JP2883599B2 - Card payout device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card dispensing apparatus, and more particularly, to ensuring card dispensing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Cards dispensed by a card dispensing apparatus include, for example, cards, business cards, charts, etc. on which an animation character which is a prize of a game machine is printed, paper, synthetic resin, and the like.
It is a recording medium made of various materials such as wood and having a thickness and capable of recording characters, figures, and the like. The card dispensing device sends out a card from a preset position to another position. The card may be one in which characters, figures, etc. have already been recorded, or may have not been recorded yet.

In general, a card payout device pays out cards one by one. For this reason, the conventional card dispensing apparatus has a card supporting plate having a horizontal plate surface, and a dispensing roller that is provided rotatably around a horizontal axis, and whose upper end of the outer peripheral surface is located in the same plane as the upper surface of the card supporting plate. Many cards are vertically stacked on the card support plate and the payout roller in a horizontal posture.
At the time of dispensing, the dispensing roller is rotated, and the frictional force generated between the dispensing roller and the card causes the cards to move one by one from the bottom.
It is paid out one by one.

In order to pay out only one lowermost card which comes into contact with the payout roller among a plurality of stacked cards, a card sorting plate and a card guide plate are provided. The card guide plate is provided on the downstream side of the dispensing roller in the dispensing direction in a horizontal position and at a position where the upper surface is slightly lower than the upper end of the dispensing roller. The card support plate and the card guide plate may be formed of one plate material. In this case, an opening is formed in the middle of the one plate material,
The upper end of the dispensing roller projects slightly upward from the upper surface of the plate from the opening.

