JP2012020030A - Game ball retrieving device and game machine island - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game ball retrieving device capable of smoothly converging a large quantity of game balls ejected from counters without applying an excessive load to a power-driven retrieving passage.SOLUTION: The game ball retrieving device 30 includes a conveying passage 31 of a power type belt conveyor for conveying game balls along the longitudinal direction of a game machine island 2; a plurality of game ball lead-in parts 50 arranged in a plurality of parts of the conveying passage 31 and causing the game balls for conveyance to flow into the conveying passage; and inclined retrieving troughs 40 provided corresponding to the respective game ball lead-in parts 50 so that the lower ends are arranged at game ball receiving ports of the corresponding game ball lead-in parts, and catching and rolling the game balls ejected from game machines 10 and the counters 20 to eject the game balls to the game ball receiving ports.

Description

  The present invention is installed in a gaming machine island in which a gaming machine using gaming balls and a counting machine that counts the gaming balls are accommodated, and collects the gaming balls discharged from the gaming machine and the counting machine. The present invention relates to a game ball collection device and a game machine island.

  On gaming machine islands that house multiple pachinko machines and other gaming machines, collect out balls discharged from each gaming machine, lift and polish them, and supply them to gaming machines and ball rental machines again. It is designed to be used repeatedly by circulating in the amusement machine island. Out balls that are discharged from the lower back of each gaming machine are normally received by a conveyance path installed in the lower part of the gaming machine island along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, and a lifting polishing apparatus, etc. through the conveyance path. It is conveyed to.

  Furthermore, on the gaming machine island, a counting machine is installed that counts the number of game balls such as premium balls possessed by the player. Counting machines have been installed at the end or the center of gaming machine islands, but in recent years there are gaming machine islands that have a counting machine for each gaming machine in order to eliminate the trouble of carrying gaming balls to the counting machine. In such gaming machine islands, game balls discharged from each counter are generally joined to the above-mentioned transport path and collected.

  A large number of game balls are often discharged from the counter at a time, so the flow of game balls on the transport path is hindered by the merge of a large number of game balls, or a large noise is generated by the collision of game balls Problems occur. Therefore, for example, a current transformation mechanism is provided for converting the flow direction of the pachinko spheres discharged from the counter into the same direction as the flow direction of the pachinko spheres on the out-ball collecting basket, and the flow direction is changed by the current flow mechanism. There is an amusement machine island that is intended to smooth the merging and reduce noise compared to the merging method that drops from the upper to the bottom by joining the pachinko ball on the out-ball collection basket (see, for example, Patent Documents) 1).

  In addition, in a gaming machine island of a type in which gaming machines are arranged with the back side facing each other on the front side and the back side of the gaming machine island, a conveyance path is usually provided below the gaming machines facing away from each other, It is comprised so that the out ball | bowl discharged | emitted from the game machine of front and back may be collect | recovered by one conveyance path. When a gaming machine is provided on each gaming machine island, gaming balls discharged from the counting outlet of the counting machine will flow in from both sides of the conveyance path, and these gaming balls collide with each other to generate noise. Cause. Therefore, there is an amusement machine island where the counter discharge ports of counter machines facing each other face the conveyance path at positions where they do not face each other, thereby reducing noise due to collision and facilitating merging.

  In addition, in a gaming machine island of a type in which gaming machines are arranged with the back side facing each other on the front side and the back side of the gaming machine island, a recovery path is usually provided below the gaming machines facing each other. It is comprised so that the out ball | bowl discharged | emitted from the game machine of front and back may be collect | recovered by one collection path. When a gaming machine is provided on each gaming machine island, gaming balls discharged from the counting outlet of the counting machine flow in from both sides of the collection path, and the gaming balls collide with each other to generate noise. Cause. Therefore, there is a gaming machine island that reduces noise caused by collision and facilitates merging by facing the collection path at a position where the counter discharge ports of counter machines facing each other do not face each other ( For example, see Patent Document 2.)

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-913 JP 2002-58857 A

  Many of the conventional transport paths have been collection tubs that allow the game balls to flow down naturally by tilting. Recently, however, there are power-type ones that transport the game balls by driving a belt conveyor or the like with a motor. In the case of a power-type transport path, there is a limit to the amount of game balls that can be transported due to the ability of the motor. For this reason, when a large number of game balls are discharged from the counter onto the transport path, an excessive load exceeding the transport capability is applied, and there may be a problem that the transport stops or the motor is damaged.

  A method disclosed in Patent Document 1 in which pachinko balls discharged from the counting outlet of the counter are changed in the flow direction by a current transformation mechanism and then merged with the pachinko balls on the recovery path, or counting discharge of the counter counter In the method disclosed in Patent Document 2 in which the exit faces the recovery path at a position where the exits do not face each other, when a large amount of pachinko balls are discharged from a plurality of counters, a large amount of pachinko is eventually placed on the transport path. Balls are loaded, and problems such as the above-mentioned transportation stop and motor damage occur in the power-type transport path. In addition, the pachinko sphere transported on the transport path and the pachinko sphere discharged from the counting device collide with each other at a merging point to generate noise.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem, and a game ball capable of smoothly joining a large number of game balls discharged from a counter without applying an excessive load to a power-type conveyance path. The purpose is to provide a collection device and a gaming machine island.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A game in which a game machine using a game ball is played and a game machine that is installed in a game machine island in which a plurality of counters that count game balls are housed and collects the game balls discharged from the game machine and the counter A ball collecting device,
A powered transport path for transporting game balls along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island;
A plurality of game ball introduction sections that are arranged at a plurality of locations on the transport path and allow game balls to be transported to flow into the transport path;
Provided in correspondence with each game ball introduction section, a lower end is arranged at a game ball receiving port of the corresponding game ball introduction section, and receives and rolls the game balls discharged from the game machine and the counter, so that the game balls A sloping collection tank that discharges to the receiving port;
The game ball introduction part
A restricting member for restricting the game ball received from the game ball receiving port from flowing out to the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport path;
An alignment unit for aligning the game balls received from the game ball reception port in a plurality of rows;
A game ball collecting apparatus, comprising: a discharge passage for discharging the game balls arranged in the alignment unit in a plurality of rows from a side of the transfer path onto a road surface of the transfer path.

  In the above-described invention, the game ball introduction units are installed in a plurality of locations on the power-type conveyance path, and the collection basket inclined downward is provided in correspondence with each game ball introduction unit. The game balls discharged from the gaming machine or the counter are received and rolled by the collection basket, and flow into the game ball introduction section from the lower end of the collection basket. The game ball introduction unit includes a regulating member that regulates that the game ball received from the game ball receiving port flows out to the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport path. While being regulated, the aligned portions are arranged in a plurality of rows, and the arranged plurality of rows of game balls are discharged from the side of the conveyance path onto the conveyance path through the discharge passage while being regulated by the restriction member.

