JP2012152322A - Device for transferring and polishing game ball - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for transferring and polishing game balls that can be installed easily and at low cost in each game machine and that can fully polish the entire surface of each game ball while transferring the game balls.SOLUTION: The device for transferring and polishing game balls includes a transfer passage having a contact surface 65 with which game balls make contact when transferred, and a screw provided oppositely to the transfer passage and having a guide groove 93 formed helically for receiving game balls in the outer periphery. As the screw rotates, the game balls received in the guide groove 93 in the screw are guided to the contact surface 65 and can be transferred within the transfer passage. A protruding section 94 formed by a friction member capable of providing a game ball a friction force of such an extent as to rotate the game ball in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the game ball as the game ball is transferred is extended at the bottom of the guide groove 93 in the screw, and the contact surface 65 is formed by a polishing member 63 capable of polishing the surface of a game ball.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball transfer polishing apparatus, and more particularly to a game ball transfer polishing apparatus capable of uniformly polishing the entire surface of a game ball while transferring the game ball.

  Conventionally, as a gaming machine using a game ball as a game medium, a pachinko machine, a parrot (registered trademark) for playing a game similar to a slot machine using a game ball, and the like are known. In addition, in the hall, these gaming machines are installed in an area called “Sima”, and in order to efficiently use the gaming balls in the gaming machines installed in the Shima, the gaming balls are used throughout the hall and the entire Shima. It is known that facilities for circulating replenishment are provided. Also, in recent years, in order to be able to freely increase or decrease the number of gaming machines installed in the hall, it is not necessary to circulate and replenish game balls throughout the hall or the entire shima, but for each gaming machine using a predetermined facility. Circulation replenishment mechanisms for game balls that can recirculate balls have begun to spread.

As described above, when the game balls are circulated and replenished throughout the hall or the entire strip, the game balls are supplied to a plurality of game machines, so that the game balls can be touched by the players and the hall clerk. In addition, since the game ball moves over a wide range, the surface of the game ball is likely to be contaminated.
Therefore, in this circulating supply facility, a polishing apparatus for polishing the game ball is generally provided in order to remove dirt attached to the surface of the game ball.
Such a polishing apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, for example.

JP-A-11-104341

The above-described polishing apparatus includes a lifting sprocket for lifting the game ball. Then, the game balls discharged from each gaming machine and stored in a predetermined recovery tank are lifted by the lifting sprocket. In addition, the game balls lifted by the lifting sprocket are pushed out into the discharge passage connected to the lifting sprocket, and further pushed up in the discharge passage by the game balls sequentially pushed out from below. It has become. Here, a polishing member is provided in the discharge passage along the transfer direction of the game ball, and the game ball is polished by the polishing member as it is pushed up in the discharge passage. ing.
However, in this polishing apparatus, since the game balls receive the weight of all the game balls located on the upper side, the inside of the discharge passage is pushed up as it is. Accordingly, only the same surface of the game ball is ground in the polishing member provided in the discharge passage, and there has been a problem that the entire surface of the game ball cannot be sufficiently polished.

  In addition, when a game ball is circulated and replenished by a game ball circulatory replenishment mechanism that can replenish game balls for each gaming machine, the game sphere does not move over a wide range. Compared to the replenishment method, the game ball is less likely to get dirty. However, since it is not hindered to be temporarily located outside the gaming machine, such as on a ball tray, dirt such as cigarette smoke will adhere. Then, even when game balls are circulated and replenished for each gaming machine, it is necessary to provide a game ball polishing device. However, as described above, the conventional polishing device is provided with a discharge passage and polished inside thereof. Since it is a large-sized device provided with members, it is not easy to install in each gaming machine, and there is also a problem that it is expensive.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made for the above-described circumstances, and can be easily and inexpensively installed for each gaming machine, and a game that can uniformly polish the entire surface of the gaming ball while transferring the gaming ball. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball transfer polishing apparatus.

The following invention has been made to achieve each of the above-described objects, and features of each invention will be described below using the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
In addition, a code | symbol shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of this invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(First invention)
The first invention is a passage for transferring a game ball, which has a contact surface 65 with which the game ball comes into contact when the game ball is transferred (lifting passage 64), and the transfer passage. And a screw (lifting screw 91) having a guide groove 93 spirally formed on the outer periphery and capable of receiving a game ball on the outer periphery, and as the screw rotates, the guide groove of the screw A game ball transfer polishing device (lifting unit 90) in which a game ball received in 93 is guided by the contact surface 65 so as to be transferred in the transfer passage, and the guide groove 93 of the screw is provided. The game ball received by the rotation of the screw is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the game ball along with the transfer of the game ball by the rotation of the screw, and the contact surface 65 is a surface of the game ball. Formed by a polishing member 63 capable of polishing The features.

The transfer passage (lifting passage 64) is a passage for transferring a game ball, and has a contact surface 65 with which the game ball contacts when the game ball is transferred. For example, a cylindrical member, It can be formed by a square cylindrical member or the like.
The screw (lifting screw 91) is provided so as to face the transfer passage, and a guide groove 93 that can receive a game ball is formed in a spiral shape on the outer periphery.
The transfer polishing apparatus (lifting unit 90) according to the present invention enables the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the screw to be guided in the contact surface 65 and transferred in the transfer passage as the screw rotates. Is formed. The transfer polishing apparatus according to the present invention may be formed such that the game ball can be transferred in the horizontal direction by arranging the screw so that the rotation shaft faces in the horizontal direction. The screw may be formed such that the game ball can be transferred (lifted) in the vertical direction by disposing the screw so that the rotation axis faces the vertical direction.

