrow A, and FIG. (B) shows a state in which the hopper is accommodated. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the counter in a state where the hopper shown in FIG. 3 is partially opened.
First, a description will be given with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the counter C includes a hopper 10, a hopper withdrawal button 11, a counting start button 12, a liquid crystal panel 13, a ticket issuing button 14, and a receipt issuing port 15 that are connected to the internal controller 20. And on the outer surface.

  The hopper (housing having a receiving port) 10 is configured to be able to be pulled out and receives a pachinko ball from the receiving port, and serves as a flow path for flowing the received pachinko ball to the counting unit 23 described later at a predetermined height position at the bottom. The first slope 101 (see FIG. 3) is inclined so as to become lower toward the back. The first slope 101 is provided at a position where it does not interfere with the telescopic portion 30 (see FIG. 6) described later. A cushion material that absorbs the impact of the inserted pachinko balls may be laminated on the surface of the first slope 101.

  The hopper pull-out button (input means) 11 automatically pulls out the hopper 10 along a guide 210 (see FIG. 4) via a hopper driving mechanism (driving means) 25 (see FIG. 3) which will be described later. 10 is an operation button for automatically storing 10 through the hopper drive mechanism 25 along the guide 210 of the hopper storage unit 21 (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the hopper pull-out button 11 is pressed, a signal (drive instruction) indicating that the hopper pull-out button 11 has been pressed is output to the controller (control means) 20. The controller 20 outputs a current indicating normal rotation or reverse rotation to the motor 251 of the hopper driving mechanism 25 in order to open and close the hopper 10. In the present embodiment, the hopper pull-out button 11, the controller 20, the hopper drive mechanism 25, and the guide 210 are used as the pull-out means.

  The counting start button 12 is an operation button for starting counting pachinko balls put into the hopper 10. When the count start button 12 is pressed, a signal indicating that it has been pressed is output to the controller 20. Based on this signal, the controller 20 causes the liquid crystal panel 13 to display the reset value “0”.

The liquid crystal panel 13 displays a pachinko ball counting result and the like based on a command from the controller 20.
The ticket issuing button 14 is an operation button for issuing a pachinko ball number recording ticket (receipt) on which a pachinko ball counting result is printed. When the ticket issuing button 14 is pressed, a signal indicating that the ticket is pressed is output to the controller 20. The controller 20 is connected to a printing device (not shown), and outputs a control signal for instructing the printing device to write pachinko ball counting results and the like. Receipt paper is set in this printing apparatus, and the issued receipt is discharged from the receipt issuing port 15.

  The controller 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a storage means such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. By developing the program in the RAM and executing the program, predetermined signal processing is performed based on an input signal from the counting unit 23 described later, and display processing and printing processing of the counting result are executed. Further, the controller 20 includes drive current supply means (not shown) for driving the hopper drive mechanism 25 (see FIG. 3). This drive current supply means reverses the polarity of the supply current each time the hopper pull-out button 11 is pressed. Thereby, the drive direction (drawing direction, storage direction) of the hopper 10 is reversed. The controller 20 of each counter C may be connected to a HUB with a cable and connected to various management terminals or the like via an in-game LAN (Local Area Network).

  Next, a description will be given with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the counter C includes a hopper storage unit 21, a guide unit 22 connected to the hopper storage unit 21, a counting unit 23, a discharge unit 24, and a hopper drive mechanism 25. ing. Note that a part of the hopper storage unit 21 connected to the guide unit 22, the guide unit 22, the counting unit 23, the discharge unit 24, and the hopper driving mechanism 25 are exposed from the housing of the counter C. And provided in a space surrounded by back-to-back gaming machines P, P and a support frame W (see FIG. 1).

  The hopper storage unit (storage means) 21 stores the hopper 10, has a guide 210 (see FIG. 4) for guiding the hopper 10, and causes pachinko balls received from the receiving port of the hopper 10 to flow to the counting unit 23. As a flow path, it has the 2nd slope 211 which inclined so that it might become so low that it went to the back at the bottom part.

