JP2010088679A - Each-stand counter and apparatus between stands - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To release clogging with game mediums even when the clogging occurs. <P>SOLUTION: An each-stand counter is configured in such a manner that a counting part counts game mediums, and while a tray receives the game mediums falling down from a game stand, the tray sends the received game mediums by a slope, and when an alignment path aligns and leads the game mediums to the counting part by causing the game mediums to pass through a narrowed section where a path space is narrowed so that the game mediums sent out from the tray makes a predetermined line without superposing on each other, an unclogging part provided near the narrowed section in the alignment path part contacts with the game mediums, thereby unclogging the narrowed section clogged with the game mediums. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to each of the counter counting devices and inter-device devices provided corresponding to a game machine, and in particular, it is difficult for game media to be clogged, and even when a game media clog occurs, clog release is quickly performed. The present invention relates to a counter device and an inter-device device that can be performed.

  Conventionally, a lending processing machine that lends gaming media such as pachinko balls and medals in parallel with game machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines installed in amusement stores such as pachinko parlors (hereinafter referred to as “between machine”) It has been known. There has also been known a so-called each-counter counting system in which the number of game media acquired by the player on the game table is counted by each counter counting device connected to each inter-device.

  Each of the counter counting devices is arranged on a base plate on which a gaming table is installed. The receiving tray unit receives the gaming medium discharged from the lower tray of the gaming table, and the gaming medium flowing out from the receiving tray unit is arranged in the alignment passage. It guides to the counting part provided in the lower part of the inter-stand apparatus while aligning. Then, the counting unit counts the sent game media (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3858955

  However, each of the above-described counter counting devices is provided on a saddle plate, and it is necessary to guide the game medium to a counting unit disposed at the lower part of the inter-device device also provided on the saddle plate. Due to the restriction of the installation space, a sufficient inclination cannot be given to the passage through which the game medium flows under its own weight. Therefore, each conventional counter counting apparatus has a problem that the flow of game media is poor and game media is easily clogged.

  Here, when the flow rate of game media is small and the passage is clean, game media clogging is unlikely to occur, but if the game stand is in a special prize state and a large amount of game media is discharged or the passage is dirty There is a tendency for game media to be easily jammed. In addition, in the portion where the passage space is narrowed from the tray portion of each counter to the alignment passage described above, game medium clogging is particularly likely to occur.

  In this way, when a game medium jam occurs, the game medium overflows, so the jammed state must be released as soon as possible. For this reason, the player requests the release of the clogged state by calling an employee of the amusement store. However, if the arrival of the employee is delayed, overflowing gaming media are scattered on the floor of the amusement store.

  For these reasons, it is difficult for game media to be jammed, and even if a game media jam occurs, it is possible to quickly release the jam, or between the stands including each of the stand counting devices. How to realize the device is a big issue.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and it is difficult for game media to be clogged. For example, even when a game media clog occurs, the clog is quickly released. It is an object of the present invention to provide a counter unit and an inter-unit device that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a counter counting device provided corresponding to a game machine, a counting means for counting game media, and a game falling from the game machine While receiving the medium, passing through the narrowing section in which the passage space is narrowed so that the receiving medium that sends out the received gaming medium by a gradient and the gaming medium sent from the receiving means do not overlap each other but in a predetermined row An alignment means for aligning and guiding the game media to the counting means, and a clogging provided in the vicinity of the throttle section in the alignment means for releasing the jam of the game media in the throttle section by contacting the game media. And release means.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the clogging release means includes a top plate that contacts the second or higher level game media of the game media overlapped in the throttle section, and a first step while holding the upper plate. A release plate comprising a side plate that contacts the side surface of the above game medium is included, and the release plate rotates about an attachment shaft so that the upper plate is substantially horizontal and the side plate is substantially omitted. It swings in the vertical direction.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the clogging release means pushes the game medium back in the direction opposite to the advancing direction while contacting the game medium at the second stage or higher with respect to the game medium overlapped in the throttle section. It is characterized by including a rotating body that rotates.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the clogging release means includes a shielding plate that blocks passage of the game medium, and the shielding plate moves the game medium up and down in a substantially vertical direction. To do.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, further provided is a drive means for electrically driving the clogging release means.

