JP2008132269A - Tray ball lifting device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ball lifting mechanism on the front part of a game machine frame while securing the curvy beautiful shape of a front surface around an upper ball tray and a lower ball tray and to make balls carried from the upper ball tray to the lower ball tray by the ball lifting mechanism visible from the front of the game machine frame. <P>SOLUTION: A lifting ball carrier 33 including a core rod 79 and a spiral body 80 in the form of being formed in a helical shape like a helical spring is housed in one cylindrical curvy space of a lifting case body 31 connecting the upper ball tray 11 and the lower ball tray 12. The spiral body 80 is rotated in one direction around the core rod 79 centering on the core rod 79 accompanying the drive of a lifting motor to carry the balls from the lower ball tray 12 to the upper ball tray 11, and the carried balls are visible from the front of the game machine frame 1 through a lifting ball viewing part 41. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, the ball lifting mechanism is provided at the front of the gaming machine frame while ensuring the curved aesthetic shape of the front surface around the upper ball tray and the lower ball tray, and the ball lifting mechanism lowers from the upper ball tray. The present invention relates to a dish lifting apparatus for a gaming machine in which a ball conveyed to a ball tray can be seen from the front of the gaming machine frame.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that uses a ball as a game medium, a dish lifting apparatus for conveying a ball from a lower ball tray to an upper ball tray is known. 8 and 9 show a pachinko gaming machine provided with the dish lifting apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG.

  In FIG. 9, the pachinko gaming machine has a form in which a gaming board (not shown) is attached to the inside of the gaming machine frame 1 in a replaceable manner. The gaming machine frame 1 includes a movable frame 3 that can be opened and closed at the front part of the fixed frame 2, and a front door 4 and a dish structure 5 that can be opened and closed at the front part of the movable frame 3. The fixed frame 2 is fixed to the gaming machine installation facility. The gaming machine installation facility is a facility called an island of a gaming store where a pachinko gaming machine is installed. The movable frame 3 is centered on the hinge 6 located on the left side, and can be opened one side so that it can be opened forward in front of the fixed frame 2 and closed rearward. The movable frame 3 is provided with a locking device (not shown), a mechanism for mounting a game board (not shown) in a replaceable manner, a ball launching mechanism (not shown), and a ball dispensing device (not shown). The front door 4 and the dish structure 5 can be individually opened so that the hinge 7 located on the left side is centered and opened in front of the movable frame 3 and closed rearward.

  The front door 4 is provided with a window 9 and a front panel 10. The window 9 is configured as a through hole in the front-rear direction. The front panel 10 is configured in a colorless plate shape having light permeability made of glass or synthetic resin having a size that covers the window 9 later. The dish structure 5 is disposed below the front door 4. In the front part of the dish structure 5, an upper ball tray 11, a lower ball tray 12, and a ball launch operation mechanism 13 are provided. The upper ball tray 11 is a container for storing a ball used for a game. The lower ball tray 12 is a container for storing a ball extracted from the upper ball tray 11.

  The upper ball tray 11 is provided with a ball discharge outlet 15, a launch ball supply port 16, an upper extraction ball inlet 17, an upper ball extraction door 18, an upper ball extraction operation body 19, and a lifting ball outlet 20. The upper surface of the upper sphere tray 11 that is in contact with the bottom sphere constitutes a slope that causes the sphere taken into the upper sphere tray 11 to flow down toward the firing ball supply port 16. The upper ball extraction door 18 and the upper ball extraction operation body 19 are connected to each other by a connection mechanism (not shown), and are connected as the upper ball extraction operation body 19 is operated by the player against the spring force of the spring. The upper ball extraction door 18 operates so as to open the upper extraction ball inlet 17 through the mechanism, and is connected by the spring force of the spring as the operation of the upper ball extraction operation body 19 by the player is released. The upper ball extraction door 18 operates to close the upper extraction ball inlet 17 through the mechanism. That is, the upper ball extraction door 18 is structured to open and close mechanically in accordance with the operation of the upper ball extraction operation body 19.

  The lower ball tray 12 is provided with a lower extraction ball inlet 22, a lower extraction ball outlet 23, a lower ball extraction door 24, a lower ball extraction operation body 25, a lifting ball inlet 26, and a lifting operation body 27. The bottom surface 28 of the lower sphere tray 12 with which the bottom sphere comes into contact constitutes a slope that allows the sphere taken into the lower sphere tray 12 to flow down toward the lifting ball inlet 26. The lower ball extraction door 24 and the lower ball extraction operation body 25 are connected to each other by a connection mechanism (not shown), and the lower ball extraction operation body 25 is extracted via the connection mechanism as the lower ball extraction operation body 25 is operated by the player. The door 24 operates so as to open the lower extraction ball outlet 23, and the lower ball extraction door 24 is extracted via the connecting mechanism as the operation of the lower ball extraction operation body 25 by the player is released. It operates to close the ball outlet 23. That is, the lower ball extraction door 24 is structured to open and close mechanically in accordance with the operation of the lower ball extraction operation body 25.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the upper ball tray 11 and the lower ball tray 12 are provided with a sampling ball passage 29 and a ball lifting mechanism 30. The ball lifting mechanism 30 is provided with a lifting casing 31, a lifting motor 32, a lifting ball carrier 33, a lifting ball introduction path 34, and a lifting ball lead-out path 35.