  The hopper storage portion 21 is provided with an opening that allows a pachinko ball to flow to the guide portion 22 at the position of the bottom end portion of the second slope 211. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the second slope 211 is provided at a height such that the second slope 211 smoothly connects to the first slope 101 of the hopper 10 when the hopper 10 is pulled out. When the hopper 10 is stored in the hopper storage portion 21, the second slope 211 and the first slope 101 are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second slope 211 is supported by a plurality of support members 212 erected from the bottom of the hopper storage portion 21, and the first slope 101 stands from the bottom of the hopper 10. It is supported by a plurality of support members 213 provided, and these support members 212 and 213 are arranged at positions that do not interfere with each other. The support members 213 may be arranged in a comb shape in the depth direction in FIG. 3B, and the second slope 211 may be provided with a notch at a position where it engages with the support member 213. In this case, the width of the notch is shorter than the size of the pachinko ball.

  The guide section 22 is a guide path that guides the pachinko balls flowing from the hopper storage section 21 to the counting section 23. As shown in FIG. 3A, the guide section 221 and the second guide path 222 are guided. A presser plate 223 and an alignment portion 224.

  The first guide path 221 has a relatively large inclination so that the pachinko balls do not stay in the hopper storage portion 21, and reverses the advancing direction of the pachinko balls flowing from the opening of the hopper storage portion 21. 2 flows through the two guide paths 222.

  The second guide path 222 has an inclination of a relatively small angle in order to reverse the traveling direction of the pachinko balls flowing from the first guide path 221 and to reduce the speed of the pachinko balls that have flowed, and the alignment unit 224. It is what you shed.

  The holding plate 223 is provided above the second guide path 222 and the alignment part 224, and enters the alignment part 224 by scraping the momentum of the pachinko balls that flowed vigorously from the second guide path 222 and repelled upward. It is for making it happen.

  The alignment part (alignment means) 224 aligns the pachinko balls put into the hopper 10. The alignment unit 224 aligns pachinko balls flowing from the second guide path 222 and sends them to the counting unit 23. An example of the alignment unit 224 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the alignment unit illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the alignment unit 224 has a width of one pachinko ball and has a plurality of lanes (game medium passages) in which one pachinko ball can pass one by one. . Therefore, a plurality of pachinko balls flowing out from the second guide path 222 in a group of irregular shapes vertically and horizontally on a horizontal plane are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction by 10 pieces (10 rows). So that they are aligned. Thereby, even if a large amount of pachinko balls are thrown in and overlapped, they are smoothed to prevent clogging. In the case of a counter that counts medals instead of pachinko balls, the alignment section is configured with passages (game medium passages) whose sizes correspond to the thickness of the medals and the diameter of the medals, respectively. Before the medals enter the passage one by one, the directions of the medals are aligned by, for example, centrifugal force.

Returning to FIG. 3, the description will be continued.
The counting unit (counting means) 23 counts pachinko balls thrown into the hopper 10, that is, pachinko balls arranged by the aligning unit 224, and includes, for example, a plurality of sensors that detect the proximity and presence of the pachinko balls. Is done. The detection medium of these sensors may be magnetic or light. For example, if it is light, it may be transmissive or reflective. Specifically, the counting unit 23 includes the same number of proximity sensors as the number of lanes at positions corresponding to the lanes of the alignment unit 224. These sensors are connected to the controller 20 via signal lines, and are turned on each time a pachinko ball approaches, and output a detection signal to the controller 20. Accordingly, the controller 20 counts the number of balls that have passed through the counting unit 23 based on the detection signal of each sensor.