In the lifting and polishing apparatus according to the present invention, the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the screw is rotated in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball as the game ball is transferred by the rotation of the screw. It is supposed to be.
Specifically, the screw can be formed of a material capable of applying a frictional force that can rotate the game ball as the screw rotates. When formed in this way, the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the screw is sandwiched between the surface of the guide groove 93 of the screw and the contact surface 65, so that frictional force is applied from the surface of the screw. It will be. Therefore, the game ball rotates in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball with the transfer of the game ball as the screw rotates.

Further, a protrusion formed at the bottom of the guide groove 93 of the screw by a friction member capable of giving the game ball a frictional force that rotates in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball as the game ball is transferred. It can also be formed by extending the strip 94. When formed in this way, the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the screw is sandwiched between the protrusion 94 and the contact surface 65, and therefore, frictional force is applied from the protrusion 94. Therefore, the game ball rotates in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball with the transfer of the game ball as the screw rotates.
Further, the contact surface 65 according to the present invention is formed by a polishing member 63 capable of polishing the surface of the game ball.

Here, the polishing member 63 is a member capable of polishing the surface of the game ball. The polishing member 63 is not particularly limited as long as the surface of the game ball can be polished, and may be a cloth-like, sponge-like or paper-like member containing an abrasive.
The game ball transfer polishing apparatus according to the present invention can be used for a game machine that uses a game ball as a game medium. For example, a pachinko machine that plays a game using a game ball or a game similar to a slot machine using a game ball. Can be used for Parrot (registered trademark).
(Function)
In other words, in the game ball transfer polishing apparatus (lifting unit 90) according to the present invention, the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the screw is brought into contact with the screw as the screw (lifting screw 91) rotates. Guided by 65, it is transferred in the transfer passage (lifting passage 64). At this time, the game ball is transferred in the transfer passage while being sandwiched between the surface of the guide groove 93 and the contact surface 65 of the screw. Further, since the contact surface 65 with which the game ball contacts is formed by the polishing member 63, the surface of the game ball is polished by the polishing member 63 while proceeding through the transfer passage. Here, the game ball is rotated in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball, and the game ball is transferred in the transfer passage while rotating in the direction orthogonal to the transfer direction. As the process proceeds, the surface in contact with the polishing member 63 changes.

That is, according to the game ball transfer polishing apparatus according to the present invention, the direction of the game ball that contacts the contact surface 65 formed by the polishing member 63 changes as the game ball advances through the transfer passage. It is possible to polish the surface uniformly.
Further, according to the game ball transfer polishing apparatus of the present invention, as described above, the surface of the game ball can be uniformly polished, so that the length of the transfer passage can be shortened, and consequently the transfer. The size of the polishing apparatus itself can be reduced. As a result, it can be easily installed for each gaming machine, and the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced.

(Second invention)
In addition to the features of the first invention, the second invention has a frictional force at the bottom of the guide groove 93 of the screw that rotates in a direction orthogonal to the game ball transfer direction as the game ball is transferred. A protruding portion 94 formed by a friction member (rubber belt 95) capable of giving to a game ball is extended.
The protrusion 94 is formed by a friction member capable of giving the game ball a frictional force that rotates in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball as the game ball is transferred. The guide groove 93 is extended to the bottom.

The friction member for forming the protrusion 94 is particularly suitable if it can give the game ball a frictional force that rotates in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball along with the transfer of the game ball. For example, a rubber belt or the like can be used. Specifically, the protrusion 94 can be formed by, for example, winding and fixing a string-like rubber belt 95 around the bottom of the guide groove 93 of the screw.
(Function)
In other words, in the game ball transfer polishing apparatus (lifting unit 90) according to the present invention, since the protrusion 94 (rubber belt 95) is provided in the guide groove 93 of the screw, In the state of being sandwiched between 94 and the contact surface 65, the inside of the transfer passage is transferred. The game ball is given a frictional force that rotates in the direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball by the protrusion 94 formed by the friction member, and the game ball is orthogonal to the transfer direction. Since the inside of the transfer passage is transferred while rotating in the direction, the surface in contact with the polishing member 63 changes as the transfer passage is advanced.

That is, according to the game ball transfer polishing apparatus according to the present invention, the direction of the game ball contacting the contact surface 65 formed by the polishing member 63 is more reliably changed as the game ball advances through the transfer passage. Therefore, the entire surface of the game ball can be polished extremely effectively and reliably.
(Third invention)
In the third invention, in addition to the features of the first or second invention, at least the surface of the polishing member 63 is formed by weaving or intertwining a fiber material kneaded with or adhering an abrasive. In addition, it is characterized in that it is formed so that the adhered matter on the surface of the removed game ball can penetrate into the inside of the abrasive member surface from the fiber eye.

An abrasive | polishing agent is not specifically limited, For example, polishing sand of natural mineral, artificial grinding material, etc. can be used. Also, the fiber material is not particularly limited, and for example, synthetic resin fiber, natural material fiber, glass fiber, hard resin fiber (nylon 66 or the like) can be used.
Further, as described above, the polishing member 63 only needs to have at least a surface woven or entangled with the fiber material, and not only the surface but also the entire polishing member 63 woven with the fiber material or You may form intertwining.
For example, the polishing member 63 can be formed by covering the surface of a hygroscopic material excellent in absorbability of moisture or the like with a coarse sponge-like member or a nonwoven fabric formed by weaving or intertwining the fiber material. it can.