  In FIG. 8, the operation of the dish lifting apparatus will be described. When the upper extraction ball inlet 17 is closed by the upper ball extraction door 18 and a ball as a winning ball or a rental ball is paid out from the ball dispensing device, the ball is discharged from the ball dispensing outlet 15 in FIG. The bottom surface of the upper ball tray 11 that comes into contact with the ball flows down toward the ball launching ball supply port 16 and is received by the upper ball extraction door 18 and stored in the upper ball tray 11.

  Returning to FIG. 8, in the state where the ball is stored in the upper ball tray 11 as described above, when the player operates the upper ball extraction operation body 19, the upper ball extraction door 18 is indicated by a virtual line from the position indicated by the solid line. Move to a position and stop to open the upper sampling ball inlet 17. As a result, the ball is discharged from the upper ball receiving tray 11 to the lower ball receiving tray 12 via the upper sampling ball inlet 17, the extraction ball passage 29 and the lower sampling ball inlet 22, as indicated by the arrow X1, and then the lower ball receiving tray 12 The bottom surface 28 flows down toward the lifting ball inlet 26 and is stored in the lower ball receiving tray 12 and is stored in the lifting ball introduction path 34 via the lifting ball inlet 26 as indicated by an arrow X2.

  Then, in the state where the balls are stored in the lower ball receiving tray 12 and the lifting ball introduction path 34 and the ball box 37 is placed on the shelf 38 of the gaming machine installation equipment so as to be positioned directly below the lower ball receiving tray 12. When the person operates the lower ball extraction operation body 25, the lower ball extraction door 24 moves from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the phantom line and stops to open the lower extraction ball outlet 23. As a result, the sphere falls from the lower extraction ball outlet 23 and is taken into the ball box 37 as indicated by an arrow X3. In this case, the sphere stored in the lifting ball introduction path 34 remains in the lifting ball introduction path 34.

  Further, the lower ball extraction door 24 moves from the position indicated by the phantom line to the position indicated by the solid line and stops to close the lower extraction ball outlet 23, and the ball is stored in the lower ball receiving tray 12 and the lifting ball introduction path 34. When the player operates the lifting operation body 27 in this state, the lifting motor 32 rotates the lifting ball transport body 33, and the lifting ball transport body 33 moves to the balls remaining in the lifting ball introduction path 34 and the lower ball receiving tray 12. The stored sphere is transported upward. The ball transported upward is discharged from the upper part of the lifting ball transport body 33 through the lifting ball lead-out path 35 to the upper ball receiving tray 11 from the lifting ball outlet 20 as indicated by an arrow X4.

However, the ball lifting mechanism 30 is configured to convey the ball linearly from below to above. Therefore, the ball of the ball lifting mechanism 30 can be easily confirmed from the front of the gaming machine frame 1 while ensuring the curved aesthetic shape of the front surface around the upper ball tray 11 and the lower ball tray 12. There is a disadvantage that the lifting mechanism 30 cannot be provided at the front portion of the gaming machine frame 1.
JP 2001-353322 A JP 2003-340086 A

  The problem to be solved by the invention is that the ball of the ball lifting mechanism can be easily confirmed from the front of the gaming machine frame while ensuring the curved aesthetic shape of the front surface around the upper ball tray and the lower ball tray. In addition, the ball lifting mechanism cannot be provided at the front portion of the gaming machine frame.

  The dish lifting apparatus of the gaming machine according to the present invention has a cylindrical lifting casing that connects an upper ball receiving tray for storing balls used for games and a lower ball receiving tray for storing balls extracted from the upper ball receiving tray. The upper ball receiving tray in the gaming machine frame and the front surface on which the upper ball receiving tray is provided are provided with a lifting ball viewing portion, and the lifting housing corresponds to the lifting ball viewing portion and the game A lifting ball conveyance body, which is provided behind the front surface of the machine frame and is composed of a mandrel and a flexible spiral body, is accommodated in one cylindrical curved space of the lifting housing, and the lifting motor is driven. Accordingly, the most important feature is that the ball is transported from the lower ball tray to the upper ball tray by rotating the spiral body around the mandrel.

  The dish lifting apparatus of the gaming machine according to the present invention rotates while deforming so that the spiral follows the curved shape of the mandrel and the curved shape of the lifting housing as the lifting motor is driven. Since the ball is transported from the lower ball tray to the upper ball tray, the ball transported from the lower ball tray to the upper ball tray can be seen through the lifted ball visual recognition unit from the front of the gaming machine frame, and the ball lifting mechanism is There is an advantage that it is provided in the front part of the gaming machine frame while ensuring the curved aesthetic shape of the front surface around the ball tray and the lower ball tray.

  1 to 6 show the best mode for carrying out the invention. 1 to 6, parts having the same functions as those in the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 8 and 9, and redundant description is omitted. FIG. 1 a shows a gaming machine frame 1 of a pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 1b shows a cross-section obtained by cutting the periphery of the lifted ball viewing portion 41 of FIG. FIG. 2 shows the dish structure 5 in an exploded manner. FIG. 3 a shows the ball lifting mechanism 30. FIG. 3b shows the right side of the ball lifting mechanism. FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross section cut in the front-rear direction of the lower ball extraction door 24 and the ball lifting door 43 of the dish lifting device. FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross section of the dish lifting apparatus cut in the left-right direction. FIG. 6 shows a control flow of the dish lifting apparatus. In this specification, the directions of “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower” are determined from the front indicated by the arrow A with the gaming machine frame 1 placed in the state of FIG. This is the direction specified when viewed.

