JP2012020051A - Game ball conveying device and bank of gaming machines - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game ball conveying device capable of smoothly conveying game balls while preventing an excessive load caused by a large quantity of game balls from being applied, and a bank of gaming machines.SOLUTION: A plurality of conveying passage regulating members 45 are disposed at predetermined spaces on a conveying passage 34 of a power type belt conveyor for conveying game balls along the longitudinal direction of the bank 2 of gaming machines. Each conveying passage regulating member 45 has a slant face part 46 inclining upward to the downstream side in a conveying direction from its lower end installed in a position slightly higher than the diameter of one game ball from the surface 34a of the conveying passage 34. Only the first stage of game balls pass along the lower end of the slant face part 46 of the conveying passage regulating member 45, and the game balls on the conveying passage are regulated to only one stage. The game balls from the second stage up are retreated and stored on the slant face part 46 and flow out onto a conveyor belt from the lower end of the slant face part 46 when the quantity of conveyance is reduced.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball transport device that transports a game ball such as a pachinko ball and a game machine island equipped with the same, and in particular, a game ball transport device and a game machine that receive and transport a large amount of game balls from a counter or the like. About the 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 power-type conveyance path is not limited to the one used for collecting the game balls. For example, there is a conveyance path for distributing game balls to each game machine or game ball lending machine. It is required not to put an excessive load on the road.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problem, and provides a gaming ball transport device and a gaming machine island that can smoothly transport a gaming ball while preventing an excessive load from being applied by a large number of gaming balls. It is intended to provide.

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

[1] A powered transport path for transporting game balls;
A transport path regulating member having a sloped portion with a lower end disposed at a height at which a game ball can pass over a predetermined number of steps from the road surface of the transport path to the downstream side in the transport direction; ,
A game ball transport device comprising:

  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.

[2] A side road portion is provided 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 transport device according to [1], further comprising a drop groove for dropping the game ball onto the side road portion.

  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.

[3] A game machine in which a game using a game ball is performed and a counter that counts the game balls are installed in a gaming machine island where a plurality of game machines are accommodated, and the game balls discharged from the game machine and the counter are collected. The game ball transport device according to [1] or [2], which is characterized.

  In the said invention, the game ball discharged | emitted from the game machine or the counter is collect | recovered and conveyed.

[4] The game ball according to [3], wherein the slope portion of the transport path regulating member receives the game ball discharged from the game machine and the counter and rolls it toward the lower end. Conveying device.

  In the above invention, the game balls discharged from the gaming machine or the counter are dropped and received on the slope portion of the conveyance path regulating member, and the slope portion flows down and rolls along the slope, It flows on the road surface of the conveyance path from the lower end. Since there is a limit to the amount of game balls that can flow into the conveyance path from the lower end of the slope portion, the amount of game balls flowing into the conveyance path is limited by arranging the conveyance path regulating member. In the case where the transport path regulating member has a drop groove, a game ball discharged from the game machine or the counter and received by the slope portion may fall from the drop groove to the side road portion. The game ball that has fallen to the side road portion flows out from the side road portion onto the road surface of the transport path when a space is created on the transport path where the game ball can be received.

[5] The game ball transport device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein a plurality of the transport path regulating members are disposed on the transport path at intervals.

  In the above invention, the space between the lower end of the transport path regulating member and the upper end of the slope portion of the transport path regulating member adjacent thereto serves as an inlet when the game ball flows into the transport path from the lower end of the transport path regulating member. Therefore, the inflow amount can be limited if the interval between the adjacent conveyance path regulating members is narrowed, and the maximum inflow amount can be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the interval.

[6] The end of the conveyance path is connected to a game ball receiving port of a lifting device for lifting game balls,
The game ball transport device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the transport path regulating member is installed on a transport path near the terminal end.

  In the said invention, the inflow amount of the game ball | bowl to a lifting apparatus can be restrict | limited by a conveyance path control member.

[7] A gaming machine island having the gaming ball transport device according to any one of [1] to [6].

  According to the game ball transport device and the gaming machine island according to the present invention, since the amount of game balls on the transport path is limited, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the power transport path. In addition, in the case of collecting game balls discharged from gaming machines or counting machines, even if a large number of gaming balls are discharged from gaming machines or counting machines, they can be smoothly merged without applying an excessive load on the conveyance path. Can be recovered.

