JP4076823B2 - Freebie game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a prize acquisition game machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a prize acquisition game machine is configured such that a player operates a predetermined prize moving means by operating an operation switch to take out a prize arranged in a prize arrangement area such as a rotary table. Yes. When this prize is brought into a predetermined prize acquisition area, the player can acquire it. In such a game machine, after the player takes out the prize from the prize arrangement area, it may fail to appropriately carry the prize into the prize acquisition area, and the prize may protrude from the prize arrangement area. If such a prize is left as it is, the appearance is bad. In some cases, the operation of each part of the game machine may be hindered.
[0003]
Therefore, conventionally, there is a prize acquisition game machine described in, for example, JP-A-10-277255. This conventional prize acquisition game machine is configured such that a prize that fails to be acquired and falls into a predetermined area is collected in a collection box by being conveyed using a belt conveyor.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the prize acquisition game machine, in addition to the case where a prize is acquired by a player, a prize may be taken out from a prize arrangement area that does not lead to the acquisition of the prize. When the remaining amount of prizes in the arrangement area is reduced to a certain extent, it is necessary to replenish prizes. On the other hand, in the above-described prior art, prizes that have failed to be acquired can only be collected in a collection box. For this reason, in the above-described prior art, in order to return the collected prizes to the prize arrangement area, this has to be done manually, which is troublesome. Also, when returning the prize to the prize arrangement area by hand, it is necessary to stop using the prize acquisition game machine, and this is also inconvenient. Furthermore, the manager of the prize-winning game machine needs to frequently monitor the game machine as to whether or not the remaining amount of prizes in the prize placement area is sufficient, which causes inconvenience in terms of management. It was.
[0005]
The present invention has been conceived under such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a prize acquisition game machine capable of facilitating the work and management of prize replenishment compared to conventional ones. It is an issue.
[0006]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.
[0007]
  The prize acquisition game machine provided by the present invention includes a prize moving means used for acquiring the prize by moving the prize from the prize arrangement area to the prize acquisition area, and for collecting the prize if the acquisition fails. A prize collecting game machine having a prize collecting means for collecting a prize that has entered the area, wherein the prize collecting mechanism is capable of returning the prize collected by the prize collecting means to the prize arrangement area. The prize collection means includes a collection box disposed below the prize arrangement area and the prize collection area, and the prize collectionforTransporting means for receiving a prize that has fallen into the area and transporting it so as to be accommodated in the collection box, and the prize return mechanism is configured to move the collection box above the prize arrangement area. In the raised state, an operation of dropping the prize in the collection box into the prize arrangement area in the lowered state and an operation of returning the collection box to the original arrangement position after the loading operation are possible. Configured toAnd the transport means is configured to stop transporting the prize when the collection box is raised, and to collect the prize falling from the prize collection area on the transport means. HaveIt is characterized by that.
[0008]
  According to the present invention, a prize that has failed to be acquired can be returned to the prize placement area by using the prize return mechanism after being collected by the prize collection means, thereby supplementing the prize. . Therefore, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to manually replenish the prize, which is convenient. Also, the supplement of the prize can be executed without stopping the game, which is more convenient. Furthermore, if the prizes that have failed to obtain the prizes are automatically returned to the prize arrangement area periodically or irregularly, it is possible to suppress a sudden decrease in the amount of prizes in the prize arrangement area. In addition, the burden on the administrator to monitor the remaining amount of prizes is reduced.Further, the operation for collecting the prizes that have failed to be collected in the collection box and the operation for returning the prizes collected in the collection box to the prize placement area can be accurately executed by means having a simple configuration.
[0009]
  In addition, the transport means is configured to stop transporting the prize when the collection box is raised, and collect the prize falling from the prize collection area on the transport means. When the collection box is raised, it is possible to prevent a problem such that the transport means improperly transports the prize toward a portion different from the collection box. Further, while the collection box is raised, prizes that have failed to be acquired can be stored on the transport means, so that when the collection box is lowered to the original position, the prizes are collected in the collection box. It can also be transported toward the container and properly accommodated in the collection box.