  As described above, since the plurality of game ball introducing portions 50 are arranged and the collection baskets are provided so as to correspond to each, it is possible to shorten the overall length per one collection basket inclined downward and to reduce the height difference thereof. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to secure a wide foot space below the game ball collecting device on the gaming machine island.

  In addition, since the game ball introduction unit discharges the game balls arranged in a plurality of rows onto the transfer path from the side of the transfer path, the game balls to be discharged and the game balls to be discharged from the upper side of the transfer path and By reducing the load (the load acting in the direction perpendicular to the road surface) applied to the transport path by the game balls waiting to be discharged to the rear, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the power transport path.

  Further, when the game ball is full on the transport path and the game ball is waiting at the exit of the discharge passage, the waiting game ball is dragged downstream in the transport direction by contact with the game ball on the transport path. Is affected. However, since the restricting member prevents the waiting game ball from flowing out to the downstream side, the game ball is prevented from being clogged due to the dragged action. In addition, the drag phenomenon described above is a load on the transport path, but the drag phenomenon occurs only at the location where the game ball introduction unit exists, so the load applied to the transport path compared to the case where it occurs at the entire length of the transport path. Can be reduced.

[2] The outlet portion of the discharge passage does not contact the game ball discharged from the outlet portion and the game ball waiting at the outlet portion with the end portion of the road surface of the transfer path, and The game ball collecting apparatus according to [1], wherein the game ball is discharged so as to be a first-stage game ball that does not overlap with another game ball on the transport path.

  In the above invention, it is possible to prevent the game ball waiting at the exit part or the game ball discharged from the exit part from coming into contact with the end part of the transport path and damaging the transport path. In addition, since it is discharged so as not to overlap two stages on the transport path, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the transport path due to game balls overlapping two or more stages on the transport path.

[3] A foreign matter removing cover having a plurality of ball drop openings formed so that one game ball can pass therethrough but two cannot pass simultaneously between the game ball receiving port and the alignment portion. The game ball collecting device according to [1] or [2].

  In the said invention, the foreign material larger than a game ball is removed before the alignment part. This prevents foreign objects larger than the game ball from being mixed on the alignment section, the discharge path, the transport path, and the like, thereby preventing the transport from being hindered or malfunctioning.

[4] An impact absorbing member is disposed on an extension of the lower end of the recovery bowl so that the game ball discharged from the lower end collides with the impact absorbing member and falls to the game ball receiving port. The gaming ball collection device according to any one of [1] to [3].

  In the above invention, even when the game ball has tumbled down the collecting bowl, the game ball is de-energized by the impact absorbing member and then falls to the game ball receiving port, and the game ball is caused by a direct collision with the game ball. Damage and noise at the entrance are prevented / reduced.

[5] The game ball receiving port is covered with a ball clogging prevention member having a roof portion and a side wall, the inside being hollow, the bottom portion being opened, and a game ball passage opening for restricting the amount of flow into the side wall, The game ball collecting apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the game ball that has flowed down is received from the game ball passage port and discharged from the bottom to the game ball receiving port.

  In the above invention, the amount of game balls flowing into the game ball receiving port of the game ball introducing portion is limited by the amount of passage of the ball clogging prevention member to the game ball passing port, so that the game ball receiving port is blocked. In addition, even when there is an outlet of the counting machine directly above the game ball entrance, the roof prevents the discharged game balls from flowing directly into the game ball entrance.

[6] A lower end is disposed above the transfer path at a height at which a game ball can pass over the predetermined number of steps from the road surface of the transfer path, and ascends toward the downstream side in the transfer direction. The game ball collecting device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein a conveyance path regulating member having an inclined surface portion is provided.

  In the above invention, even when the game balls are transported over a predetermined number of stages (for example, one stage or two stages) on the transport path, the overlap is corrected to the predetermined number when passing through the transport path regulating member. . For example, when the height of the lower end is set to a height at which game balls can pass over one step on the road surface, only the first step game balls pass under the conveyance path regulating member and the second step The above game balls ride on the slope and are temporarily evacuated. When the transport amount on the transport path decreases (a gap is formed in the first stage), the game ball that has been retreated on the slope section flows out from the lower end of the slope section and returns to the transport path. In this way, the number of game balls that can exist on the road surface of the transfer path is limited by the transfer path regulating member, and excessive game balls are temporarily retracted to the slope portion, so an excessive load due to a large number of game balls is transferred to the transfer path. As a result, smooth transfer of the game ball is ensured. The predetermined number of stages may be one stage, two stages, three stages or more, and may be determined according to the load allowed by the conveyance path.

[7] A side road that extends in the transport direction along the end of the transport path and guides the game ball toward the road surface of the transport path;
The slope portion of the transport path regulating member has a width including the transport path and the side path portion, and is separated from the lower end by a predetermined length or more and outside the end portion of the transport path and above the side path portion. The game ball collecting apparatus according to [6], wherein a drop groove for dropping the game ball onto the side road portion is provided at a position.

  In the above invention, when the game ball retreated to the slope portion of the conveyance path regulating member falls on the side road portion from the drop groove, and when a space capable of receiving the game ball is generated on the conveyance path, the conveyance path is formed from the side road portion. It is discharged on the road surface.

[8] The game ball collection device according to [6] or [7], wherein the conveyance path regulating member is installed on a conveyance path in the vicinity of the upstream side of the game ball introduction unit.

  In the above invention, the game balls on the conveyance path are corrected to a predetermined number of stages (for example, one stage) or less on the upstream side of the game ball introduction section. When passing through the game ball introduction section, a phenomenon such as a game ball having a predetermined number of stages (for example, the second stage) or more clogged with the lower end of the game ball introduction section is prevented.

[9] The end of the conveyance path is connected to a game ball receiving port of a lifting device that lifts the game ball,
The game ball collecting apparatus according to any one of [6] to [8], wherein the conveyance path regulating member is installed on a conveyance path near the terminal end.

  In the said invention, the inflow amount of the game ball to a lifting apparatus can be restrict | limited.

[10] A gaming machine island having the gaming ball collection device according to any one of [1] to [9].

  According to the gaming ball collection device and gaming machine island according to the present invention, a large amount of gaming balls discharged from the gaming machine or counting machine can be smoothly merged and collected without applying an excessive load to the power-type conveyance path. can do.