[0005] The card sorting plate is provided above the card guide plate in parallel with the payout roller and with a plate surface perpendicular to the card guide plate. The lower surface of the card sorting plate has a partially cylindrical shape that is convex downward, and the portion corresponding to the center in the width direction of the card is located at the lowest position, and between the card guide plate and
In many cases, a gap corresponding to the thickness of one card is formed. At the time of card dispensing, even if the card contacting the dispensing roller is sent along with the card contacting the dispensing roller, only the card contacting the dispensing roller passes through the gap and the cards are dispensed one by one.
However, the conventional card payout device may not be able to pay out the card. Since a large number of cards are stacked vertically on the payout roller, the larger the card size, or the smaller the weight of one card, the lower the card, the card support plate, and the second card. The frictional force between the card and the card increases, and the card cannot be paid out lightly.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a card dispensing apparatus which can pay out a card even if the card is large or heavy. Things. According to the present invention, the following card dispensing apparatuses are obtained. As in the case of the claims, each aspect is divided into sections, each section is numbered, and if necessary, the other sections are cited in a form in which the numbers are cited. This is to clarify the possibility of combining the features described in each section. (1) A card supporting member having a flat card supporting surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, supporting a lower end of a plurality of substantially vertically standing cards, and a lower end of the card supporting surface. A card movement limit defining member provided above and defining a movement limit of the card in a direction parallel to the card support surface; and a card movement limit providing member provided above the card movement limit defining member and supported by the card support surface. A dispensing roller that contacts the card closest to the card movement limit defining member on the outer peripheral surface thereof; a dispensing roller driving device that rotates the dispensing roller in a direction in which a portion of the outer peripheral surface that contacts the card moves upward; It has a pair of guide members provided inclined in the same direction as the support surface, and guide portions at both ends in a direction parallel to the width direction of the card. Guide by the pair of guide members, the card contacts the card farthest from the card movement limit defining member among the plurality of cards, and attaches the plurality of cards to the card movement limit defining member side. A card dispensing device including a positive weight (claim 1). In the card dispensing apparatus of this aspect, the card is placed on the card supporting surface in a substantially vertical position, and is kept in that position by the dispensing roller, the card movement limit defining member and the weight. The term “substantially vertical” includes not only vertical but also a posture intentionally tilted by a certain angle as described later. It is desirable that the inclination angle of the card support surface be close to the friction angle between the card and the card support surface. If the inclination angle of the card support surface is larger than the friction angle, if the number of cards increases, the force of each card to slide down the card support surface will accumulate and the card will be pressed against the card movement limit regulating member. If the number of cards increases when the inclination angle of the card support surface is smaller than the friction angle, the frictional force of each card will accumulate and the card biasing force due to the weight will be reduced. There is a possibility that the movement of the card to the card movement limit regulating member side may be hindered, but if the inclination angle of the card support surface is set to be close to the friction angle between the card and the card support surface, both of them will be This is because it can be avoided well. The card is paid out upward when the payout roller is rotated by the payout roller driving device. Since the card is urged toward the dispensing roller by the weight, a frictional force based on the urging force is generated between the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller and the card in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller. The card is supported by the card supporting surface, and most of the weight of the card is received by the card supporting surface. Therefore, the frictional force generated between the outer peripheral surface of the payout roller and the card is almost based on the biasing force of the weight. is there. Therefore, even if the card becomes heavier, the frictional force does not become excessive, and a frictional force appropriate for paying out is obtained. Even if the card is heavy, the card is paid out by the rotation of the payout roller. When a card is dispensed and a gap is formed between the card remaining on the card supporting surface and the dispensing roller and the card movement limit regulating member, the card on the card supporting surface is urged by the weight and the dispensing roller and The card is moved to the card movement limit defining member side, and the next payout becomes possible. The force for urging the card toward the payout roller and the card movement limit defining member is based on the weight of the weight, and therefore, an excessive frictional force is generated between the card movement limit defining member and the card. Avoid doing that, and
A sufficient frictional force can be generated between the payout roller and the card. The guide member and the guided portion may be constituted by a guide groove formed in the apparatus main body and an end of a support shaft protruding from both ends of the weight, as described in the embodiment section. And a concave fitting portion formed at each end of the convex guide rail and the weight and fitted to the guide rail, or a concave guide rail and a convex fitting portion. . If the inclination angle of the card support surface is larger than the friction angle, the inclination of the card support surface helps the card to move toward the payout roller, and functions as a part of the urging means together with the weight. The card movement limit defining member may be a plate-like member that rises from the lower end of the card support surface, as described in the section of the embodiment,
Alternatively, a bar-shaped member provided horizontally and parallel to the card at a position away from the card support surface may be used, or a ball may be used. Since the posture of the card placed on the card supporting surface is determined if the card is supported at three points on the surface, the payout roller and the card movement limit defining member can support the card at three or more points. The weight and the guide member may be provided at positions where the card is supported by the payout roller and the card movement limit defining member at three or more points. When a ball is used as a card movement limit defining member, when a plurality of balls are provided, they are arranged at a distance in the width direction of the card, and when one ball is provided, a central portion in the width direction of the card is supported. It is desirable to provide the card at a position where it contacts the card. If the ball and the payout roller are supported by the support member and provided at a lower end of the card support surface at a distance in the vertical direction, the ball and the payout roller function as a guide member for guiding the movement of the card. As described above, according to this aspect, most of the weight of the card is received by the card supporting surface, and the weight applied to the payout roller by the card is reduced, so that the card to be paid out even if the card is heavy, the next card and the card The card can be paid out lightly without the frictional force with the movement limit defining member becoming excessive. When the inclination angle of the card supporting surface is smaller than the friction angle, the card supporting surface does not function as a part of the urging means, but if the card supporting surface is inclined, the card is easier to move than if there is no inclination, and The biasing force of the weight can be reduced. (2) The guided portion of the weight is a support shaft protruding from both ends of the weight, and the guide member is substantially the same as the payout rod .
A member having a guide groove formed along a straight line passing through the axis of over La, together with the support shaft is movable relative and rotatably supported in the guide grooves, they support shaft by the center of gravity of the weight Ri払 The card dispensing device according to the above mode (1), which is provided at a position on the exit roller side (Claim 2). According to this aspect, the weight has a distance between the axis of the support shaft and the center of gravity of the weight as the length of the arm, and a rotational moment is generated such that a portion below the support shaft of the weight faces the payout roller. Therefore, the card can be urged toward the dispensing roller side at a position below the weight, and the weight can be provided at a high position, making it easier to handle and applying an urging force to the appropriate position of the card. become. (3) The weight is provided with a pressing portion extending downward and extending to a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the card. (2)
The card dispensing device according to claim (claim 3). According to this aspect, the pressing portion presses the central portion of the card, and is urged toward the card movement limit defining member. The effect described in the item (2) can be more effectively enjoyed. (4) The card dispensing device according to the above mode (1 ), wherein the guide member is formed substantially along a straight line passing through the axis of the dispensing roller. (5) The card dispensing device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein an inclination angle of the card supporting surface is substantially equal to a friction angle of the card. (6) The card movement limit defining member according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the card movement limit defining member includes a card movement limit defining plate protruding upward from a lower end of the card support surface. Card dispensing device. (7) The card dispensing device according to (6), wherein a guide surface is provided at an upper end portion of the card movement limit defining plate so as to be away from a card supported by the card support surface as it goes upward. The guide surface is, as described in the embodiment section,
The upper end of the card movement limit defining plate may be a curved surface formed by curving a partial cylindrical surface, or may be a flat surface. (8) The card movement limit defining member is provided above the lower end of the card support surface, and includes a number of balls that support the card at at least three points together with the payout roller (1) to (1). 5) The card dispensing device according to any one of the above items. (9) The card movement limit defining member includes a bar-shaped member disposed above and parallel to the lower end of the card support surface. The card dispensing device described in any one of the above. (10) The card dispensing device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the card movement limit defining plate is provided to be inclined with respect to a bottom surface of the main body of the card dispensing device. (11) The outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller is positioned at least on the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral portion of the dispensing roller at a position substantially parallel to the axis of the dispensing roller and at a distance from the axis shorter than the radius of the dispensing roller. The card dispensing device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein a notch formed by removing a portion to be removed is formed (Claim 4) . In this aspect, when the payout roller is rotated to pay out the card, the outer peripheral surface of the payout roller and the portion where the notch is formed alternately contact the card and pay out. When the state where the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller contacts the card and dispenses the card changes from a state where the cutout portion contacts the card and dispenses the card, the radius of the dispensing roller and the radius of the outer peripheral surface are A variation equal to the difference between the distance between the plane defining the notch and the axis occurs,
The card is urged by the weights to approach the payout roller axis a distance equal to this variation. Conversely, when the state in which the cutout portion of the dispensing roller contacts the card and the card is dispensed changes from a state in which the outer peripheral surface contacts the card and a state in which the card is dispensed, the gap between the axis of the dispensing roller and the card is changed. And the payout roller pushes out the card against both the biasing force of the weight and the frictional resistance generated between the side edge of the card and the card supporting member. At this time, the contact force between the payout roller and the card increases, and the frictional force between them increases, so that a payout output larger than when the card is paid out by the payout roller having no notch is obtained. Here, “substantially parallel” means
This includes both the case where one plane for forming the notch on the outer peripheral surface of the payout roller is a surface parallel to the axis of the payout roller and the case where the plane is inclined at a small angle with respect to the axis of the payout roller. According to this aspect, a larger payout is obtained, and the card can be paid out reliably. For example, in the present card dispensing apparatus, the payout output tends to decrease as the number of accommodated cards increases, but according to the payout roller provided with the notch, the payout output increases as the number of accommodated cards increases. Further, as described in the section of the embodiment, even when a separating member is provided for separating a card to be paid out in contact with the payout roller and a card to be paid out in contact with the card, the card is also used. It can be easily dispensed by overcoming the frictional resistance generated between the separating member. (12) The card dispensing device according to (11), wherein a boundary between an outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller and a notch forming surface forming the notch is a round portion (round portion). (13) The card dispensing device according to the mode (11) or (12), wherein the notch is formed by flattening the dispensing roller by a plane substantially parallel to an axis of the dispensing roller. (14) The card dispensing device according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein the cutouts are formed at a plurality of locations in a circumferential direction of the dispensing roller. According to the device of this aspect, a change in the distance equal to the difference between the distance between the axis of the dispensing roller and one plane when the outer peripheral portion of the dispensing roller is cut off and the radius of the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller is 1 It occurs multiple times during rotation, increasing the number of times a large payout is obtained,
The vibration can reduce the adhesion between the cards. (15) The dispensing roller driving device includes a driving source, a driving shaft rotated by the driving source, and arranged concentrically with a roller shaft of the dispensing roller, and the roller shaft and the driving shaft. The card dispensing device according to any one of (1) to (14), including a coupling device that is rotatably coupled within a limited angle range. In the present aspect, removal of the paid-out card is facilitated by idle rotation of the payout roller. If the lower end of the card dispensed by the dispensing roller is disengaged from the dispensing roller, the card stops moving upward. It is also possible to finish paying out one card in a state where the lower end of the card is sandwiched between the payout roller and a card or weight to be paid out next. In any case, the card is pulled in order to pull out the card from between the payout roller and the next card to be paid out. At this time, the driving of the drive shaft by the drive source has been completed, and the drive shaft is not rotating. However, since the roller shaft and the drive shaft are connected so as to be relatively rotatable, the payout roller can be idle by pulling the card. The card can be easily turned out and the card taken out. According to this aspect, the card can be lightly pulled out between the payout roller and the next card to be paid out in a state where the card payout of the payout roller based on the driving of the payout roller driving device is completed, and the card is taken out. This makes it easier, and no excessive force is applied to the dispensing roller, the driving source, etc., and the durability is improved. (16) The coupling device is provided integrally with the drive shaft and the roller shaft, respectively, and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion which engage with the limited angular relative rotation. The card dispensing device according to the item 15). (17) The card according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller has a gradually decreasing diameter at both ends in the axial direction, the diameter gradually decreasing toward both ends. Dispensing device (Claim 5) . In this aspect, the outer peripheral surface of the payout roller is a surface with a gradually decreasing diameter. The diameter decreasing surface is
It includes not only a tapered surface having a linearly decreasing diameter but also a cubic curved surface having a curvilinear decreasing. In any case, when the diameter of both ends in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller is small, and the card has a warp in which the central portion in the width direction is away from the axis of the dispensing roller, the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller is The card is dispensed by contacting a longer portion in the axial direction than a simple cylindrical surface. According to this aspect, even if the card is warped, the payout roller comes into contact with the card at a portion that is long in the axial direction, thereby reducing the local wear of the payout roller and improving the service life. As described in the embodiment section, this effect can be obtained regardless of the warping direction of the card. (18) The dispensing roller includes a roller shaft rotatably supported by the apparatus main body of the card dispensing device, and a roller portion fixed to at least two axially spaced portions of the roller shaft. ) The card dispensing device according to any one of items (17) to (17). (19) Two ends of the at least two roller portions
The outer peripheral surfaces of the roller portions are respectively symmetrical with respect to an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the axis of the dispensing roller at the center between the roller portions, and have a diameter gradually decreasing surface in which the diameter gradually decreases as the distance from the orthogonal plane decreases. The card dispensing apparatus according to the above mode (18). (20) The card dispensing device according to any one of (1) to (19), wherein at least the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller is formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction such as rubber or synthetic resin. (21) A sorting member for sorting the cards is provided above the cards paid out by the payout roller (1).
The card dispensing device according to any one of the above items (20) to (20). (22) The sorting member is provided with an inclined surface that is inclined in a direction toward the card dispensing direction toward the front end side with respect to a plane perpendicular to the card dispensing direction, and an inclination of a base end portion of the inclined surface. The card dispensing device according to the mode (21), wherein the angle is larger than the inclination angle on the tip side. (23) A card guide which is provided above the payout roller and at a position where a plurality of cards are separated from the card which comes into contact with the payout roller, and which forms a gap between the leading end of the sorting member and the card. With members (21) or
The card dispensing device according to the item (22). (24) The distance between the contact portion of the payout roller with the card and the sorting member in the card payout direction is shorter than the length of the card movement limit defining plate.
(23) The card dispensing device according to any one of the above (23). (25) The dispensing roller driving device may rotate the dispensing roller in a direction in which a portion of the outer peripheral surface that contacts the card moves downward. The card dispensing device described in any one of the above.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an apparatus for paying out a card with an animated character design as a prize of a game machine will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a frame of the card payout device. The frame 10 has a container shape that opens upward, and a large number of cards 12 can be put into the frame 10 at one time from above the frame 10. The card 12 is made of cardboard and has a stiffness (rigidity) that can maintain a flat plate shape by itself.

