JP4246003B2 - Amusement machine island - Google Patents

Amusement machine island Download PDF

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JP4246003B2
JP4246003B2 JP2003205906A JP2003205906A JP4246003B2 JP 4246003 B2 JP4246003 B2 JP 4246003B2 JP 2003205906 A JP2003205906 A JP 2003205906A JP 2003205906 A JP2003205906 A JP 2003205906A JP 4246003 B2 JP4246003 B2 JP 4246003B2
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opening
game ball
gaming machine
game balls
discharge port
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JP2005052204A (en
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孝俊 武本
信幸 藤沢
俊幸 青木
秀典 表西
泰友 薩摩
健司 大久保
昌則 高見
信行 林
勇 川俣
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Ace Denken KK
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Ace Denken KK
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【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、遊技機で使用される遊技球が排出口から流入部に流れ込むように形成された遊技球用通路の開閉装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の遊技機島としては、遊技機島の中央部に研磨揚送装置が立設され、遊技機島下部には、研磨揚送装置を中心にして左右両側に貯留タンクが配され、貯留タンク内の遊技球がその底面部に沿って移動し、左右両側の貯留タンクの底面部の終端から遊技球が研磨揚送装置にそれぞれ流れ込み、遊技機島上部に揚送されるようになっている。左右両側の貯留タンクの傾斜した底面部の終端には、貯留タンク用シャッターがそれぞれ配され、研磨揚送装置に流れ込む遊技球の流れを制御しているものがある（例えば、特許文献１参照。）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開平９−１５５０５１号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、このような特許文献１に係る技術では、貯留タンク用シャッターによって、左右両側の傾斜した貯留タンクの底面部から研磨揚送装置に遊技球を均一に流し込む必要があるという問題点があった。
【０００５】
本発明は、このような従来の問題点に着目してなされたもので、遊技球の貯留状態に関わらず、遊技球を排出口から均一に流し込むことができる遊技球用通路の開閉装置を提供することを目的としている。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
かかる目的を達成するための本発明の要旨とするところは、次の項の発明に存する。
［１］複数の遊技機（２０）を並設した遊技機島（１０）の略中央部に遊技球を揚送する揚送装置（３０）が立設され、前記遊技球を前記遊技機（２０）に補給する補給樋（５２）に複数の一時貯留する貯留部（５１）を設け、該一時貯留する貯留部（５１）から溢れ出した遊技球を貯留するための前記遊技機島（１０）の下部に配設された複数の下部貯留タンク（７０）を該遊技機島（１０）内に配置し、該下部貯留タンク（７０）の下部に該下部貯留タンク（７０）から排出された遊技球を前記揚送装置（３０）へ移送するための遊技球移送装置（８０）が配された遊技機島（１０）において、
前記遊技機島（１０）における遊技球の補給・回収を集中的に管理する制御手段（１００）を設け、
前記下部貯留タンク（７０）底部の中央部に遊技球の圧力を回避するための圧力部材（７３）を設け、該圧力部材（７３）の一対の開口部から前記下部貯留タンク（７０）底部傾斜面の一対の排出口（７２）に向けて遊技球用通路が形成され、該遊技球用通路の下部に開閉装置（９０）を構成する開閉部材（９２）の開閉状態を検知する検出手段（９５）を設け、
前記開閉装置（９０）は、本体ケース（９１）、開閉部材（９２）、駆動部（９６）、スクリュー部材（９７）、ナット部材（９８）、動力伝達部材（９９）の移動検出部（９９ｃ）とから構成され、
前記本体ケース（９１）は、前記下部貯留タンク（７０）底部の中央部に開設した開口に嵌め込まれ、前記一対の排出口（７２）から遊技球がそれぞれ流れ込む流入部を有し、
前記開閉部材（９２）は、前記本体ケース（９１）に収容され、前記排出口（７２）から流れ込む遊技球を受け入れられるように底部（９２ｂ）、両側面壁（９２ｃ）、正面壁（９２ｄ）および背面壁（９２ｅ）を備えた容器状に形成され、前記両側面壁（９２ｃ）には前記排出口（７２）に対応して堰部（９２ａ）を有し、
前記受け入れた遊技球が前記流入部に流れ出す流出口（９２ｆ）が開設され、
前記開閉部材（９２）を揺動する駆動部（９６）が配され、該駆動部（９６）により正逆回転する前記スクリュー部材（９７）に螺合するナット部材（９８）と前記開閉部材（９２）を連結する動力伝達部材（９９）と、前記ナット部材（９８）が前記スクリュー部材（９７）の回転軸方向の定位置に移動することを検出する前記移動検出部（９９ｃ）を有し、該移動検出部（９９ｃ）によって前記ナット部材（９８）が定位置の状態であるか否かを検出し、前記開閉部材（９２）が排出口閉塞姿勢と該排出口閉塞姿勢から前記排出口（７２）の方へ傾くことで、前記排出口（７２）と前記堰部（９２ａ）を交互に開くよう前記制御手段（１００）によって遊技球通路の開閉を制御し、前記流出口（９２ｆ）から前記遊技球移送装置（８０）へ遊技球を排出することを特徴とする遊技機島（１０）。
【０００７】
［２］前記開閉装置（９０）は、本体ケース（９１）、開閉部材（９２）、駆動部（９６）、スクリュー部材（９７）、ナット部材（９８）、動力伝達部材（９９）の移動検出部（９９ｃ）とから構成され、
前記本体ケース（９１）は、前記下部貯留タンク（７０）底部の中央部に開設した開口に嵌め込まれ、前記一対の排出口（７２）から遊技球がそれぞれ流れ込む流入部を有し、
前記開閉部材（９２）は、前記本体ケース（９１）に収容され、前記排出口（７２）から流れ込む遊技球を受け入れられるように底部（９２ｂ）、両側面壁（９２ｃ）、正面壁（９２ｄ）および背面壁（９２ｅ）を備えた容器状に形成され、前記両側面壁（９２ｃ）には前記排出口（７２）に対応して堰部（９２ａ）を有し、
前記受け入れた遊技球が前記流入部に流れ出す流出口（９２ｆ）が開設され、
前記開閉部材（９２）を揺動する駆動部（９６）が配され、該駆動部（９６）により正逆回転する前記スクリュー部材（９７）に螺合するナット部材（９８）と前記開閉部材（９２）を連結する動力伝達部材（９９）と、前記ナット部材（９８）が前記スクリュー部材（９７）の回転軸方向の定位置に移動することを検出する移動検出部（９９ｃ）を有し、該移動検出部（９９ｃ）によって前記ナット部材（９８）が定位置の状態であるか否かを検出し、前記開閉部材（９２）が排出口閉塞姿勢と該排出口閉塞姿勢から前記排出口（７２）の方へ傾くことで、前記排出口（７２）と前記堰部（９２ａ）を交互に開くよう前記制御手段（１００）によって遊技球通路の開閉を制御し、前記流出口（９２ｆ）から前記遊技球移送装置（８０）へ遊技球を排出することを特徴とする［１］に記載の遊技機島（１０）。
【００１２】
次に、前記各項に記載された発明の作用について説明する。
前記［１］に記載の遊技機島（１０）によれば、下部貯留タンク（７０）内の遊技球が通路を通って排出口（７２）に導かれ、排出口（７２）から流入部を通って遊技球移動装置（８０）へ流れ込むようになっている。
そして、下部貯留タンク（７０）の底部（７１）は、遊技球が該底部（７１）の中央部に向かって集まるように傾斜するとともに、前記底部（７１）の中央部には、一対の遊技球用通路が配されている。該遊技球用通路は、前記下部貯留タンク（７０）内の遊技球が一対の前記排出口（７２）にそれぞれ導かれるように形成されている。
また、前記遊技球用通路は、路面である底部（７１）と、天井である圧力部材（７３）と、両側の壁部材（７６）とから構成されており、該圧力部材（７３）は、中央から両端に向かって下方に傾斜した屋根形に形成されている。そして、前記圧力部材（７３）は、下部貯留タンク（７０）内で多層になって貯留される遊技球の圧力に耐えられるように、また、遊技球が１層になって前記遊技球用通路に流れるように構成されている。
そして、前記遊技機島（１０）における遊技球の補給・回収を集中的に管理する制御手段（１００）は、前記遊技球用通路の下部に設けられた検出手段（９５）の検出状態を受けて、前記下部貯留タンク（７０）内の遊技球を前記遊技球移送装置（８０）への排出を制御する開閉装置（９０）を制御する。
【００１３】
また、前記［１］に記載したように、下部貯留タンク（７０）内の遊技球が通路を通って排出口（７２）に導かれ、排出口（７２）から流入部を通って遊技球移送装置（８０）へ流れ込むようになっている。開閉装置（９０）の開閉部材（９２）を排出口閉塞姿勢にすると、堰部（９２ａ）が排出口（７２）を閉じ、開閉装置（９０）の開閉部材（９２）を排出口閉塞姿勢から両端部の方へ交互に傾けて一部排出口開放姿勢にすると、堰部（９２ａ）が排出口（７２）を交互に開き、開かれた方の排出口（７２）に対応する貯留された遊技球が排出口（７２）から流入部を通って遊技球移送装置（８０）に流れるようになる。このように、開閉装置（９０）の開閉部材（９２）の堰部（９２ａ）が排出口（７２）を開くことにより、貯留された遊技球がどちらからも遊技球移送装置（８０）に流れるように規制することができる。
【００１４】
前記［１］に記載したように、開閉装置（９０）の開閉部材（９２）（以下、単に開閉部材（９２）と称す。）は、交互に傾くように可動する。開閉部材（９２）には、排出口（７２）に対応して配された堰部（９２ａ）を備えている。この開閉部材（９２）を排出口閉塞姿勢にすると、堰部（９２ａ）が排出口（７２）を閉じ、排出口（７２）から遊技球が流入部に流れ込むことがない。また、開閉部材（９２）を排出口閉塞姿勢から一部排出口開放姿勢になるよう交互に傾けると、開かれた方の排出口（７２）から流入部に遊技球が流れ込むようになる。すなわち、開閉部材（９２）により、排出口（７２）の開閉を規制して遊技球の流れ込みを均一にすることができる。
【００１５】
また、前記［１］に記載したように、開閉部材（９２）は、排出口（７２）から流れ込む遊技球を受け入れられるように容器状に形成され、底部（９２ｂ）、両側壁（９２ｃ）、正面壁（９２ｄ）および背面壁（９２ｅ）を備えている。また、底部（９２ｂ）、正面壁（９２ｄ）または背面壁（９２ｅ）の少なくとも１つには、受け入れた遊技球が流出する流出口（９２ｆ）が開設されている。
【００１６】
この開閉部材（９２）を排出口閉塞姿勢にすると、堰部（９２ａ）が排出口（７２）を閉じ、排出口（７２）から遊技球が流入部に流れ込むことがない。また、開閉部材（９２）を排出口閉塞姿勢から一部排出口開放姿勢に交互に傾けると、堰部（９２ａ）が排出口（７２）を交互に開き、開かれた方の排出口（７２）から流れ込んだ遊技球が開閉部材（９２）内に受け入れられ、受け入れられた遊技球が流出口（９２ｆ）から排出される。一旦、遊技球が開閉部材（９２）に受け入れられてから流出するので、遊技球が流出するときの衝撃を緩和することができる。
【００１７】
さらに、前記［１］に記載したように、遊技球が一対の排出口（７２）からその一対の排出口（７２）の間に配された流入部に流れ込むようになっているものでは、開閉部材（９２）を排出口閉塞姿勢にすると、一対の堰部（９２ａ）が一対の排出口（７２）をそれぞれ閉じ、一対の排出口（７２）のどちらからも遊技球が流入部に流れ込むことがない。また、開閉部材（９２）を排出口閉塞姿勢から両端部の方へ交互に傾けて一部排出口開放姿勢にすると、一対の堰部（９２ａ）が一対の排出口（７２）を交互に開き、開かれた方の排出口（７２）から流れ込んだ遊技球が開閉部材（９２）内に受け入れられ、受け入れられた遊技球が流出口（９２ｆ）から排出される。
【００１９】
さらにまた、前記［１］に記載したように、電動モータ（９６）を始動すると、スクリュー部材（９７）が正転または逆転して、ナット部材（９８）がスクリュー部材（９７）の回転軸方向に移動する。動力伝達部材（９９）がナット部材（９８）に係合しているため、動力伝達部材（９９）がナット部材（９８）に連動し、動力伝達部材（９９）と開閉部材（９２）とが一体的に揺動する。
【００２０】
開閉部材（９２）が排出口閉塞姿勢にあるとき、ナット部材（９８）は、移動検出部（９９ｃ）の検出部中央に位置し、電動モータ（９６）の正転駆動により、ナット部材（９８）がスクリュー部材（９７）上を検出部左に向けて移動する。このとき、開閉部材（９２）は右に傾斜し、開閉部材（９２）は一部排出口開放姿勢の状態となり、排出口（７２）の一方が開くようになる。
【００２１】
次に、ナット部材（９８）は、電動モータ（９６）の逆転駆動により検出部中央に向けて移動し、一旦、開閉部材（９２）は水平姿勢つまり排出口閉塞姿勢となる。更に、逆転駆動によりナット部材（９８）は検出部右に向けて移動する。このとき、開閉部材（９２）は、左に傾斜し、該開閉部材（９２）は、一部排出口開放姿勢の状態となり、排出口（７２）の他方が開くようになる。すなわち、開閉部材（９２）は最初水平状態つまり排出口閉塞姿勢の状態から一部排出口開放姿勢（開閉部材（９２）右傾斜）に移り、再度排出口閉塞姿勢の状態に戻り、更に一部排出口開放姿勢（開閉部材（９２）左傾斜）となる。これらの動作は制御信号が出力される間、繰り返され、貯留されている遊技球が均一に流入部に流れ込む。
【００２２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面に基づき本発明の一実施の形態を説明する。
図１〜図８は本発明の一実施の形態を示している。
図１および図２に示すように、本実施の形態に係る遊技機島１０は、複数の遊技機２０を並設して成り、各遊技機２０を背中合わせに組み付ける島枠１０ａは、遊技場のフロア上に構築される。ここで遊技機２０は、ハンドル２０ａの回転操作により遊技盤面上に遊技球（パチンコ球）を打ち出して入賞を楽しむパチンコ機である。また、隣接する遊技機２０の間の隙間には、遊技媒体である遊技球を貸し出すための球貸機２１が配設されている。
【００２３】
図１に示すように、島枠１０ａのうち遊技機島下部は、フロア上に立設される筐体フレーム１１によりフロア面との間に下部空間を空けて配設される箱状枠形に形成されており、その内部は多量の遊技球を貯留する下部貯留タンク７０として構成されている。また、筐体フレーム１１の途中には、略水平に延びる天板１２が組み付けられており、天板１２上に延びる各筐体フレーム１１の上端間には、遊技機島長手方向に互いに平行に延びる島木１３が架設されている。
【００２４】
遊技機島上部である島木１３には、各遊技機２０毎に対応して区分けされた幕板１４が開閉可能に取り付けられている。この幕板１４の正面側には、対応する遊技機２０から収集される各種データの一部を表示できる機能を付加した多機能な呼出ランプ１５が取り付けられており、幕板１４の裏面側には、対応する遊技機２０や球貸機２１の各種動作や信号の送受信を検知したり監視するデータ収集装置１６が取り付けられている。呼出ランプ１５とデータ収集装置１６とは、幕板１４を間にして表裏に近接しており、幕板１４の厚み程度の極めて短い配線により連結されている。
【００２５】
遊技機島中部である天板１２上に、遊技機２０および球貸機２１は並設される。また、前後２列に並ぶ遊技機２０の背面間には、球貸機２１に取り込まれた紙幣を島端まで遊技機島長手方向に搬送する紙幣搬送装置２２と、同じく球貸機２１に取り込まれた硬貨を島端まで遊技機島長手方向に搬送する硬貨搬送装置２３とが、上下に離隔して並ぶように配設されている。また、遊技機島１０の一端には、前記紙幣搬送装置２２や硬貨搬送装置２３により島端まで搬送された紙幣と硬貨を分別して収納する金庫２４（図２参照）が設置されている。
【００２６】
図２に示すように、遊技機島上部には、本発明の根幹を成す遊技球補給装置４０と上部貯留タンク３１が設置されている。後述するが上部貯留タンク３１は、従来のものとは異なり小さい容量に形成されている。また、遊技機島１０の他端には、景品球計数機２５が設置されている。景品球計数機２５は、その景品球投入口２６から投入された遊技球を計数し、遊技場の管理コンピューターに計数結果を送信し、また計数結果を表示部に目視可能に表示したり、印刷したレシート等を払い出す装置である。
【００２７】
遊技機島１０の中央部には、前述した遊技機島下部の下部貯留タンク７０から導かれた遊技球を研磨しながら遊技機島上部の上部貯留タンク３１に揚送するための研磨揚送装置（揚送装置）３０が立設されている。研磨揚送装置３０は、具体的には例えば、上下方向に延ばして掛け渡した無端環状の揚送ベルトと、その搬送面に対向して張設した研磨ベルトとを備え、両ベルト間に挟持した遊技球を揚送ベルトの回転駆動に伴い研磨しながら揚送する装置である。
【００２８】
研磨揚送装置３０の下部には、下部貯留タンク７０から供給される遊技球を受け入れる球導入口３０ａが設けられており、上部にある排出口（図示せず）は、上部貯留タンク７０内に遊技球を排出する状態に設けられている。なお、本実施の形態における研磨揚送装置３０は、研磨装置と揚送装置を兼用するように構成したものであるが、例えば、揚送装置とは別に遊技球を研磨する研磨装置を遊技機島１０の適所に配設してもかまわない。