It is a front view which shows the general view of the game machine island which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the width direction (thickness direction) cross section of game machine island. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a game machine and the game ball counter provided in the front lower part front. It is explanatory drawing which shows the installation state of the game ball collection | recovery apparatus inside a gaming machine island. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the structure of a game ball collection | recovery apparatus. It is an assembly drawing which shows separately the frame of a conveyance apparatus, each part of a game ball introducing | transducing part, and a conveyance path control member in the mounting order to a flame | frame. It is a perspective view which shows the state which assembled | attached each part of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the game ball collection | recovery apparatus (a collection basket is also partially included) in the position of AA of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which adds and shows the game ball collect | recovered with respect to FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a game ball is discharged | emitted from the exit part of a discharge channel | path part. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a conveyance path control member controls a game ball to 1 step | paragraph upstream of a game ball introduction part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of a conveyance path control member. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the game machine island which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 3 is an assembly diagram illustrating a frame of a transfer device, each part of a game ball introduction unit, a ball clogging prevention member, and a transfer path regulating member, separated in order of placement on the frame. It is a perspective view which shows the state which assembled | attached each part of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the ball clogging prevention member in the position of BB of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of a ball clogging prevention member in case there are comparatively few game balls flowing down the collection basket. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of a ball clogging prevention member when a large amount of game balls have flowed down the collection basket.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an overview of the gaming machine island 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a cross section in the width direction (thickness direction) of the gaming machine island 2. A large number of gaming machine islands 2 are housed side by side with the gaming machines 10 back to back (see FIG. 2). Further, various equipment devices for circulating and using game balls used for games in these gaming machines 10 in the gaming machine island 2 are accommodated. Here, the gaming machine 10 is a pachinko machine, and the gaming ball is a pachinko ball. Further, adjacent to one side of each gaming machine 10, a gaming ball lending machine 11 that lends a gaming ball for playing a game on the gaming machine 10 to a player is installed. Further, a game ball counter 20 is provided in front of the lower part of each game machine 10 to receive and count game balls held by a player who plays with the game machine.

  The gaming machine island 2 includes a plurality of island pillars 3 erected on the floor at predetermined intervals, and the island pillars 3 (having a height of about one-third of the island pillars 3 laid across the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2. The top plate 4 supported at the position) and an island frame (not shown) are provided, and various equipment is attached to them. The gaming machine island 2 is configured such that the length of the island can be increased or decreased with the interval between the island pillars 3 as a unit.

  At one end of the gaming machine island 2, there is provided an island end equipment section 5 that houses a storage tank 6 for storing game balls and a lift polishing apparatus 7 for lifting and polishing the game balls. Further, below the gaming machine 10 housed on both sides of the gaming machine island 2, a gaming ball collecting device 30 extending along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2 is installed. Note that an arrow F in each figure indicates the direction in which the game balls are conveyed by the game ball collection device 30.

  The game ball collecting device 30 extends from the end of the gaming machine island 2 opposite to the island end equipment section 5 into the island end equipment section 5 and is discharged from each game machine 10 or game ball counter 20. The function of collecting the played game balls and transporting them toward the game ball receiving port 7a of the lifting polishing apparatus 7 in the island edge equipment section 5 is achieved. Here, the game ball receiving port 7a also has a function as a storage tank for storing a relatively small amount of game balls.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the space between the island pillar 3 and the island pillar 3 below the game ball collecting device 30 is open as a space without facilities, etc. It is configured so that you can enjoy the game with an easy posture.

  At the upper part of the gaming machine island 2 (above each gaming machine 10), the game balls lifted and polished by the lifting polishing device 7 of the island edge equipment unit 5 are directed to the respective gaming machines 10 and gaming ball lending machines 11. A replenishment rod 8 that is transported and supplied is bridged from the island end equipment section 5 to the other end. The replenishment rod 8 is a natural flow-down type that transports game balls using a downward gradient, but may be a power type such as a belt conveyor.

  In the gaming machine island 2, the game balls (out balls) discharged from each gaming machine 10 are collected by the game ball collection device 30, lifted while being polished by the lift polishing device 7, and the lift polishing device 7. The polished game balls discharged from the game are repeatedly used through a circulation path such that each game machine 10 and game ball lending machine 11 are supplied again through the supply basket 8. The storage tank 6 in the island edge equipment section 5 plays a role of storing the game balls that have become surplus in the circulation path and replenishing the circulation path in the event of a shortage.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each gaming machine 10 is mounted on a horizontal top plate 4 that is approximately one third of the gaming machine island 2 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2. Is placed. The top 4 protrudes further forward from the front of the gaming machine 10, and the game ball counter 20 is mounted on the top 4 in front of the lower front of the gaming machine.

  FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the gaming machine 10 and the gaming ball counter 20 provided in front of the front lower part of the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 includes a game board 12 as a game area in which a game ball launched by a player's launch operation flows down while moving. Below the game board 12, an upper tray 13 for storing game balls such as rental balls and prize balls is provided so as to protrude forward from the front of the game board 12, and further below the game board 12 overflows from the upper tray 13. A storage tray 14 that is stored is provided so as to protrude forward from the front of the game board 12. On the right side of the lower tray 14 is provided a handle 15 for performing a game ball launch operation.

  The lower tray 14 has an operation lever 14a for opening a drop opening on the bottom surface. The dropping port is biased by an elastic member such as a spring and is normally closed. When the drop opening is opened by the operation of the operation lever 14a, the game balls in the lower tray 14 are dropped to the game ball slot 21 of the game ball counter 20 below the lower tray 14. The game ball slot 21 has a box shape with an open upper surface.

  A counting lever 22 that is operated when counting the game balls in the game ball slot 21 is provided at the lower front portion of the game ball counter 20. An intake port (not shown) that opens and closes in response to the operation of the counting lever 22 is provided at the lower part of one side surface of the game ball insertion port 21. In this intake port, the top 4 is extended to the game ball lending machine 11 side along the lower front of the game machine 10, bent in front of the game ball lending machine 11, and the lower part of the game ball lending machine 11. The counter discharge pipe 23 having a downward discharge port is connected and installed at the front end thereof. The counter discharge pipe 23 has a ball detection sensor 24 that detects a game ball passing there. The game ball counter 20 functions to count the number of game balls discharged downward from the counter discharge pipe 23 based on the output signal of the ball detection sensor 24. The game balls discharged and dropped from the lower end of the counter discharge pipe 23 are received by the game ball collection device 30 and collected.

  An out ball discharge pipe 16 for discharging the out ball is provided on the back surface of the gaming machine 10 (see FIG. 2). The out ball discharge pipe 16 protrudes from the lower rear surface of the gaming machine 10 toward the center of the gaming machine island 2 in the width direction, and then bends and extends downward. The game balls discharged and dropped from the lower end of the out ball discharge pipe 16 are received by the game ball collection device 30 and collected.

  FIG. 4 shows an installed state of the game ball collecting device 30 inside the gaming machine island 2, and FIG. 5 schematically shows the configuration of the game ball collecting device 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the game ball collecting device 30 includes a power-type transfer device 31 that extends along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2 and transports the game balls, and a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the transfer device 31. And a plurality of game ball introduction sections 50 that flow game balls to be transported onto the road surface of the transport device 31, and corresponding game ball introduction sections provided corresponding to each game ball introduction section 50. The lower end of each of the 50 game ball receiving openings 51a has an inclined collection basket 40 that receives and rolls the game balls discharged from the gaming machine 10 and the game ball counting machine 20 and discharges them to the game ball receiving opening 51a. is doing.