  According to the present invention, in the above-described invention, there is provided drive control means for starting the operation of the drive means when the next game medium is not detected within a predetermined time after the counting means detects the game medium. It is further provided with a feature.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the counting unit detects a game medium, the driving unit starts to be driven, and the next game is started within a predetermined time after the counting unit detects the game medium. The apparatus further comprises drive control means for stopping the drive of the drive means when the medium is not counted.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, further provided is a manual drive means for manually driving the clogging release means.

  In addition, the present invention is an inter-device device provided with each counter device according to each of the above inventions.

  According to the present invention, the counting means for counting the game media, the tray means for feeding the received game media by a gradient while receiving the game media falling from the game table, and the game media sent from the tray means are mutually connected. By passing through the throttle section in which the passage space is narrowed so as to be in a predetermined row without overlapping, the alignment means for aligning the game media to the counting means, and provided in the vicinity of the throttle section in the alignment means, Since it is provided with a clogging release means for releasing clogging of the game media in the throttle section by contacting the game media, clogging of the game media is difficult to occur, even if a game media clogging occurs. There exists an effect that cancellation | release can be performed rapidly.

  Further, according to the present invention, the clogging release means includes a top plate that contacts the second or higher level game media with respect to the game media overlapped in the throttle section, and a side surface of the first or higher level game media while holding the upper plate. The release plate is composed of a side plate that comes into contact with the upper plate, and when the release plate rotates around the mounting shaft, the upper plate swings in a substantially horizontal direction and the side plate in a substantially vertical direction. Therefore, there is an effect that the clogged balls can be efficiently released by breaking the balance of the clogged balls stacked in the vertical direction and balanced and the clogged balls spread in the horizontal direction and balanced.

  Further, according to the present invention, the clogging release means includes a rotating body that rotates in a direction to push the game medium back in the direction opposite to the advancing direction while contacting the game medium at the second or higher level with respect to the game medium overlapped in the throttle section. Since it is included, there is an effect that the clogged ball can be released by applying stress in the direction of pushing back the clogged ball.

  Further, according to the present invention, the clogging release means includes a shielding plate that blocks the passage of the game medium, and the shielding plate moves the game medium up and down in a substantially vertical direction. By using a shielding plate that shields the inflow of game media for clogging release, the clogging release mechanism can be made compact.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the clogging release means is further provided with the driving means for driving electrically, the clogged balls can be released without being operated by a game shop employee or a player. There is an effect.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is further provided with a drive control means for starting the operation of the drive means when the next game medium is not detected within a predetermined time after the counting means detects the game medium. Therefore, it is possible to improve the durability by shortening the operation time of the clogging release means and the drive means.

  According to the present invention, when the counting means detects a game medium, the driving means starts to be driven, and the next gaming medium is not counted within a predetermined time after the counting means detects the game medium. In this case, since the driving of the driving means is stopped, the clogging releasing means can be operated at all times when the counting means is performing the counting operation.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the manual drive means for manually driving the clog release means is further provided, there is an effect that an employee of a game shop or a player can manually release the clog.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the inter-device is configured so as to include the above-mentioned counter counting devices, it is difficult for game media to be clogged, and even if a game media clog occurs. There is an effect that it is possible to realize an inter-station apparatus capable of quickly releasing clogging.

  Exemplary embodiments of each counter device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, an embodiment of each counter device that is provided corresponding to a so-called pachinko machine and counts pachinko balls will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of each counter device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, next to the game table 200, there is a table device 300 that lends pachinko balls. On the board 1c, the table device 300 is connected to the lower part of the table device 300. Each counter device 10 for counting pachinko balls received via the lower plate 1b is installed.

  When the player performs an operation such as inserting a member card, a prepaid card, bills, etc. and pressing a lending button, the pachinko ball is thrown into the gaming table 200 via the nozzle 1a. To do. Then, when the pachinko ball is discharged because the gaming table 200 is in a special prize state or the like, the discharged pachinko ball is dropped to the counter counting device 10 via the lower plate 1b.

  Here, as shown in the figure, each of the counter counting devices 10 is installed in a space sandwiched between the game table 200 and the base plate 1c, so that the passage for guiding the pachinko balls to the counting unit is inclined. Hard to put on. For this reason, there is a problem that pachinko balls are hard to roll due to their own weight and easily cause clogging. Further, there is a problem that the pachinko balls are particularly easily clogged in the portion where the passage is narrow.