  The discharging unit 24 is for discharging the pachinko balls counted (passed) by the counting unit 23 to a pachinko ball carrying bowl (not shown) provided inside the gaming machine island (see FIG. 1). It is a passage. The pachinko balls discharged from the discharge unit 24 are transported to a polishing machine that polishes pachinko balls via a transporting basket, stored, and distributed to a ball lending machine or a gaming machine P.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hopper drive mechanism 25 includes a motor 251, gears 252 and 253, and a roller 254. The motor 251 is fixed to the outer wall of the hopper storage unit 21 and is connected to the controller 20. A gear 252 attached to the rotation shaft of the motor 251 is engaged with a gear 253 attached to the roller 254, and the roller 254 rotates in conjunction with the motor 251. A thread is threaded on the surface of the roller 254 and is screwed into the screwing member 103. Inside the hole of the screwing member 103, a groove to be screwed into the thread of the roller 254 is screwed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the screwing member 103 is provided on the side surface (left side in the storage direction) of the hopper 10. A notch-shaped guide 210 that also serves as a stopper is provided at a position corresponding to the screwing member 103 of the hopper storage portion 21. In addition, while providing a rail-shaped guide in the inner surface bottom part of the hopper accommodating part 21, you may make it provide the sliding part which slides on a rail-shaped guide on the bottom face of the hopper 10. FIG.

[Hopper structure]
Next, the structure of the hopper 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the hopper illustrated in FIG. 2 is pulled out, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the receiving port of the hopper illustrated in FIG. 6 is expanded.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the hopper 10 includes two expansion / contraction portions (expansion constituent means) 30. The stretchable portion 30 is composed of a plurality of (three in the figure) plate-like members made of steel, and these plate-like members are stacked so as to face the side surface perpendicular to the pulling-out direction of the hopper 10. A part of the side plate parallel to the drawing direction of 10 is arranged to be slidable at a predetermined rotation angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction of the hopper 10 with the one end side of the plate-like member as the center of the rotation axis. ing. In addition, in order to guide the pachinko ball thrown into the receiving port to the first slope 101, a predetermined part may be slid. These members are disposed on the inner surface of the side plate.

  When the expansion / contraction part 30 is slid, as shown in FIG. 7, the side frame 40 (side plate parallel to the pull-out direction of the hopper 10) 40 connected to the expansion / contraction part 30 rotates at a predetermined position on the bottom. To do. Thereby, the receptacle of the hopper 10 expands. Note that the position of the rotation shaft is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 7, and may be arranged at the upper part or the middle part of the side frame 40.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, each plate-like member forming the stretchable portion 30 has a fan-like shape (or one end (the left end in FIG. 7) is square and the other end (the right end in FIG. 7) is rounded (or Isosceles triangle shape). Although omitted in FIG. 7, as will be described later, an engaging portion and a locking portion are provided on one surface and the other surface of each plate-like member (see FIG. 8). ). Then, the engaging portion provided on one surface of the predetermined plate-like member is locked by the locking portion provided on the other surface of the adjacent plate-like member, whereby the predetermined plate-like member is The side frame 40 in the pull-out direction (X-axis direction) of the hopper 10 with respect to a direction (the positive direction of the Y-axis) perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the hopper 10 with the one end side of the plate-shaped member as the center of the rotation axis It can slide to a predetermined rotation angle. Here, the pair of engaging portions and the locking portion use, for example, a combination of a groove and a protrusion that fits the groove or a step, and maintain a predetermined rotation angle when the expansion / contraction part 30 is expanded. When the expansion / contraction part 30 is restored (reduced), the engagement is easily released.

[Counter operation]
Next, the operation of the counter C shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 (see FIGS. 2 to 7 as appropriate). 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the counter shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 8A shows how the hopper changes, and FIG. 8B shows how the extendable part changes.
First, as shown in FIG. 2, the user (customer) presses the hopper pull-out button 11 while the hopper 10 is stored in the hopper storage portion 21 (see FIG. 3). Then, a signal indicating that the button has been pressed is output to the controller 20, and based on this signal, the controller 20 outputs, for example, a current indicating forward rotation so that the motor 251 of the hopper driving mechanism 25 opens the hopper 10. To do.

  As a result, the hopper 10 comes out from the hopper storage portion 21 (see FIG. 3) in the positive direction of the X-axis, passes through the intermediate state shown in FIG. 4, and as shown in FIG. 30 goes out completely. Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, the telescopic portion 30 gradually extends in a direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the hopper 10 (the positive direction of the Y axis: see FIG. 7), and the receiving port of the hopper 10 Expand.

