JP2014061318A - Individual counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an individual counter capable of easily adding a function of supplying surplus balls.SOLUTION: An individual counter includes: a rolling lane where a game medium introduced from an introduction opening rolls; a branch lane branching from the rolling lane; a lane switching mechanism part for allowing a switching part including a guidance surface for guiding the game medium rolling on the rolling lane to the branch lane to frequent in the rolling lane at the branch part of the rolling lane and the branch lane; and a discharge mechanism part for discharging the game medium guided to the branch lane to the placement part open to the outside.

Description

  The present invention relates to an individual counting device that counts pachinko balls.

  Conventionally, in a hall where a pachinko machine is installed, the winning ball obtained by the player is counted by a counting device (jet counter) provided at the prize counter. Must be put in a ball box (a so-called dollar box) and transported to a prize counter.

In the hall, as part of the service to the player, the store clerk carries the player's winning ball to the counter of the prize counter as soon as the store closes, and avoids the amount of work by the store clerk. I didn't get it. Reducing labor costs for halls is a major factor in reducing costs, and if the store clerk can eliminate the task of transporting the player's winning ball to the free gift counter, the store clerk's work can be reduced and the store will save costs. It was thought that it would exert a great effect.
In addition, when a large number of pachinko balls are paid out from a pachinko machine, there are also halls where the above-mentioned ball boxes are placed on the passage around the player's game area. Keeping them in the aisle not only obstructs the passage of the aisle, but also has safety issues such as hitting the stacked ball boxes.

  As one measure for solving such a problem, a method of providing an individual counting device for each pachinko gaming machine has been considered (see Patent Documents 1 to 8, Non-Patent Document 1). This individual counting device is installed below the lower plate of the pachinko gaming machine, and is configured to count the winning balls discharged by opening the shutter of the lower plate. Further, as shown in Patent Document 3, the counted number of balls is stored in a card-shaped storage medium as a player's possession ball in a ball lending device called a sand provided in each pachinko gaming machine. The By performing a predetermined operation, the player can use the number of possessed balls stored in the storage medium for the game in a predetermined number unit, and a designated number of pachinko balls can be used according to instructions from the sand. , Paid out from the pachinko machine to the upper plate.

  However, the original function of sand is a ball lending function, and lends the number of balls in a predetermined amount unit. For example, in a sand lent out in units of 500 yen, a pachinko ball equivalent to 500 yen is paid out to the upper plate of a pachinko gaming machine in one operation. For example, when one ball is set as 4 yen, 125 balls are paid out to the upper plate by a pachinko gaming machine according to an instruction from the sand as 500 yen.

  Therefore, when the player uses the ball stored in the storage medium, it can be used only in a predetermined number of units (for example, 125 balls) determined by the function of the sand. Conventionally, in consideration of the case where the number of balls stored in the storage medium as the number of possessed balls counted by the counting device is a number that is not divisible by a predetermined number (for example, 125 balls), In order to be used by a person, a nozzle for paying out balls from the sand directly to the upper plate of the pachinko gaming machine is provided without using the pachinko gaming machine (Patent Document 9, Non-Patent Document 1). reference).

JP-A-5-68740 JP-A-6-79059 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-155058 JP-A-10-85442 JP-A-11-57198 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-57200 JP-A-11-57202 JP 11-192370 A JP 2008-29882 A

Mars Engineering Co., Ltd., “Personal PC System”, page 1, [online], [Search on March 2, 2009], Internet <URL: http://www.mars-eng.co.jp/products/personal_3 .html>

  However, it is difficult to design a mechanism such as a nozzle for dispensing extra balls in each sand because the sand is provided in a narrow gap between pachinko machines, and this nozzle is provided. In some cases, the player's game is disturbed and easily damaged, and it is necessary to replace it every time it is damaged.

  Also, for the hall, it would be advantageous in terms of management plan if the function can be added as needed rather than introducing sand with a function (nozzle etc.) for paying extra balls. It is believed that there is.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an individual counting device capable of easily adding a function for supplying extra balls.

The present invention provides the following individual counting device.
An introduction opening for introducing game media, a rolling lane in which the game media introduced from the introduction opening rolls, a branch lane that branches from the rolling lane, and a game media that rolls in the rolling lane A lane switching mechanism for causing a switching unit having a guiding surface for guiding the lane to the branch lane to appear and disappear in the rolling lane at a branch portion between the rolling lane and the branch lane, and a game medium guided to the branch lane And a discharge mechanism section that discharges the liquid to a mounting section that is open to the outside.
In addition to the above configuration, the individual counting device further includes a storage unit that stores the game medium guided to the branch lane, and the discharge mechanism unit stores the game medium stored in the storage unit as described above. The lane switching mechanism section is characterized by causing the switching section to appear in and out of the rolling lane by the action of the total weight of the game media guided to the storage section.
Further, the present invention is preferably an individual counting device as described below.
The individual counting device according to the present invention includes an introduction opening for introducing a player's own ball discharged from a pachinko gaming machine, and a discharge unit for discharging the ball introduced through the introduction opening for recovery. A rolling lane that guides the ball introduced from the introduction opening to the discharge unit, a sensor that detects the ball that rolls on the rolling lane, and the roller that rolls on the rolling lane A switching unit that switches the path of the ball, a storage unit that stores the ball whose path has been switched, and a discharge mechanism unit that discharges the ball stored in the storage unit to a mounting unit that is open to the outside It is characterized by providing these.

  According to this individual counting device, it is necessary to store a part of the counted balls without discharging them to the collection throat, and to pay out the extra balls that are difficult to pay out by the ball lending device. In this case, the retained balls are used as extra balls and discharged and placed on a placement unit that is open to the outside. Can be supplied to the player. This makes it possible to easily add the function to a ball lending device that does not have a function (nozzle or the like) for discharging excess balls. Note that “a player's handball discharged from a pachinko gaming machine” means a pachinko ball discharged from either the upper plate or the lower plate of the pachinko gaming machine or a dedicated discharge port.

  Moreover, in addition to the said structure, the said mounting part is formed in the small dish shape, and it is preferable to have the following structures. That is, the placing portion is inclined so that the floor surface gradually decreases in the direction of the player so as to receive the ball discharged from the discharging mechanism portion and roll in the direction of the player (forward). And a side wall that surrounds the periphery of the bottom, the bottom being formed on the player's side (front) so that the floor surface gradually increases over the side wall. Preferably it is. If comprised in this way, the ball discharged | emitted by the mounting part rolls and is stored by the player's side, and also toward the player's side in the player's side (front). The structure in which the floor surface gradually increases has an effect that it is easy for the player to collect and hold up the balls of the placement unit.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the individual counting device preferably includes a storage unit that stores the counting result of the balls that are discharged from the pachinko gaming machine. If configured in this way, even in the case of a ball lending device equipped with the individual counting device, even if a failure occurs such as the data of the counted number of possessed balls accidentally disappearing, This can be recovered by the data on the counting device side.

  In the individual counting device, it is preferable that a weight is used as a drive source of the switching unit in the configuration. By configuring in this way, for example, durability can be improved as compared with a case where an urging means such as a spring is used.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the individual counting device of the present invention includes an attachment / detachment unit that is attached to the pachinko gaming machine and is attached to and detached from a ball lending device that lends a pachinko ball to a player via the pachinko gaming machine. And the introduction opening is disposed below the bottom opening of the lower plate from which the ball of the pachinko gaming machine is discharged when the ball lending device is mounted via the attachment / detachment portion. It is characterized by being configured.

  According to this individual counting device, since it can be attached to and detached from the ball lending device, it can be introduced when it is determined that the individual counting device is necessary on the hall side, It becomes possible to respond flexibly. More specifically, when the individual counting device is mounted on the lending ball device, the individual counting device is placed on the portion of the pachinko gaming machine that protrudes forward (the portion on which the ball box has been placed conventionally). In this state, the introduction opening is arranged below the bottom opening of the lower plate of the pachinko gaming machine. As a result, the individual counting device mounted on the ball lending device can introduce the ball that falls from the lower plate of the pachinko gaming machine into the introduction opening. That is, the position of the introduction opening is arranged so that the introduction opening is disposed below the bottom opening with a shutter for discharging the ball in the lower plate of the pachinko gaming machine. It has been decided. Thereby, in a conventional layout in which a pachinko gaming machine and a ball lending device are attached thereto, the individual counting device can be easily mounted.

  Further, it is preferable that the individual counting device displays the number of balls held for each type of table stored in the information card inserted in the ball lending device. The type of the stand means a type determined according to the amount per pachinko ball, a pachinko machine set to 1 yen per ball, a pachinko machine set to 2 yen per ball, 1 ball Pachinko machines set at 4 yen. The information card stores the number of players' balls for each of these types, and when this information card is inserted into the ball lending device, the individual counting device counts the number of balls held for each type from the ball lending device. And the number of balls for each type is displayed on a predetermined display unit. Thereby, it is possible to tell the player the number of possessed balls stored in the player's information card.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the individual counting device of the present invention has a ball dispensing operation unit that accepts an instruction operation to dispense a number of possessed balls counted according to the detection result of the sensor for gaming, and the possessed ball dispensing operation unit. When paying out the counted number of possessed balls based on the operation result of the above, out of the number of possessed balls to be paid out, a surplus ball with respect to the payout unit number paid out by the ball lending device is It is characterized by including a discharge control section for discharging from the storage section to the mounting section.

  According to this individual counting device, a mechanism for discharging excess balls is discharged from the storage unit to the mounting unit by discharging the excess balls for the number of payout units to be paid out by the ball lending device out of the number of possessed balls. There is no need to provide a separate device.

  Moreover, it is preferable that this invention is set as the following clogging prevention apparatuses and an individual counting apparatus. That is, the clogging prevention device of the present invention is provided with an inclined passage portion for rolling a pachinko ball, and the pachinko ball clogged by forcibly moving the pachinko ball in the passage portion. And a clogging preventing member for preventing clogging.

  According to this ball clogging prevention device, even when a large number of pachinko balls are concentrated by providing a ball clogging prevention member that forcibly moves the pachinko balls in the path portion where the pachinko balls roll, Can be prevented. In particular, in a configuration in which pachinko balls are gathered from a relatively large hopper unit into a relatively narrow passage, the pachinko balls are likely to be clogged, but by forcibly moving the pachinko balls in the passage This can prevent clogging. The clogging prevention device is not limited to the individual counting device, and can be widely applied to other devices that handle pachinko balls.

  The clogging prevention device of the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the above configuration, the clogging prevention member has a protrusion on the surface facing the passage and reciprocates along the passage. .

  According to this clogging prevention device, a pachinko ball having a protrusion is reciprocated along the rolling path of the pachinko ball with respect to the pachinko ball in the passage portion, whereby the pachinko ball is moved by the protrusion. Can be forcibly moved in a direction along the rolling path. Thereby, a pachinko ball can be rolled without stopping, and clogging can be prevented. Preferably, a plurality of protrusions are provided along the passage, the interval between the protrusions is made larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball, and the amplitude of the reciprocating motion of the ball clogging prevention member is equal to or greater than the interval between the protrusions. By this, it can be ensured that the protruding portion hits the pachinko ball.

  In the ball clogging prevention device according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the ball clogging prevention member is disposed on a side surface of the passage portion having a concave cross section with the protrusion portion facing the passage portion side, and the pachinko ball is rotated. It is characterized by reciprocating motion.

  According to this clogging prevention device, the pachinko ball is moved along the rolling path by the projection by reciprocating the clogging prevention member in the rolling direction of the pachinko ball with respect to the pachinko ball in the passage portion. It can be forcibly moved in the direction and can be rolled without stopping the pachinko ball, thereby preventing clogging of the ball. In particular, in the side surface portion of the passage portion having a concave cross section, the clogging prevention member is reciprocated in the rolling direction of the pachinko ball with the protrusion portion directed toward the passage side, for example, the protrusion portion is rotated by the pachinko ball. Ball clogging can be further effectively reduced as compared with the case of reciprocating in a vertical direction or the like different from the moving direction.

  The clogging prevention device of the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the above-described configuration, a plate-like member that is divided into a group of the pachinko balls that are forcibly moved by the clogging prevention member is provided.

  According to this clogging prevention device, by inserting a plate-like member between a group of pachinko balls, even if the group of pachinko balls are clogged, this can be broken, and the pachinko balls are a clogging prevention member. In combination with the forced movement of the pachinko balls, the clogged state of the group of pachinko balls can be effectively broken to stably roll the passage portion.

  Further, the individual counting device of the present invention is preferably an introduction port for introducing the player's possessed balls discharged from the pachinko gaming machine, a hopper unit for storing the introduced balls through the introduction port, A passage unit that rolls the balls stored in the hopper unit to a transfer start position lower than the hopper unit, and a transfer mechanism unit that transfers the balls at the transfer start position to a position higher than the transfer start position. And a rolling part that introduces the ball transferred by the transfer mechanism unit and rolls the introduced ball to a position lower than the introduction position, and a ball that rolls the rolling part. A sensor that detects the ball, a discharge portion that discharges the ball that has rolled the rolling portion for recovery, and a ball that is provided in the passage portion and forcibly moves the ball in the passage portion. Clogs And Ball clog prevention member for preventing is characterized in that it comprises.

  According to this individual counting device, by providing a ball clogging prevention member that forcibly moves the ball in the passage where the ball rolls, even if many balls are concentrated, Occurrence can be prevented. In particular, in a configuration in which balls are collected from a relatively large hopper unit in a relatively narrow passage, the balls are likely to clog the ball. However, by forcibly moving the balls in the passage, Clogging can be prevented in advance. In particular, in the configuration in which the passage portion is provided along the side edge portion of the hopper unit, the rolling direction of the ball that rolls from the hopper unit to the passage portion changes near the entrance of the passage portion. The balls will be concentrated. Therefore, by arranging the ball clogging prevention member in the vicinity of the entrance of the passage portion where the rolling direction of the holding balls changes, it is possible to realize smooth inflow of the holding balls from the hopper unit to the passage portion.

  In addition to the above configuration, the individual counting device of the present invention is characterized in that the clogging prevention member has a protrusion on the surface facing the passage and reciprocates along the passage.

  According to this individual counting device, the ball is held by the protrusion by reciprocating the clogging prevention member having the protrusion along the rolling path of the ball with respect to the ball of the passage portion. It can be forcibly moved in the direction along the rolling path, and can be rolled without stopping the ball, thereby preventing clogging of the ball. Preferably, a plurality of protrusions are provided along the floor surface of the passage portion, the interval between the protrusions is made larger than the diameter of the holding ball, and the amplitude of the reciprocating motion of the ball clogging prevention member is set to By setting it as the above, a projection part can be made to touch a possession ball reliably.

  In the individual counting device of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the clogging prevention member is disposed on a side surface of the passage portion having a concave cross section with the protrusion portion facing the passage portion side, It is characterized by reciprocating in the direction.

  According to this individual counting device, the rebound movement of the clogging prevention member in the rolling direction of the holding ball with respect to the holding ball of the passage portion causes the holding ball to move in the direction along the rolling path by the protrusion. The ball can be forcibly moved and can be rolled without stopping the ball, thereby preventing clogging of the ball. In particular, the ball clogging prevention member is reciprocated in the rolling direction of the holding ball with the protruding portion facing the passage side, for example, on the side surface portion of the passage portion having a concave cross section. Ball clogging can be further effectively reduced as compared with the case of reciprocating in a vertical direction or the like different from the moving direction.

  The individual counting device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the above-described configuration, a plate-like member that is divided into a group of the holding balls that are forcibly moved by the clogging prevention member is provided.

  According to this individual counting device, by inserting a plate-shaped member between a group of balls, even if the group of balls is clogged, this can be broken, and the balls are prevented by a clogging prevention member. Coupled with being forcibly moved, the clogged state of the group of the balls can be effectively broken to stably roll the passage.

  In addition to the above configuration, the individual counting device of the present invention is characterized in that the clogging prevention member is driven by a drive source of the transfer mechanism section.

  According to this individual counting device, it is possible to effectively prevent clogging without increasing the number of driving sources by sharing the driving source of the transfer mechanism unit and the driving source of the clogging prevention member. .

  According to the above-mentioned clogging prevention device, clogging of pachinko balls can be effectively prevented, and according to the individual counting device provided with the clogging prevention device, the player's balls discharged from the pachinko gaming machine It is possible to count individually while preventing occurrence of clogging.

