JP2009291542A - Game system and bank of game machines - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact game system for circulating game balls in one game machine and within its peripheral equipment only. <P>SOLUTION: The game system includes the game machine 10 using game balls as game media, a ball dispensing machine 20 for dispensing game balls to be used in the play, and a replenishing machine 70 for collecting and storing game balls from the game machine 10 and feeding the stored game balls to the game machine 10. The ball dispensing machine 20 includes a dispensing part 30 for dispensing game balls to be used in the play, a collecting part 40 for collecting the game balls stored in a ball tray, and a counting part 50 for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting part 40. The replenishing machine 70 includes a lower storage part 80 for storing the game balls guided by a used ball passage and the game balls counted by the counting part 50, a ball feeding part 90 for feeding the game balls stored in the lower storage part 80, a conveying passage 100 for conveying the game balls fed by the ball feeding part 90 to an upper storage part 15, and a polishing part 110 disposed on the way of the conveying passage 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that uses a ball as a game medium, a ball rental machine that lends a ball used for gaming, and a supply that collects and stores the ball from the gaming machine and supplies the stored ball to the gaming machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gaming system in which a ball circulates within the gaming system.

There are pachinko machines, parrots, and the like as gaming machines using balls as game media.
Conventionally, in pachinko halls, a plurality of gaming machines are arranged in a line on a structure called an island.
In addition, a ball lending machine for lending balls is provided at the edge of the island.
In addition, a supply line is provided inside the island for collecting balls from each gaming machine, polishing the collected balls, and supplying the polished balls to each gaming machine.
Specifically, at a position lower than the gaming machine inside the island, a lower tank for transferring a ball dropped from the lower back of the gaming machine and a lower tank for storing the ball transferred by the lower basket And are provided. In addition, an upper tank for storing a ball and an upper basket for transferring the ball sent out from the upper tank are provided at a position higher than the gaming machine inside the island. Further, a polishing machine for polishing the sphere stored in the lower tank and a lifting device for transferring the sphere polished by the polishing machine to the upper tank are provided inside the island.

A player first borrows a ball from a ball lending machine and throws it into a ball tray of the gaming machine to play a game.
In addition, a ball used in the game, that is, a ball launched on the game board surface in the case of a pachinko machine, falls from the lower back of the game machine into the island. In addition, the ball that has dropped from the lower back of the gaming machine is transferred by the lower basket and stored in the lower tank. Further, the balls stored in the lower tank are polished by a polishing machine, transferred by a lifting device, and stored in the upper tank. Then, the balls stored in the upper tank are transferred by the upper basket and supplied to the upper storage section provided at the upper back of each gaming machine.
In addition, the ball acquired in the game, that is, the ball that was paid out with a win in the case of pachinko, is transferred from the ball tray to a container called a dollar box etc., and carried to the prize exchange corner in the pachinko hall, Therefore, it is counted by a counter called a jet counter. After that, it is collected in the same manner as the ball dropped from the lower back of the gaming machine, stored in the lower tank, polished by the polishing machine, transferred to the upper tank, and transferred to the upper storage part of each gaming machine.

Thus, the conventional replenishment line is a very large-scale facility, and even if it is a change due to refurbishment as well as a new installation, it requires a large amount of money and thus cannot be easily performed.
Also, in recent years, in order to eliminate the hassle of putting the balls acquired in the game into the dollar box and transporting them to the counter at the prize exchange corner, a counter is provided on each game machine side, A facility is provided in which the number is counted by a corresponding counter and the result is output to a receipt or written on a magnetic card, which can be taken to a prize exchange corner. Furthermore, when such equipment is combined with a so-called CR machine that manages rental and sales of balls with a prepaid card, a gaming system that allows you to rent and return a ball without leaving the gaming machine. Can be built. And if such a gaming system is combined with equipment for polishing the balls after counting with a counter and equipment for supplying the polished balls to the gaming machine, only in one gaming machine and its peripheral equipment You can build a game system in which balls circulate.
JP 2007-29752 A

However, there has never been a compact and inexpensive game system in which a ball circulates only in one gaming machine and its peripheral equipment.
(First invention)
Therefore, the first invention is a lending unit that lends a ball used for a game by driving a ball lending machine and paying out a ball stored in the upper storage unit from a payout outlet to a ball tray. And a collecting unit for collecting the balls stored in the ball tray without using them in the game, and a counting unit for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting unit. The lower storage part for storing the sphere induced by the ball passage and the sphere after being counted by the counting part, the ball sending part for sending out the ball stored in the lower storage part, and the ball sending part By providing a transfer passage for transferring the sphere to the upper storage section and a polishing section for polishing the sphere and provided in the middle of the transfer passage, one game machine and its peripheral equipment Compact as a gaming system that circulates balls alone An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive in.

(Second invention)
In addition to the object of the first invention, the second invention includes a counting sphere storage unit that stores the spheres collected by the collection unit, and a sphere that is stored in the counting sphere storage unit. Base, a counting rotary disk for transferring the spheres flowing into the counting base, a counting motor for rotating the counting rotary disk, a sphere outlet for discharging the spheres transferred by the counting rotary disk, and a sphere And a counting sensor for detecting the sphere discharged from the outlet, and the counting rotating disk is provided with a plurality of through holes penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface thereof, so that the sphere that has flowed from the counting sphere storage section is provided. Each through hole is formed so as to be taken in from the upper surface side and discharged from the lower surface side to the ball outlet, and further, the partition between adjacent through holes in the counting rotating disk is used as a partition, and as the counting rotating disk rotates The path of the sphere from counting ball reservoir to the sphere outlet partition portion so as to traverse periodically and mechanically, and to prevent abuse access to the counting sensor.

(Third invention)
In addition to the object of the first or second invention, the third invention includes n (n ≧ 3) guide members provided in parallel in the polishing portion, and inside the n guide members, A transfer path for transferring the sphere is provided, the distance from the center of the transfer path to each guide member is set slightly larger than the radius of the sphere, and the interval between adjacent guide members is set to be smaller than the diameter of the sphere. Is set to be small so that a plurality of spheres can be transferred along the longitudinal direction of the n guide members in a state where the plurality of balls are aligned in a line in the transfer path. A paper or cloth abrasive provided so as to wrap them, a holder for holding the n guide members together with the abrasive from the outside of the abrasive, and an inner surface of the holder adjacent to each other Polishing the ball in the transfer path through the gap between the guide members By providing a pressing member for pressing the, and an object thereof is to provide a compact polishing unit.

(Fourth invention)
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the gaming system according to the first aspect of the present invention is incorporated into one installation base to form one gaming unit, and m gaming units are arranged in parallel to form one gaming machine island device. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine island device in which balls can be circulated in each gaming unit so that gaming machines can be easily increased or decreased and their arrangement can be changed.

(First invention)
The first invention is a gaming machine 10 that uses a ball as a game medium, a ball rental machine 20 that lends a ball used for gaming, a game that collects and stores the ball from the gaming machine 10 and stores the stored ball. A gaming system including a replenishing machine 70 to be supplied to the machine 10, wherein the gaming machine 10 is for storing a ball and is provided at an upper part on the back of the gaming machine 10, A payout unit for paying out a ball stored in the upper storage unit 15 from a payout opening provided at a predetermined position on the front surface of the gaming machine 10, and a ball for the payout unit paying out from the payout port. A ball tray provided at a predetermined position on the front surface of the gaming machine 10, a game section that takes a ball stored in the ball tray and plays a game, and a ball used for the game in the game section is placed below the lower surface of the game machine 10 The ball lending machine 20 is stored in the upper storage unit 15 by driving the payout unit. A lending unit 30 that lends the balls used for the game by paying out the balls being discharged from the payout outlet to the ball tray, and a collection unit 40 for collecting the balls stored in the ball tray without using the game, And a counting unit 50 for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40, and the replenisher 70 stores the balls guided by the used ball passage and the balls counted by the counting unit 50. A lower storage unit 80, a ball sending unit 90 for sending out the balls stored in the lower storage unit 80, a transfer passage 100 for transferring the balls sent out by the ball sending unit 90 to the upper storage unit 15, A polishing section 110 is provided for polishing a sphere and provided in the middle of the transfer passage 100.

Here, examples of the “gaming machine 10 using a ball as a game medium” include a pachinko and a parrot, and other examples include a sparrow ball and an arrangement ball. The parrot means a slot machine that uses a ball instead of a medal as a game medium.
The “ball lending machine 20” is for lending balls used in games. The ball lending machine 20 is installed adjacent to the gaming machine 10, and when a plurality of gaming machines 10 are installed side by side, between one gaming machine 10 and the adjacent gaming machine 10 It is installed so as to sandwich it. When a plurality of gaming machines 10 are installed side by side, the ball lending machine 20 is provided corresponding to each gaming machine 10.

The “replenisher 70” is for collecting and storing the balls from the gaming machine 10 and supplying the stored balls to the gaming machine 10. In addition, when a plurality of gaming machines 10 are installed side by side, the replenishing machine 70 is provided corresponding to each gaming machine 10.
Further, the “upper storage unit 15” is for storing a ball and is provided at the upper part of the back surface of the gaming machine 10.
The “payout part” is for paying out a ball stored in the upper storage part 15 from a payout opening provided at a predetermined position on the front surface of the gaming machine 10.
Further, the upper storage unit 15 and the payout unit are provided on the back surface of the gaming machine 10, and are also referred to as a back set or the like.

Further, the “ball tray” is for storing a ball paid out by the payout unit from the payout opening, and is provided at a predetermined position on the front surface of the gaming machine 10.
For example, an upper plate 13 is provided at a predetermined position on the front surface to store the balls discharged from the payout port by the payout unit, and is stored in the upper plate 13 at a position corresponding to the lower side of the upper plate 13 on the front surface. There is a gaming machine 10 provided with a lower tray 14 for storing balls that cannot be filled. In such a gaming machine 10, a ball stored in the upper plate 13 is taken into the gaming machine 10 to play a game. In such a gaming machine 10, the upper tray 13 corresponds to a ball tray.
Further, for example, there is a gaming machine 10 provided with a structure in which the above-described upper plate 13 and lower plate 14 are integrated. In such a gaming machine 10, a ball stored in a structure in which the upper plate 13 and the lower plate 14 are integrated is taken into the gaming machine 10 to play a game. In such a gaming machine 10, the structure part in which the upper plate 13 and the lower plate 14 are integrated corresponds to a ball plate.

In addition, the “game unit” is for playing a game by taking a ball stored in the ball tray.
For example, in a pachinko machine, a game area is provided on the front surface of the game board, and a winning area and an out area are provided in the game area. Then, the game is performed by taking the ball stored in the ball tray into the inside from the insertion slot, launching the fetched ball into the game area with the launching device, and aiming at the winning slot. For this reason, in pachinko, a game board, a launcher, and the like correspond to the game unit.
For example, in a parrot, a plurality of rotating reels having a plurality of symbols around them, a bet switch for betting game media, a start switch for starting rotation of the rotating reel, and rotation A stop switch for stopping the rotation of the reel is provided. Then, the ball stored in the ball tray is taken into the inside from the insertion port, and the taken ball is bet by operating the bet switch, and then the start switch is operated to start the rotation of all the rotating reels. Then, the game is played by operating the stop switch to stop the rotation of the corresponding rotating reel and aligning a predetermined symbol arrangement on the winning line. For this reason, in the parrot, a rotating reel, a bet switch, a start switch, a stop switch, and the like correspond to the gaming portion.

Further, the “used ball passage” guides the ball used for the game in the game unit to the lower part of the back of the gaming machine 10.
For example, in pachinko, a ball launched into the game area is guided to the back side of the game board through a winning opening or an out opening, and then guided to the lower back of the gaming machine 10 by a winning ball path or an out ball path. Is done. For this reason, in the pachinko, the winning ball passage and the out ball passage correspond to the used ball passage.
Also, for example, if a ball used in a game in the game department is a “use ball”, a ball that has entered the winning opening is a “winning ball”, and a ball that has entered the out mouth is an “out ball”, Is a general term for winning balls and out balls.

