JP3839865B2 - Pachinko ball counting machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pachinko ball counting machine, and in particular, a pachinko ball container box (hereinafter referred to as a ball box) in which pachinko balls are housed is not manually lifted up to the hopper position of the pachinko ball counter. The present invention relates to a pachinko ball counting machine capable of automatically lifting and opening a discharge hole on the bottom of a ball box to discharge and count the pachinko balls in the ball box simply by loading into the box loading unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the pachinko ball counter is installed on a counter or the like of a pachinko hall, and is placed on a counter table or the like having a predetermined height. Then, the pachinko balls acquired by the player are put in a ball box installed in the hall and brought to a counter or the like, and the pachinko balls are poured into the hopper of the pachinko ball counter installed there.
[0003]
In addition, for example, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-54885, or as already filed in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-30955 by the applicant, the ball box and pachinko ball counter are devised. By simply placing the ball box containing the pachinko balls on the hopper of the pachinko ball counter, the bottom or side of the ball box is opened, and the pachinko can be inserted into the hopper of the pachinko ball counter without turning the ball box upside down. There is also a proposal for the ball to flow out.
[0004]
On the other hand, recently, the amount of pachinko balls acquired by players has increased, and it has become necessary to transport multiple ball boxes to a place where pachinko ball counters such as counters are installed at the same time. Carriages that can be stacked and placed on top are used for transportation.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the operation method using the conventional pachinko ball counter and the ball box and the cart described above, the ball box transported by the cart has to be manually lifted to the hopper position of the pachinko ball counter. A large amount of labor is required and the operability is poor.
[0006]
In addition, when the player is a woman or an elderly person, the pachinko hall clerk performs the work on behalf of the player, and the pachinko hall clerk must do the work several times a day. There is a problem of being forced to work hard.
[0007]
Therefore, even if the ball box that has been transported by a cart or the like is not manually lifted up to the hopper position of the pachinko ball counter, it can be lifted automatically just by loading it into the specified ball box loading section and discharged at the bottom of the ball box. I tried to create a pachinko ball counter that opened the holes, discharged the pachinko balls in the ball box and counted them, and moved the empty ball box to the empty box outlet on the upper surface of the counter body. Since the moving range of the ball box is a wide range from the lower end position of the counter body to the upper surface, it is difficult to dispose the drive means to raise the ball box lifted from below to the upper surface of the counter main body as it is. Since it cannot be done by means, it is necessary to provide two lift means, which may increase the cost.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and raises the pachinko ball storage box loaded in the ball box loading portion of the counter body to the empty box outlet on the upper surface of the counter body by one lift means. An object of the present invention is to provide a pachinko ball counter capable of performing the above.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The pachinko ball counter according to claim 1 is a counter main body having a ball box loading section that can be loaded in a state where a predetermined number or less of pachinko ball storage boxes are stacked, and a counter main body at a position directly above the ball box loading section. An empty box outlet for taking out a pachinko ball storage box that is formed as an empty box, pachinko ball counting means for receiving and counting the pachinko balls, and a pachinko ball storage box loaded in the ball box loading section. A lift means that engages with the peripheral edge of the pachinko ball storage box and raises and lowers the pachinko ball storage box, and is provided so as to be able to advance and retract under the pachinko ball storage box raised by the lift means. A pachinko ball counting machine comprising: an operating member that opens and closes a discharge hole formed in and a discharge means having a chute means for guiding a pachinko ball discharged from the discharge hole to the pachinko ball counting means, The lifting means includes a pair of lifts that move up and down between the ball box loading unit and the empty box outlet along two opposite sides of the pachinko ball storage box loaded in the ball box loading unit. A unit, a hanger member that is provided in each lifting unit, engages with a peripheral portion of the pachinko ball storage box at a position below each lifting unit, and lifts the pachinko ball storage box, and is provided at an upper position of each lifting unit, A push-up member that engages with the peripheral edge of the pachinko ball storage box and pushes up the pachinko ball storage box, a driving means for moving the lift unit up and down, and a position where the lift range of the hanger member and the lift range of the push-up member overlap A temporary holding member that is provided on the counter body side and that allows the pachinko ball storage box to pass upward and prevents the downward passage and temporarily holds the pachinko ball storage box. It is what you are.
[0010]
Then, the pachinko ball storage box loaded in the ball box loading section of the counter body is raised by the lift means, the discharge means is entered below the raised pachinko ball storage box, and the pachinko ball storage box is placed by the discharge means The pachinko balls are discharged and guided to the pachinko ball counting means, and the pachinko balls are counted by the pachinko ball counting means. The pachinko ball storage box that has become an empty box is lifted by a lift means, and is raised to the empty box outlet on the upper surface of the counter body.
[0011]
Further, in the lift means, after the lifting unit is lowered and the hanger member is engaged with the pachinko ball storage box loaded in the ball box loading section, the lifting unit is lifted and the pachinko ball storage box is lifted up temporarily. Raise to a position above the retaining member. Thereafter, the lifting unit is lowered to temporarily hold the pachinko ball storage box in the temporary storage member, and the push-up member is moved down from the peripheral edge of the pachinko ball storage box. Thereafter, the lifting unit is raised to engage the push-up member with the pachinko ball storage box, and the pachinko ball storage box is raised to the empty box outlet. Therefore, it is possible to raise the pachinko ball storage box over a wide range from the ball box loading section to the empty box outlet by one lift means.
[0012]
The pachinko ball counter according to claim 2 is the pachinko ball counter according to claim 1, wherein the hanger member has a hooking portion that is engageable with a peripheral portion of the pachinko ball storage box at a tip extending downward, An engaging member is provided that is swingable about a horizontal axis at the upper part of the lifting unit and has an engaging portion that can be engaged with the upper surface of the pachinko ball storage box at the tip that extends downward along the hanger member. A cam is provided on the unit so as to be movable up and down, and is rotated around the rotation shaft in conjunction with the vertical movement of the engagement member. The cam is used as a fulcrum in one of the rotation directions. When a spring is provided to reversely urge and position the engaging portion of the engaging member at either the lower position or the upper position with respect to the hook portion of the hanger member, and the engaging member is positioned at the lower position In conjunction with the rotation of the cam The hanger member is retracted and swung to a non-engagement position with respect to the peripheral portion of the pachinko ball storage box, and the hanger member is connected to the peripheral edge of the pachinko ball storage box in conjunction with rotation of the cam when the engagement member is positioned at the upper position. An interlocking member that moves forward and swings to an engagement position with respect to the portion is provided.
[0013]
Then, when the elevating unit is lowered toward the ball box loading portion in a state where the engaging portion of the engaging member is positioned below the hooking portion of the hanger member, the engaging portion of the engaging member becomes a pachinko ball. Engage with the upper surface of the storage box and move to a relatively upper position. As a result, the hanger member retracted and swung to the non-engagement position moves forward to the engagement position, and the hanger member is hooked. The portion engages with the peripheral edge of the pachinko ball storage box. Further, when the lifting unit is raised and the pachinko ball storage box is lifted above the temporary holding member, the engaging member engages with, for example, the upper member of the counter body and moves to a relatively lower position. Then, the hanger member that has been advanced and swung to the engagement position retreats and swings to the non-engagement position, and the hook portion of the hanger member is detached from the peripheral portion of the pachinko ball storage box. Therefore, the hanger member automatically engages and disengages with the pachinko ball storage box as the elevating unit moves up and down.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0015]
First, a pachinko ball storage box having a pachinko ball discharge function will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0016]
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko ball storage box. The pachinko ball storage box (hereinafter referred to as a ball box) 1 includes a storage box body 2 and a shutter plate 3.
[0017]
The storage box body 2 is formed in a horizontally long box shape having an upper surface opened from a bottom plate 4, end plates 5 facing each other in the longitudinal direction, and side plates 6 facing each other in the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
[0018]
The bottom plate 4 includes a central bottom plate 4a in the central region and side bottom plates 4b on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and a discharge hole 7 for a pachinko ball P is formed between the central bottom plate 4a and both side bottom plates 4b. Yes. As shown in FIG. 7, the central bottom plate 4 a is formed horizontally, and the both side bottom plates 4 b are formed so as to be inclined toward the discharge hole 7.
[0019]
A flange portion 8 is formed to project from the peripheral edges of the upper ends of the end plate 5 and the side plate 6, and a handle 9 is formed to project from a central portion of the flange portion 8 of the opposite end plate 5.