【００２９】
遊技球補給装置４０は、前記研磨揚送装置３０で揚送されて上部貯留タンク３１に貯留された遊技球を、該遊技球補給装置４０自体でも貯留するような状態で各遊技機２０まで搬送して補給するための装置である。なお、遊技機２０が有価価値カード専用のＣＲ機であって、球貸機２１がカードユニットである場合、遊技球補給装置４０は各遊技機２０にのみ遊技球を補給するが、遊技機２０がＣＲ機以外の機種であって、球貸機２１から遊技球が貸し出される場合、各遊技機２０のみならず各球貸機２１にも遊技球を補給するように構成されることになる。本実施の形態では、前者の場合を例に説明する。
【００３０】
図１および図２に示すように、遊技球補給装置４０は、遊技機島上部で遊技球を貯留した状態で遊技機島長手方向に搬送する搬送手段４１を有する。搬送手段４１は、前記研磨揚送装置３０の上端部を起点として各遊技機２０の上方に沿って延ばして設置した搬送路４２内に、該搬送路４２内で遊技球を多重に積層可能な状態で動力により搬送する駆動体であるコイルバネ４５を設けて成る。
【００３１】
ここで１本ずつ組み合わされる搬送路４２とコイルバネ４５が１組の搬送ユニットを成し、遊技機島上部において複数の搬送ユニットが横一列に隣接し合い平行に延びる状態に並設されている。本実施の形態では、遊技機島１０のほぼ中央に立設された研磨揚送装置３０を間にして、遊技機島１０の両側にそれぞれ３組ずつの搬送ユニットが左右対称に延びるように配設されている。
【００３２】
すなわち、図３において、遊技機島１０の研磨揚送装置３０より左側には、互いに長さの異なる３組の搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ，４１ｃが横一列に並設され、遊技機島１０の研磨揚送装置３０より右側には、同様に３組の搬送ユニット４０ｄ，４０ｅ，４０ｆが横一列に並設されている。さらに、各搬送ユニット４１ａ〜４１ｆに沿って、それぞれ搬送手段４１により搬送された遊技球を受け入れて、各遊技機２０に分配するための補給手段５０が設けられている。以下、遊技機島１０の左側半分を主に説明する。
【００３３】
搬送手段４１は、搬送路４２の全長に亘って、駆動体であるコイルバネ４５を回転可能な状態に設けて成る。ここで搬送路４２は、例えば、下側が円形で上側が平らに開口し、上側の開口部分を細幅状の透明の平板蓋で閉じるようなＵ字形断面としたり、あるいは円形断面の丸パイプから構成しても良い。何れの形状であっても、コイルバネ４５を収める円形部分の寸法は、コイルバネ４５の外径より若干大きめに設定して自由に回転できる形状とする。
【００３４】
コイルバネ４５は、金属線材を螺旋状に曲げて形成したものであり、コイルバネ４５の内径は、その内側に遊技球が多重に積層可能な大きさに設定されている（図１参照）。それにより、コイルバネ４５の内側に導入された遊技球は、コイルバネ４５の内周側からピッチ間の間隙に一部が入り込み、その上に多重に積層可能な状態で搬送路４２に沿って搬送されるようになっている。
【００３５】
図２〜図４に示すように、搬送路４２の始端側は、上部貯留タンク３１の内部に連通して研磨揚送装置３０の上端部に対向する位置に配設され、また、搬送路４２の終端側は、島端側に向けて延ばされた所定の位置に配設されている。搬送路４２の始端側は、上向きに開口した球入口部が開設され、搬送路４２の終端側には、その下側が切り欠かれて球出口部が開設されている。
【００３６】
コイルバネ４５の始端側は、前記搬送路４２の始端側の内部で自由に回転可能に配されている。一方、コイルバネ４５の終端側は、前記搬送路４２の終端側よりも島端側に延出して、駆動モータ４９に連結されている。駆動モータ４９は、コイルバネ４５をその始端側から終端側へ遊技球を搬送する方向に回転させる動力源である。
【００３７】
図２〜図４に示すように、搬送手段４１を成す各搬送ユニット４１ａ〜４１ｃは、それぞれ全長が所定長さずつ異なる大きさに形成されており、各搬送ユニット４１ａ〜４１ｃは、各遊技機２０を隣接し合う所定数ずつグループ化した補給単位毎にそれぞれ個別に対応するように設定されている。ここで異なる「大きさ」とは、全長（長さ）のみならず、断面積や全体の容積をも含む概念である。
【００３８】
すなわち、各搬送ユニット４１ａ〜４１ｃの始端側を、それぞれ前記研磨揚送装置３０を起点として揃えて配置し、遊技機島長手方向に所定長さおきに分散して配置される各搬送ユニット４１ａ〜４１ｃの終端側に、各終端側の下方付近にそれぞれ位置する前記各補給単位毎に対応して、各補給単位の遊技機２０に遊技球を補給する補給手段５０が設けられている。
【００３９】
詳しく言えば、図２において、遊技機島１０の左側半分の遊技機島上部に設置された３組のうち、全長が最も短い搬送ユニット４１ａとその終端側の補給手段５０は、島片面側にて研磨揚送装置３０から島端に向かって数えて４台目までで、前後２列で計８台の遊技機２０をグループ化した第１補給単位に対応している。
【００４０】
また、３組のうち中間の長さの搬送ユニット４１ｂとその終端側の補給手段５０は、島片面側にて研磨揚送装置３０から島端に向かって数えて５台目から８台目までで、前後２列で計８台の遊技機２０をグループ化した第２補給単位に対応している。
【００４１】
さらに、３組のうち全長が最も長い搬送ユニット４１ｃとその終端側の補給手段５０は、島片面側にて研磨揚送装置３０から島端に向かって数えて９台目から島端の１２台目までで、前後２列で計８台の遊技機２０をグループ化した第３補給単位に対応している。
【００４２】
補給手段５０は、それぞれ対応する搬送手段４１により搬送された遊技球を受け入れ一時貯留する貯留部５１と、該貯留部５１よりその下方付近に位置する各遊技機２０に向かって傾斜して延び、前記貯留部５１の遊技球を各遊技機２０に補給する補給樋５２とから成る。貯留部５１は、前記搬送路４２の終端側にある球出口部の真下に配置され、上面側が遊技球を受け入れ可能に開口した平箱状に形成されている。
【００４３】
貯留部５１は、所定量の遊技球を一時貯留できる容量を有し、その底面部は、略中央を境にそれぞれ左右に向かってなだらかに下方に傾斜している。貯留部５１の底面部の左右両端には、遊技機島長手方向と平行な左右方向に向かいそれぞれ分岐して延びる一対の補給樋５２，５２の上流端が連通接続されている。一対の補給樋５２，５２は、それぞれ下方に傾斜して遊技球を流下させるようになっており、前記補給単位のうち半分（前後４台）の遊技機２０に球を補給するように構成されている。
【００４４】
すなわち、各補給樋５２の途中は、それぞれ遊技球が落下する分配経路を介して各遊技機２０に接続されている。詳しくは、各補給樋５２の途中箇所に、その真下に位置する遊技機２０に対応した補給シュート５３が設けられており、補給シュート５３と遊技機２０とは、落下する遊技球を導くジャバラ５４で連通するように接続されている。遊技機２０の背面側上部には、ジャバラ５４の下端が接続された賞球タンク５８が設けられている。
【００４５】
図２および図５に示すように、各補給樋５２の上流端には、補給樋５２に遊技球が所定量以上溜まった場合に検知信号を出力する検出手段として、補給球検出センサ５５が設けられている。補給樋５２では、その下流端から上流端にかけて遊技球が溜まってくるが、補給球検出センサ５５が位置する上流側まで遊技球が溜まると、補給球検出センサ５５から検知信号が出力されるようになっている。補給球検出センサ５５は、例えば、被検知物たる遊技球との距離に応じて動作するフォトセンサ等の近接センサや、遊技球の接近を検知する磁気センサ等に構成され、補給樋５２の底面下側にて遊技球とは直接は接触しないように配設されている。
【００４６】
詳しく言えば、補給球検出センサ５５は、補給樋５２の上流側を遊技球が流下する際に、断続的にＯＮとなる一方、補給樋５２が遊技球でいっぱいとなり、補給樋５２の上流側まで遊技球が滞留したりすると継続してＯＮとなり、かかるＯＮ状態が例えば２秒以上継続した際に、後述する制御手段１００に対して補給樋５２の球貯留量がいっぱいである旨の検知信号を出力するように設定されている。
【００４７】
ここで説明上の必要に応じて、前記各搬送ユニット４１ａ〜４１ｃを、それぞれ第１〜第３を付して互いに区別した上で、第１搬送ユニット４１ａの２つの補給球検出センサ５５を、研磨揚送装置３０に近い側から第１補給球検出センサ５５ａ，５５ｂとし、第２搬送ユニット４１ｂの２つの補給球検出センサ５５を、研磨揚送装置３０に近い側から第２補給球検出センサ５５ｃ，５５ｄとし、第３搬送ユニット４１ｃの２つの補給球検出センサ５５を、研磨揚送装置３０に近い側から第３補給球検出センサ５５ｅ，５５ｆとする。
【００４８】
なお、遊技機島１０の研磨揚送装置３０より右側半分についても、前記各搬送ユニット４１ｄ〜４１ｆを、それぞれ第４〜第６を付して互いに区別した上で、前記同様な順番で補給球検出センサ５５を、第４補給球検出センサ５５ｇ，５５ｈ、第５補給球検出センサ５５ｉ，５５ｊ、それに第６補給球検出センサ５５ｋ，５５ｌとする。なお、これらのうち一部は図示省略する。
【００４９】
また、前記貯留部５１には、前記補給樋５２も含めて貯留部５１が遊技球で満杯になった際に、該貯留部５１から溢れ出る遊技球を遊技機島下部にある下部貯留タンク７０まで落下させるオーバーフロー管（経路）５６の球入口（図示省略）が連通されている。
【００５０】
図１および図５に示すように、オーバーフロー管５６は、背中合わせの遊技機２０の間を通るように垂下され、下端口５６ｂが、一対の天板１２の間の隙間１２ａの上方位置、すなわち下部貯留タンク７０の開口上面を臨むように配置されている。また、オーバーフロー管５６の上端側には、該オーバーフロー管５６に遊技球が所定量以上溜まった場合に検知信号を出力するオーバーフロー検出センサ（手段）５７が設けられている。
【００５１】
オーバーフロー管５６では、遊技球の排出先である下部貯留タンク７０が球が満杯になると、その下端口５６ｂから球入口にかけて遊技球が溜まってくるが、オーバーフロー検出センサ５７が位置する上端側まで遊技球が溜まると、オーバーフロー検出センサ５７から検知信号が出力されるようになっている。オーバーフロー検出センサ５７は、前記補給球検出センサ５５と同様に、例えば、被検知物たる遊技球との距離に応じて動作するフォトセンサ等の近接センサや、遊技球の接近を検知する磁気センサ等により構成され、オーバーフロー管５６の外周外側にて遊技球とは直接は接触しないように配設されている。
【００５２】
詳しく言えば、オーバーフロー検出センサ５７も、オーバーフロー管５６の上端側を遊技球が落下する際に、断続的にＯＮとなる一方、オーバーフロー管５６が遊技球でいっぱいとなり、オーバーフロー管５６の上端側まで遊技球が滞留したりすると継続してＯＮとなり、かかるＯＮ状態が例えば２秒以上継続した際に、後述する制御手段１００に対してオーバーフロー管５６の球貯留量がいっぱいである旨の検知信号を出力するように設定されている。
【００５３】
また、上部貯留タンク３１にも、該上部貯留タンク３１内における球貯留量を段階的に検出する３つの上部貯留検出センサ（手段）３３Ｈ，３３Ｍ，３３Ｌが上下に所定間隔おきに並ぶように設けられている。上部貯留検出センサ（手段）３３Ｈ，３３Ｍ，３３Ｌは、前述した補給球検出センサ５５やオーバーフロー検出センサ５７と同様に、それぞれ被検知物たる遊技球との距離に応じて動作する近接スイッチや磁気センサ等により構成されている。
【００５４】
補給樋５２では、その底面側から上面側にかけて遊技球が順次溜まってくるが、最も低い位置にある上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｌまで遊技球が溜まると、この上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｌから検知信号が出力され、中間位置にある上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｍまで遊技球が溜まると、この上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｍからも検知信号が出力され、最も高い位置にある上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｈまで遊技球が溜まると、この上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｈからも検知信号が出力されるようになっている。
【００５５】
このように各上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｈ，３３Ｍ，３３Ｌのうち、継続してＯＮ状態となり検知信号が出力されるかにより、上部貯留タンク３１内の遊技球貯留量のレベルを知ることができる。上部貯留タンク３１における遊技球の貯留量であるが、遊技機島上部における遊技球は前記遊技球補給装置４０によっても貯留された状態で搬送され、前記上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｈ、３３Ｍ間に常に遊技球が貯留されている状態に監視（制御）されているので、従来のように上部貯留タンク３１に集中的に遊技球を貯める必要はなく、それだけ容量も小型化できるようになっている。
【００５６】
図５において、前述した遊技球補給装置４０の各駆動モータ４９、各補給球検出センサ５５、各オーバーフロー検出センサ５７、それに各上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｈ，３３Ｍ，３３Ｌは、それぞれ信号線により制御手段１００に接続されている。制御手段１００は、遊技機島１０における遊技球の補給・回収を集中的に管理するものであり、具体的にはインターフェース、ＣＰＵ、ＲＡＭ、ＲＯＭ等により構成されたマイクロコンピューターから成る。
【００５７】
制御手段１００は、各補給球検出センサ５５、各オーバーフロー検出センサ５７、各上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｈ，３３Ｍ，３３Ｌからの検知信号に応じて、遊技球補給装置４０における搬送手段４１の駆動を制御するように設定されている。ここで搬送手段４１は、各搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ…毎に、それぞれに対応する補給手段５０から検出信号や上部貯留タンク３１からの検出信号に基づいて、それぞれ個別に駆動制御されるようになっている。
【００５８】
具体的には制御手段１００は、各搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ…毎に、補給球検出センサ５５からの検知信号の入力がない場合に、当該搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ…の駆動モータ４９に給電してコイルバネ４５を回転駆動させるように設定されている。ここで各搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ…には、それぞれ２つずつ補給球検出センサ５５があるが、制御手段１００は、各搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ…毎に、２つの補給球検出センサ５５のうち少なくとも何れか一方からの検知信号の入力がない場合に、その駆動モータ４９に給電してコイルバネ４５を回転駆動させるようになっている。
【００５９】
また、制御手段１００は、各搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ…毎に、前記上部貯留検出センサ３３のうち最上位にある上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｈからの検知信号の入力があり、対応するオーバーフロー検出センサ５７からの検知信号の入力がない場合に、その駆動モータ４９に給電してコイルバネ４５を回転駆動させ、上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｈからの検知信号の入力がなくなった場合に、駆動モータ４９への給電を停止してコイルバネ４５を停止させるように設定されている。
【００６０】
さらにまた、遊技機島下部には、図１および図２に示すように、前記下部貯留タンク７０のほか、各遊技機２０からアウト遊技球を研磨揚送装置３０へ移送するための遊技球移送装置８０が配されている。遊技球移送装置８０は、下部貯留タンク７０の下方に配され、各遊技機２０から排出されたアウト遊技球を研磨揚送装置３０へ最優先して案内するように配された案内通路８３を備えている。遊技機２０の下流部には、アウト遊技球を回収するためのアウト遊技球回収器２０１が設けられ、アウト遊技球回収器２０１の下流にはアウト遊技球を計数するためのアウト遊技球計数器２０２が配されている。
【００６１】
図１および図６に示すように、アウト遊技球計数器２０２には、遊技機２０から排出されたアウト遊技球が流れる流路管２７の一端側が連結されている。流路管２７は密着コイルばね形状のジャバラ管である。流路管２７の他端側は、一対の天板１２の間の隙間１２ａおよび下部貯留タンク７０内を通って遊技球移送装置８０の案内通路８３に延ばされている。案内通路８３は、その案内通路８３に各流路管２７の他端側がそれぞれ連結されることで、各流路管２７を流れるアウト遊技球の全部が漏れなく案内通路８３に流れ込むように形成されている。
【００６２】
案内通路８３は略凹字状の溝断面形状に形成されていて、底部８３ａおよび両側面壁部８３ｂを有している。両側面壁部８３ｂにはホルダー部材８３ｃが設けられ、ホルダー部材８３ｃには、流路管２７の他端側が嵌合した状態で固定されている。案内通路８３の内部には、流路管２７の他端側から排出されたアウト遊技球が流れ込む流入ステージ８３ｄが形成されている。流入ステージ８３ｄは、両側面壁部８３ｂの間に架設されるように配され、流入ステージ８３ｄの中央部には、両側の流路管２７から流れ込んだアウト遊技球の互いの衝突を防止する仕切壁８３ｅが形成されている。また、案内通路８３の両側面壁部８３ｂの間の隙間に下部貯留タンク７０内の遊技球が開閉装置９０を介して流れ込むように成っている。開閉装置９０については後述する。
