JP2014204887A - Game ball transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game ball transfer device capable of suppressing inconvenience in which a game ball is left without being transferred thereinside.SOLUTION: A game ball transfer device includes a game ball alignment guide member 28 transferring game balls introduced from a ball entrance while pinching the game balls with an outer face of an endless belt 20, and guiding the game balls to a pinch member in an alignment state. The game ball alignment guide member 28 includes: a flow passage formation member 47 formed with a plurality of stripes of guide groove parts 46 on the surface facing the endless belt 20 side along a transfer direction of the game balls, aligning the game balls by the guide groove parts 46, and being able to transfer the game balls to the pinch member 29; an alignment base member 48 attached with the flow passage formation member 47; and flow passage energizing members disposed between the alignment base member 48 and the flow passage formation member 47, and energizing the flow passage formation member 47 in a state of being attached to the alignment base member 48 toward the endless belt 20. The flow passage formation member 47 is freely fitted in the alignment base member 48 in a state that the flow passage formation member 47 can move forward/backward to the endless belt 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball transfer device that holds a game ball between an endless belt and a holding member and moves the endless belt in this state to transfer the game ball.

  The conventional island equipment for installing gaming machines has a game ball transfer device inside, and the game balls are transferred (lifted) above the pachinko gaming machine by the game ball transferring device and then supplied to the pachinko gaming machine. . The game ball transfer device is provided with a lower part of a conveyor belt wound around a pulley with a built-in motor and an inflow arc trough, and a game ball is sandwiched between the transport belt and the inflow arc trough and transported in this state. It is comprised so that a game ball can be moved by moving a belt (for example, patent document 1). In addition, a groove for aligning the sandwiched game balls in a plurality of rows is formed inside the inflow arc ridge. Further, both sides of the inflow arc trough are supported, and in this state, the inflow arc trough is urged toward the conveyor belt by a spring.

JP-A-10-005434

  By the way, in the game ball transfer device described in Patent Document 1, it is preferable that the inflow arc bar is made of a flexible material so that the game ball can be sufficiently contacted. If it has, it will bend by the urging | biasing force of a spring and will bulge to the conveyance belt side. As a result, the game ball cannot be sufficiently clamped in the vicinity of the edge of the transport belt, and the game ball remains in the groove without being transferred.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game ball transfer device that can suppress the disadvantage that game balls remain without being transferred inside. .

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, and the one according to claim 1 is provided between a top roller and a bottom roller, which are provided in a vertically long casing and are arranged vertically. An endless belt,
A clamping member extending along the rising direction of the endless belt at a position separated from the outer surface of the endless belt,
In a game ball transfer device that transfers a game ball introduced from a ball entrance opened at a lower part of the housing while being held between an outer surface of the endless belt and the holding member,
A game ball alignment guide member that transfers the game ball introduced from the ball entrance while being pinched between the outer surface of the endless belt and guides it to the pinching member in an aligned state,
The game ball alignment guide member includes:
A plurality of guide groove portions are formed on the surface facing the endless belt along the transfer direction of the game balls, and the flow path forming member that can be transferred to the holding member by aligning the game balls by the guide groove portions;
An alignment base member to which the flow path forming member is attached;
A flow path biasing member disposed between the alignment base member and the flow path forming member and biasing the flow path forming member attached to the alignment base member toward the endless belt. ,
The game ball transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the flow path forming member is loosely fitted to the alignment base member in a state where the flow path forming member can advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the flow path forming member is provided so as to protrude toward the alignment base member side, and a flow path formation extending section that extends toward the alignment base member side, and a front end of the flow path formation extending section. An extended stopper part,
The alignment base member is configured by combining a plurality of base constituent members, and the flow path forming extension portion can be inserted into the boundary portion between the base constituent members, and the extension stopper portion cannot be inserted. A base opening, and the extension stopper can be engaged with the opening edge of the base opening.
By attaching a plurality of the base constituent members in a state where the flow passage forming extension portion is inserted through the base opening, the flow passage forming member is attached to the aligned base member in a loosely fitted state,
2. The game ball according to claim 1, wherein movement of the flow path forming member toward the endless belt can be restricted by engagement of the extended stopper portion and an opening edge of the base opening portion. It is a transfer device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the flow path forming member includes a flow path forming extended portion extending toward the alignment base member side, and a game ball from an extended end of the flow path forming extended portion. An extended stopper portion projecting in a direction opposite to the transfer direction of
The alignment base member opens a base opening through which the flow path forming extension and the extension stopper can be inserted, and enables the extension stopper to be engaged with an opening edge of the base opening.
By passing the extended stopper portion through the base opening and inserting the flow path forming extended portion, in this state, moving the flow path forming member in a direction opposite to the transfer direction of the game ball, Attaching the flow path forming member to the alignment base member in a loosely fitted state,
2. The game ball according to claim 1, wherein movement of the flow path forming member toward the endless belt can be restricted by engagement of the extended stopper portion and an opening edge of the base opening portion. It is a transfer device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alignment base capable of restricting movement of the flow path forming member along the width direction of the endless belt on both left and right sides of the alignment direction of the game ball among the alignment base members. Each side wall is erected, and an opening for engagement is opened at a predetermined position of the aligned base side wall.
The flow path forming member is provided with a flow path forming engagement portion that engages with the engagement opening in a state of being able to advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt.
By engaging the flow path forming engagement portion with the engagement opening, the flow path forming member is loosely fitted to the alignment base member in a state where the flow path forming member can advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt. The game ball transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the alignment base member includes an advancing / retreating movement guide portion protruding toward an endless belt side from an attachment surface to which the flow path forming member is attached,
In the flow path forming member, a guide part insertion opening that allows the advance / retreat movement guide part to be inserted is opened,
The insertion / retraction movement guide portion is inserted into the guide portion insertion opening, whereby the flow path forming member is loosely fitted to the alignment base member in a state where the flow passage forming member can advance / retreat with respect to the endless belt. The game ball transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the problem that a game ball remains without being transferred inside a game ball transfer apparatus can be suppressed.

It is the schematic of the island facility for game machine installation. It is a perspective view of a game ball lifting device. It is sectional drawing of the game ball lifting apparatus cut | disconnected along the longitudinal direction of an endless belt. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of a game ball lifting apparatus. It is a perspective view of a ball introduction guide. It is a top view of a ball introduction guide. It is a perspective view of the state where a buffer member was removed from a ball introduction guide. It is a disassembled perspective view of a game ball alignment guide member. It is sectional drawing of a game ball alignment guide member. It is an exploded view of the alignment base member. It is explanatory drawing of the assembly operation | work of a game ball alignment guide member, (a) is explanatory drawing which assembles the base structural member which accommodated the flow path biasing member in a flow path formation member, (b) forms flow path in a base opening part It is explanatory drawing which fits an extending part. It is sectional drawing of the game ball lifting apparatus containing a clamping member. It is a disassembled perspective view of a clamping member. It is a perspective view explaining the clamp state of the edge part of polishing cloth. It is explanatory drawing of a clamp, (a) is a disassembled perspective view, (b) is a perspective view of an open state. It is explanatory drawing of the tension | tensile_strength state of polishing cloth, (a) is explanatory drawing of one surface grinding | polishing state, (b) is explanatory drawing of an other surface grinding | polishing state. It is explanatory drawing of the state which clamped the game ball between the clamping member and the endless belt, (a) is explanatory drawing in case polishing cloth is stretched in one surface grinding | polishing state, (b) is polishing cloth on the other side It is explanatory drawing at the time of extending | stretching in the grinding | polishing state. It is a perspective view of a tension | tensile_strength provision mechanism. It is explanatory drawing of the contact roller of a tension | tensile_strength provision mechanism. It is explanatory drawing of the modification of arrangement | positioning of the guide base of a clamping member. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st modification of the contact roller which coat | covered the outer peripheral surface and side surface of the roller main body with the electrically conductive material. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd modification of the contact roller which provided the collar part coat | covered with the electrically conductive material. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of the collar part of an contact roller and an endless belt in a 2nd modification, (a) is explanatory drawing of the state which contacts a collar part and an endless belt, (b) is a collar part and endless. It is explanatory drawing of the state which isolate | separated the belt. It is explanatory drawing of the 3rd modification of the contact roller provided with the electrically conductive material in endless strip shape. It is explanatory drawing of the 4th modification of the contact roller which diameter-reduced the location where the electrically conductive material is not provided, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st modification of the game ball alignment guide member which loosely fits a flow-path formation member, (a) is a front view, (b) is the sectional view on the AA line of (a), (c) is Sectional drawing of the BB line of (a), (d) is explanatory drawing of a loose fitting receiving part and a loose fitting protrusion. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd modification of the game ball alignment guide member which carries out loose fitting of the flow-path formation member. It is explanatory drawing of the 3rd modification of the game ball alignment guide member which loosely fits a flow-path formation member. It is explanatory drawing of the 4th modification of the game ball alignment guide member which loosely fits a flow-path formation member. It is explanatory drawing of the alignment base member in 2nd Embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member, (a) is a disassembled perspective view, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the accommodation state of a flow-path biasing member. It is explanatory drawing of the movement of the edge part structural member in 2nd Embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member, (a) is explanatory drawing of the state kept away from the endless belt, (b) is explanatory drawing of the state approached to the endless belt. (C) is CC sectional view taken on the line of (b). It is the schematic of the position adjustment of the edge part structural member in 2nd Embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member, (a) is the schematic before adjustment, (b) adjusts the position of the edge part structural member of both sides (C) is the schematic of the state which adjusted the position of the edge part structural member of one side. It is explanatory drawing of the alignment base member in the 1st modification of 2nd Embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member. It is the schematic of the position adjustment of the edge part structural member in the 1st modification of 2nd Embodiment of 2nd embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member, (a) is the schematic before adjustment, (b) is edge part structure of both sides The schematic of the state which adjusted the position of the member, (c) is the schematic of the state which adjusted the position of the edge part structural member of one side. It is explanatory drawing of the alignment base member in the 2nd modification of 2nd Embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member. It is the schematic of the position adjustment of the base structural member in the 2nd modification of 2nd Embodiment of 2nd embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member, (a) is the schematic before adjustment, (b) is a center structural member and connection structure It is the schematic of the state which adjusted the position of the member. It is explanatory drawing of the alignment base member in the 3rd modification of 2nd Embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member. It is explanatory drawing of the alignment base member in the 4th modification of 2nd Embodiment of 2nd Embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member, (a) is a disassembled perspective view, (b) is explanatory drawing of an urging | biasing force adjustment member. It is the schematic of the biasing force adjustment of the flow path biasing member in the 4th modification of 2nd Embodiment of 2nd embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member, (a) is the schematic of the state before adjustment, (b) is biasing force adjustment. It is the schematic of the state which adjusted the position of the flow-path formation member by operating a member. It is the schematic of the biasing force adjustment of the flow path biasing member in the 5th modification of 2nd Embodiment of 2nd embodiment of a game ball alignment guide member, (a) is the schematic of the state before adjustment, (b) is biasing force adjustment. It is the schematic of the state which adjusted the position of the flow-path formation member by operating a member. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st modification of the bulb | ball introduction guide which comprised the upper surface of the buffer member by the curved surface, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is sectional drawing. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd modification of the ball | bowl introduction guide which comprised the upper surface of the buffer member by the curved surface. It is explanatory drawing of 2nd Embodiment of the ball | bowl introduction guide provided with the receiving part and the flow-down part inside, (a) is a top view, (b) is sectional drawing. It is explanatory drawing of 3rd Embodiment of the ball | bowl introduction guide which opened the slit in the bottom part and formed the ball buffer part, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is sectional drawing. It is a modification of 3rd Embodiment of the ball | bowl introduction | transduction guide which fitted the buffer material in the slit, (a) is a side view, (b) is the DD sectional view taken on the line of (a). It is explanatory drawing of the sphere introduction guide which made the upstream edge part of the sphere alignment wall into the taper shape, (a) is sectional drawing seen from the upstream of the sphere introduction guide, (b) is a top view, (c) is a taper. It is a top view which shows the modification of a shape. It is explanatory drawing of the game ball lifting apparatus which mounts a translucent game ball alignment guide member, (a) is a perspective view before and after mounting, and (b) is a state where cracks of the endless belt can be visually recognized. (C) is a front view of a state in which dirt on the endless belt becomes visible.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an island facility for installing gaming machines.
As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine installation island facility 1 includes a long box-shaped island main body 2 that is formed by connecting a plurality of structural members such as beams and pillars. On the side surface and the other side surface, a plurality of sets of pachinko gaming machines 3 capable of executing games using game balls and inter-ball ball lending machines 4 provided as a pair with the pachinko gaming machines 3 are arranged. In addition, a ball storage tank 6 is provided at the lower part of the island body 2, and a game ball can be lifted while polishing the game ball at the center of the island body 2 in the longitudinal direction (left and right in FIG. 1). A device 7 (corresponding to a game ball transfer device in the present invention) is arranged, and a game ball lifting device 7 is used to store used game balls discharged from the pachinko gaming machine 3 and game balls stored in the ball storage tank 6. It is comprised so that it can lift (transfer) to the upper part of the island main body 2.

