JP4403501B2 - Crane game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a crane game machine that performs a game in which an arm unit having a plurality of arms that can be opened and closed is operated to hold a prize placed in a prize storage area and carry it to an outlet.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a crane game machine has been used that can acquire a prize if an arm unit provided with a plurality of arms that can be opened and closed is operated to carry a prize placed in a prize storage area to an exit.
Such a crane game machine is generally provided with a casing in which a side wall portion of a prize storage chamber for storing a prize is formed of a transparent plate so that an inside prize can be seen.
A slider device that is slidable along two directions of the depth direction and the width direction is provided on the ceiling portion of the prize storage room, and the above-mentioned arm unit is suspended on the slider device so that it can be moved up and down. Has been lowered.

2. Description of the Related Art As an arm unit for carrying a prize, an arm unit is known that includes a pair of arms that grip a prize, a unit base that rotatably supports these arms, and a drive mechanism that drives the pair of arms.
Here, the pair of arms is supported by a rotation shaft provided at the unit base, and is rotatable about the rotation shaft. The tip portions of the arms can be moved close to each other, thereby opening and closing. Installed in the base of the unit. In addition, the unit base has a stopper that engages with each arm that has reached the aforementioned closed position and stops the movement of each arm so that the pair of arms does not rotate in the closing direction beyond a predetermined closed position. Is provided.

On the other hand, the drive mechanism includes a torsion spring that urges the arm in the closing direction, a cam that moves the arm in the opening direction against the elastic force of the torsion spring, and an electric motor that drives a gear that is coaxially fixed to the cam. It has become.
When the electric motor rotates in the opening direction, the cam pushes the arm against the elastic force of the torsion spring, and the pair of arms opens.
Conversely, when the electric motor rotates in the closing direction, the pair of arms are closed so as to follow the rotation of the cam by the elastic force of the torsion spring. When the arm is moved in the closing direction, each arm is finally stopped by the stopper, and cannot move in the closing direction from its position. However, since the cam can be moved in the closing direction as it is, the tip of the cam is separated from the arm.

At this time, one end of the torsion spring is engaged with the arm and the other end is locked to a gear coaxially fixed to the cam. For this reason, if the cam is further over-rotated in the closing direction than the position where the tip of the cam is separated from the arm, the torsion spring is elastically deformed by the rotation of the gear integrated with the cam, and the torsion spring is elastic. A force is generated, and the force in the direction of closing the arm is increased. Therefore, by increasing / decreasing the over-rotation angle of the cam, the force with which the pair of arms pinches the prize can be adjusted, in other words, the holding force of the pair of arms can be adjusted (for example, see Patent Document 1). .)
JP 2002-239209 A (FIGS. 2 and 3)

In such a crane game machine, since the arm is pivotally supported by the unit base, the locus of the tip portion of the arm during the arm operation has an arc shape.
Here, the arm unit lowered to the lowest position may not be placed on the prize, and the tip of the opened arm may reach the bottom surface of the prize storage chamber. In this state, if the arm is operated in the closing direction, the locus of the tip of the arm is an arc, so the arm must receive the weight of the arm unit and push the arm unit upward. Depending on the structure, the arm may not be closed at the lowest position due to the structure.
For this reason, in order to make the game of the crane game machine more interesting, it may be possible to add a new device such as a full-color liquid crystal display to the arm unit. Thus, the arm cannot be closed, and the arm is gradually closed as the arm unit is raised.

In this case, it seems that there is no clamping force to hold the prize on the arm, so if you try to make the game more interesting by attaching a liquid crystal display etc., the game with the crane game machine will be aroused instead There's a problem.
Accordingly, each of the inventions described below has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the invention is to add a new device to the arm unit, which is heavy. However, an object of the present invention is to provide a crane game machine in which the arm can be smoothly closed at the lowest position.

Each of the following inventions has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object. The features of each invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
In addition, a code | symbol shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of this invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
( First invention )
(Feature point)
The first invention is characterized by the following points.
That is, the first invention includes a plurality of arms (30) that can be opened and closed, and an arm unit (3) that is movably provided with respect to the prize storage area (5A). ) Is a crane game machine (1) for playing a game in which the prize placed on the arm unit (3) is carried to the take-out port (8A, 8B) for driving the arm (30) to swing. The motor (51) that generates the driving force of the motor, and the driven portion (34) provided in the arm (30) and the arm (30) are swung to receive the driving force of the motor (51). The distance between the support point (41) to be supported and the driven part (34) can be changed, and the arm (30) can be swung by the reciprocating motion of the driven part (34). And a supporting mechanism (40).

Here, the support mechanism includes a bearing long hole provided in the vicinity of the driven portion formed in the arm, and a support shaft that is inserted into the bearing long hole and supports the arm. A support mechanism or a roller that supports the arm in contact with the lower surface of the arm in the vicinity of the driven part, and the roller and the arm to maintain contact with the roller so as not to come off the roller. A support mechanism or the like provided with guide means for guiding the arm can be employed.
( Second invention )
(Feature point)
The second invention is the above-described first invention, and has the following characteristic points.