[0020]
The end plate 5 and the side plate 6 are formed in a shape in which the upper part is inclined and spread outward, and the lower part of the storage box body 2 is inserted from above the other storage box body 2 so that the storage box bodies 2 can be stacked. It has become. On the outer surface of the end plate 5, a pair of rib-like projections 5a are formed on both sides of the handle 9 in the vertical direction, and the outer surface of the side plate 6 has a housing box body from the position of an operating member insertion hole 12 to be described later. A pair of rib-like protrusions 6a are formed in a protruding manner in the longitudinal direction at positions separated by a predetermined reference distance L (shown in FIG. 5) on both sides in the longitudinal direction. And these protrusion parts 5a and 6a serve as the reinforcement part of the side surface of the storage box main body 2, and the control part at the time of stacking of the storage box main body 2. FIG.
[0021]
A thick portion 10 is formed to project from the lower central region of the inner surface of the side plate 6, and an engaging step portion 11 is formed on the upper surface of the thick portion 10. The bottom portion of the storage box body 2 stacked on the engagement step portion 11 is placed thereon.
[0022]
The thick portion 10 is formed with a longitudinally elongated actuating member insertion hole 12 in the central area along the vertical direction upward from the bottom of the storage box body 2, and both sides of the actuating member insertion hole 12. Thus, a pair of horizontally long holes 13 are formed in the bottom surface position of the storage box body 2 along the substantially horizontal direction. The actuating member insertion hole 12 is formed through the side plate 6 and part of the central bottom plate 4a, and the width of the actuating member insertion hole 12 is smaller than the diameter of the pachinko ball P. Is formed. The laterally long hole 13 only needs to open at least inward of the storage box main body 2, but may pass through to the outside of the side plate 6.
[0023]
A rib-like box-side actuating member 14 projects from the upper central area of the inner surface of the side plate 6, that is, above the actuating member insertion hole 12, from the engaging step portion 11 of the thick portion 10 to the upper edge portion of the housing box body 2. Has been. The box side operation member 14 can enter the operation member insertion hole 12 of the upper storage box body 2 when the storage box bodies 2 are stacked.
[0024]
The shutter plate 3 includes two plate bodies 21 having substantially the same size. The shutter plate 3 is formed in a zigzag shape so that the connection-side edges of the plate bodies 21 are engaged with each other, and the shaft passes through the portions engaged with each other. It is integrally connected by 22 so that bending is possible. The length in the longitudinal direction of the shutter plate 3 composed of the two plates 21 is formed to be slightly shorter than the distance between the inner surfaces of the thick portions 10, and the connecting direction of the plates 21 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The width is formed so that both the discharge holes 7 can be substantially closed.
[0025]
At a substantially central position of the shaft 22, when the shutter plate 3 is attached to the housing box body 2, the discharge plate 7 is substantially closed by the shutter plate 3 by urging the bent portion 23 of the shutter plate 3 in an expanding direction. A spring member 24 made of a toggle spring is attached.
[0026]
Both end portions of the shaft 22 protrude from the end face of the plate body 21 by a predetermined length, square engagement shaft portions 25 are attached to the both end portions, and columnar convex portions 26 are provided on the outer edge sides of the both end faces of each plate body 21. Projectingly formed.
[0027]
The ball box 1 having the pachinko ball discharging function includes a large ball box 1 shown in FIG. 5 (a) and a medium ball box 1 shown in FIG. 5 (b). The large ball box 1 has a longer length in the longitudinal direction of the storage box body 2 than the medium size ball box 1, and the storage box body of the large and medium size ball box 1 as shown in FIG. The dimensions in the short direction and the end face shape of 2 are the same. A pair of protrusions 6a formed on the outer surface of the side plate 6 of the storage box body 2 of the large and medium ball boxes 1 are fixed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the storage box body 2 from the position of the operating member insertion hole 12. Are formed at positions separated by a reference distance L.
[0028]
In addition to these large and medium-sized ball boxes 1, the ball box used in the pachinko hall has a box-shaped small shape whose outer shape is smaller than the medium-sized ball box 1 and whose upper surface is opened. Although there is a ball box, since the amount of pachinko balls P stored in this small ball box is small, there is no need to make it an object to be automatically processed by a pachinko ball counter 31 described later.
[0029]
Next, the opening / closing operation of the shutter plate 3 of the ball box 1 will be described.
[0030]
Engagement shafts 25 at both ends of the shutter plate 3 are slidably engaged with the actuating member insertion holes 12 of the storage box body 2, and convex portions 26 at both ends of each plate 21 slide into the horizontally long holes 13. It is movably engaged.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the pachinko ball is placed in the ball box 1 in a state in which the shutter member 3 is urged by the spring member 24 in the direction in which the shutter plate 3 spreads and the discharge hole 7 is substantially closed by the shutter plate 3. P can be accommodated. The pachinko balls P housed in the ball box 1 are stacked on the shutter plate 3 and the bottom plate 4b on both sides of the housing box body 2.
[0032]
A gap with a width that does not allow the pachinko ball P to pass between the shutter plate 3 and the side bottom plate 4b that closes the discharge hole 7 is formed, and a part of the discharge hole 7 is opened. It is possible to make the discharge hole 7 as large as possible.
[0033]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), when an operation member 113 to be described later is inserted into the operation member insertion hole 12 of the ball box 1 and relatively moved upward, the operation member 113 is moved into the operation member insertion hole 12 by the operation member 113. The engaging shaft portion 25 of the shutter plate 3 is pushed up. The shutter plate 3 in which the engagement shaft portion 25 is pushed up along the operation member insertion hole 12 by the operation member 113 is moved upward with the bent portion 23 at the head while the two plate bodies 21 are bent at the bent portion 23. At the same time, the convex portions 26 of the respective plate bodies 21 are moved so as to oppose each other in the central direction along the laterally long holes 13, and the respective discharge holes 7 are opened. Therefore, the pachinko balls P accommodated in the ball box 1 are discharged downward from the respective discharge holes 7 that are opened.
[0034]
Since the shutter plate 3 moves upward with the bent portion 23 at the head while bending the two plate bodies 21, the discharge hole 7 can be opened with almost no load applied to the pachinko ball P. .
[0035]
Moreover, since the amount of the discharge hole 7 opened is larger than the amount by which the shutter plate 3 pushes away the pachinko ball P, the pachinko ball P overflows from above when the shutter plate 3 is opened even when the pachinko ball P is full. Never spill over.
[0036]
Further, since the shutter plate 3 in the opened state is steeply inclined to guide the pachinko balls P to the discharge holes 7 and the discharge holes 7 are opened at two locations, the discharge speed of the pachinko balls P is increased. Fast and efficient discharge. Further, since the discharge hole 7 is made as large as possible by providing a gap between the shutter plate 3 that closes the discharge hole 7 and the side bottom plate 4b, the discharge hole 7 is greatly opened when the shutter plate 3 is opened, The discharge efficiency of pachinko balls P is high.
[0037]
Further, when the operation member 113 moves relatively downward from the operation member insertion hole 12 of the ball box 1, the push-up of the engagement shaft portion 25 of the shutter plate 3 by the operation member 113 is released, and two sheets by the spring member 24 are released. Due to the urging of the plate body 21 in the direction in which the bending spreads, the convex portion 26 of each plate body 21 moves away from the outside along the laterally long hole 13, and the bent portion 23 moves downward, so that the shutter plate 3 substantially closes the discharge hole 7.
[0038]
Further, since the central area of the shutter plate 3 is located on the central bottom plate 4a, and the central bottom plate 4a prevents external force from being applied to the central area of the shutter plate 3 from below, for example, in places other than the pachinko ball counter 31, for example. Even when the ball box 1 is placed in a place where there is a projection such as the pachinko ball P, the shutter plate 3 is not accidentally opened.
[0039]
Moreover, since the container box main body 2 is made into the shape where the upper side part expands and the container box main bodies 2 can be stacked, the ball box 1 can be stored by stacking the storage box main bodies 2 together. At this time, since the protruding portions 5a and 6a projecting from the outer surface of the storage box body 2 stacked on the upper side come into contact with the inner surface of the lower storage box body 2, the stacked storage box bodies 2 are fitted and detached. It can be controlled that it becomes difficult.
