JP2011045636A - Ball counter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ball counter capable of easily performing maintenance such as replacement or cleaning of a counting means. <P>SOLUTION: The ball counter includes a ball tray 1 disposed below a lower tray 51 of a Pachinko machine (a game machine) 50 to receive prize balls (game balls) S delivered from the lower tray 51; a recovery passage 3 transferring the prize balls S received by the ball tray 1, to the back face side of the Pachinko machine 50; a recovery connecting passage 2 connecting the recovery passage 3 to the ball tray 1 and transferring the prize balls S received by the ball tray 1, to the recovery passage 3; and a counting sensor (the counting means) 12 counting the number of the prize balls S received by the ball tray 1. The counting sensor 12 is disposed at the recovery connecting passage 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball counting device for counting the number of game balls received in a ball receiving plate disposed below a lower plate of a game table.

  For example, a prize ball acquired by a player on a pachinko machine (game table) is stored in a special case, and this case is transported to a prize ball counting device or a prize exchange place to count the number of prize balls obtained. It was broken.

  However, when the amount of winning balls is large, the weight of the case increases proportionately, and it takes a lot of labor to carry the heavy case to the winning ball counter or prize exchange. If a plurality of cases are piled up around the player's feet, it will interfere with the passage of other players and amusement hall clerk.

  Further, in the state where the prize ball is housed in the case, the prize ball cannot be used for the game, and there is a problem that the number of pachinko balls required in the entire game hall increases.

  Therefore, the prize balls acquired by the player pass through the ball lending machine adjacent to the pachinko machine, and are transferred to the game island on the back side of the pachinko machine for recovery and the number of prize balls in the process of transferring the prize balls. Is stored in a medium such as a card or IC coin, and the medium is provided to the player, and the player brings the provided medium to the prize exchange and exchanges it for a desired prize. A system has been proposed.

  By the way, in the above system, a counting sensor for electromagnetically detecting a metal award ball is mainly used for counting the number of prize balls, but the count value is obtained by intentionally operating the counting sensor from the outside. It is possible to cheat to advance. For example, a fraudulent act in which a highly flexible metal rod-shaped body is passed through a counting sensor a plurality of times to increase the count value is possible.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a spiral shaft is provided in a part of a prize ball conveying basket installed in the ball lending machine, and the motor is activated when the switch detects the first prize ball introduced into the spiral shaft. There have been proposals for rotationally driving a spiral shaft and forcibly transferring a prize ball by the spiral shaft. According to this configuration, even if the metal rod-shaped body is inserted from the prize ball tray, the tip of the metal rod-shaped body abuts against the spiral shaft thread, which becomes an obstacle and further advance of the metal rod-shaped body. Since it is blocked, the metal rod cannot reach the counting sensor and it is impossible to perform an illegal act.

JP 2009-148361 A

  However, the configuration proposed in Patent Document 1 requires a spiral shaft, a rotation transmission mechanism such as a motor and a gear that rotates the shaft, a switch, and the like, which complicates the structure and increases costs. There's a problem.

  In addition, since the counting sensor is disposed inside the ball lending machine adjacent to the game machine, if the counting sensor fails, it is difficult to perform maintenance such as replacement or repair. In addition, when the counting sensor becomes dirty due to the passing of the prize ball, there is a problem that it is difficult to clean the counting sensor.

  Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a ball counting device capable of easily performing maintenance such as replacement and cleaning of the counting sensor.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide a ball counting device that can prevent fraud at a low cost with a simple configuration.

  By the way, in the conventional ball counting device including the one proposed in Patent Document 1, a configuration is adopted in which the prize balls are transferred in two horizontal rows to the prize ball conveyance basket and counted and collected. There is a problem in that the width dimension of the ball is increased, and there is a limitation when incorporating electronic components such as the prize ball conveying basket and the substrate into the ball lending machine.