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 the game ball conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 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 explanatory drawing which shows typically the structure of the game ball conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the game ball conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows a cross section perpendicular | vertical to the conveyance direction of the game ball conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the game ball conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment collect | recovers and conveys a game ball.

  Hereinafter, various 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 first 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. In addition, below the gaming machine 10 accommodated on both sides of the gaming machine island 2, a gaming ball collection device as a gaming ball transport device according to the present invention is provided extending along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2. 30 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.

  FIG. 13 schematically shows a configuration of a game ball collection device 30B according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the collection basket 40 and the game ball introduction section 50 are not provided, but a plurality of conveyance path regulating members 45 are arranged on the road surface of the conveyance apparatus 31 with a predetermined interval. The interval between adjacent conveyance path regulating members 45 is set to about 10 cm to 20 cm, for example. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the game ball collection device 30B according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 15 is perpendicular to the transport direction of the game ball collection device 30B according to the second embodiment. A cross section is shown. The frame 36, the conveyance path regulating member 45, and the foreign matter removal cover 53 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Between the conveyance path side walls 36a of the frame 36, a conveyance path regulating member 45 is inserted and placed at a predetermined interval in the conveyance direction, and a ball receiver having a predetermined length in the conveyance direction thereon. A member 80 is placed. The ball receiving member 80 has a length of, for example, about 1.5 m, and a plurality of ball receiving members 80 are arranged without a gap over the entire length of the conveying device 31.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the ball receiving member 80 forms an inclined surface that spreads upwardly in an inverted C shape from the respective upper ends of the pair of conveyance path side walls 36 a of the frame 36 toward the outside. A sheet-like impact absorbing member 81 is attached to the slope of the ball receiving member 80. A foreign matter removal cover 53 is installed between the lower ends of both slopes. A plurality of foreign matter removal covers 53 are arranged without a gap over the entire length of the transport device 31. A space slightly larger than one game ball is ensured between the lower surface of the placed foreign substance removal cover 53 and the upper end of the inclined surface portion 46 of the transport path regulating member 45.

  In the second embodiment, since the collection basket 40 is not provided, the required height direction size of the game ball collection device 30B is reduced, and for example, a wider foot space can be secured.

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

  The game balls 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 are received by the ball receiving member 80 located immediately below, and roll down the slope. Then, it falls downward from the ball drop opening 53a of the foreign matter removal cover 53. Since the game ball discharged from the counter discharge pipe 23 and the like falls onto the impact absorbing member 81 laid on the slope of the ball receiving member 80, the impact of the fall is alleviated. Note that the slope of the ball receiving member 80 also functions as a storage unit for storing game balls. If a large number of game balls are discharged from the game ball counter 20 at a time, the ball receiving member 80 temporarily. The game balls are stored and fall sequentially downward from the ball drop opening 53a of the foreign substance removal cover 53.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the game ball that has dropped on the slope portion 46 of the transport path regulating member 45 rolls down along the slope portion 46 and falls onto the transport belt 34 from the lower end of the slope portion 46.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the portion between the lower end of the inclined surface portion 46 of the transport path regulating member 45 </ b> A and the upper end of the adjacent transport path regulating member 45 </ b> B that is upstream in the transport direction F is the transport path. It becomes the discharge port 49 of the game ball which flows out on the conveyance belt 34 from the lower end of the slope part 46 of the regulating member 45A. When the first stage game balls already exist without any gaps on the transport belt 34 in the portion of the discharge port 49, the game balls fall on the transport belt 34 from the lower end of the slope portion 46 of the transport path regulating member 45A. Unable to stop on the slope 46.

  If there is no game ball on the transport belt 34 at the discharge port 49 or if there is a gap, the game ball falls onto the transport belt 34 from the lower end of the inclined surface portion 46. Further, the game ball on the slope portion 46 may fall from the drop groove 48 onto the side road portion 36c, and the game ball dropped onto the side road portion 36c can be formed as shown in FIG. In the same manner as described in a), they flow out onto the road surface of the conveyor belt 34 and merge.