  FIG. 2 is an external view showing a configuration of each counter 10. As shown in the figure, each table counting device 10 includes a ball discharging unit 21, a ball counting unit 22, an alignment passage unit 23, a clogging release unit 24, a display unit 25, an operation unit 26, and a saucer unit. 27 and a spillage prevention cover 28.

  The pachinko balls dropped from the openable and closable pachinko ball passage holes provided in the lower part of the lower plate 1 b in the game table 200 reach the tray portions 27 of the respective counters 10. The pachinko balls temporarily held in the stacked state in the tray part 27 reach the clogging release part 24 by the natural gradient provided in the tray part 27.

  Further, pachinko balls that have passed through the clogging release unit 24 reach the ball counting unit 22 with a natural gradient provided in the passage while being aligned in the alignment passage portion 23. Then, the pachinko balls counted by the ball counting unit 22 are discharged from the ball discharge unit 21 to the pachinko ball collection passage.

  Here, each counter device 10 according to the present embodiment is mainly characterized in that it includes the clogging release unit 24 described above. The clogging release section 24 is provided in an entrance section where pachinko balls stacked in the tray section 27 flow into the alignment passage section 23, that is, a narrow section in which the pachinko ball path is narrowed.

  Conventionally, pachinko balls are particularly easily clogged in such a throttle section. Accordingly, in each counter 10 according to the present embodiment, the clogging of pachinko balls is provided by providing a clogging release portion 24 in a throttle section where clogging of pachinko balls is likely to occur, and swinging in contact with the clogged pachinko balls. Was decided to cancel.

  The display unit 25 shown in the figure is a display device that displays the count value and the like by the ball counting unit 22. Further, the operation unit 26 includes a button such as a handball payout button. When the handball payout button is pressed, the handball is paid out from the inter-unit device 300. The spill prevention cover 28 is a cover that prevents the pachinko balls from spilling from the tray part 27.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a ball (pachinko ball) flow path and a clogging release portion 24. In addition, the broken-line arrow (for example, 31 shown to the figure) shown in the figure has shown the flow path of the pachinko ball. As shown in the figure, the clogging release portion 24 has a release plate for swinging the pachinko ball. The side plate of the release plate is in the direction 32 shown in the figure, and the upper plate of the release plate is the same. The pachinko balls that have come into contact with each other are swung by reciprocating in the direction of 33 shown in the figure. A specific example of the release plate shown in the figure will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of clogging. Note that (A) of the figure shows a view of the throttle section viewed from the side, and (B) of the figure shows a diagram of the throttle section viewed from above. In addition, the arrow shown in the figure shows the advancing direction of the pachinko ball 42, and the pachinko ball 42 that caused the clogging is shown as the clogged ball 41 (see the hatched circle in the figure).

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the throttle section is viewed from the side, the pachinko balls 42 stacked in a number of stages in the tray portion 27 are throttled in the throttle section so that the clogged balls 41 are reduced in height. However, clogging occurs by stacking and balancing between the upper and lower surfaces of the throttle section. Therefore, if the release plate shown in FIG. 3 comes into contact with the jammed ball 41 and swings, the jammed ball 41 can be guided to the previous passage.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the throttle section is viewed from above, the pachinko balls 42 that have spread in several rows in the tray part 27 are narrowed because the width of the passage is narrowed in the throttle section. 41 occurs. For example, as shown in the figure, when the pachinko balls 42 are aligned in two rows toward the alignment passage portion 23, the plurality of clogged balls 41 are balanced in an arch shape to cause clogging. Therefore, if the release plate shown in FIG. 3 comes into contact with the jammed ball 41 and swings, the jammed ball 41 can be guided to the previous passage.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of each counter counting device 10. In the figure, only components necessary for explaining the features of each counter 10 according to the present embodiment are shown. Moreover, in the same figure, the distribution route of the pachinko balls is indicated by broken-line arrows.

  As shown in the figure, each counter counting device 10 includes a tray 11 (corresponding to the tray portion 27 shown in FIG. 2), a clogging release portion 12 (corresponding to the clogging release portion 24 shown in FIG. 2), A unit 13 (corresponding to the ball counting unit 22 shown in FIG. 2), a drive unit 14, a drive control unit 15, and a timer unit 16 are provided.