[0010]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the premium return mechanism has detection means for detecting the amount of premium accumulated in the collection box, and the amount of the premium detected by the detection means is in advance. When a predetermined amount is reached, the premium is returned to the premium arrangement area. According to such a configuration, every time the amount of prizes accumulated in the collection box reaches a predetermined amount, an operation for returning the prizes to the prize arrangement area is performed, so that the management burden of the prize acquisition game machine is further reduced. be able to.
[0012]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a rotary disk-shaped rotary table is provided, the upper surface of the rotary table is used as the prize arrangement area, and the collection box passes through a central area of the rotary table. Are configured to move up and down. The hollow disk-shaped rotary table has a so-called dead space in the center area of the gift transport function. According to the above configuration, this dead space is used as the lifting space for the collection box. Therefore, the space efficiency is good and it is suitable for reducing the size of the entire game machine.
[0013]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the prize is accommodated in the recovery box, an auxiliary member is provided that supports the prize that is positioned in the recovery box and accommodated in the recovery box, The auxiliary member is movable up and down relative to the collection box, so that the prize in the collection box can be lifted above the collection box and discharged to the outside of the collection box. It is configured. According to such a configuration, the operation of returning the prize to the prize placement area by discharging the prize in the collection box and discharging the accommodated prize to the outside of the collection box by means of a simple configuration, Can be done appropriately.
[0014]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary member has a conical or frustoconical flange portion, and when the auxiliary member is located in the recovery box, It is configured so that prizes can be placed on. According to such a configuration, when the auxiliary member is lifted so as to protrude above the collection box, the premium on the flange portion has four sides due to the fact that the flange portion has a conical shape or a truncated cone shape. Will be dropped and distributed. Therefore, it is suitable for preventing a plurality of prizes from being returned as a group to the prize arrangement area.
[0015]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the premium return mechanism performs an operation of returning the premium to the premium arrangement area, a control means is provided for driving the acoustic device and / or the lighting device to a predetermined state. ing. According to such means, when returning the prize to the prize arrangement area, the player can be entertained by the sound effect and / or the lighting effect.
[0016]
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a prize acquisition game machine according to the present invention. The prize acquisition game machine A according to the present embodiment includes a casing 10 and a space chamber 12 surrounded by one or a plurality of partition members 11 made of transparent glass or synthetic resin and mounted on the casing 10. And a ceiling portion 13 that covers the upper portion of the space chamber 12. An operation panel including a plurality of operation switches 14 and a prize takeout port 15 are provided on the outer surface portion of the housing unit 10. An illumination device 16 and an acoustic device 17 having a speaker are provided at the ceiling 13 and other appropriate places.
[0019]
In the space chamber 12, a rotary table 2, a plurality of prize takeout devices 3, a plurality of fixed tables 4A, and a plurality of slide tables 4B are provided. As shown in FIG. 2, a panel 50 is provided on the outer periphery of the turntable 2, and the panel 50 is provided with a prize acquisition opening 50 </ b> A and a prize collection opening 50 </ b> B. The prize acquisition opening 50A corresponds to an example of a prize acquisition area in the present invention. The prize collection opening 50B corresponds to an example of a prize collection area in the present invention.
[0020]
In this prize acquisition game machine A, when the prize P on the rotary table 2 is carried onto the fixed table 4A by the prize take-out device 3, and then dropped onto the prize acquisition opening 50A by the slide table 4B, this is the prize. It is guided by the takeout port 15 and acquired by the player. The prize P that has failed to be acquired and has fallen to the prize collection opening 50B from the fixed table 4A is collected by means to be described later and returned to the rotary table 2. In FIG. 2, the prize collection opening 50B is formed in a relatively small size and is provided only on both sides of the fixed table 4A. The prize collection opening 50B is, for example, the rotary table 2. Needless to say, the prize P can be arranged and sized so that the prize P enters the prize collection opening 50B when the prize P is displaced from the position.