  Accordingly, the third object of the present invention is to reduce the width of the collection passage inside the ball lending machine so that the electronic components such as the collection passage and the substrate can be easily incorporated into the ball lending machine. It is to provide a counting device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1
A ball tray that is disposed below the lower plate of the game table and receives game balls discharged from the lower plate;
A collection passage for transferring the game balls received by the ball tray to the back side of the game table;
A recovery connecting passage for connecting the recovery passage and the ball receiving tray, and transferring game balls received by the ball receiving tray to the recovery passage;
Counting means for counting the number of game balls received in the ball tray;
In a ball counting device comprising:
The counting means is arranged in the recovery connecting passage.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the recovery connecting passage is constituted by an introduction passage for receiving a game ball from the ball receiving tray and a counting passage connected to the introduction passage, and the counting passage includes the In addition to providing counting means, the counting passage is disposed below the introduction passage, and a step is provided between the passages.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the counting means is arranged near the end of the counting passage.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the counting means is arranged at a stepped portion with the counting passage at the end of the introduction passage, and the game balls falling at the stepped portion are counted. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the recovery connection passage is disposed above the recovery passage to provide a step between the two passages, and the counting means is disposed at the end of the recovery connection passage. The game balls are arranged at a step portion with respect to the recovery passage, and the number of game balls falling on the step portion is counted.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the recovery passage is disposed below the recovery connection passage to provide a step between the passages, and the game is provided in both passages. A slope that falls in the ball transfer direction is formed, and a game ball that falls from the end of the recovery connection passage to the recovery passage is changed in direction to be transferred along the slope of the recovery passage.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the counting means is arranged in the collection connecting passage disposed outside the ball lending machine, the ball lending machine is disassembled for maintenance such as replacement, repair, and cleaning of the counting means. This can be done easily and quickly.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the recovery connecting passage is constituted by the introduction passage and the counting passage, the counting passage is provided with the counting means, the counting passage is disposed below the introduction passage, and a step is provided between the passages. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to cheat by inserting a metal rod from the introduction passage, the metal rod cannot reach the counting means provided in the counting passage located below the introduction passage. Can not be operated at low cost with a simple configuration.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the counting means is arranged in the vicinity of the end of the counting passage farthest from the introduction passage, it is difficult for the metal rod to reach the counting means, and it is possible to prevent illegal acts with a simple configuration at low cost. .

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the counting means is arranged at the stepped portion with the counting passage at the end of the introduction passage, and is configured to count the game balls falling at the stepped portion. Since the direction (insertion direction of the metal rod-shaped body) and the passing direction (falling direction) of the game ball to the counting means are perpendicular, the counting means cannot be operated by passing the metal rod-shaped body through the counting means, It is possible to prevent fraud at a low cost with a simple configuration.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the counting means is arranged in the stepped portion with the collecting passage at the end of the collecting connecting passage, and is configured to count the game balls falling on the stepped portion. Since the transfer direction of the metal (the insertion direction of the metal rod) and the passing direction (falling direction) of the game ball to the counting means are orthogonal, the counting means can be operated by passing the metal rod through the counting means. Therefore, fraudulent acts can be prevented at a low cost with a simple configuration.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, for example, the game balls transferred in two horizontal rows in the recovery connecting passage fall from the end of the recovery connecting passage to the lower recovery passage, and then turn around and transfer along the recovery passage. Therefore, the recovery connecting passage and the recovery passage can be connected to each other at right angles, and the game balls can be flowed into the recovery passage in one row, for example, so that the width of the recovery passage is narrower than the width of the recovery connecting passage. It is possible to easily incorporate electronic components such as a collection passage and a substrate into the ball lending machine.