  The transport device 31 includes a frame 36 (see FIG. 6) extending in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2, and a driving pulley 32 (see FIG. 5) that is rotationally driven by a motor at one end of the frame 36 in the longitudinal direction. The other end portion is provided with a driven pulley 33, and an annular conveyor belt 34 is stretched around the pulley. The driving pulley 32 is driven by the power of the motor to circulate the conveyor belt 34 serving as a road surface. This is a power-type transport device that transports game balls on the belt 34.

  One collection basket 40 may be provided for each game ball introduction unit 50, but here, collection baskets 40 are installed on both the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction to the extent possible. The number of installation parts 50 is reduced. As shown in FIG. 4, the collection basket 40 has an inclined slope part for rolling the game ball and left and right side walls that support both ends of the slope part in the width direction, and the cross section in the width direction is a downward U-shape. Is made. The collection basket 40 is configured to be divided into a plurality (2 to 3) in the longitudinal direction, and one or two inclined slopes are formed by connecting two to three. The length from the upper end to the lower end can be adjusted by the number of pieces to be joined. The collection basket 40 is configured so that game balls do not fall sideways from both sides of the slope. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, a wall is provided inside the gaming machine island along the side of the collection basket 40.

  The conveyor belt 34 of this example is formed by joining both ends of a flat belt having a width of about 6 times the diameter of the game ball to form a ring (endless). Since the transport device 31 of the game ball collecting device 30 is a power type, it does not need to be inclined as in the natural flow type, and extends horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2. In addition, the game balls 10 and game ball counters 20 arranged on the surface side of the game machine island 2 and the game machines 10 and game ball counters 20 arranged on the back side of the game machine island 2 are received. As shown in FIG. 2, the game ball collection device 30 is disposed at the center of the gaming machine island 2 in the width direction.

  FIG. 6 shows the frame 36 of the transport device 31, each part of the game ball introducing unit 50, and the transport path regulating member 45 separately in the order of placement on the frame 36, and FIG. 7 shows a state in which these are assembled. Show. 8 shows a cross-section of the game ball collecting device 30 (including a part of the collection basket 40) at the position AA in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 adds the game balls to be collected to FIG. As shown.

  The frame 36 has a substantially H-shaped cross section extending in the transport direction, and is made of metal or the like so as to have sufficient rigidity for transporting a large amount of game balls. The frame 36 is composed of left and right conveyance path side walls 36a and a horizontal portion that connects them, and the horizontal portion has a lower surface of a road surface side conveyance belt 34a that is an upper path of the conveyance belt 34 that is looped around the lower surface thereof. The support surface portion 36b is supported from the side, and the side road portion 36c is provided on both outer sides of the support surface portion 36b and is slightly higher than the road surface of the road surface side conveyor belt 34a.

  The side road portion 36c has a passage width corresponding to one game ball, and extends in the transport direction along the end of the road surface side transport belt 34a. The step between the side road portion 36c and the road surface side conveyor belt 34a is equal to or less than the radius of the game ball (for example, about one third of the diameter). This step prevents the game ball on the conveyor belt 34 from easily overflowing to the side road portion 36c. Further, the side road portion 36 c is set so as to guide the game ball on the side road portion 36 c onto the road surface of the transport belt 34. For example, the edge of the side path portion 36 c on the side of the conveyance belt 34 is rounded, or the side path portion 36 c is slightly inclined downward toward the road surface of the conveyance belt 34.

  The game ball introduction part 50 has a shape in which a game ball receiving member 51 for forming a game ball receiving port 51a for receiving a game ball from the lower end of the collection basket 40 and a game ball receiving member 51a that can pass one game ball but two cannot pass simultaneously. A rectangular plate-shaped foreign matter removal cover 53 in which a plurality of ball drop openings 53a are formed, and a flow rate adjusting unit 55 that aligns and discharges the game balls flowing in from the game ball receiving port 51a onto the road surface of the conveyor belt 34. The

  The flow rate adjusting unit 55 receives the game ball that has fallen and flown through the game ball receiving port 51 a of the game ball receiving member 51, and is located below the ball receiving unit 56 and received by the ball receiving unit 56. An alignment portion 57 for aligning the game balls, a discharge passage portion 58 for discharging the aligned game balls in a plurality of rows from the side of the transport belt 34 of the transport device 31 onto the road surface, and a game flowing into the game ball receiving port 51a A game ball regulating member 59 is configured to prevent the ball from flowing out from the ball receiving portion 56 and the discharge passage portion 58 to the downstream side and the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyance device 31.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the discharge passage portion 58 includes a pair of spaced-apart outer wall members 58 a and an inner side of the pair of outer wall members 58 a so as to face the outer wall members 58 a. And a pair of inner wall members 58b forming a game ball discharge passage between the opposing outer wall members 58a. The inner wall member 58b is disposed in parallel to the outer wall member 58a with a space slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball between the inner wall member 58b and the outer wall member 58a.

  The pair of outer wall members 58 a are spaced so as to be just inside the conveyance path side wall 36 a of the frame 36. The flow rate adjusting section 55 is installed by inserting the lower end of the discharge passage section 58 between the frame 36 and the conveyance path side wall 36a in a state where the outer wall member 58a and the inner wall member 58b are oriented along the conveyance direction of the conveyance device 31. Is done.

  Further, the lower end portions of the outer wall member 58a and the inner wall member 58b are bent so as to incline inward, and the terminal ends of the lower end portions serve as game ball outlets in the discharge passage portion 58. The discharge passage portion 58 is located at a position corresponding to the side road portion 36c of the frame 36, and constitutes a passage that terminates by changing the course inward and downward after guiding the game ball downward. The lower end portion of the discharge passage does not allow the game ball discharged from the exit portion and the game ball waiting at the exit portion to contact the end portion of the road surface of the transport belt 34, and the game ball is transported to the transport belt 34. It functions to discharge so that it becomes a first stage game ball that does not overlap with other game balls.

  The upper ends of the pair of inner wall members 58b are connected by a plate-like alignment member 57a having a flat central portion and both sides inclined downward toward the upper end of the inner wall member 58b. Here, the pair of inner wall members 58b and the alignment member 57a are formed as a single member. A sheet-like impact absorbing member 57b is attached to a flat portion at the center of the alignment member 57a.

  The outer wall member 58a extends further upward from the upper end of the inner wall member 58b, and the foreign matter removing cover 53 is placed on the upper ends of the pair of outer wall members 58a so as to be spanned between the upper ends. A slightly wider space is secured between the lower surface of the placed foreign matter removal cover 53 and the alignment member 57a (more specifically, the shock absorbing member 57b) than that for one game ball.