  The movement of the expansion / contraction part 30 at this time will be described with reference to FIG. The expansion / contraction part 30 includes a first slide part (plate member) 31, a second slide part (plate member) 32, and a third slide part (plate member) 33. A predetermined groove is formed in the surface frame (side surface orthogonal to the pulling direction) 102 </ b> A of the hopper 10. The surface of the first slide portion 31 is provided with point-like protrusions that fit into the grooves of the surface frame 102A, and a predetermined groove is formed. Further, the surface of the second slide portion 32 is provided with a projection that fits the groove of the first slide portion 31 and a predetermined groove is formed. Further, the surface of the third slide portion 33 is provided with a protrusion that fits the groove of the second slide portion 32, and a predetermined groove is formed. Note that these grooves and protrusions are examples of engaging portions and locking portions, respectively.

  When the two expansion / contraction parts 30 of the hopper 10 completely go out, the expansion / contraction part 30 is shown on the right side through the state shown in the middle from the state shown on the left side in FIG. Change to state. That is, first, the first slide portion 31 slides around the rotation shaft 34 while the first slide portion 31 to the third slide portion 33 are overlapped. Next, the second slide portion 32 slides around the rotation shaft 34 while the second slide portion 32 and the third slide portion 33 are overlapped. Further, the third slide portion 33 slides around the rotation shaft 34. As a result, the expansion / contraction part 30 expands like a fan. Thus, when the expansion / contraction part 30 is fully extended (the expansion / contraction part 30 slides at a predetermined rotation angle), the state shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

  When the user presses the counting start button 12 in the state shown in FIG. 7, the reset value “0” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13, and the posture for accepting the ball is ready. Subsequently, the user throws a ball into the hopper 10 from the dollar box. The pachinko balls thrown into the hopper 10 fall onto the first slope 101 as shown in FIG. 3 and pass through the opening at the bottom of the hopper storage portion 21 from the second slope 211 smoothly connected to the first slope 101. And enters the guide section 22 of the counter C. When pachinko balls arranged in one row and one row by the aligning unit 224 (see FIG. 5) of the guide unit 22 pass through the counting unit 23, each sensor of the counting unit 23 outputs a detection signal to the controller 20. As a result, the controller 20 counts the number of balls that have passed through the counting unit 23 and displays it on the liquid crystal panel 13 (see FIG. 7).

  The user who sees this display recognizes that the counting of the payouts has ended, and presses the ticket issuing button 14. Then, a receipt on which a pachinko ball counting result or the like is written by a printing device (not shown) according to an instruction from the controller 20 is discharged from the receipt issuing port 15. The user presses the hopper pull-out button 11 in a state where the pulled-out hopper 10 is pushed from the side and the expansion / contraction part 30 is contracted and supported. Then, a signal indicating that the button has been pressed is output to the controller 20, and the controller 20 outputs, for example, a current indicating reverse rotation so that the motor 251 of the hopper driving mechanism 25 closes the hopper 10 based on this signal. To do. Thereby, the hopper 10 is accommodated in the hopper accommodating part 21 (refer FIG. 3), and will be in the state shown in FIG. On the other hand, the pachinko balls that have passed through the counting unit 23 (see FIG. 3) of the counter C are discharged from the discharge unit 24 to a conveyance basket (not shown).

  According to the counter C of the present embodiment, when the hopper 10 is pulled out, the hopper 10 is expanded in the direction orthogonal to the pulling direction by the extendable portion 30, so that it is easy to put the ball into the receiving port of the hopper 10. Moreover, the frontage of the state in which the hopper 10 is accommodated can be shortened. Moreover, since the receptacle of the hopper 10 expands in this way, the hopper 10 itself does not get in the way when throwing out the balls. According to this, the customer can execute a quick counting process by himself / herself.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, It can implement in the range which does not change the meaning. For example, the shape of the plate-like member constituting the expansion / contraction part 30 is not limited to that shown in the figure, and for example, it may have a rounded shape as a whole. Also, the material is not limited to steel, and it may be made of aluminum alloy, wood, or plastic as long as it has a thickness that can ensure a predetermined strength.