  Furthermore, an upper tank 8 for storing the game balls lifted by the game ball lifting device 7 is provided on the side of the game ball lifting device 7 in the upper part of the island body 2. Is a state in which the ball supply basket 10 and the storage ball supply channel 11 are slightly inclined downward from the center side (upper tank 8 side) of the island body 2 toward the end portions (left and right end portions) in the longitudinal direction. The game ball in the upper tank 8 is configured to flow down to the ball supply basket 10 and the storage ball supply channel 11. Further, a plurality of branch rods 12 are branched from the ball supply basket 10 toward the lower pachinko gaming machine 3 side, and the lower ends (exit points) of the branch baskets 12 are connected to ball tanks (not shown) of the respective pachinko gaming machines 3. A game ball that faces from above and flows down in the ball supply basket 10 is passed through the branch basket 12 so that the ball tank can be supplied. Then, the lower end of the slope of the storage sphere supply flow path 11 is lowered and connected to the sphere storage tank 6, and the game flows down from the upper tank 8 to the storage sphere supply flow path 11 without flowing down to the sphere replenishment rod 10. The sphere is configured to be discharged and stored in the sphere storage tank 6.

Next, the game ball lifting device 7 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the game ball lifting device 7 includes a vertically long casing 16 on the upper surface of a flat plate-like lifting apparatus base 15, and a lower end roller (main driving roller) below the casing 16. 17 is disposed in a state in which the rotation axis is in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the casing 16, and an upper end roller (follower roller) 18 is disposed on the upper portion of the casing 16. The drive shaft (rotation motor) 19 is connected to the rotation shaft of the lower end roller 17. Further, an endless belt 20 is stretched between the lower end roller 17 and the upper end roller 18, and along the ball transfer direction (upward direction indicated by arrow U in FIG. 3) of the endless belt 20 to which a game ball is transferred. The rising part 20a that moves in the housing 16 is accommodated in the case 16, and the falling part that moves away from the game ball along the direction opposite to the moving direction of the rising part 20a (downward direction indicated by arrow D in FIG. 3) 20 b is arranged outside the housing 16. Further, a tension applying mechanism 22 that contacts the lower side (lower end roller 17 side) of the descending portion 20b of the endless belt 20 is provided at a position above the lower end roller 17 in the lower portion of the casing 16, and the tension applying mechanism is provided. Tension is applied to the endless belt 20 by 22. In addition, a ball inlet 23 is opened below the tension applying mechanism 22 in the lower portion of the housing 16, and the game balls are arranged in a plurality of rows (7 in this embodiment) in the ball inlet 23. A ball introduction guide 24 to be introduced into the lifting device 7 is provided so as to be inclined downward toward the lower side of the lower end roller 17. A ball discharge port 25 for discharging the lifted game balls is opened at the upper end of the housing 16.

  Further, a configuration for holding the game ball between the endless belt 20 and the outer surface of the endless belt 20 is provided on the outside of the rising portion 20 a of the endless belt 20. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a game ball alignment guide curved along the cylindrical surface of the lower end roller 17 on the outer side of the rising portion 20 a of the endless belt 20 wound around the lower end roller 17. A vertically long holding member provided with a member (lower round) 28 and extending along the moving direction of the rising portion 20a outside the rising portion 20a of the endless belt 20 located between the lower end roller 17 and the upper end roller 18 29 (in this embodiment, two sandwiching members 29 arranged one above the other), outside the rising portion 20a of the endless belt 20 wound around the upper end roller 18, on the cylindrical surface of the upper end roller 18 The upper end side cover (upper are) 30 curved along is provided. Further, the holding member 29 is pivotally attached to the side portion of the housing 16 so that the housing 16 can be opened and closed. When the holding member 29 is opened, the rising portion 20a of the endless belt 20 is exposed to the outside. (See FIG. 4). Further, a plurality of feeding rollers 31 are arranged on the opposite side of the clamping member 29 across the rising portion 20a of the endless belt 20, and the inner surface of the rising portion 20a of the endless belt 20 is brought into contact with the feeding roller 31. The rising portion 20a of the endless belt 20 is prevented from being greatly bent inward of the housing 16 (see FIG. 3).

Next, the ball introduction guide 24, the game ball alignment guide member 28, the clamping member 29, and the tension applying mechanism 22 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the ball introduction guide 24 is a bowl-shaped member inclined downward from the outside of the game ball lifting device 7 toward the ball inlet 23, and the lower end of the ball introduction guide 24 is set at the ball inlet. The transparent cover member 32 is attached to the sphere inlet 23 side of the upper open portion of the sphere introduction guide 24. Further, the intermediate portion in the inclination direction of the ball introduction guide 24 is pivotally attached to the guide member bracket 34 erected from the lifting device base 15 so as to be rotatable, and the ball inlet 23 side is located on the side of the shaft attachment portion. The guide urging member 35 is always urged upward so that the posture of the ball introduction guide 24 changes according to the amount of game balls in the ball introduction guide 24. Specifically, when the amount of game balls in the ball introduction guide 24 is small, the lower portion of the ball introduction guide 24 is moved upward by the biasing force of the guide biasing member 35, and the game in the ball introduction guide 24 is played. When the amount of balls is large, the lower part of the ball introduction guide 24 is moved downward against the biasing force of the guide biasing member 35 by the weight of the game ball. A swing stopper 36 that can come into contact with the lifting device base 15 protrudes from the inclined lower portion of the ball introduction guide 24, and the swing stopper 36 comes into contact with the lifting device base 15 to contact the ball introduction guide 24. Regulating that the lower part of the slope goes down too much.

  In addition, a plurality of sphere alignment walls 38 whose height gradually increases from the inclined upper end side to the inclined lower end side are arranged in parallel at a portion extending from the central part in the inclined direction to the inclined lower end of the bottom portion 24a of the sphere introduction guide 24. The introduction ball alignment path 39 is erected to form a partition, and the game balls flowing down in the ball introduction guide 24 are arranged through the introduction ball alignment path 39 to be aligned in a plurality of lines (in this embodiment, 7 lines). (See FIG. 6).