A card support member 20 is mounted in the frame 10 by a bracket 22. The card support member 20 has a bottom plate 26 inclined at an angle θ _{1 with} respect to the horizontal bottom wall 24 of the frame 10, and the upper surface of the bottom plate 26 forms a card support surface 28. Card support surface 2
From the lower end of 8, a card movement limit defining plate 30 extends perpendicularly to the bottom wall 24 of the frame 10. Above the card movement limit defining plate 30, there is provided a guide portion 32 which is curved to the side opposite to the higher end of the card support surface 28 and forms a part of a cylindrical surface. Further, from the end of the card supporting surface 28 on the high side,
Extend at right angles to the bottom wall 24.

The bottom plate 26 is provided with a pair of card guide plates 36 (only one is shown in FIG. 1) parallel to the direction of inclination of the bottom plate 26 so as to be able to approach and separate from each other. The distance between the card guide plates 36 is adjusted according to the size of the card 12.

[0010] Card movement limit defining plate 30 of frame 10
Above this, a payout roller 40 made of rubber is rotatably supported. The rotating shaft 42 fitted to the dispensing roller 40 so as to be relatively non-rotatable is rotatably supported at both ends by a pair of side walls 44 (only one is shown in the figure) of the frame 10 via a bearing (not shown). The discharge roller 40 is rotated in both forward and reverse directions by rotating the rotation shaft 42 by a motor 46, which is a kind of drive source, via a speed reduction device or the like.

On the card support surface 28, a number of cards 12 are placed on top of each other in the horizontal direction.
It is supported by the card movement limit defining plate 30 and the payout roller 40 and is maintained in a vertical posture. Card support surface 28
The inclination angle theta ₁ which is equal to the friction angle between the card 12 and the card support surface 28, although the card support surface 28 wt card 12 receives payout roller 40 of the card 12
To move the card 12 to the dispensing roller 4.
There is no positive movement to the zero side.

A card guide plate 50 is provided above the payout roller 40 of the frame 10. The card guide plate 50 is longer than the width of the card 12, and is supported at both ends by a pair of side walls 44 of the frame 10.
The card 12 is provided at a position separated from the card 12 contacting the card 0 by a distance slightly larger than the thickness of about 3 to 15 cards 12 and has a width reaching the upper end of the card 12 contacting the payout roller 40. doing.

The card 1 which comes into contact with the payout roller 40
A sorting plate 58 is provided above 2. Sorting plate 5
8 is provided to project horizontally from the mounting plate 60 horizontally supported by the side wall 44 toward the card guide plate 50, and forms a gap between the card guide plate 50 and the card guide plate 50 through which one card 12 can pass. I have. The separation plate 58 has a narrow plate shape, and is attached to a position corresponding to the center of the mounting plate 60 in the width direction of the card 12. The lower surface of the separation plate 58 is in a direction away from the card 12 as the protruding end portion with respect to the horizontal plane,
That is, the inclined surface 62 is inclined in the upward direction.

A certain interval is provided between the upper end of the card 12 to be paid out next and the sorting plate 58 supported by the card supporting surface 28.
The length of the portion of the card movement limit defining plate 30 excluding the guide portion 32 is shorter.

The frame 10 is provided with a card urging device 70. The card urging device 70 has a prismatic weight 72 having a rectangular cross section and a length longer than the width of the card 14. A support shaft 74 is fitted to the weight 72 so as to be relatively non-rotatable. Both ends of the support shaft 74 are fitted into guide grooves 76 formed in a pair of side walls 44 of the frame 10 via rollers 78 as bearings. Have been allowed. The support shaft 74 is fitted at a position closer to the dispensing roller 40 than the center of gravity of the weight 72. A rotational moment is generated such that the portion below the support shaft 74 is directed toward the payout roller 40.

The guide groove 76 is inclined with respect to the bottom wall 24 of the frame 10 in the same direction as the card supporting surface 28, and has a length from the high side to the low side of the card supporting surface 28. 80 and the drive unit 8 from the upper end of the drive unit 80.
0 and a non-drive unit 82 inclined in the opposite direction.
The weight 72 is driven toward the payout roller 40 by its own weight and the effect of the inclined surface of the drive unit 80 when the support shaft 74 is located in the drive unit 80, and the weight 72 rotates the card 12 supported by the card support surface 28. Bias to the side. When the support shaft 74 is located in the non-drive unit 82,
The weight 72 is not driven and is simply supported by the frame 10.

A knob 86 protrudes from the upper surface of the weight 72. For example, when inserting the card 12 into the frame 10 and supporting the card 12 on the card support surface 28, the operator holds the knob 86 and moves the weight 72 along the drive unit 80 to the non-drive unit 82 side. The support shaft 74 is supported by the non-drive unit 82, and the weight 72 moves to
2 can be prevented from disturbing the insertion. The knob 86 has a length whose upper part protrudes upward from the frame 10, and has an upper end bent toward the higher end of the guide groove 76.
When operating 6, the user can easily perform the operation by grasping the bent portion without completely or hardly putting his hand into the frame 10.

A push plate 90 as a push member is protrudingly provided at the center of the weight 72 in the longitudinal direction and at a position where it can be in close contact with the card 12. The pressing plate 90 has a band shape, and the surface on the card 12 side is the card 1 of the weight 72.
2, and urges the card 12 together with the weight 72 toward the payout roller 40 side. Further, the pressing plate 90 has a length reaching a substantially central portion of the card 12 in the vertical direction.

In this card dispensing apparatus, in the card dispensing state, the support shaft 74 for supporting the weight 72 is engaged with the driving portion 80 of the guide groove 76, and the weight 72 and the pushing plate 9 are moved.
0 contacts the card 12 and dispenses the card 12
It is urging toward.

When the card is dispensed, the dispensing roller 40 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing, that is, the direction in which the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller 40 that contacts the card 12 moves upward. As a result, the card 12 which comes into contact with the payout roller 40 is moved upward as shown in FIG.

At this time, the card 12 behind the card 12 that has come into contact with the payout roller 40 may be lifted up. While being made to enter, it enters the gap between the card guide plate 50 and the sorting plate 58 and is paid out of the frame 10.

The force for moving the card 12 which is moved upward by contacting the payout roller 40 is larger than the force for moving the card 12 which rises along with the card 12 upward. When the card 12 comes into contact with the payout roller 40, a large force acts in the direction of moving the card 12 along the inclined surface 62 to the card guide plate 50, but the force of the card 12 that comes up is small. The card 12 that cannot move to the card guide plate 50 side and comes in contact with the payout roller 40 is separated from the card 12 that has come up, and only one card is paid out of the frame 10. Coefficient of friction of the dispensing roller 40, horizontal distance between the position where the dispensing roller 40 contacts the card 12 and the tip of the separation plate 58, the inclined surface 62
Is determined as such.

Further, since the separation plate 58 is provided with an interval between the card 12 which is in contact with the support surface 28 and the payout roller 40, the card 12 to be paid collides vigorously with the inclined surface 62, The effect of the slope of the slope 62 is effectively received.

Since the sorting plate 58 is provided at a certain distance downstream from the upper end position of the card 12 in contact with the payout roller 40 in the card payout direction, usually, the payout roller 4
The card 12 sent out at 0 is brought into contact with the inclined surface 62 in a state where the state of the card 12 has changed from an accelerated state to a substantially constant speed state. Therefore, the contact force for bringing the card 12 into contact with the inclined surface 62 is large, and a large force acts on the card 12 toward the leading end of the separation plate 58, and the card 12 is satisfactorily sent to the leading end of the separation plate 58, and The inclination angle of the surface 62 can be reduced. However, if the second and subsequent cards 12 are inclined surfaces 6
2, the inclined angle of the inclined surface 62 is determined so that the card 12 can be fed by the inclined surface 62 even when receiving the feed force of the dispensing roller 40 from this state at the time of dispensing.

Further, since the sorting plate 58 is provided at a certain distance downstream from the upper end position of the card 12 in contact with the payout roller 40 in the card payout direction, the card 1
There is also an advantage that the tip of the second plate 2 is easily curved toward the tip of the separation plate 58. The longer the distance from the top edge of the card, the
This is because less force is required to bend the front end of the nosepiece.

Further, when only one card 12 is to be dispensed, the rotation of the dispensing roller 40 is stopped immediately when the lower end of the card 12 comes off the dispensing roller 40 so that the rear card 12 is not dispensed. However, if the distance from the upper end position of the card 12 to the sorting plate 58 is long, the payout rollers 4 may be used before the rear card 12 is sent out from the gap between the sorting plate 58 and the card guide plate 50.
It is easy to stop 0.