  That is, conventionally, in an individual counting device that counts pachinko balls, a plurality of pachinko balls are stored in a relatively large storage part, and then flowed through a relatively narrow passage provided with a sensor unit for counting. There is a possibility that the pachinko balls may become clogged in front of the sensor unit, and not only the individual counting device, but also trying to roll the pachinko balls from a wide area such as a storage part to a narrow area such as a passage part. Then, there is a possibility of ball clogging, and it becomes difficult to smoothly move the pachinko balls. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to solve these clogged ball problems.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the present invention is a ball raising device and an individual counting device as described below. That is, the ball raising device of the present invention is a ball raising device that transfers a pachinko ball that rolls in a first passage where a pachinko ball rolls to a second passage arranged above, and a casing, A rotor supported by the casing and provided to be rotatable on a virtual plane having a vertical component, and provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the rotor, with respect to the first and second passages according to the rotation of the rotor. A recess that communicates appropriately, a motor that rotates the rotor, a control unit that controls the motor, and an extrusion unit that is provided in the casing and pushes pachinko balls stored in the recess into the second passage. When the recess communicates with the second passage, the push-out portion pushes out the pachinko balls stored in the recess to the second passage by the rotational force of the rotor. Features and To have.

  According to this ball raising device, a required number of pachinko balls can be transferred from the first passage to the second passage. Moreover, when the recess communicates with the second passage, the pachinko balls in the recess are pushed out to the second passage by the pushing portion, so that the pachinko balls can be discharged vigorously and surely. This ball raising device is not limited to the individual counting device, and can be widely applied to other devices that handle pachinko balls.

  In addition to the above configuration, the ball raising apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the pushing portion is a leaf spring-like metal member that can be attached to and detached from the casing.

  According to this ball raising device, the extruding part can be exchanged. The metal member is supported so as to be inserted into the recess from the casing when the recess communicates with the second passage by the rotation of the rotor, and the pachinko balls in the recess are removed as the rotor rotates. It is preferably configured to scoop out and push into the second passage.

  The individual counting device of the present invention is preferably an individual counting device that counts a player's possessed balls discharged from a pachinko gaming machine, and a sensor that counts the retained balls ejected from the pachinko gaming machine. A storage unit that stores the counted balls, and a ball raising mechanism unit that transfers the required number of balls stored in the storage unit to a mounting unit provided above the storage unit; The ball raising mechanism is provided with a casing, a rotor supported by the casing and rotatably provided on a virtual plane having a vertical component, and provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the rotor. Accordingly, a first passage communicating with the storage portion and a concave portion communicating appropriately with the second passage provided in the upper portion of the placement portion, a motor rotating the rotor, and controlling the motor Control part and the front An extruding part that is provided in the casing and extrudes a ball held in the concave part into the second passage, and the extruding part is in communication with the second passage when the concave part communicates with the second passage. The holding ball stored in the recess is pushed out to the second passage by the rotational force of the rotor.

  According to this individual counting device, a necessary number of possessed balls can be transferred from the first passage communicating with the retaining ball storage unit to the second passage provided above the placement unit. . Further, when the concave portion communicates with the second passage, the holding ball of the concave portion is pushed out to the second passage by the pushing portion, so that the holding ball can be discharged vigorously and surely. Thereby, the required number of possession balls stored in the storage unit can be transferred to the placement unit. By providing the ball raising mechanism portion with the above-described configuration, the storage portion and the placement portion can be arranged up and down, and an individual counting device that effectively uses the upper and lower spaces can be realized.

  According to the above-described ball raising device and the individual counting device provided with the ball raising device, it is possible to transfer a necessary number of extra balls by effectively using the vertical space. That is, when it is going to provide an individual counting device in each pachinko machine, a thing as small as possible is desired, and for that purpose, a configuration that effectively uses space is required. Therefore, if a pachinko ball rolling passage can be provided in each of the upper and lower spaces, it is considered that the individual counting device can be further reduced in size. In this case, it is necessary to have a configuration in which a necessary number of surplus balls are transferred from the lower space to the upper space and are dispensed. However, according to the present invention, these configurations can be realized.

  Further, the present invention preferably provides the following lane switching device and individual counting device. That is, the lane switching device of the present invention includes a rolling lane that rolls pachinko balls, a branch lane that branches from the rolling lane with a component orthogonal to the rolling lane, and rolls the rolling lane. A lane switching mechanism for causing a bulging portion having a guide surface for guiding a pachinko ball to be guided to the branch lane to project and retract into the rolling lane at a branch portion between the rolling lane and the branch lane. It is said.

  According to this lane switching measure, the rolling lanes of the pachinko balls can be switched by a simple and stable operation of causing the bulging portion to appear and disappear in the rolling lanes. This lane switching device is not limited to the individual counting device, and can be widely applied to other devices that handle pachinko balls. In addition, the rolling lane is not limited to one that rolls pachinko balls in a single line, and is formed with a lane width equal to or more than one pachinko ball, and a path-like one in which a plurality of pachinko balls roll in the width direction. It is a concept that also includes

  In addition to the above configuration, the lane switching device of the present invention includes an opening having a width smaller than that of the pachinko ball at the bottom of the rolling lane provided at a branch portion between the rolling lane and the branch lane, The lane switching mechanism section is characterized in that the bulging section is projected and retracted into the rolling lane through the opening.

  According to this lane switching device, when the pachinko ball is not branched by causing the bulging portion to protrude and retract into the rolling lane from the opening provided on the bottom surface of the rolling lane, the bulging portion is moved to the rolling lane. Therefore, the bulge can be prevented from obstructing the pachinko ball rolling on the rolling lane when unnecessary. Thereby, stable lane switching can be performed.

  In the lane switching device of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the branch lane is connected to a storage unit that stores a pachinko ball guided to the branch lane, and the lane switching mechanism unit is guided to the storage unit. The bulging portion is caused to appear and disappear from the opening to the rolling lane by the action of the total weight of the pachinko balls.

  According to this lane switching device, according to the total weight of the pachinko balls stored in the storage unit, the lane switching mechanism unit is caused to appear and disappear to switch whether to guide the pachinko ball to the storage unit. Can do. That is, when the number of pachinko balls in the storage portion decreases, the pachinko balls can be supplemented from the rolling lane to the storage portion. In this way, the pachinko balls that roll on the rolling lanes are guided to the storage part using the bulging parts that appear and disappear in the rolling lanes, so that the required number of pachinko balls are stored in the storage part. Is possible.

  Preferably, a plurality of lanes are provided as rolling lanes, and a large number of pachinko balls can be processed at a time by causing the bulging portions to appear and disappear in each of them. The plurality of bulging portions are provided in one storage portion, and the pachinko balls guided from the plurality of lanes to the branch lane are each stored in one storage portion.

  In the lane switching device according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the lane switching mechanism section includes the bulging section and the storage section arranged around a pivot point, and the bulging section and the storage section are It is characterized by being connected to the seesaw bowl.

  According to this lane switching device, the bulging portion can be caused to appear and disappear in the rolling lane by the action of the seesaw rod.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the lane switching device according to the present invention is configured so that the seesaw has the lane switching mechanism portion so that the bulging portion is positioned below in a state where the pachinko balls are not stored in the storage portion. It is characterized by having a weight for energizing.

  According to this lane switching device, the life of the bulging portion is extended as compared with the case where, for example, a spring member is used as a driving source for the bulging portion, by controlling the bulging portion to and from the rolling lane by the action of the weight. be able to.

  In addition to the above configuration, the lane switching device of the present invention is characterized in that the weight is detachable from the seesaw cage.

  According to this lane switching device, it is possible to change the setting of the number of pachinko balls in the storage portion when the rolling lane is switched by the bulging portion by changing the weight of the weight.

  The individual counting device of the present invention is preferably an individual counting device that counts the player's balls discharged from the pachinko gaming machine, and is inclined between the inlet and the outlet of the balls. A rolling lane of the holding ball provided in the storage lane, a storage lane branched from the rolling lane with a component orthogonal to the rolling lane, and connected to the storage unit of the holding ball, and the rolling lane, An opening having a width smaller than the holding ball at the bottom of the rolling lane provided at a branch portion with the storage lane, and a bulging portion having a fan-shaped guide surface in a plan view for guiding the holding ball, A lane switching mechanism part that appears and disappears from the opening to the rolling lane by the action of the total weight of the ball guided to the storage part, and the lane switching mechanism part has the bulging part centered on a fulcrum. And the storage part is arranged, Out section and the reservoir is characterized in that it is connected to the seesaw lever.

  According to this individual counting device, it is possible to switch whether or not to guide the ball to the storage unit by causing the lane switching unit to appear and disappear in accordance with the total weight of the ball stored in the storage unit. it can. In other words, when the number of balls in the storage section decreases, the balls can be replenished from the rolling lane to the storage section, and when the holding balls accumulate in the storage section, the balls that roll in the rolling lane are recovered as they are. To discharge. The possession balls replenished in the storage unit are then paid out to the player as extra balls. In this way, by using the bulging part that appears and disappears in the rolling lane to guide the holding ball that rolls in the rolling lane to the storage part, it is possible to guide the holding ball to the storage part by a stable operation. It becomes possible. Thereby, when counting the player's possessed balls discharged from the pachinko gaming machine, it is possible to guide some of them as extra balls to the storage unit and pay them out to the player as needed.

  Preferably, a plurality of lanes are provided as rolling lanes, and a bulge is made to appear in each of these lanes so that a large number of balls can be processed at a time. The plurality of bulging portions are provided in one storage portion, and the balls that are guided from the plurality of lanes to the storage lane are each stored in one storage portion.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the individual counting device of the present invention is characterized in that the seesaw has the lane switching mechanism such that the side of the bulging portion is positioned below in a state where the holding ball is not stored in the storage portion. It is characterized by having a weight for urging the part.

  According to this individual counting device, the life of the bulging portion is extended as compared with the case where, for example, a spring member is used as a driving source for the bulging portion, by controlling the appearance of the bulging portion in the rolling lane by the action of the weight. be able to.

  In addition to the above configuration, the individual counting device of the present invention is characterized in that the weight is detachable from the seesaw cage.

  According to this individual counting device, by changing the weight of the weight, it is possible to set and change the number of balls held in the storage unit when the rolling lane is switched by the bulging unit.

  According to the lane switching device and the individual counting device provided with the lane switching device, the rolling lanes of the pachinko balls can be easily switched. That is, in general, in an individual counting device and other devices that handle pachinko balls, if the pachinko balls rolling on the rolling lane can be branched in different directions as needed, for example, the necessary number of pachinko balls are sorted. Although it is considered that the pachinko balls can be handled efficiently, these objects can be achieved according to the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an individual counting device capable of easily adding a function for supplying extra balls.

It is a front view showing a ball lending device (sand) and a pachinko gaming machine equipped with an individual counting device. It is a side view showing a pachinko gaming machine and an individual counting device. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an individual counting device. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the plate-shaped member of the individual counting device. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the plate-shaped member of the individual counting device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an individual counting device. It is a top view which shows an individual counting device. It is a top view which shows the state which removed the plate-shaped member from the separate counting device. It is a top view which shows the state which removed the cover provided with the rolling lane. It is a perspective view which expands and shows a channel | path part. It is a perspective view which expands and shows a channel | path part. It is a perspective view which shows a clogging prevention mechanism part and a lifting mechanism part (transfer mechanism part). It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed one rotor member, the count motor, etc. of the lifting mechanism part (transfer mechanism part). It is a perspective view which shows the side by which the cam plate of a breaking cam plate is provided. It is a side view which shows the reciprocating motion of the breaking cam board by rotation of a cam board. It is a top view which shows a clogging prevention mechanism part. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface side of a baseplate. It is a side view which shows a clogging prevention mechanism part. It is a top view which shows a breaking board. It is a top view which shows a clogging prevention mechanism part. It is a top view which shows a clogging prevention mechanism part. It is a partial top view which shows the rolling lane and discharge part of a baseplate. It is a perspective view which shows the rolling lane and discharge part of a baseplate. It is a perspective view which shows the discharge part containing a switching part. It is a perspective view which shows the discharge part of a baseplate. It is a perspective view which shows the state where the bulging part protrudes and descends from the downward direction in a rolling lane through the opening part of a 1st lane and a 2nd lane. It is a perspective view which shows the state where the bulging part protrudes and descends from the downward direction in a rolling lane through the opening part of a 1st lane and a 2nd lane. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a bulging part. It is a perspective view which shows the extra ball case which has a bulging part. It is a front view which shows a surplus ball case. It is a front view which shows a surplus ball case. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of a surplus ball case. It is a perspective view which shows the extra ball case and the discharge mechanism part of the state which removed the cover. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cam member of a discharge mechanism part. It is a perspective view which shows the extrusion member for discharging | emitting the holding ball lifted to the uppermost part by the cam member. It is a perspective view which shows a mounting part. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the mounting part which shows the AA line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment / detachment mechanism part provided in the discharge part. It is a perspective view which shows a lock arm. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the mounting method of the attachment / detachment mechanism part of an individual counting device, and the attachment / detachment part of a sand. It is a basic diagram which shows the control part and peripheral device of an individual counting device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control part. It is an approximate line figure showing sand. It is a basic diagram which shows the storage area of an information card. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing procedure by CPU of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a received information display process (step S20). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in a count process (step S30). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in a possession ball payout process (step S50). It is a timing chart which shows processing of a pachinko gaming machine, a sand, and an individual counting device. It is a timing chart which shows the processing of a pachinko game machine, a sand, and an individual counting device in the case where the counting process and the ball payout process are executed by the control of the sand. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the counting process (step S211) in sand. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the possession ball payout process (step S212) in sand. It is a flowchart which shows the extra ball payout process (step S516) in an individual counting device.

(Configuration of the embodiment)
Embodiments according to the gaming machine of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a ball lending device (sand) and a pachinko gaming machine equipped with the individual counting device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the individual counting device 50. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided with a sand 20, and an individual counting device 50 is attached to each sand 20. Each sand 20 is installed corresponding to the adjacent pachinko gaming machine 10 and is connected so as to be communicable with the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 10. Each sand 20 is communicably connected to a controller (not shown) that performs system management and sales management of the sand 20 of the entire hall.

  Each sand 20 is provided with, for example, a card insertion slot 36A capable of receiving an information card issued by a card issuing machine (not shown) in a hall, a bill insertion slot 35A into which a bill can be inserted, a numeric keypad operation unit 37, and the like. ing.

  The player can receive a pachinko ball as a game medium necessary for the game by inserting an information card or a predetermined amount of banknote into the card insertion slot 36A or the banknote insertion slot 35A.

  In this case, the sand 20 gives an instruction to the pachinko gaming machine 10 provided therewith to pay out the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the input amount or the number of pachinko balls specified via the information card. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, a number of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount of money inserted are paid out to the upper plate 12. Thereby, the player can play a game using the paid-out pachinko ball.

  Each sand 20 is provided with an attaching / detaching portion 28 that allows the individual counting device 50 to be attached / detached, and the individual counting device 50 can be attached via an attaching / detaching mechanism 90 (described later) on the individual counting device 50 side. It is like that. When the attaching / detaching mechanism 90 of the individual counting device 50 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 28 of the sand 20, the individual counting device 50 and the sand 20 are connected to the connectors (the connector portion 92 on the individual counting device 50 side and the sand 20 side described later). They are connected to each other via a connector 29).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each individual counting device 50 is provided below the lower plate 13 of the pachinko gaming machine 10 corresponding to the sand 20. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided with an urging section 15 that urges toward the player side (front) so that the player can put his belongings such as cigarettes. An individual counting device 50 is placed on the urging portion 15.

  The individual counting device 50 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a pachinko ball discharged through an opening 14 provided with an open / close shutter provided on the bottom surface of the lower plate 13 on the upper surface thereof. An introduction opening 55 for introducing (a player's ball) is provided.

  The individual counting device 50 counts the number of possessed balls introduced through the introduction opening 55. When the sand 20 receives the counting result from the individual counting device 50, the sand 20 stores the number of possessed balls in the information card inserted at this time as the number of possessed balls of the player. Thus, the number of the player's possessed balls discharged from the lower plate 13 of the pachinko gaming machine 10 is stored as information on the information card. The held balls that have been counted are discharged from the discharge unit 52 of the individual counting device 50 to the sand 20 via the attachment / detachment mechanism 90 and the attachment / detachment unit 28, and then discharged from the sand 20 to a so-called collecting dove. Thus, the player's balls are stored in the information card as information without being stored in a conventionally used ball box.