[0040]
In addition, when the storage box body 2 is stacked, the box-side operation member 14 of the lower storage box body 2 enters the operation member insertion hole 12 of the upper storage box body 2 and pushes the engagement shaft portion 25 up. Since the shutter plate 3 of the storage box body 2 is opened, the storage box bodies 2 can be stacked and used. That is, if a first ball box 1 is placed on a hopper 37 (to be described later) of the pachinko ball counter 31 and a second ball box 1 is further placed on the upper side, a pachinko ball P in the lower ball box 1 can be discharged. Accordingly, the upper ball box 1 is lowered and stacked, and the shutter plate 3 of the upper ball box 1 is automatically opened to discharge the pachinko ball P. Similarly, by placing the first carton box 1 on the hopper 37 of the pachinko ball counter 31 and discharging the pachinko ball P from the carton box 1, the second carton box 1 is further placed on the upper carton box. 1 shutter plate 3 is opened and pachinko balls P are discharged. In the present embodiment, only the middle-sized ball box 1 is capable of discharging pachinko balls P by stacking.
[0041]
Further, since the width of the operating member insertion hole 12 is made smaller than the diameter of the pachinko ball P, it is possible to prevent the pachinko ball P from entering the operating member insertion hole 12 and opening the shutter plate 3 by mistake.
[0042]
Next, a pachinko ball counter will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pachinko ball counter 31. The pachinko ball counter 31 has a box-shaped counter body 32, and in the lower part of the front of the counter body 32, in the present embodiment, the pachinko ball A carriage loading portion 34 is formed which can be loaded with a carriage 33 placed in a state in which three ball boxes 1 containing P are stacked. The upper side of the cart loading unit 34 is configured as a ball box loading unit 34a into which the ball box 1 placed on the cart 33 is loaded.
[0044]
On the upper surface of the counter body 32, an empty box outlet 35 communicating with the carriage loading portion 34 is formed at the right side position near the front corresponding to the position directly above the carriage loading portion 34. A shutter 36 that moves in the left-right direction to open and close the empty box outlet 35 is provided.
[0045]
A hopper 37 is disposed on the left side of the empty box outlet 35 on the upper surface of the counter body 32, and this hopper 37 is formed in substantially the same shape as the upper shape of the housing box body 2 of the medium-sized ball box 1. In addition, an insertion opening 38 having a shape that expands and inclines upward is formed, and the lower portion of the storage box body 2 can be inserted into the insertion opening 38 from above and fitted. A rib-like hopper side actuating member 39 is formed in a protruding manner at the center of the inner surfaces of both sides orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hopper 37. The hopper side operation member 39 enters the operation member insertion hole 12 of the storage box main body 2 when the storage box main body 2 is placed on the hopper 37 so that the shutter plate 3 can be opened. The lower surface of the hopper 37 is inclined downward toward the central portion, and an insertion port 40 for receiving the pachinko ball P is formed in the central portion.
[0046]
A chute 42 for guiding the pachinko balls P received in the insertion port 40 to the pachinko ball counting means 41 is disposed below the hopper 37. The pachinko ball counting means 41 is provided with a discharge chute 43 for discharging the pachinko balls P after counting to the outside.
[0047]
On the back side of the upper surface of the counting machine main body 32, a start button 44 for instructing start of counting processing of the carton 1 loaded in the cart loading section 34 and a stop button 45 for instructing stop in the middle of counting processing are arranged. In addition, a display unit 46 for displaying a counting result and the like is provided.
[0048]
The carriage 33 has a loading platform 48 with wheels 47 attached to the four corners. The loading platform 48 is formed long in the traveling direction, and a handle 49 is erected on the near side of the loading platform 48 in the traveling direction.
[0049]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal mechanism of the pachinko ball counter 31, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal mechanism of the pachinko ball counter 31. The right side of FIG. 1 is the front surface of the counter body 32, the left side is the back surface of the counter body 32, the right side of FIG. 2 is the right side surface of the counter body 32, and the left side is the left side surface of the counter body 32.
[0050]
A pachinko ball P discharge position 50 and an empty box outlet 35, which will be described later, are disposed immediately above the carriage loading portion 34 into which the carriage 33 is inserted, and the ball box 1 extends from the carriage loading portion 34 to the empty box outlet 35. A ball box moving space 51 that can be moved up and down is formed.
[0051]
Side walls 52 and 53 are formed on the back side and both sides of the carriage loading section 34, respectively. The distal end surface of the carriage 33 in the insertion direction of the loading platform 48 is abutted and regulated by the rear side wall 52. The facing interval between the side walls 53 on both sides is set to be slightly larger than the width of the loading platform 48 of the carriage 33, and the side walls 53 on both sides are regulated by positioning the side surfaces of the loading platform 48.
[0052]
A cart loading detection switch 54 is disposed on the rear side wall 52 in accordance with the height of the loading platform 48, and a detection lever 54 a of the cart loading detection switch 54 projects into the cart loading portion 34. Then, when the detection lever 54a is pushed by the front end surface of the loading platform 48 of the carriage 33 loaded in the carriage loading section 34, the carriage loading detection switch 54 is turned on to detect the loading of the carriage 33.
[0053]
On both sides of the cart loading detection switch 54 on the back side wall 52, cart locking means 55 for locking the cart 33 loaded up to a predetermined position of the cart loading unit 34 is provided. Each carriage locking means 55 has a locking lever 56. The base end of the locking lever 56 is pivotally supported behind the side wall 52, and the tip is vertically moved into the carriage loading section 34. A locking claw 57 is formed on the upper edge of the tip so as to be engageable with the back side of the tip edge 48a of the loading platform 48. The locking claw 57 is formed in a shape in which the distal end side is an inclined surface and the proximal end side is a vertical surface. The distal end side of the locking lever 56 is urged upward by a spring 58 and can be swung downward by a cam 59 that is rotationally driven by a solenoid or a motor (not shown).
[0054]
On the side walls 53 on both sides, a ball box guide 60 is disposed along the vertical direction in the region of the ball box loading portion 34a above the height of the loading platform 48 of the carriage 33. The distance between the opposing ball box guides 60 is set to be slightly wider than the width in the short direction of the ball box 1, and the ball box 1 placed on the loading platform 48 of the carriage 33 by the ball box guides 60 on both sides thereof. The side surface of the flange portion 8 is regulated to position the short direction. The ball box guide 60 is formed with a groove 60a along the vertical direction through which a hanger member 77 and an engaging member 79 described later can pass.
[0055]
At the lower ends of the ball box guides 60 on both sides, a guide portion 61 that projects the lateral plate 6 by restricting the side plate 6 of the ball box 1 placed directly on the carriage 33 is formed. The guide unit 61 is provided with a not-shown ball box loading detection sensor for detecting the ball box 1 loaded in the cart loading unit 34.
[0056]
Further, lift means 62 for moving the ball box 1 on the carriage 33 to the discharge position 50 of the pachinko ball P and the empty box take-out port 35 are disposed on both sides of the ball box moving space 51 in the left-right direction. Each lift means 62 has a lifting unit 63 that moves up and down between the ball box loading section 34 and the empty box outlet 35.
[0057]
Each of the elevating units 63 has an elevating plate 64 that is opposed in parallel to the ball box moving space 51, and is folded toward the outer side opposite to the ball box moving space 51 at the front and rear edges of the elevating plate 64. A bent piece 65 is formed at a substantially right angle, and rollers 66 are rotatably supported on the upper and lower ends of the outer sides of the bent pieces 65. The rollers 66 on both sides of the bent piece 65 are vertically moved on the counter body 32. It is engaged with a pair of guide rails 67 arranged along the roll so as to be able to roll. Rollers 68 are rotatably supported on the upper and lower ends of the outer surface of the lifting plate 64, and the rollers 68 are rotatably engaged with guide rails 69 arranged in the vertical direction on the counter body 32. . Each of the guide rails 67 and 69 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens on one side surface, and the opening is directed toward the elevating plate 64 so that the rollers 66 and 68 are engaged with each other. . Therefore, when the plurality of rollers 66 and 68 are engaged with the guide rails 67 and 69, the horizontal position of the elevating plate 64 is restricted to a fixed position, and the elevating plate is moved along the guide rails 67 and 69. 64 is raised and lowered in parallel.