The distance between the sorting plate 58 and the card 12 which is in contact with the card support surface 28 and the payout roller 40 is shorter than the length of the card movement limit defining plate 30 excluding the guide portion 32. Therefore, before the lower end of the last card 12 separates from the card movement limit defining plate 30, the upper end enters the gap between the card guide plate 50 and the separation plate 58, and the card 12 extends in the vertical direction. Retained and paid out. In a state where a plurality of cards 12 are supported on the card supporting surface 28, the cards 12 to be paid out are paid out while being kept in a vertical position by the cards 12 remaining on the card supporting surface 28, but the last card 12 Therefore, the above-mentioned configuration is adopted.

The card 12 is supported on the card supporting member 20 in a vertical position, and the card supporting surface 28 is made equal to the friction angle. The force applied to the roller 40 is only the force due to the urging of the weight 72 and the pressing plate 90. Therefore, the frictional force between the payout roller 40 and the card 12 becomes an appropriate magnitude irrespective of the number of cards 12 on the card support member 20, and the card movement limit defining plate 3
There is no possibility that the frictional force between the 0, the rear card 12 and the like becomes excessive and the card 12 is not paid out lightly.

The card 1 which comes into contact with the payout roller 40
There is no possibility that the card 12 behind the card 2 is paid out. Card 12 placed on card support surface
If the urging force for urging the ejection roller 40 is excessive and the frictional force between the card 12 contacting the ejection roller 40 and the rear card 12 increases, the rear card 12 is fed and separated. The contact force of the plate 58 on the inclined surface 62 is increased, and the card tip may be curved along the inclined surface 62 and may be dispensed with the card 12 contacting the dispensing roller 40. However, the inclination angle of the card support surface 28 is made equal to the friction angle of the card 12, and the payout roller 40 and the card 1 are set by setting the urging force of the weight 72 regardless of the number of cards 12 on the card support surface 28.
2, the frictional force between the card 12 contacting the payout roller 40 and the rear card 12 increases, so that the rear card 12 is applied to the inclined surface 62. The contact force does not become large enough to move the card 12 toward the leading end of the separation plate 58, and the rear card 1
No two will be paid out.

When the card 12 is paid out, the card 1
2 is disengaged from the card movement limit defining plate 30, and if a gap is formed between the subsequent card 12 and the card movement limitation defining plate 30, the weight 72 is rotated by the rotating moment.
Pushing plate 90, as indicated by the two-dot chain line is allowed to angle theta ₂ rotates in a direction toward the dispensing rollers 40, it moves the bottom of the card 12 into the card moving limit regulating plate 30 side. Card 1
Since the center portion 2 is pushed by the pushing plate 90, even the one long in the vertical direction can move on the card supporting surface 28 smoothly.

When the lower end of the card 12 being dispensed by the dispensing roller 40 comes off the dispensing roller 40, the weight 72 is driven by the drive unit 80 of the guide groove 76 to move toward the dispensing roller 40. The subsequent card 12 is brought into contact with the payout roller 40.

As described above, the center of the card 12 is pushed by the pushing plate 90, and the upper part of the card 12 is pushed by the weight 72 itself. The pressing force of the central portion is a force for urging the lower end portion of the card 12 toward the card movement limit defining plate 30, and the pressing force of the upper portion is a force for urging the card 12 toward the payout roller 40. Both of these two forces are based on the weight of the weight 72, but the former is based on the support shaft 74.
By changing the distance between the weight 72 and the center of gravity, the latter can be adjusted without changing the size.

Therefore, the lower end of the card 12 is reliably moved to the card movement limit defining plate 30 side, and the generation of excessive frictional force between the card movement limit defining plate 30 and the card 12 is avoided. In addition, a sufficient frictional force can be generated between the payout roller 40 and the card 12. It is also possible to adjust the force for urging the card 12 toward the payout roller 40 by changing the inclination angle of the drive unit 80. Can be formed into
It is desirable to simply bias the card 12 toward the payout roller 40 (without generating a rotational moment in the card 12 in cooperation with the reaction force from the payout roller 40).

Since the card support surface 28 is inclined, the upper ends of the multiple cards 12 erected on the card support surface 28 are slightly displaced vertically as shown in FIG. As a result, the sticking between the adjacent cards 12 is eliminated, and when the payout roller 40 pays out the card 12, the space between the card 12 and the next card 12 is easily slipped, and the following card 1 is slipped.
2 is less likely to come up, and the card 12
Can be paid out one by one.

In the present card dispensing device, the card 12 is repaid using the dispensing roller 40, that is, the card 12 is dispensed.
Can be placed on the card support surface 28. The dispensing roller 40 is turned in the opposite direction to the dispensing,
The card is rotated in such a direction that the outer peripheral surface contacting the No. 0 card 12 moves to the card movement limit defining plate 30 side. In this state, the card 12 is inserted into the gap between the card guide plate 50 and the separation plate 58 from outside the frame 10.

At this time, the weight 72 is in the driving portion 80 of the guide groove 76, and is directly attached to the payout roller 40 or the card 1
2 are indirectly contacted. Therefore, the card 12 is directly or indirectly sandwiched between the payout roller 40 and the weight 72, and the card 72 is moved downward due to a frictional force generated between the card 12 and the payout roller 40 by the bias of the weight 72. When the card 12 is already placed on the card support surface 28, the card 12 is guided by the guide portion 32 of the card movement limit defining plate 30, and the card 1 already placed is
2 and between the card movement limit defining plate 30 and is placed on the card supporting surface 28.

As described above, the card 12 is placed on the card supporting surface 28.
If the card 12 can be paid up, for example, when the paid-out card 12 is unnecessary and it is desired to return the card 12 to the frame 10 or when the card 12 is clogged, the card 12 can be moved in the payout direction to test whether the clogging occurs. .

As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, the card movement limit defining plate 30 constitutes a card movement limit defining member, the motor 46 constitutes a payout roller driving device together with the speed reduction device, and the pushing plate 90 constitutes a pressing portion, the sorting plate 58 constitutes a sorting member, and the card guide plate 50
Constitute a card guide member.

In the above-described embodiment, the card movement limit defining plate 30 is provided at right angles to the bottom wall 24 of the frame 10 so that the card 12 is supported in a vertical posture. The limit defining plate may be provided to be inclined with respect to the bottom wall 24 so that the card 12 is supported in a posture inclined with respect to the vertical plane.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a card movement limit defining plate 104 is provided at the lower end of the card support surface 102 of the card support member 100, and the upper end of the card support surface 102 with respect to the vertical plane. It protrudes in the direction inclined in the opposite direction to the part. For this reason, the card 12 is supported on the card supporting surface 102 in an inclined manner in the same direction as the card movement limit defining plate 104, and the payout roller 106 is positioned on the outer peripheral surface thereof in contact with the inclined and supported card 12. Is provided.

Further, a card guide plate 110 is provided above the payout roller 106 in parallel with the card 12, and a separation plate 112 having an inclined surface 114 which is inclined so that the projecting end is away from the card 12 is provided. I have.
The card urging device 116 is the same as in the above embodiment.

Thus, the card 12 is paid out in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical plane. Therefore, the direction in which the card 12 falls down at the end of the payout is constant, and the subsequent processing such as taking out becomes easy.

As shown in FIG. 5, a card movement limit defining plate 124 is provided at the lower end of the card support surface 122 of the card support member 120, and the upper end is provided at the upper end of the card support surface 122. You may protrude in the inclination direction. In this case, the card 12 is supported by the weight 72 and the pushing plate 90 of the card urging device 126 configured in the same manner as the card urging device 70, and the payout roller 128 is provided above the card movement limit defining plate 124. The outer peripheral surface is brought into contact with the card 12. A card guide plate 130 is provided above the payout roller 128 so as to be inclined in a direction parallel to the direction in which the card 12 is inclined.
A separation plate 134 having an inclined surface 132 is provided opposite to 30.

Also in this case, the card 12 falls down in the inclined direction at the end of the payout, and the post-processing of the paid-out card 12 becomes easy.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the separation plate 5
8, 112, and 134 are all inclined surfaces whose lower surfaces are inclined at a fixed angle. However, as shown in FIG. 6, inclined surfaces having different sizes in two stages may be provided.