  The tray 11 is a tray that receives a pachinko ball dropped from an openable and closable passage hole provided in the lower part of the lower plate 1b in the game table 200. When the gaming machine 200 is in the special prize state, a large amount of pachinko balls are received from the gaming machine 200 in a short time, so that the pachinko balls are held in a stacked state in the tray 11. Is done. Moreover, since the natural gradient is provided in the lower part of the saucer 11, the pachinko ball hold | maintained at the saucer 11 will be guide | induced to the clogging cancellation | release part 12 along this natural gradient.

  The clogging release unit 12 includes the release plate shown in FIG. 3 and is driven by the drive unit 14 to swing the pachinko ball in contact with the release plate. Thereby, the balance of the clogging balls 41 shown in FIG. 4 is lost, and clogging is released.

  The counting unit 13 receives the pachinko balls arranged in the alignment passage unit 23 via the clogging release unit 12 and performs a process of counting the received pachinko balls. Here, the counting unit 13 notifies the display unit 25 shown in FIG. 2 and the inter-device apparatus 300 of the counting result, and notifies the drive control unit 15 of the presence / absence of pachinko ball detection. In addition, the counting part 13 shall detect the passage of the pachinko ball with a photo sensor or a proximity sensor, and shall count the number of pachinko balls which have detected the passage.

  The drive unit 14 is an electric drive device such as a motor or a solenoid, and operates the clog release unit 12 in accordance with an instruction from the drive control unit 15. The drive control unit 15 is a processing unit that performs a process of instructing the drive unit 14 to start and stop the operation of the clog release unit 12 based on a signal indicating the presence or absence of pachinko ball detection from the counting unit 13. .

  Specifically, when the drive control unit 15 receives a signal indicating that a pachinko ball has been detected from the counting unit 13, the counting unit 13 counts the last pachinko ball by starting the timing of the timing unit 16. Get the elapsed time from. Then, by comparing the elapsed time with a predetermined threshold value, the operation start or operation stop of the clogging release unit 12 is determined. Here, the timer unit 16 is a device having a so-called timer function. The detailed processing procedure executed by the drive control unit 15 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Next, a specific example of the clogging release unit 12 shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is an external view of each counter 10 viewed from the front side slightly above. FIG. 6 also shows a part of the internal structure.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the clogging release portion 12 has a release plate 61 composed of an upper plate 61a and a side plate 61b. The release plate 61 is driven by a motor 62 corresponding to the drive unit 14 shown in FIG. Then, the upper plate 61a reciprocates in the direction of 61a shown in the same figure, thereby coming into contact with the second or more clogged balls among the clogged balls stacked in multiple stages (see FIG. 4A). This breaks the balance of the jammed balls and releases the jammed balls.

  Further, the side plate 61b reciprocates in the direction of the double-headed arrow shown in the figure, thereby contacting the side surface of the clogged ball (see FIG. 4B) balanced in an arch shape in the horizontal direction. Push up from below. This breaks the balance of the jammed balls and releases the jammed balls.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of the clogging release unit 12 shown in FIG. In addition, in the same figure, the side view of the clogging release part 12 shown in FIG. 6 is shown, The normal position of the cancellation | release board 61 is shown to (A) of the figure, (B) of the same figure, The cases where the upper plate 61a of the release plate 61 is rotated to the position where the passage is most narrowed are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the release plate 61 includes an upper plate 61a and a side plate 61b, and the side plate 61b is provided with a slit 61c. Further, the release plate 61 is attached to the throttle section of each counter 10 so that it can be rotated around the release plate support shaft 72.

  In the throttle section, an eccentric cam 71 connected to the motor 62 shown in FIG. 6 is attached so as to be accommodated in the slit 61c, and the eccentric cam 71 rotates around the central axis 71a to be released. The plate 61 reciprocates around the release plate support shaft 72.

  For example, when the eccentric cam 71 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 7B (see 73 in FIG. 6), the release plate 61 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing about the release plate support shaft 72. The upper plate 61a moves to the left side of the figure, and the right end of the side plate 61b moves to the upper side of the figure. Then, when the eccentric cam 71 further rotates, the release plate 61 returns to the position shown in FIG. As described above, the release plate 61 reciprocates as the eccentric cam 71 rotates.

  In the present embodiment, when the alignment passage portion 23 aligns the pachinko balls in one row and two rows, the upper plate 61a of the release plate 61 contacts the pachinko balls at approximately the height of the second pachinko ball. Although shown about the case, it is good also as adjusting the attachment position of the cancellation | release board 61 so that the upper board 61a may contact the pachinko ball of the 3rd step or more.