  In the upper open portion of the sphere introduction guide 24, the outlet of the inflow tub 41 extending from the sphere storage tank 6 side is faced above the inclined upper end side of the cover member 32 (see FIG. 5). The game ball discharged from the storage tank 6 is configured to flow into the ball introduction guide 24 through the inflow rod 41. Here, in the conventional game ball lifting device, when the game ball falls from the inflow rod into the ball introduction guide, there is a predetermined height difference between the inflow rod and the bottom of the ball introduction guide. The ball collides with the bottom of the ball introduction guide vigorously and a collision sound is generated. And this collision sound is very loud and often makes the player feel uncomfortable. Therefore, in the ball introduction guide 24 of the present embodiment, a cushioning member 43 (corresponding to the cushioning means in the present invention) made of rubber, urethane, or the like is mounted on the bottom portion 24a so as to be sandwiched from above and below. The inclined upper end side of the bottom 24a of the sphere introduction guide 24 is covered over the entire width. Moreover, the location which contacts the lower surface of the bottom part 24a of the ball | bowl introduction guide 24 among the buffer members 43 is equipped with the sound-absorbing material 44 comprised with sponge etc. (refer FIG. 7). By mounting the buffer member 43 having such a configuration on the ball introduction guide 24, even if a large amount of game balls flowing from the inflow trough 41 flow into the ball introduction guide 24 vigorously, the game balls are introduced into the ball introduction guide 24. Since it falls on the buffer member 43 in 24, the impact which the bottom part 24a of the ball | bowl introduction guide 24 receives from a game ball can be eased, and the impact sound of a game ball can also be eased by extension. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise from the game ball lifting device 7 when the game ball flows in. In addition, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the bottom portion 24a of the ball introduction guide 24 is easily damaged due to a collision of a large number of game balls.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 to 11, the game ball alignment guide member 28 includes a flow path forming member 47 in which a guide groove portion 46 is formed and a flow path forming member 47 on a mounting surface 48a facing the endless belt 20 side. Is arranged between the alignment base member 48 and the flow path forming member 47, and the flow path forming member 47 attached to the alignment base member 48 is biased toward the endless belt 20 side. And a flow path urging member 49 such as a coil spring.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the flow path forming member 47 is an arc plate-like member curved along the outer peripheral surface of the lower end roller 17 (specifically, the endless belt 20 wound around the lower end roller 17). A plurality of (7 in this embodiment) guide groove portions 46 are formed on the surface facing the endless belt 20 along the ball transfer direction (in other words, the rotation direction of the lower end roller 17), and a game ball alignment guide member A game ball sandwiched between the endless belt 28 and the endless belt 20 is fitted into the guide groove 46 so as to be aligned. Further, the upstream opening of the guide groove portion 46 is communicated with the introduction ball alignment path 39 of the ball introduction guide 24, and the game balls aligned in the ball introduction guide 24 are received by the guide groove portion 46 to maintain the alignment state. Thus, it is configured to be transferred between the outer surface of the endless belt 20 and the flow path forming member 47 and guided to the holding member 29. Further, on the alignment base member 48 side of the flow path forming member 47, a plurality of flow path forming extending portions 51 that are loosely fitted to the alignment base member 48 are extended toward the alignment base member 48 side, thereby forming each flow path. An extension stopper 52 is projected at the tip of the extension 51 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the flow path forming extension 51 extends, and the extension stopper 52 can be engaged with the alignment base member 48. It is said.

  The alignment base member 48 is an arc plate-like member on which the flow path forming member 47 is mounted in a loosely fitted state, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a plurality of curved base configurations (six in this embodiment) are configured. By arranging and assembling the members 54 in the width direction of the endless belt 20, the member 54 is configured to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the lower end roller 17 (specifically, the endless belt 20 wound around the lower end roller 17). Each base component 54 is provided with a locking hole 56 penetrating along the width direction of the endless belt 20, and a base locking tool 57 is provided in each locking hole 56 in which the base component members 54 are arranged and communicated. (Locking bolt 57a and locking nut 57b) are inserted. In addition, the base constituent members 54 constituting the left and right side edges in the arc direction (in other words, the ball transfer direction) of the alignment base member 48 are referred to as end constituent members 54a, and the end constituent members 54a include the lower end roller 17. An alignment base side wall 59 having a standing wall shape that is curved along the outer peripheral surface of the alignment base protrudes toward the endless belt 20 so that the flow path forming member 47 can be accommodated between the alignment base side walls 59 (see FIG. 9).

  Furthermore, a biasing storage capable of storing a base opening 61 penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the alignment base member 48 and a flow path biasing member 49 at the boundary portion of the adjacent base component members 54 of the alignment base member 48. A recess 62 is formed, and the flow path forming extension 51 can be inserted into the base opening 61 in a loosely fitted state. Further, the base opening 61 is set to a size that prevents the extension stopper portion 52 from being inserted, and is shorter than the flow path formation extension portion 51. The base opening 61 is formed by notching the side edge of each end component 54 a and the side edge of two base components 54 (center component 54 b) located at the center of the alignment base member 48. Each has been established. Further, the bias storage recess 62 is the other side edge of the base constituent member 54 located on one side of the adjacent base constituent members 54 (the base constituent member located on the left side of the adjacent base constituent members 54 in FIG. 10). The right edge of 54 is recessed.

  In order to assemble the game ball alignment guide member 28 having such a configuration, first, the flow path biasing member 49 is housed in each biasing housing recess 62 of the base component member 54 in the separated state (see FIG. 11A). . Then, the plurality of base constituent members 54 are combined with the passage opening extending portion 51 inserted into the base opening 61, thereby attaching the passage forming member 47 to the aligned base member 48 in a loosely fitted state. Specifically, the base constituent member 54 (the end constituent member 54 a and the central constituent member 54 b) in which the base opening 61 is opened is brought into contact with the flow passage forming member 47, and the flow passage forming extension portion is formed in the base opening 61. 51 is fitted (see FIG. 11B). Further, the remaining base constituent member 54 (connection constituent member 54 c) is fitted between the end constituent member 54 a and the central constituent member 54 b, and the base engaging member 57 is inserted into the locking hole 56 to connect each base constituent member 54. Lock. At the time of assembling the game ball alignment guide member 28, the flow path forming member 47 is erected in such a posture that the guide groove portion 46 is aligned vertically, and the edge portion where the biasing storage recess 62 is formed with the base component member 54 sideways is formed. If the base component member 54 is assembled to the flow path forming member 47 in this state, the flow path urging member 49 is less likely to drop off from the urging storage recess 62 during assembly.

  In the game ball alignment guide member 28 assembled in this way, as shown in FIG. 9, the flow path formation extending portion 51 is loosely fitted in the base opening 61, so The flow path forming member 47 located in the position can be moved forward and backward with respect to the endless belt 20. Further, the extended stopper portion 52 engages with the opening edge of the base opening portion 61, so that the flow path forming member 47 gets too close to the endless belt 20 side. Further, the flow path forming member 47 is separated from the aligned base member 48. It is possible to prevent it from dropping out.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 12, the clamping member 29 extends along a vertically long strip-shaped clamping base 66 that also functions as a lid of the housing 16 along the rising portion 20 a of the endless belt 20 ( In other words, it is provided in a state extending along the ball transfer direction), and the center (belt center) BC of the endless belt 20 and the center in the width direction of the clamping base 66 are aligned (specifically, the endless belt). 20 in a state of being aligned on a plane perpendicular to the outer surface. In addition, the base side edge 68 extends from the left and right side edges of the sandwiching base 66 (in other words, the positions located on both sides in the ball transfer direction) toward the endless belt 20, and the left and right base side edges 68 are connected to each other. Is provided with a groove-shaped guide holding portion 69 along the extending direction of the sandwiching base 66, and the side edge of the guide base 70 is fitted to the guide holding portion 69 so that the guide is interposed between the left and right base side edge portions 68. A base 70 is attached. Further, between the guide base 70 and the clamping base 66, a clamping biasing member 71 that biases the guide base 70 toward the endless belt 20 and a guide that prevents the guide base 70 from shifting in the game ball transfer direction. A stopper 72 (see FIG. 13) is provided.

  Further, a plurality of (7 in the present embodiment) ball guide grooves 75 into which game balls can be fitted are extended along the ball transfer direction on the opposing surface of the guide base 70 facing the endless belt 20. The guide base 70 is attached to the clamping base 66 so that the plurality of ball guide grooves 75 are arranged side by side in a state of being symmetrical with respect to the belt center BC. The ball guide grooves 75 of the holding members 29 arranged on the upper and lower sides of the housing 16 communicate with each other, and the ball guide grooves 75 and the guide groove portions 46 of the lower holding member 29 communicate with each other. The ball guide groove 75 is inserted and fitted in a state of being aligned in a plurality of strips, and the guide groove portion 46 can be fed while maintaining the alignment state.

  A long polishing cloth 80 (corresponding to the polishing member in the present invention) having polishing surfaces 80a and 80b formed on both front and back surfaces is stretched along the ball transfer direction on the sandwiching base 66, and the polishing cloth The ball guide groove 75 of the guide base 70 is covered by 80 from the endless belt 20 side. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the longitudinal direction of the polishing cloth 80 is provided on both upper and lower sides of the outer surface of the clamping base 66 (the surface located on the side opposite to the endless belt 20 with the clamping member 29 interposed therebetween). The end portions of the polishing cloth 80 covering the spherical guide grooves 75 are folded back at the end portions of the holding base 66, and the folded end portions are sandwiched between the clamps 81. Prevents the guide base 70 from shifting in the ball transfer direction. As shown in FIG. 15A, the clamp 81 has a cloth receiving portion 81a having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is fixed to the guide base 70, and a cloth receiving portion that is pivotally attached to one end of the cloth receiving portion 81a. A cloth presser 81b having a substantially U-shaped cross section that engages with 81a, and a stopper 81c that is pivotally attached to the other end of the cloth receiver 81a and stops the cloth presser 81b in a state of being engaged. Then, the abrasive cloth 80 is sandwiched between the cloth pressing part 81b and the cloth receiving part 81a, and the cloth pressing part 81b is locked to the cloth receiving part 81a by the stopper 81c to be in a clamped state, and the stopper 81c is locked. It cancels | releases and it opens in the direction which leaves | separates the cloth holding | suppressing part 81b from the cloth receiving part 81a, and will be in an open state (refer FIG.15 (b)).