Further, a coarse sponge-like member formed by weaving or intertwining the fiber material or a non-woven fabric itself can be used as the polishing member 63.
(Function)
That is, according to the polishing member 63 of the present invention, as the game ball is polished, the removed dirt and other deposits penetrate into the polishing member 63, and the surface of the polishing member 63 Since it takes a relatively long time for the contamination to be exposed, the replacement life of the polishing member 63 can be extended.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game ball transfer polishing device that can be easily and inexpensively installed in each game machine and can uniformly polish the entire surface of the game ball while transferring the game ball. Can do.

It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a front view of a pachinko machine appearance. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a front view of the state which opened the front frame of the pachinko machine. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a transfer device. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is front sectional drawing of the transfer apparatus which showed the transfer state of the game ball. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a cross-sectional view of a collection tank. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a cross-sectional view of a pumping part. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a partial enlarged view of the front longitudinal cross-section in a pumping part. It is a modification of embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is front sectional drawing of the transfer apparatus which showed the transfer state of the game ball.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The game ball transfer polishing device according to the present embodiment is a game ball circulation supply mechanism for circulating and supplying game balls for each pachinko machine PC in a hall where a pachinko machine PC using the game balls as game media is installed. Is used.
Specifically, in the game ball circulation supply mechanism in this embodiment, as will be described later, the game ball that is disposed outside the pachinko machine PC and enters the winning port 18 or the out port 19 of the pachinko machine PC. A collection tank 50 is provided for storing the game balls from which the balls are discharged and counted by a counting device 35 described later. As will be described later, the game balls stored in the recovery tank 50 are transferred to a buffer tank 36 which is disposed above the outside of the pachinko machine PC and temporarily holds the game balls. As a device, a transfer device 70 is provided. Further, as will be described later, the transfer device 70 includes a horizontal transfer unit 80 for transferring the game ball in the horizontal right direction, and a transfer for lifting the game ball that has reached the end in the horizontal right direction in the vertical upward direction. Part 90.

The transfer section 90 functions as a game ball transfer polishing apparatus.
(Outline of game ball circulation and pachinko machine PC)
First, an outline of a game ball circulation supply mechanism in which the transfer device 70 is used and an outline of a pachinko machine PC will be described.
In the hall where the pachinko machine PC according to the present embodiment is installed, a game ball circulation supply mechanism is provided for circulating and supplying game balls for each pachinko machine PC.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a buffer tank 36 for temporarily storing game balls used in the pachinko machine PC above the outside of each pachinko machine PC fixed to the slit of the hall. Is provided. Further, as will be described later, an upper tank 38 for storing game balls is provided above the back frame 11 of each pachinko machine PC (see FIG. 2). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a replenishment passage 37 is provided from the buffer tank 36 to the upper tank 38. Then, when a game ball enters a winning port 18 of a pachinko machine PC, which will be described later, the game ball stored in the upper tank 38 is paid out to an upper plate 15 provided in front of the front frame 10 of the pachinko machine PC. Further, when the number of game balls stored in the upper tank 38 decreases, the game balls are supplied from the buffer tank 36 to the upper tank 38 via the supply passage 37.

As shown in FIG. 2, each pachinko machine PC is formed with a discharge passage 39 communicating with the outside of the pachinko machine PC. The game balls that have entered the winning port 18 and the out port 19 of each pachinko machine PC are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine PC through the discharge passage 39. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a recovery tank 50 for storing game balls discharged through the discharge passage 39 is provided below the outside of each pachinko machine PC.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a counting device 35 for counting game balls is provided at the bottom of each pachinko machine PC, and a game paid out by winning or the like is provided on the upper surface of the counting device 35. A game ball box 34 for storing balls is placed. The game balls stored in the game ball box 34 can flow into the counting device 35. The game balls that have flowed into the counting device 35 from the game ball box 34 are counted by the counting device 35 and are stored in the collection tank 50 through a passage continuously connected to the counting device 35.

The game balls stored in the collection tank 50 are transferred (lifted) to the buffer tank 36 by the transfer device 70.
In other words, according to the circulation supply mechanism of the game balls, the game balls are supplied from the buffer tank 36 provided on the outside of each pachinko machine PC to the upper tank 38 of each pachinko machine PC. Then, the game balls used for the game in the pachinko machine PC and the game balls paid out from the upper tank 38 by winning etc. are collected into the collection tank 50 and then transferred to the buffer tank 36 by the transfer device 70. In this way, the game balls are recirculated and replenished.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko machine PC according to this embodiment includes a back frame 11 fixed to a hole slit, a front frame 10 attached to the back frame 11 so as to be openable and closable, and a front frame 10 And a game board 12 attached to the.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the back frame 11 is formed of a square frame type wooden frame. As described above, the upper tank 38 for storing game balls supplied from the buffer tank 36 is provided on the upper right side of the back frame 11 (see FIG. 2).
Further, as described above, the front frame 10 is attached to the back frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. Below the payout opening 14 for paying out the game balls when a game ball is won, etc. And an upper plate 15 for storing game balls. A payout passage 111 is disposed from the upper tank 38 to the payout outlet 14. The payout opening 14 penetrates the front frame 31 and is formed to guide the game ball from the upper tank 38 to the upper plate 15. In addition, the upper plate 15 is provided with an insertion port (not shown) for introducing game balls into the pachinko machine PC, and the game balls stored in the upper plate 15 are provided from the input port. It is inserted into the pachinko machine PC and supplied to the launching device 30. Further, below the upper plate 15, a lower plate 16 for storing game balls that cannot be stored in the upper plate 15 is provided, and on the right side of the lower plate 16, an operation for operating the launching device 30 is provided. A handle 13 is provided. When the operation handle 13 is turned by a predetermined angle, the launching device 30 is activated and a game ball is launched toward a game area described later.