It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine provided with the ball counting device concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a fracture front view of the ball counting device concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a ball counting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a top view of the collection | recovery connection channel | path of the ball | bowl counter which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a front view of the collection | recovery connection channel | path of the ball | bowl counter which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a fracture | rupture front view which shows the state of collection | recovery of a prize ball and the count in the ball | bowl counter based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a fracture | rupture perspective view which shows the state of collection | recovery of a prize ball and the count in the ball | bowl counter based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a fracture front view of a ball counter concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a fracture | rupture perspective view of the ball counting device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a top view of the collection | recovery connection channel | path of the ball | bowl counter which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a front view of the collection | recovery connection channel | path of the ball counting device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the BB sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a fracture | rupture perspective view which shows the state of collection | recovery of a prize ball and the count in the ball | bowl counter based on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a fracture front view of a ball counter concerning Embodiment 3 of the present invention. It is a fracture | rupture perspective view of the ball counting device which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the ball tray and collection | recovery connection channel | path of the ball | bowl counter which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a top view of the collection | recovery connection channel | path of the ball | bowl counter which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a front view of the collection | recovery connection channel | path of the ball | bowl counter which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a fracture | rupture perspective view which shows the state of collection | recovery of a prize ball and the count in the ball | bowl counter based on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine equipped with a ball counting device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cutaway front view of the ball counting device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cutaway perspective view of the apparatus, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the recovery connection passage of the ball counting device, FIG. 5 is a front view of the recovery connection passage, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view showing a state of collecting and counting prize balls in the apparatus, and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a ball lending machine 60 is provided next to a side portion of a pachinko machine 50 installed in a game hall or the like. And the rectangular tray-shaped ball receiving tray 1 is arrange | positioned under the lower tray 51 provided in the front surface of the pachinko machine 50, The ball counting device which concerns on this invention is the said ball receiving tray 1 and the said ball lending machine. A recovery passage 3 (see FIG. 3) installed in the lower portion of the interior 60 is constituted by a recovery connection passage 2 that connects the recovery passage 3 and the ball tray 1.

  Thus, the ball counting device according to the present invention drops the prize ball S (see FIGS. 7 and 8) acquired by the player and stored in the lower plate 51 of the pachinko machine 50 onto the ball tray 1. The prize ball S received at the ball receiving tray 1 is transferred from the recovery connecting passage 2 to the recovery passage 3, and in the process of transferring the prize ball S, the number is counted and entered into the amusement island on the back side of the pachinko machine 50. It is a device to collect.

  The ball receiving tray 1 is formed in a rectangular box shape. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ball receiving passage 4 is formed so as to be inclined toward the recovery connecting passage 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, a slanted ball receiving surface 5 is formed on the upper surface of the ball receiving tray 1 so as to be inclined toward the ball receiving passage 4. As shown in FIG. 3, a groove-like rail 6 is formed in the ball receiving passage 4 along the longitudinal direction, and the ball receiving passage 4 is formed on the side wall of the ball receiving tray 1 on the side of the recovery connecting passage 2. It extends to a rectangular opening 7 (see FIG. 8).

  The recovery connecting passage 2 is formed to extend laterally from the ball receiving tray 1, and includes an introduction passage 8 that receives the prize ball S from the ball receiving passage 4 of the ball receiving tray 1 and a counting passage 9 that is continuous with the introduction passage 8. Has been. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the introduction passage 8 and the counting passage 9 are inclined so as to be lowered in the transfer direction of the prize ball S (leftward in FIG. 2), and the counting passage 9 is more than the introduction passage 8. A step having a height equal to or larger than the diameter of the prize ball S is provided between the passages 8 and 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, one end of the introduction passage 8 of the recovery connection passage 2 (the upstream end in the transfer direction of the prize ball S) is connected to the ball receiving passage 4 of the ball receiving tray 1, and the introduction passage 8 In the counting passage 9, continuous groove-like rails 10 are formed in the longitudinal direction, and these rails 10 are connected to the rail 6 formed in the ball receiving passage 4 of the ball receiving tray 1. The counting passage 9 is divided into two rows by a guide wall 11 provided at the center in the width direction of the counting passage 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, counting sensors 12 constituting counting means are disposed in the vicinity of the end (downstream end) of the counting passage 9 with their positions shifted in the longitudinal direction. In this way, by shifting the installation positions of the two counting sensors 12 in the longitudinal direction, the lateral installation space of the counting sensors 12 can be reduced, and erroneous detection due to synchronization of the detection timing of each counting sensor 12 Can be prevented. In the present embodiment, each counting sensor is configured by a through-type proximity switch that electromagnetically detects the passage of a metal prize ball S and counts the number of the prize balls S.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a horizontal guide wall 13 is installed above the counting passage 9 so as to abut against the guide wall 11, and is perpendicular to the upstream portion of the guide wall 13. A standing stopper portion 13a is formed. A gap is formed between the upstream end of the guide wall 13 and the downstream end of the introduction passage 8 so as to allow the prize ball S to pass therethrough.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the end (downstream end) of the counting passage 9 has two openings 14 opened across the guide wall 11, and a slope that is lowered by one step on the downstream side of these openings 14. 15 is formed. The slope 15 is inclined so as to be lowered toward the back side (the collection passage 3 side).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the collection passage 3 installed in the ball lending machine 60 is perpendicular to the back side (the back side of the pachinko machine 50) from the end (downstream end) of the collection connection passage 2. It is extended and is inclined so as to descend toward the back side. The upstream end of the recovery passage 3 is connected to the slope 15 formed at the end (downstream end) of the counting passage 9 provided in the recovery connection passage 2.