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 16, a polishing edge insertion groove 84 functioning as a polishing position setting means in the present invention extends along the ball transfer direction in each base side edge 68 of the clamping base 66. Prepared in state. Then, the side edge of the polishing pad 80 is inserted into the polishing edge insertion groove 84, and the side edge of the polishing cloth 80 and the groove bottom surface of the polishing edge insertion groove 84 come into contact with each other. The position of the belt 20 in the direction along the belt width direction) is regulated. Furthermore, the distance from the belt center BC of the endless belt 20 (in other words, the center of the arrangement of the plurality of ball guide grooves 75) to the groove bottom surface of the polishing edge insertion groove 84 on one side (left side in FIG. 16A). L1 and the distance L2 to the groove bottom surface of the polishing edge insertion groove 84 on the other side (right side in FIG. 16A) are different from each other. Specifically, the distance L1 is set shorter than the distance L2.

  In the clamping member 29 having such a configuration, the polishing pad 80 can be stretched in a state where one polishing surface 80a faces the outer surface of the endless belt 20 (see FIG. 16 (a)). Removes the polishing cloth 80 in the one-side polished state from the clamping member 29, turns the polishing cloth 80 upside down by reversing the left and right positions without reversing the upper and lower positions, and the other polishing surface 80b is on the outer surface of the endless belt 20. It can be stretched even in the other side polished state (see FIG. 16B). As shown in FIG. 17, in any polishing state, when a game ball is sandwiched between the clamping member 29 and the endless belt 20, the game ball sandwiches the polishing cloth 80 between the ball guide groove 75. It fits in the ball guide groove 75 in the state. Note that, in the one-side polished state, the game ball abuts against a plurality of single-sided ball contact regions p1 extending along each ball guide groove 75 in one polished surface 80a (see FIG. 17A). In the other-surface polishing state, the game ball is configured to abut on a plurality of other-surface ball contact regions p2 extending along the ball guide grooves 75 in the other polishing surface 80b (FIG. 17). (See (b)).

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 18, and 19, the tension applying mechanism 22 includes a pressing roller 87 and contact rollers 88 provided above and below the pressing roller 87. The contact roller 88 can be rotated as the endless belt 20 rotates. Further, the outer peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower contact rollers 88 are in contact with the outer surface of the descending portion 20b of the endless belt 20, and the outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller 87 is in contact with the inner surface of the descending portion 20b of the endless belt 20. The lowering portion 20b is bent in a “<” shape when viewed from the side of the endless belt 20. Further, the inner surface of the endless belt 20 is pressed by the pressing roller 87 in a direction away from the housing 16, and tension is applied to the endless belt 20 between the pressing roller 87 and the contact roller 88. .

  The contact roller 88 that contacts the outer surface of the endless belt 20 fits the inner ring of the bearing portion 90 to both sides of the rotating shaft 89, and the outer ring of each bearing portion 90 is fitted to the cylindrical roller body 91, respectively. Configured. The rotating shaft 89 and the bearing portion 90 are made of metal having conductivity, and the roller body 91 is made of synthetic resin. Then, the outer peripheral surface of the roller main body 91 is crowned so that the diameter of the central portion in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the roller main body 91 is formed larger than the diameter of the other portions. Furthermore, a metal plating process is performed so that the entire outer peripheral surface is covered with a conductive material (metal layer) 92 having conductivity, and a smooth surface that hardly generates friction with the endless belt 20 is finished.

Next, the operation of the game ball lifting device 7 will be described.
In the game ball lifting device 7 having the above-described configuration, after the game balls received from the inflow rod 41 to the ball introduction guide 24 are aligned in the ball introduction guide 24, the lower end roller 17 is moved by the drive mechanism 19. When the endless belt 20 is driven to rotate (move), the game ball located at the ball entrance 23 is drawn between the game ball alignment guide member 28 and the endless belt 20 by the endless belt 20 and into the guide groove 46. Mating. And it is pinched | interposed between the game ball alignment guide member 28 and the outer surface of the raising part 20a of the endless belt 20, and it rolls upward along the guide groove part 46 in this state, and transfers (lifts) toward the clamping member 29 side. Is done.

Here, in the game ball alignment guide of the conventional game ball lifting device, the central portion of the flexible synthetic resin flow path forming member is urged toward the endless belt by the flow path urging member. Both side portions of the forming member are fitted to the alignment base member so as not to move. For this reason, the flow path forming member is bent by the urging force of the flow path urging member, the central portion bulges toward the endless belt, and the separation distance between the endless belt and the guide groove increases as the side edge of the endless belt approaches. End up. As a result, in the vicinity of the side edge of the endless belt, the game ball cannot be sufficiently clamped, and the transfer of the game ball is hindered.

  However, in the game ball alignment guide member 28 in the present embodiment, the flow path forming member 47 is loosely fitted to the alignment base member 48 in a state where it can advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt 20. The distance between the endless belt 20 and the endless belt 20 can be easily uniformed, and the game ball can be sufficiently held between the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20. Therefore, the inconvenience that the game ball remains without being transferred between the game ball alignment guide member 28 and the endless belt 20 can be suppressed. Further, since the movement of the flow path forming member 47 to the endless belt 20 side can be restricted by the engagement between the extended stopper 52 and the opening edge of the base opening 61, the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20 are restricted. And the disadvantage that the game ball does not easily enter between the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20 can be eliminated.

  If the endless belt 20 continues to rotate, the game ball held between the game ball alignment guide member 28 and the endless belt 20 is moved between the holding member 29 and the endless belt 20 from the upper end of the guide groove 46. (In detail, it is drawn in between the polishing pad 80 and the outer surface of the raised portion 20 a of the endless belt 20) and is fitted into the ball guide groove 75. And it is clamped between the clamping member 29 (abrasive cloth 80) and the outer surface of the rising part 20a of the endless belt 20 by the urging force of the clamping urging member 71, and rolls upward along the ball guide groove 75 in this state, It is transferred (lifted) toward the upper end side cover 30 side. At this time, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), the surface of the game ball is polished by the polishing surface 80a of the polishing pad 80 in the single-surface polishing state by the rolling operation, and the surface dirt is removed.

  When the endless belt 20 continues to rotate, the game ball held between the holding member 29 and the endless belt 20 is between the upper end side cover 30 and the endless belt 20 from the upper end of the ball guide groove 75. enter in. Then, the game ball is discharged to the ball discharge port 25 by the momentum that the game ball is lifted or by being pushed by the game ball that is lifted later.

  When the endless belt 20 continues to rotate even after the game ball is lifted to the ball discharge port 25, the portion of the endless belt 20 that holds the game ball (the rising portion 20a) passes over the upper end roller 18 and descends. 20b, and passes through the tension applying mechanism 22 before reaching the lower end roller 17. Here, in a conventional game ball lifting device, if a large amount of game balls are continuously lifted over a long period of time, the game balls that have not been wiped off with the polishing cloth will move to the outer surface of the endless belt. It accumulates and adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller that contacts the outer surface of the endless belt. Further, since static electricity is generated on the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller due to friction with the endless belt, dirt and dust are attracted by the static electricity. If dirt or dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller is left unattended, the force with which the contact roller presses the endless belt is not uniform due to the unevenness of the dirt. As a result, the endless belt is meandering. The endless belt may be damaged due to movement.

  However, in the tension applying mechanism 22 according to the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller 88 is covered with the conductive material 92 and finished to a smooth surface. Therefore, static electricity due to friction is hardly generated, and even if static electricity is generated, the conductive material 92 can be discharged. Therefore, inconvenience that dirt and dust adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller 88 can be suppressed. As a result, the endless belt 20 can be made difficult to meander, and the endless belt 20 can be made less likely to be damaged.

  When a large amount of game balls are lifted over a long period of time, a large amount of dirt and dust adheres to the one-sphere contact region p1 of the polishing pad 80. At this time, in the conventional polishing cloth, since the polishing surface is formed only on one side, if a large amount of dirt or dust adheres to the polishing surface, it is necessary to immediately replace with a new polishing cloth. In game stores where the operation rate of pachinko machines is high, the game ball lifting device is always operated to lift the game ball while polishing it, and the player has many opportunities to touch the game ball with bare hands, Abrasion of dirt on the polishing cloth is fast, and the frequency of replacement of the polishing cloth tends to increase. As a result, the running cost of the game ball lifting device tends to be expensive. However, since the polishing surfaces of the polishing cloth 80 of the present embodiment are formed on both front and back surfaces, a large amount of dirt or dust adheres to the one-side ball contact area p1 of the polishing cloth 80 and the game ball cannot be polished sufficiently. In such a case, the polishing cloth 80 in the one-surface contact state is removed, turned over, and re-stretched in the other-surface contact state. Here, in the polishing edge insertion groove 84 functioning as the polishing position setting means, the distance L1 from the belt center BC of the endless belt 20 to the groove bottom surface of the polishing edge insertion groove 84 on one side, and the polishing edge insertion groove 84 on the other side. Since the distance L2 to the groove bottom surface is different from each other, as shown in FIG. 17B, the one-side ball contact region p1 of the polishing cloth 80 turned upside down is the width of the endless belt 20 from the ball guide groove 75. Abutting between adjacent spherical guide grooves 75 which are displaced in the direction. When the game ball is lifted in such a state of contact with the other surface, the relative position between the one-surface ball contact region p1 and the other-surface ball contact region p2 differs in the width direction of the endless belt 20, and dirt and dust adhere to it. The location is set so as to deviate from the adhesion location before the polishing cloth 80 is turned over. Accordingly, the polishing cloth 80 can be used continuously for a long time, and even if both the front and back surfaces of the polishing cloth 80 are used, a part of the polishing cloth 80 is worn and thinned from both the front and back sides. Inconvenience, in other words, the inconvenience of being easily broken can be avoided. Therefore, the running cost of the game ball lifting device 7 can be reduced.