  The individual counting device 50 is provided with a ball payout button 308 (described later) for using the counted ball again in the game. When the player operates this operation button, the operation result is individually displayed. It is transmitted from the counting device 50 to the sand 20. The sand 20 that has received the operation result transmits an instruction to the pachinko gaming machine 10 to pay out the number of possessed balls stored in the information card inserted in the sand 20. In the sand 20, the pachinko balls are lent out in a predetermined amount unit (for example, a unit of 500 yen, etc.), so that the payout instruction is given to the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the rented number unit corresponding to the amount. For this reason, when there is a fraction that is not divisible by the number of units instructing the payout from the sand 20 to the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the number of balls stored in the information card, this fraction is placed on the placement of the individual counting device 50. It is made to pay out to the part 170 (after-mentioned) as a surplus ball. Thereby, according to the data of the number of possession balls of the player stored in the information card, it is distributed and paid out to the pachinko gaming machine 10 (upper plate 12) and the placement unit 170 of the individual counting device 50. ing.

Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the individual counting device 50 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the individual counting device 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the individual counting device 50 includes a main body portion 51 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a discharge portion 52 for discharging the ball to an introduction port (not shown) of the sand 20 (FIG. 1). The rolling part 100 moves the pachinko ball (held ball) from the introduction opening 55 to the discharge part 52. The introduction opening 55 described above is provided on the upper surface of the main body 51, and the pachinko ball (handball) introduced through the introduction opening 55 is discharged to the sand 20 at the discharge portion 52. A discharge port 54 is provided. An attachment / detachment mechanism 90 for attaching / detaching the individual counting device 50 to / from the sand 20 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 54. The attachment / detachment mechanism 90 has a lock arm 91 whose tip is bent downward. The lock arm 91 is configured such that a tip end portion thereof is turned up and down, and can be engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) of the sand 20. The attachment / detachment mechanism 90 is provided with a connector 92 for transmitting and receiving data between the control unit (described later) of the individual counting device 50 and the sand 20, and a connector 29 (see FIG. 40, FIG. 43). The attachment / detachment mechanism 90 will be described later.

  In a state where the individual counting device 50 is mounted on the sand 20 by the attaching / detaching mechanism 90, the introduction opening 55 provided in the upper surface portion of the main body 51 of the individual counting device 50 is the bottom surface of the lower plate 13 of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The positions of the attaching / detaching mechanism portion 90 and the introduction opening portion 55 are determined so as to be disposed below the opening portion 14 provided with the opening / closing shutter provided in the portion.

  Around the introduction opening 55 provided on the upper surface portion of the main body 51, an inclined portion 56 inclined toward the introduction opening 55 is provided, and the ball discharged from the pachinko gaming machine 10 is introduced into the introduction opening. Even if it falls off the part 55, it is received and guided to the introduction opening 55. The inclined portion 56 is configured by a single plate-like member 57 that covers the upper portion of the introduction opening 55.

  Inside the main body 51, a temporary storage unit (hopper unit) 60 for temporarily storing a ball introduced through the introduction opening 55 is provided. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing a state where the plate-like member 57 of the individual counting device 50 is removed. The temporary storage unit 60 includes a bottom surface portion 64 formed at the lowest position, and the bottom surface portion 64. Inclined surface portions 65 and 66 which are inclined so as to gradually become lower, and a passage portion 68 which is lowered by one step following the bottom surface portion 64. The ball that has fallen into the temporary storage unit 60 through the introduction opening 55 rolls along the inclined surface portions 65 and 66 along the inclination and is collected on the bottom surface portion 64. The possessed balls collected on the bottom surface portion 64 roll further to the passage portion 68 that is lowered by one step.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the individual counting device 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the passage portion 68 forms a path with a constant width by the side wall portion 69, and the ball T is guided to the lifting mechanism portion (transfer mechanism portion) 70 along this passage. It is made like that.

  The passage portion 68 is provided with a clogging prevention mechanism portion 80 that prevents clogging of the holding balls T guided from the temporary storage portion 60 to the lifting mechanism portion 70. The clogging prevention mechanism portion 80 is provided with a collapsing plate (ball clogging prevention member) 81 that operates in the horizontal direction in the passage portion 68. The breaker plate 81 is driven by a counting motor 77 that is a drive source of the lifting mechanism unit 70. The operation of the breaker plate 81 prevents clogging in the passage portion 68 (described later).

  The lifting mechanism unit 70 is a mechanism for transferring the ball T to a certain height. In the case of the present embodiment, the rotor members 73 and 74 that hold the ball T are rotated to rotate the rotor members 73 and 74. The holding ball T held in the upper part is lifted to a certain height. The rotor members 73 and 74 are provided with a guide plate 75 along the outer shape of the rotor members 73 and 74, so that the ball T held by the rotor members 73 and 74 is guided so as not to drop off. Has been made. The rotor members 73 and 74 are configured to be rotationally driven by a counting motor 77. The counting motor 77 is rotationally controlled by a control unit 301 (FIGS. 26 and 27) provided inside the individual counting device 50, and is rotationally controlled by a drive signal from the control unit.

  Incidentally, in the case of the present embodiment, by using the rotor members 73 and 74 provided in two rows, two rows of lifting paths for the ball T are secured, and the ball T in the two rows to the discharge part 52 is secured. It becomes the structure which discharges. Thereby, many possession balls T can be counted and discharged in a short time.

  The lifting mechanism portion 70 described above is provided at one end portion of the main body portion 51, and the discharge portion 52 is provided at the other end portion with the temporary storage portion 60 interposed therebetween. The main body 51 is provided with a rolling part 100 that guides the ball T lifted by the lifting mechanism part 70 to the discharge part 52 so as to straddle the temporary storage part 60.

  The rolling unit 100 is configured to guide the ball T, which has been lifted to a high position inside the main body 51 by the lifting mechanism 70, to the discharge unit 52 provided at a low position by using an inclination. . That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rolling unit 100 has a rolling lane 101 that rolls the ball that has been lifted by the lifting mechanism unit 70 to the discharge unit 52. The ball outlet 54 (FIG. 5) in the discharge unit 52 is provided at a position lower than the position of the ball lifted by the lifting mechanism unit 70, and the rolling lane 101 disposed therebetween is lifted. It inclines so that it may become low gradually from the mechanism part 70 to the discharge port 54. FIG. Thereby, the ball T lifted by the lifting mechanism 70 rolls the rolling lane 101 to the discharge port 54. Also in this rolling lane 101, two lanes (first lane 101A and second lane 101B) for rolling the ball T are provided, and the ball T is efficiently transferred to the discharge unit 52 in these two lanes. It is made to roll.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the rolling lane 101 is formed on the cover 110 of the individual counting device 50, and the rolling lane formed on the bottom plate 120 in a state where the cover 110 and the bottom plate 120 are engaged. 121 is connected. Thereby, the ball T lifted by the lifting mechanism unit 70 rolls on the rolling lane 101 of the cover 110 and the rolling lane 121 of the bottom plate 120 and is guided to the discharge unit 52. Also in this rolling lane 121, two lanes (first lane 121A and second lane 121B) for rolling the ball T are provided, and the ball T is discharged efficiently in these two lanes. Has been made.

  Next, the clogging prevention mechanism 80 that prevents clogging in the passage 68 will be described. First, the passage portion 68 will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the individual counting device 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the individual counting device 50 has an introduction opening 55 on the upper surface thereof, and is discharged from the lower plate 13 of the pachinko gaming machine 10 (FIG. 1) through the introduction opening 55. The held ball T is stored in the temporary storage unit 60. The temporary storage unit 60 includes a bottom surface portion 64 and inclined surface portions 65 and 66 that are inclined so that the floor surface gradually becomes lower toward the bottom surface portion 64, and the inclined surface portion via the introduction opening 55. The holding ball that has fallen on 65 rolls the inclined surface portion 65 in the inclined direction (arrow h1 direction). Further, the ball that has fallen on the inclined surface portion 66 via the introduction opening 55 rolls the inclined surface portion 66 in the inclined direction (arrow h2 direction). Thereby, the ball T that has fallen into the temporary storage unit 60 through the introduction opening 55 is collected on the bottom surface part 64.

  The bottom surface portion 64 is inclined so that its floor surface gradually decreases toward one edge of the temporary storage portion 60 (in the direction of the arrow h3). The balls T collected on the bottom surface portion 64 are The bottom surface portion 64 is rolled in the tilt direction (arrow h3 direction). At the bottom of the bottom surface portion 64 where the ball T rolls, a passage portion 68 is provided over which the rolling lane 101 of the rolling portion 100 is stretched.

  FIG. 8 is a top view showing a state where the plate-like member 57 is removed from the individual counting device 50. As shown in FIG. 8, a lifting mechanism 70 and a rolling lane 101 are provided at one edge of the temporary storage unit 60, and the ball T that rolls on the bottom surface part 64 of the temporary storage unit 60 is , It will be guided to the lower area of the rolling lane 101.

  The lower region of the rolling lane 101 is a passage portion 68 (FIG. 9) for lifting the ball T that has rolled the bottom surface portion 64 of the temporary storage portion 60 in the direction of the mechanism portion 70. . FIG. 9 is a top view showing a state in which the cover 110 provided with the rolling lane 101 is removed. As shown in FIG. 9, below the rolling lane 101, as described above, the passage portion 68 that guides the ball T that has rolled the bottom surface portion 64 of the temporary storage portion 60 to the lifting mechanism portion 70 is provided. It has been. The passage portion 68 has a floor surface that is lowered by a step portion 68D with respect to the bottom surface portion 64. Further, the floor surface gradually moves toward the lifting mechanism portion 70 (in the direction of the arrow h4). Inclined so that the surface is low. Thereby, the ball T that rolls from the bottom surface portion 64 to the passage portion 68 further rolls to the ball holding mechanism portion 70 due to the inclination of the passage portion 68. That is, the rolling direction (arrow h4 direction) of the ball T in the passage portion 68 is different from the rolling direction (arrow h3 direction) of the ball T in the temporary storage unit 60, and the bottom surface portion. The ball T that has rolled 64 is guided to the lifting mechanism 70 by changing its rolling direction in the passage 68.

  Thus, in the individual counting device 50 in the present embodiment, the rolling lane 101 can be provided by avoiding the introduction opening 55 by arranging the rolling lane 101 along one edge. Thus, according to the arrangement of the rolling lane 101, the lifting mechanism unit 70 for lifting the ball T to the rolling lane 101 is arranged at the corner of the main body 51 of the individual counting device 50. Further, the lifting mechanism unit 70 is configured to lift the ball T and transfer it to the rolling lane 101 by rotating the rotor members 73 and 74, so that the lifting member 70 is discharged from the rotor members 73 and 74 to the rolling lane 101. By making the direction to be made coincide with the rolling direction of the rolling lane 101, the ball T can be smoothly transferred to the rolling lane 101. When the rotor members 73 and 74 are arranged in this way, if the ball T of the temporary storage unit 60 is smoothly introduced into the rotor members 73 and 74, the ball T is rotated by the rotor members 73 and 74. It is desirable to introduce while rolling along the direction. Therefore, the passage portion 68 is a route along which the ball T rolls in the direction of the arrow h4 toward the rotor members 73 and 74 along the edge portion of the main body portion 51.

  Thus, when the holding ball T of the temporary storage unit 60 is introduced into the passage portion 68 provided along the edge of the main body 51, the rolling direction of the holding ball T is the bottom surface portion 64. From the rolling direction (in the direction of arrow h3) to the rolling direction in the passage portion 68 (in the direction of arrow h4). The clogging prevention mechanism unit 80 is configured to prevent clogging of the holding balls T that are likely to occur in the region where the rolling direction changes.

  10 and 11 are enlarged perspective views of the passage portion 68. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the passage portion 68 has rolled on the bottom surface portion 64 of the temporary storage portion 60. There are side walls 68C provided in a region where the rolling direction of the ball T changes, and side walls 68A and 68B provided on both sides of the path from the region to the lifting start position of the ball T in the lifting mechanism 70. doing. When the ball T which has rolled on the bottom surface portion 64 of the temporary storage portion 60 enters the passage portion 68, the rolling direction is lifted by the arrow h <b> 4 by the inclination of the floor surface of the passage portion 68 and the side wall 68 </ b> C. It changes to the direction which goes to the mechanism part 70, and rolls it toward the raising mechanism part 70 along the channel | path part 68 where both sides were controlled by the side walls 68A and 68B after that. That is, the passage portion 68 surrounded by the side walls 68C, 68A, and 68B forms a bent rolling path of the ball T that changes the rolling direction from the arrow h3 direction to the arrow h4 direction.

  The clogging prevention mechanism 80 is separated from the inclined tip portion 83B with respect to the collapsing plate 81 that reciprocates along the side wall 68C and the plurality of possessed balls T that have clogged near the entrance of the passage portion 68. It has a breaking cam plate 83 to enter. The breaker plate 81 and the breaker cam plate 83 are configured to be driven by a counting motor 77 that is a drive source of the lifting mechanism unit 70.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the clogging prevention mechanism 80 and the lifting mechanism 70. As shown in FIG. 12, the breaking cam plate 83 of the clogging prevention mechanism portion 80 is rotated in the rolling direction of the ball T of the passage portion 68 (FIG. 9) as the rotor members 73 and 74 of the lifting mechanism portion 70 rotate. (In the direction of the arrow h4 shown in FIG. 11) and the direction of the arrow d, which is the opposite direction, and the reciprocating motion.

  A breaking plate 81 is engaged with the breaking cam plate 83 via a link member 84, and the breaking plate 81 follows the side wall 68C (FIGS. 10 and 11) as the breaking cam plate 83 reciprocates. A reciprocating motion is made in the direction of arrow e.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which one rotor member 74, the counting motor 77, and the like of the lifting mechanism unit 70 are removed. As shown in FIG. 13, in the breaking cam plate 83, a long hole 83A is formed in a portion engaged with the lifting mechanism portion 70, and the rotation shaft 76 of the lifting mechanism portion 70 is inserted into the long hole 83A. ing. The rotor members 73 and 74 (FIG. 12) of the lifting mechanism unit 70 are fitted to the rotating shaft 76. When the rotating shaft 76 is rotated by the rotation of the counting motor 77, the rotor members 73 and 74 are accordingly moved. Rotate. The rotating shaft 76 is fitted with a cam plate 85 that constitutes the clogging prevention mechanism 80, and rotates together with the rotating shaft 76.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the side of the breaking cam plate 83 on which the cam plate 85 is provided. As shown in FIG. 14, the cam plate 85 is formed in a disk shape, and a fitting hole 85A for fitting the rotating shaft 76 (FIG. 13) is formed at a position shifted from the center. As a result, the cam plate 85 rotates in an eccentric state around the rotation shaft 76 as the rotation shaft 76 rotates.

  The collapsing cam plate 83 is provided with projecting guide portions 83C and 83D extending in the vertical direction with an interval in which the cam plate 85 can be accommodated, and the cam plate 85 is interposed between the guide portions 83C and 83D. Is placed. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, when the cam plate 85 rotates, the guide portions 83C and 83D of the breaking cam plate 83 are alternately pushed by the outer peripheral portion of the cam plate 85 and broken. The cam plate 83 reciprocates in the arrow d1 direction and the arrow d2 direction. When the collapsing cam plate 83 reciprocates, the collapsing plate 81 also reciprocates in the arrow e1 direction and the arrow e2 direction.

  Incidentally, FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the clogging prevention mechanism 80. As shown in FIG. 16, the breaking cam plate 83 is provided along the direction h <b> 4 (FIGS. 9 to 11) in the passage portion 68 to roll the ball T to the lifting mechanism portion 70. It is configured to reciprocate along (in the direction of arrow h4). The breaker plate 81 is configured to reciprocate along a side wall 68C provided at the entrance of the passage portion 68 and provided at a position where the rolling direction of the holding ball T changes.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the back surface side of the bottom plate 120, and the link member 84 of the clogging prevention mechanism portion 80 is disposed on the back surface side of the bottom plate 120 and is an engaging portion with the collapsing cam plate 83. 120A and a guide hole 120B for guiding the engaging portion with the breaker plate 81. The guide hole 120 </ b> A extends in the direction of the reciprocating motion of the breaking cam plate 83, and the guide hole 120 </ b> B is extended in the direction of the reciprocating motion of the breaking plate 81.

  FIG. 18 is a side view showing the clogging prevention mechanism 80. As shown in FIG. 18, the breaking cam plate 83, the link member 84, and the breaking plate 81 are formed on the bottom plate 120 and are inclined by an angle θ according to the inclination of the passage portion 68 in the direction of the arrow h4.

  FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the breaker plate 81. As shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of protrusions 81 </ b> A are formed on the side surface of the breaker plate 81 on the side of the passage portion 68 (that is, the side surface on the side in contact with the holding ball T) with an interval L equal to or larger than the diameter of the holding ball T. ing. The breaker plate 81 reciprocates with an amplitude greater than the interval between the protrusions 81A, and the protrusion 81A pushes the holding ball T by the reciprocating movement, whereby the holding ball T clogged in the passage 68 is obtained. It is designed to eliminate clogging.