  In FIG. 1 a, the ball discharge outlet 15 is provided on the right side of the upper ball tray 11, and the launch ball supply port 16, the upper extraction ball inlet 17 and the upper ball extraction door 18 are provided on the left side of the upper ball tray 11. The upper ball extraction operation body 19 and the lifting operation body 42 are provided on the front surface of the dish structure 5, and the bottom surface 28 of the lower ball receiving tray 12 moves down the ball taken into the lower ball receiving tray 12. When a slope that flows down toward the extraction ball outlet 23 is formed, a ball lifting door 43 is provided at the lifting ball inlet 26, and both the lower ball extraction door 24 and the ball lifting door 43 are closed. The upper surface of the ball lifting door 43 is arranged above the upper surface of the lower ball extraction door 24, and when the lower ball extraction door 24 is closed, the upper surface of the lower ball extraction door 24 flows down toward the lifting ball inlet 26. When the ball lift door 43 is closed, the upper surface of the ball lift door 43 lowers the ball. The slope which makes it flow down toward the ball | bowl exit 23 or the bottom face 28 is comprised, and when the ball | bowl lift door 43 opens, the upper surface of the ball | bowl lift door 43 carries out the ball | bowl from the ball | bowl inlet 26 and the ball introduction path 34 (FIG. 2) (See FIG. 4), the lift ball visualizing portion 41 is provided on the front surface of the dish structure 5, and the ball lift mechanism 30 is a front surface around the upper ball tray 11 and the lower ball tray 12. 9 is different from FIG. 9 in that it is provided at the front portion of the gaming machine frame 1 and corresponds to the lifted ball visual recognition portion 41 while ensuring the curved aesthetic shape. The lifting operation body 42 is configured such that the ball lifting door 43 and the lifting motor 32 in FIG. 3 move when operated by the player, so that the lifting operation body 27 and the function in FIG. Different. As shown in FIG. 1 b, when the ball lifting mechanism 30 is provided at the front portion of the gaming machine frame 1, the front portion of the ball passage portion 76 of the lifting housing 31 corresponds to the lifted ball visual recognition portion 41. This is different from FIG. Therefore, there is an advantage that the ball conveyed from the lower ball tray 12 to the upper ball tray 11 can be seen through the lifted ball visual recognition unit 41 from the front of the gaming machine frame 1.

  That is, the provision of the ball lifting door 43 at the lifting ball inlet 26 is synonymous with the fact that the lifting ball inlet 26 can be opened and closed. The fact that the upper surface of the ball lifting door 43 is disposed above the upper surface of the lower ball extraction door 24 when both the lower ball extraction door 24 and the ball lifting door 43 are closed is that This is synonymous with the fact that the lifting ball inlet 26 is disposed above the lower sampling ball outlet 23 when both the ball outlets 23 are closed. When the lower ball extraction door 24 is closed, the upper surface of the lower ball extraction door 24 constitutes a slope that causes the ball to flow down toward the lifting ball inlet 26, so that the ball is lifted when the lower extraction ball outlet 23 is closed. It is synonymous with constructing a slope that flows down toward the inlet 26. When the ball lifting door 43 is closed, the upper surface of the ball lifting door 43 forms a slope that allows the ball to flow down toward the lower sampling ball outlet 23 or the bottom surface 28. It is synonymous with constructing a slope that flows down toward the lower sampling ball outlet 23 or the bottom surface 28. When the ball lifting door 43 is opened, the upper surface of the ball lifting door 43 forms a slope that allows the ball to flow from the lower lifting ball inlet 26 toward the lifting ball introduction path 34. In this case, it is synonymous with constructing a slope that causes the ball to flow down from the lifting ball inlet 26 toward the lifting ball introduction path 34.

  When the lifting operation body 42 is operated in a state where the ball lifting door 43 closes the lifting ball inlet 26 and the lifting motor 32 is stopped, the ball lifting door 43 opens the lifting ball inlet 26, The feed motor 32 is driven. When the lifting operation body 42 is operated in a state where the ball lifting door 43 opens the lifting ball inlet 26 and the lifting motor 32 is driven, the ball lifting door 43 closes the lifting ball inlet 26, and then The lifting motor 32 stops after the specified time. A case where the lifting operation body 42 is operated in a state where the ball lifting door 43 opens the lifting ball inlet 26 and the lifting motor 32 is driven is referred to as re-operation of the lifting operation body 42.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the dish structure 5 is demonstrated. The dish structure 5 includes an upper ball tray 11, a lower ball tray 12, a ball lifting mechanism 30, a rear housing 51, and a front decorative body 52. The rear casing 51 constitutes a base that structurally supports the entire dish structure 5. The ball outlet 15, the launch ball supply port 16, the hinge 53, the relay ball inlet 54, the front ball relay path 55, and the relay connection port 56. , A rear ball relay path 57, a relay ball outlet 58, a ball launch operation mounting portion 59, a wiring hole 60, and a launch ball delivery mechanism 61. The front decorative body 52 constitutes the aesthetic shape of the dish structure 5, and includes a lifting ball visual recognition part 41, a lifting operation body 42, a lower dish opening 63, an operation escape hole 64; 65; 66, and a lower extraction ball escape hole 67. Prepare.