【００６３】
遊技球移送装置８０は、案内通路８３内でアウト遊技球を動力により搬送する駆動体を備えている。駆動体は、案内通路８３内のアウト遊技球を略水平方向へ強制的に搬送するものであり、複数のベルトコンベア８１、８２を備えている。すなわち、遊技客が使用したアウト遊技球を最優先して研磨揚送装置３０へ移送するように成っている。また、遊技球移送装置８０は、制御手段１００によって、下部貯留タンク７０内の遊技球が開閉装置９０を介して流れ込み、流れ込んだ遊技球を遊技球移送装置８０を介して研磨揚送装置３０へ移動するように構成されている。
【００６４】
図７および図８に示すように、各ベルトコンベア８１、８２は、その張り側が案内通路８３の中を通る一方、その弛み側が案内通路８３の外を通るようにして原動プーリ８４と従動プーリ８５とに巻き掛けられている。各ベルトコンベア８１、８２の張り側は案内通路８３の底部８３ａに沿うようにして配策されている。また、各ベルトコンベア８１、８２の弛みをとるためのテンションプーリ８６が備えられている。原動プーリ８４と駆動モータ８７の出力プーリ８８とに伝達ベルト８９が巻き掛けられている。また、従動プーリ８５の回転軸８５ａは、原動プーリ８４の回転軸との間の距離を調整するための位置調整手段８５ｂを介して支持されている。
【００６５】
複数のベルトコンベア８１、８２は、複数列になるようにそれぞれ配されている。複数列のベルトコンベア８１、８２でアウト遊技球を移動する場合と、ベルトコンベア８１、８２の何れかの単数列で移動する場合とでは、アウト遊技球の移動速度が異なるように制御手段１００によって制御される。また、複数のベルトコンベア８１、８２は、アウト遊技球および下部貯留タンク７０内の遊技球を移動する場合には、高速で運転（駆動）され、アウト遊技球のみを移動する場合には、低速で運転されるように制御手段１００によって制御される。
【００６６】
さらに、複数列のベルトコンベア８１、８２の何れか１つの列のベルトコンベアが破断したときに、破断したベルトコンベアにそのベルトコンベアに対し隣接する他の列のベルトコンベアを連結して運転（駆動）することで、破断したベルトコンベアを回収することができるように形成されている。
【００６７】
下部貯留タンク７０は、遊技機島１０の中央部に配された研磨揚送装置３０を中心にして遊技機島１０の左右両側に３つずつ連設されている。各下部貯留タンク７０は、その底部７１の中央へ向かって遊技球が流れるように形成されている。各下部貯留タンク７０の底部７１の中央部には、排出口７２がそれぞれ開設され、各排出口７２を開閉することで、下部貯留タンク７０内から遊技球移送装置８０への遊技球の流れを規制するための開閉装置９０がそれぞれ配されている。開閉装置９０は、本体ケース９１と、本体ケース９１の内部に配された開閉部材９２とを備えている。開閉部材９２は、本体ケース９１の内部で所定の姿勢になることで、排出口７２を開閉して、遊技球が排出口７２から本体ケース９１の内部に流れ込み本体ケース９１の外部へ排出されるのを規制するように形成されている。
【００６８】
次に、下部貯留タンク７０、遊技球移送装置８０および開閉装置９０の形状、構造並びに、これらの位置関係について具体的に説明する。図１、図９〜図１１に示すように、下部貯留タンク７０の底部７１は、遊技球が底部７１の中央部に向かって集まるように傾斜している。底部７１の中央部には、一対の遊技球用通路が配されている。遊技球用通路は、下部貯留タンク７０内の遊技球が一対の排出口７２にそれぞれ導かれるように形成されている。遊技球用通路は、路面である底部７１と、天井である圧力部材７３と、両側の壁部材７６とから構成されている。
【００６９】
圧力部材７３は、中央から両端に向かって下方に傾斜した屋根形に形成されている。圧力部材７３は、下部貯留タンク７０内で多層になって貯留される遊技球の圧力に耐えられるように、また、遊技球が１層になって前記遊技球用通路に流れるように構成されている。そのため、圧力部材７３は下部貯留タンク７０の底部７１から所定の高さ位置に設置され、また、圧力部材７３の両端には下方に折り曲げられるようにしてフランジ部７５が形成されている。
【００７０】
開閉装置９０の本体ケース９１は、一対の排出口７２の間に配されている。本体ケース９１は、下部貯留タンク７０の底部７１の中央部に開設した開口に嵌め込まれ、一対の排出口７２から遊技球がそれぞれ流れ込む流入部になっている。排出口７２は、本体ケース（流入部）９１の入口縁と、圧力部材７３と、両側の壁部材７６とで囲まれた開口である。本体ケース９１の底部９１ａには、本体ケース９１内に流れ込んだ遊技球が遊技球移動装置８０の案内通路８３内に排出されるように連通口９１ｂが開設されている。
【００７１】
開閉装置９０の開閉部材９２は、排出口７２から流れ込む遊技球を受け入れられるように容器状に形成され、底部９２ｂ、両側面壁９２ｃ、正面壁９２ｄおよび背面壁９２ｅを備えている。開閉部材９２の両側面壁９２ｃは、一対の排出口７２にそれぞれ対応して配された一対の堰部９２ａを備えている。
【００７２】
開閉部材９２の底部９２ｂ、正面壁９２ｄまたは背面壁９２ｅの少なくとも１つには、容器状の開閉部材９２内に受け入れた遊技球が本体ケース（流入部）９１の底部９１ａに向かって流れ出す流出口９２ｆが開設されている。したがって、遊技球が排出口７２から開閉部材９２内に一時的に受け入れられ、開閉部材９２の流出口９２ｆから本体ケース（流入部）９１の底部９１ａに一旦落ちて、本体ケース９１の連通口９１ｂから案内通路８３に流れ込むことで、遊技球が排出口７２から案内通路８３に流れ込むときの衝撃が緩和されるように構成されている。
【００７３】
開閉部材９２は、交互に傾くように可動するものである。開閉部材９２は、枢軸９１ｃを中心にして、一対の堰部９２ａが一対の排出口７２をそれぞれ閉じた排出口閉塞姿勢（図９ａに示す姿勢）と、排出口閉塞姿勢から一対の排出口７２の方へ交互に傾くことで一対の堰部９２ａが一対の排出口７２を交互に開いて、開いた排出口から流れ込んだ遊技球が開閉部材９２内に受け入れられ前記流出口９２ｆから排出されるようにした一部排出口開放姿勢（図９ｂ、ｃにそれぞれ示す姿勢）とに揺動可能に配されている。
【００７４】
開閉部材９２を揺動するための駆動部の動力源である電動モータ９６と、電動モータ９６により正逆回転するスクリュー部材９７と、スクリュー部材９７に螺合するナット部材９８と、電動モータ９６の動力を開閉部材９２に伝えるための動力伝達部材９９と、ナット部材９８の移動を検出するための移動検出部９９ｃとを備えている。動力伝達部材９９は前記枢軸９１ｃに基端部９９ａが固定されている。動力伝達部材９９の先端部９９ｂはナット部材９８側へ延ばされ、ナット部材９８の被係合溝９８ａに係合していて、電動モータ９６の始動によりスクリュー部材９７が正転あるいは逆転してナット部材９８がスクリュー部材９７の回転軸方向に移動すると、開閉部材９２と一体的に揺動するように配されている。
【００７５】
開閉部材９２が排出口閉塞姿勢にあるとき、ナット部材９８は、移動検出部９９ｃの検出部中央９９Ｍに位置し、電動モータ９６の正転駆動により、ナット部材９８がスクリュー部材９７上を検出部左９９Ｌに向けて移動する。このとき、開閉部材９２は右に傾斜し、開閉部材９２は一部排出口開放姿勢の状態となり、排出口７２の一方が開くようになる。次に、ナット部材９８は、電動モータ９６の逆転駆動により検出部中央９９Ｍに向けて移動し、一旦、開閉部材９２は水平姿勢つまり排出口閉塞姿勢となる。更に、逆転駆動によりナット部材９８は検出部右９９Ｒに向けて移動する。このとき、開閉部材９２は、左に傾斜し、該開閉部材９２は、一部排出口開放姿勢の状態となり、排出口７２の他方が開くようになるものである。
【００７６】
図５に示すように、下部貯留タンク７０は、一対の排出口７２に応じて一対の貯留領域を備えている。研磨揚送装置３０に１番目に近い下部貯留タンク７０の一対の貯留領域を研磨揚送装置３０に近い側から貯留領域１、貯留領域２とし、２番目に近い下部貯留タンク７０の一対の貯留領域を研磨揚送装置３０に近い側から貯留領域３、貯留領域４とし、３番目に近い下部貯留タンク７０の一対の貯留領域を研磨揚送装置３０に近い側から貯留領域５、貯留領域６とする。
【００７７】
なお、遊技機島１０の研磨揚送装置３０より右側半分についても、研磨揚送装置３０に１番目に近い下部貯留タンク７０の一対の貯留領域を研磨揚送装置３０に近い側から貯留領域７、貯留領域８とし、２番目に近い下部貯留タンク７０の一対の貯留領域を研磨揚送装置３０に近い側から貯留領域９、貯留領域１０とし、３番目に近い下部貯留タンク７０の一対の貯留領域を研磨揚送装置３０に近い側から貯留領域１１、貯留領域（計数貯留領域）１２とする。なお、これらのうち一部は図示省略する。
【００７８】
図９に示すように、各貯留領域内の遊技球が遊技球用通路を通って排出口７２に導かれている場合に検知信号を出力する検出手段として、シャッター検出センサ９５が設けられている。貯留領域１、貯留領域２にそれぞれ係るシャッター検出センサ９５を第１シャッター検出センサ９５ａ、９５ｂとし、貯留領域３、貯留領域４にそれぞれ係るシャッター検出センサ９５を第２シャッター検出センサ９５ｃ、９５ｄとし、貯留領域５、貯留領域６にそれぞれ係るシャッター検出センサ９５を第３シャッター検出センサ９５ｅ、９５ｆとする。
【００７９】
なお、遊技機島１０の研磨揚送装置３０より右側半分についても、貯留領域７、貯留領域８にそれぞれ係るシャッター検出センサ９５を第４シャッター検出センサ９５ｇ、９５ｈとし、貯留領域９、貯留領域１０にそれぞれ係るシャッター検出センサ９５を第５シャッター検出センサ９５ｉ、９５ｊとし、貯留領域１１、計数貯留領域にそれぞれ係るシャッター検出センサ９５を第６シャッター検出センサ９５ｌおよび計数機用制御シャッター検出センサ９５ｍとする。なお、これらのうち一部は図示省略する。
【００８０】
これら１２個のシャッター検出センサ９５は、前述した補給球検出センサ５５、オーバーフロー検出センサ５７および上部貯留検出センサと同様に、それぞれ被検知物たる遊技球との距離に応じて動作する近接スイッチや磁気センサ等により構成されている。各シャッター検出センサ９５はそれぞれ信号線により制御手段１００に接続されている。遊技球用通路内を遊技球が流れていると断続してＯＮとなり、遊技球が滞留すると継続してＯＮとなり、遊技球が流れないとＯＦＦとなり、かかるＯＦＦ状態が２秒以上継続した際に、制御手段１００に対して貯留領域が空である旨の検知信号を出力するように設定されている。
【００８１】
制御手段１００は、電動モータ９６を制御し、開閉部材９２の堰部９２ａが排出口７２を開放動作し、貯留領域内の遊技球が空になるまで開放状態を継続し、シャッター検出センサ９５が制御手段１００に対して貯留領域が空である旨の検知信号を出力すると、電動モータ９６を制御し、開閉部材９２の堰部９２ａが排出口７２を閉塞動作するように制御する。
【００８２】
開閉装置９０は、上部貯留タンク３１内の遊技球が所定の貯留レベルより低くなると、６つの開閉装置９０の中で開放動作の履歴の古いものから優先的に開放されるものであり、６つの下部貯留タンク７０内の遊技球が下部貯留タンク７０の間で偏りなく研磨揚送装置３０で研磨されるようになり、遊技球が下部貯留タンク７０内で長期間滞留しないようにし、下部貯留タンク７０内における遊技球の錆の発生を防止することができるものである。
【００８３】
制御手段１００を構成するＥＥＰＲＯＭ（電気的消去書込可能な読出し専用メモリ）などの記憶部には、図１２に示すように、６つの開閉装置９０に関する開放動作の制御履歴が記録されている。具体的に、記録されている制御履歴は貯留領域１〜貯留領域（計数貯留領域）１２に係る開閉部材９２の制御履歴である。図１２ａにおいて、履歴履歴の古い貯留領域に係る開閉部材９２は、研磨揚送装置３０に３番目に近い下部貯留領域７０の貯留領域５、貯留領域６に係る開閉部材（玉回収制御第３シャッター）９２であるが、その開閉部材９２が開放動作し、所定条件下で閉塞動作し、開放動作が終了した場合には、制御履歴は更新され、図１２ｂに示すように、制御履歴の新しい貯留領域に係る開閉部材９２となり、制御履歴の古い貯留領域に係る開閉部材９２は、遊技機島１０の右側半分において、研磨揚送装置３０に３番目に近い下部貯留領域７０の貯留領域５、貯留領域６に係る開閉部材（玉回収制御第６シャッター）９２となる。
【００８４】
また、下部貯留タンク７０は、リサイクル材である木質複合材により構成すると良い。かかる木質複合材の内部に中空部を設けると共に、遊技球が接する内壁面に数多の小孔を形成して多孔面とすれば、下部貯留タンク７０の内部における音の共鳴を除去することができる。また、下部貯留タンク７０を含む遊技機島下部は、フロア面との間に下部空間を空けて配設されるから、遊技者が足を伸ばしてリラックスすることができる。さらに、遊技機島下部の下面側に沿って、遊技機島長手方向に並ぶように照明手段１７が配設されている。
【００８５】
次に、図１３に基づき、開閉装置９０の動作および、その動作により遊技球がどのようになるかについて説明する。上部貯留タンク３１内の遊技球が所定の貯留レベルより低くなると、それを上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｌが検知し、その検知信号が送られると、制御手段１００は、記憶部に記録されている制御履歴の中から、制御履歴の最も古い貯留領域に係る開閉部材（玉回収制御シャッター）９２を特定し（ステップＳ１３０１）、特定した開閉部材（玉回収制御シャッター）９２を制御する（ステップＳ１３０２）。
【００８６】
それにより、制御手段１００は、電動モータ９６を制御する。開閉部材９２が排出口閉塞姿勢にあるとき、ナット部材９８は、移動検出部９９ｃの検出部中央９９Ｍに位置し、電動モータ９６の正転駆動により、ナット部材９８がスクリュー部材９７上を検出部左９９Ｌに向けて移動する。このとき、開閉部材９２は右に傾斜し、開閉部材９２は一部排出口開放姿勢の状態となり、排出口７２の一方が開くようになる。次に、ナット部材９８は、電動モータ９６の逆転駆動により検出部中央９９Ｍに向けて移動し、一旦、開閉部材９２は水平姿勢つまり排出口閉塞姿勢となる。更に、逆転駆動によりナット部材９８は検出部右９９Ｒに向けて移動する。このとき、開閉部材９２は、左に傾斜し、該開閉部材９２は、一部排出口開放姿勢の状態となり、排出口７２の他方が開く。すなわち、開閉部材９２は最初水平状態つまり排出口閉塞姿勢の状態から一部排出口開放姿勢（開閉部材右傾斜）に移り、再度排出口閉塞姿勢の状態に戻り、更に一部排出口開放姿勢（開閉部材左傾斜）となる。これらの動作は制御信号が出力される間、繰り返される。
【００８７】
排出口７２が開かれると、貯留領域内の遊技球が、排出口７２から開閉部材９２内に一時的に受け入れられ、開閉部材９２の流出口９２ｆから本体ケース（流入部）９１の底部９１ａに一旦落ちて、本体ケース９１の連通口９１ｂから案内通路８３に流れ込む。排出口７２から遊技球が開閉部材９２、本体ケース（流入部）９１、案内通路８３の３つの段階を下るように流れるので、遊技球が案内通路８３に流れ込むときの衝撃が緩和される。
【００８８】
制御手段１００は、貯留領域内の遊技球が空になるまで開放状態を継続し、シャッター検出センサ９５が制御手段１００に対して貯留領域が空である旨の検知信号が出力されると（ステップＳ１３０３：Ｙ）、制御履歴を更新する（ステップＳ１３０４）一方、貯留領域が空である旨の検知信号が出力されないと（ステップＳ１３０３：Ｎ）、制御履歴は更新されない（ステップＳ１３０５）。
【００８９】
また、貯留領域が空になると、電動モータ９６を制御する。開閉部材９２の堰部９２ａが排出口７２を閉塞動作するように規制する。電動モータ９６が始動して、スクリュー部材９７が例えば逆転し、ナット部材９８がスクリュー部材９７の回転軸方向に移動すると、動力伝達部材９９が開閉部材９２と一体的に揺動する。それにより、開閉部材９２が一部排出口開放姿勢から排出口閉塞姿勢に揺動する。
【００９０】
次に、図１４に基づき、玉計数機である景品球計数機２５の作動に関連して、主に開閉装置９０がどのように動作するかについて説明する。
【００９１】
景品球計数機２５が作動すると（ステップＳ１４０１：Ｙ）、優先された開閉部材（玉回収制御シャッター）９２を強制して閉じ（ステップＳ１４０２）、計数機用制御シャッターを開く（ステップＳ１４０３）。それにより、貯留領域（計数貯留領域）内の遊技球が遊技球移動装置８０の案内通路８３に流れ込む。また、景品球計数機２５が取り付けられた側（遊技機島１０の右側半分）のベルトコンベア８１、８２の速度が高速に制御される（ステップＳ１４０４）。それによって、景品計数機２５で処理された多量の遊技球が案内通路８３を通って研磨揚送装置３０に迅速に搬送される。
【００９２】
次に、景品球計数機２５の作動が停止すると（ステップＳ１４０５：Ｎ）、優先された開閉部材（玉回収制御シャッター）９２の強制を解除する（ステップＳ１４０６）。それにより、貯留領域が空になっていなければ、優先された開閉部材（玉回収制御シャッター）９２が再び開放動作し、貯留領域内の遊技球が案内通路８３に流れ込むようになる。貯留領域が空になっていれば、優先された開閉部材（玉回収制御シャッター）９２が再び開放動作することはない。次に、計数用シャッターが閉じられ（ステップＳ１４０７）、景品球計数機２５が取り付けられた側（遊技機島１０の右側半分）のベルトコンベア８１、８２の速度が低速に制御される（ステップＳ１４０８）。
【００９３】
次に、研磨揚送装置３０で研磨されつつ揚送された遊技球がどのように各遊技機に補給されるかについて説明する。図２に示す遊技機島１０において、研磨揚送装置３０で研磨されつつ揚送された遊技球は、この研磨揚送装置３０を起点として遊技機島上部の左右にそれぞれ延びる遊技球補給装置４０により、遊技機島長手方向に搬送されて各遊技機２０に補給される。研磨揚送装置３０から排出された球はそのまま上部貯留タンク３１に導入される一方、遊技球補給装置４０で、遊技機島長手方向に亘って遊技球が貯留した状態で搬送される。