  The ball receiving portion 56 forms an inclined surface that spreads upwardly in an inverted C shape from the upper ends of the pair of outer wall members 58a outward. A sheet-like shock absorbing member 56 b is attached to the slope of the ball receiving portion 56. A receiving portion 56a (see FIG. 6) is formed at the upper end of each slope and in the central portion in the transport direction, and the game ball receiving member 51 is placed so as to span between these receiving portions 56a. The

  The game ball regulating member 59 is configured by a plate member that covers and seals the downstream end in the transport direction and the upstream end in the transport direction of the ball receiving portion 56 and the discharge passage portion 58 (the outer wall member 58a and the inner wall member 58b). Due to the presence of the game ball restricting member 59, the game ball does not flow out onto the transport belt 34 from the downstream end or the upstream end of the ball receiving portion 56 or the discharge passage portion 58 in the transport direction.

  The foreign matter removal cover 53 is formed in a rectangular plate member, and ball drop openings 53a through which one game ball passes but not two are arranged in two rows along the longitudinal direction at the central portion in the width direction. The foreign matter removal cover 53 functions as a filter member that removes dust and the like larger than the ball drop opening 53a. For example, a member card larger than the game ball is prevented from being mixed into the alignment portion 57 and the discharge passage portion 58 below the ball drop opening 53a. The upper surface of the foreign matter removal cover 53 is slightly inclined downward from both sides toward the center in the width direction, and a smooth drop from the ball drop opening 53a is ensured. Since the foreign matter removal cover 53 is placed on the upper end of the outer wall member 58a of the discharge passage portion 58, even when foreign matter smaller than the ball drop opening 53a is mixed, it can be easily removed and maintained. Further, even when the foreign matter removal cover 53 is damaged, it can be easily replaced.

  The game ball receiving member 51 is formed by combining four bar-shaped members having a rectangular cross section so as to form four sides of a rectangle having a short side in the transport direction, and a hollow portion surrounded by the four sides is formed. A game ball receiving port 51a is provided. The upper surface of the rod-shaped member forming the short side is slightly inclined downward toward the longitudinal center of the rectangle. The game ball receiving member 51 is made of resin.

  The conveyance path regulating member 45 (see FIG. 6) includes a slope 46 having a predetermined length extending in the conveyance direction with a width just inside the conveyance path side wall 36a of the frame 36, and a portion near the lower end and the vicinity of the upper end of the slope 46. Leg portions 47 that bend and extend downward from both ends in the width direction of the slope portion 46, and both end portions in the width direction of the slope portion 46 at positions that are separated from the lower end of the slope portion 46 along the slope portion 46 by a predetermined distance or more. And a drop groove 48 provided on the surface.

The slope portion 46 forms a flat slope that is gently inclined. The total length may be set appropriately, but is set to about 1 m, for example. The conveyance path regulating member 45 is installed such that the leg portion 47 is placed on the side path portion 36 c of the frame 36. In the installed state, the lower end of the slope 46 is slightly higher than one game ball from the road surface of the conveyor belt 34. The distance D between the road surface and the lower end is assumed that the diameter of the game ball is R.
It may be set in the range of R + R × (route 3)>D> R. This is in consideration of eliminating the second and higher stages on the slope portion 46 even when the second stage game balls overlap between two adjacent game balls.

  The drop groove 48 is located outside the end of the conveyor belt 34 and above the side path 36c, that is, the side of the game ball that has dropped down from the drop groove 48 without touching the end of the conveyor belt 34. It is set to a position where it falls on the road portion 36c.

  The transport path regulating member 45 is installed on a transport path in the vicinity of the upstream side in the transport direction of the game ball introduction unit 50. Further, it is installed on a conveyance path near the terminal end of the conveyance device 31. This is a position on the upstream side immediately before the game ball receiving port 7a of the lifting polishing apparatus 7.

  Next, a game ball collecting operation by the game ball collecting device 30 will be described.

  The game ball discharged from the lower end of the out ball discharge pipe 16 of the gaming machine 10 and the counter discharge pipe 23 of the game ball counter 20 is received by a collection basket 40 located immediately below the ball, and the slope is turned toward the lower end. Rush down. Then, it flows into the game ball introduction part 50 through the game ball receiving port 51 a of the game ball receiving port member 51 from the lower end of the collection basket 40.

  Since the game ball introducing portions 50 are provided at a plurality of locations, the path length per one of the collection baskets 40 that form the downward slope can be shortened. Thereby, the height difference of the collection basket 40 can be reduced, the size in the height direction required as the game ball collection device 30 can be reduced, and a wide foot space can be secured.

  When the game ball discharged from the lower end of the collection basket 40 collides with an edge (bar-shaped member) of the game ball receiving member 51 located at a position facing the lower end, the game ball receiving member 51 is used for a long time. Is assumed to be deformed, damaged or deteriorated. However, in the present embodiment, the game ball receiving member 51 is placed on the receiving portion 56a (see FIG. 6) of the game ball introducing portion 50, so that it can be easily replaced.

  Since the game ball flowing in from the game ball receiving port 51a falls on the impact absorbing member 56b (see FIG. 9) laid on the slope of the ball receiving portion 56, the impact of the fall is alleviated. The game ball on the ball receiver 56 flows down along the slope and falls downward from the ball drop port 53 a of the foreign matter removal cover 53. Here, dust of a size that does not pass through the ball drop opening 53a is excluded, and a situation in which large dust (for example, a membership card) flows into the transport path (such as on the transport belt 34) and causes a failure is prevented. The

  Since the game ball that has passed through the ball drop port 53a of the foreign matter removal cover 53 falls on the shock absorbing member 57b of the alignment portion 57, the impact of the fall is alleviated.

  The game balls dropped on the shock absorbing member 57b of the alignment member 57a are divided into both sides and flow into the discharge passage portion 58 (the space between the outer wall member 58a and the inner wall member 58b). When the game balls flow into the discharge passage portion 58, the game balls are aligned. That is, since the distance between the outer wall member 58a and the inner wall member 58b of the discharge passage portion 58 is set to a distance corresponding to the diameter of one game ball, a plurality of rows are formed when flowing into the discharge passage portion 58 from the alignment member 57a. The discharge passage portions 58 flow down the discharge passage portion 58 in an aligned manner (a state in which the discharge passage portions 58 are arranged in a row in a line direction and a plurality of rows are arranged in the transport direction F direction).

  The game ball that has flowed down the discharge passage portion 58 (between the outer wall member 58a and the inner wall member 58b) falls from the outlet portion onto the road surface of the conveyor belt 34. That is, it flows out from the side of the conveyor belt 34 onto the conveyor belt 34.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the transport belt 34 is full of game balls (there are game balls in all rows in the width direction) and there is no room to accept new game balls, the game balls on the transport belt 34 Are transported preferentially, and the game ball is not discharged from the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 58 but is in a standby state at the outlet portion. Here, since the lower end of the outer wall member 58a constituting the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 58 is made higher than the road surface of the conveyor belt 34, the game ball in the outlet portion comes into contact with the end portion of the conveyor belt 34 and is conveyed. The belt 34 is not deteriorated.