Further, in the parrot, the ball bet by the operation of the bet switch is guided to the lower back of the gaming machine 10 through the bet ball path. For this reason, in the parrot, the bet ball passage corresponds to the used ball passage.
Further, the “lending unit 30” lends the balls used for the game by driving the paying unit and paying out the balls stored in the upper storage unit 15 from the payout port to the ball tray.
For example, when a predetermined prepaid card 32 is inserted into a card reader 31 provided in the ball lending machine 20 and a ball lending switch provided on the front surface of the gaming machine 10 is operated, the lending unit 30 drives the paying unit to The balls stored in the storage unit 15 are paid out from the payout opening to the ball tray. In this way, there is one that lends balls used for games.

Also, for example, if a ball acquired by a game is a “prize ball” and a ball lent by the lending unit 30 is a “lending ball”, the ball is paid out from the payout opening of the gaming machine 10 and stored in the ball tray. Are prize balls and rental balls.
Further, the “collection unit 40” is for collecting the balls stored in the ball tray without using them in the game.
For example, the bottom of the bottom plate 14 is provided with a discharge port extending vertically through the bottom, a shutter that opens and closes the discharge port, and a lever that displaces the shutter between a position where the discharge port is opened and a position where it is closed There is a gaming machine 10 equipped with. Further, a recovery rod 41 that receives the ball discharged from the discharge port and transfers it in a certain direction can be provided below the lower plate 14. In such a case, the collection basket 41 or the like corresponds to the collection unit 40.

The “counter 50” is for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40.
For example, a counting unit 50 is provided below the ball lending machine 20. Further, the sphere transferred by the collection basket 41 serving as the collection unit 40 reaches the counting unit 50. Then, the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40 can be counted by the counting unit 50.
Further, the “lower storage unit 80” is for storing the sphere guided by the used ball passage and the sphere after being counted by the counting unit 50.
Further, the lower storage unit 80 can be provided below the used ball passage and the counting unit 50. Then, the sphere guided by the used sphere passage and the sphere after being counted by the counting unit 50 can be dropped by their own weight to reach the lower storage unit 80 and stored therein.

Further, the “ball sending unit 90” is for sending out the balls stored in the lower storage unit 80.
In addition, as the ball sending unit 90, for example, one that sends out the balls stored in the lower storage unit 80 one by one can be employed.
The “transfer passage 100” is for transferring the ball sent out by the ball sending unit 90 to the upper storage unit 15.
Further, for example, a pipe is adopted as the transfer passage 100, and the inner diameter of the pipe can be slightly larger than the diameter of the sphere. Then, the balls sent out one by one from the ball sending section 90 can be transferred in a line in the transfer passage 100, and each time one ball is pushed in from the lower end of the transfer passage 100, the transfer passage 100 is transferred. One sphere can be pushed out from the upper end of the.

The “polishing unit 110” is for polishing a sphere, and is provided in the middle of the transfer passage 100.
In this way, since a ball circulates only in the gaming system according to the present invention, which is a set of one gaming machine 10 and its peripheral equipment, a large-scale equipment construction is unnecessary, so that the gaming machine accompanying the refurbishment 10 increase / decrease and repositioning can be done easily.
Of course, only one set of the gaming system according to the present invention, which is a set of one gaming machine 10 and its peripheral equipment, can be installed alone.
In addition, although the ball circulates only in the gaming system according to the present invention, which is a set of one gaming machine 10 and its peripheral equipment, the polishing unit 110 is provided in the middle of the transfer passage 100, so that the ball and the game It is possible to prevent contamination of areas and the like.

In addition, according to the present invention, the balls stored in the ball tray are collected by the collection unit 40, but are counted by the counting unit 50 before being transferred to the lower storage unit 80. Can grasp the number of
(Second invention)
The second invention limits the first invention, and the counting unit 50 is connected to the counting ball storage unit 51 for storing the balls collected by the collection unit 40 and the counting ball storage unit 51. The counting base 52 is provided so that the sphere stored in the counting sphere storage section 51 flows in, and the sphere that has flowed into the counting base 52 is transferred. A counting rotating disk 55 configured to rotate on the upper surface and configured to transfer a ball by the rotation, a counting motor 59 for rotating the counting rotating disk 55, and a counting rotating disk 55 A ball outlet 54 for discharging the balls transferred by the rotation of the ball, and a counting sensor 62 for detecting the balls discharged from the ball outlet 54. The counting rotary disk 55 has a plurality of through holes. 56 is provided, and each through-hole 56 is provided with a rotating counter for counting. The ball that has penetrated from the upper surface to the lower surface of the disk 55 and has flowed into the counting base 52 is taken into the opening from the upper surface side of the counting rotating disk 55 and is opened to the lower surface side of the counting rotating disk 55. When the partitioning portions 57 are formed between the adjacent through holes 56 in the counting rotating disk 55, the partitioning portions 57 are arranged so as to be discharged from the ball outlet 54 toward the ball outlet 54. Is formed so as to traverse the path of the sphere from the counting sphere reservoir 51 to the sphere outlet 54.

Here, the “counting ball storage unit 51” is for storing the balls collected by the collection unit 40.
Further, the “counting base 52” is connected to the counting ball storage unit 51, and the balls stored in the counting ball storage unit 51 flow into it.
Further, the “counting rotating disk 55” is for transferring the sphere flowing into the counting base 52, and is rotated on the upper surface of the counting base 52. It is configured to be transported.
The “counting motor 59” is for rotating the counting rotary disk 55.

The “ball outlet 54” is for discharging the balls transferred by the rotation of the counting rotary disk 55.
The “counting sensor 62” is for detecting the sphere discharged from the sphere outlet 54. By counting the number of signals output when the counting sensor 62 detects a sphere, the number of spheres collected by the collecting unit 40 can be counted. Specifically, for example, when the counting sensor 62 detects the sphere transferred by the rotation of the counting rotating disk 55 and discharged from the ball outlet 54, the counting signal is output, and the counting signal A recovered ball number counter that adds one count value every time there is an input is provided. Then, the count value of the number-of-times ball counter indicates the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40.

Further, the counting rotary disk 55 is provided with a plurality of through holes 56.
Further, each through hole 56 penetrates from the upper surface to the lower surface of the counting rotary disk 55, and the sphere that has flowed into the counting base 52 is taken into the inside from the opening on the upper surface side of the counting rotary disk 55. The counting rotary disk 55 is formed so as to be discharged from the opening on the lower surface side toward the ball outlet 54.
When the partitioning portion 57 is formed between the adjacent through holes 56 in the counting rotating disk 55, each partitioning portion 57 is separated from the counting ball storage portion 51 as the counting rotating disk 55 rotates. It is formed so as to cross the path of the sphere to the sphere outlet 54.

According to the present invention, each partition 57 periodically and mechanically blocks the path of the sphere from the counting sphere reservoir 51 to the sphere outlet 54. For this reason, for example, the ball with the thread tied is advanced to the position of the counting sensor 62, and the ball is reciprocated before and after the counting sensor 62 by manipulating the thread. Even if the number is illegally added, the path of the sphere from the counting sphere reservoir 51 to the sphere outlet 54 is periodically and mechanically blocked by each partition 57, so that the thread cannot be manipulated properly. Is entangled with the counting rotating disk 55 or cut off in the middle. Therefore, the illegal acts as described above can be prevented.
Further, it is possible to constantly output a driving signal for the counting motor 59 and to rotate the counting rotating disk 55 at all times. If it does so, the above-mentioned fraud can be prevented more reliably.

Further, when the yarn is entangled with the counting rotating disk 55, the counting rotating disk 55 may not rotate even though the driving signal of the counting motor 59 is output. That is, the rotation of the counting rotating disk 55 may not be detected when the driving signal of the counting motor 59 is output. In such a case, for example, the counting error detection means can determine that an error such as an illegal act or a failure has occurred in the counting unit 50, and a counting error signal can be output.
(Third invention)
The third invention limits the first or second invention, and the polishing section 110 includes n (n ≧ 3) guide members 111 provided in parallel, and the n guide members 111 are provided. Has a transfer path for transferring the sphere, the distance from the center of the transfer path to each guide member 111 is set to be slightly larger than the radius of the sphere, and between the adjacent guide members 111 The interval is set to be smaller than the diameter of the spheres, so that the plurality of spheres can be transferred along the longitudinal direction of the n guide members 111 in a state where the spheres are aligned in a line in the transfer path. In addition, a paper or cloth abrasive 114 provided so as to wrap the n guide members 111 from the outside of the n guide members 111, and a holder for holding the n guide members 111 together with the abrasive 114 from the outside of the abrasive 114. 115 and the adjacent guide portion provided on the inner surface of the holder 115 Characterized in that it includes a pressing member 122 for pressing the abrasive 114 on the sphere in the transfer path via the gap 111 between.

Here, “n” means a positive integer / natural number of 3 or more.
Further, n “guide members 111” are provided. The n guide members 111 are provided in parallel. Further, inside the n guide members 111, a transfer path for transferring the sphere is provided. Further, the distance from the center of the transfer path to each guide member 111 is set slightly larger than the radius of the sphere. Further, the interval between the adjacent guide members 111 is set smaller than the diameter of the sphere. Thus, the plurality of balls can be transferred along the longitudinal direction of the n guide members 111 in a state where the plurality of balls are aligned in a line in the transfer path.
Further, the “abrasive 114” is for polishing the sphere transferred in the transfer path, and is provided so as to wrap these from the outside of the n guide members 111. The abrasive 114 is made of paper or cloth. Thereby, these can be wrapped from the outside of the n guide members 111.

The “holding tool 115” is for holding the n guide members 111 together with the polishing material 114 from the outside of the polishing material 114 so as to surround them.
Further, the “pressing member 122” is provided on the inner surface of the holder 115, and presses the abrasive 114 against the sphere in the transfer path via the gap between the adjacent guide members 111. .
The abrasive 114 is pushed into the transfer path by the pressing member 122 from the gap between the adjacent guide members 111. Then, the abrasive 114 pushed into the transfer path in this way hits a ball transferred in the transfer path. Then, dirt adhering to the surface of the sphere transferred in the transfer path is wiped off by the abrasive 114. In this way, the sphere transferred in the transfer path is polished by the abrasive 114, and the dirt adhering to the surface of the sphere is transferred to the abrasive 114 and the sphere is cleaned.

Thus, according to the present invention, a compact polishing unit 110 can be provided.
(Fourth invention)
The fourth invention is provided corresponding to m (m ≧ 2) game machines 10 using balls as game media and m game machines 10 respectively. In contrast, m ball lending machines 20 for lending balls used for games and m game machines 10 are provided correspondingly, and balls are collected from the corresponding game machines 10 and stored. In addition, m replenishing machines 70 that supply the stored balls to the corresponding gaming machines 10 and m gaming machines 10 are provided corresponding to the respective gaming machines 10. , And a gaming machine island device 160 comprising m installation bases 155 on which ball rental machines 20 and replenishing machines 70 corresponding to the gaming machines 10 are installed, and each gaming machine 10 It is for storing the sphere and is stored in the upper storage unit 15 provided in the upper part of the back surface and the upper storage unit 15 A payout unit for paying out from a payout opening provided at a predetermined position on the front surface, a ball pan for storing balls discharged from the payout port by the payout unit, and a ball tray provided at a predetermined position on the front surface, Each ball lending machine 20 has a corresponding gaming machine, and a game unit that takes in the balls stored in the game and plays a game, and a used ball passage that guides the balls used for the game in the game unit to the lower back. The lending unit 30 that lends the balls used in the game by driving the 10 paying units and paying out the balls stored in the upper storage unit 15 from the payout opening to the ball tray, and the ball tray of the corresponding gaming machine 10 Each of the replenishing machines 70 is provided with a collecting unit 40 for collecting the balls stored in the game without using them in the game, and a counting unit 50 for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40. Of the ball guided by the used ball aisle of the gaming machine 10 and the corresponding ball lending machine 20 The lower storage unit 80 for storing the spheres counted by the unit 50, the ball sending unit 90 for sending out the balls stored in the lower storage unit 80, and the balls sent out by the ball sending unit 90 A transfer passage 100 for transferring to the upper storage portion 15 of the gaming machine 10 and a polishing portion 110 for polishing a ball and provided in the middle of the transfer passage 100, each installation table 155, Corresponding gaming machines 10, ball lending machines 20, and replenishing machines 70 are respectively installed to form gaming units 130, and m gaming units 130 are arranged in parallel.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the gaming system of the first aspect of the invention is incorporated into one installation base 155 to form one gaming unit 130, and m gaming units 130 are arranged in parallel to form one gaming machine island device 160. Is.
Here, “m” means a positive integer / natural number of 2 or more.
Further, m gaming machines 10, ball lending machines 20, and replenishing machines 70 are provided.
Further, each of the m gaming machines 10 corresponds to the ball lending machine 20 and the replenishing machine 70 on a one-to-one basis.
The “installation table 155” is one in which one gaming machine 10 is installed, and one ball lending machine 20 and one supply machine 70 corresponding to the gaming machine 10 are installed.