【００９４】
上部貯留タンク３１内に始端側が連通している搬送手段４１が稼動すると、上部貯留タンク３１内の遊技球は搬送手段４１の上流側から取り込まれて、動力により強制的に各遊技機２０の上方に沿って遊技機島長手方向に搬送される。ここで搬送手段４１は、前述したように遊技機島１０の左右両側にそれぞれ３組ずつ延びる搬送ユニット４１ａ〜４１ｆに分かれており、図３に示すように、各搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ…は、それぞれ計８台の遊技機２０をグループ化した補給単位に対応する。それにより、個々の遊技機２０において実際必要な補給量に応じるように、遊技球を適切にきめ細かく各遊技機２０まで迅速に搬送することが可能となる。
【００９５】
各搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ…では、研磨揚送装置３０を起点として各遊技機２０の上方に沿って延びる搬送路４２内に、遊技球を多重に積層可能な状態で回転駆動するコイルバネ４５が内挿されており、駆動モータ４９によるコイルバネ４５の回転駆動により、遊技球は搬送路４２内で多重に積層した状態のまま遊技機島長手方向に搬送される。このように遊技球補給装置４０では、遊技機島長手方向に分散して貯留される遊技球がそのまま移動する。
【００９６】
各搬送ユニット４１ａ，４１ｂ…において、遊技機島長手方向に分散して配置される終端側まで遊技球が搬送されると、今度は補給手段５０によって、ちょうど下方付近に位置する補給単位の各遊技機２０に対して、動力を使うことなくスムーズに遊技球を分配して補給することができる。すなわち、コイルバネ４５の回転駆動に伴い搬送路４２の終端側まで移動した遊技球は、そのまま球出口部（図示省略）から落下して貯留部５１に導入される。
【００９７】
貯留部５１に一時貯留された遊技球は、底面部の傾斜により左右均等に振り分けられて、底面部の左右両端に連なり分岐して延びる一対の補給樋５２，５２に随時導入される。各補給樋５２は、その下方に位置する前後４台の遊技機１０の上方を通るように傾斜して延びており、補給樋５２を流下する遊技球は、補給シュート５３やジャバラ５４を介して真下に並ぶ各遊技機２０へ適宜補給される。それにより、遊技球を貯留した状態のまま動力で搬送した後、補給手段５０により、そのまま続けて各遊技機２０まで円滑に分配することができる。
【００９８】
補給手段５０の貯留部５１では、搬送された後の遊技球を各遊技機２０に分配する前に所定量貯留できるので、大当たり発生により急に各遊技機２０で遊技球が必要になった場合でも、搬送手段４１による搬送を待たずして各遊技機２０に迅速に遊技球を補給することが可能となる。ここで貯留部５１の容量はさほど大きくする必要はなく、遊技球を流下させる一対の補給樋５２，５２に対して、即座にある程度まとめて遊技球を供給できる程度であれば足りる。
【００９９】
また、一対の補給樋５２，５２も含めて貯留部５１が遊技球で満杯になった場合には、溢れ出る遊技球は貯留部５１の底面部より上方に積み重なり、オーバーフロー管５６の球入口（図示省略）にあるフランジを乗り越えるようにしてその内部へ落下し、このオーバーフロー管５６を介して下部貯留タンク７０まで円滑に還元される。
【０１００】
次に、遊技球がオーバーフロー管５６を介して下部貯留タンク７０にどのように還元されるかについて説明する。オーバーフロー管５６を通った遊技球は、下部貯留タンク７０の開口を通って下部貯留タンク７０内に流れ込む。下部貯留タンク７０の下方に案内通路８３が配されているので、オーバーフロー管５６を通った遊技球は、案内通路８３を障害物とすることなく、下部貯留タンク７０内に偏りなく流れ込む。下部貯留タンク７０に遊技球を流し込み難く実質的に貯留できない非貯留領域が生じないので、下部貯留タンク７０の貯留領域を実質的に減少させることがない。
【０１０１】
次に、遊技機島１０において、アウト遊技球および、下部貯留タンク７０に還元された遊技球がどのように処理されるかについて説明する。遊技機島１０の各遊技機２０から排出されたアウト遊技球は、アウト遊技球回収器２０１からアウト遊技球計数器２０２に流れる。アウト遊技球計数器２０２で計数されたアウト遊技球は、流路管２７を通って遊技球移送装置８０に流れ込む。流路管２７が遊技球移送装置８０の案内通路８３に連結されることで、流路管２７を流れるアウト遊技球の全部が漏れなく遊技球移送装置８０の案内通路８３に流れるようになる。
【０１０２】
このとき、アウト遊技球は、案内通路８３の側方から案内通路８３内の流入ステージ８３ｄに流れ込むので、アウト遊技球が案内通路８３の流入ステージ８３ｄに衝突するときに発生する音が低下する。流入ステージ８３ｄ上のアウト遊技球は、案内通路８３の底部８３ａに沿って配策されたベルトコンベア８１、８２上に落下する。
【０１０３】
開閉装置９０が閉じ状態にあるとき、遊技球移送装置８０のベルトコンベア８１、８２は低速で運転されている。それにより、アウト遊技球を研磨揚送装置３０に移送することができる。研磨揚送装置３０でアウト遊技球は研磨されながら上部貯留タンク３１に揚送される。上部貯留タンク３１内の遊技球が所定の貯留レベルより低くなると、それを上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｌが検知し、その検知信号に基づいて、６つの開閉装置９０の中で開放履歴の古いものが開放される。開閉装置９０が開放されると、ベルトコンベア８１、８２は低速から高速で運転される。開閉装置９０が開放状態にあるため、下部貯留タンク７０内の遊技球が遊技球移送装置８０の案内通路８３に流れ込む。
【０１０４】
アウト遊技球は、流路管２７を通って遊技球移送装置８０の案内通路８３に流れ込むようになっているので、アウト遊技球および下部貯留タンク７０内の遊技球を滞留することなく、研磨揚送装置３０に移送することができる。アウト遊技球および下部貯留タンク７０内の遊技球は研磨揚送装置３０により研磨されながら上部貯留タンク３１に揚送される。上部貯留タンク３１が所定の貯留レベルに達すると、上部貯留検出センサ３３Ｈからの検知信号に基づいて、開閉装置９０は閉じ動作し、ベルトコンベア８１、８２は高速から低速で運転され、アウト遊技球のみを研磨揚送装置３０へ移送するようになる。
【０１０５】
以上、本発明の実施の形態を図面によって説明してきたが、具体的な構成は前述した実施の形態に限られるものではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲における変更や追加があっても本発明に含まれる。
【０１０６】
前記実施の形態においては、開閉部材９２が、一対の排出口７２を開閉して遊技球が流入部である本体ケース９１に流れ込むのを規制するものを示したが、これに限らず、３以上の複数の排出口をそれぞれ開閉して遊技球が流入部に流れ込むのを規制する１つの開閉部材９２を備えたものであってもよい。この場合、開閉部材９２は、例えば、１点を中心にして複数の方向に揺動することで、複数の排出口の全てを閉じた排出口閉塞姿勢と複数の排出口の中の任意の１または２以上を開いた一部排出口開放姿勢とになるように構成される。また、開閉部材９２が排出口閉塞姿勢に揺動すると、排出口７２が全閉状態になり、開閉部材９２が一部排出口開放姿勢に揺動すると、排出口７２が部分的に開放された半開状態になるようにして、遊技球が流入部に流れ込む数量を調整するようにしてもよい。
【０１０７】
【発明の効果】
本発明に係る遊技球用通路の開閉装置によれば、例えば、遊技球が貯留されているとき、開閉部材が排出口閉塞姿勢と一部排出口開放姿勢とに揺動するので、貯留された遊技球が片寄りが無く、均一に流入部に流れ込むようになる。また、１つの開閉部材で済むので、部品点数を少なくすることができる。また、開閉部材が交互に傾くように可動し、開閉部材を排出口閉塞姿勢にすると、堰部が排出口を閉じ、また、開閉部材を排出口閉塞姿勢から両端部の方へ交互に傾けて一部排出口開放姿勢にすると、堰部が排出口を交互に開くようにしたので、開閉部材を簡単に構成することで、排出口を開閉して遊技球の流れを規制することができる。
【０１０８】
さらに、開閉部材は、排出口から流れ込む遊技球を受け入れられるように容器状に形成され、底部、両側面壁、正面壁および背面壁を備えていて、底部、両側面壁、正面壁または背面壁の少なくとも１つに、受け入れた遊技球が流出する流出口を開設するようにしたので、一旦、遊技球が開閉部材に受け入れられてから流出し、遊技球が流出するときの衝撃を緩和することができる。さらに、開閉部材を排出口閉塞姿勢にすると、堰部が排出口を閉じ、開閉部材を排出口閉塞姿勢から両端部の方へ交互に傾けて一部排出口開放姿勢にすると、堰部が排出口を交互に開き、開かれた方の排出口に対応する貯留された遊技球が排出口から流入部を通って遊技球移動装置に流れるようになるようにしたので、開閉部材の堰部が排出口を開くことにより、貯留された遊技球がどちらからも遊技球移動装置に流れるように規制することができる。さらに、開閉部材は電動モータの制御により、貯留領域内の遊技球を均一に流入部に流し込むので、貯留領域内の遊技球の片寄りを防止して遊技球が停留することがなく、所謂死球による錆びを防止することができる。
また、下部貯留タンクの底部は、遊技球が底部の中央部に向かって集まるように傾斜している。底部の中央部には、一対の遊技球用通路が配されている。遊技球用通路は、下部貯留タンク内の遊技球が一対の排出口にそれぞれ導かれるように形成されている。遊技球用通路は、路面である底部と、天井である圧力部材と、両側の壁部材とから構成されており、圧力部材は、中央から両端に向かって下方に傾斜した屋根形に形成されている。圧力部材は、下部貯留タンク内で多層になって貯留される遊技球の圧力に耐えられるように、また、遊技球が１層になって前記遊技球用通路に流れるように構成されている。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球用通路の開閉装置を設置した遊技機島を示す縦断面図である。
【図２】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球用通路の開閉装置を設置した遊技機島を一部破断して示す正面図である。
【図３】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球補給装置を設置した遊技機島を一部破断して示す平面図である。
【図４】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球補給装置を設置した遊技機島の片側半分を一部破断して拡大して示す平面図である。
【図５】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技機島に設けた各種センサの配置を示す説明図である。
【図６】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球移送装置を開閉装置の近傍で破断して示す横断面図である。
【図７】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球移送装置の中間部を省略して示した正面図である。
【図８】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球移送装置の中間部を省略して示した平面図である。
【図９】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球用通路の開閉装置の装着状態を示す正面図であり、（ａ）は一対の排出口がそれぞれ閉じられたときの図、（ｂ）は一対の排出口の一方が開放されたときの図、（ｃ）は、一対の排出口の他方が開放されたときの図である。
【図１０】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球用通路の開閉装置の装着状態を示す平面図である。
【図１１】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球用通路の開閉装置を破断して示す断面図である。
【図１２】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球処理装置の制御手段が開閉部材を制御した制御履歴を示す説明図である。
【図１３】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球処理装置において、制御手段が制御履歴に基づいて開閉部材を制御するときの流れを示すフロー図である。
【図１４】本発明の一実施の形態に係る遊技球処理装置において、景品球計数機が作動した場合に、制御手段が開閉部材を制御するときの手順を示すフロー図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…遊技機島
１０ａ…島枠
１１…筐体フレーム
１２…天板
１３…島木
１４…幕板
１５…呼出ランプ
１６…データ収集装置
１７…照明手段
２０…遊技機
２０ａ…ハンドル
２１…球貸機
２２…紙幣搬送装置
２３…硬貨搬送装置
２４…金庫
２５…景品球計数機
２６…景品球投入口
２７…流路管
３０…研磨揚送装置
３０ａ…球導入口
３１…上部貯留タンク
３３Ｈ…上部貯留検出センサ
３３Ｌ…上部貯留検出センサ
３３Ｍ…上部貯留検出センサ
３５…傾斜部材
４０…遊技球補給装置
４１…搬送手段
４２…搬送路
４３…球入口部
４４…球出口部
４５…コイルバネ
４６…ワイヤー
４７…始端末ブラケット
４８…終端末ブラケット
４９…駆動モータ
５０…補給手段
５１…貯留部
５２…補給樋
５３…補給シュート
５４…ジャバラ
５５…補給球検出センサ
５６…オーバーフロー管
５７…オーバーフロー検出センサ
５８…賞球タンク
７０…下部貯留タンク
７１…底部
７２…排出口
７３…圧力部材
７５…フランジ部
８０…遊技球移送装置
８１、８２…ベルトコンベア
８３…案内通路
８３ａ…底部
８３ｂ…側壁部
８３ｃ…ホルダー部材
８３ｄ…流入ステージ
８３ｅ…仕切壁
８４…原動プーリ
８５…従動プーリ
８５ａ…回転軸
８５ｂ…位置調整手段
８６…テンションプーリ
８７…駆動モータ
８８…出力プーリ
８９…伝達ベルト
９０…開閉装置
９１…本体ケース（流入部）
９１ａ…底部
９１ｂ…連通口
９１ｃ…枢軸
９２…開閉部材
９２ａ…堰部
９２ｂ…底部
９２ｃ…両側面壁
９２ｄ…正面壁
９２ｅ…背面壁
９２ｆ…流出口
９６…電動モータ
９７…スクリュー部材
９８…ナット部材
９８ａ…被係合溝
９９…動力伝達部材
９９ａ…動力伝達部材の基端部
９９ｂ…動力伝達部材の先端部
９９ｃ…移動検出部
９９Ｍ…検出部中央
９９Ｌ…検出部左
９９Ｒ…検出部右
１００…制御手段
２０１…アウト遊技球回収器
２０２…アウト遊技球計数器[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an opening / closing device for a game ball passage formed so that a game ball used in a gaming machine flows into an inflow portion from a discharge port.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional gaming machine island, a polishing lifting device is erected at the center of the gaming machine island, and storage tanks are arranged on both the left and right sides around the polishing lifting device at the lower part of the gaming machine island. The game balls move along the bottom surface of the storage tank, and the game balls flow into the polishing and lifting device from the bottom ends of the storage tanks on the left and right sides, respectively, and are transported to the upper part of the gaming machine island. . There are storage tank shutters at the end of the inclined bottom surfaces of the left and right storage tanks to control the flow of game balls flowing into the polishing and lifting device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-155051
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the technique according to Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is necessary to uniformly pour game balls into the polishing and lifting device from the bottom surface of the storage tank inclined on the left and right sides by the storage tank shutter. .