[0021]
The turntable 2 is for circulating and delivering a plurality of prizes P along a fixed path, and is rotatable in the direction of the arrow N1 by a driving force of a motor (not shown). The turntable 2 has a hollow disk shape, and the upper surface 20 of the turntable 2 corresponds to an example of a prize arrangement area in the present invention. As the prize P, various items such as stuffed animals, dolls, other character goods, confectionery such as candy, or coins can be used, and the specific types of the items are not limited.
[0022]
The prize take-out device 3 includes an operation unit 31 having a doll appearance with a pair of excavators 30, a horizontal shaft 32 that supports the operation unit 31, and a support unit 33 that supports one end of the horizontal shaft 32. is doing. The operation unit 31 is configured to freely reciprocate in the direction of arrow N2 along the horizontal axis 32 and to move the pair of excavators 30 up and down by rotating in the direction of arrow N3 about the horizontal axis 32. . The pair of excavators 30 is rotatable in the direction of arrow N4 around the central axis C of the two support shafts 30a that support them. By performing such rotation, the pair of excavators 30 can move toward each other while being lowered and scoop up the prize P. A mechanism (not shown) for reciprocating the operation unit 31 in the horizontal direction and rotating the pair of excavators 30 is incorporated in the doll of the operation unit 31. A mechanism (not shown) for rotating the shaft 32 to rotate the operation unit 31 in the direction of the arrow N3 is incorporated.
[0023]
In the prize take-out device 3, the following operation is possible by operating the operation switch 14. That is, first, the operation unit 31 moves horizontally from a predetermined start position above one side of the turntable 2 to above the turntable 2. Thereafter, the operating unit 31 rotates around the horizontal axis 32, and the pair of excavators 30 are thereby lowered. Next, the pair of excavators 30 scoops the prize P on the rotary table 2. After that, the operation unit 31 performs the reverse operation to the above, and after moving up to above the fixed table 4A, the pair of excavators 30 is opened, and the scooped prize P is placed on the fixed table 4A.
[0024]
The fixed table 4 </ b> A has, for example, a flat plate shape, and is fixed to the outer periphery of the rotary table 2. The slide table 4B can reciprocate with a constant stroke in the direction of the arrow N5 on the fixed table 4A. This slide table 4B is configured to always reciprocate during play. When the prize P placed on the fixed table 4A is pressed by the slide table 4B, it is dropped into the prize acquisition opening 50A as shown by an arrow N6, and a prize collection opening as shown by an arrow N7. May be dropped to 50B. As shown in FIG. 3, the prize acquisition opening 50 </ b> A is connected to the prize takeout port 15, and the player obtains the prize P by guiding the prize P to the prize takeout port 15.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 3, the prize acquisition game machine A of the present embodiment collects a prize P that has fallen from the fixed table 4A into the prize collection opening 50B in the collection box 80. 6, a prize return mechanism 7 for returning the prize P collected in the collection box 80 onto the rotary table 2, and a control unit 81 that performs operation control of these mechanisms.
[0026]
The prize collection mechanism 6 includes a guide member 61 and a conveyor 62 driven by a motor M1. The guide member 61 is for guiding the prize P falling below the prize collection opening 50B onto the conveyor 62, and has a hopper shape or an inclined plate shape. The conveyor 62 is arranged below the rotary table 2, receives the prize P guided by the guide member 61, and conveys the prize P to the upper side of the recovery box 80 or in the vicinity thereof, and then in the recovery box 80. It is provided so that it can be input. The collection box 80 is a box with an upper opening.
[0027]
The prize return mechanism 7 includes an elevating mechanism 70 for elevating the collection box 80, an auxiliary member 71 disposed in the collection box 80, an elevating mechanism 72 for elevating the auxiliary member 71, and a plurality of sensors 73a. ing.