  In addition, the game ball at the outlet is pressed by the weight of the game ball connected to the rear, but due to the presence of the inclined lower end portion of the outer wall member 58a and the inner wall member 58b of the discharge passage portion 58, the discharge direction is inclined downward. Since the game ball on the conveyor belt 34 already exists in front of the discharge direction, the game ball is not allowed to exit from the exit portion and is in a standby state. For example, if the inner wall member 58b does not have a lower end portion (a portion inclined inward and downward), the game ball can go out in the horizontal direction or upward to some extent. Even if it is full, it will come out on top of it. In the present embodiment, such a situation is prevented by the presence of the inclined lower end portion of the inner wall member 58b. Therefore, the game ball is always discharged from the exit part so as to be the first stage game ball on the road surface of the conveyor belt 34, and when it cannot be discharged to the first stage, it waits at the exit part. As described above, since the sheet is discharged so as not to overlap the transport belt 34 in two stages, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the transport apparatus 31 due to the game balls overlapping on the transport belt 34 in two or more stages. .

  In addition, the pressure applied to the game balls on the transport belt 34 by the game balls that flow out from the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 58 onto the transport belt 34 and join is applied from the side of the transport belt 34. For example, when a game ball is discharged onto the transport belt 34 from above the transport belt 34, the loads of the discharged game ball and a large number of game balls connected to the rear thereof are almost perpendicular to the road surface of the transport belt 34. In this embodiment, the game balls are merged from the side of the conveyor belt 34, so that a load applied to the road surface of the conveyor belt 34 in the vertical direction is small. Therefore, an excessive load is not applied to the conveyor belt 34, and even if a large number of game balls are discharged from the game ball counter 20, smooth conveyance and merging are ensured.

  Even when a large amount of game balls flow into the game ball introduction unit 50 from the collection basket 40, the weight of the game balls overlapping in the vertical direction is once received by the alignment unit 57. Therefore, the force that the game ball tries to flow out from the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 58 onto the transport belt 34 (the force that the game ball of the outlet portion presses the game ball on the transport belt 34 from the side) is the discharge passage portion. Of the 58 routes, only the weight of a small amount of game balls connected in the direction of the route is provided, and no large force is applied.

  When there is a margin for accepting game balls on the transport belt 34 (a state where all the rows in the width direction are not filled with game balls), the game balls flow out from the exit of the discharge passage portion 58 onto the road surface of the transport belt 34. Join together. When exiting on the road surface of the conveyor belt 34 from the exit portion, the game ball is ejected by the movement shown by the arrow and broken line in FIG. 10, so that the game ball does not contact the end of the conveyor belt 34 during ejection. Absent. Such discharge depends on the positional relationship between the position of the lower end of the outer wall member 58a and the end of the conveyor belt 34. For example, when the game ball is brought to the end on the road surface of the conveyor belt 34 and brought into contact with the lower end of the outer wall member 58a (the state of the game ball B in the figure), the lowest point of the game ball (contact with the conveyor belt 34) It is only necessary to set the positional relationship such that the portion to be moved is on the inner side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 34 from the end of the conveyor belt 34.

  The game balls discharged from the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 58 onto the road surface of the transport belt 34 are transported on the transport belt 34 toward the end in the transport direction.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, when the game balls are full on the transport belt 34, the game balls waiting at the exit of the discharge passage portion 58 are the game balls transported on the transport belt 34. It is dragged in the transport direction by the contact of. However, the game ball waiting at the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 58 is in contact with the game ball regulating member 59 on the downstream side in the transport direction, and does not flow out (move) to the downstream side. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a large amount of game balls from entering the transport belt 34 due to the drag phenomenon and a game ball from being sandwiched between the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 58 and the transport belt 34.

  In addition, the game balls discharged from the game ball counter 20 are allowed to flow (join) onto the transport belt 34 only at the locations where the game ball introduction unit 50 exists, so the join locations are the entire length of the transport device 31. From the point of view it is only a part. Therefore, the location where the drag phenomenon occurs is also limited. The drag phenomenon is a load that impedes movement in the transport direction for the transport belt 34, but places where the drag phenomenon can occur are limited only to places where the game ball introduction unit 50 exists. An increase in the load received by 34 can be reduced.

  As described above, the game ball introduction unit 50 discharges the game balls on the transport belt 34 of the transport device 31 so as to be in one stage, so that it is basically not transported in two stages. However, even if the game balls overlap two levels for some reason, they are corrected to one level due to the presence of the transport path regulating member 45.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12A, when a game ball that has been transported in two stages on the transport belt 34 reaches the lower end of the slope portion 46 of the transport path regulating member 45, one stage is reached. The game ball of the eye passes under the slope portion 46 and the game ball of the second stage rides on the slope portion 46. If game balls arrive on the second stage one after another from the upstream side, the second stage game balls ride on the slope part 46 one after another and are retracted on the slope part 46.

  When the amount of game balls retreated on the slope portion 46 increases, a part of the game balls on the slope portion 46 reaches the drop groove 48 and falls from the drop groove 48 onto the side road portion 36c. The game ball dropped in this way is waiting on the side road portion 36c, but the side road portion 36c is inclined so as to guide the game ball toward the road surface of the conveyor belt 34. If there is a gap S (see FIG. 12A) of game balls on the belt 34, the game balls on the side road portion 36c flow out onto the conveyor belt 34 so as to fill the gap S.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the transport amount on the transport belt 34 decreases, the game ball that has been retracted to the slope portion 46 is moved from the lower end of the slope portion 46 onto the road surface of the transport belt 34. As a game ball, it flows out under the slope 46 and is conveyed.

  In this way, the transport path regulating member 45 temporarily retracts the game ball transported in two stages on the transport belt 34 onto the slope portion 46 and corrects it to the first stage, and when the transport amount decreases. The retracted game ball is returned to the transport belt 34 as the first stage game ball of the transport path. Therefore, on the downstream side of the transport path regulating member 45, the maximum transport amount is when the game balls are completely filled on the transport belt 34, and the transport path regulating member 45 sets the maximum transport amount on the downstream side as described above. Serves the function of limiting the amount.

  By arranging the transport path regulating member 45 in the vicinity of the upstream side of the game ball introduction unit 50, the game balls on the transport belt 34 are corrected to one stage or less on the upstream side of the game ball introduction unit 50. As a result, the phenomenon that the second or higher stage game balls are clogged with the lower end of the game ball introduction section 50 is reliably prevented.