[0058]
Both lift units 63 are moved up and down in synchronization by the driving means 70. The drive means 70 has a pair of chains 71, and each chain 71 is rotatably supported on the upper and lower portions of the counter body 32 outside the lifting plate 64 (the lower sprocket is shown in the figure). And a drive sprocket (not shown) that is driven to rotate forward and backward by a motor (not shown). By connecting the drive sprockets around which the chains 71 are wound together by a connecting shaft or the like so as to rotate integrally, both the chains 71 are rotated synchronously. The connecting piece 73 of the elevating plate 64 is connected to a portion of the chain 71 that is hung between the upper and lower sprockets 72 and moves vertically, and the elevating plate 64 is moved up and down by forward and reverse rotation of the chain 71.
[0059]
A bent piece 74 is bent at a substantially right angle at the upper edge of each elevating plate 64 toward the ball box moving space 51, and a support piece 75 is formed at a substantially right angle upward from both front and rear ends of the bent piece 74. A bent horizontal shaft 76 is supported between the support piece portions 75 so as to be rotatable. The upper ends of the plurality of hanger members 77 are fixed to the horizontal shaft 76 along the axial direction, and the upper ends of the interlocking members 78 are fixed near the front end of the horizontal shaft 76. Accordingly, the plurality of hanger members 77 and the interlocking member 78 are configured to swing integrally with the horizontal shaft 76 as a fulcrum. The hanger member 77 is disposed on the inner surface side of the elevating plate 64 facing the ball box moving space 51, and the interlocking member 78 is disposed on the outer surface side of the elevating plate 64 opposite to the ball box moving space 51. Further, an engaging member 79 that can move up and down with respect to the lifting plate 64 is disposed on the inner surface side of the lifting plate 64 adjacent to the interlocking member 78.
[0060]
And the structure of the hanger member 77 of the lift means 62, the interlocking member 78, and the engaging member 79 is shown in FIG. 4 (a) is a front view of the lift means 62 before being hooked, FIG. 4 (b) is a front view of the lift means 62 after being hooked, and FIG. 4 (c) is a view of the lift means 62 of FIG. 4 (a). It is a side view of the state before hooking.
[0061]
The hanger member 77 is formed of a thin and thin metal plate or the like in the vertical direction, and a slit 80 is formed in the center from substantially the middle portion to the lower end thereof, and a bifurcated hanger portion 77a is formed by the slit 80. A substantially L-shaped hooking portion 81 that can be hooked and engaged with the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 from the lower end of each hanger portion 77a toward the ball box moving space 51 is formed.
[0062]
The interlocking member 78 is formed of a thin and thin metal plate or the like in the vertical direction, and an engagement plate 83 having an engagement groove portion 82 is provided at the lower end thereof.
[0063]
The engaging member 79 is formed of a thin and thin metal plate or the like in the vertical direction, and an engaging piece portion 79a is formed at the lower end of the engaging piece portion 79a so as to incline and project toward the ball box moving space 51. An engaging portion 84 that can engage with the upper surface of the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 is formed toward the outside of the ball box moving space 51. The upper end of the engaging member 79 protrudes to the outer surface side of the elevating plate 64 through the upper side of the elevating plate 64, and is connected to the upper end of the engaging member support shaft 85 supported on the back surface side of the elevating plate 64 so as to be movable up and down. . An engagement shaft 86 is provided horizontally at the intermediate portion of the engagement member support shaft 85.
[0064]
Cams 87 are disposed so as to engage with the engagement plate 83 of the interlocking member 78 and the engagement shaft 86 of the engagement member support shaft 85, respectively. The cam 87 has a pair of cam plates 88, and the pair of cam plates 88 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 90 attached to a support piece 89 of the elevating plate 64. A long hole 91 is formed in an arc shape around the rotation shaft 90 in the pair of cam plates 88, and a restriction shaft 92 attached to the support piece 89 is engaged with the long hole 91 to rotate the cam 87. The range of movement is regulated. An engagement shaft 93 that engages with an engagement groove portion 82 of the engagement plate 83 of the interlocking member 78 is attached between the pair of cam plates 88, and one end of a spring 94 is connected to the engagement shaft 93. The end is connected to the lifting plate 64 side. The pair of cam plates 88 is provided with an engagement groove portion 95 that engages with the engagement shaft 86 of the engagement member support shaft 85.
[0065]
Then, the engaging / disengaging operation of the hanger member 77 with respect to the ball box 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (c), when the cam 87 is most rotated in the clockwise direction, the spring 94 is urged. Thus, the rotating state of the cam 87 is maintained. The hanger member 77 is swung around the horizontal shaft 76 through the interlocking member 78 in the clockwise direction of FIG. 4A, that is, outward of the ball box moving space 51, and the hooking portion 81 at the lower end of the hanger member 77 is The rocker is swung to a non-engagement position where it does not engage with the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1. In addition, the engaging member 79 is lowered via the engaging member support shaft 85, and the engaging portion 84 at the lower end of the engaging member 79 is positioned at a lower position below the hooking portion 81 of the hanger member 77.
[0066]
When the ball box 1 is lifted by the lift means 62 (details will be described later), the elevating plate 64 is lowered so that the engaging portion 84 of the engaging member 79 contacts the upper surface of the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1. The movement is restricted, the engagement member 79 is relatively pushed up, and the cam 87 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 4 (a) via the engagement member support shaft 85 and the engagement shaft 86. The position of the engagement shaft 93 to which one end of the spring 94 is connected moves in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4A from the straight line (biasing direction reversal line) connecting the other end of the spring 94 and the rotating shaft 90. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cam 87 is forcibly rotated counterclockwise by the bias of the spring 94. By this time, the hook portion 81 of the hanger member 77 has been lowered below the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1. By rotating the cam 87 in the counterclockwise direction, the hanger member 77 is swung in the counterclockwise direction around the horizontal shaft 76, that is, inward of the ball box moving space 51 via the interlocking member 78, and the hanger The hooking portion 81 at the lower end of the member 77 is swung to an engagement position at which it can engage with the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1. As the elevating plate 64 is raised, the hooking portion 81 is engaged with the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 and the ball box 1 is lifted.
[0067]
Further, when the lifted ball box 1 is transferred to a temporary holding member 97 described later (details will be described later), the lifting plate 64 is raised to the vicinity of the upper portion of the counter body 32, whereby the engaging member 79 is moved. The upper end of the counter is in contact with the upper structural portion of the counter body 32 or the abutting portion disposed on the upper portion, so that the movement is restricted, the engaging member 79 is relatively pushed down, and the engaging member support shaft 85 and the engaging member are engaged. The cam 87 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. When the position of the engaging shaft 93 to which one end of the spring 94 is connected moves in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4B from the straight line (biasing direction reversal line) connecting the other end of the spring 94 and the rotating shaft 90. As shown in FIG. 4A, the cam 87 is forcibly rotated in the clockwise direction by the bias of the spring 94.
[0068]
By the time the cam 87 is rotated, the engaging portion 84 of the engaging member 79 is positioned below the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1. That is, the engaging member 79 is elastically deformed in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4B by the upper end of the engaging member 79 coming into contact with the upper structural portion of the counter body 32 or the abutting portion disposed on the upper part. Then, the flange portion 8 is raised above the engagement portion 84 without the engagement portion 84 of the engagement member 79 being caught on the upper surface of the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 that continues to rise.
[0069]
4 (b) by rotating the cam 87 in the clockwise direction, the hanger member 77 is moved around the horizontal shaft 76 via the interlocking member 78 in FIG. 4 (b) in the counterclockwise direction, that is, outside the ball box moving space 51. It is swung toward the direction. At this time, since the hooking portion 81 at the lower end of the hanger member 77 is kept engaged with the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1, the hanger member 77 is rotated downward in the counterclockwise direction. The side is elastically deformed. Then, the elevating plate 64 is lowered and the ball box 1 is transferred onto the temporary holding member 97, so that the engagement of the hook portion 81 is released and the hanger member 77 is elastically returned to the state shown in FIG. 4 (a). Then, the next lifting operation is possible.
[0070]
1 and 2, a pair of push-ups that push upward the ball box 1 while permitting upward passage of the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 and preventing downward passage are provided at the top of each lifting plate 64. A member 96 is pivotally supported so as to be swingable.