  Next, the procedure of the drive control process executed by the drive control unit 15 shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of drive control processing for the clogging release unit 12.

  As shown in the figure, when the counting unit 13 detects the passage of the game medium (step S101), the drive control unit 15 notified of the passage of the game medium instructs the timing unit 16 to start timing. (Step S102). Subsequently, the drive control unit 15 determines whether or not the counting unit 13 has notified that the next game medium has been detected within a predetermined time from the start of timing (step S103).

  If the next game medium is not detected within the predetermined time (step S103, No), the operation of the clog release unit 12 is started by instructing the drive unit 14 (step S104). The process ends. On the other hand, when the next game medium is detected within the predetermined time (step S103, Yes), the processing after step S102 is repeated.

  Thus, when the next pachinko ball does not reach the counting unit 13 even though the counting unit 13 has started counting pachinko balls, the clogging release unit 12 is operated to activate the clogging release unit 12. The operation time can be shortened, and the durability of the clogging release unit 12 or the drive unit 14 can be improved. The operation stop timing of the clogging release unit 12 can be set to the timing at which the counting unit 13 detects the passage of a new pachinko ball after the clogging release unit 12 starts operating.

  By the way, in FIG. 8, although the counting part 13 started the count of the pachinko ball, when the next pachinko ball did not reach the counting part 13, the case where the operation of the clogging release part 12 is started was shown. However, the clogging release unit 12 may always be operated during the counting operation of the counting unit 13.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the processing procedure of the drive control process. As shown in the figure, when the counting unit 13 detects the passage of the game medium (step S201), the drive control unit 15 notified of the passage of the game medium instructs the drive unit 14 to The operation of the clogging release unit 12 is started (step S202).

  Further, the drive control unit 15 instructs the timing unit 16 to start timing (step S203), and determines whether or not the counting unit 13 has notified that the next game medium has been detected within a predetermined time from the start of timing. Determination is made (step S204).

  If the next game medium is detected within the predetermined time (step S204, Yes), the processing from step S203 is repeated. On the other hand, when the determination condition of step S204 is not satisfied (step S204, No), by instructing the drive unit 14, the operation of the clogging release unit 12 is stopped (step S205), and the process ends. .

  The drive control unit 15 may perform drive control other than the operation start / operation stop timing of the clog release unit 12 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. For example, when the counting unit 13 detects passage of a predetermined number or more of pachinko balls within a predetermined time, the clogging release unit 12 may be started to operate. In this case, after the last pachinko ball has passed, if the next pachinko ball is not detected within a predetermined time, the clogging release unit 12 may be deactivated.

  Thus, even if the counting unit 13 detects the passage of the pachinko balls, the operation of the clogging release unit 12 is not started until the pachinko balls per unit time reach a predetermined value, so that there is a small amount of counting that is less likely to cause clogging. Sometimes, the clogging release unit 12 can be operated only at the time of large-scale counting where the clogging release unit 12 is not operated and there is a high risk of clogging.

  8 and 9, when the counting unit 13 is notified of the passage of the game medium, that is, based on whether or not the pachinko balls are flowing into the counting unit 13 located downstream of the clogging release unit 12. Although the case where the operation control of the clogging release unit 12 is performed has been described, whether or not the pachinko balls are flowing into the clogging release unit 12 may be added to the clogging determination element.

  For example, when a sensor such as a photo sensor is provided in the passage upstream of the clogging release unit 12 and the sensor detects the stay of the pachinko balls, the clogging release unit 12 can be operated. In addition, although the sensor detects a pachinko ball, the counting unit 13 may determine that there is a clog when the pachinko ball is not detected, and the clogging release unit 12 may be operated.

  Until now, the clogging release unit 12 has the release plate 61 shown in FIG. 6 and the case where the clogging is released by reciprocating the release plate 61 has been described. It is good also as releasing clogging using other structural members. Therefore, in the following, the case where the clogging release unit 12 releases the clogging using a constituent member other than the release plate 61 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the clogging release unit 12. As shown in the figure, the clogging release unit 12 according to the first modification includes a reverse rotation roller 101. The reverse rotation roller 101 is connected to the motor 104 via the belt 103 and rotates in the direction indicated by 102 in FIG. Here, “reverse rotation” refers to applying a stress in the direction opposite to the traveling direction to the pachinko balls that flow toward the left side of the reverse rotation roller 101.