[0028]
The plurality of sensors 73a are for detecting the amount of the prize P accommodated in the collection box 80. For example, sensors capable of optically detecting the prize P are used. The plurality of sensors 73a are arranged at different heights, and are configured to be able to determine the amount of the prize P in the collection box 80 in a plurality of stages. Of course, in the present invention, unlike the present embodiment, only one sensor 73a is used so that only whether or not the collection box 80 is full or close to the prize P is determined. You can also. Further, as a means for detecting the amount of the prize P, various sensors other than the optical sensor can be used.
[0029]
The elevating mechanism 70 is configured such that, for example, a belt 70c is wound around a pair of pulleys 70a and 70b arranged up and down, and the belt 70c can be circulated and moved up and down by a driving force of a motor M2. The collection box 80 has a bracket portion 80a attached to the belt 70c, and can move up and down in the direction of arrow N8 along with the belt 70c. More specifically, the collection box 80 is positioned directly below the center of the turntable 2 so that the prize P can be received from the conveyor 62 in the normal state. As shown in the figure, the upper edge of the collection box 80 is positioned higher than the upper surface 20 of the turntable 2 and is located in the center of the turntable 2.
[0030]
The auxiliary member 71 can be arranged in the collection box 80 so as to cover the bottom of the collection box 80, and has a conical or truncated cone-shaped flange portion 71a. When the prize P is stored in the collection box 80, the prize P is placed on the flange portion 71a. The elevating mechanism 72 is assembled to the recovery box 80, and includes a screw shaft 72a that is supported by the recovery box 80 and extends in the vertical direction, and a motor M3 for rotating the screw shaft 72a via gears 72b and 72c. Have. A female screw portion 71b formed on the auxiliary member 71 is screwed onto the screw shaft 72a. The auxiliary member 71 is provided such that it cannot rotate relative to the collection box 80. Thus, the auxiliary member 71 can be moved up and down along the screw shaft 72a by the principle of the feed screw mechanism when the screw shaft 72a rotates. As shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary member 71 can be raised up to a height at which the entire flange portion 71 a of the auxiliary member 71 protrudes above the collection box 80.
[0031]
The control unit 81 is configured using, for example, a microcomputer, and is configured to control operations of the lifting mechanisms 70 and 72, the conveyor 62, and the like. More specifically, when the plurality of sensors 73a detect that the amount of the prize P in the collection box 80 has reached a predetermined amount, the control unit 81 drives the motor M2 at that time. The collection box 80 is raised to the height shown in FIG. The controller 81 then controls the lowering of the auxiliary member 71 and the collection box 80 to their original height after driving the motor M3 to raise the auxiliary member 71 to the height shown in FIG. It is configured. The control unit 81 always drives the conveyor 62. When the collection box 80 is raised, the control unit 81 stops the conveyor 62, and when the collection box 80 returns to the original position after that, the drive of the conveyor 62 is resumed. It is comprised so that control may be performed. Further, the control unit 81 is configured to drive the sound device 17 such as the lighting device 16 and the speaker when raising the collection box 80 to generate lighting and sound different from those during normal game execution.
[0032]
Next, a usage example and operation of the prize acquisition game machine A will be described.
[0033]
In the prize acquisition game machine A, as shown in FIG. 2, the prize P on the rotary table 2 is carried on the fixed table 4A using the prize take-out device 3, and the prize P pressed by the slide table 4B is given as a prize. If the player falls into the acquisition opening 50A, the player acquires it. On the other hand, when the prize P falls into the prize collection opening 50B, the prize P is guided onto the conveyor 62 and then inserted into the collection box 80 by the conveyor 62 as described with reference to FIG. And recovered.
[0034]
When the prize P collected in the collection box 80 becomes full or almost full, for example, this is detected by the sensor 73a. Therefore, after the drive of the conveyor 62 is stopped by the control of the control unit 81, the collection box 80 is moved to the motor. It rises to the height shown in FIG. 4 by driving M2. Next, the motor M3 is driven by the control of the control unit 81, and the auxiliary member 71 is raised relative to the collection box 80 as shown in FIG.