[0071]
Moreover, it faces the ball box moving space 51 inside each of the lifting plates 61, and passes above the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 at a position where the lifting range of the hanger member 77 and the lifting member 96 overlap. A pair of temporary holding members 97 that allow the ball box 1 to be temporarily held by preventing the downward passage and are pivotably supported.
[0072]
Also, in the vicinity of the empty box outlet 35, the upper position of each temporary holding member 97 is allowed to pass upward of the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 and is prevented from passing downward to empty the ball box 1. A pair of locking members 98 that can be locked to the box outlet 35 are disposed.
[0073]
Corresponding to the height position of the discharge position 50 of the ball box moving space 51, discharge means 101 for discharging the pachinko balls P from the ball box 1 and leading them to the pachinko ball counting means 41 is provided. The discharge means 101 has an advance / retreat unit 102, a discharge hole opening means 103 and a chute means 104 attached to the advance / retreat unit 102.
[0074]
The advancing / retreating unit 102 has a horizontal moving plate 105, and both side edges of the horizontal moving plate 105 are engaged with a pair of guide rails 106 arranged along the front-rear direction. It is possible to move in a direction, that is, a front discharge position 50 and a retreat position that retreats backward from the discharge position 50. The horizontal moving plate 105 is formed with a pair of openings 105a on the front and rear.
[0075]
The horizontal moving plate 105 is moved in the front-rear direction by the driving means 107. The driving means 107 has a pair of chains 108, and each chain 108 is wound around a sprocket 109 (front sprocket not shown) rotatably supported on the front and rear portions of the guide rail 106. The sprocket 109 is connected by a connecting shaft or the like so that both the chains 108 rotate integrally, and is driven to rotate forward and backward by a motor (not shown). A horizontal movement plate 105 is connected to a chain 108 disposed on the upper side of the guide rail 106, and the horizontal movement plate 105 is moved in the front-rear direction by forward and reverse rotation of the chain 108.
[0076]
The discharge hole opening means 103 has an open frame member 110 placed on the horizontal moving plate 105, and an open shape that allows the lower part of the ball box 1 to be fitted from both sides of the bottom plate 111 of the open frame member 110. A side plate 112 is erected on the side. In the vicinity of the front end of the inner surfaces of the side plates 112 on both sides, a rib-like operating member 113 that protrudes into the operating member insertion hole 12 of the storage box main body 2 to open the shutter plate 3 is formed to project. The side plates 112 on both sides are spaced apart from the operation member 113 by a reference distance L on the rear surface of the protrusion 6a formed at a distance from the operation member insertion hole 12 of the storage box body 2 at a reference distance L. Engagement projections 114 that can be combined are formed to project. The bottom plate 111 is formed with a pair of openings 111a corresponding to the position of the opening 105a of the horizontal moving plate 105, that is, the front-rear position of the operating member 113. At the front edge of the rear opening 111a and the rear edge of the bottom plate 111, engagement pieces 115 that engage with the lower surface of the horizontal moving plate 105 are formed. The open frame member 110 is provided with a play that allows it to move in the front-rear direction with respect to the horizontal movement plate 105.
[0077]
The chute means 104 has a first chute 116 and a second chute 117. The first chute 116 is fixedly attached to the lower surface of the horizontal moving plate 105, and the second chute 117 is slidably connected in the front-rear direction within a range in which the engagement with the rear end of the first chute 116 is not released. As the horizontal moving plate 105 moves in the front-rear direction, the overall chute length is expanded and contracted. The bottom surfaces of the first chute 116 and the second chute 117 are formed so as to incline downward, and the position of the trailing edge of the second chute 117 when the horizontal moving plate 105 moves forward is the pachinko ball counting means. 41 is arranged above.
[0078]
The pachinko ball counting means 41 has a hopper 121 at the top, and an inclined counting passage 122 is formed below the opening 121a at the lower portion of the hopper 121, and the pachinko ball P rolls. A counting sensor 123 is disposed so as to face the exit of 122. The outlet of the counting passage 122 is connected to the discharge chute 43.
[0079]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0080]
As shown in FIG. 3, a case is assumed in which three large ball boxes 1 containing pachinko balls P are stacked on the loading platform 48 of the carriage 33 and conveyed to the place where the pachinko ball counter 31 is installed. In addition, it is mounted on the loading platform 48 of the carriage 33 so that the longitudinal direction of the ball box 1 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the loading platform 48.
[0081]
The cart 33 is loaded into the cart loading section 34 of the counter body 32. In this loading process, the lateral position of the carriage 33 is positioned between the side walls 53 of the carriage loading section 34 with respect to the carriage loading section 34, and the lateral position of the stacked carton 1 is the carriage loading section 34. It is positioned by the ball box guide 60 and the guide part 61 on both sides of the lens. Furthermore, the insertion position is positioned when the distal end surface of the carriage 33 in the insertion direction contacts the side wall 52 on the back side of the carriage loading portion 34.
[0082]
When the start button 44 is turned on, the automatic counting operation of the pachinko balls P is started. The automatic counting operation is started when the cart loading detection switch 54 is pushed and turned on at the front end surface of the cart 33 in the insertion direction, and a ball box loading detection sensor (not shown) disposed in the guide portion 61 It is a condition that 1 is detected.
[0083]
When the start button 44 is turned on, the cam 59 of the carriage locking means 55 is rotated, the locking lever 56 in the lowered state is raised, and the locking claw 57 at the tip is placed behind the leading edge 48a of the loading platform 48. The cart 33 is engaged and locked in the cart loading section 34.
[0084]
FIG. 9 (a) shows the state at the start of the automatic counting operation. The lift plate 64 of the lift means 62 is positioned above the carriage loading portion 34, the hanger member 77 is in the disengaged position, and is engaged. Each member 79 is located at a lower position. Further, the discharging means 101 is located at a backward position behind the carriage loading section.
[0085]
As shown in FIG. 9B, when the start button 44 is turned on, the elevating plate 64 of the lifting means 62 is lowered, and the engaging member 79 is engaged with the upper surface of the flange portion 8 of the third-stage ball box 1 from the bottom. At the same time, after the hook 81 moves below the flange 8 of the ball box 1, the engaging member 79 is moved to the raised position, and the hanger 77 is engaged with the flange 8 of the ball 1. It is swung to the engaging position where it can be engaged.
[0086]
As shown in FIG. 9 (c), the lifting plate 64 of the lift means 62 is raised, the hanger member 77 is lifted by engaging with the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1, and the ball box 1 is slightly higher than the discharge position 50. Stopped at the position raised to the position.
[0087]
As shown in FIGS. 9D and 8A, the horizontal moving plate 105 of the advance / retreat unit 102 is advanced toward the discharge position 50, and the open frame member 110 is advanced together with the horizontal moving plate 105. At the same time, the first chute 116 and the second chute 117 are extended forward. The advance / retreat unit 102 is advanced to the lower side of the ball box 1, and the engagement protrusion 114 of the open frame member 110 is engaged with the protrusion 6 a of the ball box 1 in the middle of the advancement. After the engagement, even if the horizontal movement plate 105 continues to advance, the open frame member 110 is engaged with the ball box 1.
[0088]
Then, when the engaging projection 114 of the open frame member 110 is engaged with the protruding portion 6a of the ball box 1, the opening frame member 110 is positioned at a position spaced apart from the engaging projection 114 by the reference distance L. At the same time, since the actuating member insertion hole 12 is positioned at a position spaced apart from the protrusion 6a by the reference distance L, the vertical position of the actuating member 113 and the actuating member insertion hole 12 is matched. Positioned.
[0089]
As shown in FIGS. 9 (e) and 8 (b), the lift plate 64 of the lift means 62 is lowered, and the ball box 1 is lowered onto the open frame member 110 at the discharge position 50. As a result, the actuating member 113 enters the actuating member insertion hole 12 of the ball box 1 and the shutter plate 3 is opened and the pair of discharge holes 7 on the bottom surface of the ball box 1 are opened. When the pair of discharge holes 7 are opened, the pachinko balls P accommodated in the ball box 1 are discharged from the pair of discharge holes 7 and are placed on the first chute 116 and the second chute 117 through the openings 111a and 105a. And is guided to the first chute 116 and the second chute 117 and released to the hopper 121 of the pachinko ball counting means 41. Accordingly, the pachinko balls P are counted by the pachinko ball counting means 41, and the pachinko balls P after counting are discharged to the outside through the discharge chute 43. The counting status of the pachinko balls P is displayed on the display unit 46.