The game board 12 is made of a wooden board formed in a square shape, and a game area for playing games is formed on the front surface. In addition, a symbol display device 17 is provided substantially at the center of the game board 12, and a plurality of winning holes 18 are provided around it. In addition, an out port 19 for receiving a game ball that has not won a prize is provided at the lower center of the game board 12. The game balls that have entered the winning opening 18 and the out opening 19 are guided to the collection tank 50 through the discharge passage 39.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the game board 12, to the main board 31 for controlling the game, the display control board 32 for displaying the symbols and effects on the symbol display device 17, and the winning opening 18 A payout control device 33 and the like for driving a motor 102 as a drive device to be described later are provided based on the winnings.

Then, in this pachinko machine PC, when a game ball enters the start winning opening 18a which is one of the winning openings 18, the main board 31 performs random number lottery and displays the combination of symbols to be stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 17. decide. In response to the determination, the display control board 32 causes the symbol display device 17 to perform symbol variation display and stop display. Further, when a predetermined symbol combination is displayed on the symbol display device 17, the main board 31 activates the big winning opening 18b which is one of the winning openings 18.
(Recovery tank 50)
As shown in FIG. 2, the collection tank 50 is provided on the lower outside of each pachinko machine PC, and flows into the counting device 35 from the game ball that has entered the winning port 18 and the out port 19, and from the game ball box 34. The collected game balls are collected and stored.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the recovery tank 50 is formed in a box shape whose upper side is open. Further, the bottom surface of the recovery tank 50 is inclined so as to become lower as it goes in the depth direction when viewed from the front frame 10. In addition, a transfer groove 51 that is a through groove extending from the right end to the left end of the bottom surface is formed in the innermost part of the bottom surface, which has a vertical width slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball. The transfer groove 51 constitutes a part of a horizontal transfer unit 80 of a transfer device 70 described later.
A game ball guided from the winning opening 18 or the out port 19 or a game ball guided from the counting device 35 rolls on the bottom surface of the inclined collection tank 50 and reaches the transfer groove 51. Then, the game ball reaching the transfer groove 51 enters the transfer groove 51, is received by a horizontal transfer screw 81 of a transfer device 70 described later, and is transferred in the horizontal right direction.

(Transfer device 70)
The transfer device 70 is provided so as to be adjacent from the lower side of the collection tank 50 to the right side. The transfer device 70 transfers the game ball that has entered the transfer groove 51 of the recovery tank 50 to the right, and the game ball that has reached the end reaches the buffer tank 36 provided above the outside of the pachinko machine PC. , For vertical uplifting.
2 and 4, the transfer device 70 is positioned at the right end of the horizontal transfer unit 80 and the horizontal transfer unit 80 for transferring game balls in the horizontal right direction. The game ball is transported to the end of the direction, and is composed of a lifting unit 90 for lifting the game ball vertically upward.

(Horizontal transfer section 80)
As described above, the horizontal transfer unit 80 is for transferring the game ball in the horizontal right direction. Specifically, the horizontal transfer unit 80 transfers the game ball that has entered the transfer groove 51 of the recovery tank 50 in the horizontal right direction. Is for.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the horizontal transfer unit 80 is formed by a horizontal transfer screw 81 disposed along the lower edge of the transfer groove 51 of the recovery tank 50 and the inner surface of the transfer groove 51. And a horizontal transfer passage 84.
(Horizontal transfer screw 81)
The horizontal transfer screw 81 is a rod-shaped screw for transferring a game ball in the horizontal right direction, and is a semicircular guide having a depth of about half the diameter of the game ball on the outer periphery of the rotation shaft. The groove 83 is formed in a spiral shape. As a result, the game ball can be received in the guide groove 83 of the horizontal transfer screw 81. Further, the spiral direction of the guide groove 83 of the horizontal transfer screw 81 is such that the horizontal transfer screw 81 is disposed along the lower end of the transfer groove 51 of the recovery tank 50, as will be described later. When the rotation axis is rotated in the clockwise direction when viewed from the left direction, the received game ball moves in the horizontal right direction.

Further, a shaft portion protruding further forward is provided at the right end of the rotating shaft of the horizontal transfer screw 81, and a first bevel gear for connecting to the rotating shaft of the lifting screw 91 described later at the tip of the shaft portion. 82 is provided (see FIG. 4).
(Horizontal transfer passage 84)
The horizontal transfer passage 84 is formed by an inner surface of the transfer groove 51 of the collection tank 50, and is a passage for transferring the game ball in the horizontal right direction.
Hereinafter, the transfer of the game ball in the horizontal transfer unit 80 will be described.
As described above, the game balls in the collection tank 50 roll on the bottom surface of the collection tank 50 and reach the transfer groove 51. Then, the game ball reaching the transfer groove 51 enters the transfer groove 51. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, a horizontal transfer screw 81 is disposed at the lower edge of the transfer groove 51. Therefore, the game ball that has entered the transfer groove 51 falls on the horizontal transfer screw 81 and is received in the guide groove 83 of the horizontal transfer screw 81. When the horizontal transfer screw 81 rotates around the rotation axis in a clockwise direction when viewed from the left, the game ball received in the guide groove 83 is moved to the inner surface of the transfer groove 51. Therefore, the fluid is transferred in the horizontal right direction in the horizontal transfer passage 84.