  In FIG. 2, a method of assembling the dish structure 5 will be described. The upper ball extraction operation body 19 is inserted into the operation escape hole 64 from the rear of the front decorative body 52, and a set screw such as a tapping screw (not shown) is attached to the upper ball tray 11 from the rear of the upper ball tray 11 (not shown). The upper ball tray 11 is attached to the front decorative body 52 by being fastened to the front decorative body 52 via. Further, the lower ball removing operation body 25 is inserted into the operation escape hole 65 from the rear of the front decorative body 52, and a set screw such as a tapping screw (not shown) is provided from the rear of the lower ball tray 12 to the outside of the lower ball tray 12 (not shown). The lower ball tray 12 is attached to the front decorative body 52 by being fastened to the front decorative body 52 via the attachment portion. Further, the ball lifting mechanism 30 is arranged behind the front decorative body 52 so as to correspond to the lifting ball visual recognition part 41, and a set screw such as a tapping screw (not shown) is inserted from the rear of the ball lifting mechanism 30 to the ball lifting mechanism. The ball lifting mechanism 30 is attached to the front decorative body 52 by being fastened to the front decorative body 52 via an attachment portion 30 outside the figure. Next, the rear housing 51 covers the upper ball receiving tray 11, the lower ball receiving tray 12, and the ball lifting mechanism 30 from behind, and a set screw such as a tapping screw (not shown) is a view of the rear housing 51 from behind the rear housing 51. By being fastened to the front decorative body 52 via the outer mounting portion, the rear casing 51 and the front decorative body 52 are fixed to each other.

  When the dish structure 5 is assembled in this way, the upper ball extraction door 18 interlocked with the upper ball extraction operation body 19 is disposed in front of the lower edge portion of the launching ball supply port 16 and is more than the upper ball extraction door 18. The sampling ball passage 29 on the downstream side is connected to the relay ball inlet 54, and the lower sampling ball inlet 22 and the relay ball outlet 58 are connected to each other. Therefore, when the upper ball extraction door 18 is opened, the ball passes from the extraction ball passage 29 of the upper ball tray 11 to the relay ball inlet 54, the front ball relay path 55, the relay connection port 56, the rear ball relay path 57, and the relay ball outlet. 58, it is discharged to the lower ball tray 12 via the lower sampling ball inlet 22. In addition, a lifting ball introduction path 34 in the lower part of the ball lifting mechanism 30 is connected to the lifting ball inlet 26 of the lower ball receiving tray 12, and a housing ball outlet 78 in the upper part of the ball lifting mechanism 30 is lifted in the upper ball receiving tray 11. Connected to the lead-out path 35. Therefore, when the ball lifting door 43 opens the lifting ball inlet 26 and the ball lifting mechanism 30 is driven, the ball moves from the lower ball receiving tray 12 to the lifting ball inlet 26, the ball lifting mechanism 30, the housing ball outlet 78, The ball is discharged to the upper ball receiving tray 11 via the ball feeding path 35 and the lifting ball outlet 20.

  After the dish structure 5 is assembled, the rear part of the ball launching operation mechanism 13 (see FIG. 1) is superimposed on the ball launching operation attachment part 59 via the operation escape hole 66 from the front of the front decorative body 52, and is not shown. A set screw such as a tapping screw is fastened to the ball launching operation mechanism 13 via the ball launching operation attaching portion 59 from the rear of the rear housing 51, so that the ball launching operation mechanism 13 is attached to the rear housing 51. Thus, the dish structure 5 is configured in the shape shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3 a, when the ball lifting mechanism 30 is viewed from the front, the lifting housing 31 is curved to the upper left as it goes from bottom to top, which is different from FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 3b, when the ball lifting mechanism 30 is viewed from the right, the lifting housing 31 is bent upward and rearward as it goes from bottom to top, which is different from FIG. That is, in FIG. 3, the ball lifting mechanism 30 secures the curved aesthetic shape of the front face of the front decorative body 52 around the upper ball tray 11 and the lower ball tray 12 of FIG. There is an advantage that it is provided in the front part.

  In FIG. 3, the ball lifting mechanism 30 includes a mechanism housing 71 at the end of the lifting housing 31. The mechanism housing 71 is provided with a feed motor 32 and a gear box 72. The gear box 72 is provided with a drive gear 73, an intermediate gear 74, and a driven gear 75. The drive gear 73 is fixed to the output shaft of the lifting motor 32 and meshed with the intermediate gear 74. The driven gear 75 is connected to the lifting ball transport body 33 and meshed with the intermediate gear 74. Therefore, when the lifting motor 32 is driven, the lifting ball transport body 33 rotates via the drive gear 73, the intermediate gear 74, and the driven gear 75. The gear train composed of the drive gear 73, the intermediate gear 74, and the driven gear 75 constitutes a speed reduction mechanism that reduces the speed of the lifting motor 32 and transmits the output of the lifting motor 32 to the lifting ball carrier 33 as a high output. .