[0090]
As shown in FIG. 8 (c), after all the pachinko balls P accommodated in the ball box 1 are discharged from the ball box 1, the horizontal movement plate 105 of the advance / retreat unit 102 is moved backward by a predetermined distance to move the ball box. The position 1 is positioned with respect to the ascending position for raising the empty box outlet 35 through the ball box moving space 51. In this way, when moving the ball box 1 in a heavy state in which the pachinko ball P is accommodated by moving the ball box 1 which has become an empty box after discharging the pachinko ball P and positioning it in the ball box moving space 51, In comparison, the movement of the ball box 1 can be easily performed, and problems such as dropping the ball box 1 containing the pachinko balls P are prevented.
[0091]
As shown in FIG. 9 (f), the lifting plate 64 of the lift means 62 is raised, and the positioned ball box 1 is raised in the ball box moving space 51. The elevating plate 64 is raised to the vicinity of the upper part of the counter body 32, and the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 moves over the temporary storage member 97 and moves upward. Further, the upper end of the engaging member 79 is brought into contact with the upper structural portion of the counter body 32 or a contact portion disposed on the upper portion.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 10 (g), when the upper end of the engaging member 79 comes into contact with the upper structural portion of the counter body 32 or the contact portion disposed on the upper portion, the movement is restricted. 79 is pushed down relatively and is forcibly moved to the lower position. As the engaging member 79 moves to the lower position, the hanger member 77 is swung toward the non-engaging position where the hanger member 77 is disengaged from the ball box 1. The state of being engaged with the portion 8 is maintained.
[0093]
As shown in FIG. 10 (h), when the lifting plate 64 of the lifting means 62 is lowered and the ball box 1 is transferred onto the temporary holding member 97, the engagement of the hanger member 77 is released, and the hanger member 77 is moved. It is swung to the disengaged position. As a result, the hanger member 77 and the engaging member 79 of the lift means 62 have the same positional relationship as in the initial state shown in FIG. 9A, and the next lifting operation is possible.
[0094]
Further, the elevating plate 64 is lowered, and the push-up member 96 on the upper portion of the elevating plate 64 gets over the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 temporarily held on the temporary holding member 97 and is moved downward. Similarly to the case shown in FIG. 9 (b), the engaging member 79 engages with the upper surface of the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 in the second stage from the bottom, and the hanger member 77 of the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1. After the hooking portion 81 moves downward, the engaging member 79 is moved to the raised position, and the hanger member 77 is swung to the engaging position where the hanger member 77 can be engaged with the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1.
[0095]
As shown in FIG. 10 (i), the third-stage (empty box) ball in which the lift plate 64 of the lift means 62 is raised and the push-up member 96 at the top of the lift plate 64 is temporarily held on the temporary hold member 97. While engaging with the flange portion 8 of the box 1, the ball box 1 is pushed up, and the hanger member 77 engages with the flange portion 8 of the second-stage ball box 1 to lift the ball box 1. The flange portion 8 of the third-stage (empty box) ball box 1 gets over the locking member 98 and moves upward, and the second-stage ball box 1 is raised to a position slightly higher than the discharge position 50.
[0096]
As shown in FIG. 10 (j) (similar to that shown in FIG. 9 (d) and FIG. 8 (a)), the advance / retreat unit 102 moves forward toward the discharge position 50 and is moved to the lower side of the ball box 1. The operation member 113 of the open frame member 110 and the operation member insertion hole 12 of the ball box 1 are positioned so that their vertical positions coincide.
[0097]
As shown in FIG. 10 (k) (similar to that shown in FIGS. 9 (e) and 8 (b)), the lifting plate 64 of the lift means 62 is lowered, and the second stage ball box 1 opens the discharge position 50. The frame member 110 is lowered. As a result, the actuating member 113 enters the actuating member insertion hole 12 of the ball box 1 to move the shutter plate 3 open, and the pachinko balls P accommodated in the ball box 1 are discharged from the opened pair of discharge holes 7. The pachinko balls P are guided to the pachinko ball counting means 41 by the first chute 116 and the second chute 117 and counted by the pachinko ball counting means 41.
[0098]
Further, as the elevating plate 64 of the lift means 62 descends, the flange portion 8 of the third-stage (empty box) ball box 1 is transferred onto the locking member 98 and is supported by facing the empty box outlet 35. At the same time, the shutter 36 of the empty box outlet 35 is opened and the third-stage (empty box) ball box 1 can be taken out through the empty box outlet 35. When the third-stage (empty box) ball box 1 is taken out, the shutter 36 is closed and the empty box outlet 35 is closed.
[0099]
Further, the second stage box 1 that has become an empty box after the pachinko balls P are discharged is moved rearward and positioned in the box movement space 51.
[0100]
As shown in FIG. 10 (l) (similar to the case shown in FIG. 9 (f)), the lifting plate 64 of the lift means 62 is raised to the vicinity of the upper part of the counter body 32 and is positioned. The upper end of the engaging member 79 is brought into contact with the upper structural portion of the counter main body 32 or the contact portion provided on the upper portion.
[0101]
As shown in FIG. 11 (m) (similar to that shown in FIG. 10 (g)), the upper end of the engagement member 79 is in contact with the upper structural portion of the counter body 32 or the abutting portion disposed on the upper portion. When the movement is restricted by contact, the engaging member 79 is relatively pushed down and is forcibly moved to the lower position. As the engaging member 79 moves to the lower position, the hanger member 77 is swung toward the non-engaging position where the hanger member 77 is disengaged from the ball box 1. The state of being engaged with the portion 8 is maintained.
[0102]
As shown in FIG. 11 (n) (similar to that shown in FIG. 9 (b) and FIG. 10 (h)), the lift plate 64 of the lift means 62 is lowered, and the ball box 1 is placed on the temporary holding member 97. By moving, the engagement of the hanger member 77 is released, and the hanger member 77 is swung to the non-engagement position. As a result, the hanger member 77 and the engaging member 79 of the lift means 62 are in the same positional relationship as in the initial state shown in FIGS. 9A and 10H, and the next lifting operation is possible.
[0103]
Further, the elevating plate 64 is lowered, and the push-up member 96 on the upper portion of the elevating plate 64 gets over the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 temporarily held on the temporary holding member 97 and is moved downward. Similarly to the case shown in FIGS. 9 (b) and 10 (h), the engaging member 79 is engaged with the upper surface of the flange portion 8 of the lowermost first stage box 1 and the hanger member 77 is a ball. After the hook portion 81 moves below the flange portion 8 of the box 1, the engagement member 79 is moved to the raised position and the hanger member 77 is engageable with the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1. Is swung.
[0104]
As shown in FIG. 11 (o) (similar to that shown in FIGS. 9 (c) and 10 (i)), the lift plate 64 of the lift means 62 is raised, and the push-up member 96 above the lift plate 64 is temporarily moved. The hanger member 77 is pushed up by being engaged with the flange portion 8 of the second-stage (empty box) ball box 1 temporarily held on the holding member 97, and the hanger member 77 is a flange portion of the first-stage ball box 1. 8 is engaged and the ball box 1 is lifted. The flange portion 8 of the second-stage (empty box) ball box 1 gets over the locking member 98 and is moved upward, and the first-stage ball box 1 is raised to a position slightly higher than the discharge position 50.
[0105]
As shown in FIG. 11 (p) (similar to that shown in FIGS. 9 (d) and 10 (j)), the advance / retreat unit 102 moves forward toward the discharge position 50 and is moved to the lower side of the ball box 1. The operation member 113 of the open frame member 110 and the operation member insertion hole 12 of the ball box 1 are positioned so that their vertical positions coincide.
[0106]
As shown in FIG. 11 (q) (similar to that shown in FIGS. 9 (e) and 10 (k)), the lifting plate 64 of the lift means 62 is lowered, and the first-stage ball box 1 opens the discharge position 50. The frame member 110 is lowered. As a result, the actuating member 113 enters the actuating member insertion hole 12 of the ball box 1 to move the shutter plate 3 open, and the pachinko balls P accommodated in the ball box 1 are discharged from the opened pair of discharge holes 7. The pachinko balls P are guided to the pachinko ball counting means 41 by the first chute 116 and the second chute 117 and counted by the pachinko ball counting means 41.