  20 and 21 are plan views showing the clogging prevention mechanism 80, and the ball T is rolling smoothly from the temporary storage 60 through the passage 68 as shown in FIG. The holding ball T changes its direction from the bottom surface portion 64 at the entrance of the passage portion 68 and rolls in the direction of the lifting mechanism portion 70.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 21, when many holding balls T are concentrated in the vicinity of the entrance of the passage portion 68 that changes the rolling direction of the holding balls T, the breaking cam of the clogging prevention mechanism portion 80 By reciprocating the plate 83, the tip 83B is divided into the concentrated balls T, so that this concentrated state is destroyed, and further, the collapsing plate 81 is reciprocated by the protrusion 81A. By forcibly moving the balls T concentrated along the side wall 68C, even if the balls T are concentrated, they can be prevented from clogging.

  Further, the breaking cam plate 83 is provided so as to bisect the passage portion 68, and the ball T is moved to the rotor member 73 side and the rotor member 74 side of the lifting mechanism portion 70 with the breaking cam plate 83 as a boundary. It comes to guide. As a result, the balls T are aligned and rolled to the rotor members 73 and 74, and are smoothly transferred to the rotor members 73 and 74.

  FIG. 22 is a partial plan view showing the rolling lane 121 and the discharge part 52 of the bottom plate 120, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the part. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the rolling lane 121 continues to the discharge port 54 via the discharge portion 52, and the ball T rolling on the rolling lane 121 passes through the discharge portion 52. It is discharged from the discharge port 54 to the sand 20.

  In the discharge part 52, the counting sensors 122A and 122B for the first lane that detect the ball that rolls in the first lane 121A, and the counting sensors 123A and 123B for the second lane that roll in the second lane 121B, Is provided.

  The counting sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, and 123B are, for example, magnetic sensors or the like, and output a signal corresponding to the passage when a pachinko ball that is a magnetic material passes. In the case of the present embodiment, two counting sensors are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side in each lane. That is, in the first lane 121A, the counting sensor 122A is disposed on the upstream side, and the counting sensor 122B is disposed on the downstream side. The diameter of the holding ball (pachinko ball) is 5.5 [mm], and the detection interval of the counting sensors 122A and 122B is set to 3.5 [mm]. Similarly, in the second lane 121B, the counting sensor 123A is arranged on the upstream side, and the counting sensor 123B is arranged on the downstream side, and the detection interval of these counting sensors 122A and 122B is set to 3.5 [mm]. Is set.

  In this way, in the first lane 121A, when the counting sensors 122A and 122B are provided side by side on the upstream side and the downstream side, the ball T has the first lane 121A and rolls from upstream to downstream as a normal state. After the detection signal of the holding ball T is obtained in the upstream counting sensor 122A, the downstream counting sensor 122B detects the holding ball T at a timing according to the detection interval between the counting sensor 122A and the counting sensor 122B. A detection signal is obtained. By detecting this detection signal in the control unit, it can be identified that the ball T is rolling normally in the first lane 121A, and the ball T is counted based on the detection result in this state. Has been made.

  Similarly, in the second lane 121B, counting sensors 123A and 123B are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side, so that the ball T has the second lane 121B and rolls from upstream to downstream in a normal state. In this case, after the detection signal of the holding ball T is obtained in the upstream counting sensor 123A, the holding ball is detected in the downstream counting sensor 123B at a timing according to the detection interval between the counting sensor 123A and the counting sensor 123B. A detection signal of T is obtained. By detecting this detection signal in the control unit, it can be identified that the ball T is rolling normally in the second lane 121B, and the ball T is counted based on the detection result in this state. Has been made.

  On the other hand, for example, when the ball T reverses the lane for some reason, the counting sensor 122B or 123B on the downstream side detects the ball T first, so the ball T is not normal. In this case, since it is assumed that some sort of abnormal state is present, warning indication such as error display is performed without counting the possession T. Has been made.

  Moreover, since the counting sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B are sensors for counting the number of possessed balls T, counting the possessed balls T illegally by bringing a metal body such as a wire close to the vicinity of the sensor. In this case, in the first lane 121A, the detection result of the upstream count sensor 122A and the detection result of the downstream count sensor 122B are different. In the second lane 121B, the detection result of the upstream count sensor 123A and the detection result of the downstream count sensor 123B are not normal. Because it is not a detection result at the time of movement, it is possible to avoid counting due to fraud by stopping counting or displaying a predetermined error, etc., assuming that the detection state is abnormal. It has been made to.

  In the case of the present embodiment, spare sensors 124 and 125 are provided further downstream in each of the first lane 121A and the second lane 121B, and the ball T transferred to the rolling lanes 121A and 121B. And the number of possessed balls T discharged from the discharge port 54 are monitored for occurrence of an abnormal state.

  That is, the holding ball T that has rolled on the first lane 121A rolls the first lane 121A to the discharge port 54 as it is when not guided to a first branch lane (storage lane) 135A described later. In this case, the passage of the ball T is also detected by the preliminary sensor 124 provided on the downstream side of the counting sensors 122A and 122B. As a result, when the results detected by the upstream counting sensors 122A and 122B and the results detected by the downstream spare sensor 124 are monitored by the control unit (described later), they do not match. It can be determined that some sort of fraud or abnormality has occurred, and measures such as stopping counting or displaying an error can be implemented. In the same manner for the second lane 121B, if the ball T that has rolled on the second lane 121B is not guided to a second branch lane (storage lane) 135B, which will be described later, the second lane 121B is directly used as the outlet 54. Will roll to. In this case, the passage of the ball T is also detected by the spare sensor 125 provided on the downstream side of the counting sensors 123A and 123B. As a result, when the results detected by the upstream counting sensors 123A and 123B and the results detected by the downstream spare sensor 125 are monitored by the control unit (described later), they do not match. It can be determined that some sort of fraud or abnormality has occurred, and measures such as stopping counting or displaying an error can be implemented.

  Next, the switching unit 130 in the discharge unit 52 will be described. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the discharge unit 52 including the switching unit 130. As shown in FIG. 24, in the middle of the rolling lane 121 in the discharge unit 52, a ball T that rolls on the rolling lane 121 (first lanes 121 </ b> A and 121 </ b> B), A switching unit 130 is provided for selectively branching, and the holding ball T that rolls on the rolling lane 121 is selectively branched to the storage unit 160 instead of the discharge port 54. .

  FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the discharge portion 52 of the bottom plate 120. In the switching portion 130, openings 131A and 131B are formed at the bottoms of the first lane 121A and the second lane 121B of the rolling lane 121, respectively. ing. The widths of the openings 131A and 131B are formed to be smaller than the diameter of the holding balls T, and the holding balls T that roll on the first lane 121A and the second lane 121B extend from the openings 131A and 131B. It is made not to fall.

  In the switching unit 130, at the position where the openings 131A and 131B are provided, there are provided a first branch lane 135A that branches with an orthogonal component with the first lane 121A, and an orthogonal component with the second lane 121B. There is provided a second branch lane 135B that branches off. In the switching unit 130, the bulging portions 141A and 141B (FIGS. 26 and 27) having fan-shaped guide surfaces 142A and 142B (FIG. 28) that project and retract from the rolling lane 121 from below the openings 131A and 131B. ) To control whether the ball T goes straight on the rolling lane 121 and is discharged from the discharge port 54 or enters the branch lane (first branch lane 135A, second branch lane 135B). To do.

  26 and 27 are perspective views showing a state in which the bulging portions 141A and 141B protrude from the lower side into the rolling lane through the openings 131A and 131B of the first lane 121A and the second lane 121B.

  26 shows a state in which the bulging portions 141A and 141B are raised into the first lane 121A and the second lane 121B through the openings 131A and 131B, and FIG. 27 shows that the bulging portions 141A and 141B are the first ones. A state in which the vehicle is retracted downward from the lane 121A and the second lane 121B through the openings 131A and 131B is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the guiding surface 142A of the bulging portion 141A is formed in a fan shape in plan view, and is configured by a curved surface for guiding the holding ball (pachinko ball) T to the first branch lane 135A. . In addition, the guide surface 142B of the bulging portion 141B is formed in a fan shape in plan view, and is configured by a curved surface for guiding the holding ball (pachinko ball) T to the second branch lane 135B.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 26, when the bulging portions 141A and 141B rise into the first lane 121A and the second lane 121B, the guide surface 142A of the bulging portion 141A rolls the first lane 121A. The ball T is guided to the first branch lane 135A, and the ball T rolling on the second lane 121B is guided to the second branch lane 135B by the guide surface 142B of the bulging portion 141B. The ball T guided to the first branch lane 135 </ b> A and the second branch lane 135 </ b> B is stored in the extra ball case 140 of the storage unit 160.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 27, when the bulging portions 141A and 141B descend and retreat from the first lane 121A and the second lane 121B, the ball T that rolls on the first lane 121A bulges. The ball T that rolls in the first lane 121A to the outlet 54 without being guided to the portion 141A and rolls in the second lane 121B is directly guided to the bulging portion 141B. Roll along the second lane 121B to the outlet 54.

  Here, a mechanism for causing the bulging portions 141A and 141B to move in and out will be described. As shown in FIG. 29, the bulging portions 141 </ b> A and 141 </ b> B are provided in a part of the extra ball case 140. The extra ball case 140 has a storage area 146 surrounded by a side wall 145 so that the ball T guided to the first branch lane 135A and the second branch lane 135B is stored in the storage area 146. Has been made.

  The protruding and retracting operations of the bulging portions 141A and 141B are realized by tilting the extra ball case 140. 30 and 31 are front views showing the extra ball case 140. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the extra ball case 140 has bulged portions 141A and 141B on one side edge portion thereof, and a shaft member 148 provided along the other side edge portion. It is pivotally supported at the center (as a fulcrum). That is, with the shaft member (fulcrum) 148 as the center of rotation, the bulging portions 141A and 141B and the holding portion 160 for holding balls T are provided on one side.

  A bottom plate 149 as a seesaw rod is pivotally supported below the extra ball case 140 so as to be rotatable about a shaft member 151. A weight 152 is fixed to one side edge portion 149A of the collar plate 149, and the other side edge portion 149B is formed in a curved shape across the shaft member 151. As the collar plate 149 rotates, It comes into contact with the bottom surface of the extra ball case 140 from below. This contact position is between the side edge where the bulging portions 141A and 141B are provided and the side edge where the shaft member 148 is provided. The weight 152 is replaceable, and the weight of the weight 152 can set the number of balls in the storage unit 160 when the bulging portions 141A and 141B appear and disappear in the rolling lane 121. That is, when the weight of the weight 152 is light, the bulging portions 141A and 141B are lowered and retracted from the rolling lane 121 even if the number of the balls stored in the storage portion 160 is small, and the weight is against this. When the weight of 152 is heavy, the bulging portions 141 </ b> A and 141 </ b> B will not retreat from the rolling lane 121 unless the number of possessed balls stored in the storage unit 160 increases.

  As shown in FIG. 30, when the number of holding balls (pachinko balls) T stored in the extra ball case 140 is less than a predetermined number, the weight of the weight 152 is the weight of the holding ball T stored in the extra ball case 140. Overcoming the weight, the weight 152 is lowered, and in response to this, the saddle plate 149 is centered on the shaft member 151 and the side edge on the side opposite to the side edge 149A on the side where the weight 152 is provided. It rotates so that 149B rises. Accordingly, the bottom surface portion of the extra ball case 140 is pushed up by the side edge portion 149B of the saddle plate 149, and the extra ball case 140 is lifted upward with the shaft member 148 as the center, and the bulging portions 141A and 141B are lifted upward. Rotate.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 31, when the number of holding balls (pachinko balls) T stored in the extra ball case 140 reaches a predetermined number, the extra ball case 140 stores more than the weight of the weight 152. The weight of the held ball T overcomes and the extra ball case 140 rotates so that the bulging portions 141A and 141B descend. Thereby, the side plate 149 is rotated so that the side edge portion 149B is pushed downward by the bottom surface portion of the extra ball case 140 and the weight 152 of the opposite side edge portion 149A is lifted.

  As described above, the extra ball case 140 rotates so that the bulging portions 141A and 141B are lifted by the weight 152 when the retained balls T do not reach the predetermined number, and the retained balls are stored. When T reaches a predetermined number, the weight 152 is overcome so that the bulging portions 141A and 141B are rotated. That is, when the number of possessed balls T stored in the extra ball case 140 is less than the predetermined number, the bulging portions 141A and 141B are lifted into the first lane 121A and the second lane 121B, and the first lane 121A. And the ball T that rolls in the second lane 121B is guided into the extra ball case 140 via the first branch lane 135A and the second branch lane 135B. On the other hand, when the holding balls T stored in the extra ball case 140 reach a predetermined number, the bulging portions 141A and 141B are retracted downward from the first lane 121A and the second lane 121B, and the first lane 121A and The ball T that rolls in the second lane 121B is rolled to the discharge port 54 without being guided to the first branch lane 135A and the second branch lane 135B. Thus, even if the possessed ball T stored in the surplus ball case 140 is discharged, the retained ball T is newly guided to the surplus ball case 140 by the bulging portions 141A and 141B, and a certain number of the retained T Will be stored.

  As described above, by using the weight 152 and causing the bulging portions 141A and 141B to move up and down via the flange plate 149, the bulging portions 141A and 141B can be moved using a biasing means such as a spring member, for example. Durability can be given compared with the case where it is set as the structure moved up and down.

  Incidentally, FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the extra ball case 140. As shown in FIG. 32, the extra ball case 140 is provided with a cover 155 so that the player cannot take out the possessed ball T stored in the extra ball case 140 from the outside.

  FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the extra ball case 140 and the discharge mechanism part (ball raising mechanism part (device)) 200 with the cover 155 (FIG. 32) removed. As shown in FIG. 33, the extra ball case 140 is provided with a discharge portion (first passage) 150 in which the side wall 145 is interrupted. The floor surface portion of the extra ball case 140 is provided with inclined surface portions 143A, 143B, and 143C that are inclined toward the discharge portion 150, and the ball T stored in the extra ball case 140 is the inclined surface portions 143A, 143B. And 143 </ b> C to gather to the discharge unit 150. The ball T collected in the discharge unit 150 is paid out by the discharge mechanism unit 200 to the placement unit 170 (FIG. 3).

  That is, the discharge mechanism unit 200 includes a cam member (rotor) 210 that is driven to rotate about the rotation shaft 203 on a virtual plane having a vertical component by the extra ball motor 201. A holding portion for holding the ball T is formed. The holding ball T introduced into the holding portion from the discharge portion 150 of the extra ball case 140 is lifted upward by the rotation of the cam member 210, and is formed on the cover 110 (FIG. 3) from the cylindrical chute member 250. It is paid out to the placement unit 170 through the discharge hole 111.

  FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cam member 210 of the discharge mechanism section 200. As shown in FIG. 34, the cam member 210 is provided with two concave holding portions 211A and 211B. While the cam member 210 rotates in the direction of the arrow r, extra balls are provided on the holding portions 211A and 211B. The holding balls T of the case 140 are sequentially held. In this case, the cam member 210 has an inclined surface 210A formed so as to gradually become deeper from the downstream side in the rotation direction (arrow r direction) of the cam member 210 to the holding portion 211A. When rotating in the direction of the arrow r, the holding balls T of the discharge section 150 gradually enter the cam member 210 and are finally stored in the holding section 211A. Similarly, an inclined surface 210B is formed on the holding portion 211B side.

  As the cam member 210 rotates, the holding ball T held at the lowermost portion is lifted up to the uppermost portion, and is discharged from the holding portions 211A and 211B via the chute member 250 at the uppermost portion. In the vicinity of the chute member (second passage) 250, an extra ball counter 202 is provided so as to count the number of possessed balls T passing therethrough.

  FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a configuration for discharging the ball T lifted up to the top by the cam member 210. As shown in FIG. 35, a mask plate (casing) 209 is provided on the front surface of the cam member 210 so that the ball T held by the holding portions 211A and 211B of the cam member 210 does not fall off during rotation. Has been made.

  In the lower part of the mask plate 209, an introduction port 209A for introducing the ball T from the extra ball case 140 to the holding portions 211A and 211B of the cam member 210 is formed. A discharge port 209B for discharging the ball T from the portions 211A and 211B is formed. The discharge port 209 </ b> B is provided with an extruding member 208 for forcibly discharging the ball T in the holding portions 211 </ b> A and 211 </ b> B as the cam member 210 rotates. The pushing member 208 is formed of a spring-like metal plate, a base portion thereof is screwed to the mask plate 209, and an extending portion 208A is inserted into the discharge port 209B. The holding ball T held by the holding portion 211A or 211B of the cam member 210 is moved from the holding portion 211A or 211B via the discharge port 209B by the extending portion 208A of the push-out member 208 as the cam member 210 rotates. Extruded to the side. Thereby, the holding ball T is lifted by the cam member 210 and then discharged through the chute member 250.

  FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing the placement unit 170. The placement unit 170 is formed in a small dish shape that is surrounded by a side wall 171 and is open at the top. Thereby, the player can take out the ball T discharged to the placement unit 170 and use it for the game. FIG. 37 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mounting portion 170 taken along line AA in FIG. As shown in FIG. 37, the placement unit 170 has a certain width in the front-rear direction when viewed from the player, and the discharge hole 111 is formed in a side surface portion behind the placement unit 170. Thereby, the ball T discharged from the discharge unit 111 falls to the floor surface portion 173 behind the placement unit 170. The floor surface portion 173 is inclined so as to gradually become lower from the rear to the front (that is, toward the player) as indicated by an arrow a in the figure. As a result, the ball T that has fallen to the floor surface portion 173 from the discharge hole 111 rolls on the floor surface portion 173 in the direction in which the player is present (forward) and gathers in front of the placement portion 170.

  Moreover, the floor surface part 173 has the front inclination part 174 inclined so that it may lift upwards in the front. Thereby, the player can easily take out the possessed ball T gathered forward through the front inclined portion 174 so as to scoop.

  Next, the attachment / detachment mechanism between the individual counting device 50 and the sand 20 will be described. FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing the attaching / detaching mechanism portion 90 provided in the discharge portion 52. As shown in FIG. 38, the attachment / detachment mechanism 90 is pivotally supported so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction (arrow b direction (FIG. 39)) around a pivot shaft 94 provided on the bracket 93. It has. The lock arm 91 has a bent portion 91 </ b> A bent downward at the tip thereof, and is engaged with the engaging portion on the sand 20 side at this portion.

  FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing the lock arm 91. As shown in FIG. 39, the lock arm 91 has a notch 91B for engaging the lock plate 95 at its rear end, and the lock plate 95 is engaged with the notch 91B. The lock arm 91 can be locked. The lock plate 95 is supported by a lock mechanism 97 fixed to the cover 110 (FIG. 3) so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction (arrow c direction), and is engaged by the key 96 in the notch 91B. , The lock arm 91 can be locked, and the lock arm 91 can be unlocked by rotating the lock arm 91 away from the notch 91B.

  In FIG. 38, the attachment / detachment mechanism 90 is provided with a connector 92 for performing communication between the controller 301 and the sand 20. The connector unit 92 includes a male connector 92A connected to a communication line from the control unit 301 of the individual counting device 50, and a female connector 92B connected to the male connector 92A. The female connector 92B includes a joint harness 92C (FIG. 41) described later. The joint harness 92C is connected to the connector 29 on the sand 20 side.

  FIG. 40 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a mounting method between the attaching / detaching mechanism portion 90 of the individual counting device 50 and the attaching / detaching portion of the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 40, the attaching / detaching mechanism portion 90 of the individual counting device 50 is a mechanism portion for attaching / detaching to the attaching / detaching portion 28 (described later) of the sand 20, and the tip end portion (bending portion 91A) of the lock arm 91 is moved upward. In this state (FIG. 40 (a)), the individual counting device 50 is brought into contact with the attaching / detaching portion 28 of the sand 20, and in this state, the bending portion 91A is rotated downward, so that the bending portion 91A is moved. The individual counting device 50 can be attached to the sand 20 by engaging with the attaching / detaching portion 28 of the sand 20 (FIG. 40B).

  In addition, the connector unit 92 on the individual counting device 50 side is connected to the connector 29 on the sand 20 side, whereby the individual counting device 50 and the sand 20 are connected so as to communicate with each other. Incidentally, in FIG. 40, the connector portion 92 includes a joint harness 92C (described later), and the individual counting device 50 and the sand 20 are connected via the joint harness 92C.

  As described above, when the individual counting device 50 is mounted on the sand 20, the locking arm 91 of the individual counting device 50 is locked with the key 96 (FIG. 39), so that the individual counting device 50 and the sand 20 are mounted. Can be locked. Thereby, for example, the locked state can be illegally released, and the illegal act of acquiring the counting ball that is discharged from the discharge port 54 of the individual counting device 50 can be prevented.

  Next, the control unit and peripheral devices of the individual counting device 50 will be described. FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control unit 301 and peripheral devices of the individual counting device 50. As shown in FIG. 41, the control unit 301 has a control circuit (described later) such as a CPU inside, and a first display unit 306, a second display unit 307, a ball payout button 308 and a count / stop on the exterior surface. A button 309 is provided.

  The count / stop button 309 is an operation button that is introduced from the lower plate 13 of the pachinko gaming machine 10 through the introduction opening 55 and starts or stops counting of the player's balls stored in the temporary storage unit 60. It is. The first display unit 306 is configured by, for example, a 7-segment display, and is a display unit for displaying the results counted by operating the count / stop button 309. The possession ball payout button 308 is an operation button for inputting an instruction to pay out the counted result (the number of possession balls of the player). The second display unit 307 is configured by, for example, a 7-segment display, and displays the amount per ball set in the sand 20 (pachinko gaming machine 10) to which the individual counting device 50 is attached. Incidentally, the information card in which the sand 20 is inserted stores the number of possessions for each pachinko gaming machine having a different set amount per ball (described later), and when the information card is inserted into the sand 20 In addition, the number of possessed balls stored corresponding to each setting is sequentially displayed on the second display unit 307 (described later). As a display mode, the second display unit 307 displays the set amount of money per ball and the number of balls held, or the second display unit 307 displays the set amount of money per ball. Various aspects such as displaying the number of balls corresponding to the set amount on the first display unit 306 can be applied.

  A counting motor 77 and a full sensor 78 (light emitting element 78A and light receiving element 78B) are connected to the control unit 301 via a counting encoder board 320. The counting motor 77 is driven and controlled by the control of the control unit 301, and when the counting motor 77 is driven, the balls stored in the temporary storage unit 60 are transferred to the rotor member as described above with reference to FIGS. By 73 and 74, it is carried to the rolling part 100 (rolling lane 101).

  The full sensor 78 is provided in the temporary storage unit 60, and when the retained ball stored in the temporary storage unit 60 reaches a certain amount, light from the light emitting element 78A is blocked by the stored ball. When the light receiving element 78B cannot receive light, the full state is detected and the detection result is notified to the control unit 301.

  The control unit 301 is connected with counting sensors 122A (123A), 122B (123B) and a spare sensor 124 (125). As described above with reference to FIGS. A ball that rolls in the lane 101) is detected, and if there is an abnormal state, it is detected.

  In addition, a surplus ball motor 201 and a surplus ball counter 202 are connected to the control unit 301 via a surplus ball encoder 330. As described above with reference to FIGS. 32 to 35, the extra ball motor 201 rotates the cam member 210 of the discharge mechanism unit 200, and thereby, the holding ball of the storage unit 160 (the extra ball case 140) is placed on the mounting unit 170. Can be paid out. The extra ball counter 202 includes a sensor provided at a stage before the ball is paid out from the discharge hole 111 of the mounting portion 170 (FIG. 21), and detects the ball discharged from the cam member 210 to the discharge hole 111. The number is counted. Based on the count result, the control unit 301 controls the required number of the counted balls T stored in the storage unit 160 to be paid out to the placement unit 170 via the discharge mechanism unit 200. .

  In addition, a connector unit 92 is connected to the control unit 301. The connector portion 92 includes a male connector 92A, a female connector 92B connected to the male connector 92A, and a joint harness 92C connected to the female connector 92B. The other of the joint harness 92C is the sand 20 Connected to the connector 29. The control unit 301 communicates with the sand 20 via the connector unit 92.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit 301 will be described. FIG. 42 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 301, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 303 is connected to the bus 302. A ROM 304, a RAM 305, an input / output unit 310, a first display unit 306, a second display unit 307, a ball payout button 308, a count / stop button 309, and the like are connected to the CPU 303 via a bus 302.

  The CPU 303 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 304, and performs counting processing and handball payout processing according to the operation result of the count / stop button 309 or the ball payout button 308. In this process, the CPU 303 controls the counting motor 77 and the extra ball motor 201 via the input / output unit 310, and various sensors (counting sensors 122A (123A), 122B (123B), spare sensor 124 (125), full) The detection results from the sensor 78, the extra ball counter 202, etc.) are received, and the counting process and the like are executed based on these information.

  The CPU 303 stores information such as the counting result obtained by the counting process in the RAM 305 and displays it on the first display unit 306. In addition, these processing results are transmitted to the sand 20 via the input / output unit 310. In addition, the CPU 303 transmits a payout request or the like to the sand 20 via the input / output unit 310 according to the operation result of the ball payout button 308.

  Further, the CPU 303 receives information on the information card inserted into the sand 20 via the input / output unit 310, stores this information in the RAM 305, and displays it on the second display unit 307. The control process executed in the control unit 301 will be described later.

  Next, the structure of the sand 20 will be described. FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram showing the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 43, the sand 20 is formed in a vertically long box shape, and a unit portion 30 that can be attached to and detached from a U-shaped frame 21 that is installed and fixed between gaming machines, and this unit. A power supply unit (power supply board 24 or the like) disposed in a lower side of the unit 30 and formed in a vertically long box shape having the same width as the unit unit 30 is provided.

  In the sand 20, the unit part 30 can be attached to and detached from the frame 21 via the attaching / detaching device 34 of the unit part 30 and the attaching / detaching mechanism part (locking pin, release pin, protrusion) 25 of the frame 21. Yes.

  The unit 30 accommodates a card processing unit 36, a bill processing unit 35, and a numeric keypad operation unit 37 described below in a vertically long main body (casing) 33 configured in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. These units 35, 36, and 37 having a high frequency are installed in one unit portion 30 and can be detached from the frame 21.

  The card processing unit 36 includes a card insertion slot 36A formed in the vertical direction on the front panel of the unit unit 30. For example, by inserting an information card (IC card or the like) on which money amount information is written, The reader / writer installed in the system is driven to read and rewrite the amount information, and the card with the rewritten amount information can be returned or issued, or the card can be collected when the amount reaches 0. ing. The player can play a game by renting out game media such as pachinko balls and medals within the range of the amount information described on the card.

  In addition, the number of balls that the player has counted in the individual counting device 50 is stored in the storage area of the information card. FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area of the information card 500. As shown in FIG. 44, in the storage area of the information card 500, the credit information storage area 501 for storing the above-described amount information (credit) and the first holding number for storing the number of balls counted in the 1-yen range are stored. The number of balls storage area 502, the second number of balls storage area 503 for storing the number of balls counted in the 2-yen range, and the third number of balls for storing the number of balls counted in the 4-yen range And a storage area 504. The 1-yen range means a pachinko machine with 1 pachinko ball set to 1 yen, and the 2-yen range means a pachinko machine with 1 pachinko ball set to 2 yen. The 4-yen range means a pachinko gaming machine in which one pachinko ball is set to 4 yen. The player's possession balls obtained as a result of playing in these pachinko machines are stored in individual storage areas (first to third storage areas).

  Returning to FIG. 43, the banknote processing unit 35 is provided with a banknote insertion slot 35A formed in the longitudinal direction on the front panel of the unit section 30, and is inserted into the banknote by a sensor installed inside. A fake determination process is performed, and a pachinko ball lending process can be performed within the range of the inserted amount of money as in the case of the information card, and a game can be performed. Note that, when the entire amount is not used in the game, the card processing unit 36 updates the balance of the inserted information card.

  The numeric keypad operation unit 37 includes an image display unit (configured by a liquid crystal display), a numeric keypad, an infrared light receiving element, and in some cases, an image sensor for authenticating a human body. Moreover, the unit part 30 may contain structural members other than each unit mentioned above, for example, the pilot lamp 38 etc. for alert | reporting abnormality are provided.

  The operation of each unit described above is controlled by the CPU unit 32 installed inside the unit section 30. The CPU unit 32 is supplied with power from a power supply unit D, which will be described later, by connecting a connector 31 mounted on the rear surface of the unit unit 30 to a connection connector 22 mounted on the inner surface of the frame 21, and externally. Various data can be sent to and received from the. In this case, the connector 31 provided in the unit portion 30 and the connection connector 22 provided in the frame 21 are installed so that the connection between the two is released as it is when the unit portion 30 is moved away from the frame 21. It is configured.

  In the power supply unit D, an external power supply 45 is provided to supply power to the card processing unit 36, the banknote processing unit 35, the numeric keypad operation unit 37, and the drive motor of the attachment / detachment device 34 accommodated in the unit unit 30. A power supply board 24 for controlling the voltage supplied from the communication control unit 23 and a communication control unit 23 are installed. The communication control unit 23 has a function of performing communication system conversion control (serial / parallel conversion control) and transmission / reception destination distribution control, and is adjacent to the host computer 5 via the communication connectors 27 and 26, respectively. Various data is transmitted to and received from the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  In addition, the power supply board 24 has a function as a charging unit that enables charging of a portable terminal or the like owned by the player, and a predetermined charging terminal is inserted into the charging jack 24A exposed from the front panel. It is possible.

  An attachment / detachment portion 28 for connecting the attachment / detachment mechanism portion 90 of the individual counting device 50 is provided at the lower portion of the front panel of the frame 21. As described above with reference to FIG. 40, the attachment / detachment mechanism 90 of the individual counting device 50 can be attached to the attachment / detachment portion 28. Further, a connector 29 and an introduction port 21 </ b> A are provided in the detachable portion 28 at the lower part of the front panel of the frame 21. The connector 29 is connected to a connector portion 92 provided in the attaching / detaching mechanism portion 90 of the individual counting device 50, and is used for transmitting and receiving information between the sand 20 and the individual counting device 50. The introduction port 21A is connected to the discharge port 54 of the individual counting device 50, and introduces the counting ball discharged from the individual counting device 50 and discharges it to a so-called dough for collection. ing.

  Thus, in the sand 20, by mounting the individual counting device 50, it is possible to transmit / receive information to / from the individual counting device 50, and it is possible to perform counting that has been discharged from the individual counting device 50. You can collect the possession balls to the dobu. Furthermore, the sand 20 can update the number of balls in the information card according to the counting result in the individual counting device 50, and an instruction to use this number of balls in the game is input from the individual counting device 50. In this case, by sending an instruction for paying out the number of balls to the pachinko gaming machine 10, the balls stored in the information card are paid out to the upper plate 12 via the pachinko gaming machine 10. Can do.

  The sand 20 can also use information on the information card inserted in the card processing unit 36 by operating the numeric keypad operation unit 37. That is, when the player operates the numeric keypad of the numeric keypad operation unit 37, the credit data stored in the information card 500 can be used. In this case, the CPU unit 32 determines the information according to the operation result of the numeric keypad. It is possible to instruct the pachinko gaming machine 10 to pay out the amount specified by the player from the credit data stored in the card 500, and the pachinko gaming machine 10 can pay out the pachinko balls to the upper plate 12.

  Thereby, in the sand 20, even if the individual counting device 50 is not attached, the pachinko ball can be lent based on the credit data stored in the information card. When the individual counting device 50 is not attached and the number of balls is stored in the information card 500 inserted in the sand 20, the CPU unit 32 responds to the operation of the player's numeric keypad. The number of balls can be paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 10 to the upper plate 12.

  Next, control processing in the control unit 301 (FIG. 41) of the individual counting device 50 will be described. FIG. 45 shows a control processing procedure by the CPU 303 of the control unit 301. The CPU 303 determines whether or not information has been received from the sand 20 in step S11. If any information is received, the CPU 303 shifts the processing from step S11 to step S20, and executes a reception information display process (described later).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that there is no information from the sand 20, the CPU 303 moves the process from step S11 to step S12, and the count / stop button 309 (FIG. 41) is operated. It is determined whether or not. When determining that the count / stop button 309 has been operated, the CPU 303 shifts the processing from step S12 to step S30, and executes a counting process (described later).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the count / stop button 309 has not been operated, the CPU 303 moves the process from step S12 to step S13, and the ball payout button 308 (FIG. 41) is operated. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the possessed ball payout button 308 has been operated, the CPU 303 shifts the processing from step S13 to step S50, and executes a retained ball payout process (described later).

  FIG. 46 shows the processing procedure of the reception information display process (step S20). Upon entering the processing procedure, the CPU 303 stores the reception information from the sand 20 in the RAM 305 (FIG. 42) in step S21, and the subsequent steps. In S22, it is determined whether or not the received information is the ball information of the information card 500 (FIG. 44). The possession information is information representing the number of possessions of the 1-yen level, 2-yen range, and 4-yen range stored in the first to third storage areas 502 to 504 (FIG. 44) of the information card 500. . In the sand 20, when an information card is inserted into the card processing unit 36, the ball information stored in the information card is read out and transmitted to the individual counting device 50.