The separation plate 140 of the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS.
As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the card 12 is provided in a card dispensing device that supports the card 12 in a vertical position.
(Not shown) so as to extend horizontally, and a gap 144 slightly larger than the thickness of the card 12 is formed between the card guide plate 142 and an intermediate portion in the width direction (vertical direction). On the base end side of the separation plate 140, a gentle inclined surface 146 inclined at an angle θ ₃ (35 degrees in the present embodiment) in a direction away from the dispensing roller 40 toward the upper side with respect to a horizontal plane orthogonal to the card dispensing direction. And an angle θ ₄ smaller than the angle θ _{3 with} respect to the horizontal plane from the upper end of the gentle slope 146 to the tip of the separation plate 140 (25 in the present embodiment).
Degree) and a steeply inclined surface 148 that is inclined. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and illustration and description are omitted.

In the present card dispensing apparatus, when dispensing the card 12, the dispensing roller 40 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.
That is, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the payout roller 40 that contacts the card 12 is rotated in a direction away from the card 12.
As a result, the foremost card 12 in contact with the payout roller 40
Is sent out toward the separation plate 140 by the frictional force with the payout roller 40. Further, the card 12 behind the card 12 may be entangled and sent out. The tips of these cards 12 abut the gentle slope 146.

At this time, a force is applied to the card 12 in the horizontal direction toward the tip of the separation plate 140, and the card 12
When there is a warp in the direction toward the base end of the separation plate 140 at the front end of the separation plate 140, the warped front end is curved toward the front end of the separation plate 140. Once the leading end of the card 12 is
0, the card 12 is not warped, or even if the card 12 is warped, the leading end of the card 12 is
0, the tip of the foremost card 12 that initially abuts the gentle slope 146 is curved and steeply slopes 148 as shown by the dashed line. Upon contact, finally, as shown by the two-dot chain line, the separation plate 1
It is disengaged from the tip of 40 and discharged from the gap 144. The inclination angle of the steeply inclined surface 148 is set to a size that allows it.

However, the second and subsequent cards 12 are fed by the frictional force with the foremost card 12, and this frictional force is smaller than the frictional force with the payout roller 40. 12 is not curved by the gentle slope 146. Also, if the card 12 is curved by the gentle slope 146 due to the frictional force between the cards 12 being larger than expected, the card 12 is not curved by the steep slope 148 and contacts the payout roller 40. Only the paid card 12 is paid out. The friction coefficient of the dispensing roller 40 and the separation plate 140 and the inclination angles of the gentle slope 146 and the steep slope 148 are set as such in relation to the friction coefficient of the card 12 and the strength of the waist.

The separation plate 140 is provided at a certain distance downstream from the upper end position of the card 12 in contact with the payout roller 40 in the card payout direction.
The card 12 sent out by the above is brought into contact with the gently inclined surface 146 in a state where the card 12 has changed from the accelerated state to the substantially constant speed state.
Therefore, the contact force for bringing the card 12 into contact with the gentle inclined surface 146 is large, and a large force acts on the card 12 toward the tip end of the separation plate 140, and the card 12 is favorably bent,
The inclination angle of the gentle inclination surface 146 can be reduced.
However, even if the second and subsequent cards 12 come into contact with the gentle inclined surface 146 as shown in FIG. 3 and receive the feed force of the payout roller 40 from this state at the time of payout,
The inclination angle of the gentle slope 146 is determined so that the card 12 can be curved by the gentle slope 146.

Further, as described in the above embodiment, there is also an advantage that the leading end of the card 12 is easily curved and an advantage that the dispensing roller 40 is easily stopped before the rear card 12 is sent out from the gap 144. is there.

The card 12 that has passed through the gap 144 is guided out of the card guide plate 142 above the separation plate 140 and is paid out. Therefore, the card 12 is kept vertical for a while after passing through the gap 144, and passes through the gap 144 in a vertical posture, so that the second card 12 is curved by the steeply inclined surface 148. In such a case, the second card 12 does not pass through the gap 144 together with the first card 12. When the first card 12 passes through the gap while being curved by the separation plate 140, the angle formed by the first card 12 and the steeply inclined surface 146 becomes small, and the second card 12 is formed by the wedge effect. Card 12 easily enters the gap 42, but if the first card passes through the gap 144 in a vertical position, the wedge effect is reduced and the second card 12 is prevented from entering the gap 144 satisfactorily. It is done. The card guide plate 142 functions not only as a gap forming member for forming the gap 144 together with the separation plate 140, but also as a card guide member for keeping the posture of the gap passing portion of the card 12 horizontal.

Further, as the card 12 is dispensed in contact with the dispensing roller 40, the contact force of the leading end of the card 12 delivered to the gentle inclined surface 146 becomes excessively curved, so that the card 12 is not dispensed. . FIGS. 1 to 3
As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the card support surface is inclined at an angle equal to the coefficient of friction of the card, and the weight of the card 12 is received by the card support surface, regardless of the number of cards 12 on the card support surface. Since an appropriate frictional force can be obtained between the payout roller 40 and the card 12 by setting the urging force of the urging means, the frictional force between the card 12 contacting the payout roller 40 and the rear card 12 is reduced. The rear card 12 does not become so large that the contact force of the rear card 12 against the gentle inclined surface becomes so large that the front end of the card is bent, and the rear card 12 is not dispensed out. The inclination angle of the gently inclined surface 146 is so large that the tip of the card 12 fed in contact with the payout roller 40 can be curved even if there is a warp.
It is particularly effective that the frictional force is set to an appropriate magnitude and the card 12 behind the card 12 is prevented from bending due to the generation of an excessive contact force, because the card 12 is easily sent along the line 46. Function is better obtained.

By providing the card separation member having the inclined surfaces having different inclination angles at the base end side and the front end side, the card to be paid out and the following cards are surely separated, and the cards are separated one by one. We can pay out stably.

Further, even if the front end of the card has a warp in the direction toward the base end of the card sorting member, the inclination angle of the base end side of the inclined surface is increased to ensure the presence of the warp. By bending the leading end of the card toward the leading end of the card sorting member and reducing the angle of inclination of the leading end of the inclined surface, the card to be dispensed can pass without fail, and the passage of cards that should not be dispensed can be ensured. Can be blocked.

Furthermore, even when the card guide plate 142 is disposed close to the tip of the separation plate 140, the tips of the cards 12 to be paid out and the cards 12 not to be paid out are sufficiently separated. As compared with the case where the cards 12 are separated only by managing the gap 144 between them, the management accuracy of the gap 144 may be lower.

The angles of the gentle slope and the steep slope are not limited to 35 degrees and 25 degrees, respectively, and the angle of inclination on the tip side of the separation member constituted by the separation plate may be 5 to 35 degrees. , Preferably 10 to 30 degrees, 23
It is most desirable that the angle be 26 degrees. Further, the inclination angle on the base end side of the sorting member may be 15 to 50 degrees, and 25 degrees.
Preferably, it is ４０40 °, and most preferably, it is 33〜37 °.

As described above, the card sorting member constituted by the sorting plate is provided with the inclined surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane orthogonal to the card dispensing direction, and the inclination angle of the base end portion of the inclined surface is When the angle is larger than the inclination angle on the front end side, in order to bend the front end portion of the card, it is necessary to bring the card into contact with the card separation member with a sufficient force. The card fed in contact with the payout roller receives a feed force determined by the coefficient of friction with the payout roller, and the card fed along with the card receives a feed force determined by the frictional force between the cards. Therefore, if the coefficient of friction between the dispensing roller and the card is set to be larger than the coefficient of friction between the cards, the card to be dispensed is brought into contact with the sorting member with a force large enough to bend the leading end,
The abutment force of the cards sent along with the cards can be of insufficient magnitude.

Whether or not the leading end of the card is curved by a constant feeding force applied to the card depends on the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the sorting member. In the present invention, the inclination angle of the front end side of the inclined surface of the card sorting member is smaller than the inclination angle of the base end side. A large feed force is required to bend the. In addition, even when the inclination angle of the inclined surface is constant, as the amount of bending at the leading end of the card increases, the feed force required for the bending increases. Therefore, it is easy to provide a sufficient difference between the force required to bend the leading end of the card to be dispensed from the leading end of the card separating member and the feeding force of the card sent along with the card. In addition, it is easy to avoid that the leading edge of the card to be fed is bent sufficiently to come off the leading end of the card sorting member.