  The lifting housing 31 includes a ball passage portion 76. The spherical passage portion 76 forms a cylindrical curved space. A housing ball inlet 77 is provided at the lower rear portion of the ball passage portion 76. A housing ball outlet 78 is provided at the upper front portion of the ball passage portion 76. The lifting ball transport body 33 includes a mandrel 79 and a spiral body 80. The mandrel 79 is configured as a round bar having a curved shape arranged on the curved center line of the ball passage portion 76. The spiral body 80 has flexibility that can be deformed following the mandrel 79 and the ball passage portion 76 when rotated around the mandrel 79. The spiral body 80 has, for example, a form in which a round bar is formed like a vine like a vine line. The inner diameter of the spiral body 80 is larger than the outer diameter of the mandrel 79. The outer diameter of the spiral body 80 is smaller than the inner diameter of the spherical passage portion 76. Then, the lifting ball transport body 33 is accommodated in the ball passage portion 76, the lower part of the spiral body 80 is connected to the driven gear 75, and the driving gear 73, the intermediate gear 74 and the driven gear are driven as the lifting motor 32 is driven. Through the gear 75, the spiral body 80 is deformed so as to follow the curvilinear shape of the mandrel 79 and the curvilinear shape of the lifting housing 31, while the mandrel 79 is centered around the mandrel 79. Rotate in the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the lower ball extraction door 24 is closed, the upper surface 45 of the lower ball extraction door 24 forms a slope that allows the ball to flow down toward the lifting ball inlet 26. Is configured as a slope that causes the ball to flow down to the lifting ball inlet 26 when closed. When the ball lifting door 43 is closed at the position indicated by the solid line, the upper surface 44 of the ball lifting door 43 constitutes a slope that allows the ball to flow toward the lower sampling ball outlet 23, and the lifting ball inlet 26 is closed. Then, it is comprised as a slope which makes a ball | bowl flow down toward the lower extraction ball | bowl exit 23. FIG. Therefore, when the lifting ball inlet 26 is closed and the lower extraction ball outlet 23 is opened, the player does not touch the ball, and the ball moves from the lower extraction ball outlet 23 to the lower ball receiving tray 12 as indicated by the arrow X1. There is an advantage that it falls to the outside of the tray 12 and is taken into the ball box 37. When the lower extraction ball outlet 23 is closed and the lifting ball inlet 26 is opened, the player does not touch the ball, and the ball moves from the lower ball receiving tray 12 to the lifting ball introduction path 34 as indicated by an arrow X2. Has the advantage of being discharged. The distance D between the closed lower ball extraction door 24 and the closed ball lifting door 43 is set to a size smaller than the radius of one sphere so that the lower ball extraction door 24 is opened and the ball lifting door is opened. When 43 is closed, the sphere does not stay in the distance D portion.

  In FIG. 5, the operation of the dish lifting apparatus will be described. In a state where the upper ball extraction door 18 closes the upper extraction ball inlet 17, when the ball is stored in the upper ball tray 11, the ball is moved from the upper ball tray 11 to the ball launching ball supply port 16 and the upper ball extraction door 18. The launch ball delivery mechanism 61 is reached via the upper surface. When the player operates the ball launch operation mechanism 13 in FIG. 1, an actuator such as an electromagnetic solenoid in the launch ball delivery mechanism 61 drives the launch ball delivery body, and the launch ball delivery body launches the ball outside the figure. One ball at a time is supplied to the ball launch mechanism according to the launch operation of the mechanism. The ball launching mechanism is driven at a prescribed number of intervals, for example, from 1 to less than 100 shots per minute, with a firing force corresponding to the operation amount output from the ball launching operation mechanism 13 (see FIG. 1). The ball supplied from 61 is launched toward the front of the game board (not shown).

  When the player operates the upper ball extraction operation body 19 in the state where the ball is stored in the upper ball tray 11 as described above, the upper ball extraction door 18 moves from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the virtual line. Stop and open the upper sampling ball inlet 17. As a result, the sphere reaching the launching ball supply port 16 from the upper ball tray 11 does not remain in the launching ball supply port 16, but passes through the sampling ball passage 29 and the lower sampling ball inlet 22 as indicated by the arrow X 3. Are discharged to the lower ball tray 12.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower ball extraction door 24 stops at the position indicated by the solid line and closes the lower extraction ball outlet 23, and the ball lifting door 43 stops at the position indicated by the solid line and the lifting ball inlet 26. When the ball is discharged from the upper ball tray 11 to the lower ball tray 12 as described above, the ball lowers the bottom ball 28 of the lower ball tray 12 or the upper surface 44 of the ball lifting door 43. It flows down toward the outlet 23 and is stored in the lower ball tray 12. In this manner, in the state where the ball is stored in the lower ball tray 12 and the ball box 37 is placed on the shelf 38 of the gaming machine installation equipment so as to be positioned directly below the lower ball tray 12, the player can remove the lower ball. When the operating body 25 (see FIG. 1) is operated, the lower ball extraction door 24 moves from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the phantom line and stops to open the lower extraction ball outlet 23, and the ball is indicated by the arrow X1. In this manner, the lower ball receiving tray 12 falls from the lower sampling ball outlet 23 to the lower outside of the lower ball receiving tray 12 and is taken into the ball box 37.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower ball extraction door 24 stops at the position indicated by the solid line, closes the lower extraction ball outlet 23, and returns to FIG. 5 in a state where the ball is stored in the lower ball tray 12. When the player operates the lifting operation body 42, the ball lifting door 43 moves from the position indicated by the phantom line around the door shaft 46 to the position indicated by the solid line and stops to open the lifting ball inlet 26 and lift. The feed motor 32 is driven. As a result, the ball reaches the lower part of the lifting ball carrier 33 from the lifting ball inlet 26 via the upper surface of the ball lifting door 43, the lifting ball introduction path 34, and the housing ball inlet 77 as indicated by an arrow X4. To do. Then, the spiral body 80 rotated by the driving of the lifting motor 32 transports the sphere reaching the lower portion of the lifting ball transport body 33 upward. The ball transported upward is discharged from the upper part of the lifted ball transport body 33 through the lifted ball lead-out path 35 to the upper ball tray 11 from the lifted ball outlet 20 as indicated by an arrow X5. The driving of the lifting motor 32 is self-held by the control device 50 (see FIG. 6).