[0005]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such a conventional problem, and provides a game ball passage opening / closing device capable of evenly flowing a game ball from a discharge port regardless of the storage state of the game ball. The purpose is to do.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the invention of the next section .
[1] A lifting device (30) for lifting a game ball is set up substantially at the center of a gaming machine island (10) in which a plurality of gaming machines (20) are arranged side by side, and the gaming ball is moved to the gaming machine ( The gaming machine island (10) for storing a plurality of storage parts (51) for temporarily storing a supply tank (52) to be supplied to 20) and storing game balls overflowing from the temporarily storing storage part (51) A plurality of lower storage tanks (70) disposed in the lower portion of the lower storage tank) are disposed in the gaming machine island (10) and discharged from the lower storage tank (70) to the lower portion of the lower storage tank (70). In the gaming machine island (10) where the game ball transfer device (80) for transferring the game ball to the lifting device (30) is arranged,
Control means (100) for centrally managing the supply and collection of game balls in the gaming machine island (10) is provided,
A pressure member (73) for avoiding the pressure of the game ball is provided at the center of the bottom of the lower storage tank (70), and the bottom of the lower storage tank (70) is inclined from a pair of openings of the pressure member (73). A detecting means for detecting an opening / closing state of an opening / closing member (92) constituting an opening / closing device (90) formed in a lower portion of the gaming ball passage, wherein a game ball passage is formed toward a pair of discharge ports (72) on the surface. 95)
The opening / closing device (90) includes a body case (91), an opening / closing member (92), a drive unit (96), a screw member (97), a nut member (98), and a movement detection unit (99c) of the power transmission member (99). ) And
The main body case (91) is fitted into an opening formed in a central portion of the bottom of the lower storage tank (70), and has an inflow portion into which game balls flow from the pair of discharge ports (72),
The opening / closing member (92) is accommodated in the main body case (91) and receives a game ball flowing from the discharge port (72). The bottom (92b), both side walls (92c), the front wall (92d), and It is formed in a container shape with a back wall (92e), and the both side wall (92c) has a weir portion (92a) corresponding to the discharge port (72),
An outlet (92f) through which the received game ball flows out to the inflow portion is opened,
A drive part (96) that swings the opening / closing member (92) is disposed, and a nut member (98) that is screwed into the screw member (97) that rotates forward and backward by the drive part (96) and the opening / closing member ( 92) and the movement detector (99c) for detecting that the nut member (98) moves to a fixed position in the rotational axis direction of the screw member (97). The movement detector (99c) detects whether or not the nut member (98) is in a fixed position, and the opening / closing member (92) detects the discharge port from the discharge port closed posture and the discharge port closed posture. (72), the control means (100) controls the opening and closing of the game ball passage so that the discharge port (72) and the weir portion (92a) are opened alternately, and the outflow port (92f) To the game ball transfer device (80) Game machine island which is characterized by discharging the game balls (10).
[0007]
[2] The opening / closing device (90) detects the movement of the main body case (91), the opening / closing member (92), the drive unit (96), the screw member (97), the nut member (98), and the power transmission member (99). Part (99c),
The main body case (91) is fitted into an opening formed in a central portion of the bottom of the lower storage tank (70), and has an inflow portion into which game balls flow from the pair of discharge ports (72),
The opening / closing member (92) is accommodated in the main body case (91) and receives a game ball flowing from the discharge port (72). The bottom (92b), both side walls (92c), the front wall (92d), and It is formed in a container shape with a back wall (92e), and the both side wall (92c) has a weir portion (92a) corresponding to the discharge port (72),
An outlet (92f) through which the received game ball flows out to the inflow portion is opened,
A drive part (96) that swings the opening / closing member (92) is disposed, and a nut member (98) that is screwed into the screw member (97) that rotates forward and backward by the drive part (96) and the opening / closing member ( 92) and a movement detection unit (99c) for detecting that the nut member (98) moves to a fixed position in the rotation axis direction of the screw member (97), The movement detection unit (99c) detects whether or not the nut member (98) is in a fixed position, and the opening / closing member (92) is moved from the discharge port closed posture and the discharge port closed posture to the discharge port ( 72), the opening and closing of the game ball passage is controlled by the control means (100) so as to open the discharge port (72) and the weir portion (92a) alternately, and from the outlet (92f) Play to the game ball transfer device (80) Gaming machine island according to [1], characterized by discharging the ball (10).
[0012]
Next, the operation of the invention described in each of the above items will be described.
According to the gaming machine island (10) described in [1], the game ball in the lower storage tank (70) is guided to the discharge port (72) through the passage, and the inflow portion is routed from the discharge port (72). It flows through the game ball moving device (80).
The bottom (71) of the lower storage tank (70) is inclined so that the game balls are gathered toward the center of the bottom (71), and a pair of gaming is provided at the center of the bottom (71). There is a ball passage. The game ball passage is formed such that the game balls in the lower storage tank (70) are guided to the pair of discharge ports (72), respectively.
The game ball passage is composed of a bottom portion (71) which is a road surface, a pressure member (73) which is a ceiling, and wall members (76) on both sides, and the pressure member (73) The roof is inclined downward from the center toward both ends. The pressure member (73) is formed in a single layer so that it can withstand the pressure of the game balls stored in multiple layers in the lower storage tank (70). It is configured to flow.
The control means (100) for centrally managing the supply and collection of game balls on the gaming machine island (10) receives the detection state of the detection means (95) provided at the lower part of the game ball passage. Then, an open / close device (90) for controlling discharge of the game balls in the lower storage tank (70) to the game ball transfer device (80) is controlled.
[0013]
In addition, as described in [1] above, the game balls in the lower storage tank (70) are guided to the discharge port (72) through the passage and transferred from the discharge port (72) through the inflow portion. It flows into the device (80). When the opening / closing member (92) of the opening / closing device (90) is set to the discharge port closed posture, the dam portion (92a) closes the discharge port (72), and the opening / closing member (92) of the opening / closing device (90) is moved from the discharge port blocking posture. When the two outlets are alternately tilted toward a partial outlet opening posture, the weirs (92a) alternately open the outlets (72), and the corresponding outlets (72) opened are stored. The game ball flows from the discharge port (72) through the inflow portion to the game ball transfer device (80). Thus, when the weir portion (92a) of the opening / closing member (92) of the opening / closing device (90) opens the discharge port (72), the stored game balls flow from both to the game ball transfer device (80). Can be regulated .
[0014]
As described in [ 1 ] above, the opening / closing member (92) of the opening / closing device (90) (hereinafter simply referred to as the opening / closing member (92)) is movable so as to incline alternately. The opening / closing member (92) includes a weir portion (92a) arranged corresponding to the discharge port (72). When the opening / closing member (92) is in the discharge port closed posture, the dam portion (92a) closes the discharge port (72), and the game ball does not flow into the inflow portion from the discharge port (72). Further, when the opening / closing member (92) is alternately tilted from the discharge port closed posture to the partial discharge port open posture, the game ball flows into the inflow portion from the opened discharge port (72). In other words, the opening and closing member (92) can regulate the opening and closing of the discharge port (72) to make the flow of game balls uniform.
[0015]
Further, as described in [ 1 ] above, the opening / closing member (92) is formed in a container shape so as to receive a game ball flowing from the discharge port (72), and has a bottom (92b), both side walls (92c), A front wall (92d) and a back wall (92e) are provided. In addition, an outlet (92f) through which the received game ball flows out is provided in at least one of the bottom (92b), the front wall (92d), and the back wall (92e).
[0016]
When the opening / closing member (92) is in the discharge port closed posture, the dam portion (92a) closes the discharge port (72), and the game ball does not flow into the inflow portion from the discharge port (72). Further, when the opening / closing member (92) is alternately tilted from the discharge port closed posture to the partial discharge port open posture, the dam portions (92a) alternately open the discharge ports (72), and the opened discharge port (72) ) Is received in the opening / closing member (92), and the received game ball is discharged from the outlet (92f). Once the game ball flows out after being received by the opening and closing member (92), the impact when the game ball flows out can be reduced.
[0017]
Further, as described in [ 1 ] above, in the case where the game ball flows from the pair of discharge ports (72) into the inflow portion arranged between the pair of discharge ports (72), When the member (92) is in the discharge port closed posture, the pair of dam portions (92a) closes the pair of discharge ports (72), and the game ball flows into the inflow portion from either of the pair of discharge ports (72). There is no. Further, when the opening / closing member (92) is alternately tilted from the discharge port closed posture toward the both end portions to partially open the discharge port, the pair of dam portions (92a) alternately open the pair of discharge ports (72). The game ball that has flowed from the opened discharge port (72) is received in the opening / closing member (92), and the received game ball is discharged from the outflow port (92f).
[0019]
Furthermore, as described in [ 1 ] above, when the electric motor (96) is started, the screw member (97) rotates forward or reverse, and the nut member (98) rotates in the direction of the rotation axis of the screw member (97). Move to. Since the power transmission member (99) is engaged with the nut member (98), the power transmission member (99) is interlocked with the nut member (98), and the power transmission member (99) and the opening / closing member (92) are connected. Swings integrally.
[0020]
When the opening / closing member (92) is in the outlet closing position, the nut member (98) is located in the center of the detection unit of the movement detection unit (99c), and the nut member (98) is driven forward by the electric motor (96). ) Moves on the screw member (97) toward the left of the detection unit. At this time, the opening / closing member (92) is inclined to the right, and the opening / closing member (92) is partially in the discharge port open posture, and one of the discharge ports (72) is opened.
[0021]
Next, the nut member (98) is moved toward the center of the detection unit by the reverse drive of the electric motor (96), and once the opening / closing member (92) is in a horizontal posture, that is, a discharge port closing posture. Furthermore, the nut member (98) moves toward the right side of the detection unit by reverse rotation driving. At this time, the opening / closing member (92) is inclined to the left, and the opening / closing member (92) is partially in a discharge port open posture, and the other of the discharge ports (72) is opened. That is, the opening / closing member (92) first moves from the horizontal state, that is, the state in which the discharge port is closed, to a partial discharge port open posture (the opening / closing member (92) is tilted to the right), and then returns to the state of the discharge port closed posture. It becomes a discharge port open attitude | position (an opening-and-closing member (92) left inclination). These operations are repeated while the control signal is output, and the stored game balls flow uniformly into the inflow portion.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the gaming machine island 10 according to the present embodiment is formed by arranging a plurality of gaming machines 20 side by side, and the island frame 10a for assembling each gaming machine 20 back to back is a gaming area. Built on the floor. Here, the gaming machine 20 is a pachinko machine that launches a gaming ball (pachinko ball) on the surface of the gaming board by rotating the handle 20a and enjoys winning. In addition, a ball lending machine 21 for lending out a game ball as a game medium is disposed in a gap between adjacent game machines 20.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the lower part of the gaming machine island in the island frame 10a is formed in a box-like frame shape that is arranged with a lower space between the floor surface by a housing frame 11 standing on the floor. The inside is configured as a lower storage tank 70 for storing a large amount of game balls. In addition, a top plate 12 that extends substantially horizontally is assembled in the middle of the housing frame 11, and the upper end of each housing frame 11 that extends on the top plate 12 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island. An extending island tree 13 is erected.
[0024]
On the island 13 which is the upper part of the gaming machine island, a curtain 14 divided for each gaming machine 20 is attached so as to be openable and closable. On the front side of the curtain plate 14, a multi-function calling lamp 15 to which a function for displaying a part of various data collected from the corresponding gaming machine 20 is added is attached. Is attached with a data collecting device 16 for detecting and monitoring various operations of the corresponding gaming machine 20 and ball lending machine 21 and transmission / reception of signals. The calling lamp 15 and the data collection device 16 are close to each other with the curtain 14 in between, and are connected by a very short wiring having a thickness of the curtain 14.
[0025]
A gaming machine 20 and a ball lending machine 21 are juxtaposed on the top board 12 which is the middle part of the gaming machine island. In addition, between the backs of the gaming machines 20 arranged in two rows in the front and back, a banknote transport device 22 that transports the banknotes taken into the ball lending machine 21 to the island end in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, and also taken into the ball lending machine 21. A coin transport device 23 that transports the coins to the island edge in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island is arranged so as to be spaced apart vertically. At one end of the gaming machine island 10, a safe 24 (see FIG. 2) that separates and stores bills and coins transported to the island end by the bill transport device 22 or the coin transport device 23 is installed.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, a game ball supply device 40 and an upper storage tank 31 that form the basis of the present invention are installed on the upper part of the gaming machine island. Although described later, the upper storage tank 31 is formed in a small capacity unlike the conventional one. A prize ball counter 25 is installed at the other end of the gaming machine island 10. The prize ball counting machine 25 counts the game balls thrown from the prize ball insertion slot 26, transmits the count result to the management computer of the game hall, and displays the count result on the display section so that it can be visually checked or printed. This is a device for paying out receipts and the like.
[0027]
At the center of the gaming machine island 10, a polishing lifting device for lifting the game ball guided from the lower storage tank 70 at the lower part of the gaming machine island to the upper storage tank 31 at the upper part of the gaming machine island. A (lifting device) 30 is erected. Specifically, the polishing and lifting device 30 includes, for example, an endless annular lifting belt that extends in the up-down direction and a polishing belt that is stretched so as to face the conveying surface, and is sandwiched between both belts. It is a device that lifts the game ball while polishing it with the rotational driving of the lifting belt.
[0028]
A ball introduction port 30 a for receiving a game ball supplied from the lower storage tank 70 is provided at the lower portion of the polishing and lifting device 30, and an upper discharge port (not shown) is provided in the upper storage tank 70. The game ball is discharged. The polishing and lifting apparatus 30 in the present embodiment is configured to use both the polishing apparatus and the lifting apparatus. For example, a polishing apparatus that polishes a game ball separately from the lifting apparatus is a gaming machine. It may be arranged at an appropriate place on the island 10.