  By the way, in the clamping member 29 of the first embodiment, the plurality of ball guide grooves 75 are arranged side by side in a symmetrical manner with respect to the belt center BC, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the modification of the clamping member 29 shown in FIG. 20, a plurality of ball guide grooves 75 are arranged side by side in a state of being asymmetric with respect to the belt center BC. Specifically, the distance L3 from the belt center BC of the endless belt 20 to the guide holding portion 69 on one side (left side in FIG. 20A) and the guide on the other side (right side in FIG. 20A). The guide base 70 is shifted in the width direction of the endless belt 20 by making the distance L4 to the holding portion 69 different from each other, and one side of the belt center BC of the endless belt 20 (left side in FIG. 20A). ) And the number of the ball guide grooves 75 located on the other side (the right side in FIG. 20A) are different from the number of the ball guide grooves 75 located on the other side (the right side in FIG. 20A). Yes. In this modification, the distances from the belt center BC of the endless belt 20 to the groove bottom surfaces of the polishing edge insertion groove portions 84 on both sides are set equal, but may be different from each other. When different from each other, the center of the row of the plurality of ball guide grooves 75 and the center in the width direction of the polishing pad 80 are set so as to be shifted in the width direction of the endless belt 20.

  The guide base 70 attached to the holding member 29 in such a state functions as the polishing position setting means in the present invention, and guides the game ball to the ball guide in the one-side ball contact state and the other-surface ball contact state of the polishing pad 80. As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the relative positions of the one-surface sphere contact region p1 and the other-surface sphere contact region p2 are different in the width direction of the endless belt 20 by being fitted in the groove 75. Set to. Therefore, long-term use of the polishing pad 80 can be easily realized by setting the arrangement of the guide base 70.

  By the way, although the contact roller 88 of the said 1st Embodiment covered the conductive material 92 only on the outer peripheral surface of the roller main body 91, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the conductive material 92 may be provided not only on the outer peripheral surface of the roller main body 91 but also on the portion that can contact the bearing portion 90 from the outer peripheral surface of the roller main body 91. Moreover, you may make it apply | coat an antistatic material as a electrically conductive material (henceforth corresponding to each modification similarly). Specifically, as in the first modified example of the contact roller 88 shown in FIG. 21, not only the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 91 but also the side surface is covered with the conductive material 92, and the conductive material 92 covering the side surface and the metal The bearing unit 90 and the rotation shaft 89 may be electrically connected. If the conductive material 92 is provided from the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 91 to a location where it can contact the bearing portion 90, even if static electricity due to friction occurs between the endless belt 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller 88, This static electricity can be released to the housing 16 side through the conductive material 92, the bearing portion 90, and the rotation shaft 89. As a result, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller 88 continues to be charged, and consequently the inconvenience of dirt and dust being sucked on the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller 88.

  In addition, as in the second modification shown in FIG. 22, no conductive material is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the roller main body 91, and instead, a flange 95 having a diameter larger than the outer periphery of the roller main body 91 is provided on the roller main body 91. Provided at both end portions (specifically, both end portions in the width direction of the roller body 91), the entire flange portion 95 is metal-plated and covered with a conductive material 92. The conductive material 92 and the metal bearing portion 90 and The rotation shaft 89 may be electrically connected. In the case where the flange portion 95 is provided with the conductive material 92, even if static electricity is generated by friction between the endless belt 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller 88, the static electricity is transferred to the conductive material 92 and the bearing of the flange portion 95. It can escape to the housing 16 side through the part 90 and the rotation shaft 89. As a result, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller 88 continues to be charged, and consequently the inconvenience of dirt and dust being sucked on the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller 88.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), the interval between the flange portions 95 on both sides is set to be approximately the same as the width of the endless belt 20, so that the flange portions 95 and the side edge portions of the endless belt 20 are in contact with each other. If comprised, the collar part 95 can function as a positioning stopper of the endless belt 20, and can prevent meandering. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23B, if the gap between the flange portions 95 on both sides is set wider than the width of the endless belt 20, the endless belt 20 can be prevented from meandering greatly. Moreover, since the side edge portion of the endless belt 20 and the flange portion 95 are separated during normal operation without meandering, it is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the side edge portion of the endless belt 20 is rubbed and worn. The flange portion 95 may be configured by fixing an annular member separate from the roller body 91 to the side portion of the roller body 91. Further, the flange portion 95 fixed to the roller body 91 may be configured by covering an annular member made of synthetic resin with a conductive material (metal layer) by metal plating, or having conductivity. An annular member may be formed from metal.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, a ball clamping area CA on the outer surface of the endless belt 20 (an endless belt-shaped area facing the ball guide groove 75 of the holding member 29 or the guide groove 46 of the game ball alignment guide member 28). ) Corresponding to CA, a conductive material may be provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 91 instead of the whole. Specifically, as in the third modification shown in FIG. 24, the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 91 is subjected to endless belt-like metal plating treatment, or an annular metal member is fitted, and the roller Of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 91, the conductive material 92 may be provided only at a location that can face the ball clamping area CA on the outer surface of the endless belt 20. If the conductive material 92 is provided at a location that can face the ball sandwiching area CA, the use of the conductive material 92 can be limited, and adhesion of dirt and dust to the contact roller 88 can be suppressed.

  In addition, like the 4th modification shown in FIG. 25, the location in which the electrically conductive material 92 is not provided in the outer peripheral surface of the roller main body 91 (in other words, the location which cannot oppose the ball | bowl clamping area | region CA) is electrically conductive material. If the diameter is smaller than the portion provided with 92 (in other words, the portion that can face the ball holding area CA), contact with the endless belt 20 can be avoided in the reduced diameter portion. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the static electricity by friction with the roller main body 91 and the endless belt 20 can be suppressed, and the charging of the contact roller 88 and by extension dirt and adhesion of dust to the contact roller 88 can be suppressed.

  By the way, in the gaming ball alignment guide member 28 of the first embodiment, the extended stopper portion 52 that cannot be inserted through the base opening portion 61 is projected from the flow passage forming extended portion 51, and the extended stopper portion 52 is opened to the base opening. Although the movement range of the flow path forming member 47 is regulated by engaging with the opening edge of the portion 61, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, as long as the flow path forming member 47 is mounted so as to be loosely fitted, the engagement mechanism between the flow path forming member 47 and the alignment base member 48 may adopt any configuration. For example, in the first modification of the game ball alignment guide member shown in FIG. 26 (game ball alignment guide member 100), the extension stopper portion 52 is moved from the extension end of the flow path formation extension portion 51 to the transfer direction of the game ball. Projecting in the opposite direction, the base opening 61 is set to a size that allows the passage forming extension 51 and the extension stopper 52 to be inserted, and the extension stopper 52 is formed at the opening edge of the base opening 61. Engageable.

  In order to assemble the game ball alignment guide member 100, first, the plurality of base component members 54 are locked by the base locking tool 57 to assemble the alignment base member 48 first, and then flow to the aligned alignment base member 48. The extension forming stopper part 52 and the flow path forming extension part 51 are inserted into the base opening 61 with the path forming member 47 overlapped. Then, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 26B, if the extension stopper 52 passes through the base opening 61 and the flow path forming extension 51 is inserted into the base opening 61, the flow is maintained in this state. The path forming member 47 is moved in the direction opposite to the ball transfer direction (in the direction of the arrow attached to the extended stopper portion 52 in FIG. 26B). Then, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 26B, the extended stopper portion 52 can be engaged with the opening edge of the base opening portion 61, and the flow path forming member 47 is attached to the alignment base member 48 in a loosely fitted state. . In this loosely fitted state, when the flow path forming member 47 moves to the endless belt 20 side and the extended stopper portion 52 engages with the opening edge of the base opening 61, the flow path forming member 47 moves toward the endless belt 20 side. Movement is restricted. As described above, in the first modification, the flow path forming member 47 can be engaged with the alignment base member 48 by moving the flow path forming member 47 in the direction opposite to the ball transfer direction. The guide member 100 can be easily assembled.

  If there is a possibility that the flow path forming member 47 is shifted in the ball transfer direction during the transfer of the game ball, as shown in FIGS. The loose fitting protrusions 102 protruding from the end portions (end portions located on the clamping member 29 side) of the alignment base member 48 are loosely connected to the loose fitting receiving portions 101 extending from the end portions located on the member 29 side. The flow path forming member 47 is moved in the ball transfer direction by preventing the loose fitting protrusion 102 from being detached from the loose fitting receiving portion 101 by, for example, fitting the stopper 103 to the tip of the loose fitting protrusion 102. You may make it regulate. At this time, if the loose fitting receiving portion 101 has a configuration in which the loose fitting protrusion 102 can advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt 20, for example, a long hole shape extending toward the endless belt 20 side, the flow path forming member The forward / backward movement of the 47 with respect to the endless belt 20 is not prevented by the loose fitting protrusion 102.

  Further, in the second modified example of the game ball alignment guide member shown in FIG. 27 and the third modified example of the game ball alignment guide member shown in FIG. 28, neither the flow path forming extension part nor the base opening part is provided. Instead, a part of the flow path forming member 47 is engaged with an opening formed at a predetermined position (for example, a central portion in the standing direction) of the alignment base side wall 59. Further, the alignment base side wall 59 restricts the flow path forming member 47 from shifting in the width direction of the endless belt 20. More specifically, in the gaming ball alignment guide member 107 as the second modification example, as shown in FIG. 27, an engagement opening 108 having an elongated hole shape extends toward the endless belt 20 on the alignment base side wall 59. In this state, the flow path forming engagement portion 109 projecting from the side edge of the flow path forming member 47 (the side edge facing the alignment base side wall 59) is engaged with the engagement opening 108 (free fitting). Then, the flow path forming member 47 is mounted on the alignment base member 48 in a loosely fitted state (specifically, a loosely fitted state that can be advanced and retracted with respect to the endless belt 20). Further, in the game ball alignment guide member 111 as the third modified example, as shown in FIG. 28, an elongated hole-shaped engagement opening 108 is opened in the alignment base side wall 59 so as to extend toward the endless belt 20 side. Then, a loose fitting such as a screw inserted in the engagement opening 108 in a loosely fitted state is used as the flow passage forming engagement portion 112, and the side edge portion of the flow passage forming member 47 (the side edge portion facing the alignment base side wall 59). The flow path forming member 47 is loosely fitted on the alignment base member 48 (specifically, on the endless belt 20 by the engagement (free fitting) of the flow path forming engagement portion 112 and the engagement opening 108. It is mounted in a loosely-fitted state that can be advanced and retracted). In the second modification and the third modification having such a configuration, the flow path forming member 47 can be mounted in a loose-fitting state using the alignment base side wall 59, and the degree of freedom in designing the game ball alignment guide member Can be increased.