  If the transport path regulating member 45 is provided at the end of the transport device 31 in the transport direction, the maximum amount of game balls that the transport device 31 discharges per unit time toward the subsequent device or the like can be controlled. In the present embodiment, the game ball discharged from the transfer device 31 flows into the game ball receiving port 7a of the lifting polishing device 7, so that the transfer path regulating member 45 provided at the end of the transfer direction of the transfer device 31 is raised. Since the amount of game balls flowing into the game ball receiving port 7a of the polishing apparatus 7 is limited, clogging of the lift polishing apparatus 7 is prevented.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the game ball receiving member 51 is arranged at a portion for receiving the game ball from the collecting basket 40. However, in the second embodiment, the collecting bowl 40 is used instead of the game ball receiving member 51. A ball clogging prevention member 70 having a function of preventing clogging by restricting the inflow amount of game balls from is provided. Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 shows a game ball collecting device inside the gaming machine island 2 according to the second embodiment. Further, FIG. 14 shows the frame 36 of the transport device 31, each part of the game ball introduction unit 50, the ball clogging prevention member 70, and the transport path regulating member 45 separated in the order of placement on the frame 36. FIG. 15 shows a state in which these are assembled. FIG. 16 shows a cross section of the ball clogging prevention member 70 at the position BB in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the ball clogging prevention member 70 includes a roof portion 71, a side wall 72, a bottom portion 73, and a game ball passage port 74 for regulating the inflow amount provided in the side wall 72. The bottom 73 has a drop opening 73a. Furthermore, a sheet-like body 75 serving as an impact absorbing member is attached inside.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the ball clogging prevention member 70 is installed so as to cover the upper end portion of the flow rate adjusting unit 55 of the game ball introducing unit 50 that is open to the rectangular shape. Cover the opening. In the second embodiment, since the game ball receiving member 51 is not placed, the receiving portion 56a is not provided.

  The lower end of the collection basket 40 is connected to the game ball passage port 74. The game balls that have flowed down the collection basket 40 flow into the ball clogging prevention member 70 from the game ball passage port 74. The game ball passing port 74 passes through the first stage that flows down along the road surface of the collection basket 40 and the second stage game ball that overlaps the first stage, and does not allow the third stage or more. The height of the game ball passage opening 74 is slightly larger than the diameter of two game balls.

  The sheet-like body 75 is disposed on the extension of the lower end of the collection basket 40 so as to face the lower end. Here, the sheet-like body 75 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the lower end of the collection basket 40 inserted into the ball clogging prevention member 70 from the game ball passage port 74 and is opposed to the lower end. The game ball jumping out from the lower end of the collection basket 40 collides with the sheet-like body 75 and is deenergized.

  In this way, the game ball that has flowed into the ball clogging prevention member 70 falls downward (the game ball receiving port of the game ball introducing unit 50) from the drop port 73a provided in the bottom 73. The roof portion 71 plays a role of preventing the game ball from dropping directly into the drop opening 73a from above.

  Here, the ball clogging prevention member 70 is provided so as to extend over the pair of side walls 72 and the pair of side walls 72 facing each other along the conveying direction, and is linear in the separation direction of the pair of side walls 72. And a roof portion 71 inclined downward on both sides around the ridgeline. Moreover, the bottom part 73 is comprised by the board member which connects the lower ends of a pair of side wall 72 which opposes. There is no wall portion between the bottom portion 73 and the lower edge of each slope of the roof portion 71, and this portion serves as the left and right game ball passage openings 74. The sheet-like body 75 is suspended from the ridge line portion in a direction parallel to the ridge line of the roof portion 71.

  The drop opening 73 a of the bottom 73 is provided at a position that is the center of the left and right game ball passage openings 74. In addition, the bottom 73 is slightly inclined downward from the end on the game ball passage port 74 side toward the drop port 73a. This inclination is the same as the inclination of the collection basket 40, and the collection basket 40 is installed with the lower end inserted into the ball clogging prevention member 70 from the game ball passage port 74. Here, the lower end of the recovery rod 40 is inserted inward until reaching the drop port 73a.

  Next, the operation of the ball clogging prevention member 70 will be described.

  FIG. 17 shows a state in which a relatively small number of game balls flow down the collection basket 40 and the game balls are smoothly taken into the game ball introduction unit 50 and conveyed by the conveyance belt 34. The game ball that has flowed down the collection basket 40 vigorously enters the ball clogging prevention member 70 from the game ball passage port 74, then jumps out from the lower end of the collection basket 40, collides with the sheet-like body 75, and is deenergized. It falls to the lower drop port 73a. As described above, since the sheet-like body 75 is interposed between the lower end of one of the collecting baskets 40 and the lower end of the other collecting bowl 40, the game balls that have jumped out from the lower end of the collecting bowl 40 are transferred to the sheet-like body 75. It collides and does not collide directly with the lower end of the other recovery rod 40. As a result, the lower end of the recovery basket 40 is prevented from being deformed or damaged by the collision of the game balls, and noise due to the collision is reduced.

  In addition, the game ball discharged from the out ball discharge pipe 16 falls on the roof portion 71 and falls on the recovery basket 40 from the lower end thereof, and then flows into the ball clogging prevention member 70 from the game ball passage port 74. .

  FIG. 18 shows a state in which a large number of game balls have flowed down the collection basket 40. Even when a large amount of game balls flow down the collection bowl 40, the first and second stage game balls on the road surface pass through the game ball passage port 74 and enter the ball clogging prevention member 70. The game balls above the stage ride on the roof portion 71 and are temporarily retracted on the roof portion 71. Further, due to the presence of the roof portion 71, the game ball does not fall directly from the out ball discharge pipe 16 or the like into the drop port 73 a and flows into the ball clogging prevention member 70 only through the game ball passage port 74. As a result, it is avoided that the game ball directly falls from the out ball discharge pipe 16 to the drop port 73a and closes the drop port 73a to cause a jamming phenomenon and the like.

  Further, since the game ball passage port 74 restricts the amount of flow into the ball clogging prevention member 70, even when a large amount of game balls arrive from the collection basket 40, there is a certain amount of space inside the ball clogging prevention member 70. Secured. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, a space is secured below the roof portion 71. By securing this space, a state in which the game ball can be appropriately moved is maintained, and the game ball is prevented from being clogged at the drop opening 73a.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the lower end of the collection basket 40 is connected to one game ball introduction section 50 from two opposite directions, but the collection basket 40 is connected to only one game ball introduction section 50 from one direction. It may be configured to.

  In the embodiment, the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 58 is configured to be inclined obliquely downward, but is configured to discharge the game ball onto the conveyor belt 34 from the side of the conveyor belt 34 at an angle closer to the horizontal. May be.

  In the embodiment, the configuration in which the game balls are merged from both sides of the conveyor belt 34 is shown, but a configuration in which the game balls are merged only from one side may be employed.