[0029]
The game ball replenishing device 40 transports the game balls that have been lifted by the polishing and lifting device 30 and stored in the upper storage tank 31 to each gaming machine 20 in a state where the game balls are also stored in the game ball replenishing device 40 itself. It is a device for replenishing. If the gaming machine 20 is a CR machine dedicated to a valuable value card and the ball lending machine 21 is a card unit, the gaming ball supply device 40 supplies gaming balls only to the gaming machines 20, but the gaming machine 20 Is a model other than a CR machine, and when a game ball is lent out from the ball lending machine 21, it is configured to replenish not only each game machine 20 but also each ball lending machine 21. In the present embodiment, the former case will be described as an example.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game ball supply device 40 includes a transport means 41 that transports the game balls in the longitudinal direction of the game machine island while storing the game balls in the upper part of the game machine island. The transport means 41 can stack a plurality of game balls in the transport path 42 in a transport path 42 that extends along the upper side of each gaming machine 20 starting from the upper end of the polishing / lifting device 30. A coil spring 45, which is a driving body that is conveyed by power in a state, is provided.
[0031]
Here, the conveyance path 42 and the coil spring 45 combined one by one form one set of conveyance units, and a plurality of conveyance units are arranged side by side adjacent to each other on the upper side of the gaming machine island so as to extend in parallel. In the present embodiment, three sets of transport units are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the gaming machine island 10 with the polishing and lifting device 30 standing substantially at the center of the gaming machine island 10 in between. It is installed.
[0032]
That is, in FIG. 3, three sets of transport units 41 a, 41 b, 41 c having different lengths are arranged side by side on the left side of the polishing and lifting device 30 of the gaming machine island 10. Similarly, three sets of transport units 40d, 40e, and 40f are juxtaposed in a horizontal row on the right side of the lifting device 30. Further, along each of the transport units 41a to 41f, a replenishing means 50 for receiving the game balls transported by the transport means 41 and distributing them to the respective gaming machines 20 is provided. Hereinafter, the left half of the gaming machine island 10 will be mainly described.
[0033]
The conveying means 41 is provided with a coil spring 45 that is a driving body in a rotatable state over the entire length of the conveying path 42. Here, the conveyance path 42 has, for example, a U-shaped cross section in which the lower side is circular and the upper side is opened flat, and the upper opening is closed with a narrow flat plate cover, or from a round pipe with a circular cross section. It may be configured. Regardless of the shape, the size of the circular portion that houses the coil spring 45 is set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the coil spring 45 so that it can freely rotate.
[0034]
The coil spring 45 is formed by bending a metal wire in a spiral shape, and the inner diameter of the coil spring 45 is set to such a size that a plurality of game balls can be stacked inside (see FIG. 1). Thereby, a part of the game ball introduced to the inside of the coil spring 45 enters the gap between the pitches from the inner peripheral side of the coil spring 45 and is transported along the transport path 42 in a state where it can be stacked in layers. It has become so.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the starting end side of the conveyance path 42 is disposed at a position that communicates with the inside of the upper storage tank 31 and faces the upper end portion of the polishing / lifting device 30. Is disposed at a predetermined position extending toward the island end side. On the starting end side of the conveyance path 42, a ball inlet portion that opens upward is opened, and on the terminal end side of the conveyance path 42, a lower side thereof is cut off to open a ball outlet portion.
[0036]
The starting end side of the coil spring 45 is disposed so as to be freely rotatable inside the starting end side of the conveying path 42. On the other hand, the end side of the coil spring 45 extends to the island end side from the end side of the transport path 42 and is connected to the drive motor 49. The drive motor 49 is a power source that rotates the coil spring 45 in the direction in which the game ball is conveyed from the start side to the end side.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the transport units 41 a to 41 c constituting the transport means 41 are formed to have different overall lengths by a predetermined length, and the transport units 41 a to 41 c It is set so as to individually correspond to each replenishment unit in which a predetermined number of adjacent 20 groups are grouped. Here, the different “size” is a concept including not only the full length (length) but also the cross-sectional area and the entire volume.
[0038]
That is, the starting end sides of the respective transport units 41a to 41c are arranged with the polishing / lifting device 30 as the starting point, and are distributed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island. On the end side of 41c, supply means 50 for supplying game balls to the gaming machines 20 of each supply unit is provided corresponding to each supply unit located near the lower part of each end side.
[0039]
Specifically, in FIG. 2, among the three sets installed on the upper half of the gaming machine island in the left half of the gaming machine island 10, the transport unit 41a having the shortest overall length and the replenishing means 50 on the end side thereof are located on one side of the island. From the polishing / lifting device 30 toward the island edge, up to the fourth unit corresponds to a first supply unit in which a total of eight gaming machines 20 are grouped in two rows in the front and rear.
[0040]
Further, the conveyance unit 41b having an intermediate length among the three sets and the replenishing means 50 on the end side thereof are counted from the fifth unit to the eighth unit counted from the polishing / lifting device 30 toward the island end on one side of the island. Thus, it corresponds to the second supply unit in which a total of eight gaming machines 20 are grouped in two rows before and after.
[0041]
Further, the transport unit 41c having the longest length among the three sets and the replenishing means 50 on the end side thereof are counted from the ninth unit toward the island end on the one side of the island from the ninth unit to the 12 island ends. To the eye, this corresponds to the third supply unit in which a total of eight gaming machines 20 are grouped in two rows.
[0042]
The replenishing means 50 each receive and temporarily store the game balls transported by the corresponding transport means 41, and extend obliquely toward each gaming machine 20 located near the lower portion of the storage section 51, It comprises a replenishment basket 52 for replenishing each gaming machine 20 with the game balls in the storage unit 51. The storage part 51 is disposed directly under the ball outlet part on the terminal side of the transport path 42, and is formed in a flat box shape whose upper surface side is open so as to be able to receive game balls.
[0043]
The storage part 51 has a capacity capable of temporarily storing a predetermined amount of game balls, and the bottom part of the storage part 51 is gently inclined downward toward the left and right, respectively, with the approximate center as a boundary. The upstream ends of a pair of replenishment rods 52, 52 extending in a branching manner in the left-right direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island are connected to the left and right ends of the bottom portion of the storage portion 51. The pair of replenishment rods 52, 52 are respectively inclined downward to allow the game balls to flow down, and are configured to replenish the balls to half (four front and rear) gaming machines 20 of the replenishment unit. ing.
[0044]
That is, the middle of each replenishment basket 52 is connected to each gaming machine 20 via a distribution path through which the game balls fall. Specifically, a replenishment chute 53 corresponding to the gaming machine 20 positioned immediately below is provided in the middle of each replenishing basket 52, and the replenishing chute 53 and the gaming machine 20 provide a bellows 54 that guides the falling game ball. Connected to communicate with each other. A prize ball tank 58 to which the lower end of the bellows 54 is connected is provided at the upper part on the back side of the gaming machine 20.
[0045]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a supply ball detection sensor 55 is provided at the upstream end of each supply basket 52 as a detection means for outputting a detection signal when a predetermined amount or more of game balls accumulate in the supply basket 52. It has been. In the replenishment bowl 52, game balls accumulate from the downstream end to the upstream end. When the game balls accumulate up to the upstream side where the supply ball detection sensor 55 is located, a detection signal is output from the supply ball detection sensor 55. It has become. The supply ball detection sensor 55 is configured, for example, as a proximity sensor such as a photo sensor that operates in accordance with the distance from the game ball that is the object to be detected, a magnetic sensor that detects the approach of the game ball, or the like. On the lower side, the game ball is arranged so as not to come into direct contact.
[0046]
Specifically, the supply ball detection sensor 55 is intermittently turned on when the game ball flows down the upstream side of the supply ball 52, while the supply ball 52 is filled with game balls and is upstream of the supply ball 52. When the game ball stays until the game ball stays on, when the ON state continues for 2 seconds or more, for example, a detection signal indicating that the ball storage amount of the replenishment basket 52 is full to the control means 100 described later. Is set to output.
[0047]
Here, as necessary for explanation, the respective transport units 41a to 41c are firstly and thirdly distinguished from each other, and then the two supply ball detection sensors 55 of the first transport unit 41a are First supply ball detection sensors 55a and 55b are provided from the side close to the polishing and lifting device 30, and the two supply ball detection sensors 55 of the second transport unit 41b are connected to the second supply ball detection sensor from the side close to the polishing and lifting device 30. 55c and 55d, and the two supply ball detection sensors 55 of the third transport unit 41c are the third supply ball detection sensors 55e and 55f from the side closer to the polishing and lifting device 30.
[0048]
In addition, for the right half of the polishing and lifting device 30 of the gaming machine island 10, the transfer units 41 d to 41 f are distinguished from each other with the fourth to sixth, respectively, and the replenishing balls in the same order as described above. The detection sensors 55 are fourth supply ball detection sensors 55g and 55h, fifth supply ball detection sensors 55i and 55j, and sixth supply ball detection sensors 55k and 55l. Some of these are not shown.
[0049]
In addition, the storage unit 51 includes a lower storage tank 70 at the lower part of the gaming machine island where game balls overflow from the storage unit 51 when the storage unit 51 including the replenishment basket 52 is filled with game balls. A ball inlet (not shown) of an overflow pipe (path) 56 that drops to the point of communication is communicated.
[0050]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the overflow pipe 56 is suspended so as to pass between the back-to-back gaming machines 20, and the lower end port 56 b is located above the gap 12 a between the pair of top boards 12, that is, the lower part. It arrange | positions so that the opening upper surface of the storage tank 70 may be faced. In addition, an overflow detection sensor (means) 57 is provided on the upper end side of the overflow pipe 56. The overflow detection sensor (means) 57 outputs a detection signal when a predetermined amount or more of game balls accumulate in the overflow pipe 56.
[0051]
In the overflow pipe 56, when the lower storage tank 70, which is the discharge destination of the game balls, is full, the game balls accumulate from the lower end port 56b to the ball entrance, but the game ball reaches the upper end side where the overflow detection sensor 57 is located. When the sphere accumulates, a detection signal is output from the overflow detection sensor 57. Similar to the supply ball detection sensor 55, the overflow detection sensor 57 is, for example, a proximity sensor such as a photosensor that operates according to the distance from the game ball that is the object to be detected, a magnetic sensor that detects the approach of the game ball, or the like. And is arranged outside the outer periphery of the overflow pipe 56 so as not to come into direct contact with the game ball.
[0052]
Specifically, the overflow detection sensor 57 is also turned ON intermittently when the game ball falls on the upper end side of the overflow pipe 56, while the overflow pipe 56 is filled with the game ball and reaches the upper end side of the overflow pipe 56. When the game ball stays or the like, it is continuously turned ON, and when this ON state continues for 2 seconds or more, for example, a detection signal indicating that the ball storage amount of the overflow pipe 56 is full is sent to the control means 100 described later. It is set to output.
[0053]
The upper storage tank 31 is also provided with three upper storage detection sensors (means) 33H, 33M, and 33L that detect the amount of balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 step by step so as to line up at predetermined intervals. It has been. The upper storage detection sensors (means) 33H, 33M, and 33L are proximity switches and magnetic sensors that operate according to the distance from the game ball that is the object to be detected, similarly to the supply ball detection sensor 55 and the overflow detection sensor 57 described above. Etc.
[0054]
In the replenishment bowl 52, the game balls are sequentially accumulated from the bottom surface side to the top surface side. When the game balls are accumulated up to the upper storage detection sensor 33L at the lowest position, a detection signal is output from the upper storage detection sensor 33L. When the game ball accumulates up to the upper storage detection sensor 33M at the intermediate position, a detection signal is also output from the upper storage detection sensor 33M. When the game ball accumulates up to the upper storage detection sensor 33H at the highest position, A detection signal is also output from the storage detection sensor 33H.
[0055]
As described above, the level of the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 can be known depending on whether the upper storage detection sensor 33H, 33M, or 33L is continuously turned on and the detection signal is output. This is the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31, but the game balls in the upper part of the gaming machine island are transported in a state where they are also stored by the game ball replenishing device 40, and games are always played between the upper storage detection sensors 33H and 33M. Since the ball is monitored (controlled) in a state where it is stored, it is not necessary to store the game balls in the upper storage tank 31 intensively as in the prior art, and the capacity can be reduced accordingly.
[0056]
In FIG. 5, each drive motor 49, each supply ball detection sensor 55, each overflow detection sensor 57, and each of the upper storage detection sensors 33H, 33M, and 33L of the game ball supply device 40 described above are controlled by control means 100 by signal lines. It is connected to the. The control means 100 centrally manages the supply / recovery of game balls in the gaming machine island 10, and specifically comprises a microcomputer constituted by an interface, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.
[0057]
The control means 100 controls the driving of the transport means 41 in the game ball supply device 40 in accordance with detection signals from the supply ball detection sensors 55, the overflow detection sensors 57, and the upper storage detection sensors 33H, 33M, and 33L. Is set to Here, the conveying means 41 is individually driven and controlled on the basis of the detection signal from the replenishing means 50 and the detection signal from the upper storage tank 31 for each of the conveying units 41a, 41b,. ing.
[0058]
Specifically, the control unit 100 supplies power to the drive motor 49 of each of the transport units 41a, 41b,... When there is no input of a detection signal from the supply ball detection sensor 55 for each of the transport units 41a, 41b,. The coil spring 45 is set to rotate. Here, each of the transport units 41a, 41b... Has two replenishment ball detection sensors 55, but the control means 100 has at least one of the two replenishment ball detection sensors 55 for each transport unit 41a, 41b. When no detection signal is input from either one, the drive motor 49 is fed to rotate the coil spring 45.
[0059]
Further, the control means 100 receives a detection signal from the upper storage detection sensor 33H at the top of the upper storage detection sensors 33 for each transport unit 41a, 41b,. When no detection signal is input, the drive motor 49 is fed to rotate the coil spring 45, and when no detection signal is input from the upper storage detection sensor 33H, the supply to the drive motor 49 is stopped. Thus, the coil spring 45 is set to be stopped.
[0060]
Furthermore, the lower game machine island, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the addition of the lower storage tank 70, the gaming machine 20 from the out game ball polishing pumped device 30 to the transfer feed to for game ball transfer feeding apparatus 80 is disposed. Game ball transfer feeder 80 is disposed below the lower storage tank 70, guide passage 83 out game balls discharged from the game machine 20 arranged as top priority to guide the polishing pumped device 30 It has. An out game ball collecting unit 201 for collecting out game balls is provided in a downstream portion of the gaming machine 20, and an out game ball counter for counting out game balls is arranged downstream of the out game ball collecting unit 201. 202 is arranged.
[0061]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the out-game ball counter 202 is connected to one end of a flow path tube 27 through which the out-game balls discharged from the gaming machine 20 flow. The flow path pipe 27 is a bellows pipe having a close coil spring shape. The other end of the flow pipe 27 is extended into the guide passage 83 of the game ball transfer feeder 80 through the gap 12a and the lower storage tank 70 between the pair of the top plate 12. The guide passage 83 is formed such that all of the out-game balls flowing through the respective channel pipes 27 flow into the guide passage 83 without leakage by connecting the other end sides of the respective channel pipes 27 to the guide passages 83 respectively. ing.
[0062]
Guide passage 83 is formed into a substantially concave-shaped groove cross section, it has a bottom 83a and side surfaces wall 83 b. Holder member 83c is provided on the both side faces the wall portion 83 b, the holder member 83c, and is fixed in a state where the other end fitted in the flow pipe 27. Inside the guide passage 83, an inflow stage 83d into which the out game balls discharged from the other end side of the flow path pipe 27 flows is formed. Inlet stage 83d is disposed so as to be bridged between the side surface walls 83 b, the center portion of the inlet stage 83d prevents mutual collisions flowed out game balls from both sides of the duct pipe 27 partition A wall 83e is formed. Also, the game ball in the lower storage tank 70 into the gap between the side face wall portion 83b of the guide passage 83 is made to flow through the switching device 90. The opening / closing device 90 will be described later.
[0063]
The game ball transfer device 80 includes a drive body that transports the out game balls by power in the guide passage 83. The driving body forcibly conveys the out-game balls in the guide passage 83 in a substantially horizontal direction, and includes a plurality of belt conveyors 81 and 82. That is, the out-game ball used by the player is transferred to the polishing and lifting device 30 with the highest priority. Further, the game ball transfer device 80 causes the control means 100 to cause the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 to flow through the opening / closing device 90, and the flowed game balls to the polishing / lifting device 30 via the game ball transfer device 80 . and it is configured to move.
[0064]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the belt conveyors 81 and 82 has a driving pulley 84 and a driven pulley 85 such that the tension side passes through the guide passage 83 and the slack side passes outside the guide passage 83. It is wrapped around. The tension side of each belt conveyor 81, 82 is routed along the bottom 83a of the guide passage 83. In addition, a tension pulley 86 is provided for loosening the belt conveyors 81 and 82. A transmission belt 89 is wound around the driving pulley 84 and the output pulley 88 of the drive motor 87. Further, the rotation shaft 85 a of the driven pulley 85 is supported via a position adjusting means 85 b for adjusting the distance from the rotation shaft of the driving pulley 84.