The installation table 155 includes a gaming machine installation unit in which one gaming machine 10 is installed, a ball rental machine installation unit in which one ball rental machine 20 is installed, and one supply machine 70. And a replenisher installation section. Then, the gaming machine 10 is installed in the gaming machine installation unit, and the ball lending machine 20 and the supply machine 70 corresponding to the gaming machine 10 are installed in the ball rental machine installation unit and the supply machine installation unit, respectively.
In addition, m installation tables 155 are also provided. Further, each of the m installation bases 155 is provided with one gaming machine 10, one ball lending machine 20, and one replenishment machine 70.
Specifically, for example, first and second two gaming machines 10, and first and second two ball rental machines 20 provided corresponding to the two gaming machines 10, respectively, First and second two supply machines 70 provided corresponding to the two game machines 10 respectively, and first and second two machines provided corresponding to the two game machines 10 respectively. When the first gaming machine 10 is provided, the first gaming machine 10 is installed in the gaming machine installation section of the first installing board 155, and the first ball rental machine 20 corresponding to the first gaming machine 10 is installed. A first lending machine 70 corresponding to the first gaming machine 10 is installed in a ball lending machine installation section of the first installation table 155, and a supply machine installation section of the first installation table 155, respectively. Similarly, the second gaming machine 10 is installed at the gaming machine installation section of the second installation table 155, and the second ball rental machine 20 corresponding to the second gaming machine 10 is installed on the second installation table 155. A second supply machine 70 corresponding to the second gaming machine 10 is installed in the machine installation section, and in the supply machine installation section of the second installation base 155, respectively.

In addition, each configuration included in each gaming machine 10 is the same as that of the first invention.
In addition, the first ball lending machine 20 drives the payout portion of the corresponding first gaming machine 10 to pay out the balls stored in the upper storage portion 15 from the payout outlet to the ball tray. The lending unit 30 for lending, the collecting unit 40 for collecting the balls stored in the ball tray of the corresponding first gaming machine 10 without using them in the game, and the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40 And a counting unit 50 for counting. The same applies to the second ball lending machine 20.
Each component provided in each ball lending machine 20 is the same as that of the first invention.
Further, the first supply machine 70 stores the balls guided by the used ball passage of the corresponding first gaming machine 10 and the balls after being counted by the counting unit 50 of the corresponding first ball lending machine 20. The lower storage part 80, the ball sending part 90 for sending out the balls stored in the lower storage part 80, and the balls sent out by the ball sending part 90 are transferred to the upper storage part 15 of the corresponding first gaming machine 10 And a polishing section 110 for polishing a sphere and provided in the middle of the transfer path 100. The same applies to the second supply machine 70.

Each component provided in each replenisher 70 is the same as that of the first invention.
A corresponding gaming machine 10, a ball lending machine 20, and a replenishing machine 70 are installed on each installation table 155 to form a gaming unit 130, and m gaming units 130 are juxtaposed to form one gaming machine island device 160. To construct.
According to the present invention, since the balls circulate in each gaming unit 130, a large-scale facility work is not required, so that it is possible to easily increase / decrease and change the arrangement of the gaming machines 10 accompanying the refurbishment.
In addition, according to the present invention, although the ball circulates in each game unit 130, since the polishing portion 110 is provided in the middle of the transfer passage 100, it is possible to prevent contamination of the ball and the game area.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the balls stored in the ball tray are collected by the collection unit 40, but are counted by the counting unit 50 before being transferred to the lower storage unit 80. Can grasp the number of

(First invention)
According to the first invention, the lending unit that lends the ball used for the game by driving the lending unit to the ball lending machine to pay the ball stored in the upper storage unit from the payout outlet to the ball tray. A recovery unit for recovering the balls stored in the ball tray without using them in the game, and a counting unit for counting the number of balls recovered by the recovery unit. The lower storage part for storing the ball guided by the ball passage and the ball after being counted by the counting part, the ball sending part for sending out the ball stored in the lower storage part, and the ball sending part Since it has a transfer passage for transferring the sphere to the upper storage section and a polishing section for polishing the sphere and provided in the middle of the transfer passage, one game machine and its peripheral equipment Compact as a gaming system in which balls circulate only inside It is possible to provide a cost thing.

(Second invention)
According to the second invention, the counting unit stores the counting sphere storing unit that stores the spheres collected by the collecting unit, the counting base into which the spheres stored in the counting sphere storing unit flow, and the counting unit. Rotating disk for transferring the produced sphere, counting motor for rotating the rotating disk for counting, sphere outlet for discharging the sphere transferred by the rotating disk for counting, and detecting the sphere discharged from the sphere outlet The counting rotary disk is provided with a plurality of through-holes penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface, and the sphere that has flowed in from the counting sphere storage portion is taken in from the upper surface side, and the sphere from the lower surface side is provided. Each through hole is formed so as to be discharged to the outlet, and a partition is formed between adjacent through holes in the counting rotary disk. Partitioning portion the path of the balls can be provided since it has to traverse the regular-mechanical, a counting unit capable of preventing fraud to access the counting sensor.

(Third invention)
According to the third invention, the polishing part is provided with n (n ≧ 3) guide members provided in parallel, the transfer path for transferring the sphere is provided inside the n guide members, and the transfer is performed. The distance from the center of the road to each guide member is set to be slightly larger than the radius of the sphere, and the interval between the adjacent guide members is set to be smaller than the diameter of the sphere. It is made of paper or cloth which is formed so as to be transportable along the longitudinal direction of the n guide members in a state of being aligned in a line in the transfer path, and is further provided so as to wrap these from the outside of the n guide members. An abrasive, a holder that holds the n guide members together with the abrasive from the outside of the abrasive, and an inner surface of the holder that is provided on the inner surface of the holder and through the gap between adjacent guide members A pressing member that presses the abrasive against the ball Since, it is possible to provide a compact polishing unit.

(Fourth invention)
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the gaming system of the first aspect of the invention is incorporated into one installation base to form one gaming unit, and m gaming units are arranged in parallel to form one gaming machine island device. Since a ball circulates within each gaming unit, it is possible to provide a gaming machine island device that can easily increase or decrease the number of gaming machines and change the arrangement associated with the refurbishment.

(First embodiment)
1 to 7 show an embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a perspective view showing a ball lending machine 20 and a replenishing machine 70 according to the present embodiment, FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of the gaming system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the counting unit 50 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the ball feeding unit 90 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5A is a polishing according to the present embodiment. 5 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 5B is a plan view showing a guide member 111 of the polishing unit 110 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5C is a polishing unit 110 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5D is a plan view of the polishing unit 110 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the installation of the game system according to the present embodiment. .

(Game system)
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the gaming system according to the present embodiment includes a gaming machine 10 that uses a ball as a gaming medium, a ball rental machine 20 that lends a ball used for gaming, and a ball from the gaming machine 10 And a replenisher 70 for supplying the stored balls to the gaming machine 10.
(Game machine 10 pachinko)
The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is a pachinko.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko as the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a back frame 11 fixed to the island of the pachinko hall, and a front frame 12 attached to the back frame 11 through a hinge so as to be opened and closed. And a game board detachably attached to the front frame 12.

(Back frame 11)
The back frame 11 is fixed to the island.
The back frame 11 is composed of a square frame type wooden frame.
Here, the island is a structure for installing the gaming machines 10 in a line and is installed in the pachinko hall.
Further, the back frame 11 is fixed to the island by, for example, driving with a nail.
(Front frame 12)
The front frame 12 is attached to the back frame 11 through a hinge so as to be opened and closed.

In the present embodiment, the vicinity of the upper left end of the front frame 12 and the vicinity of the upper left end of the back frame 11 are attached via hinges, and the vicinity of the lower left end of the front frame 12 and the vicinity of the lower left end of the back frame 11 Is attached via a hinge. Thereby, the front frame 12 can be opened and closed with respect to the back frame 11. That is, the front frame 12 rotates around the hinge.
In addition, a window facing the game board is greatly opened in the center of the front frame 12.
In addition, at a position corresponding to the lower side of the game board on the front surface of the front frame 12, a payout opening, which is an opening through which a ball is paid out, is provided. As shown in FIG. 2 is provided at a position corresponding to the lower side of the payout port, and an upper plate 13 is provided as a ball tray for storing the balls discharged from the payout port, as shown in FIG. In addition, a lower plate 14 for storing balls that cannot be stored in the upper plate 13 is provided at a position corresponding to the lower side of the upper plate 13 on the front surface of the front frame 12.

A ball lending switch and a return switch are provided at predetermined positions on the front surface of the front frame 12. These will be described in detail later.
As will be described in detail later, a payout unit for paying out a ball is provided on the back side of the gaming machine 10, and the ball paid out by the payout unit is connected to the gaming machine 10 via the payout port. It is paid out to the front surface side and is stored in the upper plate 13 as a ball tray.
Moreover, as shown to (A) of FIG. 2, the upper plate 13 is formed so that it may protrude toward the front from the front surface of the front frame 12. As shown in FIG.
Further, the bottom surface of the upper plate 13 is smoothly inclined so that the height gradually decreases toward the right back direction, and a ball is taken into the game machine 10 at the right back side of the upper plate 13. An inlet is provided for this purpose. Then, the balls stored in the upper plate 13 are taken into the gaming machine 10 from the insertion port and supplied to the launching device.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the lower plate 14 is formed so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the front frame 12, similarly to the upper plate 13.
In addition, the bottom surface of the lower plate 14 is smoothly inclined so that the height gradually decreases from the peripheral edge toward the center. Further, at the center of the bottom surface of the lower plate 14, a discharge port penetrating the bottom surface up and down is provided. Further, the lower plate 14 is provided with a shutter that opens and closes the discharge port, and a lever that displaces the shutter to a position where the discharge port is opened and closed. When the shutter closes the discharge port, the ball is stored in the lower plate 14, but when the lever is operated to displace the shutter to open the discharge port, the ball stored in the lower plate 14 is discharged. It is designed to fall downward from the exit.

An operation handle for driving the launching device is provided at a position corresponding to the right side of the lower plate 14 on the front surface of the front frame 12.
(Game board)
The game board is composed of veneer that is formed in a substantially square shape. An arc-shaped guide rail is provided on the front surface of the game board, and the inside of the guide rail is a game area. In addition, a symbol display device is provided at the center of the game area, and a plurality of winning holes are provided around the symbol display device in the game region. In addition, as a prize opening, a general prize opening relating to the payout of a predetermined number of balls, a starting prize opening relating to the operation of the symbol display device, or a big prize that is activated when a combination of specific symbols is displayed on the symbol display device. There is a mouth. In addition, an out port for receiving a ball that has not entered the winning port is provided at the lowermost center of the game area.