(Lifting unit 90 (transfer polishing device))
As described above, the lifting unit 90 is for lifting the game ball in the vertical upward direction. Specifically, the lifting unit 90 is transferred to the end in the horizontal right direction by the horizontal transfer screw 81 of the horizontal transfer unit 80. This is for lifting a game ball vertically upward. Further, the lifting section 90 functions as a transfer polishing device for polishing the surface of the game ball while lifting the game ball.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lifting unit 90 includes a lifting screw 91 provided in a lifting cylinder 60 provided adjacent to the right side of the recovery tank 50, and the lifting screw 91. And a pumping passage 64 formed in the pumping cylinder 60, and a motor 102 as a driving device provided below the pumping screw 91 and rotating the pumping screw 91. The

(Lifting cylinder 60, lifting passage 64)
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the lifting cylinder 60 is a member having a vertically long rectangular tube shape, and includes a screw storage portion 61 in which a lifting screw 81 is stored, and the screw storage portion. 61 is a vertically long rectangular cylindrical member provided opposite to the left side surface of 61, and is composed of a polishing member storage portion 62 in which a polishing member 63 for polishing the surface of the game ball is stored. .
As shown in FIG. 6, the screw storage unit 61 is a vertically long rectangular tube having an internal space that is large enough to prevent the lifting screw 81 from rattling in the left-right and front-rear directions when the lifting screw 81 is stored. A slit having a width slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball is formed on the left side surface. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper end of the screw storage portion 61 has a discharge port 66 for discharging the game ball transferred by the lifting screw 81 to the buffer tank 36 as will be described later. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the polishing member storage portion 62 is a vertically long rectangular tube-shaped member having an internal space in which the right side is opened and the polishing member 63 is stored. Further, the width of the opening is the same as the width of the slit formed on the left side surface of the screw storage portion 61, that is, a width slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball. In addition, flanges 67 that extend from the upper end to the lower end and project outward are formed on both edges of the opening. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the screw storage portion 61 and the polishing member storage portion 62 are aligned with the slit of the screw storage portion 61 and the opening of the polishing member storage portion 62 facing each other, The slit and the opening of the polishing member storage portion 62 match, and the flange 67 of the polishing member storage portion 62 comes into contact with the left side surface of the screw storage portion 61. Then, by screwing the flange 67 in this state, the feed cylinder 60 is formed by the screw storage portion 61 and the polishing member storage portion 62.

Further, as described above, the screw storage unit 61 stores a later-described feed screw 91, and the polishing member storage unit 62 stores a later-described polishing member 63 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). A game ball transfer passage having a width slightly narrower than the diameter of the game ball between the lifting screw 91 stored in the screw storage unit 61 and the polishing member 63 stored in the polishing member storage unit 62. As a result, a lifting passage 64 is formed.
Further, the length of the polishing member storage portion 62 is slightly shorter than the length of the screw storage portion 61, and when the polishing member storage portion 62 is attached to the screw storage portion 61, the lower end of the polishing member storage portion 62 is The screw housing 61 is positioned above the lower end of the screw housing 61 (see FIG. 4). As a result, a gap is formed at the lower left end of the lifting cylinder 60.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the right end of the horizontal transfer screw 81 reaches the inside of the lifting cylinder 60 through the gap at the lower left end of the lifting cylinder 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of the lifting screw 91 accommodated in the screw accommodating portion 61 is positioned so as to coincide with the right end of the horizontal transfer screw 81. In other words, the lifting screw 91 is in a position for picking up the game ball that has been horizontally transferred to the right end by the horizontal transfer screw 81. Thereby, the game ball transferred in the horizontal right direction to the right end by the horizontal transfer screw 81 is directly taken into a guide groove 93 of the later-described lifting screw 91 from the lower end of the lifting screw 91.

(Abrasive member 63)
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the polishing member 63 is for polishing the surface of the game ball, and is stored in the polishing member storage portion 62 constituting the lifting cylinder 60 as described above. is there.
Specifically, as the polishing member 63 in this embodiment, a thick nonwoven fabric formed of nylon 66 as hard resin fibers to which polishing sand as an abrasive is attached is used. Moreover, this nonwoven fabric has a coarse fiber and has elasticity. For this reason, when the surface of the game ball is polished by the nonwoven fabric, the dirt and the like adhering to the surface is removed, and the nonwoven fabric fiber is pushed into and penetrates into the eyes of the nonwoven fabric fibers. .

  Further, the polishing member 63 is provided from the upper end to the lower end of the polishing member storage portion 62 as shown in FIG. As described above, a game ball transfer path is provided between the lifting screw 91 housed in the screw housing part 61 of the feeding cylinder 60 and the polishing member 63 housed in the polishing member housing part 62. A lifting passage 64 is formed. That is, the game ball transferred to the right end by the horizontal transfer screw 81 in the horizontal right direction and taken into the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 is a polishing member 63 as the contact surface 65 as the lifting screw 91 rotates. Thus, the gap between the lifting screw 91 and the surface of the polishing member 63 is lifted vertically upward.