  Thus, the prize ball S acquired by the player in the pachinko machine 50 is stored in the lower plate 51. The prize ball S stored in the lower plate 51 is removed from the lower plate 51 by a lever operation of the player. The ball is dropped and received on the ball receiving surface 5 of the tray 1 and rolls along the inclination of the ball receiving surface 5 to fall on the ball receiving passage 4. Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the prize ball S is transferred to the collection connecting passage 2 side along the groove-like rail 6 by the inclination of the ball receiving passage 4 of the ball receiving tray 1, and the ball receiving tray 1. Is transferred to the recovery connecting passage 2 from the opening 7 (see FIG. 8) that opens in the side wall.

  In the recovery connecting passage 2, the prize balls S are transferred to the downstream side in a row along the groove-like rail 10 due to the inclination of the introduction passage 8, and a step from the end of the introduction passage 8 to the counting passage 9. The part is dropped and transferred to the counting passage 9, and is moved along the rail 10 by the inclination of the counting passage 9 to the downstream side in two horizontal rows by the guide wall 11, near the end of the counting passage 9. After being detected by passing through the counting sensor 12 provided at the end of the counting passage 9, it falls from the opening 14 at the end of the counting passage 9 to the lower slope 15. Then, the prize ball S that has fallen onto the slope 15 is changed in the direction of travel at a right angle, and then is moved through the collection passage 3 toward the back side and collected by the inclination of the collection passage 3. Here, the height at which the prize ball S falls on the slope 15 is set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the prize ball S. By setting in this way, the prize ball S dropped on the slope 15 from the opening 14. The winning balls S coming in contact with each other from above are transferred in a row to the collection passage 3. The width of the collection passage 3 is set to be narrower than the width of the collection connection passage 2 so that the prize balls S are transferred in a row.

  Through the above process, the winning ball S is collected into the game island on the back side of the pachinko machine 50 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, since the counting sensor 12 as the counting means is disposed in the collection connecting passage 2 disposed outside the ball lending machine 60, maintenance such as replacement, repair, and cleaning of the counting sensor 12 is performed. 60 can be carried out easily and quickly without disassembling.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the recovery connecting passage 2 is constituted by the introduction passage 8 and the counting passage 9, the counting passage 9 is provided with the counting sensor 12, and the counting passage 9 is disposed below the introduction passage 8. Since a step having a height equal to or larger than the diameter of the prize ball S is provided between both the passages 8 and 9, even if, for example, a metal rod-like body is inserted from the introduction passage 8 to perform a fraud, the metal rod-like body is not introduced into the introduction passage. 8 cannot reach the counting sensor 12 provided in the counting passage 9 positioned below 8, and the tip of the metal rod-like body contacts the stopper portion 13a of the guide wall 13 provided above the counting passage 9. In contact, further entry is blocked. For this reason, the counting sensor 12 cannot be operated using a metal rod-like body, and unauthorized actions can be prevented at a low cost with a simple configuration. In the present embodiment, since the counting sensor 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the counting passage 9 farthest from the introduction passage 8, it is difficult for the metal rod-like body to reach the counting sensor 12, and illegal acts can be reliably prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the prize balls S transferred in two horizontal rows through the recovery connecting passage 2 fall from the end of the counting passage 9 to the lower slope 15 and then the transfer direction is changed to a right angle and recovered. Since the transfer connection passage 2 and the recovery passage 3 can be connected to each other at right angles, the prize balls S can flow in the recovery passage 3 in approximately one row. The width can be made narrower than the width of the collection connecting passage 2, and electronic components (not shown) such as the collection passage 3 and the substrate can be easily incorporated into the ball lending machine 60.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  9 is a cutaway front view of a ball counting device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a cutaway perspective view of the ball counting device, FIG. 11 is a plan view of a recovery connecting passage of the ball counting device, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a broken perspective view showing the state of collecting and counting the prize balls in the ball counting device. The same elements as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted below.