As described above, if the surface of the card sorting member with which the card comes into contact is an inclined surface, the leading end of the card is curved to separate the card to be paid out and the card sent along with it. However, on the other hand, the card to be paid out passes through the sorting member, and the card that comes along is not passed through. It is desirable to make a right angle to this. In this regard, since the inclination angle on the distal end side of the inclined surface of the card sorting member is smaller than the inclination angle on the proximal end side, the surface on the distal end side of the card sorting member is closer to a right angle than the proximal end surface. This means that the card to be paid out is passed through the sorting member, and the card sent along with it is not passed through, so that the sorting function is better performed.

The inclination angle of the inclined surface of the card separating member is determined in consideration of the card's stiffness (rigidity against bending), the feeding force applied by the payout roller, the coefficient of friction between the card separating member and the card, and the like. However, if the card is warped, this should also be taken into account. The card may be warped, and whether the front end of the card is warped in the direction toward the front end of the card separation member (in other words, whether the card is warped convexly toward the base end of the card separation member), The appropriate angle of inclination of the inclined surface differs depending on whether it is warped in the direction toward the end. For example, if the leading end of the card has a warp toward the base end of the card sorting member, the angle between the leading end of the card and the inclined surface when the leading end of the card contacts the inclined surface of the card sorting member, If the front end of the card is not warped, it will be larger (closer to a right angle), and unless the inclination angle of the inclined surface is increased, the front end of the card will be curved toward the front end of the card sorting member. Can not. Conversely, when the leading end of the card is warped toward the leading end of the card sorting member, the leading end of the card can be curved toward the leading end of the sorting member even if the inclination angle of the inclined surface is small. If the card to be dispensed has a warp and the direction of the warp is indeterminate, the inclination angle of the inclined surface is determined when the tip of the card is warped in the direction toward the base end of the card sorting member. However, it is necessary to determine the size so that the leading end of the card can be bent toward the leading end of the card sorting member.

The inclination angle of the inclined surface of the card sorting member may be changed stepwise from the base end to the front end, or may be changed steplessly. If the front end of the card has a warp toward the base end of the card separation member, the front end of the card abuts against the base end of the card separation member; if there is no warp, the front end of the card separation member may be warped. In some cases, in order to abut the base end side of the card sorting member in order, and in order to bend the leading end portion of the card toward the leading end side of the card sorting member, a large inclination angle is required in the order described above. Conveniently changing the angle from the proximal end to the distal end continuously satisfies this need.

Further, by setting the inclination angle of the inclined surface, it is easy to discriminate cards to be paid out and cards not to be paid out. In this case, it is not indispensable to dispose the card support plate with a gap allowing the passage of exactly one card from the tip of the card sorting member.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a card payout apparatus according to the present embodiment.
Is a device for paying out a card with an animated character design, which is a prize of a game machine, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. .

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the discharge roller 160 has a cylindrical roller shaft 164 and a roller shaft 164.
And a first roller portion 166 and a second roller portion 168 respectively fixed at two locations separated by an axial distance. Both ends of the roller shaft 164 are rotatably supported by the side walls 44 of the frame 10 via bearings (not shown), and a pair of engagement notches 170 opened on the end face are formed at one end in the diametrical direction. They are formed at two separate locations.

Inside the end of the roller shaft 164 on the side where the engagement notch 170 is formed, the motor 1 which is a kind of drive source is provided.
A drive shaft 174 (see FIG. 7) is fitted so as to be relatively rotatable. A pin 176 is press-fit into the drive shaft 174 in a diametrical direction, and both ends of the pin 176 protruding from the drive shaft 174 are fitted into the engagement notches 170, respectively. Therefore, the drive shaft 1 is
When pin 74 is rotated, pin 176 engages notch 17
0 to transmit the rotational force to the roller shaft 164.

As shown in FIG. 9, each of the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 has a tapered outer peripheral surface 180 whose diameter gradually decreases toward the outer end in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surfaces of the second roller portions 166 and 168 are symmetrical with respect to an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the axis at the center between the first and second roller portions 166 and 168, and the diameter gradually decreases as the distance from the orthogonal plane decreases. It is in a state of being let.
In other words, the roller shaft 164 and the two roller portions 166,
The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller 160 composed of 168 is gradually reduced toward both ends in the axial direction.

The first and second roller portions 166, 168
Is parallel to the axis of the dispensing roller 160,
The distance from the axis of the dispensing roller 160 is the tapered outer peripheral surface 18.
A portion located on the outer peripheral side of one plane shorter than the radius of 0 is removed, and a cutout 182 is formed in the tapered outer peripheral surface 180. In the present embodiment, the maximum diameter of the tapered outer peripheral surface 180 is 35 mm, and the axis of
The difference between the distance from the notch forming surface 184 forming the groove and the maximum radius of the tapered outer peripheral surface 180 is 3 mm. The portions of the outer peripheral portions of the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 which are located at a position 3 mm radially from the portion having the largest radius toward the axial side and which are outside a plane parallel to the axis are removed. . Further, the notch forming surface 184 and the tapered outer peripheral surface 180
Is rounded at a radius of 10 mm to form a rounded portion.

In the card dispensing apparatus thus configured, the dispensing roller 160 is driven by the dispensing roller driving device 162.
The card 12 is paid out by being rotated. In the present embodiment, the delivery rollers 160
One card 12 is paid out by rotation, and as shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12, the tapered outer peripheral surface 180, the notch forming surface 184, and the boundary 186 are sequentially brought into contact with the card 12. .

The state in which the taper outer peripheral surface 180 contacts the card 12 as shown in FIG. 8 and the card 12 is dispensed changes from the state where the card 12 is dispensed as shown in FIG. At this time, the radius of the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 fluctuates equal to the difference between the radius of the tapered outer peripheral surface 180 and the distance from the axis to the notch forming surface 184, and the card 12 is pushed by the weight 72. The axis of the dispensing roller 160 is brought closer to the axis of the dispensing roller 160 by a distance equal to the amount of fluctuation of the lever.

From the state in which the card 12 is in contact with the notch forming surface 184, as shown in FIG. , The distance between the axis of the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 and the card 12 gradually increases, and the dispensing roller 160 moves at the boundary portion 186.
The urging force of the weight 72, the card 12, and the card supporting member 2
The card 12 is dispensed while pushing back the card 12 against the frictional force generated between zero and zero.

It has been confirmed by experiments that a large payout output can be obtained by forming the cutouts 182 in the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 of the payout roller 160 as described above. In this experiment, among the cards 12 placed on the card support surface 28, the first and second roller portions 166, 16
The maximum number of loads applied in the opposite direction to the payout direction to the card 12 brought into contact with 8 can be paid out by changing the number of cards 12 and measuring. . The larger the maximum load is, the more the payout output has a margin. Therefore, the maximum load is referred to as a margin load. Note that a positive margin load means that the card 12 can be paid out even when a load in a direction opposite to the payout direction is applied. A negative margin load means that the load in the payout direction is applied to the card 12. In addition, it means that the payout roller 160 cannot pay out the card 12 without assistance.

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 10, the card 12 has a warp whose center in the width direction is away from the axis of the payout roller 160 (this warp is referred to as a forward warp) or a two-dot chain line. So that the central portion in the width direction is the discharging roller 16.
There may be a warp in a direction approaching the zero axis (this warp is called reverse warp). The margin load is measured when the card 12 has no warpage, when there is a correct warp of 3 mm,
This was done for each case of mm reverse warpage. The measurement results are notched in the first and second roller portions 166 and 168.
14 to 16 together with the measurement results of the margin load when 82 is not formed.

If the notches 182 are not formed in the first and second roller portions 166 and 168, the margin load becomes smaller as the number of cards increases, which is presumed as follows. As described above, the inclination angle θ ₁ of the card supporting surface 28 of the card supporting member 20 is designed to be equal to the friction angle between the card 12 and the card supporting surface 28 in design, but is actually slightly smaller. There is frictional resistance between the two, which hinders the movement of the card 12 toward the payout roller 160, and this frictional resistance increases as the number of cards increases, and the card 12 and the payout roller based on the urging force of the weight 72. It is presumed that since the contact force with the contact member 160 is reduced and the payout power is reduced, the margin load is reduced. If the card 12 is pivoted completely freely around the lower end supported by the card support surface 28, the card 12 and the payout roller 160 based on the urging force of the weight 72
Although the contact force does not decrease, the frictional force between the cards 12 which are in close contact with each other hinders the free rotation, and the contact force is reduced accordingly.