[0035]
When the auxiliary member 71 rises, the prize P in the collection box 80 is lifted above the collection box 80 by the auxiliary member 71, so that it spills around the collection box 80 and returns to the turntable 2. Since the flange portion 71a of the auxiliary member 71 has a conical shape or a truncated cone shape, the flange portion 71a disperses the plural prizes P in the four directions of the auxiliary member 71 when the plural prizes P are lifted. Demonstrate the effect. Therefore, for example, it is also avoided that many prizes P are returned to a single place on the turntable 2 in a solid state.
[0036]
As described above, the operation of returning the prize P onto the rotary table 2 is performed by raising the collection box 80 and the auxiliary member 71 at the center of the rotary table 2. This does not hinder the operation of taking out the prize P on the turntable 2. Therefore, in the prize acquisition game machine A, even when the player is playing a game, the work of returning the prize P onto the rotary table 2 can be performed. There is no need to stop. In addition, the operation of returning the prize P onto the turntable 2 is different from the normal game operation itself, so that it is interesting for the player watching this. In particular, in that case, the lighting device 16 and the sound device 17 are driven, and the lighting and sound different from those in the normal game execution are generated, which is more interesting for the player.
[0037]
When the operation of returning the prize P to the turntable 2 is completed, the collection box 80 is lowered to the original position and the auxiliary member 71 is also lowered to the original position in the collection box 80 under the control of the control unit 81. To do. Then, the operation of the conveyor 62 is resumed. While the collection box 80 is raised, the conveyor 62 was stopped. During that period, the prize P that failed to be acquired and dropped into the prize collection opening 50B was stored on the conveyor 62. These are conveyed toward the collection box 80 when the operation of the conveyor 62 is resumed. Therefore, even if the operation of the conveyor 62 is temporarily interrupted as the collection box 80 rises, this does not hinder the collection operation of the prize P. If the conveyor 62 is operated even though the collection box 80 is raised, there is a problem that the prize P is not properly put into the collection box 80. However, in this embodiment, such a problem is appropriate. To be avoided.
[0038]
As described above, in the prize acquisition game machine A, the operation of returning the prize P that has failed to be acquired onto the rotary table 2 is performed by a machine work. Therefore, compared with the prior art in which the prize P needs to be returned manually, the management burden on the manager of the prize acquisition game machine A is reduced. The operation of returning the prize P onto the turntable 2 is automatically performed every time the quantity of the prize P in the collection box 80 becomes a constant amount under the control of the control unit 81. It is reduced more.
[0039]
FIG. 6 shows another example of a prize acquisition game machine according to the present invention. In the figure, the same or similar elements as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the above embodiment.
[0040]
In the configuration shown in FIG. 6A, a flat slide guide plate 62A is used as transport means for transporting the prize P falling from the prize collection opening 50B toward the collection box 80. . The slide guide plate 62A is swingable in the vertical direction around the shaft 62a, and is normally in a forward-lowering state (one end near the collection box 80 is lower than the other end) in a normal state. The prize P can be slid and conveyed toward the collection box 80 by using it. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the slide guide plate 62A is inclined forwardly when the collection box 80 is raised. As a result, the slide conveyance of the prize P can be stopped, and the prize P can be stored on the slide guide plate 62A.
[0041]
Even with such a configuration, the same function as that of the conveyor 62 of the above embodiment can be obtained. However, since the configuration of the slide guide plate 62A is simpler than that of the conveyor 62, the structure of the entire game machine is simplified. It is suitable for reducing the manufacturing cost. As will be understood from the present embodiment, in the present invention, the means for conveying the prize to the collection box is not limited to the conveyor.
[0042]
The prize acquisition game machine according to the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the prize acquisition game machine according to the present invention can be varied in design in various ways.