  In the present embodiment, the counting sensor 12 as a counting means is arranged at the step portion between the end of the introduction passage 8 of the recovery connecting passage 2 and the counting passage 9 so that the prize balls S falling on the step portion are counted. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, circular hole-shaped ball drop openings 16 are formed at the end portions of the groove-like rails 10 of the introduction passage 8, and are counted below each ball drop opening 16. Each sensor 12 is installed.

  Thus, also in the present embodiment, the prize ball S acquired by the player in the pachinko machine 50 shown in FIG. 1 is stored in the lower plate 51, and the prize ball S stored in the lower plate 51 is stored in the ball tray 1. It is received by falling. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the prize ball S is transferred to the collection connecting passage 2 side in a row through the ball receiving passages 4 of the ball receiving tray 1, and the opening 7 that opens on the side wall of the ball receiving tray 1. (Refer to FIG. 14) to the recovery connecting passage 2.

  In the recovery connecting passage 2, the prize balls S are transferred to the downstream side in two horizontal rows by the rail 10 through the introduction passage 8, and from the ball drop opening 16 formed at the end portion of the introduction passage 9 to the counting passage 9. The award ball S is detected and counted by the counting sensor 12 installed in the step portion in the process of falling. Then, the prize ball S detected by the counting sensor 12 is transferred to the counting passage 9 and transferred to the downstream side in two horizontal rows through the counting passage 9. Fall to 15. Then, the prize ball S that has fallen onto the slope 15 is changed in the direction of travel at a right angle, and then is moved through the collection passage 3 toward the back side and collected by the inclination of the collection passage 3.

  Through the above process, the winning ball S is collected into the game island on the back side of the pachinko machine 50 while being counted by the counting sensor 12, but in this embodiment, the counting sensor 12 is connected to the counting passage at the end of the introduction passage 8. 9 is arranged so as to count the number of prize balls S falling on the level difference part, so that the transfer direction of the prize balls S in the introduction passage 8 (the insertion direction of the metal rod-shaped body) and the counting sensor 12 Since the passing direction (falling direction) of the prize ball S is orthogonal, the counting sensor 12 cannot be operated by passing the metal rod-like body through the counting sensor 12, and the illegal operation can be reliably performed with a simple configuration at low cost. Can be prevented.

  In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in the present embodiment.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  15 is a cutaway front view of a ball counting device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a cutaway perspective view of the ball counting device, FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a ball receiving tray and a recovery connecting passage of the ball counting device, 18 is a plan view of the recovery connecting passage of the ball counting device, FIG. 19 is a front view of the recovery connecting passage, FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 19, and FIG. It is a fractured perspective view showing the state of collection and counting, and in these figures also, the same elements as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted below. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the recovery connecting passage 2 is disposed above the recovery passage 3 to provide a step between the passages 2 and 3, and the counting sensor 12 serving as a counting means is connected to the recovery passage at the end of the recovery connecting passage 2. The number of award balls S falling on the stepped portion is counted, and other configurations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, circular hole-shaped ball drop openings 16 are formed at the end portions of the rails 10 in the two horizontal rows of the recovery connecting passage 2, respectively. The counting sensors 12 are respectively installed.