The abrasive is not particularly limited, and an artificial abrasive or the like may be used. Further, the fiber material is not particularly limited, and synthetic resin fiber, natural material fiber, glass fiber, or the like may be used.
(Lifting screw 91)
The lifting screw 91 is a screw having the same shape as the horizontal transfer screw 81 described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the lifting screw 91 is a rod-shaped screw for lifting a game ball vertically upward, and has a diameter of the game ball on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft. A semicircular guide groove 93 having a depth of about half is formed in a spiral shape. As a result, the game ball can be received in the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91. In addition, the spiral direction of the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 is such that when the lifting screw 91 is disposed in the lifting cylinder 60, the rotating shaft is viewed from above with the rotating shaft as the center. When the ball is rotated in the direction of rotation, the received game ball moves in the vertical upward direction.

  Further, a shaft portion that protrudes further is provided at the lower end of the rotating shaft of the lifting screw 91, and a second bevel gear 92 for connecting to the rotating shaft of the horizontal transfer screw 91 is provided at the tip of the shaft portion. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the second bevel gear 92 provided on the lifting screw 91 and the first screw provided on the horizontal transfer screw 81 in a state where the lifting screw 91 is stored in the screw storage portion 61. The bevel gear 82 is formed so as to mesh with the bevel gear 82. As a result, when the lifting screw 91 rotates around the rotation axis in a clockwise direction when viewed from above, the horizontal transfer screw 81 is centered around the rotation axis. In addition, the rotating shaft rotates in a clockwise direction when viewed from the left. When the lifting screw 91 and the horizontal transfer screw 81 rotate in synchronization, as described above, the lower end of the lifting screw 91 is positioned so as to coincide with the right end of the horizontal transfer screw 81 (ie, the lifting screw 91). The condition is that the screw 91 is in a position where the game ball that has been horizontally transferred to the right end by the horizontal transfer screw 81 is picked up.

3 and 4, the lower part of the second bevel gear 92 provided on the lifting screw 91 is engaged with a second reduction gear 101 provided on a motor 102 as a driving device described later, A first reduction gear 100 for transmitting the driving force of the motor 102 is provided.
(Projection 94)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rubber belt 95 as a friction member is wound around and fixed to the bottom of the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 from the lower end to the upper end. The protruding ridge 94 is extended.
Therefore, the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 is lifted in the lifting passage 64 in a state where the game ball is in contact with the protrusion 94 provided at the bottom of the guide groove 93. It becomes. Here, since the rubber belt 95 forming the protrusion 94 has a large frictional force, when the lifting screw 91 rotates, the game ball rotates in the horizontal direction. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the game ball is lifted in the lifting passage 64 while rotating in the horizontal direction while being pressed against the surface of the polishing member 63 by the protrusion 94. The Rukoto.

(Motor 102)
The motor 102 is a driving device for rotating the horizontal transfer screw 81 and the lifting screw 91 while synchronizing them, and is provided below the lifting screw 91 as shown in FIG.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the motor 102 is provided with a second reduction gear 101 at the tip of a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force, and below the second bevel gear 92 of the lifting screw 91. It meshes with the provided second reduction gear 101.
The motor 102 moves the lifting screw 91 in a clockwise direction when the rotation shaft is viewed from above (that is, the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 is lifted). It is intended to be rotated in the direction that will be.

(Transfer of game balls in the transfer device 70)
Hereinafter, the transfer of the game ball in the entire transfer device 70 when the motor 102 is operated will be described.
When the motor 102 is operated, the lifting screw 91 connected via the first reduction gear 100 and the second reduction gear 101 rotates in a clockwise direction when the rotation shaft is viewed from above. It becomes. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 is transferred to the surface of the polishing member 63 (that is, the contact surface) stored in the polishing member storage portion 62 of the lifting cylinder 60. 65), it will be lifted vertically upward in the lifting passage 64. Then, the game ball that has reached the upper end of the lifting screw 91 is pushed by the game ball that is subsequently lifted to roll on the upper end surface of the lifting screw 91, and the outlet 66 of the screw storage unit 61. Is discharged to the buffer tank 36.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the second bevel gear 92 provided at the lower end of the lifting screw 91 meshes with the first bevel gear 82 provided at the right end of the horizontal transfer screw 81, and the lifting screw 91 rotates. Then, in synchronization with this rotation, the horizontal transfer screw 81 is also rotated. Then, when the lifting screw 91 rotates in the clockwise direction when the rotation shaft is viewed from above, in synchronization with this, the horizontal transfer screw 81 viewed the rotation shaft from the left direction. Sometimes it will rotate in a clockwise direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the game ball received in the guide groove 83 of the horizontal transfer screw 81 is guided to the inner surface of the transfer groove 51 of the recovery tank 50 and moves horizontally in the horizontal transfer passage 84. Will be transferred to.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of the transfer screw 91 coincides with the right end of the horizontal transfer screw 81 reaching the inside of the lifting cylinder 60 (that is, the lifting screw 91 is connected to the horizontal transfer screw 81). The game ball that has been transferred horizontally to the right end of the horizontal transfer screw 81 is pushed by the game ball that is transferred thereafter. As a result, the lower end of the lifting screw 91 is received by the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 and can be lifted in the lifting passage 64.
As described above, the game balls received by the horizontal transfer screw 81 are successively transferred to the right end of the horizontal transfer screw 81, and the game balls reaching the right end are received in the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 as they are. Then, the inside of the transport passage 64 is transported one after another.