In addition, a through hole that penetrates the game board is provided at a position where a winning opening or an out opening is provided. Then, the ball that has entered the winning opening or the out opening is led to the back side of the game board through the through hole.
(Launching device)
A launching device is provided at a position below the back surface of the front frame 12 and corresponding to the back side of the operation handle. When the operation handle is turned clockwise by a predetermined angle, the launching device is driven. And the ball taken in from the slot is launched toward the game area.
(Game Department)
In the present embodiment, the game board, the launching device, and the like constitute a “game unit” that takes in a ball stored in a ball tray and plays a game.

(Winning ball passage / out ball passage)
On the back side of the game board, a winning ball passage for guiding the ball that has entered the prize opening to the back side of the gaming board to the lower part of the back side of the gaming machine 10 and the out hole is led to the back side of the game board. And an out ball passage for guiding the ball to the lower part of the back of the gaming machine 10 is provided.
In addition, the winning ball passage and the out ball passage join together and reach the lower part of the back surface of the gaming machine 10. A winning detection sensor for detecting the passage of the ball is provided in the middle of the winning ball passage. The winning detection sensor is for detecting that a ball has entered the winning opening. Further, the winning ball passage and the out ball passage are constituted by a collective cover fixed to the back surface of the game board.

(Used ball passage)
In the present embodiment, the winning ball path and the out ball path constitute a “used ball path” that guides the balls used in the game to the lower part of the back of the gaming machine 10.
In addition, if the ball used in the game in the game section is “use ball”, the ball that entered the winning entrance is “winning ball”, and the ball that entered the out mouth is “out ball”, A collective term for winning balls and out balls.
(Back set)
On the back surface of the front frame 12, a back set for paying out balls is attached via a hinge so as to be opened and closed. When the back set is closed, most of the front frame 12 and the back of the game board are covered with the back set.

In addition, an upper storage part 15 for storing a ball is provided at the upper part of the back set, that is, at the upper part of the back surface of the gaming machine 10, and below the upper storage part 15, the upper storage part 15 is provided. A payout unit for paying out the stored balls from the payout opening is provided.
(Upper reservoir 15)
The upper storage unit 15 is for storing a ball and is provided at the upper part of the back surface of the gaming machine 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper storage portion 15 is formed in a box shape with an upper portion opened. In addition, the bottom surface of the upper storage portion 15 is smoothly inclined so that the height gradually decreases from one end to the other end.

  In addition, a ball amount detector for detecting the amount of spheres in the upper storage unit 15 is provided on the bottom surface of the upper storage unit 15. Specifically, a ball amount detection hole is provided at a predetermined position on the bottom surface of the upper storage portion 15, and a ball amount detection plate is provided so as to close the ball amount detection hole. The ball amount detection plate has a rotation shaft at one end, and is pivotally supported by the upper storage portion 15 so that the rotation shaft can be rotated, and is urged by an upper return spring. Further, a ball amount detection switch is provided below the ball amount detection plate. When the amount of spheres in the upper storage unit 15 exceeds a certain level and a relatively large number of spheres are placed on the sphere amount detection plate, the sphere amount detection plate rotates about the rotation axis. Is pushed downward. Then, the ball amount detection switch is pressed, and a supply stop signal is output to the supply control device of the supply machine 70. On the other hand, when the amount of spheres in the upper storage unit 15 becomes below a certain level and the number of spheres on the sphere detection plate becomes relatively small, or when the sphere on the sphere detection plate disappears, the biasing force of the upper return spring Thus, the ball amount detection plate is pushed upward so as to rotate about the rotation axis. Then, the pressed state of the ball amount detection switch is released, and a replenishment start signal is output to the replenishment control device of the replenisher 70.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the ball quantity detector includes a ball quantity detection hole provided in the bottom surface of the upper storage unit 15, a ball quantity detection plate provided so as to close the ball quantity detection hole, and a ball quantity detection. A rotation shaft that pivotally supports one end of the plate to the upper storage portion 15, an upper return spring that urges the ball amount detection plate, and a ball amount detection switch that is switched by displacement of the ball amount detection plate; It is composed of
(Disbursement Department)
The payout portion is for paying out the balls stored in the upper storage portion 15 from a payout opening provided at a predetermined position on the front surface of the gaming machine 10.
(Game control device)
A game control device for controlling the game is fixed on the back of the game board. In addition, as a game control device, a main board for controlling the game, a sound board for generating sound effects in accordance with the game on the main board, and a design that matches the game on the main board There is a display control board or the like for displaying on the screen.

When a ball enters the starting prize opening, the main board performs a lottery using random numbers. And, the main board determines which symbol combination is displayed on the symbol display device by this lottery, and instructs the display control board to display the symbol combination on the symbol display device, In addition, it determines which sound effect is to be generated, instructs the sound board to generate the sound effect, and controls lighting, extinguishing or blinking of the luminous body for decoration or production . When a predetermined symbol combination is displayed on the symbol display device, the main board operates the special winning opening for a predetermined time.
The main board, sound board, and display control board are fixed to the back surface of the collective cover with screws.

(Discharge control device)
A payout control device for controlling the payout portion is fixed to the back surface of the game board.
The winning detection sensor outputs a winning signal when detecting the passage of the ball. This winning signal is input to the payout control device. When the payout control device receives the winning signal, the payout control device pays out the number of balls corresponding to the winning mode from the payout port.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the ball stored in the upper plate 13 is taken into the gaming machine 10 from the insertion port, and is launched into the game area by the launching device, via the winning port or the out port. To the winning ball path or out ball path. In addition, when a ball launched into the game area enters the winning opening, a winning is made, and the payout unit is driven, and the number of balls according to the winning mode is paid out to the upper plate 13 through the payout opening.

(Ball lending machine 20)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, the ball lending machine 20 includes a square box type housing, and the dispensing portion is driven inside the housing to store in the upper storage portion 15. A lending unit 30 that lends the balls used in the game by paying out the balls that have been collected from the payout outlet to the ball tray, and a collecting unit 40 that collects the balls stored in the ball tray without using the game A counting unit 50 for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40 and a ball lending control device for controlling the operation of the lending unit 30 and the counting unit 50 are provided.
(Loan Department 30)
As shown in FIG. 2, the lending unit 30 lends the balls used in the game by driving the dispensing unit to pay out the balls stored in the upper storage unit 15 from the payout outlet to the ball tray. It is.

The lending unit 30 includes a card reader 31. Further, as described above, a ball rental switch and a return switch are provided at predetermined positions on the front surface of the front frame 12 of the gaming machine 10. When a predetermined prepaid card 32 is inserted into the card reader 31 and the ball lending switch is operated, the lending unit 30 drives the dispensing unit. Thereby, the sphere stored in the upper storage unit 15 is paid out from the payout port to the upper plate 13 as a ball tray. In this way, balls used for games are lent out.
When the return switch is operated, the prepaid card 32 is discharged from the card reader 31. Thereby, the prepaid card 32 is returned to the player.

The operation of the lending unit 30 is controlled by the ball lending control device.
(Recovery unit 40)
The collection unit 40 is for collecting the balls stored in the ball tray without using them for games.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, a bowl-shaped collection basket 41 is provided from the lower side of the lower plate 14 to the lower part of the housing of the ball lending machine 20. The collection basket 41 is smoothly inclined so that the height gradually decreases from the lower side of the lower plate 14 toward the lower part of the housing of the ball lending machine 20. Further, the upper part of the collection basket 41 is open, and the vicinity of the upstream end of the collection basket 41 is located below the discharge port provided at the bottom center of the lower plate 14. . Thereby, the ball dropped from the outlet of the lower tray 14 is received near the upstream end of the collection basket 41 and transferred to the lower part of the housing of the ball lending machine 20 according to the inclination of the collection basket 41. In this way, the balls stored in the ball tray are collected. In the present embodiment, the collection basket 41 and the like constitute the collection unit 40.

(Counter 50)
The counting unit 50 is for counting the number of spheres collected by the collecting unit 40.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, the counting unit 50 is provided at the lower part of the housing of the ball lending machine 20. The balls collected by the collection basket 41 serving as the collection unit 40 reach the counting unit 50, where the number is counted.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the counting unit 50 is connected to the counting ball storage unit 51 for storing the balls collected by the collection unit 40 and the counting ball storage unit 51. The counting base 52 in which the balls stored in the cage counting ball storage section 51 flow, and the balls that have flowed into the counting base 52 are transported on the upper surface of the counting base 52. The rotating rotating disk 55 is configured to rotate and is configured to transfer the ball by the rotation, the counting motor 59 for rotating the rotating rotating disk 55, and the rotating rotating disk 55 for counting. A ball outlet 54 for discharging the transferred ball, a counting sensor 62 for detecting the ball discharged from the ball outlet 54, and a rotation detection disc 63 for counting that rotates together with the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59. And rotation detection disk 63 for counting And a counting rotation detection sensor 64 for detecting the rotation, and a counter ball detector 65 for detecting the presence of the sphere in the counting ball storage portion 51.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the counting rotating disk 55 is provided with a plurality of through holes 56, and each through hole 56 penetrates from the upper surface to the lower surface of the counting rotating disk 55, The ball that has flowed into the counting base 52 is taken into the opening from the upper surface side of the counting rotating disk 55 and discharged from the opening on the lower surface side of the counting rotating disk 55 toward the ball outlet 54. ing.
Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the partitioning portions 57 are provided between the adjacent through holes 56 in the counting rotating disk 55, each partitioning portion 57 is accompanied by the rotation of the counting rotating disk 55. The ball path from the counting ball reservoir 51 to the ball outlet 54 is formed so as to cross.

Hereinafter, the counting unit 50 will be described in detail.
The counting ball storage unit 51 is for storing the balls collected and transferred by the collection basket 41 as the collection unit 40.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the counting ball storage unit 51 is provided in the lower part of the housing of the ball lending machine 20.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the counting ball storage part 51 is formed in tray shape. Further, the bottom surface of the counting ball storage unit 51 is smoothly inclined so that the height gradually decreases from one side to the other side, more specifically from the front side to the rear side. Thereby, the sphere stored in the counting sphere storage unit 51 rolls from the front side to the rear side along the inclination of the bottom surface of the counting sphere storage unit 51.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the counting base 52 is connected to the lower end portion, more specifically, the rear end portion of the bottom surface of the counting ball storage portion 51. . In addition, the bottom surface of the counting base 52 has a lower height than the lower end portion, more specifically, the rear end portion, of the bottom surface of the counting ball storage unit 51. Thereby, the sphere stored in the counting sphere storage unit 51 rolls from the front side to the rear side along the inclination of the bottom surface of the counting sphere storage unit 51, and flows into the counting base 52. . Further, on the upper surface of the counting base 52, a circular concave portion 53 large enough to fit the counting rotary disk 55, and extends from the edge of the circular concave portion 53 in the tangential direction of the circular concave portion 53 to one end of the counting base 52. A discharge path having the same depth as the circular recess 53 is provided. The tip of the discharge path is opened at one end of the counting base 52, and serves as a ball outlet 54 through which a ball is discharged. The ball outlet 54 is for discharging the ball transferred by the rotation of the counting rotary disk 55. Further, a C-shaped guide groove is provided on the bottom surface of the circular recess 53. The guide groove is formed along the rotation locus of the through hole 56 of the counting rotary disk 55. In addition, a lead-out groove formed along the longitudinal direction of the discharge path is provided on the bottom surface of the discharge path. Further, the lead-out groove extends from one end of the guide groove toward the tangential direction of the rotation locus of the through hole 56 of the counting rotary disk 55. Further, the guide groove and the lead-out groove are smoothly connected. Moreover, the depth of the guide groove and the lead-out groove is slightly shallower than the radius of the sphere. That is, the depth of the guide groove and the lead-out groove is slightly smaller than the radius of the sphere. In addition, the width of the guide groove and the lead-out groove is slightly narrower than the diameter of the sphere. That is, the width of the guide groove and the lead-out groove is slightly smaller than the diameter of the sphere. As a result, the guide groove and the lead-out groove are adapted to be fitted with portions below the center of the sphere.