  When the player re-operates the lifting operation body 42 while the ball is being lifted from the lower ball receiving tray 12 to the upper ball receiving tray 11 as the lifting motor 32 is driven, the ball lifting door 43 is opened. It moves from the position indicated by the solid line around the axis 46 to the position indicated by the phantom line, stops and closes the lifting ball inlet 26, and the ball is stored in the lower ball tray 12 without entering the lifting ball introduction path 34. . When the specified time elapses after the ball lifting door 43 closes the lifting ball inlet 26, the lifting motor 32 stops. Thereby, when the ball lifting door 43 closes the lifting ball inlet 26, the ball remaining in the lifting ball introduction path 34 is lifted to the upper ball tray 11 by driving the lifting motor 32 for a specified time. Is done. That is, when the ball lifting door 43 is closed while the ball lifting mechanism 30 is being driven, no ball remains in the ball lifting mechanism 30 from the lifting ball inlet 26.

  When the player operates the upper ball extraction operation body 19 after the re-operation of the lifting operation body 42, the upper ball extraction door 18 opens the upper extraction ball inlet 17, and the ball receives the upper ball tray as indicated by an arrow X3. 11 is discharged to the lower ball tray 12. In this case, since the ball lifting door 43 has already stopped at the position indicated by the phantom line and the lifting ball inlet 26 is closed, the ball discharged from the lower sampling ball inlet 22 to the lower ball receiving tray 12 is the lower ball. The bottom surface 28 of the tray 12 or the top surface 44 of the ball lifting door 43 flows down toward the lower extraction ball outlet 23 (see FIG. 4) and is stored in the lower ball tray 12.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the flow of control of the dish lifting apparatus will be described. In FIG. 6, every time the lifting operation body 42 is operated, the lifting operation detector 49 outputs a lifting start signal to the control device 50, and the control device 50 controls the lifting motor 32. Specifically, when the computer built in the control device 50 is activated by receiving the supply of electricity, the processing for the lifting motor 32 according to the flowchart shown in the block showing the control device 50 is executed. . That is, when the lifting operation body 42 is operated and the lifting operation detector 49 outputs a lifting start signal to the control device 50, the determination of the lifting operation in step 101 becomes YES, and the process proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, it is determined whether or not a flag indicating that a lifting operation is being performed is set in the RAM of the computer. If it is determined in step 102 that the flag is not set in the RAM, the lifting operation is not being performed, the lifting start signal input in step 101 is a lifting start signal that is not re-input, and step 102 is NO. Since there is, proceed to Step 103. In step 103, a flag indicating that the lifting operation is in progress is set in the RAM of the computer, and the process proceeds to step 104. In step 104, the control device 50 drives the lifting motor 32 and self-holds the driving of the lifting motor 32, and ends one cycle of processing by the computer.

  If the flag is set in the RAM in the determination in step 102, the pumping operation is being performed, the pumping start signal input in step 101 is the re-input pumping start signal, and step 102 is YES. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 105. In step 105, the elapsed time for feeding is counted and the process proceeds to step 106. In step 106, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time of feeding timed in step 105 has reached a specified time. If it is determined in step 106 that the elapsed time has not reached the specified time, step 106 is NO and the routine jumps to step 105. If it is determined in step 106 that the elapsed time has reached the specified time, step 106 is YES and the process proceeds to step 107. In step 107, the control device 50 releases the self-holding of the drive with respect to the lifting motor 32 and stops the lifting motor 32, and the process proceeds to step 108. In step 108, the flag is erased from the RAM, and one cycle of processing by the computer is completed.

  According to the above control process, when the lifting operation body 42 is operated, the control device 50 drives the lifting motor 32 and self-holds the driving of the lifting motor 32. Then, when the lifting operation body 42 is operated in a state where the control device 50 self-holds the drive with respect to the lifting motor 32, the control device 50 re-inputs the lifting start signal from the lifting operation detector 49. After a predetermined time from the detection of the re-input, the control device 50 releases the self-holding of the drive with respect to the lift motor 32 and stops the lift motor 32. The specified time is an empirical rule as a time required from when the re-input of the control device 50 is detected until the lifting ball carrier 33 lifts all the balls remaining in the lifting ball introduction path 34 to the lifting ball lead-out path 35. And is set in the ROM of the computer in the control device 50.