  Furthermore, in the fourth modified example of the game ball alignment guide member shown in FIG. 29, the flow path formation extending portion and the base opening portion are not provided, but instead, an opening is formed in the flow passage formation member 47 and this opening is opened. The flow path forming member 47 is mounted on the alignment base member 48 in a loosely fitted state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 29, the game ball alignment guide member 115 as the fourth modified example has a guide portion on the side portion of the flow path forming member 47 (side portion positioned on the alignment base side wall 59 side). The end portion of the forward / backward movement guide portion 118 such as a pin that passes through the insertion opening 117 in the plate thickness direction and is loosely fitted into the engagement opening 108 is fixed to the mounting surface 48 a of the alignment base member 48. In other words, the advance / retreat movement guide part 118 protrudes from the mounting surface 48 a toward the endless belt 20, and the advance / retreat movement guide part 118 is inserted into the guide part insertion opening 117. By engagement (free fitting) of the flow path forming engagement portion 112 with the engagement opening 108, the flow path forming member 47 is loosely fitted to the alignment base member 48 (specifically, it can advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt 20. It is installed in a loose fit state In the fourth modified example having such a configuration, the flow path forming member 47 can be mounted in a loosely fitted state by opening the engagement opening 108 in the flow path forming member 47, and the configuration of the alignment base member 48 is complicated. Can be suppressed. The forward / backward movement guide unit 118 is not limited to a separate member fixed to the alignment base member 48, and may be a pin integrally formed with the alignment base member 48.

  Further, in the second modified example, the third modified example, and the fourth modified example of the game ball alignment guide member described above, none of the flow path forming extending part, the extending stopper part, and the base opening part are provided. The invention is not limited to this. For example, the game ball alignment guide members 107, 111, and 115 of the second modification example, the third modification example, and the fourth modification example are provided with the flow path forming extension part 51 and the extension stopper in the first embodiment or the first modification example. The flow path forming member 47 may be mounted on the aligned base member 48 in a loosely fitted state.

  By the way, in the above-described first embodiment and each modification of the game ball alignment guide member, the flow path forming member 47 is mounted on the alignment base member 48 in a loosely fitted state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the game ball alignment guide member 120 in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 30 to 32 is basically the same as that in the first embodiment, but the flow path formation extending portion 51 and the flow path forming member 47 are provided. The difference is that the extended stopper portion 52 is not provided and a configuration for pressing the flow path forming member 47 is provided in a state in which the endless belt 20 can advance and retract. More specifically, the alignment base member 121 of the game ball alignment guide member 120 in the second embodiment forms a flow path on the alignment base side wall 59 of the end component member 54a ′ as shown in FIGS. The member 47 includes a flow path pressing part 122 that presses both end parts in the width direction orthogonal to the ball transfer direction from the endless belt 20 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 30 (a), a locking hole formed in the end component member 54a 'is formed into a long hole shape extending toward the endless belt 20 side to form a movement allowing opening 124, and the end configuration By moving the member 54 a ′ along the longitudinal direction of the movement-permitting opening 124, the flow path holding portion 122 can be advanced and retracted with respect to the endless belt 20 (see FIG. 31). Further, as shown in FIG. 30 (b), the length of the flow path biasing member 49 (end flow path biasing member 49a) housed in the biasing storage recess 62 of the end component member 54a ' It is set longer than the flow path urging member 49 (inner flow path urging member 49b) stored in the urging storage recess 62. In FIG. 30 (a), the locking hole 56 of the base component member 54 (connection component member 54c) adjacent to the end component member 54a 'also has an elongated hole shape extending toward the endless belt 20 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least the locking hole (movement permissible opening 124) of the end component member 54a 'is a slot.

  In the gaming ball alignment guide member 120 including the alignment base member 121 having such a configuration, as shown in FIGS. 31 (a) and 32 (a), the upper edge portion (on the endless belt 20 side) of the movement allowable opening 124 is provided. If the locking bolt 57a (base locking tool 57) is brought into contact with the edge of the end member 54a 'and the end component member 54a' is set farthest from the endless belt 20, the flow path forming member 47 biases the flow path. Due to the urging force of the member 49, it is easily bent and bulges toward the endless belt 20, and the interval between the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20 tends to gradually increase from the center side toward the flow path pressing portion 122 side. As a result, there is a possibility that the game ball cannot be sufficiently sandwiched between the endless belt 20 on the flow path pressing portion 122 side of the flow path forming member 47. Therefore, when the base locking member 57 is loosened by the base locking member 57, the movement allowing opening 124 and the base locking member 57 function as the flow path interval adjusting means, and the flow path forming member 47, the endless belt 20, and the like. Can be adjusted. When the end component members 54a 'on both sides are pressed toward the endless belt 20 with the base component member 54 loosened, as shown in FIGS. 31 (b) and 32 (b), the base locking tool The end constituting member 54a 'inserted through 57 moves along the longitudinal direction of the movement-permissible opening 124 and approaches the endless belt 20, and the endless belt when the lower edge of the movement-permissible opening 124 contacts the locking bolt 57a. Movement to the 20 side is restricted. As a result, the end portion of the flow path forming member 47 pressed by the flow path pressing portion 122 approaches the endless belt 20. When the base component member 54 is tightened again by the base locking member 57 in this state, the distance between the endless belt 20 and the endless belt 20 is narrow enough to hold the game ball sufficiently. Set to It should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 32 (c), only the end component member 54a ′ on one side is moved to adjust the distance between the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20 in accordance with the holding state of the game balls. Also good.

  As described above, in the gaming ball alignment guide member 120 according to the second embodiment, the movement allowable opening 124 opened in the end component member 54a ′ and the base locking tool inserted in the movement allowable opening 124 in a loosely fitted state. 57 constitutes a channel interval adjusting means, and the interval between the channel forming member 47 and the endless belt 20 can be adjusted by the channel interval adjusting means. The game ball can be adjusted so that it can be sufficiently held. Therefore, the inconvenience that the game ball remains without being transferred inside the game ball lifting device 7 can be suppressed. In addition, the distance between the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20 can be adjusted with a simple configuration. Further, since the plurality of base constituent members 54 including the end portion constituent members 54a ′ are integrally assembled by inserting the base locking member 57, the game ball alignment guide member 120 provided with the flow path interval adjusting means is used. Even if there are, the number of parts to which the alignment base member 121 is assembled can be reduced.

  In addition, the alignment base member 121 in 2nd Embodiment is not limited to the some base structural member 54 containing edge part structural member 54a 'inserting the base latching tool 57, and assembling | attaching integrally. For example, as in the first modification of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the base component member 54 positioned between the member that locks the end component member 54a ′ and the end component member 54a ′. You may comprise separately the member which assembles each other. More specifically, in the alignment base member 126 of the game ball alignment guide member 125 which is the first modification of the second embodiment, the base component member 54 (the connection component member 54c) sandwiched between the end component members 54a ′. And the central component member 54b) are arranged side by side, and the base fastening member 127 is inserted into each communicating locking hole 56 and integrally assembled. In addition, a movement-permissible opening 124 of the end component member 54 a ′ is opened at a position where the base fastening member 127 does not overlap, and a base locking tool (locking bolt) 129 inserted through the movement-permitted opening 124 in a loosely fitted state. The end component member 54a 'is fixed to the connection component member 54c by locking the end of the connection component member 54c (the base component member 54 adjacent to the end component member 54a').

  In such a first modification of the second embodiment, in order to adjust the distance between the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20, only the base locking member 129 is loosened without loosening the base fastening member 127. Then, as shown in FIG. 34, the relative position between the end component member 54a ′ and the connection component member 54c can be adjusted, but the relative position between the base component members 54 sandwiched between the end component members 54a ′. Is maintained by the fastening of the base fastening member 127. When the position of the end component member 54a ′ is adjusted, the base locking member 129 is tightened again to lock the end component member 54a ′ to the connection component member 54c. In this way, if the plurality of base constituent members 54 sandwiched between the end constituent members 54a ′ are inserted through the base fastening member 127 separate from the base locking member 129 and assembled integrally, the end configuration When the position of the member 54a 'is adjusted, it is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the assembly of the other base constituent member 54 is loosened.

  By the way, in the second embodiment and the first modification of the gaming ball alignment guide member described above, only the end component member 54a ′ is provided in a state in which it can advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt 20, but the present invention is limited to this. Not. For example, a game ball alignment guide member 130, which is a second modification of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, is basically the same as the configuration of the second embodiment, The shape of the locking hole to be opened is different. Specifically, in the alignment base member 131 of the game ball alignment guide member 130 in the second modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, each base component member 54 (end component member 54a ′, center The locking holes of the component members 54b ′ and the connection component members 54c ′) are formed into elongated holes extending toward the endless belt 20 to form movement-permitting openings 132, and each base component member 54 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the movement-permitting opening 132 It is possible to move along. In such a game ball alignment guide member 125, as shown in FIG. 36, the base component member 54 and the flow path forming member 47 are moved by moving the base component member 54 closer to or away from the flow path forming member 47. The compression state of the flow path urging member 49 disposed between the two is adjusted. As a result, the urging force of the flow path urging member 49 and, hence, the degree of bending of the flow path forming member 47 change, and the gap between the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20 can be adjusted. Therefore, the gap with the endless belt 20 can be adjusted even at locations other than the side portions of the flow path forming member 47 in the width direction.