  When this information is received, the CPU 303 shifts the processing from step S22 to step S23, displays the 1-yen holding information on the second display unit 307 for a certain period of time, and then moves to the subsequent step S24. The second display unit 307 displays the 2-yen coin holding information for a certain period of time, and then proceeds to step S25 to display the 4-yen coin holding information on the second display unit 307 for a certain period of time. Thus, when the player inserts the information card into the card processing unit 36 of the sand 20, each holding information stored in the information card is displayed on the second display unit 307 of the individual counting device 50 for a certain period of time. Will be.

  On the other hand, in the above-described step S22, when the individual counting device 50 determines that the information received from the sand 20 is not possession information, the CPU 303 shifts the processing from step S22 to step S26, and performs processing according to the received information. Execute.

  In this way, in the individual counting device 50, the ball information of the information card inserted into the sand 50 is displayed on the second display unit 307, so that it is stored in the player's information card for the player. The number of possessed balls (that is, the number of possessed balls of the player) is notified. In particular, for information cards, different areas are set for each of the 1-yen, 2-yen and 4-yen ranges, and the number of possessions earned on each stand is individually stored. By displaying these pieces of information when inserted into the sand 20, the player can be made aware of the number of balls he has. As a result, when a player's possession remains, this is notified to the player, and the player can have a feeling of further playing the game.

  Next, details of the counting process (step S30) shown in FIG. 45 will be described. FIG. 47 shows a processing procedure in the counting process (step S30). Upon entering the processing procedure, the CPU 303 drives the counting motor 77 (FIG. 41) in step S31, thereby rotating the rotor members 73 and 74 (FIG. 4 to 6) are rotated, and the balls stored in the temporary storage unit 60 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are sequentially rolled in the rolling unit 100. Thereby, the holding balls are sequentially detected in the counting sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, and 123B. The detection result is notified to the control unit 301, and the CPU 303 counts the number of possessed balls based on the detection results from the counting sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, and 123B in step S32.

  In step S33, the CPU 303 determines whether there is an abnormality based on the detection results from the counting sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B and the spare sensors 124, 125. When determining that there is an abnormality, the CPU 303 shifts the processing from step S33 to step S34, stops counting, and displays an error on the first display unit 306. On the other hand, when determining that there is no abnormality, the CPU 303 shifts the processing from step S33 to step S35, and determines whether or not a detection result for a certain time is not received. When the detection result is not received for a certain period of time, this means that the detection of all the possessed balls stored in the temporary storage unit 60 has been completed, and the CPU 303 moves the process from step S35 to step S36. Then, the counting result is stored in the RAM 305 (FIG. 42), and in the subsequent step S27, the counting result is displayed on the first display unit 306. Further, in step S38, the counting result is transmitted to the sand 20.

  Thus, when the player operates the counting / stop button 309 of the individual counting device 50, the ball held in the temporary storage unit 60 is counted, and the counting result is displayed on the first display unit 306 and also to the sand 20. The count result is added to the number of balls in the corresponding storage area of the information card 500 and updated. Incidentally, when the counting / stop button 309 is operated again while the counting process is being executed, the CPU 303 stops the counting process being executed and displays the count results up to that point on the first display unit 306. At the same time, it is transmitted to the sand 20.

  Next, details of the ball payout process (step S50) shown in FIG. 45 will be described. FIG. 48 shows a processing procedure in the possession ball payout processing (step S50). Upon entering the processing procedure, the CPU 303 acquires the number of possessions from the storage unit (RAM 305) in step S51. In step S52, the CPU 303 determines whether the acquired number of possessed balls has a fraction. The fraction means the remainder obtained by dividing the number of possessed balls at this time by the number of units of pachinko balls to be paid out to the pachinko gaming machine 10 by the sand 20. As described above, in the sand 20, the pachinko gaming machine 10 is paid out only in a predetermined number of units. Therefore, when the number of balls held by the player (the number of balls held in the RAM 305 and the information card 500 of the individual counting device 50) is not divisible by a predetermined number, the remainder is a fraction. When there is this fraction, the CPU 303 shifts the processing from step S52 to step S53, and drives the extra ball motor 201 (FIGS. 30 to 33) to load the balls stored in the storage unit 160. Payout to placement unit 170. In this case, the surplus ball counter 202 (FIG. 41) counts the number of possessed balls to be paid out to the placement unit 170, and the CPU 303 reaches the fractional result of the surplus ball counter 202 (FIG. 41) in step S54. Determine whether or not. And CPU303 repeats the process of step S53 and step S54 until it reaches a fraction. If it is determined in step S54 that the number of possessed balls paid out to the placement unit 170 has reached a fraction, the CPU 303 moves the process from step S54 to step S55, and stops the excess ball motor 201. As a result, the possession balls for the fraction are paid out to the placement unit 170.

  In step S52, when it is determined that there is no fraction, or after the process of step S55, the CPU 303 shifts the process to step S56 and transmits the number of possessed balls stored in the RAM 305 to the sand 20. In the sand 20, a payout instruction is given to the pachinko gaming machine 10 with respect to the number excluding the fraction from the number of possessed balls transmitted from the individual counting device 50. Thereby, the fraction is paid out to the placement unit 170 of the individual counting device 50, and the number of possessed balls excluding the fraction is paid out from the upper plate 12 of the pachinko gaming machine 10. In the sand 20, the number of payouts is subtracted from the number of balls in the corresponding storage area of the inserted information card and updated.

  Then, the CPU 303 shifts the processing to step S57 and resets the number of possessed balls stored in the RAM 305. When selecting the number of payouts, the number of held balls in the RAM 305 is updated based on the result of subtracting the number of payouts from the number of held balls stored in the RAM 305.

  Thus, in the individual counting device 50, the fraction is paid out to the placing unit 170, and in the pachinko gaming machine 10, the number excluding the fraction is paid out from the upper plate 12. That is, in the sand 20, the fraction can be paid out to the player without providing a nozzle or the like for paying out the fraction.

  FIG. 49 is a timing chart showing processing of the pachinko gaming machine 10, the sand 20 and the individual counting device 50 including the control processing of the individual counting device 50 described above. As shown in FIG. 49, when the information card 500 is inserted into the sand 20 (step S201), the sand 20 reads the number of possessed balls stored in the storage areas 502 to 504 from the information card 500, and individually It transmits to the counting device 50.

  The individual counting device 50 that has received the number of possessed balls stores the number of retained balls in the RAM 305 (step S501). Then, the number of possessed balls stored in the RAM 305 is displayed on the second display unit 307 (step S502). The processes in steps S501 and S502 are included in the received information display process shown in FIG.

  In addition, when the counting / stop button 309 is operated in the individual counting device 50 and the counting process is executed (step S503), the individual counting device 50 transmits the number of held balls to the sand 20 and the RAM 305. (Step S504). The sand 20 that has received the counted number of possessed balls adds the number of retained balls to the number of retained balls in the corresponding storage area of the information card, and updates it. The processes in steps S503 and S504 are included in the counting process illustrated in FIG.

  Further, in the individual counting device 50, when the own ball payout button 308 is operated and the own ball payout processing is executed (step S505), the individual counting device 50 calculates the number of held balls stored in the RAM 305 as the sand 20 Send to. The sand 20 transmits to the pachinko gaming machine 10 an instruction to pay out the number excluding the fraction of the received number of balls (step S203). The pachinko gaming machine 10 that has received this instruction pays out the designated number of pachinko balls to the upper plate 12 (step S101).

  On the other hand, the individual counting device 50 pays out a fraction of the number of balls acquired from the RAM 305 by the ball payout processing to the placement unit 170 (step S506), and resets the number of balls stored in the RAM 305. Thus, this is updated (step S507). Incidentally, if the number of payouts can be specified, the result obtained by subtracting the total number paid out to the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the placement unit 170 from the number of held balls stored in the RAM 305 is used as a new number of held balls. Update the value of. Then, the individual counting device 50 displays the updated result on the first display unit 306 (step S508). The processes in steps S505 to S508 are included in the possession payout process shown in FIG.

  In this manner, in the present embodiment, the counting process and the ball payout process are executed by the individual counting device 50, and the information card 500 is updated and the pachinko gaming machine 10 is updated in the sand 20 that has received the processing result. The payout instruction is transmitted.

  Incidentally, when the information card 500 is extracted from the sand 20 (step S205), a notification that the information card 500 has been extracted is transmitted from the sand 20 to the individual counting device 50, whereby the individual counting device 50 stores the information card 500 in the RAM 305. The number of holding balls is reset (step S509).

(Operations and effects of the embodiment)
In a state where the individual counting device 50 described above is mounted on the sand 20, when a player plays a game of the pachinko gaming machine 10, first, an information card 500 in which cash information (credit information) is stored is inserted into the sand card. When inserted through the insertion slot 36A of the 20 card processing units 36, the cash balance for lending is displayed on the numeric keypad operation unit 37. When the player designates an amount by operating the numeric keypad of the numeric keypad operation unit 37, a ball (pachinko ball) is paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 10 to the upper plate 12 in a predetermined amount unit. A player can play a pachinko game using the rental balls.

  As a result of the game, many winning balls are paid out, and when the upper plate 12 becomes full, it is paid out to the lower plate 13. When the lower plate 13 is full, the player opens the shutter provided on the bottom surface of the lower plate 13, so that the winning ball of the lower plate 13 is placed on the individual counter 50 arranged below the lower plate 13. Is stored as a player's possession in the temporary storage unit 60 of the individual counting device 50 through the introduction opening 55.

  In this way, while the player continues playing the game, the ball is stored in the temporary storage unit 60 of the individual counting device 50 from the lower plate 13. When the player operates the count / stop button 309 of the individual counting device 50 at a timing when a certain amount is stored or when the player finishes the game, the temporary storage unit 60 stores the amount. The held ball is carried to the rolling lane 101 by the lifting mechanism unit 70 and rolls the rolling lane 101 to the discharge unit 52.

  The ball that rolls on the rolling lane 101 rolls on the following rolling lane 121. The ball that rolls on the rolling lane 121 is counted by the counting sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, and 123B, and the counting result is displayed on the first display unit 306 by the control unit 301.

  In addition, the counted ball that rolls on the rolling lane 121 is branched to the branch lane (first branch lane 135A, second branch lane 135B) in the switching unit 130 and selectively guided to the storage unit 160. Is done. In other words, when a certain amount of balls are not stored in the storage unit 160, the balls are guided to the branch lane by the switching unit 130 and stored in the storage unit 160. On the other hand, when a certain number of balls are stored in the storage unit 160, the balls that roll on the rolling lane 121 are not guided to the storage unit 160 and are transferred to the discharge port 54. Move. As a result, a certain number of balls are always stored in the storage unit 160. The counted ball that has rolled to the discharge port 54 is discharged to the sand 20 and then discharged to a so-called dough for collection.

  In addition to being displayed on the first display unit 306 as described above, the number of balls that have been counted in the individual counting device 50 is stored in the RAM 305 in the control unit 301 of the individual counting device 50 and the sand 20 To the corresponding storage area of the information card 500 inserted in the sand 20 (1-yen storage area, 2-yen storage area, or 4-yen storage area). If the number of possessed balls is already stored in this storage area, the newly counted result is added to the number of retained balls.

  In this way, the possessed balls that the player can no longer enter into the lower tray 13 during the game are replaced with the data of the number of retained balls instead of the conventional ball box (so-called dollar box), and the individual counting device 50 Are stored in the RAM 305 and the information card 500. By replacing the possession balls with data in this way, it is no longer necessary to place the above-mentioned bead boxes on the passage around the player's game area as compared with the conventional case where the possession balls are placed in the bead box. Problems such as obstructing traffic will be resolved.

  When a player uses a ball that has been replaced with data, the player operates the ball payout button 308 of the individual counting device 50. When this ball-ball payout button 308 is operated, the number of ball balls stored in the control unit 301 of the individual counting device 50 is paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 10 to the upper plate 12 thereof. In this case, if there is a fraction that cannot be divided by the number of units paid out by the sand 20, the fraction is paid out to the placement unit 170 of the individual counting device 50, and the amount excluding the fraction is the pachinko. It is paid out from the gaming machine 10 to the upper plate 12. The player moves the fractional ball that has been paid out to the placement unit 170 to the upper plate 12 and plays the game.

  As described above, the ball for the fraction is dispensed to the placement unit 170 of the individual counting device 50, so that, for example, as in the conventional example, the nozzle is moved from the sand 20 to the upper plate 12 of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Compared to a configuration in which the ball is paid out using another member such as a nozzle, it is not necessary to dispose a disturbing member such as a nozzle around the sand 20 or the upper plate 12, and the occurrence of inconvenience such as breakage of the nozzle is eliminated. Can do. In addition, in a device installed between the pachinko gaming machine 10 units such as the sand 20, it is difficult to design the function of the nozzle or the like in a narrow space, but by using the individual counting device 50, the nozzle or the like Since it is no longer necessary to provide the design, the design can be facilitated.

  Further, since the individual counting device 50 can be attached to and detached from the sand 20 by the attaching / detaching mechanism 90, only the sand 20 is first introduced for the hole, and the individual counting device 50 is introduced as necessary. It becomes possible. This makes it easier to make a hall management plan.

  In the present embodiment, the collapsible plate (ball clogging prevention) is further provided in the passage portion 68 that rolls the ball T of the temporary storage portion (hopper unit) 60 to the transfer start position of the lifting mechanism portion (transfer mechanism portion) 70. Member) 81 is provided. The ball T, which rolls from the wide temporary storage portion 60 to the relatively narrow passage portion 68 and lifts the rolling direction toward the mechanism portion 70, collapses in the vicinity of the entrance of the passage portion 68. It is forcibly moved by 81A.

  In this way, in the boundary region between the wide temporary storage portion 60 and the relatively narrow passage portion 68 and in the region where the rolling direction of the holding ball T changes, the holding ball T tends to be concentrated and clogged. However, due to the reciprocating motion of the breaker plate 81 provided in this area, the ball T in the area that is likely to be clogged is forcibly moved, so that clogging can be prevented. The direction of the reciprocating motion of the breaker plate 81 is the direction along the rolling direction of the holding ball T, so that the holding ball T is surely rolled in the direction along the passage (the direction of the lifting mechanism portion 70). Can be moved.

  Further, in the region where the breaker plate 81 is provided, the tip portion 83B of the break cam plate (plate-like member) 83 is provided so as to reciprocate, and the tip portion 83B is formed in a group of balls T concentrated in this region. It is possible to prevent the concentrated balls T from being clogged by being driven so as to be divided.

  In the present embodiment, the holding ball T stored in the storage unit 160 is further transferred to the mounting unit 170 by the discharge mechanism unit (climbing device) 200. In the discharge mechanism unit 200, when the holding member 211 </ b> A or 211 </ b> B of the cam member 210 reaches the lowermost portion with the rotation of the cam member 210, the holding ball T of the storage unit 160 is connected to the storage unit 160. (First passage) 150 is introduced into holding portion 211A or 211B.

  When the holding ball T held by the holding portion 211A or 211B reaches the uppermost portion by the rotation of the cam member 210, it is pushed out from the holding portion 211A or 211B by the extending portion 208A of the pushing member 208 and is taken into the chute member (second passage). ) It is discharged to 250 vigorously. As a result, the ball T is discharged from the chute member 250 to the placement unit 170.

  Thus, by providing the discharge mechanism part 200 that carries the ball T, the placement part 17 and the storage part 160 can be arranged up and down, and the upper and lower spaces can be used effectively.

  In the present embodiment, in addition, the storage unit 160 is provided before the holding ball T is paid out to the mounting unit 170, and the holding ball T that rolls on the rolling lane 121 (that is, the counted holding ball T). ) Is stored in the storage unit 160, and is discharged from the storage unit 160 to the placement unit 170 as extra balls (a fractional ball that cannot be paid out via the sand 20 and the pachinko gaming machine 10) as necessary.

  The replenishment of the holding balls T to the storage unit 160 is performed by switching the holding balls T rolling on the rolling lane 121 by the switching unit 130. That is, when a certain number of holding balls T determined by the weight of the weight 152 are not stored in the storage unit 160 (remaining case 140), the bulging portions 141A and 141B roll due to the action of the seesaw ridge by the slat plate 149. Ascending into the lane 121, the counting possessed ball T rolling on the rolling lane 121 is guided to the storage unit 160 (remaining ball case 140). On the other hand, when a certain number of possessed balls T are stored in the storage unit 160 (remaining ball case 140), the bulging units 141A and 141B retreat downward from the rolling lane 121, so that the rolling The counted ball T that rolls on the lane 121 rolls to the discharge port 54 without being guided to the storage unit 160.