(Polishing of game balls in the lifting unit 90 as a transfer polishing device)
Next, the polishing of the game ball in the lifting unit 90 as a game ball transfer polishing apparatus will be described.
As described above, the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 is brought into contact with the surface (contact surface 65) of the polishing member 63 stored in the polishing member storing portion 62 as the lifting screw 91 rotates. And is fed through a feed passage 64 formed between the feed screw 91 and the surface of the polishing member 63 (see FIGS. 4 and 7).
Here, as described above, the protrusion formed by winding and fixing the rubber belt 95 as a friction member around the bottom of the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 from the lower end to the upper end of the lifting screw 91. A strip 94 is extended (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Then, the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 is sandwiched between the protrusion 94 and the surface of the polishing member 63, while being lifted in the lifting passage 64, the lifting screw With the rotation of 91, the game ball rotates in the horizontal direction. In other words, the game ball is transported in the transport passage 64 while rotating in the horizontal direction while being pressed against the surface of the polishing member 63 by the protrusion 94. That is, the game ball is lifted while being polished by the polishing member 63 while changing the surface in contact with the surface of the polishing member 63.

Further, as described above, the polishing member 63 is a thick non-woven fabric formed of nylon 66 as a hard resin fiber to which polishing sand as an abrasive is adhered, and the fiber has a coarse and elastic fiber. in use. For this reason, when the surface of the game ball is polished by the nonwoven fabric, the dirt and the like adhering to the surface is removed, and the nonwoven fabric fiber is pushed into and penetrates into the eyes of the nonwoven fabric fibers. .
(Summary)
In the game ball transfer device 70 according to this embodiment, when the motor 102 as the drive device rotates the lifting screw 91 of the lifting unit 90, the horizontal transfer screw 81 in the horizontal transfer unit 80 is also synchronized with this. It is designed to rotate. Then, when the game ball received in the guide groove 83 of the horizontal transfer screw 81 is transferred to the end by the rotation of the horizontal transfer screw 81, the lifting screw 91 rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the horizontal transfer screw 81. At the lower end of this, it is taken in the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 as it is, and is lifted vertically upward by the rotation of the lifting screw 91.

That is, according to the game ball transfer device 70 according to the present embodiment, the game ball is lifted while being received in the guide groove 93 of the lift screw 91, so that the lift screw 91 is moved by the game ball being lifted. Thus, the weight of the lower end is not increased, and the durability of the lifting screw 91 can be improved.
Further, according to the game ball transfer device 70 according to the present embodiment, the horizontal transfer screw 81 and the lifting screw 91 are rotated in synchronization with each other, and are transferred in the horizontal right direction to the end by the horizontal transfer screw 81. Since the game ball is directly taken into the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 at this end, even when the transfer direction of the game ball changes from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction, a stable game without stress. The ball can be transferred continuously.

In addition, according to the game ball transfer device 70 according to the present embodiment, the horizontal transfer screw 81 and the lifting screw 91 are rotated in synchronization, and any one screw can be rotated by one motor 102. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and downsize the apparatus.
Further, in the lifting unit 90 as the game ball transfer polishing device according to the present embodiment, as the lifting screw 91 rotates, the gaming ball received in the guide groove 93 of the screw is transferred to the lifting cylinder 60. Guided by the surface (contact surface 65) of the polishing member 63 stored in the polishing member storage portion 62, it is transferred through the lifting passage 64 as a transfer passage. At this time, since the protrusion 94 formed by the rubber belt 95 is provided at the bottom of the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91, the game ball is sandwiched between the protrusion 94 and the surface of the polishing member 63. In the state, it is transferred through the lifting passage 64. Further, since the game ball comes into contact with the surface of the polishing member 63, the surface of the game ball is polished by the polishing member 60 while proceeding through the lifting passage 64. Here, the game ball is given a frictional force by which the game ball is rotated in the horizontal direction by the protrusion 94 formed by the rubber belt 95, and the game ball is lifted while rotating in the horizontal direction. Since the inside of the passage 64 is transferred, the surface in contact with the polishing member 60 changes as it advances through the lifting passage 64.

That is, according to the lifting unit 90 according to the present embodiment, the direction of the game ball that contacts the surface of the polishing member 63 changes as the game ball travels through the lifting passage 64, so that the surface of the game ball is It can be polished without any problems.
Further, according to the lifting unit 90 according to the present embodiment, the surface of the game ball can be uniformly polished as described above, so that the length of the transfer passage 64 can be shortened, and thus the game It is possible to reduce the size of the lifting unit 90 itself as a ball transfer polishing device. As a result, it can be easily installed in each gaming machine, and the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced.