  According to the best mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the lifting casing 31 is curved to the upper left as it goes from the lower ball receiving tray 12 toward the upper ball receiving tray 11, and the spiral spiral body 80 is formed. The sphere is lowered by rotating around the mandrel 79 in one direction around the mandrel 79, which is arranged between the mandrel 79 and the cylindrical curved space of the lifting housing 31 and driven by the lifting motor 32. It is conveyed from the ball receiving tray 12 to the upper ball receiving tray 11. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the ball lifting mechanism 30 secures the curved aesthetic shape of the front surface around the upper ball tray 11 and the lower ball tray 12 in the front decorative body 52, and the gaming machine frame 1. There exists an advantage that it is provided in the space between the front decorative body 52 and the back casing 51 in a front part.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom surface 28 of the lower ball tray 12 is configured as an inclined surface that causes the ball to flow down toward the lower sampling ball outlet 23, the lifting ball inlet 26 is configured to be openable and closable, and the lifting ball inlet 26 is closed. In the state where the sphere is made to flow down toward the lower extraction ball outlet 23 or the bottom surface 28 and the lower extraction ball outlet 23 and the lifting ball inlet 26 are closed and the ball is stored in the lower sphere tray 12, When the extraction ball outlet 23 is opened, the balls flow down the bottom surface 28 and are all extracted to the outside from the lower ball tray 12, and the extraction ball outlet 23 and the lifting ball inlet 26 are closed to store the balls in the lower ball tray 12. In this state, when the lower sampling ball outlet 23 is closed and the lifting ball inlet 26 is opened, the ball lifting mechanism 30 (see FIG. 5) is driven to transport the ball from the lower ball tray 12 to the upper ball tray 11. , Its ball lifting mechanism When the lifting ball inlet 26 is closed during the driving of 0, the ball lifting mechanism 30 stops after a predetermined time from the closing, and the ball does not remain in the ball lifting mechanism 30 from the lifting ball inlet 26, so that the player can enter the lifting ball inlet. It is unnecessary to block the ball with a hand, etc., and there is an advantage that all the balls can be extracted from the lower ball tray and the upper ball tray without the player touching the balls.

  Specifically, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in a state where the ball lifting door 43 closes the lifting ball inlet 26 and the lower ball extraction door 24 closes the lower extraction ball outlet 23, the player performs the upper ball extraction operation. When the body 19 is operated, the balls are extracted from the upper ball tray 11 to the lower ball tray 12 and stored. Then, the ball box 37 is placed on the shelf 38 of the gaming machine installation equipment so that the ball box 37 is positioned directly below the lower ball tray 12, and when the player operates the lower ball extraction operation body 25, the ball is removed from the lower ball tray 12. All of the ball boxes 37 outside the lower ball tray 12 are extracted. Further, after the ball is stored in the lower ball tray 12 as described above, when the player operates the lifting operation body 42 without operating the lower ball extraction operation body 25 (see FIG. 1), the ball lifting door 43 Opens the lifting ball inlet 26 and the lifting motor 32 is driven, and the ball is lifted from the lower ball tray 12 to the upper ball tray 11 and stored in the upper ball tray 11. Thereafter, when the player operates the lower lifting operation body 42 again, the lifting motor 32 is stopped after a specified time after the ball lifting door 43 closes the lifting ball inlet 26, and the ball moves from the lifting ball inlet 26. It does not remain in the lifting mechanism 30. For this reason, it is unnecessary for the player to block the lifting ball entrance 26 with a hand or the like, and the player does not touch the ball, so that the ball can be lifted from the lower ball receiving tray 12 to the upper ball receiving tray 11 or the upper ball. There is an advantage that a ball can be extracted from the tray 11 to the lower ball tray 12 or a ball can be extracted from the lower ball tray 12 to the ball box 37. That is, there is an advantage that all the balls can be extracted from the lower ball tray 12 and the upper ball tray 11 without the player touching the balls.

  The ball lifting door 43 can be opened and closed electrically or mechanically. When the ball lifting door 43 is opened and closed electrically, an actuator is provided on the ball lifting door 43, and the actuator is moved so as to open the ball lifting door 43 as the lifting operation body 42 is operated. The actuator moves so as to close the ball lifting door 43 with the re-operation of 42. When the ball lifting door 43 is mechanically opened and closed, the lifting operation body 42 and the ball lifting door 43 are connected to each other by a connection mechanism, and the ball is moved through the connection mechanism in accordance with the operation of the lifting operation body 42. The lifting door 43 operates so as to open and maintains its opened state, and the ball lifting door 43 operates so as to close via the coupling mechanism in accordance with the re-operation of the lifting operation body 42 and its closed state. Hold. When the ball lifting door 43 is mechanically opened and closed, the lifting operation body 42 and the ball lifting door 43 are connected to each other by a connecting mechanism, and the lifting operation body 42 is operated by the player. Accordingly, the ball lifting door 43 operates to open the lifting ball inlet 26 via the connection mechanism, and the operation from the player to the lifting operation body 42 is released via the connection mechanism. The ball lifting door 43 may operate to close the lifting ball inlet 26. That is, while the lifting operation body 42 is operated by the player, the ball lifting door 43 opens the lifting ball entrance 26, and when the player releases the operation to the lifting operation body 42, the ball lifting is performed. The door 43 is structured to close the lifting ball inlet 26. In this case, release of the operation from the player to the lifting operation body 42 corresponds to re-operation of the lifting operation body 42.