The counting rotary disk 55 is for transferring the spheres that have flowed into the counting base 52, and is formed in a substantially disk shape and accommodated in a circular recess 53 provided on the upper surface of the counting base 52. It is made to rotate in this, and it is formed so that a ball | bowl may be transferred by the rotation.
In the present embodiment, the counting rotary disk 55 rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise) when viewed from above. A shaft fixing portion is provided at the center of the counting rotary disk 55. The counting base 52 and the counting rotating disk 55 are formed so that the distance from the lower surface of the counting rotating disk 55 to the bottom of the guide groove is slightly larger than the diameter of the sphere. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the counting rotary disk 55 has a plurality of, more specifically, four through holes 56 penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface, at equal intervals from the center thereof. Is provided. Further, the inner diameter of each through hole 56 is slightly larger than the diameter of the sphere. Thereby, each through hole 56 can pass a sphere.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a partition 57 is formed between the adjacent through holes 56 in the counting rotary disk 55. Each partition 57 crosses the path of the sphere from the counting ball storage 51 to the ball outlet 54 as the counting rotary disk 55 rotates.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, at the position corresponding to the rear of the counting rotary disk 55 in the rotation direction when viewed from the through holes 56 on the lower surface of the counting rotary disk 55, respectively, toward the bottom of the guide groove. A ball pressing portion 58 that protrudes is provided. Further, the sphere pressing portion 58 is for pushing the sphere stuck in the guide groove from the rear along with the rotation of the counting rotary disk 55 and moving it along the guide groove. Further, the same number of ball pressing portions 58 as the through holes 56, that is, four, are provided. In addition, each ball pressing portion 58 is provided behind the counting rotary disk 55 in the rotation direction when viewed from the corresponding through hole 56. That is, the through hole 56 and the ball pressing portion 58 have a one-to-one correspondence. Further, each ball pressing portion 58 is smoothly curved so as to bend backward in the rotation direction of the counting rotating disk 55 as the distance from the center of the counting rotating disk 55 increases. Further, between the adjacent ball pressing portions 58, there is a passage through which the balls pass.

The counting motor 59 is for rotating the counting rotating disk 55. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the counting motor 59 is provided above the counting rotating disk 55. The counting motor 59 projects the drive shaft 60 downward. A shaft 61 is fixed to the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59, and the lower end of the shaft 61 is fixed to a shaft fixing portion provided at the center of the counting rotary disk 55. When the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 rotates, the counting rotary disk 55 rotates through the shaft 61.
The spheres stored in the counting ball storage unit 51 flow into the counting base 52 and are supplied to the counting rotating disk 55. Further, the sphere supplied to the counting rotary disk 55 is taken into the through hole 56 from the opening on the upper surface side of the through hole 56, and is discharged from the opening on the lower surface side of the through hole 56, so that the guide groove Fit into. That is, the sphere supplied to the counting rotary disk 55 passes through the through hole 56 and fits into the guide groove. In addition, when the counting rotary disk 55 rotates, the sphere fitted in the guide groove is pushed by the sphere pressing portion 58 and moves along the guide groove. Then, the sphere that has been pushed by the sphere pressing portion 58 and moved along the guide groove is separated from the guide groove when it reaches the connecting portion between the guide groove and the derivation groove, and thereafter moves along the derivation groove. When the ball fitted in the guide groove is separated from the guide groove and sent to the lead-out groove, another ball different from the fed ball passes through the through-hole 56 of the counting rotary disk 55 and enters the guide groove. Fit. Then, the balls fitted in the guide grooves in this way are separated from the guide grooves and sent out to the lead-out grooves as described above when the counting rotary disk 55 rotates. As the counting rotary disk 55 continues to rotate, such an operation is repeated, and balls are successively sent from the guide groove to the lead-out groove. Then, a plurality of spheres are connected in a row in the lead-out groove. Then, the sphere previously sent to the lead-out groove is pushed and moved by the sphere sent to the lead-out groove one after another. Each time one ball is sent from the guide groove to the lead-out groove, one ball is pushed out from the ball outlet 54.

  Further, each partition 57 of the counting rotating disk 55 crosses the path of the sphere from the counting ball storage section 51 to the ball outlet 54 as the counting rotating disk 55 rotates. That is, each partition unit 57 periodically and mechanically blocks the path of the sphere from the counting sphere storage unit 51 to the sphere outlet 54. For this reason, for example, the ball bundled with the thread is advanced to the position of the counting sensor 62, and the ball is reciprocated before and after the counting sensor 62 by manipulating the thread. Even if it tries to add the number illegally, each partitioning part 57 periodically and mechanically cuts off the path of the sphere from the counting sphere storage part 51 to the sphere outlet 54. Is entangled with the counting rotating disk 55 or cut off in the middle. Therefore, the illegal acts as described above can be prevented. Further, when the yarn is entangled with the counting rotating disk 55, the counting rotating disk 55 may not rotate even though the driving signal of the counting motor 59 is output. In such a case, the counting error detection means described later determines that an error such as an illegal act or failure has occurred in the counting unit 50, and a counting error signal is output.

As shown in FIG. 3, the counting rotation detection disk 63 is formed in a disk shape, the center of which is fixed to the shaft 61, and rotates together with the shaft 61. Further, since the shaft 61 rotates together with the drive shaft of the counting motor 59 and the counting rotating disk 55, the counting rotation detection disk 63 rotates together with the driving shaft of the counting motor 59 and the counting rotating disk 55. Further, the counting rotation detection disk 63 is provided with a plurality of detection holes penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface at predetermined intervals at positions equidistant from the center of the counting rotation detection disk 63.
The counting rotation detection sensor 64 is for detecting the rotation of the counting rotation detection disk 63. The counting rotation detection sensor 64 is configured using a photo sensor. The photosensor includes a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit, and the rotation detection disc 63 for counting is sandwiched between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. Further, when the counting rotation detection disk 63 rotates with the rotation of the drive shaft of the counting motor 59, a large number of detection holes provided in the counting rotation detection disk 63 are sequentially formed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. pass. In addition, the light emitted from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit at the position where the detection hole is provided, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit does not reach the light receiving unit at other positions. If the state in which the light receiving unit receives or does not receive light is continuously detected, it means that the counting rotation detection disk 63 is rotating. In addition, if the light receiving unit continuously detects the light receiving state or the light receiving unit does not receive the light continuously, the counting rotation detection disk 63 is not rotated. Become. Then, from the rotation detection disk 63 for counting and the photosensor as the rotation detection sensor 64 for detecting rotation of the counting rotation detection disk 63, the drive shaft of the counting motor 59 and the counting rotation disk 55 are A rotary encoder for detecting whether or not it is rotating is configured. Further, when the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 rotates, the counting rotation detection disk 63 rotates, and the counting rotating disk 55 also rotates. On the other hand, when the counting rotating disk 55 rotates, the counting rotation detecting disk 63 rotates, and the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 also rotates. Further, when the rotation of the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 stops, the rotation of the counting rotation detection disk 63 stops, and further, the rotation of the counting rotating disk 55 also stops. On the contrary, if the rotation of the counting rotating disk 55 is stopped due to fraud or failure, the rotation of the counting rotation detecting disk 63 is stopped, and further, the rotation of the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 is also stopped. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 and the counting rotating disk 55 are rotating by the rotary encoder composed of the counting rotation detecting disk 63 and the counting rotation detecting sensor 64.

The counting sensor 62 is for detecting the sphere discharged from the sphere outlet 54 of the counting base 52. When the sphere transferred by the rotation of the counting rotating disk 55 passes the counting sensor 62, the counting sensor 62 detects the passage of the sphere and outputs a counting signal. Then, by counting the number of the counting signals, it is possible to count the number of spheres transferred by the rotation of the counting rotating disk 55 and discharged from the sphere outlet 54. That is, the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40 can be counted. Then, the sphere discharged from the sphere outlet 54 and passing through the counting sensor 62 is stored in the lower storage unit 80.
The counting ball detector 65 is for detecting the presence or absence of a ball in the counting ball storage unit 51. As shown in FIG. 3, the counting ball detector 65 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the bottom surface of the counting ball storage unit 51. That is, the counting ball detector 65 is provided in the vicinity of the end portion on the counting base 52 side on the bottom surface of the counting ball storage unit 51. In other words, the counting ball detector 65 is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion with the counting base 52 on the bottom surface of the counting ball storage unit 51. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, a detection plate hole 66 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the bottom surface of the counting ball storage unit 51. In addition, a counting ball detection plate 67 is provided so as to close the detection plate hole 66. The counting ball detection plate 67 has a shaft support portion at one end. The shaft support portion is rotatably supported by the counting ball storage portion 51 and is urged by a detection plate return spring. Thereby, the counting ball detection plate 67 is configured such that the upper surface thereof and the bottom surface of the counting ball storage unit 51 are aligned in a state where there is no ball on the counting ball detection plate 67. Further, the counting ball detection plate 67 rotates around the shaft support portion against the urging force of the detection plate return spring due to the weight of the ball when there is even one ball on the counting ball detection plate 67. The end opposite to the shaft support is displaced downward. Further, when there is no more ball on the counting ball detection plate 67, the counting ball detection plate 67 returns to a position where the upper surface thereof and the bottom surface of the counting ball storage unit 51 are aligned by the biasing force of the detection plate return spring.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a counting ball detection switch 68 is provided below the counting ball detection plate 67. When the upper surface of the counting ball detection plate 67 is aligned with the bottom surface of the counting ball storage portion 51, the counting ball detection switch 68 does not operate, but the end of the counting ball detection plate 67 opposite to the shaft support portion is downward. In the state of being displaced, the counting ball detection switch 68 is activated. When the counting ball detection switch 68 is not activated, no counting ball detection signal is output. However, when the counting ball detection switch 68 is activated, the counting ball detection signal is output to the ball lending control device. .
Thus, in the present embodiment, the counting sphere detector 65 includes the detection plate hole 66 provided on the bottom surface of the counting sphere reservoir 51 and the counting sphere detection plate 67 provided so as to close the detection plate hole 66. An end of the counting ball detection plate 67 that pivotally supports the counting ball storage 51, a detection plate return spring that urges the counting ball detection plate 67, and a displacement of the counting ball detection plate 67. The counter includes a counting ball detection switch 68 that performs switching.

The operation of the counting unit 50 is controlled by the ball lending control device.
(Ball lending control device)
The ball lending control device is for controlling the operation of the ball lending machine 20.
The ball lending control device is configured using a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / O, and the like, and the operation of the lending unit 30 is executed by executing a predetermined program stored in the ROM. Lending control means for controlling the operation, counting control means for controlling the operation of the counting unit 50, a collected ball counter for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40, Counting error handling means to write a count value to the prepaid card 32, counting error detection means to detect an error, and counting error detection means when a counting error detection means detects an error It functions as a means.

(Lending control means)
The lending control means is for controlling the operation of the lending unit 30.
When the ball lending switch is operated with a predetermined prepaid card 32 inserted in the card reader 31 of the lending unit 30, the lending control means outputs a lending signal. This lending signal is input to the payout control device of the gaming machine 10. When the lending signal is input, the payout control device of the gaming machine 10 operates the payout unit of the gaming machine 10 so as to pay a predetermined number of balls from the payout opening to the upper plate 13 as a ball tray. Control. In this way, balls used for games are lent out.

In addition, when the return switch is operated in a state where a predetermined prepaid card 32 is inserted in the card reader 31 of the lending unit 30, the lending control means discharges the prepaid card 32 from the card reader 31. Thereby, the prepaid card 32 is returned to the player.
(Counting control means)
The counting control means is for controlling the operation of the counting unit 50.
When the counting sphere detector 65 detects a sphere in the counting sphere storage 51, specifically, when the counting sphere detection switch 68 is actuated by displacing the counting sphere detection plate 67 downward by the weight of the sphere, A sphere detection signal is output. This counting ball detection signal is input to the ball lending control device. When the counting ball detection signal is input, the counting control unit outputs a driving signal for the counting motor 59 to drive the counting motor 59. On the other hand, when there is no input of the counting ball detection signal, the counting control means stops the output of the driving signal of the counting motor 59 and stops the driving of the counting motor 59.