  Thus, also in the present embodiment, the prize ball S acquired by the player in the pachinko machine 50 shown in FIG. 1 is stored in the lower plate 51, and the prize ball S stored in the lower plate 51 is stored in the ball tray 1. It is received by falling. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the prize ball S is transferred to the collection connecting passage 2 side in two rows along the ball receiving passage 4 of the ball receiving tray 1, and is opened to the side wall of the ball receiving tray 1. It is transferred from the portion 7 (see FIG. 21) to the recovery connecting passage 2.

  In the recovery connection passage 2, the prize balls S are transferred to the downstream side in two rows along the recovery connection passage 2, and are connected to the recovery passage 9 from the ball drop opening 16 formed at the end of the recovery connection passage 2. The stepped portion falls, and the award ball S is detected and counted by the counting sensor 12 installed in the stepped portion in the process of dropping. The prize ball S detected by the counting sensor 12 falls to the lower slope 15, and the prize ball S that has fallen to the slope 15 changes its direction of travel to a right angle, By the inclination, the recovery passage 3 is transferred toward the back side and recovered in the game island.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the present embodiment, the positions of the two ball drop openings 16 are shifted in the conveying direction of the prize ball S (the left-right direction in FIG. 18). This is to prevent the prize balls S from colliding with each other and causing clogging in the collection passage 4 when the prize balls S pass through the ball drop openings 16 and are transferred to the collection passage 3. .

  Through the above process, the winning ball S is collected into the game island on the back side of the pachinko machine 50 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the counting sensor 12 is arranged in a stepped portion with the collecting passage 3 at the end of the collecting connecting passage 2 and configured to count the prize balls S falling on the stepped portion. Since the transfer direction of the winning ball S (the insertion direction of the metal rod-shaped body) and the passing direction (falling direction) of the prize ball S to the counting sensor 12 are orthogonal to each other, the metal rod-shaped body is passed through the counting sensor 12 and the counting sensor. 12 cannot be operated, and unauthorized actions can be reliably prevented at a low cost with a simple configuration.

  In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in the present embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the collection passage 3 is installed in the lower part of the ball lending machine 60. However, the collection passage 3 may be installed as a separate external part of the ball rental machine 60.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ball receiving tray 2 Collection | recovery connection channel | path 3 Collection | recovery channel | path 4 Ball receiving channel | path 5 Ball receiving surface 6 Rail 7 Opening part 8 Introduction channel | path 9 Count channel 10 Rail 11 Guide wall 12 Count sensor (counting means)
13 Guide Wall 13a Guide Wall Stopper 14 Opening 15 Slope 16 Ball Drop Port 50 Pachinko Machine (Game Table)
51 Lower plate 60 Ball lending machine S Prize ball (game ball)

Claims (6)

A ball tray that is disposed below the lower plate of the game table and receives game balls discharged from the lower plate;
A collection passage for transferring the game balls received by the ball tray to the back side of the game table;
A recovery connecting passage for connecting the recovery passage and the ball receiving tray, and transferring game balls received by the ball receiving tray to the recovery passage;
Counting means for counting the number of game balls received in the ball tray;
In a ball counting device comprising:
A ball counting apparatus characterized in that the counting means is arranged in the recovery connecting passage.   The recovery connecting passage is constituted by an introduction passage for receiving game balls from the ball receiving tray and a counting passage connected to the introduction passage, the counting passage is provided with the counting means, and the counting passage is disposed below the introduction passage. The ball counting device according to claim 1, wherein a step is provided between the two passages.   3. The ball counting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the counting means is arranged in the vicinity of the end of the counting passage.   3. The ball counting device according to claim 2, wherein the counting means is arranged at a step portion with respect to the counting passage at the end of the introduction passage to count game balls falling on the step portion.   The recovery connecting passage is disposed above the recovery passage to provide a step between both passages, and the counting means is disposed at a step portion with the recovery passage at the end of the recovery connecting passage, and the step portion is dropped. 2. The ball counting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein game balls to be counted are counted. The recovery passage is disposed below the recovery connection passage, and a step is provided between both passages. In addition, slopes are formed in both the passages in the game ball transfer direction from the end of the recovery connection passage to the recovery passage. The ball counting device according to claim 1, wherein the falling game ball is changed in direction and transferred along the slope of the recovery passage.

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