  Note that unlike the third modification shown in FIG. 37, the movement-permitting openings 124 are not opened in the base component members 54 of the alignment base member 131, and instead, a plurality of locking holes 133 are formed in the flow path forming member 47. The base component member 54 is moved closer to or away from the flow path forming member 47 by selecting the locking hole 133 through which the base locking tool 57 is inserted, with the separation distances from each other being different from each other. The urging force of the urging member 49 may be adjusted.

  Furthermore, in the game ball alignment guide member 120 of the second embodiment, the biasing force adjusting member that changes the biasing force of the flow path biasing member 49 by extending or compressing the flow path biasing member 49 is the flow in the present invention. It is also possible to provide as a road interval adjusting means and adjust the urging force of the flow path urging member 49 by operating the urging force adjusting member to adjust the gap between the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20. Good. More specifically, in the alignment base member 137 of the game ball alignment guide member 136 in the fourth modified example, as shown in FIG. 38 and FIG. The biasing force adjustment is performed from the biasing engagement portion 141 that engages with the end portion, and the biasing engagement operating portion 142 that is screwed into the alignment base member 48 from the outside and has the tip engaged with the biasing engagement portion 141. The member 143 is configured. Then, by rotating the urging / engaging operation portion 142, the urging / engaging portion 141 is moved in the urging housing recess 62 along the urging direction of the flow path urging member 49 to form a flow path. The length of the flow path urging member 49 sandwiched between the member 47 and the urging engagement portion 141 can be adjusted. If such an urging force adjusting member 140 is provided in each urging storage recess 62, the urging force can be adjusted for each flow path urging member 49, and the distance between the flow path forming member 47 and the endless belt 20 can be adjusted. The game ball can be sufficiently held by finely adjusting.

  Further, as in the fifth modification shown in FIG. 40, a biasing engagement portion 146 is disposed between the flow path biasing member 49 and the flow path forming member 47, and can slide on the alignment base member 121 from the outside. The urging force adjusting member 148 may be configured by screwing the tip end of the urging engagement operating portion 147 inserted into the urging engagement portion 146. In the urging force adjusting member 148 in the fifth modification, the operation stopper 147a located outside the alignment base member 121 in the urging engagement operating portion 147 is engaged with the outside of the alignment base member 121. By rotating the urging engagement operating portion 147, the distance between the urging engagement portion 146 and the urging storage recess 62 is changed to change the length of the flow path urging member 49, that is, the flow path urging force. The biasing force of the member 49 can be adjusted. If the biasing engagement portions 146 in the fifth modification are set to a size that covers the biasing storage recess 62 and are disposed one by one for each flow path biasing member 49, the flow path biasing is performed. The biasing force can be adjusted for each member 49. Moreover, if it is set in the shape of a circular arc plate along the extending direction of the base constituent member 54 and is arranged so as to cover a plurality of urging storage recesses 62 formed in the same base constituent member 54, the ball transfer direction Thus, it is possible to realize a biasing force adjusting member capable of simultaneously adjusting the biasing forces of the plurality of flow path biasing members 49 arranged along.

  By the way, in the first embodiment of the ball introduction guide 24 described above, the upper surface (the upper surface on which the game ball falls) of the buffer member 43 is configured as a plane inclined downward along the bottom 24a of the ball introduction guide 24. The invention is not limited to this. For example, you may comprise the upper surface of the buffer member 43 by the curved surface inclined down along the flow direction of the game ball. More specifically, in the first modified example of the ball introduction guide 24 shown in FIG. 41, the upper surface of the buffer member 43 is formed by a curved surface that is recessed downward, and the curved surface is directed downward in the downward direction of the ball introduction guide 24. It is inclined down along. In the second modification of the sphere introduction guide 24 shown in FIG. 42, the upper surface of the buffer member 43 is formed by a curved surface that is recessed downward, and the curved surface is formed in the width direction of the sphere introduction guide 24 from the inflow rod 41 side ( It is inclined downward toward the center side in the direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the bottom 24a. If the upper surface of the buffer member 43 is configured with a curved surface that is inclined downward along the flow direction of the game ball in this way, the impact when the game ball falls will increase, and consequently the impact sound of the game ball will increase. This can be suppressed. In addition, you may set the above-mentioned curved surface not only to the state dented below but to the state bulged upwards.

  By the way, in the first embodiment and each modification of the ball introduction guide 24 described above, the buffer member 43 is mounted on the bottom 24a of the ball introduction guide 24 as a buffer means for reducing the impact received from the game ball. It is not limited to this. For example, the second embodiment of the ball introduction guide shown in FIG. 43 has basically the same structure as that of the first embodiment, but instead of mounting the buffer member on the bottom, the buffer means comprising a plurality of shelf-like members Is different in that it is provided inside More specifically, as shown in FIG. 43, a shelf-shaped receiving portion 155 is provided on the upstream side of the introduction sphere alignment path 39 (sphere alignment wall 38) in the sphere introduction guide 154 of the second embodiment. Each of the ball receiving portions 155 extends from both side walls of the introduction guide 154 (standing walls standing on the inflow rod 41 side) 154a while being inclined downward toward the center in the width direction of the ball introduction guide 154. The game balls are spaced apart from each other at intervals that allow the game balls to sufficiently pass therethrough. Further, between the receiving portion 155 and the bottom portion 154b of the sphere introduction guide 154, a shelf-like flow lower portion 156 is disposed between both side walls 154a of the sphere introduction guide 154, and along the inclination direction of the bottom portion 154b. Inclined down.

  In the ball introduction guide 154 provided with the receiving portion 155 and the flowing portion 156 configured as described above as a buffering means, the game ball flowing down from the inflow rod 41 is received by the receiving portion 155 and directed toward the inclined lower end side of the receiving portion 155. And let it flow down. Then, when the game ball falls from the inclined lower end of the receiving portion 155, the game ball is received by the flow lower part 156, and flows down to the inclined lower end side of the flow lower part 156. Further, when the game ball falls from the inclined lower end of the flow lower part 156, the game ball is received by the bottom portion 154b and rolls on the bottom portion 154b to reach the introduction ball alignment path 39. In this way, the game balls received from the inflow rod 41 are not dropped directly onto the bottom portion 154b, but the heads from the inflow rod 41 to the bottom portion 154b are separated by a plurality of shelf-like members, and dropped onto the plurality of shelf-like members one after another. Therefore, the impact of the game ball on the ball introduction guide 154 can be reduced.

  By the way, in each embodiment and each modification of the ball introduction guide described above, a configuration that functions as a buffer means is attached to the ball introduction guide to reduce the impact received from the game ball. However, the present invention is limited to this. Not. For example, in the sphere introduction guide 160 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 44, a slit 161 is formed in the bottom portion 160a to form a buffer means. More specifically, in the bottom 160a of the ball introduction guide 160, on the inclination upper end side of the introduction ball alignment path 39, in the inclination direction of the bottom 160a (in other words, the direction in which the ball introduction guide 160 guides the game ball). A plurality of slits 161 that extend along the width direction of the sphere introduction guide 160 (in other words, a state in which the slits 161 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the slit 161) are opened, and a space between adjacent slits 161 is established. A plurality of leaf spring-shaped ball cushioning portions 162 positioned in the row are formed in a state in which they are arranged in the width direction of the ball introduction guide 160 (in other words, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ball introduction guide 160 guides the game ball). Further, the width of the slit 161 is set to be narrower than the diameter of the game ball to prevent the game ball from falling below the ball introduction guide 160 from between the adjacent ball buffering portions 162. In the ball introduction guide 160 in which such a ball buffer portion 162 is formed, when the game ball received from the inflow trough 41 falls on the ball buffer portion 162, the ball buffer portion 162 collided with the game ball bends in the vertical direction. The impact received from the game ball can be reduced by the deformation of the ball buffer 162. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize the ball introduction guide 160 provided with the buffer means simply by opening the slit 161. Further, when a small foreign matter such as dust falls from the inflow basket 41 to the ball introduction guide 160 together with the game ball, the foreign matter can be passed through the slit 161 and dropped below the ball introduction guide 160.

  Furthermore, if the slit 161 is opened to the upper end of the slope of the bottom 160a and the upper end of the ball buffering portion 162 is a free end that can be moved in the vertical direction, the ball buffering portion 162 can be set to be easily bent. It is easier to alleviate the impact. In addition, as in the modification of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 45, a shock-absorbing bracket 164 is mounted from below the ball shock-absorbing portion 162, and the shock-absorbing material 165 protruding from the upper surface of the shock-absorbing bracket 164 is fitted into the slit 161. If combined, even if the game ball falls on the slit 161, the impact received by the ball introduction guide 160 from the game ball can be reduced. In addition, if the buffer bracket 164 is made of a material that is easier to deform than the ball buffer portion 162, it is preferable that the ball buffer portion 162 can be bent without any trouble even if it is covered from below by the buffer bracket 164.

  In addition, you may make it provide the above-mentioned buffer means in each place which has the predetermined height difference in the island equipment 1 for game machine installation. For example, an upper tank 8 into which a game ball lifted by the game ball lifting device 7 flows, and a ball supply basket 10 or a storage ball supply channel 11 into which a game ball from the upper tank 8 flows, or a ball storage You may provide in tank 6 grade | etc.,. The above-mentioned places are places where the game balls fall with a predetermined height difference, and in the game machine installation island facility 1, a collision sound (noise) of the game balls is generated at such places. It is preferable to provide the buffer means described above. Furthermore, in order to remove dust and foreign matters in the process of the game ball flowing down, the inflow rod 41 may have a slit along the flow direction of the game ball on the bottom surface. Furthermore, if a configuration in which the above-described cushioning material is fitted is employed, the collision sound (noise) in the inflow rod 41 can be reduced.