  Thereby, the fixed holding ball T is stored in the storage unit 160, and when the extra ball is necessary, the discharging mechanism unit 200 moves the holding ball T from the storage unit 160 to the placement unit 170. It will be paid out as a surplus ball.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the ball T that rolls on the rolling lane 121 is stored in the storage lane (first branch lane 135A, second branch lane) by the guide surfaces 142A, 142B of the bulging portions 141A, 141B. 135B), the ball T can be stably guided to the storage unit 160.

  In addition, the use of the weight 152 as a drive source for the movement of the swollen portions 141A and 141B into the rolling lane 121 makes it possible to extend the life as compared with, for example, a spring or the like.

(Other embodiments)
(1) Although FIG. 49 described above describes the case where the counting process and the ball payout process are executed in the individual counting device 50, these processes may be executed in the sand 20. FIG. 50 is a timing chart showing the processes of the pachinko gaming machine 10, the sand 20 and the individual counting device 50 when the counting process and the ball payout process are executed under the control of the sand 20. In addition, the process (step S201, step S501, step S502) which displays the number of balls on the second display unit 307 of the individual counting device 50 when the information card 500 is inserted into the sand 20 is the process shown in FIG. Since this is the same, redundant description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 50, when the count / stop button 309 of the individual counting device 50 is operated, the individual counting device 50 transmits a count processing start instruction to the sand 20 in step S511. The sand 20 that has received this instruction executes a counting process in step S211. After transmitting the count start instruction, the individual counting device 50 transmits the detection results of the count sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B and the spare sensors 124, 125 to the sand 20 (step S512).
Incidentally, even in the case shown in FIG. 50, when the information card 500 is extracted from the sand 20 (step S205), a notification that the information card 500 has been extracted is transmitted from the sand 20 to the individual counting device 50. In 50, the number of possessed balls stored in the RAM 305 is reset (step S509).

  FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing details of the counting process (step S211) in the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 51, when entering the processing procedure, the CPU unit 32 of the sand 20 has a possession based on the detection results of the counting sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B received from the individual counting device 50 in step S231. Count the number of balls.

In step S232, the CPU unit 32 determines whether there is an abnormality based on the detection results from the counting sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B and the spare sensors 124, 125. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, the CPU unit 32 moves the process from step S232 to step S233, and transmits an instruction to stop counting and display an error on the first display unit 306 to the individual counting device 50. On the other hand, when determining that there is no abnormality, the CPU unit 32 moves the process from step S232 to step S234, and determines whether or not a detection result for a certain time is not received. If the detection result is not received for a certain period of time, this means that the detection of all the balls stored in the temporary storage unit 60 has been completed, and the CPU unit 32 proceeds from step S234 to step S235. The counting result is stored in the RAM 32A of the CPU unit 32, and the counting result is transmitted to the individual counting device 50 in the subsequent step S236. Further, in step S237, the CPU unit 32 adds the counting result of the RAM 32A to the number of balls in the corresponding storage area of the information card 500, thereby updating the number of balls.
Thus, the counting of the ball is executed in the individual counting device 50 under the control of the CPU unit 32 of the sand 20.

  In step S211 of FIG. 50, when a count stop and error display instruction is transmitted from the sand 20 to the individual counting device 50, the individual counting device 50 stops the counting motor 77 in step S513 and also displays the first display unit. An error is displayed at 306.

  In step S211, when the counting result is transmitted from the sand 20 to the individual counting device 50, the individual counting device 50 updates the number of balls in the RAM 305 and updates the number of held balls in step S514. Is displayed on the first display device 306.

  Next, when the ball counting button 308 is operated in the individual counting device 50, the individual counting device 50 transmits an instruction to start the ball dispensing processing to the sand 20 (step S515). In this case, the number-of-balls data stored in the RAM 305 of the individual counting device 50 is transmitted from the individual counting device 50 to the sand 20 together with the start instruction.

  The CPU unit 32 of the sand 20 that has received the start instruction executes a ball payout process in step S212. FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing details of the ball payout process (step S212) in the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 52, when entering the processing procedure, the CPU unit 32 of the sand 20 acquires the number of balls from the individual counting device 50 and stores it in the RAM 32A in step S241. In subsequent step S242, the CPU unit 32 determines whether or not the acquired number of possessed balls has a fraction. If there is a fraction, the CPU unit 32 moves the process from step S242 to step S243, and transmits fraction data representing the fraction to the individual counting device 50.

  If it is determined in step S242 that there is no fraction, or after the process of step S243, the CPU unit 32 moves the process to step S244 and transmits a payout instruction other than the fraction to the pachinko gaming machine 10. Then, the CPU unit 32 moves the process to step S245, and subtracts the paid-out number from the number of balls in the corresponding storage area of the inserted information card 500 to update this value. Then, the CPU unit 32 moves the process to step S246 and transmits the payout result to the individual counting device 50.

  As shown in FIG. 50, when the fraction data is transmitted from the sand 20 to the individual counting device 50 in the possession ball payout processing of the sand 20 (step S212), the individual counting device 50 pays off the excess ball in step S515. By executing the processing, the fraction is paid out to the placement unit 170 as a surplus ball. FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing a surplus payout process (step S516) in the individual counting device 50.

  As shown in FIG. 53, when the CPU 303 of the individual counting device 50 enters the surplus payout process, the surplus motor 201 (FIGS. 30 to 33) is driven to be stored in the storage unit 160 in step S521. The held ball is paid out to the placement unit 170. In this case, the surplus ball counter 202 (FIG. 41) counts the number of possessed balls to be paid out to the placement unit 170, and the CPU 303 reaches the fractional result of the surplus ball counter 202 (FIG. 41) in step S522. Determine whether or not. And CPU303 repeats the process of step S521 and step S522 until it reaches a fraction. In step S522, when it is determined that the number of possessed balls paid out to the placement unit 170 has reached a fraction, the CPU 303 moves the process from step S522 to step S523, and stops the extra ball motor 201. As a result, the possession balls for the fraction are paid out to the placement unit 170.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 50, when a payout instruction other than a fraction is transmitted from the sand 20 to the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the ball 20 payout processing (step S212) of the sand 20, the pachinko gaming machine 10 Of the number of balls, the number excluding the fraction is paid out from the upper plate 12 (step S101). As a result, in the pachinko gaming machine 10, the held balls other than the fraction are paid out to the upper plate 12, and in the individual counting device 50, the held balls for the fraction are paid out as extra balls to the placement unit 170.

  In the payout process in the sand 20 (step S212), when the payout result is transmitted from the sand 20 to the individual counting device 50, the individual counting device 50 counts the number paid out from the number of possessed balls in the RAM 305 in step S517. The number of holding balls is updated by subtracting. Then, the individual counting device 50 displays the updated number of balls on the first display unit 306 in step S518. Incidentally, when all the possessed balls are paid out, the result updated in the RAM 305 is the number of retained balls “0”, and “0” is displayed on the first display unit 306.

  Thus, the counting process (step S211) and the ball payout process (step S212) can be executed in the sand 20.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the counting balls that have been discharged from the individual counting device 50 are collected into the dough via the sand 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to discharge directly from the individual counting device 50 without going through.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the magnetic sensor is used as the counting sensor 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B and the spare sensor 124, 125 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Other sensors such as an optical sensor including a light receiving unit can be used.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the case where a ball is introduced from the opening 14 (FIG. 1) of the lower tray 13 of the pachinko gaming machine 10 to the temporary storage unit 60 of the individual counting device 50 has been described. It is not limited to the above, but a dedicated introduction path is provided from the upper plate 12 to the individual counting device 50, or not the lower plate 13 or the upper plate 12, but the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the individual counting device 50. A dedicated introduction path may be provided between the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the individual counting device 50 to introduce the player's possession balls.
(Outline of individual counting device)
The individual counting device 50 in the present embodiment collects the introduction opening 55 for introducing the player's possession T discharged from the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the possession T introduced through the introduction opening 55. For this purpose, a discharge part 52 for discharging, a rolling lane 101 for guiding the ball T introduced from the introduction opening 55 to the discharge part 52, and a sensor for detecting the ball T rolling on the rolling lane 101 (counting sensor) 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B), a switching unit 130 that switches the path of the ball T that rolls on the rolling lane 101, a storage unit 160 that stores the ball T that has been switched, and a storage unit 160 A discharge mechanism 200 that discharges the stored ball T to the mounting unit 170 that is open to the outside.

  According to the above configuration, a portion of the counted ball T is stored without being discharged to the collecting throat, and the ball lending device (sand 20) is able to pay out a number of extra balls that are difficult to pay out. When it becomes necessary, the stored balls are used as extra balls, and are discharged and placed on the placement unit 170 opened to the outside. It is possible to pay out to the player via the placement unit 170. Thereby, the said function can be easily added with respect to the ball lending apparatus (sand 20) which does not have the function (nozzle etc.) for discharging a surplus ball.

  Further, in addition to the above configuration, the individual counting device 50 according to the present embodiment is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 10 and is used for a ball lending device (sand 20) that lends a pachinko ball to a player via the pachinko gaming machine 10. And an attachment / detachment part (attachment / detachment mechanism part 90) for attaching and detaching, and the introduction opening 55 is attached to the ball lending device (sand 20) via the attachment / detachment part (attachment / detachment mechanism part 90). It is comprised so that it may be arrange | positioned under the bottom face part opening of the lower tray 13 where the ball of the machine 10 is discharged | emitted.

  According to the above configuration, since it is detachable from the ball lending device (sand 20), it can be introduced when it is determined that the individual counting device 50 is necessary on the hall side, and the management of the hall It becomes possible to respond flexibly to. More specifically, when the individual counting device 50 is mounted on the lending ball device (sand 20), the individual counting device 50 is mounted on a portion that protrudes to the front of the pachinko gaming machine 10 (a portion on which a ball box is conventionally placed). In this state, the introduction opening 55 is arranged below the bottom opening of the lower tray 13 of the pachinko gaming machine 10. As a result, the individual counting device 50 attached to the ball lending device (sand 20) can introduce the ball that falls from the lower plate of the pachinko gaming machine 10 into the introduction opening 55. That is, the introduction opening 55 is arranged so that the introduction opening 55 is arranged below the bottom opening 13 with the shutter for discharging the ball in the lower tray 13 of the pachinko gaming machine 10. 55 positions are determined. Thereby, in the conventional layout in which the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the ball lending device (sand 20) are attached to the pachinko gaming machine 10, the individual counting device can be easily mounted.

  Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, the individual counting device 50 according to the present embodiment gives an instruction to pay out the balls T for the number of balls T counted according to the detection results of the sensors (counting sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B). When paying out the counted number of possessed balls T based on the operation results of the possessed ball dispensing operation unit (the retained ball dispensing button 308) and the managed ball dispensing operation unit (the retained ball dispensing button 308). A discharge control unit 200 is provided that causes the discharge mechanism unit 200 to discharge excess balls from the storage unit 160 to the mounting unit 170 with respect to the number of payout units to be paid out by the ball lending device (sand 20) among the number of possessed balls to be paid out.

  According to the above-described configuration, the excess balls for the number of holding balls are discharged from the storage unit 160 to the placement unit 170 with respect to the number of payout units to be paid out by the ball lending device (sand 20). It is not necessary to separately provide a mechanism on the ball lending device (sand 20).

  Moreover, the clogging prevention device in the present embodiment is provided in the inclined passage portion 68 for rolling the pachinko ball and the passage portion 68, and the pachinko ball of the passage portion 68 is forcibly moved to forcibly move the pachinko ball. A clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) for preventing clogging of the clogging.

  According to the above configuration, in the passage portion 68 where the pachinko balls roll, by providing the ball clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) for forcibly moving the pachinko balls, a large number of pachinko balls are concentrated. Also, the occurrence of clogging can be prevented. In particular, in a configuration in which pachinko balls are gathered from a relatively large hopper unit (temporary storage unit 60) to a relatively narrow passage portion 68, the pachinko balls are highly likely to cause clogging. By forcibly moving the ball, it is possible to prevent clogging.

  In addition to the above configuration, the clogging prevention device according to the present embodiment has a clogging prevention member (collapse plate 81) having a protrusion 81 </ b> A on the surface facing the passage 68, along the passage 68. Reciprocate.

  According to the above configuration, the protrusion is obtained by reciprocating the ball clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) having the protrusion 81A along the rolling path of the pachinko ball with respect to the pachinko ball of the passage portion 68. The pachinko ball can be forcibly moved in the direction along the rolling path by the portion 81A. Thereby, a pachinko ball can be rolled without stopping, and clogging can be prevented. Preferably, a plurality of projecting portions 81A are provided along the passage portion 68, the interval between the projecting portions 81A is made larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball, and the amplitude of the reciprocating motion of the ball clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81). By setting the distance to be equal to or greater than the interval between the protrusions 81A, the protrusion 81A can surely hit the pachinko ball.

  In the ball clogging prevention device according to the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described configuration, the clogging prevention member (collapse plate 81) is disposed on the side surface of the passage part 68 having a concave cross section with the protrusion 81A facing the passage part side. It is characterized by reciprocating motion in the rolling direction of pachinko balls.

  According to the above configuration, the pachinko ball is rolled by the projection 81A by reciprocating the clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) in the rolling direction of the pachinko ball with respect to the pachinko ball of the passage portion 68. It can be forcibly moved in a direction along the path. Thereby, a pachinko ball can be rolled without stopping, and clogging can be prevented. In particular, by reciprocating the clogging prevention member (collapse plate 81) in the rolling direction of the pachinko balls with the protrusion 81A facing the passage side in the side surface portion of the passage portion 68 having a concave cross section, for example, Ball clogging can be further effectively reduced as compared with the case where the protrusion 81A is reciprocated in a vertical direction different from the rolling direction of the pachinko balls.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the ball clogging prevention device according to the present embodiment includes a plate-like member (collapse cam plate 83) that is divided into a group of pachinko balls that are forcibly moved by a ball clogging prevention member (collapse plate 81). .

  According to the above configuration, the plate-like member (disintegrating cam plate 83) is separately inserted between a group of pachinko balls, so that even if the group of pachinko balls are clogged, the pachinko balls can be broken. Coupled with being forcibly moved by the clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81), the clogged state of the group of pachinko balls can be effectively broken to stably roll the passage portion 68.

  The individual counting device 50 in the present embodiment includes an introduction port 55 for introducing the player's own ball T discharged from the pachinko gaming machine 10 and a hopper unit for storing the ball T introduced through the introduction port 55. (Temporary storage unit 60), passage unit 68 for rolling the ball T stored in the hopper unit (temporary storage unit 60) to a transfer start position lower than the hopper unit (temporary storage unit 60), and transfer start The transfer mechanism part (lifting mechanism part 70) for transferring the holding ball T at the position to a position higher than the transfer start position, and the holding ball T transferred by the transfer mechanism part (lifting mechanism part 70) are introduced and introduced. Further, the rolling part 100 that rolls the ball T to a position lower than the introduction position, and sensors 122A, 122B, 123A that detect the ball T that rolls the rolling part 100, 23B, a discharge portion 52 for discharging the ball T which has rolled the rolling portion 100 for collection, and a passage portion 68, and by moving the ball T of the passage portion 68 forcibly, the ball A clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) for preventing T clogging.

  According to the said structure, when many possession balls T concentrate by providing the ball clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) which forcibly moves the possession balls T in the channel | path part 68 where the possession balls T roll. Even so, the occurrence of clogging can be prevented. In particular, in the configuration in which the balls T are gathered from the relatively large hopper unit (temporary storage unit 60) to the relatively narrow passage portion 68, there is a high possibility that the balls T will cause clogging. By forcibly moving the balls T, clogging of the balls can be prevented in advance. In particular, in the configuration in which the passage portion 68 is provided along the side edge portion of the hopper unit (temporary storage portion 60), the rolling direction of the ball T that rolls from the hopper unit (temporary storage portion 60) to the passage portion 68 is changed. Therefore, the ball T changes in the vicinity of the entrance of the passage portion 68, and the balls T are concentrated in this portion. Accordingly, by disposing a clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) in the vicinity of the entrance of the passage portion 68 where the rolling direction of the holding ball T changes, the holding from the hopper unit (temporary storage portion 60) to the passage portion 68 is increased. Smooth inflow of the balls T can be realized.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the individual counting device 50 according to the present embodiment has a clogging prevention member (collapse plate 81) having a protrusion 81 </ b> A on the surface facing the passage portion 68, and reciprocating along the passage portion 68. Exercise.