In addition, among many cards 12, there are some cards which are in contact with one of the pair of card guide plates 36 of the card support member 20. There is a frictional resistance between them, and the frictional resistance increases stochastically as the number of cards 12 increases. This frictional resistance acts in the same manner as the frictional resistance between the card support surface 28 and the card 12 and the payout roller 160.
It is presumed that the contact force with the contact is reduced, and thus the margin load is reduced.

When the number of cards 12 accommodated is large, the margin load is larger when the card 12 has a reverse warp than when the card 12 has a normal warp. The reason is presumed as follows. As the cards 12 are dispensed one by one, the remaining cards 12 are moved toward the dispensing roller 160 by the urging force of the weight 72. At this time, if there is a correct warpage, the remaining cards 12 are moved to the bottom plate 26 or the card guide plate 36. The warpage of the card 12 is reduced by the frictional force, and the card 12
The edge of the card 12 contacts the bottom plate 26 and the card guide plate 36 more strongly, or the number of the cards 12 that contact the card guide plate 36 increases, and the frictional resistance between the card 12 and the card support member 20 decreases. growing. Therefore, the contact force of the card 12 with the payout roller 160 is reduced,
Margin load is reduced. On the other hand, when there is a reverse warp, when the card 12 is moved toward the payout roller 160 by the urging force of the weight 72, the warp of the card 12 increases and a phenomenon opposite to the above occurs, and 12
And the frictional resistance between the card supporting member 20 and the card supporting member 20 is reduced.
Therefore, the contact force of the card 12 with the payout roller 160 increases, and the margin load increases.

The reason why a larger margin load is obtained when the notch 182 is formed in the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 than when the notch 182 is not formed is presumed as follows. As described above, when the dispensing roller 160 rotates to change from the state in which the notch forming surface 184 contacts the card 12 to the state in which it contacts the tapered outer peripheral surface 180, the boundary portion 186 pushes back a large number of cards 12 while pushing one card. Pay out the card 12. Therefore, it is presumed that the contact force between the boundary portion 186 and the card 12 increases and the margin load increases.

Further, as the payout roller 160 rotates,
Since the card 12 approaches the axis of the dispensing roller 160 and then separates, there is a time when the inertial force of the card 12 increases the contact force between the card 12 and the dispensing roller 160, and the formation of the notch 182 increases the margin load. It is presumed to be one of the causes. In addition, it is presumed that one of the causes is that the boundary portion 186 intensively contacts the card 12 and the surface pressure increases to increase the frictional force with the card 12.

Further, the first and second roller portions 166, 168
When the notch 182 is formed at the bottom, the margin load increases as the number of cards 12 increases. The reason is presumed as follows. When the card 12 is pushed back by the boundary portion 186, the card 12 rotates about the contact point between the lower end thereof and the bottom plate 26. In order to cause this rotation, the boundary portion 186 needs to be It is necessary to resist not only the frictional force but also the frictional force between the cards 12 which are in close contact with each other. Since the latter increases as the number of cards 12 increases, it is estimated that as the number of cards 12 increases, the contact force between the payout roller 160 and the card 12 increases, and the margin load increases.

Further, the result that the margin load is smaller when the card 12 has a reverse warp than when the card 12 has a correct warp is not a difference in the warp direction but a magnitude of the warp. It is speculated that this is the difference. That is, as described above, the normal warpage is 3 mm, whereas the reverse warpage is as large as 5 mm, and it is presumed that the cushioning action of many cards 12 is larger in the latter. When the cards 12 are warped, not all the cards 12 are equal in warp, and a gap is formed between the cards 12 due to the difference in the warp. These gaps are reduced based on the elastic deformation of the cards 12 when the dispensing rollers 160 push back many cards 12 as described above, and the dispensing rollers 16
The card 12 has a cushioning effect so that the farther from the card 12, the smaller the pushback amount is. This cushioning action reduces the contact force between the dispensing roller 160 and the card 12 and tends to increase as the warpage of the card 12 increases. Therefore, in the case of the reverse warpage in which the warpage is large, the margin load becomes smaller and It is presumed that the margin load did not increase so much even if the number of cards increased. Alternatively, for some reason, such as a difference in the manner of contact with the payout roller 160, the card 12 having the reverse warp may have a larger cushioning effect than the card 12 having the normal warp.

The above is a guess based on the experimental results of FIGS. 14 to 16, and it is determined whether these guesses are correct or not.
It is necessary to clarify this through future research.
It is clear from the results of the experiments that if the notches 182 are formed in the second roller portions 166 and 168, a large payout can be obtained and the card 12 can be paid out reliably. first,
If the notch 182 is not formed in the second roller portions 166 and 168, slipping may occur and dispensing may not be performed satisfactorily. , Irrespective of the presence or absence of the warp and the orientation, all could be paid out reliably.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the card 12 that has come into contact with the payout roller 160 is separated from the card 12 that is to be paid out next by the separating plate 140. Sorting plate 1
In order to be curved by 40 and to be able to pass through the gap 144, a large payout power is required, and the effect of the present invention can be particularly effectively enjoyed. When the contact force between the card 12 and the payout roller 160 increases, the difference between the frictional force between the payout roller 160 and the card 12 and the frictional force between the cards 12 increases, and the contact between the card 12 and the payout roller 160 increases. Only the card 12 is reliably paid out. Thereby, the separation plate 1
The effect of increasing the degree of freedom in setting the inclination angles of the gentle inclination surface 146 and the steep inclination surface 148 can also be obtained.

Further, as described above, the delivery roller 160
As a result, the card 12 is pushed back, and when the card 12 rotates about the lower end, a slip occurs between the cards 12, and the adhesion between the card 12 in contact with the dispensing roller 160 and the card 12 to be dispensed next is reduced, Paying out only the card 12 that has come into contact with the payout roller 160 is facilitated.

The first and second roller portions 166, 168
Since a larger payout power can be obtained by forming the notch 182 at the bottom, the weight of the weight 72 can be reduced. This is because, if the payout power is the same, the urging force of the weight 72 can be reduced by the increase of the payout power due to the formation of the notch 182.

The outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 are tapered outer peripheral surfaces 180. When the card 12 has a correct warp, the card 12 can be properly fitted to the roller portion 168 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 are less worn, and the life is improved. Even if the card 12 has a reverse warp, the reverse warp changes to a normal warp when the leading end of the card 12 is bent toward the gap 144 by the separation plate 140. For this reason, the card 12 having a reverse warp is also almost completely dispensed along the first and second roller portions 166 and 168, and the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 are less worn. I can do it.

The first and second roller portions 166, 168
1 between notch forming surface 184 and outer peripheral surface 180 of taper
86 is a rounded portion, when the boundary portion 186 pushes out the card 12 while pushing back, the surface pressure between the card 12 and the card 12 does not become excessive, and the card 12 is damaged and the boundary portion 186 becomes excessive. Wear is well avoided.

The payout roller 1 for paying out the card 12
When the 60 is rotated twice, as shown in FIG. 13, the card 12 stops with the lower end positioned between the payout roller 160 and the card 12 to be paid out next. The rotation angle of the dispensing roller 160 is set so that the lower end of the card 12 can be reliably dispensed to the position shown in FIG. Is set. Therefore, if there is no slip, the card 12 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 13 before the payout roller 160 is rotated twice, but in this state, the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 are rotated. The payment output is not added to the card 12 even if
When the payout roller 160 is stopped, the lower end of the card 12 is located between the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 and the next card 12.

Thereafter, a human pulls the card 12 and takes it out of the frame 10. At this time, the lower end of the card 12 is light, but is sandwiched between the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 and the next card 12, so if the payout roller 160 does not rotate, 160 will be pulled out against the frictional force. However, in the present embodiment, although the motor 172 is stopped and the drive shaft 174 does not rotate, the roller shaft 164 and the drive shaft 174 are fitted so as to be relatively rotatable, so that when the card 12 is pulled. 13, the roller shaft 164 rotates with respect to the drive shaft 174 as indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the card 12 can be pulled out lightly. Roller shaft 16
4 is the circumferential dimension of the engagement notch 170 and the drive shaft 174.
Can rotate relative to each other by an angle corresponding to the difference between the diameter of the pin 176 press-fitted into the card, and the circumferential dimension of the engagement notch 170 is such that the card 12 is moved from between the payout roller 160 and the next card 12. The size is set so as to obtain a relative rotation angle sufficient for complete separation.