[0107]
Further, the flange portion 8 of the second-stage (empty box) ball box 1 is transferred onto the locking member 98 by the lowering of the elevating plate 64 of the lift means 62 and is supported facing the empty box outlet 35. At the same time, the shutter 36 of the empty box outlet 35 is opened and the second-stage (empty box) ball box 1 can be taken out through the empty box outlet 35. When the second-stage (empty box) ball box 1 is taken out, the shutter 36 is closed and the empty box outlet 35 is closed.
[0108]
Further, the first-stage box 1 that has become an empty box after the pachinko balls P are discharged is moved rearward and positioned in the box movement space 51.
[0109]
As shown in FIG. 11 (r) (similar to that shown in FIGS. 9 (f) and 10 (l)), the lift plate 64 of the lift means 62 is raised to the vicinity of the upper part of the counter body 32 and positioned. Further, the flange portion 8 of the first stage box 1 is moved upward over the temporary holding member 97, and the upper end of the engaging member 79 is placed on the upper structural portion of the counter body 32 or the contact portion disposed on the upper portion. Abutted.
[0110]
As shown in FIG. 12 (s) (similar to that shown in FIG. 10 (g) and FIG. 11 (m)), the upper end of the engaging member 79 is disposed on the upper structural portion of the counter body 32 or on the upper part. When the movement is restricted by abutting against the abutting portion, the engaging member 79 is relatively pushed down and forcibly moved to the lower position. As the engaging member 79 moves to the lower position, the hanger member 77 is swung toward the non-engaging position where the hanger member 77 is disengaged from the ball box 1. The state of being engaged with the portion 8 is maintained.
[0111]
As shown in FIG. 12 (t) (similar to that shown in FIGS. 10 (h) and 11 (n)), the lifting plate 64 of the lift means 62 is lowered, and the ball box 1 is placed on the temporary holding member 97. By moving, the engagement of the hanger member 77 is released, and the hanger member 77 is swung to the non-engagement position. As a result, the hanger member 77 and the engaging member 79 of the lift means 62 are in the same positional relationship as in the initial state shown in FIGS. 9A and 10H, and the next lifting operation is possible. Further, the elevating plate 64 is lowered, and the push-up member 96 on the upper portion of the elevating plate 64 gets over the flange portion 8 of the ball box 1 temporarily held on the temporary holding member 97 and is moved downward.
[0112]
As shown in FIG. 12 (u) (similar to that shown in FIGS. 10 (i) and 11 (o)), the lift plate 64 of the lift means 62 is raised, and the push-up member 96 above the lift plate 64 is temporarily moved. Engaged with the flange portion 8 of the first-stage (empty box) ball box 1 temporarily held on the holding member 97, the ball box 1 is pushed up, and the first-stage ball box 1 is slightly higher than the discharge position 50. Raised to position.
[0113]
As shown in FIG. 12 (v) (similar to that shown in FIGS. 10 (k) and 11 (q)), the lifting plate 64 of the lifting means 62 is lowered, and the first-stage (empty box) ball box 1 is moved. The flange portion 8 is transferred onto the locking member 98 and is supported by facing the empty box outlet 35. At the same time, the shutter 36 of the empty box outlet 35 is opened and the first-stage (empty box) ball box 1 can be taken out through the empty box outlet 35. When the first-stage (empty box) ball box 1 is taken out, the shutter 36 is closed and the empty box outlet 35 is closed.
[0114]
Also, the cam 59 of the cart locking means 55 is rotated, the locking lever 56 in the raised state is lowered, the locking claw 57 at the tip is released from the tip edge 48a of the loading platform 48, and the cart 33 is loaded on the cart. It can be taken out from the part 34.
[0115]
As described above, when three large ball boxes 1 containing pachinko balls P are stacked on the loading platform 48 of the cart 33 and transported to the place where the pachinko ball counter 31 is installed, the cart of the counter body 32 is loaded. The pachinko balls P in the ball box 1 can be automatically discharged and counted by the pachinko ball counting means 41 by simply loading the ball box 1 transported by the cart 33 into the section 34 together with the cart 33. The counting work of the balls P can be facilitated.
[0116]
Further, even when the middle-sized ball boxes 1 are stacked on all or a part of the ball boxes 1 placed on the carriage 33, it can be handled by automatic processing. That is, as shown in FIG. 8 (d), the advancing / retreating unit 102 is a medium-sized carton with the medium-sized carton 1 positioned at a position slightly higher than the discharge position 50 by the hanger member 77 of the lift means 62. 1 is engaged, the engaging projection 114 of the open frame member 110 is engaged with the protruding portion 6a of the medium-sized ball box 1 in the middle of the advancement. When the engaging protrusion 114 of the open frame member 110 is engaged with the protrusion 6a of the medium-sized ball box 1, the operating member 113 is positioned at a position spaced apart from the engaging protrusion 114 by the reference distance L. In addition, since the actuating member insertion hole 12 is located at a position spaced apart from the protrusion 6a by the reference distance L, the middle-sized ball box 1 has a vertical position between the actuating member 113 and the actuating member insertion hole 12. Positioned to match. Therefore, even when the medium-sized ball boxes 1 are stacked on all or a part of the ball boxes 1 placed on the carriage 33, it can be handled by automatic processing.
[0117]
Further, a hopper 37 is provided on the upper surface of the counter body 32, and the pachinko balls P flowing into the hopper 37 can be counted by the pachinko ball counting means 41. Therefore, when the ball box 1 is loaded together with the carriage 33 and counted, Both the case where the pachinko ball P in the ball box 1 is poured into the hopper 37 and counted can be dealt with. Small and medium-sized ball boxes 1 are suitable for loading pachinko balls P into the hopper 37, but large ball boxes 1 are also possible. In particular, in the case of the middle-sized ball box 1, the lower part of the storage box main body 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 38 of the hopper 37 from above, so that the hopper side operation member 39 is in the operation member insertion hole 12 of the storage box main body 2. The shutter plate 3 is automatically opened and the pachinko balls P in the ball box 1 can be discharged.
[0118]
The discharge position 50 for discharging the pachinko balls P is a position directly above the carriage loading section 34, the lift means 62 moves the ball box 1 in the vertical direction, and the discharge hole opening means 103 and the chute means 104 are in the horizontal direction. By moving and retreating to the lower side of the ball box 1 raised by the lift means 62, the movement of the ball box 1 containing the pachinko balls P is less, and the processing of the pachinko balls P within the counting machine body 32 is ensured. It can be done.
[0119]
Further, an empty box outlet 35 is formed on the upper surface of the counter body 32 by passing the position immediately above the discharge position 50 up to the upper surface of the counter body 32, and the pachinko balls P are discharged by the lift means 62 to form an empty box. Since the ball box 1 is moved to the empty box outlet 35, the empty ball box 1 can be returned to the player or the like, and it can be confirmed that the pachinko ball P counting process has been automatically performed.
[0120]
Further, since the discharge hole opening means 103 and the chute means 104 are integrally moved in the horizontal direction, the configuration of the drive mechanism and the like can be simplified.
[0121]
Moreover, after the hanger member 77 of the lift means 62 raises the ball box 1 loaded in the carriage loading section 34 to the height of the temporary holding member 97 and temporarily holds it in the temporary holding member 97, Since the ball box 1 held by the push-up member 96 can be raised to the empty box outlet 35 on the upper surface of the counter body 32, the ball box 1 is removed from the cart loading portion 34 by one lift means 62. It can be raised over a wide range up to 35, and the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
[0122]
Further, when the engaging member 79 is located at the lower position, the hanger member 77 is retracted and swung to the non-engaging position with respect to the ball box 1, and when the engaging member 79 is located at the upper position, the hanger member 77 is moved to the ball. In order to advance and swing to the engagement position with respect to the box 1, the elevating unit 63 is lowered toward the carriage loading portion 34, and the engagement member 79 engages with the upper surface of the ball box 1 and moves to a relatively upper position. As a result, the hanger member 77 is engaged with the ball box 1 and the elevating unit 63 is raised, and the engaging member 79 is engaged with, for example, the upper member of the counter body 32 and moved to a relatively lower position. By doing so, the hanger member 77 is detached from the ball box 1, and accordingly, the hanger member 77 can be automatically engaged and disengaged with the ball box 1 as the elevating unit 63 moves up and down.