  The drop groove 48 provided in the conveyance path regulating member 45 is formed so as to cut out the end portion of the inclined surface portion 46, but a hole may be provided. The dropping groove 48 (including the hole-shaped one) may have a structure in which a plurality of relatively small ones are provided as long as the size is larger than a game ball can pass.

  In the embodiment, the lower end of the transport path regulating member 45 is set to a position slightly higher than one game ball from the road surface of the transport belt 34, and only the first stage has a height that can pass below. The height to be performed may be an appropriate number of steps such as a second step and a third step. The number of stages to be regulated by the conveyance path regulating member 45 may be determined according to the load that can be conveyed by the conveyance device.

  In the embodiment, the configuration in which the gaming ball counter 20 is provided in each gaming machine 10 is shown, but the gaming ball counter 20 may be configured to be provided only at a predetermined location on the gaming machine island 2. For example, in the gaming machine island 2, it may be provided at the end opposite to the island end equipment portion 5 or at a predetermined location in the longitudinal direction.

  The transport device 31 may be any device that uses a transport path of a system for transporting game balls by power, and is not limited to a belt conveyor system that circulates the transport belt 34. For example, it may be a conveyance path in which a road surface is configured by arranging a plurality of rollers that are rotationally driven with a rotation axis in the width direction of the conveyance path in the conveyance direction. Moreover, the conveyance path of the conveyance apparatus 31 is not limited to what is installed horizontally. If it is a power type, it may be inclined downward in the transport direction in order to assist the transport by the power.

  In the embodiment, the game machine 10 is a pachinko machine and the game ball is a pachinko ball, but other types of game machines may be used as long as the game machine uses the game ball.

  In the embodiment, the ball drop openings 53a are alternately arranged in two rows on the foreign matter removal cover 53, but the arrangement of the ball drop openings 53a is not limited to this. For example, only one row may be arranged at the center of the foreign matter removal cover 53 in the width direction. In addition, the top surface of the foreign matter removal cover 53 is inclined downward from the center in the width direction toward the end portion, and the ball drop openings 53 a are arranged in the vicinity of the end portion in the width direction of the foreign matter removal cover 53. May be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Game machine island 3 ... Island pillar 4 ... Top plate 5 ... Island edge equipment part 6 ... Storage tank 7 ... Lifting polishing apparatus 7a ... Game ball receiving port 8 ... Supply bowl 10 ... Game machine 11 ... Game ball rental machine 12 ... Game board 13 ... Upper tray 14 ... Lower tray 14a ... Operating lever 15 ... Handle 16 ... Out ball discharge pipe 20 ... Game ball counter 21 ... Game ball slot 22 ... Counter lever 23 ... Counter discharge pipe 24 ... ball detection Sensor 30 ... Game ball collecting device 31 ... Conveying device 32 ... Driving pulley 33 ... Driving pulley 34 ... Conveying belt 34a ... Road surface side conveying belt 36 ... Frame 36a ... Conveying surface side wall 36b ... Support surface portion 36c ... Side way portion 40 ... Recovering cage 45 ... Conveyance path regulating member 46 ... Slope portion 47 ... Leg portion 48 ... Falling groove 50 ... Game ball introduction portion 51 ... Game ball receiving member 51a ... Game ball receiving port 53 ... Foreign matter removal cover 53a ... Ball drop port DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Flow volume adjustment part 56 ... Ball receiving part 56a ... Receiving part 56b ... Shock absorption member 57 ... Alignment part 57a ... Alignment member 57b ... Shock absorption member 58 ... Discharge passage part 58a ... Outer wall member 58b ... Inner wall member 59 ... Game ball regulation Member 70: Ball clogging prevention member 71 ... Roof portion 72 ... Side wall 73 ... Bottom 73a ... Drop port 74 ... Game ball passage port 75 ... Sheet-like body F ... Transport direction of game ball by transport device S ... Generated on transport belt Gap

Claims (10)

A gaming machine in which a game using a game ball is performed and a game ball collecting apparatus that is installed in a gaming machine island in which a plurality of counting machines for counting the game balls are accommodated and collects the gaming balls discharged from the gaming machine and the counting machine Because
A powered transport path for transporting game balls along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island;
A plurality of game ball introduction sections that are arranged at a plurality of locations on the transport path and allow game balls to be transported to flow into the transport path;
Provided in correspondence with each game ball introduction section, a lower end is arranged at a game ball receiving port of the corresponding game ball introduction section, and receives and rolls the game balls discharged from the game machine and the counter, so that the game balls A sloping collection tank that discharges to the receiving port;
The game ball introduction part
A restricting member for restricting the game ball received from the game ball receiving port from flowing out to the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport path;
An alignment unit for aligning the game balls received from the game ball reception port in a plurality of rows;
A game ball collecting apparatus, comprising: a discharge passage for discharging the game balls arranged in the alignment unit in a plurality of rows from a side of the transfer path onto a road surface of the transfer path. The exit portion of the discharge passage does not allow the game ball discharged from the exit portion and the game ball waiting at the exit portion to contact the end portion of the road surface of the transfer path, and the game ball is placed on the transfer path. 2. The game ball collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the game ball is discharged so as to be a first-stage game ball that does not overlap another game ball. A foreign object removal cover having a plurality of ball drop openings formed so that one game ball can pass therethrough but two cannot pass at the same time is provided between the game ball receiving port and the alignment portion. Item 3. A game ball collecting device according to Item 1 or 2. An impact absorbing member is disposed on an extension of the lower end of the recovery bowl, and a game ball discharged from the lower end collides with the impact absorbing member and falls to the game ball receiving port. Item 4. The game ball collection device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. Covering the game ball receiving port with a ball clogging prevention member having a roof portion and a side wall, the inside being hollow, the bottom portion being opened, and a game ball passage opening restricting the amount of inflow to the side wall, and flowing down the collection basket The game ball collecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the game ball is received from the game ball passage port and discharged from the bottom to the game ball receiving port. A sloped portion that is inclined upwardly toward the downstream side in the transport direction, with a lower end disposed above the transport path at a height at which a game ball can pass over the predetermined number of steps from the road surface of the transport path. The game ball collecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conveyance path regulating member having a function of the game path regulating member. A side road portion that extends in the transport direction along the end of the transport path and guides the game ball toward the road surface of the transport path,
The slope portion of the transport path regulating member has a width including the transport path and the side path portion, and is separated from the lower end by a predetermined length or more and outside the end portion of the transport path and above the side path portion. The game ball collecting apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a drop groove for dropping the game ball onto the side road at a position. The game ball collecting apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the transfer path regulating member is installed on a transfer path in the vicinity of the upstream side of the game ball introduction section. The end of the conveyance path is connected to a game ball receiving port of a lifting device that lifts the game ball,
The game ball collecting apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the conveyance path regulating member is installed on a conveyance path near the terminal end.   A gaming machine island having the gaming ball collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.