[0065]
The plurality of belt conveyors 81 and 82 are arranged in a plurality of rows, respectively. The control means 100 makes the movement speed of the out game balls different between the case where the out game balls are moved by the plurality of rows of belt conveyors 81 and 82 and the case where the out game balls are moved by any single row of the belt conveyors 81 and 82. Be controlled. Further, the plurality of belt conveyors 81 and 82 are driven (driven) at a high speed when moving the out game balls and the game balls in the lower storage tank 70, and are moved at a low speed when moving only the out game balls. It is controlled by the control means 100 so as to be operated.
[0066]
Further, when any one of the plurality of belt conveyors 81 and 82 breaks, operation is performed by connecting the broken belt conveyor to another belt conveyor adjacent to the belt conveyor. ) So that the broken belt conveyor can be collected.
[0067]
Three lower storage tanks 70 are provided in series on the left and right sides of the gaming machine island 10 around the polishing and lifting device 30 disposed in the center of the gaming machine island 10. Each lower storage tank 70 is formed so that a game ball flows toward the center of its bottom 71. The central portion of the bottom portion 71 of the lower storage tank 70, outlet 72 is opened, respectively, by opening and closing the respective discharge ports 72, the flow of the game balls from the lower reservoir tank 70 to the game ball transfer feeder 80 An opening / closing device 90 for restricting the movement is provided. The opening / closing device 90 includes a main body case 91 and an opening / closing member 92 disposed inside the main body case 91. The opening / closing member 92 opens and closes the discharge port 72 by being in a predetermined posture inside the main body case 91, and the game ball flows into the main body case 91 from the discharge port 72 and is discharged outside the main body case 91. It is formed to regulate
[0068]
Next, the shape of the lower storage tank 70, the game ball transfer feeder 80 and the opening and closing device 90, the structure as well as specifically described these positional relationships. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 to 11, the bottom 71 of the lower storage tank 70 is inclined so that the game balls gather toward the center of the bottom 71. A pair of game ball passages are arranged in the center of the bottom 71. The game ball passage is formed so that the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 are guided to the pair of discharge ports 72, respectively. The game ball passage is composed of a bottom 71 that is a road surface, a pressure member 73 that is a ceiling, and wall members 76 on both sides.
[0069]
The pressure member 73 is formed in a roof shape inclined downward from the center toward both ends. The pressure member 73 is configured to withstand the pressure of the game balls stored in multiple layers in the lower storage tank 70, and is configured so that the game balls flow into the game ball passage in a single layer. Yes. Therefore, the pressure member 73 is installed at a predetermined height position from the bottom portion 71 of the lower storage tank 70, and flange portions 75 are formed at both ends of the pressure member 73 so as to be bent downward.
[0070]
A main body case 91 of the opening / closing device 90 is disposed between the pair of discharge ports 72. The main body case 91 is fitted into an opening formed in the central portion of the bottom 71 of the lower storage tank 70 and serves as an inflow portion through which game balls flow from a pair of discharge ports 72. The discharge port 72 is an opening surrounded by the inlet edge of the main body case (inflow part) 91, the pressure member 73, and the wall members 76 on both sides. A communication port 91 b is opened at the bottom 91 a of the main body case 91 so that the game balls flowing into the main body case 91 are discharged into the guide passage 83 of the game ball moving device 80.
[0071]
Closing member 92 of the switching device 90 is formed in a container shape to accept gaming balls flowing from the discharge port 72, a bottom 92b, opposite side surfaces wall 92c, the front wall 92d and rear wall 92e. Sides walls 92c of the opening and closing member 92 is provided with a pair of dam portion 92a disposed corresponding to the pair of outlet 72.
[0072]
At least one of the bottom 92b, the front wall 92d, and the back wall 92e of the opening / closing member 92 is an outlet through which a game ball received in the container-like opening / closing member 92 flows toward the bottom 91a of the main body case (inflow portion) 91. 92f is established. Accordingly, the game ball is temporarily received from the discharge port 72 into the opening / closing member 92, temporarily falls from the outlet 92 f of the opening / closing member 92 to the bottom 91 a of the main body case (inflow portion) 91, and the communication port 91 b of the main body case 91. When the game ball flows into the guide passage 83 from the discharge port 72, the impact when the game ball flows into the guide passage 83 is reduced.
[0073]
The opening / closing members 92 are movable so as to be alternately inclined. The opening / closing member 92 is centered on the pivot 91c, and a pair of dam portions 92a closes the pair of discharge ports 72, respectively, and a pair of discharge ports 72 from the discharge port closed position. The pair of dam portions 92a alternately open the pair of discharge ports 72 by alternately tilting toward the direction, and the game balls flowing from the opened discharge ports are received in the opening / closing member 92 and discharged from the outflow port 92f. It is arranged so as to be swingable in the partially opened outlet opening posture (posture shown in FIGS. 9b and 9c).
[0074]
An electric motor 96 that is a power source of a drive unit for swinging the opening / closing member 92, a screw member 97 that rotates forward and backward by the electric motor 96, a nut member 98 that is screwed into the screw member 97, and the electric motor 96 A power transmission member 99 for transmitting power to the opening / closing member 92 and a movement detection unit 99c for detecting the movement of the nut member 98 are provided. The power transmission member 99 has a proximal end portion 99a fixed to the pivot 91c. The front end 99b of the power transmission member 99 is extended to the nut member 98 side, is engaged with the engaged groove 98a of the nut member 98, and the screw member 97 is rotated forward or reverse by the start of the electric motor 96. When the nut member 98 moves in the direction of the rotation axis of the screw member 97, the nut member 98 is arranged to swing integrally with the opening / closing member 92.
[0075]
When the opening / closing member 92 is in the outlet closing position, the nut member 98 is positioned at the detection unit center 99M of the movement detection unit 99c, and the nut member 98 is detected on the screw member 97 by the forward rotation driving of the electric motor 96. Move towards the left 99L. At this time, the opening / closing member 92 is inclined to the right, and the opening / closing member 92 is partially in a discharge port open posture, and one of the discharge ports 72 is opened. Next, the nut member 98 is moved toward the detection unit center 99M by the reverse drive of the electric motor 96, and the opening / closing member 92 is once in the horizontal posture, that is, the discharge port closing posture. Furthermore, the nut member 98 moves toward the detection unit right 99R by reverse rotation driving. At this time, the opening / closing member 92 is inclined to the left, and the opening / closing member 92 is partially in a state of opening the discharge port, and the other of the discharge ports 72 is opened.
[0076]
As shown in FIG. 5, the lower storage tank 70 includes a pair of storage areas according to the pair of discharge ports 72. The pair of storage areas of the lower storage tank 70 closest to the polishing / lifting apparatus 30 is defined as the storage area 1 and the storage area 2 from the side closest to the polishing / lifting apparatus 30. The region is defined as the storage region 3 and the storage region 4 from the side close to the polishing / lifting device 30, and the pair of storage regions of the third lower storage tank 70 is stored from the side close to the polishing / lifting device 30 to the storage region 5 and the storage region 6. And
[0077]
It should be noted that the right half of the gaming machine island 10 from the polishing and lifting device 30 also has a pair of storage areas of the lower storage tank 70 closest to the polishing and lifting apparatus 30 from the side closer to the polishing and lifting apparatus 30 to the storage area 7. The pair of storage areas of the lower storage tank 70 that is the second closest to the lower storage tank 70 is the storage area 9 and storage area 10 from the side closer to the polishing pump 30, and the pair of storage of the lower storage tank 70 that is the third closest The areas are defined as a storage area 11 and a storage area (counting storage area) 12 from the side closer to the polishing / lifting device 30. Some of these are not shown.
[0078]
As shown in FIG. 9, a shutter detection sensor 95 is provided as detection means for outputting a detection signal when a game ball in each storage area is led to the discharge port 72 through the game ball passage. . The shutter detection sensors 95 relating to the storage area 1 and the storage area 2 are respectively referred to as first shutter detection sensors 95a and 95b, and the shutter detection sensors 95 relating to the storage area 3 and the storage area 4 are respectively referred to as second shutter detection sensors 95c and 95d. The shutter detection sensors 95 associated with the storage area 5 and the storage area 6 are referred to as third shutter detection sensors 95e and 95f, respectively.
[0079]
In the right half of the polishing and lifting device 30 of the gaming machine island 10, the shutter detection sensors 95 relating to the storage area 7 and the storage area 8 are the fourth shutter detection sensors 95 g and 95 h, respectively. The shutter detection sensors 95 related to the first and second shutter detection sensors 95i and 95j are the sixth shutter detection sensor 95l and the counter control shutter detection sensor 95m, respectively. . Some of these are not shown.
[0080]
These twelve shutter detection sensors 95 are proximity switches or magnetic elements that operate according to the distance from the game ball as the object to be detected, like the replenishment ball detection sensor 55, the overflow detection sensor 57, and the upper storage detection sensor described above. It is composed of sensors and the like. Each shutter detection sensor 95 is connected to the control means 100 by a signal line. When the game ball is flowing in the game ball passage, it is intermittently turned on, and when the game ball is accumulated, it is continuously turned on. When the game ball does not flow, it is turned off. The control unit 100 is set to output a detection signal indicating that the storage area is empty.
[0081]
The control means 100 controls the electric motor 96, the weir portion 92a of the opening / closing member 92 opens the discharge port 72, continues the open state until the game ball in the storage area is empty, and the shutter detection sensor 95 is When a detection signal indicating that the storage area is empty is output to the control means 100, the electric motor 96 is controlled so that the weir portion 92a of the opening / closing member 92 performs a closing operation on the discharge port 72.
[0082]
When the game ball in the upper storage tank 31 becomes lower than a predetermined storage level, the opening / closing device 90 is opened preferentially from the oldest of the opening operation history among the six opening / closing devices 90, The game balls in the lower storage tank 70 are polished by the polishing / lifting device 30 evenly between the lower storage tanks 70 so that the game balls do not stay in the lower storage tank 70 for a long period of time. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of rust of the game ball in 70.
[0083]
In a storage unit such as an EEPROM (electrically erasable / writable read-only memory) constituting the control means 100, as shown in FIG. 12, the control history of the opening operation regarding the six opening / closing devices 90 is recorded. Specifically, the recorded control history is a control history of the opening / closing member 92 related to the storage region 1 to the storage region (count storage region) 12. In FIG. 12 a, the opening / closing member 92 related to the storage area with the old history history is the storage area 5 of the lower storage area 70 that is third closest to the polishing / lifting device 30, and the opening / closing member related to the storage area 6. ) 92, when the opening / closing member 92 is opened, closed under a predetermined condition, and the opening operation is completed, the control history is updated, and as shown in FIG. The opening / closing member 92 related to the area, and the opening / closing member 92 related to the storage area having the old control history, is stored in the storage area 5 of the lower storage area 70 that is third closest to the polishing / lifting device 30 in the right half of the gaming machine island 10. The opening / closing member (ball collection control sixth shutter) 92 related to the region 6 is formed.
[0084]
Moreover, the lower storage tank 70 is good to comprise with the wood composite material which is a recycling material. If a hollow portion is provided inside the wood composite material and a plurality of small holes are formed on the inner wall surface with which the game ball is in contact to form a porous surface, the resonance of sound inside the lower storage tank 70 can be removed. it can. Further, the lower part of the gaming machine island including the lower storage tank 70 is arranged with a lower space between the floor surface, so that the player can relax with his legs extended. Further, lighting means 17 are arranged along the lower surface side of the lower part of the gaming machine island so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island.
[0085]
Next, based on FIG. 13, the operation of the opening / closing device 90 and how the game ball becomes due to the operation will be described. When the game ball in the upper storage tank 31 becomes lower than a predetermined storage level, the upper storage detection sensor 33L detects this, and when the detection signal is sent, the control means 100 records the control history recorded in the storage unit. The opening / closing member (ball collection control shutter) 92 related to the storage area with the oldest control history is identified (step S1301), and the identified opening / closing member (ball collection control shutter) 92 is controlled (step S1302).
[0086]
Thereby, the control means 100 controls the electric motor 96. When the opening / closing member 92 is in the outlet closing position, the nut member 98 is positioned at the detection unit center 99M of the movement detection unit 99c, and the nut member 98 is detected on the screw member 97 by the forward rotation driving of the electric motor 96. Move towards the left 99L. At this time, the opening / closing member 92 is inclined to the right, and the opening / closing member 92 is partially in a discharge port open posture, and one of the discharge ports 72 is opened. Next, the nut member 98 is moved toward the detection unit center 99M by the reverse drive of the electric motor 96, and the opening / closing member 92 is once in the horizontal posture, that is, the discharge port closing posture. Furthermore, the nut member 98 moves toward the detection unit right 99R by reverse rotation driving. At this time, the opening / closing member 92 is inclined to the left, and the opening / closing member 92 is partially in a state of opening the discharge port, and the other of the discharge ports 72 is opened. That is, the opening / closing member 92 first shifts from the horizontal state, that is, the state in which the discharge port is closed to the partial discharge port open posture (opening / closing member right tilt), returns to the state in which the discharge port is closed again, and further partially releases the open port ( The opening / closing member is inclined to the left. These operations are repeated while the control signal is output.
[0087]
When the discharge port 72 is opened, the game balls in the storage area are temporarily received from the discharge port 72 into the opening / closing member 92, and from the outlet 92 f of the opening / closing member 92 to the bottom 91 a of the main body case (inflow portion) 91. It falls once and flows into the guide passage 83 from the communication port 91 b of the main body case 91. Since the game ball flows from the discharge port 72 so as to go down the three stages of the opening / closing member 92, the main body case (inflow part) 91, and the guide passage 83, the impact when the game ball flows into the guide passage 83 is alleviated.
[0088]
The control means 100 continues to be in an open state until the game ball in the storage area becomes empty, and when the shutter detection sensor 95 outputs a detection signal to the control means 100 that the storage area is empty (step S1303: Y), the control history is updated (step S1304). On the other hand, if the detection signal indicating that the storage area is empty is not output (step S1303: N), the control history is not updated (step S1305).
[0089]
Further, when the storage area becomes empty, the electric motor 96 is controlled. The dam portion 92a of the opening / closing member 92 restricts the discharge port 72 to be closed. When the electric motor 96 is started and the screw member 97 is reversed, for example, and the nut member 98 is moved in the direction of the rotation axis of the screw member 97, the power transmission member 99 swings integrally with the opening / closing member 92. As a result, the opening / closing member 92 swings partially from the outlet opening posture to the outlet closing posture.
[0090]
Next, how the opening / closing device 90 operates mainly in relation to the operation of the prize ball counter 25, which is a ball counter, will be described with reference to FIG.
[0091]
When the prize ball counter 25 is operated (step S1401: Y), the priority opening / closing member (ball collection control shutter) 92 is forcibly closed (step S1402), and the counter control shutter is opened (step S1403). Thereby, the game balls in the storage area (counting storage area) flow into the guide passage 83 of the game ball moving device 80. Further, the speed of the belt conveyors 81 and 82 on the side where the prize ball counter 25 is attached (the right half of the gaming machine island 10) is controlled at a high speed (step S1404). Thereby, a large amount of game balls processed by the prize counter 25 are quickly conveyed to the polishing / lifting device 30 through the guide passage 83.
[0092]
Next, when the operation of the prize ball counter 25 is stopped (step S1405: N), the forced opening / closing member (ball collection control shutter) 92 is released (step S1406). As a result, if the storage area is not empty, the priority opening / closing member (ball collection control shutter) 92 opens again, and the game ball in the storage area flows into the guide passage 83. If the storage area is empty, the priority opening / closing member (ball recovery control shutter) 92 will not open again. Next, the counting shutter is closed (step S1407), and the speed of the belt conveyors 81 and 82 on the side where the prize ball counting machine 25 is attached (the right half of the gaming machine island 10) is controlled to be low (step S1408). ).
[0093]
Next, how the gaming balls lifted while being polished by the polishing and lifting device 30 are supplied to each gaming machine will be described. In the gaming machine island 10 shown in FIG. 2, the game balls lifted while being polished by the polishing and lifting device 30 are respectively extended from the polishing and lifting device 30 to the left and right of the upper part of the gaming machine island. Thus, the game machine 20 is transported in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine and supplied to each gaming machine 20. The balls discharged from the polishing and lifting device 30 are introduced into the upper storage tank 31 as they are, while the game balls are transported by the game ball supply device 40 in a state where the game balls are stored in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island.