[0043]
The prize arrangement area can be configured without using a rotary table. For example, using a table configured to simply place a prize in a stationary state, the upper surface of the table can be used as a prize arrangement area. Also, a prize arrangement area in which a prize is suspended and supported, such as a game machine described in JP-A-10-277255 described in the section of the prior art, can be employed. Therefore, the prize moving means is not limited to the one that performs the operation of scooping up the prize from the table. Of course, it can also be configured as a game machine that does not include means corresponding to the fixed table 4A and the slide table 4B.
[0044]
The prize acquisition area and the prize collection area need not be formed as, for example, an opening formed in the panel, and the specific position, size, number, and the like are not limited. These are matters that can be appropriately selected according to the specific contents of the game.
[0045]
In short, the prize return mechanism is only required to be configured to be able to return the prize collected by the prize collection means to the prize arrangement area. The mechanism for realizing such an operation is other than the above embodiment. It is possible to employ various types of mechanisms. For example, it may be configured to perform an operation in which a prize that has failed to be acquired is conveyed back to the prize placement area using a conveyor.
[0046]
In the prize acquisition game machine according to the present invention, as described above, the kind of the prize is not limited, and the specific content of the game and the progress procedure are not limited.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a prize acquisition game machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the prize acquisition game machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the prize acquisition game machine shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing an operation example of the prize acquisition game machine shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing an operation example of the prize acquisition game machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic explanatory diagrams showing another example of a prize acquisition game machine according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
A prize acquisition game machine
P Premium
2 Rotary table
3 Premiums retrieval device
4A fixed table
4B slide table
6 Premium collection mechanism (Premium collection means)
7 Premium return mechanism
16 Lighting equipment
17 Audio equipment
20 Top surface of rotary table (Premium placement area)
50A Premium acquisition opening (Premium acquisition area)
50B Premium collection opening (Premium collection area)
62 Conveyor (conveying means)
70 Lifting mechanism
71 Auxiliary members
72 Lifting mechanism
73a Sensor (detection means)
80 collection box
81 Control unit

Claims (6)

A prize moving means used to obtain the prize by moving the prize from the prize arrangement area to the prize acquisition area;
A prize collection means for collecting prizes that have failed to be acquired and entered the prize collection area;
A prize acquisition game machine comprising:
A prize return mechanism capable of returning the prize collected by the prize collection means to the prize arrangement area;
The prize collecting means receives a recovery box disposed below the above prize placement area and the prize collecting area, a prize that has fallen entered to the prize collecting area, so as to be accommodated in the collection box And a conveying means for conveying,
The prize returning mechanism raises the collection box above the prize arrangement area, and in the raised state, throws the prize in the collection box into the prize arrangement area in a fall state, It is configured to be capable of returning and returning the collection box to the original arrangement position after the operation , and
The transport means is configured to stop transport of the prize when the collection box is raised and to collect the prize falling from the prize collection area on the transport means. A prize-winning game machine. The premium returning mechanism has detection means for detecting the amount of the prize accumulated in the collection box, and when the amount of the premium detected by the detection means reaches a predetermined amount, The prize acquisition game machine according to claim 1, wherein the prize acquisition game machine is configured to perform an operation of returning a prize to the prize arrangement area. A hollow disk-shaped rotary table is provided, and the upper surface of the rotary table is the prize placement area, and
The prize collecting game machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the collection box is configured to go up and down through a central region of the turntable. Provided with an auxiliary member that is located in the collection box and supports the prize stored in the collection box when the prize is stored in the collection box; and
The auxiliary member is configured to be movable up and down relative to the collection box, so that an operation of lifting the premium in the collection box above the collection box and discharging it to the outside of the collection box is possible. The prize acquisition game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The auxiliary member has a conical or frustoconical flange portion, and when the auxiliary member is located in the collection box, a prize is placed on the flange portion. The prize acquisition game machine according to claim 4 . When the prize return mechanism to perform the operation for returning the prize to the prize placement area, and a control means for driving a predetermined state an acoustic device and / or illumination device, one of the claims 1 to 5 The prize-winning game machine described in Crab.

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