  Further, the reverse roller 101 is provided at a position where it comes into contact with the second and higher pachinko balls when clogging occurs in multiple stages. In addition, it is good also as providing the reverse rotation roller 101 in the position which contacts the pachinko ball of the lowest stage (1st step), after ensuring the flow path of a pachinko ball. Alternatively, the reverse rotation roller 101 may be made of a material such as rubber, resin, or metal, and may be provided with irregularities such as grooves on the circumference. Furthermore, as long as the structure applies stress in the direction opposite to the traveling direction, the shape is not limited to the roller shape, and may be a disk shape or a brush shape. Also, the mounting position may be arranged on the side of the passage.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second modification of the clogging release unit 12. As shown in the figure, the clogging release unit 12 according to Modification Example 2 has a shutter 111. The shutter 111 is connected to a solenoid 114 by a link mechanism 113 and reciprocates in the direction indicated by 112 in FIG. It should be noted that the shutter 111 is disposed at the lower part or the upper part of the flow path so as not to obstruct the flow of the pachinko balls during normal times.

  When the clogging is released, the shutter 111 reciprocates in the direction 112 shown in the figure, and the clogging is released by pushing the pachinko ball up or down and hitting it. Note that the shutter 111 stops at a position where the flow path is prevented when blocking the inflow of pachinko balls to the counting unit 13.

  Thus, the size of the clog release unit 12 can be reduced by using the shielding plate originally used to block the inflow of pachinko balls to the counting unit 13 as the shutter 111 for clog release.

  By the way, although the modified examples of the clogging release unit 12 are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the clogging release unit 12 is connected to a path that connects the upstream side and the downstream side of the throttle section where the clogging release unit 12 is inclined. It is good also as making it rock | fluctuate in cooperation with the action | operation of. By doing in this way, while being able to prevent a pachinko ball from remaining in a passage, the clogging ball release effect by clogging release part 12 can further be heightened.

  FIG. 12 is a view showing a passage portion that operates in cooperation with the clogging release portion 12. In the drawing, a passage portion that operates in cooperation with the release plate 61 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown. As shown in the figure, the passage portion is provided on the upstream side of the release plate 61 and has a passage A121 that rotates around the support shaft 121a. Further, on the downstream side of the passage A121, a passage B122 that rotates around the support shaft 122a is provided following the passage A121.

  The passage A121 and the passage B122 are each supported by a buffer member such as a spring so that the upstream side (the left side in the figure) of the pachinko ball flow is lifted. Each passage (passage A 121 and passage B 122) is connected to a motor 62 that drives an eccentric cam 71 for operating the release plate 61, and swings as the motor 62 rotates. .

  Here, when a large amount of pachinko balls are flowing on each passage, the spring supporting each passage is contracted by the weight of the pachinko balls, and each passage (passage A 121 and passage B 122) is a motor 62. It does not swing even when is rotated. On the other hand, when the amount of pachinko balls on the passage is small, each passage (passage A121 and passage B122) swings within a range in which a spring supporting each passage extends and contracts.

  As described above, by swinging each passage (passage A 121 and passage B 122) using the spring and the motor 62, it is possible to prevent residual balls remaining in the respective passages. In FIG. 12, when a large amount of pachinko balls are flowing on each passage, the case where each passage is not swung is shown. However, on the condition that the torque of the motor 62 is sufficient, Even if a large amount of pachinko balls are flowing on each passage, each passage may be swung. In addition, in FIG. 12, a passage portion in which two passage members are connected is shown, but the number of passage members is not particularly limited.

  By the way, although the case where the clogging release part 12 is operated by the drive part 14 such as a motor or a solenoid has been described so far, the clogging release part 12 may be operated manually. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a clogging release unit that is manually operated.

  As shown in the figure, a release plate 131 that is in contact with the pachinko ball is provided at approximately the height of the second step when a multi-stage pachinko ball is clogged. An operation lever 132 connected to the release plate 131 via a link mechanism or the like is provided at a position where a player or an employee of the game shop can operate.