  In this way, by arranging the plurality of transfer path regulating members 45 at predetermined intervals over the entire length of the transfer device 31, the locations where the game balls can flow onto the transfer belt 34 of the transfer device 31 are adjacent to each other. Only the discharge port 49 and the drop groove 48 formed between the matching conveyance path regulating members 45 are provided. Since the conveyance path regulating member 45 regulates the game balls overlapping on the conveyance belt 34 to only one stage depending on the distance between the lower end and the road surface, the portion where the game balls can overlap two or more stages on the conveyance belt 34 is Only the portion of the discharge port 49 is provided.

  In addition, since the game ball that has dropped from the drop groove 48 onto the side road portion 36 c flows out to the transport belt 34 only when there is a gap on the transport belt 34, the game ball that has dropped from the drop groove 48 is There will be no game balls that overlap the second stage. Therefore, by disposing the transport path regulating member 45 over the entire length in the transport direction at a predetermined interval, a large number of game balls overlap with each other and flow onto the transport belt 34, and an excessive load is applied to the transport device 31. The situation of adding is prevented, and smooth conveyance and merging are ensured.

  In addition, since excessive game balls are stopped on the slope portion 46 of the transport path regulating member 45, the presence of these game balls does not apply a load to the transport belt 34.

  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 first embodiment, the lower end of the collection basket 40 is connected to one game ball introduction unit 50 from two opposite directions, but the collection basket 40 is collected only from one direction with respect to one game ball introduction unit 50. 40 may be connected.

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

  In the first 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 ball transport device according to the present invention is a game ball collecting device 30 or 30B that collects the game balls discharged from the game ball counter 20 or the game machine 10. The game balls that have been lifted and polished may be used as a replenishment transport device that transports and supplies the game balls to the game machines 10 and the game ball lending machine 11. In this case, since the game ball flows only from the lifting polishing apparatus 7 on the transport path, the transport path is restricted to one position on the transport path on the downstream side in the vicinity of the position where the game ball from the lift polishing apparatus 7 flows. The member 45 may be arranged.

  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 Sensors 30, 30B ... Game ball collecting device 31 ... Conveying device 32 ... Drive pulley 33 ... Driven pulley 34 ... Conveying belt 34a ... Road surface side conveying belt 36 ... Frame 36a ... Conveying surface side wall 36b ... Support surface portion 36c ... Side road portion 40 ... Collecting bowl 45 ... Conveying path regulating member 46 ... Slope part 47 ... Leg part 48 ... Drop groove 49 ... Discharge port 50 ... Game ball introduction part 51 ... Game ball inlet member 51a ... Game ball inlet 53 ... Foreign substance removal cover -53a ... Ball drop port 55 ... Flow rate adjusting part 56 ... Ball receiving part 56a ... Receiving part 56b ... Shock absorbing member 57 ... Aligning part 57a ... Aligning member 57b ... Shock absorbing member 58 ... Discharge passage part 58a ... Outer wall member 58b ... Inner wall Member 59 ... Game ball regulating member 80 ... Ball receiving member 81 ... Impact absorbing member F ... Transport direction of game ball by transport device S ... Clearance generated on transport belt

Claims (7)

A powered transport path for transporting game balls;
A transport path regulating member having a sloped portion with a lower end disposed at a height at which a game ball can pass over a predetermined number of steps from the road surface of the transport path to the downstream side in the transport direction; ,
A game ball transport device comprising: A side path is provided that extends in the transport direction along the end of the transport path and guides the game ball toward the 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 transport device according to claim 1, further comprising: a drop groove for dropping the game ball onto the side road portion. A game machine in which a game using a game ball is performed and a game machine island where a plurality of counters for counting the game ball are accommodated are collected, and the game balls discharged from the game machine and the counter are collected. The game ball transport device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The game ball transport device according to claim 3, wherein the slope portion of the transport path regulating member receives the game ball discharged from the game machine and the counter and rolls it toward the lower end. 5. The game ball transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of the transport path regulating members are disposed on the transport path at intervals. 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 transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transport path regulating member is installed on a transport path near the terminal end.   A gaming machine island having the gaming ball transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.