(Recovered ball counter)
The collected ball number counter is for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40.
When the counting sensor 62 detects the sphere transferred by the rotation of the counting rotating disk 55 and discharged from the sphere outlet 54, a counting signal is output. This counting signal is input to the ball lending control device. The collected ball number counter adds one count value each time a count signal is input. The count value of the number-of-times ball counter indicates the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40.
(Recovered ball number writing means)
The collected ball number writing means is for writing the count value of the number-of-balls counter to the prepaid card 32. That is, the number-of-balls writing means is for writing the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40 into the prepaid card 32.

(Counting error detection means)
The counting error detection means is for detecting an error.
When the counting ball detector 65 detects that there is a ball in the counting ball storage unit 51, that is, when the counting ball detection switch 68 is activated, a counting ball detection signal is output. This counting ball detection signal is input to the ball lending control device. Here, when there is an input of a counting ball detection signal to the ball lending control device, the counting control means outputs a driving signal for the counting motor 59, rotates the driving shaft 60 of the counting motor 59, and performs counting. The rotating disk 55 is rotated. For this reason, when the counting ball detection signal is input to the ball lending control device, the driving shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 and the counting rotating disk 55 should be rotating, and the driving shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 is rotated. If the counting rotating disk 55 is not rotated, there is a possibility that an error such as an illegal act or a failure has occurred in the counting unit 50. Here, if the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 and the counting rotary disk 55 rotate, this is detected by a rotary encoder composed of the counting rotation detection disk 63 and the counting rotation detection sensor 64. The

When a counting ball detection signal is input to the ball lending control device, or when a driving signal of the counting motor 59 is output, the counting rotation detection disk 63 and the counting rotation detection sensor 64 are configured. If the rotation of the driving shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 and the rotation of the counting rotary disk 55 is not detected by the rotary encoder, the counting error detecting means indicates that an error such as an illegal act or failure has occurred in the counting unit 50. Determine and output a counting error detection signal.
In addition, the counting rotation detection disk 63 and the counting rotation detection are performed even though the counting ball detection signal is not input to the ball lending control device or the driving signal of the counting motor 59 is not output. Even when the rotation of the drive shaft 60 of the counting motor 59 and the rotation of the counting rotary disk 55 is detected by the rotary encoder composed of the sensor 64, the counting error detection means causes the counting unit 50 to perform an illegal act or failure. It is determined that the above error has occurred, and a counting error detection signal is output.

(Counting error handling means)
The counting error handling means is for performing a predetermined error handling when the counting error detecting means detects an error.
The counting error detection means outputs a counting error detection signal when an error is detected, and the counting error handling means performs a predetermined error handling when the counting error detection signal is output. Further, as error handling, for example, it is possible to notify that there is an error using the gaming machine 10 or a display device provided around it, or to transmit a counting error detection signal to the hall computer.

The hall computer is a computer installed in the pachinko hall for managing the gaming machine 10 and monitoring / analyzing the operating status of the gaming machine 10.
(Supply machine 70)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, the replenisher 70 has a lower reservoir 80 for storing the balls guided by the used ball passage and the balls counted by the counter 50. A ball-sending part 90 for sending out the sphere stored in the lower storage part 80, a transfer passage 100 for transferring the sphere sent out by the ball-sending part 90 to the upper storage part 15, and for polishing the sphere The polishing unit 110 provided in the middle of the transfer passage 100 and the replenishment control device that controls the operation of the replenisher 70 are provided.

(Lower storage unit 80)
The lower storage unit 80 is for storing the spheres guided by the used ball passage and the spheres counted by the counting unit 50.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower storage unit 80 is located below the used ball passage and the counting unit 50. Further, the balls discharged from the used ball passage are transferred by the used ball chute 81, reach the lower storage unit 80, and are stored therein. Further, the sphere after being counted by the counting unit 50 also reaches the lower storage unit 80 and is stored therein.
In addition, the bottom surface of the lower storage unit 80 is smoothly inclined so that the height gradually decreases from the periphery toward the center. In addition, a drop opening that penetrates the bottom surface up and down is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the lower storage unit 80.

(Pitching club 90)
The ball sending unit 90 is for sending out the balls stored in the lower storage unit 80.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the pitching unit 90 includes a pitching base 91, a pitching rotating disk that rotates on the top surface of the pitching base 91 and sends out the ball, A ball-sending motor 92 for rotating the ball-spinning disk, a cylindrical ball-sending bucket 93 projecting upward from the upper surface of the ball-sending base 91 so as to surround the ball-sending rotary disk, and a drive shaft of the ball-sending motor 92 A pitching rotation detection disk 94 that rotates together with the pitching rotation detection disk 94 and a pitching rotation detection sensor 95 that detects the rotation of the pitching rotation detection disk 94 are provided. In addition, the upper end of the pitching bucket 93 is connected to the center of the bottom surface of the lower storage unit 80, and the ball that has dropped from the drop port at the center of the bottom surface of the lower storage unit 80 passes through the pitching bucket 93. It comes to the rotating disk.

  Also, on the upper surface of the pitching base 91, there is a circular recess that is large enough to fit the pitching rotary disk, and a circular recess that extends from the edge of the circular recess to the tangential direction of the circular recess and reaches one end of the pitching base 91. And a discharge channel of the same depth. In addition, the tip of the discharge path is opened at one end of the ball sending base 91 and serves as a ball outlet from which the ball is discharged. A C-shaped guide groove is provided on the bottom surface of the circular recess. Further, the guide groove is formed along the rotation locus of the through hole of the pitching rotary disk. In addition, a lead-out groove formed along the longitudinal direction of the discharge path is provided on the bottom surface of the discharge path. In addition, the lead-out groove extends from one end of the guide groove toward the tangential direction of the rotation trajectory of the through hole of the pitching rotary disk. Further, the guide groove and the lead-out groove are smoothly connected. Moreover, the depth of the guide groove and the lead-out groove is slightly shallower than the radius of the sphere. That is, the depth of the guide groove and the lead-out groove is slightly smaller than the radius of the sphere. In addition, the width of the guide groove and the lead-out groove is slightly narrower than the diameter of the sphere. That is, the width of the guide groove and the lead-out groove is slightly smaller than the diameter of the sphere. As a result, the guide groove and the lead-out groove are adapted to be fitted with portions below the center of the sphere.

  The pitching rotating disk is for sending out a ball, is formed in a substantially disc shape, and is housed in a circular recess provided on the upper surface of the pitching base 91, and rotates in this. It is. In the present embodiment, the pitching rotating disk rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise) when viewed from above. In addition, a shaft fixing portion is provided at the center of the ball-sending rotary disk. The pitching base 91 and the pitching rotary disk are formed so that the distance from the lower surface of the pitching rotary disk to the bottom of the guide groove is slightly larger than the diameter of the sphere. Further, the ball-feeding rotating disk has a plurality of through holes penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface, and is provided at equal intervals from the center. Further, the inner diameter of each through hole is slightly larger than the diameter of each sphere. Thereby, each through-hole is allowed to pass a sphere. In addition, on the lower surface of the ball-feeding rotating disk, a ball pressing portion that protrudes toward the bottom of the guide groove is provided at a position corresponding to the rear in the rotation direction of the ball-feeding rotating disk when viewed from each through hole. ing. Further, the ball pressing portion is used for moving the ball that has been fitted in the guide groove along the guide groove by pushing it from the rear along with the rotation of the pitching rotary disk. Further, the same number of ball pressing portions as the through holes are provided. Further, each ball pressing portion is provided at the rear in the rotation direction of the ball-feeding rotating disk as seen from the corresponding through hole. That is, the through hole and the ball pressing portion have a one-to-one correspondence. Each ball pressing portion is smoothly curved so as to bend backward in the rotation direction of the ball-feeding rotating disk as it moves away from the center of the ball-feeding rotating disc. Further, between the adjacent ball pressing portions, a passage through which the ball passes is used as a passage.

The pitching motor 92 is for rotating the pitching rotary disk. In the present embodiment, the pitching motor 92 is provided below the pitching rotating disk. The pitching motor 92 projects the drive shaft upward. A shaft is fixed to the drive shaft of the ball sending motor 92, and the upper end of the shaft is fixed to a shaft fixing portion provided at the center of the ball sending rotary disk. When the drive shaft of the ball sending motor 92 rotates, the ball sending rotary disk rotates through the shaft.
Further, the sphere supplied to the ball-feeding rotating disk passes through the through hole and fits into the guide groove. In addition, the sphere fitted in the guide groove is pushed by the sphere pressing portion and moves along the guide groove when the pitching rotary disk rotates. Then, when the sphere that has been pushed by the ball pressing portion and moved along the guide groove reaches the connecting portion between the guide groove and the lead-out groove, the ball leaves the guide groove, and thereafter moves along the lead-out groove. When the ball fitted in the guide groove is separated from the guide groove and sent to the lead-out groove, another ball passes through the through hole of the ball-feeding rotary disk and fits into the guide groove. The ball thus fitted in the guide groove is separated from the guide groove and sent out to the lead-out groove as described above when the ball-feeding rotary disk rotates. As the ball-feeding rotating disk continues to rotate, such an operation is repeated, and balls are successively sent from the guide groove to the lead-out groove. Then, a plurality of spheres are connected in a row in the lead-out groove. Then, the sphere previously sent to the lead-out groove is pushed and moved by the sphere sent to the lead-out groove one after another. Each time one ball is sent from the guide groove to the lead-out groove, one ball is pushed out from the ball outlet.

Further, the ball-feeding rotation detection disk 94 is formed in a disk shape, the center of which is fixed to the shaft, and rotates together with the shaft. Further, since the shaft rotates together with the driving shaft of the pitching motor 92 and the pitching rotating disk, the pitching rotation detection disk 94 rotates together with the driving shaft of the pitching motor 92 and the pitching rotating disk. Further, the ball-feeding rotation detection disk 94 is provided with a plurality of detection holes penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface at equal intervals from the center of the ball-feeding rotation detection disk 94.
The pitching rotation detection sensor 95 is for detecting the rotation of the pitching rotation detection disk 94. The pitching rotation detection sensor 95 is configured using a photo sensor. In addition, the photosensor includes a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit, and the rotation detecting disk 94 for ball sending is sandwiched between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. In addition, when the ball-feeding rotation detection disc 94 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the driving shaft of the ball-feeding motor 92 and the ball-feeding rotating disc, a large number of detection holes provided in the ball-feeding rotation detecting disc 94 are provided with a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. Pass through sequentially. In addition, the light emitted from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit at the position where the detection hole is provided, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit does not reach the light receiving unit at other positions. If a state in which the light receiving unit receives or does not receive light is continuously detected, it means that the pitching rotation detection disk 94 is rotating. In addition, if the light receiving unit continuously detects a state of receiving light, or if the light receiving unit does not receive light continuously, it means that the ball-feeding rotation detection disk 94 has not been rotated. Become. Then, the driving shaft of the pitching motor 92 and the pitching rotating disk rotate from the pitching rotation detecting disk 94 and the photo sensor as the pitching rotation detecting sensor 95 for detecting the rotation of the pitching rotation detecting disk 94. A rotary encoder for detecting whether or not it is operating is configured. Further, when the drive shaft of the pitching motor 92 rotates, the pitching rotation detection disk 94 rotates, and further, the pitching rotation disk also rotates. On the other hand, when the pitching rotation disk rotates, the pitching rotation detection disk 94 rotates, and the driving shaft of the pitching motor 92 also rotates. Further, when the rotation of the drive shaft of the pitching motor 92 is stopped, the rotation of the pitching rotation detection disk 94 is stopped, and further, the rotation of the pitching rotation disk is also stopped. On the other hand, if the rotation of the pitching rotating disk stops due to an illegal act or failure, the pitching rotation detecting disk 94 stops rotating, and further, the rotation of the driving shaft of the pitching motor 92 also stops. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the drive shaft of the pitching motor 92 and the pitching rotary disk are rotating by the rotary encoder constituted by the pitching rotation detection disk 94 and the pitching rotation detection sensor 95.