  According to the above configuration, by reciprocating the clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) having the protruding portion 81A along the rolling path of the holding ball T with respect to the holding ball T of the passage portion 68, The protrusions 81A can forcibly move the ball T in the direction along the rolling path. Thereby, the ball T can be rolled without stopping, and clogging can be prevented. Preferably, a plurality of projecting portions 81A are provided along the passage portion 68, the interval between the projecting portions 81A is made larger than the diameter of the holding ball T, and the reciprocating motion of the clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) is performed. By setting the amplitude to be equal to or greater than the interval between the protrusions 81A, the protrusion 81A can reliably hit the holding ball T.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the individual counting device 50 according to the present embodiment includes a clogging prevention member (collapse plate 81) arranged on the side surface of the passage section 68 having a concave cross section with the protrusion 81A facing the passage section. Reciprocates in the rolling direction of the ball T.

  According to the above configuration, the ball clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) is reciprocated in the rolling direction of the ball T with respect to the ball T of the passage portion 68, so that the ball T is held by the protrusion 81A. Can be forcibly moved in a direction along the rolling path. Thereby, the ball T can be rolled without stopping, and clogging can be prevented. In particular, by reciprocating the clogging prevention member (collapse plate 81) in the rolling direction of the ball T with the protrusion 81A facing the passage side at the side surface portion of the passage portion 68 having a concave cross section, for example, Compared with the case where the protrusion 81A is reciprocated in a vertical direction or the like different from the rolling direction of the ball T, clogging can be further effectively reduced.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the individual counting device 50 according to the present embodiment includes a plate-like member (breaking cam plate 83) that is divided into a group of balls T that are forcibly moved by a clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81). Prepare.

  According to the above configuration, the plate-like member (breaking cam plate 83) is inserted between the group of holding balls T, so that even if the group of holding balls T is clogged, this can be broken down. Coupled with the fact that T is forcibly moved by the clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81), the clogging state of the group of possessed balls T can be effectively broken to stably roll the passage.

  In the individual counting device 50 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the above configuration, the clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81) is driven by a drive source (counting motor 77) of the transfer mechanism unit (lifting mechanism unit 70).

  According to the above configuration, the number of drive sources is increased by sharing the drive source (counting motor 77) of the transfer mechanism unit (lifting mechanism unit 70) and the drive source of the clogging prevention member (breaking plate 81). Without clogging, it is possible to effectively prevent clogging.

  Further, in the ball raising device (discharge mechanism 200) in the present embodiment, the pachinko balls that roll in the first passage 150 in which the pachinko balls (counted possession balls T) roll are arranged above. A ball raising device (discharge mechanism unit 200) for transferring to a second passage (chute member 250), which is supported by a casing (mask plate 209) and a casing (mask plate 209) on a virtual plane having a vertical component. And the rotor (cam member 210) provided rotatably in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the rotor (cam member 210), and with respect to the first and second passages according to the rotation of the rotor (cam member 210) Recessed portions (holding portions 211A and 211B) that communicate appropriately, a motor (remaining ball motor 201) that rotates the rotor (cam member 210), and a control unit 301 that controls the motor (recessed ball motor 201); And an extruding part (extruding member 208) for pushing out the pachinko balls stored in the recesses (holding parts 211A and 211B) to the second passage (chute member 250). When the recess (holding portions 211A, 211B) communicates with the second passage (chute member 250), the push member 208 pushes pachinko balls stored in the recesses (holding portions 211A, 211B) to the rotor. It has the structure pushed out to the second passage (chute member 250) by the rotational force of (cam member 210).

  According to the above configuration, a required number of pachinko balls can be transferred from the first passage 150 to the second passage (chute member 250). When the recesses (holding portions 211A and 211B) communicate with the second passage (chute member 250), the pachinko balls in the recesses (holding portions 211A and 211B) are By being pushed out into the passage (chute member 250), the pachinko balls can be discharged vigorously and reliably. The ball raising device (discharge mechanism unit 200) is not limited to the individual counting device 50, and can be widely applied to other devices that handle pachinko balls.

  In the ball raising device (discharge mechanism 200) in the present embodiment, in addition to the above configuration, the push-out unit (push-out member 208) is a plate spring-like metal member that can be attached to and detached from the casing (mask plate 209). It has a certain configuration.

  According to the said structure, an extrusion part (extrusion member 208) can be replaced | exchanged. The metal member is inserted into the recess from the casing (mask plate 209) when the recess (holding portions 211A and 211B) communicates with the second passage (chute member 250) by the rotation of the rotor (cam member 210). It is preferably configured to be pushed out to the second passage (chute member 250) so as to scoop up the pachinko balls in the recess as the rotor (cam member 210) rotates. .

  The individual counting device 50 in the present embodiment is an individual counting device 50 that counts the player's own balls T discharged from the pachinko gaming machine 10 and counts the balls T discharged from the pachinko gaming machine 10. The sensors 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B, the storage unit 160 that stores the counted balls T, and the required number of the balls T stored in the storage unit 160 are placed above the storage unit 160. A ball raising mechanism portion (discharge mechanism portion 200) to be transferred to the portion 170, and the ball raising mechanism portion (discharge mechanism portion 200) is supported by the casing (mask plate 209) and the casing (mask plate 209), A rotor (cam member 210) provided to be rotatable on a virtual plane having a vertical component and a rotation of the rotor (cam member 210) provided near the outer periphery of the rotor (cam member 210). Accordingly, the first passage 150 communicating with the storage portion 160 and the recesses (holding portions 211A and 211B) appropriately communicating with the second passage (chute member 250) provided in the upper portion of the placement portion 170, A motor (remaining ball motor 201) that rotates the rotor (cam member 210), a control unit 301 that controls the motor (remaining ball motor 201), and a casing (mask plate 209). 211B), and has an extruding part (extruding member 208) that extrudes the ball T stored in the second passage (chute member 250), and the extruding part (extruding member 208) is a recess (holding part 211A, 211B). ) Communicated with the second passage (chute member 250), the ball T stored in the recess (holding portions 211A, 211B) is rotated by the rotor (cam member 210). It has a structure to push the second passage (chute member 250) by.

  According to the above configuration, a necessary number of holdings are provided from the first passage 150 communicating with the storage portion 160 of the holding ball T to the second passage (chute member 250) provided above the placement portion 170. The ball T can be transferred. Further, when the recesses (holding portions 211A and 211B) communicate with the second passage (chute member 250), the holding balls T of the recesses (holding portions 211A and 211B) are secondly moved by the push-out portion (extrusion member 208). By pushing out into the passage (chute member 250), the ball T can be discharged vigorously and reliably. Thereby, the required number of holding balls T stored in the storage unit 160 can be transferred to the placement unit 170. By providing the ball raising mechanism portion (discharge mechanism portion 200) of the holding ball T having such a configuration, the storage portion 160 and the placement portion 170 can be arranged up and down, and individual counting using the upper and lower spaces effectively. The device 50 can be realized.

  Further, the lane switching device in the present embodiment includes a rolling lane 121 that rolls pachinko balls, branch lanes 135A and 135B that branch from the rolling lane 121 with the rolling lane 121 and having an orthogonal component, The bulging portions 141A and 141B having the guide surfaces 142A and 142B for guiding the pachinko balls rolling on the rolling lane 121 to the branch lanes 135A and 135B are rolled at the branch portions of the rolling lane 121 and the branch lanes 135A and 135B. A lane switching mechanism unit (switching unit 130) that moves in and out of the dynamic lane 121.

  According to the above configuration, the pachinko ball rolling lane 121 can be switched by a simple and stable operation in which the bulging portions 141 </ b> A and 141 </ b> B are projected and retracted in the rolling lane 121. The lane switching device (switching unit 130) is not limited to the individual counting device 50, and can be widely applied to other devices that handle pachinko balls.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the lane switching device according to the present embodiment has an opening having a width smaller than the pachinko ball at the bottom of the rolling lane 121 provided at a branch portion between the rolling lane 121 and the branching lanes 135A and 135B. 131A and 131B are provided, and the lane switching mechanism (switching unit 130) causes the bulging portions 141A and 141B to appear in and out of the rolling lane 121 through the openings 131A and 131B.

  According to the above configuration, when the pachinko balls are not branched by causing the bulging portions 141A and 141B to protrude into and out of the rolling lane 121 from the openings 131A and 131B provided on the bottom surface of the rolling lane 121, Since the protruding portions 141A and 141B can be retracted below the bottom surface of the rolling lane 121, the protruding portions 141A and 141B are prevented from obstructing pachinko balls that roll on the rolling lane 121 when unnecessary. can do. Thereby, stable lane switching can be performed.

  In the lane switching device according to the present embodiment, in addition to the above configuration, the branch lanes 135A and 135B are connected to the storage unit 160 that stores the pachinko balls guided to the branch lanes 135A and 135B, and the lane switching mechanism unit ( The switching unit 130) causes the bulging portions 141 </ b> A and 141 </ b> B to appear and disappear from the openings 131 </ b> A and 131 </ b> B to the rolling lane 121 by the action of the total weight of the pachinko balls guided to the storage unit 150.

  According to the above configuration, according to the total weight of the pachinko balls stored in the storage section 160, the lane switching mechanism section (switching section 130) causes the bulging sections 141A and 141B to appear and disappear, and the pachinko balls are put into the storage section 160. Whether to guide or not can be switched. That is, when the number of pachinko balls in the storage unit 160 decreases, the pachinko balls can be replenished from the rolling lane 121 to the storage unit 160. In this way, the pachinko balls that roll on the rolling lane 121 are guided to the storage unit 160 using the bulging portions 141A and 141B that appear and disappear in the rolling lane 121, so that the necessary number of pachinko balls can be obtained. It can be stored in the storage unit 160.

  Preferably, a plurality of lanes (first lane 121A, second lane 121B) are provided as rolling lanes 121, and a large number of pachinko balls are formed at a time by causing the bulging portions 141A and 141B to appear and disappear in each of them. Can be processed. The plurality of bulging portions 141A and 141B are provided in one storage portion 160, and the pachinko balls guided from the plurality of lanes (first lane 121A and second lane 121B) to the branch lanes 135A and 135B are respectively It is stored in one storage unit 160.

  In the lane switching device according to the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described configuration, the lane switching mechanism (switching device 130) includes the bulging portions 141A and 141B and the storage portion 160 with the fulcrum as the center, and the bulging portion 141A, 141B and the storage part 160 are connected to a seesaw cage (saddle plate 149).

  According to the above configuration, the bulging portions 141 </ b> A and 141 </ b> B can be caused to appear and disappear in the rolling lane 121 by the action of the seesaw ridge (the ridge plate 149).

  In the lane switching device according to the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described configuration, the seesaw ridge (saddle plate 149) is such that the bulging portions 141A and 141B are positioned below in a state where the pachinko balls are not stored in the storage portion 160. In addition, a weight 152 for biasing the lane switching mechanism (switching unit 130) is provided.

  According to the above configuration, by controlling the protrusions and recesses of the bulging portions 141A and 141B to the rolling lane 121 by the action of the weight 152, for example, compared with the case where a spring member or the like is used as a drive source for the bulging portions 141A and 141B. Life can be extended.

  In the lane switching device according to the present embodiment, in addition to the above configuration, the weight 152 is detachable with respect to the seesaw ridge (the ridge plate 149).

  According to the above configuration, by changing the weight of the weight 152, it is possible to set and change the number of pachinko balls in the storage unit 160 when the rolling lane 121 is switched by the bulging portions 141A and 141B.

  The individual counting device 50 in the present embodiment is an individual counting device 50 that counts the player's own ball T discharged from the pachinko gaming machine 10, and is between the inlet T and the outlet 54 of the ball T. The rolling lane 121 of the holding ball T provided in an inclined shape, and a storage lane (first) that branches from the rolling lane 121 with an orthogonal component to the rolling lane 121 and is connected to the storage unit 160 of the holding ball T. 1 branch lane 135A, second branch lane 135B), and a ball at the bottom of the rolling lane 121 provided at a branch portion between the rolling lane 121 and the storage lane (first branch lane 135A, second branch lane 135B). Opening portions 131A and 131B having a width smaller than T and bulging portions 141A and 141B having fan-shaped guide surfaces 142A and 142B for guiding the ball T are guided to the storage portion 160. A lane switching mechanism part (switching part 130) that appears and disappears from the openings 131A and 131B to the rolling lane 121 by the action of the total weight of the balls T, and the lane switching mechanism part (switching part 130) has a fulcrum (axis The bulging portions 141A and 141B and the storage portion 160 are arranged around the member 148), and the bulging portions 141A and 141B and the storage portion 160 are connected to a seesaw ridge (saddle plate 149).

  According to the above configuration, the bulging portions 141A and 141B are caused to appear and disappear in the lane switching mechanism portion (switching portion 130) in accordance with the total weight of the possessed balls stored in the storage portion 160, and the ball T is stored in the storage portion 160. Can be switched. That is, when the holding ball T of the storage unit 160 decreases, the holding ball T can be replenished from the rolling lane 121 to the storage unit 160, and when the holding ball accumulates in the storage unit 160, the rolling lane 121 rolls. The holding ball T is discharged as it is for collection. The possession ball T supplemented to the storage unit 160 is then paid out to the player as a surplus ball. As described above, the ball T that rolls on the rolling lane 121 is guided to the storage portion 160 by using the bulging portions 141A and 141B that appear and disappear in the rolling lane 121, so that the storage portion can be stably operated. The holding ball T can be guided to 160. Thereby, when counting the player's possessed balls T discharged from the pachinko gaming machine 10, it is possible to guide a part of them to the storage unit 160 as extra balls and pay them to the player as needed. It becomes.

  Preferably, a plurality of lanes (first rolling lane 121A and second rolling lane 121B) are provided as the rolling lane 121, and the bulging portions 141A and 141B are made to appear and disappear in each of these lanes. Can be handled. The plurality of bulging portions 141A and 141B are provided in one storage portion 160, and the storage lanes (first branch lane 135A, first lane) from the plurality of lanes (first rolling lane 121A, second rolling lane 121B). The holding balls T guided to the two-branch lane 135B) are stored in one storage section 160, respectively.

  Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, the individual counting device 50 according to the present embodiment has a seesaw ridge (saddle plate 149) on the side of the bulging portions 141A and 141B in a state where the holding ball T is not stored in the storage portion 160. A weight 152 for biasing the lane switching mechanism (switching unit 130) is provided so as to be positioned below.

  According to the above configuration, by controlling the protrusions and recesses of the bulging portions 141A and 141B to the rolling lane 121 by the action of the weight 152, for example, compared with the case where a spring member or the like is used as a drive source for the bulging portions 141A and 141B. Life can be extended.

  Further, in addition to the above configuration, the individual counting device 50 in the present embodiment is characterized in that the weight 152 is detachable from the seesaw ridge (the ridge plate 149).

  According to the above configuration, by changing the weight of the weight 152, it is possible to change the setting of the number of balls in the storage unit 160 when the rolling lane 121 is switched by the bulging units 141A and 141B.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pachinko machine 20 Sand 30 Unit part 32 CPU unit 51 Main body part 55 Introduction opening part 52 Ejection part 54 Ejection port 57 Plate-like member 60 Temporary storage part 68 Passage part 70 Lifting mechanism part (transfer mechanism part)
73, 74 Rotor member 77 Counting motor 81 Breaking plate 81A Protruding portion 83 Breaking cam plate 84 Link member 90 Attachment / detachment mechanism portion 91 Lock arm 92 Connector portion 100 Rolling portion 101, 121 Rolling lane 110 Cover 111 Discharge hole 120 Bottom plate 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B Counting sensor 124, 125 Preliminary sensor 130 Switching portion 131A, 131B Opening portion 135A First branch lane 135B Second branch lane 140 Extra ball case 141A, 141B Swelling portion 142A, 142B Guide surface 149 Barbed plate 152 Weight 170 Placement part 200 Discharge mechanism part 201 Extra ball motor 208 Extrusion member 210 Cam member 211A, 211B Holding part 250 Chute member

Claims (2)

An introduction opening for introducing game media;
A rolling lane in which the game medium introduced from the introduction opening rolls;
A branch lane branched from the rolling lane;
A lane switching mechanism for causing a switching unit having a guide surface for guiding the game medium rolling in the rolling lane to the branch lane to appear in the rolling lane at a branching portion between the rolling lane and the branch lane; ,
A discharge mechanism that discharges the game medium guided to the branch lane to a placement unit that is open to the outside;
An individual counting device comprising: A storage unit for storing the game medium guided to the branch lane;
The discharge mechanism section discharges the game medium stored in the storage section to the placement section,
The individual counting device according to claim 1, wherein the lane switching mechanism unit causes the switching unit to appear in and out of the rolling lane by the action of the total weight of the game media guided to the storage unit.

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