  In the present embodiment, the hopper 10 of the counter C is automatically pulled out, but may be configured to be pulled out manually. In this case, a knob or a pulling handle is attached to the outer surface of the hopper 10 as a pulling means. According to this, electric power consumption can be reduced compared with automatic drawer.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, predetermined grooves are formed on the surfaces of the first slide portion 31 to the third slide portion 33, and dot-like protrusions are formed. However, the engaging portion and the locking portion formed on the plate-like member are not limited to these grooves and protrusions, and may be linear protrusions that form a predetermined step. The stretchable part in this case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows another example of the engaging portion and the locking portion as viewed from above the hopper. (A) shows a state during storage, and (b) shows a state during expansion.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the telescopic part 30 </ b> A in this case includes a first slide part 51 to a third slide part 53, and is provided on one surface of the first slide part 51 to the third slide part 53. Are provided with linear protrusions 51a to 53a, respectively, and linear protrusions 51b to 53c are provided on the other surface. And one surface of the 1st slide part 51-the 3rd slide part 53 is accumulated so that it may arrange on the surface frame 102B side ahead of a hopper. A linear projection 61 is provided on the surface of the front frame 102B on the first slide portion 51 side at the right end in the drawing.

  When the extendable part 30A is slid, it extends as shown in FIG. 9B. That is, in this state, the protrusion 51a of the first slide portion 51 is locked to the protrusion 61 of the surface frame 102B, the protrusion 52a of the second slide portion 52 is locked to the protrusion 51b of the first slide portion 51, and the third The protrusion 53 a of the slide part 53 is locked to the protrusion 52 b of the second slide part 52. In such a stretchable part 30A, since holes are not drilled in the slide parts 51 to 53, processing is easy and the strength of the slide parts 51 to 53 can be increased.

  Further, the structure of the hopper is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7, and as shown in FIG. 10, the stretchable part may be formed of a bellows composed of a plurality of plate-like members. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the hopper shown in FIG. In the hopper 10 </ b> C shown in FIG. 10, the telescopic part 30 </ b> C that is a bellows has one end connected to the surface frame 102 </ b> C and the other end connected to the side frame 40. When the hopper 10C is pulled out, the expansion / contraction part 30C expands the receiving port with respect to a direction orthogonal to the pulling-out direction of the hopper 10C. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of plate-like members are overlapped in a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the pull-out direction of the hopper 10C. Note that the plurality of plate-like members may be overlapped in the drawing direction (X direction) of the hopper 10. Thus, by forming the expansion / contraction part 30C with a bellows, it becomes easy to restore the expanded receiving port of the hopper 10C to the original size. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10, it is not limited to the structure of only the frame which exposed the several plate-shaped member, You may make it coat | cover a several plate-shaped member with leather, cloth, a synthetic resin etc., for example. In this case, various variations can be produced as the design of the expansion / contraction part 30C and the expansion speed and strength of the receiving port of the hopper 10C. In FIG. 10, the length in the Z direction of the stretchable part 30C is the same as the length in the Z direction of the front frame 102C (the entire side frame 40 is rotated), but as shown in FIG. In addition, when a slope is provided inside, the length in the Z direction of the extendable part 30C may be shortened (a part of the side frame 40 is rotated) in accordance with the position of the slope.

  In addition, when the hopper 10 is stored, the user presses the hopper pull-out button 11 in a state where the user pulls the hopper 10 that has been pulled out from the side and contracts and supports the expansion / contraction part 30. A holding mechanism for holding in a contracted state may be provided. The holding mechanism includes, for example, a push button disposed on the front frame, a protrusion connected to the push button, and a hole provided in the side frame. When the protrusion is fitted into the hole, the expansion / contraction part 30 is held in a contracted state, and when the push button is pressed, the protrusion is unfitted with one touch, and the expansion / contraction part 30 is extended by its own weight. To do. In this case, when the hopper 10 is stored, the user does not need to support the hopper 10 from the side while the hopper 10 is moving in the storing direction. Needless to say, an elastic body such as a spring for facilitating expansion of the receiving port may be provided at an appropriate position.