If the lower end of the card 12 is sandwiched between the first and second roller units 166 and 168 and the card 12, the first and second roller units 166 and 1
By rotating 68 in the opposite direction to the payout, the card 12 can be moved downward and paid out.

As is apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, the tapered outer peripheral surface 180 forms a gradually decreasing diameter surface, and the pin 174 as the first engaging portion and the engaging notch as the second engaging portion. 170 constitutes the connecting device.

The first and second roller portions 166, 168
Has a maximum diameter of 35 mm.
mm, but the maximum diameter of the first and second roller portions 166 and 168,
The ratio with the removal length at the maximum diameter portion may be 3% or more and 18% or less, preferably 6% or more and 12% or less, and most preferably 8% or more and 10% or less.

Further, the radius of the boundary portion 186 is set to a size at which a large payout can be obtained while preventing the surface pressure between the first and second roller portions 166 and 168 and the card 12 from becoming excessive. It is desirable to set it, and in the above-mentioned embodiment, it was set to 10 mm.
Most preferably, it is not less than mm and not more than 11 mm.

Further, instead of the card movement limit defining plate,
A rod-shaped member or a ball may be used as the card movement limit defining member. In this case, the rod-shaped member or the ball is moved to a position where the card is supported on the card supporting surface in an inclined state as shown in FIGS. It may be provided at a position where the card is supported without being inclined on the card support surface as shown in FIGS.

Further, if the urging means urges the card based on the weight of the weight, the amount of change in the urging force due to the remaining amount of the card can be eliminated or reduced.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the payout rollers 40, 106, 128, and 160 are made of rubber, and a frictional force is easily generated between the payout rollers and the card. Or the like. Further, a groove or the like may be provided on the surface of the dispensing roller to easily generate a frictional force. If the dispensing roller easily generates a frictional force, the urging of the urging means may be small. 7 to 1
In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Each of the outer peripheral surfaces of the dispensing rollers 40 and 6,168 has a tapered outer peripheral surface, which is a tapered outer peripheral surface. However, as in the embodiment of FIG. It is also possible to use

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 16, the connecting device includes an engagement notch 1 formed in the roller shaft 164.
Although it is composed of the pin 70 and the pin 176 pressed into the drive shaft 174, the drive shaft may be provided with an engagement notch and the roller shaft may be provided with an engagement protrusion. Further, a drive shaft may be fitted to the outside of the roller shaft, and an engagement notch and an engagement protrusion may be provided.

It is not essential that the roller shaft and the drive shaft are fitted to each other. Instead, a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion are provided on each end surface of the drive shaft and the roller shaft, and the end surfaces are engaged. They may be combined.

Further, the notch of the dispensing roller is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the first and second roller portions 166 and 168.
Not only the portion outside the plane whose distance from the axis of 60 is shorter than the radius of the outer peripheral surface is removed, but also the portion inside the plane may be removed to form a notch such as a groove.

The plane for forming the notch on the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller is not limited to a plane parallel to the axis of the dispensing roller, but may be an inclined plane. For example, when the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller is a tapered outer peripheral surface, a portion on the outer peripheral side is cut out from a plane having the same inclination as the inclination of the tapered outer peripheral surface. In this case, the dispensing roller has a notch. Even in the portion, the card can be satisfactorily contacted with the warped card, and the card can be paid out well.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 to FIG.
The card 12 is paid out. For example, the lower end of the card 12 is below the state shown in FIG.
The delivery roller 160 may be stopped in a state where the delivery roller 160 is sandwiched therebetween. For example, a payout sensor that detects the payout of the card 12 is provided, and the rotation of the motor 172 is stopped when it is detected that the card 12 has been moved to the above position.

The present invention is not limited to a card dispensing device for paying out a card which is a prize of a game machine. For example, a card dispensing device provided in a recording device for sending an unrecorded card to a recording portion, or a card dispensing device. The present invention can be applied to various card dispensing apparatuses such as a card dispensing apparatus that is provided in a data reading apparatus that reads recorded data and sends a card to a reading unit. Each of the above embodiments can be implemented in a form in which a combination of each configuration is changed. In addition, various modifications and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claims. The present invention can be carried out in the form in which is performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a card dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention with one side wall of a frame removed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating payout of a card by the card payout device.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which a card is supported on a card supporting surface in the card dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of a card payout device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 of a card payout device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a sorting plate of a card payout device according to still another embodiment of the present invention, together with a payout roller.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a card dispensing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention with one side wall of a frame removed.

8 is a side view showing a payout roller and a sorting plate of the card payout device shown in FIG. 7;

9 is a plan view showing a state in which a payout roller of the card payout device shown in FIG. 7 is connected to a drive shaft.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a normal warp and a reverse warp of a card paid out by the card payout apparatus shown in FIG. 7;

11 is a view showing a state in which a payout roller of the card payout device shown in FIG. 7 is in contact with a card in a notched portion.

12 is a diagram showing a state in which a payout roller of the card payout device shown in FIG. 7 pays out a card in the vicinity of a notch.

13 is a diagram showing a state in which the card payout by the payout roller is completed in the card payout device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a graph showing a margin load when a card without warpage is paid out by the card payout device shown in FIG. 7 in comparison with the related art.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing a margin load when paying out a warped card by the card payout device shown in FIG. 7 in comparison with a conventional case.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing a margin load when a card with a reverse warp is paid out by the card payout device shown in FIG. 7 in comparison with the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

12: Card 20: Card support member 28: Card support surface 30: Card movement limit defining plate 40: Dispensing roller 46: Motor 70: Card urging device
72: Weight 74: Support shaft 76: Guide groove
100: Card support member 102: Card support surface
104: card movement limit defining plate 106: payout roller 116: card urging device 122: card support surface 124: card movement limit regulating plate 126: card urging device 128, 160: payout roller 162:
Dispensing roller drive 164: roller shaft 166:
First roller part 168: Second roller part 170: Engagement notch 172: Motor 174: Drive shaft 176:
Pin 180: Outer peripheral surface of taper 182: Notch 18
4: Notch forming surface 186: Boundary part

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A card supporting member having a one-plane card supporting surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, supporting a lower end of a plurality of substantially vertically standing cards, and a lower end of the card supporting surface. Provided above the part,
A card movement limit defining member for defining a movement limit in a direction parallel to the card support surface of the card; and a card movement limit member provided above the card movement limit limitation member and among the cards supported by the card support surface, the card movement limit. A dispensing roller that contacts the card on the defining member on the outer peripheral surface; a dispensing roller driving device that rotates the dispensing roller in a direction in which a portion of the outer peripheral surface that contacts the card moves upward; A pair of guide members provided at an angle to each other, and having a guided portion at each end in a direction parallel to the width direction of the card, and being guided by the pair of guide members at the guided portions. Contacting the card farthest from the card movement limit member among the plurality of cards, and transferring the plurality of cards to the card movement limit member. A card dispensing device comprising a weight biasing toward a fixed member side. Wherein a support shaft, wherein the guided portion is protruded from both ends of the weight of the weight, the guide member is ho
A member having a guide groove formed along a straight line passing through the axis of the payout roller , wherein the support shaft is supported by the guide groove so as to be relatively movable and relatively rotatable; 2. The card dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the card dispensing device is provided at a position closer to the dispensing roller than the center of gravity of the weight. 3. The card dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the weight is provided with a pressing portion extending downward and extending substantially to the center in the vertical direction of the card. 4. The dispensing roller according to claim 1, further comprising:
At least the shaft of the discharging roller on the outer peripheral portion of the discharging roller
It is almost parallel to the line and the distance from the axis is the radius of the discharging roller.
A cut where the portion located on the outer peripheral side of a shorter plane is removed
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the notch is formed.
The card dispensing device as described. 5. The dispensing roller according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing roller has an axial direction.
At both ends, the diameter gradually decreases as the diameter gradually decreases toward both ends
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
Card dispensing device.