  In any of the above-described sphere introduction guides 24, 154, and 160, as shown in FIGS. 46 (a) and (b), the sphere introduction guides 39 are positioned on the upstream side of the sphere alignment wall 38 that divides the introduction sphere alignment path 39. If the end portion is tapered so that the width gradually decreases, even if the game ball collides with the end portion of the ball alignment wall 38 before entering the introduction ball alignment path 39, the ball introduction guides 24, 154, 160 It is not rebounded to the upstream side and is easily guided to the side introduction ball alignment path 39. Therefore, the game balls in the ball introduction guides 24, 154, 160 can be guided and aligned to the introduction ball alignment path 39 without delay. Further, if the taper shape of the upstream end of the ball alignment wall 38 is adjusted, the upstream end of the ball alignment wall 38 functions as a game ball guiding portion, and the game ball guiding portion collides with the game ball guiding portion. The sphere can be easily guided to a specific introduction sphere alignment path 39 among the plurality of introduction sphere alignment paths 39 (see FIG. 46B). For example, when a game ball that is not sufficiently clamped between the endless belt 20 and the flow path forming member 47 is to be pushed up by a pressing force from a subsequent game ball, the end shape of the ball alignment wall 38 is By adjusting the game balls in the ball introduction guides 24, 154, 160 to the specific introduction ball alignment path 39 (specifically, the introduction ball alignment path 39 in which the game balls insufficiently held are aligned) May be preferentially gathered (see FIG. 46C).

  By the way, in each said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 47, the alignment base member 48, 121, 126, 131, 137 and the flow-path formation member 47 are comprised with a translucent member (for example, transparent synthetic resin), The endless belt 20 may be visible from outside the game ball alignment guide members 28, 100, 107, 111, 115, 120, 125, 130, and 136. If the endless belt 20 can be visually recognized through the game ball alignment guide members 28, 100, 107, 111, 115, 120, 125, 130, 136, the endless belt 20 is generated, for example, near the joint of the endless belt 20. Easy crack CK (see FIG. 47 (b)) and the degree of dirt on the outer surface of the endless belt 20 (see the portion represented by solid color in FIG. 47 (c)) can be easily confirmed. Whether or not replacement is necessary can be quickly determined. In addition, the endless belt 20 can be visually recognized without opening the clamping member 29, and the endless belt 20 can be easily inspected. In addition, if the inside of the endless belt 20 is colored with a color different from the outer surface, the colored inside is exposed from the cracked portion of the endless belt 20, and the occurrence of the crack can be easily grasped.

  In addition, the confirmation of the presence or absence of cracks in the endless belt 20 is not limited to visual inspection. When the endless belt 20 is driven in a state where a crack is generated and the game ball is sandwiched between the game ball alignment guide member 120 in a state where the game ball is in contact with the cracked portion, the game ball becomes unstable, and the game ball alignment guide The members 28, 100, 107, 111, 115, 120, 125, 130, 136 may vibrate. Therefore, the game ball alignment guide members 28, 100, 107, 111, 115, 120, 125, 130, and 136 are provided with sensors capable of detecting vibrations and sensors capable of detecting abnormal sounds generated by the vibrations. The presence or absence of cracking of the endless belt 20 may be grasped based on the output from.

  By the way, in each said embodiment, although the abrasive cloth 80 was illustrated as an abrasive member in this invention, this invention is not limited to this. In short, as long as the polishing surfaces are formed on both the front and back surfaces and can be stretched on the holding member 29, the polishing member is not limited to cloth and may be any material. For example, you may employ | adopt the grinding | polishing member which used as a base material the resin-made sheet | seat which has sufficient intensity | strength for clamping of a game ball.

  In the above embodiment, a game ball used for a pachinko gaming machine which is a typical gaming machine is transferred by a gaming machine lifting device (game ball transfer device). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a gaming ball Any machine used for any gaming machine may be transported. For example, a game ball used in an enclosed ball pachinko machine, a game ball used in an arrange ball game machine, or a game ball used in a slot machine (so-called ball slot machine) is transferred by a game ball transfer device. May be.

  It should be understood that the above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above description, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Island equipment for game machine installation 7 Game ball lifting apparatus 16 Case 17 Lower end roller 18 Upper end roller 19 Drive mechanism 20 Endless belt 22 Tension applying mechanism 23 Ball inlet 24 Ball introduction guide 24a Bottom 28 Game ball alignment guide member 29 Holding member 43 Buffer member 46 Guide groove portion 47 Flow path forming member 48 Alignment base member 48a Mounting surface 49 Flow path biasing member 51 Flow path forming extension portion 52 Extension stopper portion 54 Base component members 54a, 54a ′ End component members 54b, 54b 'Central component 54c, 54c' Connection component 56 Locking hole 57 Base locking tool 59 Alignment base side wall 61 Base opening 62 Energizing storage recess 66 Holding base 68 Base side edge 69 Guide holder 70 Guide base 71 Nipping and biasing member 75 Ball guide groove 80 Polishing cloth 80a One polishing surface 80b Other polishing surface 84 Polishing edge insertion groove portion 88 Contact roller 89 Rotating shaft 90 Bearing portion 91 Roller body 92 Conductive material 95 Gutter portion 100 Game ball alignment guide member 107 Game ball alignment guide member 108 Engagement opening 109 Flow path forming member Joint portion 111 Game ball alignment guide member 112 Flow path forming engagement portion 115 Game ball alignment guide member 117 Guide portion insertion opening 118 Advancement / retraction movement guide portion 120 Game ball alignment guide member 121 Alignment base member 122 Flow path pressing portion 124 Allowable opening 125 Game Ball Alignment Guide Member 126 Alignment Base Member 127 Base Fastening Member 129 Base Locking Tool 130 Game Ball Alignment Guide Member 131 Alignment Base Member 132 Movement Allowable Opening 136 Game Ball Alignment Guide Member 137 Alignment Base Member 141 Energizing Engagement Portion 142 Biasing Engagement Operation Unit 143 Biasing Force Adjustment Member 14 6 urging engagement portion 147 urging engagement operating portion 148 urging force adjusting member 154 sphere introduction guide 155 receiving portion 156 flow lowering portion 160 sphere introduction guide 161 slit 162 sphere buffering portion 165 cushioning material

Claims (5)

An endless belt provided in a vertically long casing and stretched between an upper end roller and a lower end roller arranged above and below;
A clamping member extending along the rising direction of the endless belt at a position separated from the outer surface of the endless belt,
In a game ball transfer device that transfers a game ball introduced from a ball entrance opened at a lower part of the housing while being held between an outer surface of the endless belt and the holding member,
A game ball alignment guide member that transfers the game ball introduced from the ball entrance while being pinched between the outer surface of the endless belt and guides it to the pinching member in an aligned state,
The game ball alignment guide member includes:
A plurality of guide groove portions are formed on the surface facing the endless belt along the transfer direction of the game balls, and the flow path forming member that can be transferred to the holding member by aligning the game balls by the guide groove portions;
An alignment base member to which the flow path forming member is attached;
A flow path biasing member disposed between the alignment base member and the flow path forming member and biasing the flow path forming member attached to the alignment base member toward the endless belt. ,
The game ball transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the flow path forming member is loosely fitted to the alignment base member in a state where the flow path forming member can advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt. The flow path forming member includes a flow path forming extension portion extending toward the alignment base member side, and an extension stopper portion protruding from the tip of the flow path formation extension portion,
The alignment base member is configured by combining a plurality of base constituent members, and the flow path forming extension portion can be inserted into the boundary portion between the base constituent members, and the extension stopper portion cannot be inserted. A base opening, and the extension stopper can be engaged with the opening edge of the base opening.
By attaching a plurality of the base constituent members in a state where the flow passage forming extension portion is inserted through the base opening, the flow passage forming member is attached to the aligned base member in a loosely fitted state,
2. The game ball according to claim 1, wherein movement of the flow path forming member toward the endless belt can be restricted by engagement of the extended stopper portion and an opening edge of the base opening portion. Transfer device. The flow path forming member protrudes in a direction opposite to the game ball transfer direction from a flow path forming extended part extending toward the alignment base member side and an extended end of the flow path forming extended part. Provided with an extended stopper portion,
The alignment base member opens a base opening through which the flow path forming extension and the extension stopper can be inserted, and enables the extension stopper to be engaged with an opening edge of the base opening.
By passing the extended stopper portion through the base opening and inserting the flow path forming extended portion, in this state, moving the flow path forming member in a direction opposite to the transfer direction of the game ball, Attaching the flow path forming member to the alignment base member in a loosely fitted state,
2. The game ball according to claim 1, wherein movement of the flow path forming member toward the endless belt can be restricted by engagement of the extended stopper portion and an opening edge of the base opening portion. Transfer device. Alignment base side walls that can restrict the movement of the flow path forming member along the width direction of the endless belt are respectively provided on both the left and right sides of the alignment base member in the game ball transfer direction. An opening for engagement is established at a predetermined location on the base side wall,
The flow path forming member is provided with a flow path forming engagement portion that engages with the engagement opening in a state of being able to advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt.
By engaging the flow path forming engagement portion with the engagement opening, the flow path forming member is loosely fitted to the alignment base member in a state where the flow path forming member can advance and retreat with respect to the endless belt. The game ball transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The alignment base member includes an advancing / retreating movement guide portion protruding from an attachment surface to which the flow path forming member is attached toward the endless belt side,
In the flow path forming member, a guide part insertion opening that allows the advance / retreat movement guide part to be inserted is opened,
The insertion / retraction movement guide portion is inserted into the guide portion insertion opening, whereby the flow path forming member is loosely fitted to the alignment base member in a state where the flow passage forming member can advance / retreat with respect to the endless belt. The game ball transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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