(Supply control device)
The replenishment control device is for controlling the operation of the replenisher 70.
Further, the replenishment control device is configured by using a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / O, and the like, and the operation of the pitching unit 90 is performed by executing a predetermined program stored in the ROM. It functions as a ball-feeding control means for controlling, a replenishment error detecting means for detecting an error, a replenishment error handling means for dealing with a predetermined error when the supply error detecting means detects an error, and the like.
(Ball throwing control means)
The pitching control means is for controlling the operation of the pitching unit 90.

When the amount of spheres in the upper storage portion 15 is below a certain level and the number of balls on the ball amount detection plate is relatively small, or when the number of balls on the ball amount detection plate disappears, the biasing force of the upper return spring The ball amount detection plate is pushed upward so as to rotate about the rotation axis. Then, the pressed state of the ball amount detection switch is released, and a replenishment start signal is output. This supply start signal is input to the supply control device of the supply machine 70. Further, when a replenishment start signal is input, the pitching control means outputs a driving signal for the pitching motor 92 to drive the pitching motor 92.
When the amount of spheres in the upper storage unit 15 exceeds a certain value and a relatively large number of spheres are placed on the sphere amount detection plate, the sphere amount detection plate rotates around the rotation axis. And pushed down. Then, the ball amount detection switch is pushed, and a supply stop signal is output. This replenishment stop signal is also input to the replenishment control device of the replenisher 70, similarly to the replenishment start signal. In addition, when a replenishment stop signal is input, the pitching control means stops outputting the driving signal of the pitching motor 92 and stops driving of the pitching motor 92.

In this way, replenishment of balls from the lower storage unit 80 to the upper storage unit 15 is performed.
(Supply error detection means)
The replenishment error detection means is for detecting an error.
Here, when a replenishment start signal is input to the replenishment control device, the pitching control means outputs a driving signal for the pitching motor 92, rotates the driving shaft of the pitching motor 92, and rotates the pitching rotating disk. Rotate. For this reason, when a replenishment start signal is input to the replenishment control device, the drive shaft of the pitching motor 92 and the pitching rotating disk should be rotating, and the driving shaft of the pitching motor 92 and the pitching rotating disc If is not rotating, there is a possibility that an error such as an illegal act or a failure has occurred in the counting unit 50. Here, if the driving shaft of the pitching motor 92 and the pitching rotating disk rotate, this is detected by a rotary encoder composed of the pitching rotation detecting disk 94 and the pitching rotation detecting sensor 95.

When a replenishment start signal is input to the replenishment control device or when a replenishment motor drive signal is being output, a rotary encoder composed of a replenishment rotation detection disk and a replenishment rotation detection sensor If the rotation of the drive shaft of the replenishing motor and the revolving rotary disk is not detected, the replenishment error detecting means determines that an error such as an illegal act or failure has occurred in the ball feeding section 90, and a replenishment error detection signal Is output.
In addition, it is composed of a replenishment rotation detection disk and a replenishment rotation detection sensor regardless of whether a replenishment stop signal is input to the replenishment control device or the drive signal of the replenishment motor is not output. When the rotation of the drive shaft of the replenishment motor and the rotation of the replenishment rotary disk is detected by the rotary encoder, the replenishment error detection means indicates that an error such as an illegal act or failure has occurred in the ball feeding unit 90. Judgment is made and a supply error detection signal is output.

(Supply error handling means)
The supply error handling means is for performing a predetermined error handling when the supply error detection means detects an error.
The supply error detection means outputs a supply error detection signal when an error is detected, and the supply error handling means responds to a predetermined error when the supply error detection signal is output. Further, as error handling, for example, it is possible to notify that there is an error using the gaming machine 10 or a display device provided around it, or to transmit a supply error detection signal to the hall computer.

(Transfer passage 100)
The transfer passage 100 is for transferring the ball sent out by the ball sending unit 90 to the upper storage unit 15.
The transfer passage 100 is configured using a pipe. Further, the inner diameter of the pipe as the transfer passage 100 is slightly larger than the diameter of the sphere. As a result, the transfer passage 100 is configured to transfer the spheres in a line.
The lower end of the transfer passage 100 is connected to the ball outlet of the ball sending unit 90.
Further, the sphere pushed out from the ball outlet of the ball sending section 90 is pushed into the transfer passage 100 from the lower end of the transfer passage 100. In addition, as the ball-feeding rotating disk continues to rotate, the balls are pushed into the transfer passage 100 one after another. Each time one sphere is pushed in from the lower end of the transfer passage 100, one sphere is pushed out from the upper end of the transfer passage 100.

Further, the upper end of the transfer passage 100 extends upward from the upper storage portion 15. Then, the balls discharged from the upper end of the transfer passage 100 are transferred by the supply ball chute 101, reach the upper storage unit 15, and are stored therein.
(Polishing part 110)
The polishing unit 110 is for polishing a sphere, and is provided in the middle of the transfer passage 100.
The polishing unit 110 includes n (n ≧ 3) guide members 111 provided in parallel. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the polishing section 110 includes four guide members 111 provided in parallel. That is, in this embodiment, n = 4. Further, inside the n (four) guide members 111, a transfer path for transferring the sphere is provided. Further, the distance from the center of the transfer path to each guide member 111 is set slightly larger than the radius of the sphere, and the interval between the adjacent guide members 111 is set smaller than the diameter of the sphere. Thus, the plurality of balls are transferred along the longitudinal direction of the n (four) guide members 111 in a state where the balls are aligned in a line in the transfer path.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the polishing unit 110 includes a paper or cloth abrasive 114 provided so as to wrap the n (four) guide members 111 from the outside, and an abrasive from the outside of the abrasive 114. A holder 115 that holds n (four) guide members 111 together with the material 114, and a ball in the transfer path that is provided on the inner surface of the holder 115 via a gap between adjacent guide members 111. And a pressing member 122 that presses the abrasive 114.
(Guide member 111)
As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the polishing section 110 includes four guide members 111 provided in parallel. The four guide members 111 are fixed at the lower end to the lower guide fixing member 112 and at the upper end to the upper guide fixing member 113, respectively.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the lower guide fixing member 112 and the upper guide fixing member 113 are both configured using metal ring-shaped members. Further, the inner diameters of the lower guide fixing member 112 and the upper guide fixing member 113 are both set larger than the diameter of the sphere. Thus, the sphere can pass through the inside of the ring-shaped lower guide fixing member 112 and the upper guide fixing member 113.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, each guide member 111 is configured by using a long and narrow plate-like member made of metal, and its upper and lower end portions are respectively bent and bent. These parts are welded and fixed to the lower guide fixing member 112 and the upper guide fixing member 113, respectively.

  Further, inside the four guide members 111, a transfer path for transferring the sphere is provided. Further, the distance from the center of the transfer path to each guide member 111 is set to be slightly larger than the radius of the sphere. Further, the interval between the adjacent guide members 111 is set smaller than the diameter of the sphere. In other words, each guide is set so that the distance from the center of the transfer path to each guide member 111 is slightly larger than the radius of the sphere, and the distance between adjacent guide members 111 is smaller than the diameter of the sphere. The lower end of the member 111 is fixed to the lower guide fixing member 112 and the upper end is fixed to the upper guide fixing member 113 by welding. As a result, the plurality of spheres are transferred along the longitudinal direction of the four guide members 111 in a state where the plurality of balls are aligned in a line in the transfer path.

(Abrasive 114)
The abrasive 114 is for polishing a sphere that passes through a transfer path provided inside the n (four) guide members 111. The abrasive 114 is made of paper or cloth. As shown in FIG. 5, the abrasive 114 is provided so as to wrap the n (four) guide members 111 from the outside.
(Holding tool 115)
The holder 115 is for holding the n (four) guide members 111 together with the abrasive 114 from the outside of the abrasive 114 so as to surround it.

As shown in FIG. 5, the holder 115 includes a semi-cylindrical first holding piece 116 and a semi-cylindrical second holding piece 117. Then, when the first holding piece 116 and the second holding piece 117 are made to coincide with each other so that both concave portions face each other, a cylindrical shape is obtained.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a first bearing 118 is provided on one side of the first holding piece 116, and a second bearing 119 is provided on one side of the second holding piece 117. . The first bearing portion 118 is pivotally supported by the second bearing portion 119 by a rotation shaft 120 so as to be rotatable. As a result, the first holding piece 116 rotates with respect to the second holding piece 117 about the rotation shaft 120. That is, the first holding piece 116 and the second holding piece 117 are configured to open and close on the side opposite to the rotating shaft 120.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a coil spring 121 is provided so as to be fitted on the outer side of the rotating shaft 120. Further, the coil spring 121 biases the first holding piece 116 and the second holding piece 117 so that the concave portions of the first holding piece 116 and the second holding piece 117 face each other. That is, the coil spring 121 biases the first holding piece 116 and the second holding piece 117 so that the opposite sides of the rotating shaft 120 are changed from the open state to the closed state.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a first opening / closing piece 123 is provided on the opposite side of the first bearing portion 118 from the first holding piece 116, and the second holding piece in the second bearing portion 119 is provided. A second opening / closing piece 124 is provided on the side opposite to 117. When the opposite sides of the first holding piece 116 and the second holding piece 117 to the rotating shaft 120 are closed, the first opening / closing piece 123 and the second opening / closing piece 124 are opened, while the coil spring 121 is attached. When the first opening / closing piece 123 and the second opening / closing piece 124 are closed against the force, the opposite sides of the first holding piece 116 and the second holding piece 117 from the rotating shaft 120 are opened. Is formed.

(Pressing member 122)
The pressing member 122 is provided on the inner surface of the holder 115, and is used for pressing the abrasive 114 against the sphere in the transfer path through the gap between the adjacent guide members 111. .
As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, there are four gaps between adjacent guide members 111, and four pressing members 122 are provided on the inner surface of the holder 115 so as to match this. Is provided. Each pressing member 122 protrudes inward from the inner surface of the holder 115, and is formed in a shape that matches the shape of the gap between the adjacent guide members 111. Each pressing member 122 pushes the abrasive 114 into the transfer path from the gap between the adjacent guide members 111. In this manner, each pressing member 122 presses the abrasive 114 against a plurality of balls transferred in the transfer path.

That is, the abrasive 114 is pushed into the transfer path by the pressing member 122 from the gap between the adjacent guide members 111. Then, the abrasive 114 pushed into the transfer path in this way hits a ball transferred in the transfer path. Then, dirt adhering to the surface of the sphere transferred in the transfer path is wiped off by the abrasive 114. In this way, the sphere transferred in the transfer path is polished by the abrasive 114, and the dirt adhering to the surface of the sphere is transferred to the abrasive 114 and the sphere is cleaned.
Further, depending on the degree of contamination of the abrasive 114, the opposite sides of the first holding piece 116 and the second holding piece 117 from the rotating shaft 120 are opened and removed, and replaced with a new abrasive 114.

(Construction of game machine island device 160)
The gaming machine island device 160 shown in FIG. 6 is constructed by incorporating the above-described set of gaming systems into a single installation base 155 to form a single gaming unit 130, and two gaming units 130 arranged side by side. is there.
In the present embodiment, the first and second two gaming machines 10, the first and second two ball rental machines 20 provided corresponding to the two gaming machines 10, respectively, First and second supply machines 70 provided corresponding to the respective game machines 10 and first and second two supply machines 70 provided corresponding to the two game machines 10 respectively. An installation table 155 is provided.

The first gaming machine 10 is installed in the gaming machine installation section of the first installation table 155, and the first ball rental machine 20 corresponding to the first gaming machine 10 is installed in the ball rental machine of the first installation table 155. The first supply machine 70 corresponding to the first gaming machine 10 is installed in the installation unit, and in the supply machine installation unit of the first installation table 155, respectively.
Similarly, the second gaming machine 10 is installed at the gaming machine installation section of the second installation table 155, and the second ball rental machine 20 corresponding to the second gaming machine 10 is installed on the second installation table 155. A second supply machine 70 corresponding to the second gaming machine 10 is installed in the machine installation section, and in the supply machine installation section of the second installation base 155, respectively.