[0123]
In addition, regardless of the length of the container box body 2 in the longitudinal direction of the ball box 1, the operation member insertion hole 12 is provided at the center position in the longitudinal direction of the container box body 2. Since projections 6a projecting from the outer surface of the storage box body 2 are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the box body 2 at a certain reference distance L, the projections of the storage box body 2 are provided on the pachinko ball counter 31 side. By positioning through 6a, the positions of the operating member 113 of the pachinko ball counter 31 and the operating member insertion hole 12 of the housing box body 2 can be positioned. Therefore, even if the ball box 1 that allows the pachinko ball P to be discharged by opening the shutter plate 3 on the bottom without turning the storage box body 2 upside down, The pachinko ball counter 31 having the actuating member 113 for opening and closing the shutter plate 3 can be used.
[0124]
Further, since the protrusion 6a serves as a reinforcing portion on the side surface of the storage box body 12 and a restriction portion when the storage box body 2 is stacked, the side surface of the storage box body 2 is deformed or the storage box body 2 is stacked. Insertion can be prevented.
[0125]
Further, since the shutter plate 3 moves upward with the bent portion 23 at the head while bending the two plate bodies 21, the discharge hole 7 can be opened with almost no load applied to the pachinko ball P. In addition, since the amount that the discharge hole 7 is opened is larger than the amount that the shutter plate 3 pushes away the pachinko ball P, the pachinko ball P is seen from above when the shutter plate 3 is opened even when the pachinko ball P is full. There is no overflowing and spilling. Further, since the shutter plate 3 in the opened state is steeply inclined to guide the pachinko balls P to the discharge holes 7 and the discharge holes 7 are opened at two locations, the discharge speed of the pachinko balls P is increased. Fast and efficient discharge.
[0126]
Next, FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a front view showing the internal mechanism of the pachinko ball counter 31.
[0127]
In this embodiment, pachinko ball counting means 41 is disposed on the side of the carriage loading section 34, and the discharge hole opening means 103 is disposed with the upper side of the pachinko ball counting means 41 as the discharge position 50. The discharge position 50 An empty box take-out port 35 is disposed above the upper side. The lift means 62 can move in the vertical direction and horizontally between the carriage loading portion 34 and the discharge position 50, lifts the ball box 1 on the carriage 33 of the carriage loading portion 34 upward, and horizontally moves above the discharge position 50. It moves in the direction and operates to lower it onto the discharge hole opening means 103 at the discharge position 50.
[0128]
In the case of the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0129]
【The invention's effect】
According to the pachinko ball counter according to claim 1, the pachinko ball storage box loaded in the ball box loading section of the counter body is raised to the height of the temporary holding member by the hanger member of the lift means, and the temporary holding member is used. After temporarily holding, the pachinko ball storage box held by the lifting member of the lift means can be raised to the empty box outlet on the upper surface of the counter body, so the pachinko ball storage box can be moved by one lift means. It can be raised over a wide range from the ball box loading section to the empty box take-out port, and the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
[0130]
According to the pachinko ball counter according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the pachinko ball counter according to claim 1, the hanger member is disengaged from the pachinko ball housing box when the engaging member is located at the lower position. In order to retreat and swing to the position, and to move the hanger member to the engagement position with respect to the pachinko ball storage box when the engagement member is located in the upper position, the lifting unit is lowered toward the ball box loading portion, When the engaging member engages with the upper surface of the pachinko ball storage box and moves to a relatively upper position, the hanger member engages with the pachinko ball storage box, raises the lifting unit, and the engaging member For example, the hanger member is detached from the pachinko ball housing box by engaging with the upper member of the counter body and moving to a relatively lower position. It can be automatically disengaged with respect to co-ball containing box.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing an internal mechanism of a pachinko ball counter showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal mechanism of the pachinko ball counter according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pachinko ball counter according to the embodiment.
4A and 4B show the lift means according to the embodiment, wherein FIG. 4A is a front view of the lift means before being hooked, FIG. 4B is a front view of the lift means after being hooked, and FIG. It is a side view of the state before catching of the lift means.
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the pachinko ball storage box according to the embodiment, (a) is a longitudinal side view of a large pachinko ball storage box, and (b) is a longitudinal view of a medium pachinko ball storage box. (C) is a side view in the short direction of the large and medium pachinko ball storage boxes.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko ball storage box of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pachinko ball storage box according to the embodiment; (a) is a cross-sectional view with the discharge hole of the pachinko ball storage box closed; and (b) is a view of the pachinko ball storage box. It is sectional drawing in the state where the discharge hole opened.
FIG. 8 shows a part of the discharging means of the embodiment described above, (a) to (c) are side views for sequentially explaining the discharging operation of pachinko balls from a large pachinko ball storage box, and (d) is a side view. It is a side view in the case of a medium-sized pachinko ball storage box.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the pachinko ball counting operation according to the embodiment in the order of (a) to (f).
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the pachinko ball counting operation according to the embodiment in the order of (g) to (l).
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the pachinko ball counting operation according to the embodiment in the order of (m) to (r).
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the pachinko ball counting operation according to the embodiment in the order of (s) to (v).
FIG. 13 is a front view showing an internal mechanism of a pachinko ball counter showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Pachinko ball storage box
7 Discharge hole
31 Pachinko ball counting machine
32 Counter body
34a Ball box loading section
35 Empty box exit
41 Pachinko ball counting means
62 Lifting means
63 Lifting unit
76 horizontal axis
77 Hanger parts
78 Interlocking member
79 Engagement member
81 Hook
84 Engagement part
87 cams
90 Rotation axis
94 Spring
96 Push-up member
97 Temporary holding member
101 Discharge means
104 Shooting means
107 Drive means
113 Actuating member

Claims (2)

A counter main body having a ball box loading section that can be loaded in a state where a predetermined number or less of pachinko ball storage boxes are stacked;
An empty box outlet for taking out the pachinko ball storage box formed on the upper surface of the counter body at a position directly above the ball box loading unit,
Pachinko ball counting means for receiving and counting pachinko balls;
Lift means for engaging the peripheral portion of the pachinko ball storage box with the pachinko ball storage box loaded in the ball box loading section to raise and lower the pachinko ball storage box;
The pachinko ball storage box lifted by the lift means is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat, and opens and closes a discharge hole formed in the pachinko ball storage box, and the pachinko ball discharged from the discharge hole is the pachinko ball. A pachinko ball counter equipped with a discharging means having a chute means leading to the counting means,
The lift means includes
A pair of elevating units that ascend and descend between the ball box loading unit and the empty box outlet along the two opposite sides of the pachinko ball storage box loaded in the ball box loading unit;
A hanger member that is provided in each lifting unit, engages with the peripheral edge of the pachinko ball storage box at a position below each lifting unit, and lifts the pachinko ball storage box,
A push-up member that is provided at an upper position of each lifting unit, engages with the peripheral edge of the pachinko ball storage box, and pushes up the pachinko ball storage box;
Drive means for raising and lowering the elevating unit;
Provided on the counter body side at the position where the lifting range of the hanger member and the lifting range of the push-up member overlap, allowing the pachinko ball storage box to pass upward and preventing the pachinko ball from passing downward. A pachinko ball counting machine comprising a temporary holding member capable of temporarily holding a box. The hanger member has a hook part that can be engaged with the peripheral part of the pachinko ball storage box at the tip that extends downward, and is provided so as to be swingable with the horizontal axis at the top of the lifting unit as a fulcrum,
An engagement member having an engagement portion that can be engaged with the upper surface of the pachinko ball storage box at a tip extending downward along the hanger member is provided on the elevating unit so as to be movable up and down.
A cam that rotates around the rotation axis in conjunction with the vertical movement of the engagement member is provided,
The cam is rotated and biased in one of the rotation directions with the rotation shaft as a fulcrum, so that the engagement portion of the engagement member is positioned at either the lower position or the upper position with respect to the hook portion of the hanger member. A spring is provided,
In conjunction with the rotation of the cam when the engaging member is located at the lower position, the hanger member is retracted and swung to the non-engaging position with respect to the peripheral edge of the pachinko ball receiving box, and the engaging member is moved to the upper position. 2. The pachinko ball counting device according to claim 1, further comprising an interlocking member that moves the hanger member to an engagement position with respect to a peripheral portion of the pachinko ball receiving box in conjunction with the rotation of the cam when the pachinko ball is positioned. Machine.

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