  When a player or the like rotates the operation lever 132 forward and backward in the direction indicated by 132a in the figure, the release plate 131 reciprocates in the direction 131a shown in the figure according to the movement of the operation lever 132. In this way, by providing a mechanism such as a lever that manually operates the release plate 131 for releasing clogging of pachinko balls, it is possible to release clogging with a simple configuration.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the counting unit counts the game media, the receiving tray receives the game media falling from the game table, and sends out the received game media by a gradient. When the game media are aligned and guided to the counting unit by passing through the throttle section in which the passage space is narrowed so that the game media sent from the tray do not overlap each other and are in a predetermined row, the alignment passage Since the clogging release unit provided in the vicinity of the throttling section of each unit is configured to release the clogging of the game media in the throttling section by contacting the game media, each of the counters is configured so that the game media clogging is less likely to occur. Even if a game medium jam occurs, the jam can be quickly released.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to each counter device connected to the inter-device is described. However, the present invention may be applied to each counter device that is not connected to the inter-device. Good.

  As described above, each stand counting device according to the present invention is useful when it is desired to quickly release a jam even when a game medium jam occurs, and in particular, the installation space of each stand counting device is limited. Therefore, it is suitable for releasing clogging when it is not possible to provide a sufficient gradient in the game medium flow path in each counter.

It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of each stand counter which concerns on a present Example. It is an external view which shows the structure of each stand counter. It is a figure which shows the flow path and clogging release part of a ball. It is a figure which shows the example of a jam. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of each stand counter. It is the external view which looked at each stand counter from the front side a little. It is a figure which shows the structure and operation | movement of a clogging cancellation | release part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the drive control process with respect to a clogging cancellation | release part. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the process sequence of a drive control process. It is a figure which shows the modification 1 of a clogging cancellation | release part. It is a figure which shows the modification 2 of a clogging cancellation | release part. It is a figure which shows the channel | path part which operate | moves in cooperation with a clogging release part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the clogging cancellation | release part operated manually.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a Nozzle 1b Lower plate 1c Plate 10 Counter counter 11 Receiver 12 Clogging release part 13 Counting part 14 Drive part 15 Drive control part 16 Time counting part 21 Ball discharge part 22 Ball counting part 23 Alignment passage part 24 Clogging release part 25 Display Numeral 26 Operation section 27 Sauce tray section 28 Spill prevention cover 61 Release plate 61a Upper plate 61b Side plate 61c Slit 62 Motor 71 Eccentric cam 71a Central shaft 72 Release plate support shaft 101 Reverse roller 102 Reverse roller rotation direction 103 Belt 104 Motor 111 Shutter 112 Shutter Slide direction 113 Link mechanism 114 Solenoid 121 Passage A
121a Support shaft 122 Passage B
122a Support shaft 131 Release plate 132 Operation lever

Claims (9)

It is each counter counting device provided corresponding to the game table,
Counting means for counting game media;
A tray means for receiving the game medium falling from the game table and sending the received game medium by a gradient;
An alignment means for aligning the game media and guiding them to the counting means by passing through a throttle section in which the passage space is narrowed so that the game media sent out from the tray means do not overlap each other but in a predetermined row; ,
Each counter according to claim 1, further comprising: clogging release means that is provided in the vicinity of the throttle section in the aligning means and that releases clogging of the game medium in the throttle section by contacting the game medium. The clogging release means includes
A release plate comprising a top plate that contacts the second or higher level game media with respect to the game media overlapped in the throttle section, and a side plate that contacts the side surface of the first or higher level game media while holding the upper plate. 2. The release plate according to claim 1, wherein the release plate swings in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the upper plate and a substantially vertical direction with respect to the side plate by rotating around a mounting shaft. Each stand counting device. The clogging release means includes
2. The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating body that rotates in a direction to push the game medium back in the direction opposite to the advancing direction while contacting the game medium of the second or higher level with respect to the game medium overlapped in the throttle section. The counter of each unit. The clogging release means includes
The counter counting device according to claim 1, further comprising a shielding plate that blocks passage of the game medium, and the shielding plate moves the game medium up and down in a substantially vertical direction. The counter unit according to claim 1, further comprising a driving unit that electrically drives the clogging release unit. The drive control means for starting the operation of the drive means when the next game medium is not detected within a predetermined time after the counting means detects the game medium. Each of the counters described in 1. The driving of the driving means is started when the counting means detects a game medium, and the driving is started when the next gaming medium is not counted within a predetermined time after the counting means detects the gaming medium. 6. The counter counting apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising drive control means for stopping the drive of the means. The counter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising manual drive means for manually driving the clogging release means.   An inter-device device comprising the counter device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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