Further, an anchor bolt 140 is provided at a position on the floor of the pachinko hall where the gaming unit 130 is to be installed, and the gaming unit 130 is fixedly installed on the anchor bolt 140.
A decorative panel 150 is provided on the outer side surface of the gaming unit 130 at the end.
Further, a power line 145 for supplying power and a predetermined signal to the gaming unit 130 is provided above the gaming unit 130.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the ball lending machine 20 drives the payout unit to pay out the balls stored in the upper storage unit 15 from the payout outlet to the ball tray. A lending unit 30 that lends, a collecting unit 40 for collecting the balls stored in the ball tray without using them in the game, and a counting unit 50 for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting unit 40 And a lower storage unit 80 for storing the balls guided by the used ball passage and the balls counted by the counting unit 50, and the balls stored in the lower storage unit 80. A ball-sending part 90 for delivering the ball, a transfer passage 100 for transferring the ball sent out by the ball-sending part 90 to the upper storage part 15, and for polishing the ball, provided in the middle of the transfer path 100 Because it is equipped with a polishing unit 110 that is, only in one gaming machine 10 and its peripheral equipment A compact and inexpensive game system in which balls can circulate can be provided.

In addition, since a ball circulates only in the gaming system according to the present embodiment, which is a set of one gaming machine 10 and its peripheral equipment, a large-scale equipment construction is not required, so a gaming machine accompanying renovation 10 increase / decrease and repositioning can be done easily.
Of course, only one set of the gaming system according to the present embodiment, which is a set of one gaming machine 10 and its peripheral equipment, can be installed alone.
In addition, although the ball circulates only in the gaming system according to the present embodiment, which is a set of one gaming machine 10 and its peripheral equipment, the polishing unit 110 is provided in the middle of the transfer passage 100. It is possible to prevent contamination of the game area.

Further, in the present embodiment, although the balls stored in the ball tray are collected by the collecting unit 40, the balls stored in the ball tray are counted by the counting unit 50 before moving to the lower storage unit 80. Can grasp the number of
Further, in the present embodiment, the counting unit 50, the counting ball storage unit 51 for storing the balls collected by the collection unit 40, the counting base 52 into which the balls stored in the counting ball storage unit 51 flow, Counting rotating disk 55 for transferring the spheres flowing into counting base 52, counting motor 59 for rotating counting rotating disk 55, and ball outlet 54 for discharging the spheres transferred by counting rotating disk 55 A counting sensor 62 for detecting the sphere discharged from the ball outlet 54, and the counting rotating disk 55 is provided with a plurality of through holes 56 penetrating from its upper surface to its lower surface, Each through hole 56 is formed so that the sphere flowing in from 51 is taken in from the upper surface side and discharged from the lower surface side to the sphere outlet 54. 57 of the rotating disk 55 for counting The ball path from counting ball storage portion 51 with the rotation to the sphere outlet 54 so that the partition portion 57 crosses.

Therefore, each partition 57 periodically and mechanically blocks the path of the sphere from the counting sphere storage 51 to the sphere outlet 54. For this reason, for example, the ball with the thread tied is advanced to the position of the counting sensor 62, and the ball is reciprocated before and after the counting sensor 62 by manipulating the thread. Even if the number is illegally added, the path of the sphere from the counting sphere reservoir 51 to the sphere outlet 54 is periodically and mechanically blocked by each partition 57, so that the thread cannot be manipulated properly. Is entangled with the counting rotating disk 55 or cut off in the middle. Therefore, an illegal act such as accessing the counting sensor 62 can be prevented.
Further, when the yarn is entangled with the counting rotating disk 55, the counting rotating disk 55 may not rotate even though the driving signal of the counting motor 59 is output. In such a case, the counting error detection means determines that an error such as an illegal act or failure has occurred in the counting unit 50, and a counting error signal is output. Therefore, an illegal act such as accessing the counting sensor 62 can be prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the polishing unit 110 includes n (n ≧ 3) guide members 111 provided in parallel, and a transfer path for transferring the sphere is provided inside the n guide members 111. Provided. Further, the distance from the center of the transfer path to each guide member 111 was set slightly larger than the radius of the sphere, and the interval between the adjacent guide members 111 was set smaller than the diameter of the sphere. Thus, the plurality of spheres can be transferred along the longitudinal direction of the n guide members 111 in a state where the plurality of balls are aligned in a line in the transfer path. Further, a paper or cloth abrasive 114 provided so as to wrap these from the outside of the n guide members 111 and a holding for holding the n guide members 111 together with the abrasive 114 from the outside of the abrasive 114. And a pressing member 122 that is provided on the inner surface of the holder 115 and presses the abrasive 114 against the sphere in the transfer path through the gap between the adjacent guide members 111.

  For this reason, the abrasive 114 is pushed into the transfer path by the pressing member 122 from the gap between the adjacent guide members 111. Then, the abrasive 114 pushed into the transfer path in this way hits a ball transferred in the transfer path. Then, dirt adhering to the surface of the sphere transferred in the transfer path is wiped off by the abrasive 114. In this way, the sphere transferred in the transfer path is polished by the abrasive 114, and the dirt adhering to the surface of the sphere moves to the abrasive 114, and the sphere becomes clean. Moreover, the polishing unit 110 is compact.

The perspective view which shows the ball lending machine and supply machine which concern on this Embodiment. The side view of the game system which concerns on this Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the counting part which concerns on this Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the ball sending part which concerns on this Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view and top view of the grinding | polishing part which concern on this Embodiment. The perspective view which shows installation of the game system which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Gaming machine 11 Back frame
12 Front frame 13 Upper plate
14 Lower plate 15 Upper reservoir
20 ball lending machine 30 lending department
31 Card reader 32 Prepaid card
40 Collection unit 41 Collection tank
50 Counting part 51 Counting ball storage part
52 Counting base 53 Circular recess
54 Ball outlet 55 Rotating disc for counting
56 Through hole 57 Partition
58 Ball pressing part 59 Counting motor
60 Drive shaft 61 Shaft
62 Counting sensor 63 Counting rotation detection disk
64 Rotation sensor for counting 65 Counting ball detector
66 Detection plate hole 67 Counting ball detection plate
68 Counting ball detection switch 70 Replenisher
80 Lower storage part 81 Used ball chute
90 Throwing section 91 Throwing base
92 Throwing motor 93 Throwing bucket
94 Rotation detection disk for pitching 95 Rotation detection sensor for pitching
100 Transfer passage 101 Supply ball chute
110 Polishing part 111 Guide member
112 Lower guide fixing member 113 Upper guide fixing member
114 Abrasive material 115 Holder
116 First holding piece 117 Second holding piece
118 First bearing part 119 Second bearing part
120 Rotating shaft 121 Coil spring
122 Pressing member 123 First open / close piece
124 Second open / close piece 130 Game unit
140 Anchor bolt 145 Power line
150 Makeup panel 155 Installation stand
160 Amusement machine island equipment

Claims (4)

A gaming machine using a ball as a gaming medium;
A ball lending machine that lends balls for use in games;
A gaming system comprising a replenishing machine that collects and stores balls from a gaming machine and supplies the stored balls to the gaming machine,
The gaming machine is for storing a ball, and an upper storage part provided at the upper part of the back of the gaming machine, and a payout opening provided with a ball stored in the upper storage part at a predetermined position on the front side of the gaming machine A payout unit for paying out from the ball, a ball tray for storing the ball paid out from the payout port by the payout unit, and a ball stored in a predetermined position on the front surface of the gaming machine; A game part that takes in and plays a game, and a used ball passage that guides the ball used in the game in the game part to the lower part of the back of the gaming machine,
The ball lending machine has a lending unit that lends a ball used for a game by driving a paying unit and paying out a ball stored in the upper storage unit from a payout port to a ball tray, and is stored in the ball tray A collection unit for collecting the balls without using them in the game, and a counting unit for counting the number of balls collected by the collection unit;
The replenisher has a lower storage part for storing the balls guided by the used ball passage and the balls after being counted by the counting part, and a ball sending part for sending out the balls stored in the lower storage part, A transfer passage for transferring the ball sent out by the ball sending portion to the upper storage portion and a polishing portion for polishing the ball and provided in the middle of the transfer passage are provided. Game system. The counting unit includes a counting sphere storing unit for storing the spheres collected by the collecting unit, and a counting ball connected to the counting sphere storing unit so that the spheres stored in the counting sphere storing unit flow into the counting unit. Rotating disk for counting, which is for transferring a sphere that has flowed into the base and the counting base, and is configured to rotate on the upper surface of the counting base and to move the sphere by the rotation. A counting motor for rotating the counting rotating disk, a ball outlet for discharging the balls transferred by the rotation of the counting rotating disk, and a counting for detecting the balls discharged from the ball outlet With sensors,
The counting rotary disk is provided with a plurality of through holes, and each through hole penetrates from the upper surface to the lower surface of the counting rotating disk, and the sphere that has flowed into the counting base is on the upper surface side of the counting rotating disk. It is formed so as to be taken into the inside from the opening and discharged from the opening on the lower surface side of the counting rotating disk toward the ball outlet,
When each of the counting rotating disks has a partition between adjacent through-holes, each of the partitioning sections follows a path of the sphere from the counting ball storage section to the ball outlet as the counting rotating disk rotates. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game system is formed so as to cross.   The polishing unit includes n (n ≧ 3) guide members provided in parallel, and has a transfer path for transferring a sphere inside the n guide members, and each guide member from the center of the transfer path. Is set to be slightly larger than the radius of the sphere, and the distance between adjacent guide members is set to be smaller than the diameter of the sphere, thereby aligning multiple spheres in a line in the transfer path. In this state, the abrasive material made of paper or cloth is formed so as to be transportable along the longitudinal direction of the n guide members, and is provided so as to wrap these from the outside of the n guide members, and the abrasive material A holder that holds the n guide members together with the abrasive from the outside, and the abrasive that is provided on the inner surface of the holder and pushes the abrasive to the ball in the transfer path through the gap between the adjacent guide members It has a pressing member to hit Claim 1 or 2 gaming system according to symptoms. M (m ≧ 2) gaming machines using balls as gaming media;
m ball lending machines provided corresponding to each of the m game machines, and lending balls used for games to the corresponding game machines;
Replenishment of m units that are provided corresponding to each of the m gaming machines and collect and store the balls from the corresponding gaming machines and supply the stored balls to the corresponding gaming machines Machine,
m game machines are provided corresponding to each of the m game machines, and corresponding game machines are installed, and a ball machine and a supply machine corresponding to the game machines are installed, A gaming machine island device comprising:
Each gaming machine is for storing a ball, and is used for paying out an upper storage part provided at the upper part of the back surface and a ball stored in the upper storage part from a payout opening provided at a predetermined position on the front surface. A payout unit, a ball tray for storing balls delivered from the payout port by the payout unit, and a game unit for playing a game by taking in the balls stored in the ball tray And a used ball passage that guides the ball used for the game in the game part to the lower back side,
Each ball lending machine corresponds to a lending unit that lends balls used for games by driving the payout unit of the corresponding gaming machine and paying out the balls stored in the upper storage unit from the payout outlet to the ball tray A collecting unit for collecting the balls stored in the ball tray of the gaming machine to be used without playing the game, and a counting unit for counting the number of balls collected by the collecting unit,
Each replenishing machine stores a ball guided by a used ball passage of a corresponding gaming machine and a ball after being counted by a counting unit of the corresponding ball lending machine, and stored in a lower storage unit. A ball-sending part for sending out the ball being sent, a transfer path for transferring the ball sent out by the ball-sending part to the upper storage part of the corresponding gaming machine, and for polishing the ball, in the middle of the transfer path And a polishing portion provided in
A gaming machine island device characterized in that a corresponding gaming machine, a ball lending machine, and a replenishing machine are installed on each installation base to form a gaming unit, and the gaming units are arranged in parallel.