[0094]
When the transport means 41 whose start side communicates with the upper storage tank 31 is operated, the game balls in the upper storage tank 31 are taken in from the upstream side of the transport means 41 and are forcibly forced by the power above the gaming machines 20. Are transported in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island. Here, as described above, the transport means 41 is divided into transport units 41a to 41f extending three sets on each of the left and right sides of the gaming machine island 10, and each transport unit 41a, 41b... Each corresponds to a supply unit in which a total of eight gaming machines 20 are grouped. As a result, the game balls can be transported to each gaming machine 20 quickly and appropriately in a manner appropriate to the replenishment amount actually required in each gaming machine 20.
[0095]
In each of the transport units 41a, 41b, etc., a coil spring 45 that rotationally drives the game balls in a state where the game balls can be stacked in layers is provided in a transport path 42 that extends along the upper side of each game machine 20 starting from the polishing / lifting device 30. The game ball is transported in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island while being stacked in multiple layers in the transport path 42 by the rotational drive of the coil spring 45 by the drive motor 49. Thus, in the game ball supply device 40, the game balls distributed and stored in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island move as they are.
[0096]
In each of the transport units 41a, 41b..., When the game ball is transported to the terminal side that is distributed in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, each game of the replenishment unit located just near the lower side is now performed by the replenishment means 50. The game balls can be distributed and replenished smoothly to the machine 20 without using power. That is, the game ball that has moved to the terminal end side of the conveyance path 42 as the coil spring 45 is driven to rotate falls as it is from the ball outlet (not shown) and is introduced into the storage unit 51.
[0097]
The game balls temporarily stored in the storage unit 51 are equally distributed to the left and right according to the inclination of the bottom surface part, and are introduced as needed to a pair of supply baskets 52 and 52 that extend and branch to the left and right ends of the bottom surface part. Each replenishment basket 52 extends so as to pass above the four front and rear gaming machines 10 positioned below, and the game balls flowing down the replenishment basket 52 are connected via a replenishment chute 53 and bellows 54. It is appropriately supplied to each gaming machine 20 arranged directly below. Thereby, after the game balls are transported by power while being stored, the supply means 50 can continue to distribute the game balls 20 smoothly to each gaming machine 20.
[0098]
Since the storage unit 51 of the replenishing means 50 can store a predetermined amount of game balls after being transported to each game machine 20, when a game ball is suddenly needed in each game machine 20 due to the occurrence of a big hit However, it is possible to quickly supply game balls to each gaming machine 20 without waiting for the conveyance by the conveyance means 41. Here, the capacity of the storage unit 51 does not need to be increased so much as long as the game balls can be supplied to the pair of replenishment rods 52 and 52 for flowing down the game balls immediately to some extent.
[0099]
In addition, when the reservoir 51 including the pair of supply baskets 52, 52 is filled with game balls, the overflowing game balls are stacked above the bottom surface of the reservoir 51, and the ball inlet ( It falls to the inside so as to get over the flange (not shown), and is smoothly returned to the lower storage tank 70 through this overflow pipe 56.
[0100]
Next, how the game ball is returned to the lower storage tank 70 via the overflow pipe 56 will be described. The game ball that has passed through the overflow pipe 56 flows into the lower storage tank 70 through the opening of the lower storage tank 70. Since the guide passage 83 is arranged below the lower storage tank 70, the game balls that have passed through the overflow pipe 56 flow into the lower storage tank 70 without making the guide passage 83 an obstacle. Since a non-storage area that is difficult to flow into the lower storage tank 70 and cannot be substantially stored does not occur, the storage area of the lower storage tank 70 is not substantially reduced.
[0101]
Next, how the out-game balls and the game balls returned to the lower storage tank 70 are processed in the gaming machine island 10 will be described. Out game balls discharged from each gaming machine 20 on the gaming machine island 10 flow from the out game ball collection unit 201 to the out game ball counter 202. Out game ball that is counted by the out game ball counter 202 flows into the game ball transfer feeder 80 through the flow pipe 27. By flow pipe 27 is connected to the guide passage 83 of the game ball transfer feeder 80, to flow into the guide passage 83 of the game ball transfer feeder 80 without leakage a total out game ball through the flow pipe 27 Become.
[0102]
At this time, the out game ball flows from the side of the guide passage 83 to the inflow stage 83d in the guide passage 83, so that the sound generated when the out game ball collides with the inflow stage 83d of the guide passage 83 is reduced. The out-game ball on the inflow stage 83d falls on the belt conveyors 81 and 82 arranged along the bottom 83a of the guide passage 83.
[0103]
When closing device 90 is in the closed state, the belt conveyor 81 and 82 of the game ball transfer feeder 80 is operated at low speed. Thereby, the out game ball can be transferred to the polishing and lifting device 30. The out game balls are lifted to the upper storage tank 31 while being polished by the polishing and lifting device 30. When the game ball in the upper storage tank 31 becomes lower than a predetermined storage level, the upper storage detection sensor 33L detects this, and based on the detection signal, the one with the oldest release history among the six switchgears 90 is opened. Is done. When the opening / closing device 90 is opened, the belt conveyors 81 and 82 are operated from a low speed to a high speed. Since the closing device 90 is in the open state, the game ball in the lower storage tank 70 flows into the guide passage 83 of the game ball transfer feeder 80.
[0104]
Out game ball, since through the flow pipe 27 so that the flow into the guide passage 83 of the game ball transfer feeder 80, without staying game balls out game ball and the lower storage tank 70, the polishing It can be transferred to the lifting device 30. The out game balls and the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 are transferred to the upper storage tank 31 while being polished by the polishing / lifting device 30. When the upper storage tank 31 reaches a predetermined storage level, the opening / closing device 90 is closed based on a detection signal from the upper storage detection sensor 33H, and the belt conveyors 81 and 82 are operated from a high speed to a low speed. Only the material is transferred to the polishing and lifting device 30.
[0105]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention can be changed or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention.
[0106]
In the above-described embodiment, the opening and closing member 92 opens and closes the pair of discharge ports 72 to restrict the game ball from flowing into the main body case 91 that is the inflow portion. The plurality of outlets may be opened and closed, and one opening / closing member 92 may be provided to restrict the game ball from flowing into the inflow portion. In this case, for example, the opening / closing member 92 swings in a plurality of directions around a single point, thereby closing the discharge port closed posture in which all of the plurality of discharge ports are closed and any one of the plurality of discharge ports. Or it is comprised so that it may become a partial discharge port open posture which opened 2 or more. Further, when the opening / closing member 92 swings to the discharge port closing posture, the discharge port 72 is fully closed, and when the opening / closing member 92 swings partially to the discharge port opening posture, the discharge port 72 is partially opened. You may make it adjust the quantity which a game ball flows into an inflow part so that it may be in a half-open state.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
According to the opening / closing device for a game ball passage according to the present invention, for example, when a game ball is stored, the opening / closing member swings between a discharge port closing posture and a partial discharge port opening posture. The game ball is not displaced and flows uniformly into the inflow portion. Also, since only one opening / closing member is required, the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, when the opening and closing member is tilted alternately and the opening and closing member is in the outlet closing position, the weir part closes the outlet, and the opening and closing member is alternately inclined from the outlet closing position to the both ends. Since the dam portions alternately open the discharge ports when the partial discharge port is open, the opening and closing members can be opened and closed to restrict the flow of the game ball by simply configuring the opening and closing member.
[0108]
Furthermore, the opening and closing member is formed as a container shape accept gaming balls flowing from the outlet, a bottom, sides walls, provided with a front wall and a rear wall, a bottom, sides walls, front wall or rear wall Since an outflow port through which the received game ball flows out is opened in at least one of the above, the game ball flows out after being received by the opening and closing member, and the impact when the game ball flows out is mitigated Can do. Furthermore, when the opening / closing member is in the discharge port closed posture, the dam portion closes the discharge port, and when the opening / closing member is alternately tilted from the discharge port closed posture toward the both ends, the dam portion is discharged. Since the outlets are alternately opened, and the stored game balls corresponding to the opened outlets are allowed to flow from the outlets to the game ball moving device through the inflow part, the weir part of the opening and closing member is By opening the discharge port, it is possible to restrict the stored game balls from flowing to the game ball moving device from either side. Furthermore, since the opening / closing member causes the game balls in the storage area to flow uniformly into the inflow portion under the control of the electric motor, the game balls in the storage area are prevented from being displaced and the game balls do not stop, so-called dead balls. Can prevent rusting.
Further, the bottom of the lower storage tank is inclined so that game balls gather toward the center of the bottom. A pair of game ball passages are arranged in the center of the bottom. The game ball passage is formed so that the game balls in the lower storage tank are respectively guided to the pair of discharge ports. The game ball passage is composed of a bottom portion which is a road surface, a pressure member which is a ceiling, and wall members on both sides, and the pressure member is formed in a roof shape inclined downward from the center toward both ends. Yes. The pressure member is configured to withstand the pressure of the game balls stored in multiple layers in the lower storage tank, and so that the game balls flow into the game ball passage in a single layer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a gaming machine island provided with a game ball passage opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view showing a gaming machine island provided with a game ball passage opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view partially broken away showing a gaming machine island provided with a game ball supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a partially broken half of one half of a gaming machine island where a game ball supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of various sensors provided on the gaming machine island according to the embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view showing the fracture in the vicinity of the switchgear the game ball transfer feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a front view showing by omitting the intermediate portion of the game ball transfer feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a plan view showing by omitting the intermediate portion of the game ball transfer feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a front view showing a mounted state of the opening / closing device for the game ball passage according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a view when a pair of discharge ports are closed, and (b). Is a view when one of the pair of discharge ports is opened, and (c) is a view when the other of the pair of discharge ports is opened.
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a mounted state of the opening / closing device for the game ball passage according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a game ball passage opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a cutaway manner.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a control history in which the control unit of the game ball processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the opening and closing member.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow when the control means controls the opening / closing member based on the control history in the game ball processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure when the control means controls the opening / closing member when the prize ball counter is operated in the game ball processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game machine island 10a ... Island frame 11 ... Housing frame 12 ... Top plate 13 ... Shimaki 14 ... Screen board 15 ... Call lamp 16 ... Data collection device 17 ... Illuminating means 20 ... Game machine 20a ... Handle 21 ... Ball lending machine 22 ... bill transport device 23 ... coin transport device 24 ... safe 25 ... premium ball counter 26 ... premium ball inlet 27 ... flow path pipe 30 ... polishing pump 30a ... ball inlet 31 ... upper storage tank 33H ... upper storage Detection sensor 33L ... Upper storage detection sensor 33M ... Upper storage detection sensor 35 ... Inclined member 40 ... Game ball replenishing device 41 ... Conveying means 42 ... Conveyance path 43 ... Sphere inlet portion 44 ... Sphere outlet portion 45 ... Coil spring 46 ... Wire 47 ... Start terminal bracket 48 ... End terminal bracket 49 ... Drive motor 50 ... Replenishing means 51 ... Reserving section 52 ... Replenishment trough 53 ... Replenishment chute 54 ... Bellows 55 ... Replenishment ball detection sensor 56 ... Bafuro pipe 57 ... overflow detection sensor 58 ... prize balls tank 70 ... lower storage tank 71 ... bottom 72 ... exhaust port 73 ... pressure member 75 ... feed transfer flange portion 80 ... game ball device 81, 82 ... belt conveyor 83 ... guide passage 83a ... bottom part 83b ... side wall part 83c ... holder member 83d ... inflow stage 83e ... partition wall 84 ... primary pulley 85 ... driven pulley 85a ... rotating shaft 85b ... position adjusting means 86 ... tension pulley 87 ... drive motor 88 ... output pulley 89 ... transmission Belt 90 ... Opening / closing device 91 ... Main body case (inflow part)
91a ... bottom 91b ... communication port 91c ... Axis 92 ... opening and closing member 92a ... weir 92b ... bottom 92c ... each side surface wall 92d ... front wall 92e ... rear wall 92f ... outlet 96 ... electric motor 97 ... screw member 98 ... nut Member 98a ... engaged groove 99 ... power transmission member 99a ... power transmission member base end 99b ... power transmission member tip 99c ... movement detection unit 99M ... detection unit center 99L ... detection unit left 99R ... detection unit right 100 ... Control means 201 ... Out game ball collector 202 ... Out game ball counter

Claims (1)

複数の遊技機を並設した遊技機島の略中央部に遊技球を揚送する揚送装置が立設され、前記遊技球を前記遊技機に補給する補給樋に複数の一時貯留する貯留部を設け、該一時貯留する貯留部から溢れ出した遊技球を貯留するための前記遊技機島の下部に配設された複数の下部貯留タンクを該遊技機島内に配置し、該下部貯留タンクの下部に該下部貯留タンクから排出された遊技球を前記揚送装置へ移送するための遊技球移送装置が配された遊技機島において、
前記遊技機島における遊技球の補給・回収を集中的に管理する制御手段を設け、
前記下部貯留タンク底部の中央部に遊技球の圧力を回避するための圧力部材を設け、該圧力部材の一対の開口部から前記下部貯留タンク底部傾斜面の一対の排出口に向けて遊技球用通路が形成され、該遊技球用通路の下部に開閉装置を構成する開閉部材の開閉状態を検知する検出手段を設け、
前記開閉装置は、本体ケース、開閉部材、駆動部、スクリュー部材、ナット部材、動力伝達部材の移動検出部とから構成され、
前記本体ケースは、前記下部貯留タンク底部の中央部に開設した開口に嵌め込まれ、前記一対の排出口から遊技球がそれぞれ流れ込む流入部を有し、
前記開閉部材は、前記本体ケースに収容され、前記排出口から流れ込む遊技球を受け入れられるように底部、両側面壁、正面壁および背面壁を備えた容器状に形成され、前記両側面壁には前記排出口に対応して堰部を有し、
前記受け入れた遊技球が前記流入部に流れ出す流出口が開設され、
前記開閉部材を揺動する駆動部が配され、該駆動部により正逆回転する前記スクリュー部材に螺合するナット部材と前記開閉部材を連結する動力伝達部材と、前記ナット部材が前記スクリュー部材の回転軸方向の定位置に移動することを検出する前記移動検出部を有し、該移動検出部によって前記ナット部材が定位置の状態であるか否かを検出し、前記開閉部材が排出口閉塞姿勢と該排出口閉塞姿勢から前記排出口の方へ傾くことで、前記排出口と前記堰部を交互に開くよう前記制御手段によって遊技球通路の開閉を制御し、前記流出口から前記遊技球移送装置へ遊技球を排出することを特徴とする遊技機島。A storage unit for temporarily storing a plurality of game machines in a central portion of a gaming machine island, in which a lifting device that lifts the game balls is set up in a game machine island and that supplies the gaming balls to the gaming machine. A plurality of lower storage tanks disposed in the lower part of the gaming machine island for storing game balls overflowing from the temporarily storing storage part, and disposed in the gaming machine island, In the gaming machine island in which a game ball transfer device for transferring the game ball discharged from the lower storage tank to the lifting device is arranged at the bottom,
Provide a control means for centrally managing the supply and collection of game balls on the gaming machine island,
A pressure member for avoiding the pressure of the game ball is provided at the center of the bottom of the lower storage tank, and for the game ball from the pair of openings of the pressure member toward the pair of discharge ports of the bottom inclined surface of the lower storage tank A passage is formed, and a detecting means for detecting an open / close state of an opening / closing member constituting the opening / closing device is provided at a lower portion of the game ball passage,
The opening / closing device includes a main body case, an opening / closing member, a drive unit, a screw member, a nut member, and a movement detection unit of a power transmission member,
The main body case is fitted into an opening established at the center of the bottom of the lower storage tank, and has an inflow portion into which game balls flow from the pair of discharge ports,
The opening / closing member is accommodated in the main body case, and is formed in a container shape having a bottom portion, both side walls, a front wall, and a back wall so as to receive a game ball flowing from the discharge port. Corresponding to the exit has a weir part,
An outlet is formed through which the received game ball flows out to the inlet,
A drive unit that swings the opening / closing member is disposed, a nut member that is screwed into the screw member that rotates forward and backward by the drive unit, a power transmission member that connects the opening / closing member, and the nut member The movement detecting unit that detects movement to a fixed position in the rotation axis direction detects whether or not the nut member is in a fixed position by the movement detecting unit, and the opening / closing member closes the discharge port. The control means controls the opening and closing of the game ball passage so that the discharge port and the weir portion are alternately opened by tilting from the posture and the discharge port closed posture to the discharge port. A gaming machine island characterized by discharging game balls to a transfer device .
JP2003205906A 2003-08-05 2003-08-05 Amusement machine island Expired - Fee Related JP4246003B2 (en)

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