  In FIG. 1, the front door 4 and the dish structure 5 may be integrated. The ball lifting mechanism 30 may also be provided at the rear portion of the rear casing 51 of FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the gaming machine is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine but may be a slot machine. In other words, the game board is replaced with a symbol display, the ball launch operation mechanism 13 is replaced with a ball take-in operation mechanism, the ball launch mechanism is replaced with a ball take-in mechanism, and the game start operation mechanism and the symbol stop operation mechanism are If it is provided at the front part of the structure 5 or the front part of the front door 4, the dish lifting apparatus can also be applied to a slot machine.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a ball lifting door 43 may be configured. In FIG. 7 a, the ball lifting door 43 rotates around the shaft 81 between a closed position indicated by a solid line and an open position indicated by a virtual line. In this case, the ball lifting door 43 is not limited to a single opening, but may be a double opening. In FIG. 7b, the ball lifting door 43 rotates around the shaft 82 between a closed position indicated by a solid line and an open position indicated by a virtual line.

  In FIG. 3a, the mandrel 79 and the spiral member 80 are made of a flexible material, and the spiral member 80 is provided on the mandrel 79 and has one sphere in a direction parallel to the axial center extending in the vertical direction of the mandrel 79. The mandrel 79 and the spiral body 80 may be integrated to form the lifting ball transport body 33 so as to project in a spiral shape radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel 79 at the separation interval. In this case, the mandrel 79 may be rotated by driving the lifting motor 32.

The perspective view (best form) of a gaming machine frame. The disassembled perspective view (best form) of a dish structure. FIG. 4A is a perspective view from the front of the ball lifting mechanism, and FIG. b is a right side view of the ball lifting mechanism (best mode). The schematic diagram equivalent to the front-back direction sectional drawing of the part of the lower ball extraction door and ball lifting door part of a dish lifting device (best form). The schematic diagram (best form) corresponded in the left-right direction sectional drawing of a dish raising ball apparatus. The flowchart (best form) of a dish lifting apparatus. The schematic diagram (different form) which shows a ball lifting door. The schematic diagram (conventional) equivalent to the longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dish raising ball apparatus. The perspective view of a gaming machine frame (conventional).

Explanation of symbols

1 is a gaming machine frame, 2 is a fixed frame, 3 is a movable frame, 4 is a front door, 5 is a dish structure, 6 is a hinge, 7 is a hinge, 8 is a missing number, 9 is a window, 10 is a front panel, 11 is Upper ball tray, 12 is a lower ball tray, 13 is a ball launching operation mechanism, 14 is a missing number, 15 is a ball discharge outlet, 16 is a launch ball supply port, 17 is an upper extraction ball inlet, 18 is an upper ball extraction door, 19 Upper ball extraction operation body, 20 is a lifting ball outlet, 21 is a missing number, 22 is a lower extraction ball inlet, 23 is a lower extraction ball outlet, 24 is a lower ball extraction door, 25 is a lower ball extraction operation body, and 26 is a lifting ball entrance , 27 is a lifting operation body, 28 is a bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 12, 29 is a sampling ball passage, 30 is a ball lifting mechanism, 31 is a lifting housing, 32 is a lifting motor, 33 is a lifting ball carrier, 34 is a lifting ball introduction path, 35 is a lifting ball lead-out path, 36 is a missing number, 37 is a ball box, 38 is a shelf, 39 to 40 are missing numbers, 41 is a lifting ball visual recognition part, 42 is 45 is a ball lifting door, 44 is an upper surface of the ball lifting door 43, 45 is an upper surface of the lower ball extraction door 24, 46 is a door shaft, 47; 48 is a missing number, 49 is a lifting operation detector, 50 is a control device, 51 is a rear housing, 52 is a front decorative body, 53 is a hinge, 54 is a relay ball entrance, 55 is a front ball relay route, 56 is a relay connection port, 57 is a rear ball relay route, and 58 is a relay ball. Outlet, 59 is a ball launching operation mounting portion, 60 is a wiring hole, 61 is a launching ball delivery mechanism, 62 is a missing number, 63 is a lower plate opening, 64 to 66 are operation escape holes, 67 is a lower extraction ball escape hole, 68 to 69 is a missing number, 71 is a mechanism housing, 72 is a gear box, 73 is a driving gear, 74 is an intermediate gear, 75 is a driven gear, 75 is a ball passage portion, 77 is a housing ball inlet, 78 is a housing ball outlet, 79 Is a mandrel, 80 is a spiral, 81;

Claims (1)

  A lifting housing that connects an upper ball receiving tray that stores balls used for gaming and a lower ball receiving tray that stores balls extracted from the upper ball receiving tray forms a single cylindrical curved space. The upper ball receiving tray and the front surface on which the upper ball receiving tray is provided are provided with a lifting ball visual recognition unit, and a lifting housing is provided behind the front surface of the gaming machine frame corresponding to the lifting ball visual recognition unit. The lifting ball transport body composed of a flexible spiral body is accommodated in one cylindrical curved space of the lifting housing, and the spiral body rotates around the mandrel as the lifting motor is driven. A tray lifting apparatus for a gaming machine, wherein a ball is transported from a lower ball tray to an upper ball tray.

Images