Further, according to the lifting unit 90 according to the present embodiment, as the game ball is polished, the removed dirt penetrates into the polishing member 63, and the surface of the polishing member 63 becomes dirty. Since it takes a relatively long time to expose, the replacement life of the polishing member 60 can be extended.
(Modification)
As shown in FIG. 8, the lifting device 70 is provided with two horizontal transfer screws 81 so as to sandwich the lower end of one lifting screw 91, and both horizontal transfer screws 81 are synchronized with the lifting screw 91. It can also be formed to rotate. That is, in this case, the lower end of the lifting screw 91 is disposed so as to correspond to the right end of the horizontal transfer screw 81 located on the left side, and so as to correspond to the left end of the horizontal transfer screw 81 located on the right side. Can be arranged. As a result, when the game ball transferred in the horizontal right direction by the left horizontal transfer screw 81 reaches the right end of the horizontal transfer screw 81, the game ball is rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the horizontal transfer screw 81 as it is. From the lower end of the feed screw 91, it is taken into the guide groove 93 of the feed screw 91 and is transferred in the vertical direction by the feed screw 91. On the other hand, when the game ball transferred in the horizontal left direction by the right horizontal transfer screw 81 reaches the left end of the horizontal transfer screw 81, it rotates as it is in synchronization with the rotation of the horizontal transfer screw 81. From the lower end of the lifting screw 91, it is taken into the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 and transferred in the vertical direction by the lifting screw 91. By forming in this way, the game ball transferred from the left direction and the right direction can be lifted by one lifting screw 91.

Further, when formed as described above, the polishing member 63 may be provided on both sides of the lifting screw 91, or the polishing member 63 may be provided only on one side of the lifting screw 91. Even if the polishing member 63 is provided only on one side in this manner, the game ball is circulated and will eventually be polished by the polishing member 63.
In addition, the game ball transfer device 70 according to the above embodiment is provided with the protrusion 94 formed by the rubber belt 95 at the bottom of the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91, but without the protrusion 94, The lifting screw 91 may be formed of a material capable of applying a frictional force that can rotate the game ball in the horizontal direction as the lifting screw 91 rotates. Even when formed in this way, since the game ball received in the guide groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 is in a state of being sandwiched between the surface of the guiding groove 93 of the lifting screw 91 and the contact surface 65, A frictional force is applied from the surface of the lifting screw 91. Accordingly, since the game ball is transferred in the lifting passage 64 while rotating in the horizontal direction, the surface in contact with the polishing member 60 changes as it advances through the lifting passage 64.

Further, in the game ball transfer device 70 according to the above embodiment, the polishing member 63 is provided so as to face the lifting screw 91 in the lifting portion 90, but in the horizontal transferring portion 80, it faces the horizontal transfer screw 81. As described above, the polishing member 63 may be provided. Thereby, it can grind | polish, transferring a game ball to a horizontal direction.
The polishing member 63 may be a coarse sponge-like member formed by weaving or intertwining fiber materials. Further, the polishing member 63 may be formed by covering the surface of a hygroscopic material excellent in absorbability of moisture or the like with a coarse sponge-like member or a nonwoven fabric formed by weaving or entwining the fiber material. Good.

The game ball transfer device 70 according to the above embodiment transfers the game ball from the recovery tank 50 to the discharge port 66 of the lifting cylinder 60 (that is, the horizontal transfer from the recovery tank 50 and the horizontal direction). If it is a place where it is necessary to move the game ball in the horizontal direction and lift it in the vertical direction, it is used in other places. Can also be used.
In addition, the game ball transfer device 70 according to the above embodiment is used for a pachinko machine, but is not particularly limited as long as it uses a game ball as a game medium. It can also be used for Parrot (registered trademark) that uses a ball to play a game similar to a slot machine.

PC pachinko machine
10 Front frame 11 Back frame
12 Game board 13 Operation handle
14 Discharge port 15 Top plate
16 Lower plate 17 Symbol display device
18 prize opening 18a start prize opening
18b Grand prize opening 19 Out
30 Launcher 31 Main board
32 Display control board 33 Discharge control device
34 Game ball box 35 Counting device
36 Buffer tank 37 Supply passage
38 Upper tank 39 Discharge passage
50 Collection tank 51 Transfer groove
60 Lifting cylinder 61 Screw storage
62 Abrasive material storage 63 Abrasive material
64 Lifting passage 65 Contact surface
66 Outlet 67 Flange
70 Transfer device
80 Horizontal transfer part 81 Horizontal transfer screw
82 1st bevel gear 83 Guide groove
84 Horizontal transfer passage
90 Lifting section 91 Lifting screw
92 2nd bevel gear 93 Guide groove
94 Projection 95 Rubber belt
100 1st reduction gear 101 2nd reduction gear
102 Motor 111 Discharge passage

Claims (3)

A passage for transferring a game ball having a contact surface with which the game ball contacts when the game ball is transferred;
A screw provided opposite to the transfer passage and having a guide groove spirally formed on the outer periphery capable of receiving a game ball,
A game ball transfer polishing device in which a game ball received in the guide groove of the screw is guided by the contact surface and is movable in the transfer passage as the screw rotates.
The game ball received in the guide groove of the screw is rotated in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball along with the transfer of the game ball by the rotation of the screw.
The game ball transfer polishing apparatus, wherein the contact surface is formed by a polishing member capable of polishing a surface of the game ball.   At the bottom of the guide groove of the screw, a protrusion formed by a friction member capable of giving the game ball a frictional force that rotates in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the game ball as the game ball is transferred. 2. The game ball transfer polishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portion is extended.   The polishing member has at least a surface formed by weaving or intertwining a fiber material kneaded with or adhering an abrasive, and entangled the surface of the removed game ball on the surface of the polishing member. 3. The game ball transfer polishing device according to claim 1, wherein the device is formed so as to be able to permeate into the inside from the eyes of the fiber.

Images