It is a perspective view which shows a counter and a game machine. It is an external view of the counter shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a counter when the hopper illustrated in FIG. 2 is viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow A, where (a) illustrates a state in which the hopper is fully opened, and (b) illustrates a state in which the hopper is stored. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the counter of the state which opened the hopper shown in FIG. 3 to the middle. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the alignment part shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which pulled out the hopper shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which expanded the receptacle of the hopper shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the counter shown in FIG. 1, (a) shows the mode of change of a hopper, (b) has shown the mode of change of an expansion-contraction part. It is another example of the engaging part and the latching | locking part seen from the upper direction of the hopper, (a) shows the mode at the time of accommodation, (b) has shown the mode at the time of expansion. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the hopper shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

P Game machine C Counter (game media counter)
W Support frame H Pillar S Sand (border lending machine)
10 (10C) Hopper (housing with receptacle)
101 First slope 102A (102B, 102C) Surface frame 103 Screwing member 11 Hopper extraction button (input means)
12 Count start button 13 LCD panel 14 Ticketing button 15 Receipt issuing port 20 Controller (control means)
21 Hopper storage (storage means)
210 Guide 211 Second slope 212, 213 Support member 22 Guide part 221 First guide path 222 Second guide path 223 Presser plate 224 Alignment part (alignment means)
23 Counting unit (counting means)
24 discharge part 25 hopper drive mechanism (drive means)
251 Motor 252 253 Gear 254 Roller 30 (30A, 30C) Extendable part (expansion component means)
31, 51 First slide part (plate-like member)
32, 52 Second slide part (plate-like member)
33, 53 Third slide part (plate-like member)
34 Rotating shaft 40 Side frame 51a to 53a, 51b to 53b, 61 Projection

Claims (7)

In order to count the number of gaming media used in at least a gaming machine including a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine, a receptacle provided between the gaming machines in which the gaming machines are arranged side by side, and a receptacle for receiving the gaming media, and the receptacle A game medium counter comprising: counting means for counting game media input to
Storage means for storing a housing having the receptacle;
A drawing means for pulling out the housing from the storage means;
A game media counter characterized by that. The housing includes an expansion component that expands the receptacle.
The game medium counting machine according to claim 1, wherein: The expansion component means is composed of a plurality of plate-like members facing a side surface orthogonal to the drawing direction of the housing,
When the casing is pulled out by the pull-out means, the plate-shaped member has at least a part of a side plate parallel to the pull-out direction of the casing, with one end side of the plate-shaped member as the center of the rotation axis, It is disposed so as to be slidable at a predetermined rotation angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to the pulling-out direction of the housing.
The game medium counter according to claim 2. The expansion component means is composed of a plurality of plate-like members facing a side surface orthogonal to the drawing direction of the housing,
When the casing is pulled out by the pull-out means, the plate-shaped member has at least a part of a side plate parallel to the pull-out direction of the casing, with one end side of the plate-shaped member as the center of the rotation axis, It has a pair of engaging portions and a locking portion for sliding with respect to a direction perpendicular to the pulling direction of the housing and fixing at a predetermined rotation angle.
The game medium counter according to claim 2. The expanded configuration means includes
One end is connected to a side plate perpendicular to the drawing direction of the housing, and the other end is a bellows connected to a side plate parallel to the drawing direction of the housing.
The game medium counter according to claim 2. The withdrawal means is
Input means for inputting a drive instruction for the housing;
Control means for controlling the drive direction of the housing based on the drive instruction input by the input means;
A guide for guiding the housing;
Driving means for driving the housing in a driving direction controlled by the control means along the guide;
The game media counter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The apparatus further comprises alignment means for aligning the game media inserted into the receiving port by at least one game media passage through which the game media can pass one by one.
The counting means counts the game media aligned by the alignment means,
The alignment means and the counting means are disposed outside the housing of the game medium counter.
The game medium counter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the game medium counter is characterized by the above.

Images