That is, the second invention provides a crank mechanism (70) for converting the rotational driving force of the electric motor (51) into a driving force for reciprocating motion, and driving of the electric motor (51) via the crank mechanism (70). A reciprocating drive unit (57A, 57B) that reciprocates when force is transmitted, and the driven unit (34) and the reciprocating drive unit (57A, 57B) reciprocate in substantially the same direction. And are connected to each other by a stretchable elastic body (58).
( Third invention )
(Feature point)
The third invention is the first or the second invention described above, in which has the following characteristic points.

That is, the third aspect of the invention provides a bearing long hole (36) formed in the arm (30), and a support shaft (41) that is inserted into the bearing long hole (36) and supports the arm (30). And the support mechanism (40) is configured.
( Fourth invention )
(Feature point)
The fourth invention is, in any Kano invention from the first described above up to the third one in which has the following characteristic points.

That is, the fourth invention is slidable along the reciprocating direction of the reciprocating drive part (57A, 57B) and intersects the reciprocating direction of the reciprocating drive part (57A, 57B). A slide block (53) in which a long hole (52) extending in the direction is formed, and a guide part for guiding the sliding of the slide block (53) along the reciprocating direction of the reciprocating drive part (57A, 57B) The crank mechanism (70) is configured to include (54) and a crank arm (55) that is rotationally driven by the rotational driving force of the electric motor (51) and whose tip engages with the elongated hole (52). The slide block (53) is provided with the reciprocating drive part (57A, 57B).
( Fifth invention )
(Feature point)
The fifth invention is the above-described fourth invention, and has the following characteristic points.

That is, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the driven portion (34) is provided separately for each arm (30), and the reciprocating drive portion (57A, 57B) is connected to the arm (30) on the slide block (53). 30) separately provided, and an extension type coil spring (58) is adopted as the elastic body, and the number of coil springs (58) corresponding to the arm (30) is provided, and each arm (30) is provided. The end of the coil spring (58) is hooked on each of the driven part (34) and the reciprocating drive part (57A, 57B) provided separately.
( Sixth invention )
(Feature point)
The sixth invention is the above-mentioned fifth invention, and has the following characteristic points.

That is, in the sixth invention, the reciprocating drive unit has a plurality of latching portions (57A, 57B) for latching the end portions of the coil spring (58), and these latching portions (57A, 57B) The coil spring (58) is provided at a position where the distance from the driven portion (34) is different from each other, and the coil spring (58) is one of the plurality of latching portions (57A, 57B). It is characterized in that the elastic force can be adjusted stepwise by switching the end portion from 57B) to another latching portion (57A, 57B).

(Effect of the first invention )
The present invention configured as described above has the following effects.
That is, according to the first invention, the arm is supported by the unit base so that the distance between the support point for supporting the arm and the driven part that receives the driving force of the electric motor can be changed. At this time, the trajectory of the tip of the arm is a large circular arc that is close to a straight line, and the tip of the arm can be moved along the bottom surface of the prize storage chamber.
For this reason, even if the arm unit lowered to the lowest position does not rest on the prize and the tip of the arm in the open state reaches the bottom of the prize storage room, the tip of the arm is along the bottom of the prize storage room. Since the arm moves, when the arm is moved in the closing direction, the weight of the arm unit is hardly applied to the arm, and the arm can be closed at the lowest position even if the arm unit is heavy.

Therefore, in order to make the game of the crane game machine more interesting, a new device such as a full-color liquid crystal display has been added to the arm unit, so even if the arm unit becomes heavy, the arm can be closed smoothly at the lowest position, Even if the arm unit becomes heavier due to the addition of a new device, the arm can be closed smoothly at the lowest position.
(Effect of the second invention )
According to the second invention, in addition to the effects of the first invention described above, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, according to the second invention, since the driven portion and the reciprocating drive portion are provided so as to reciprocate in substantially the same direction, the shape of an expandable coil spring, a rubber band or the like is provided as an elastic body that can be expanded and contracted. However, it is possible to adopt a very simple one and to simplify the structure of the entire arm unit.
In addition, if each of the driven portion and the reciprocating drive portion is provided with a locking portion such as a pin that can lock the end of the elastic body, the elastic body can be easily replaced and the elastic modulus is different. If a plurality of types of elastic bodies are provided, the arm clamping force can be adjusted by replacing the elastic bodies with ones having different elastic moduli.

(Effect of the third invention )
According to the third invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second invention described above, the following effects are provided.
That is, according to the third invention, the support mechanism can be formed by the bearing long hole formed in the arm and the support shaft inserted through the bearing long hole, so that the fulcrum for supporting the arm and the driven portion The support mechanism for supporting the arm so that the distance can be changed has a simple structure, and the structure of the entire arm unit can be simplified.
(Effect of the fourth invention )
According to the fourth invention, in addition to the effects of the first or third invention described above, the following effects are provided.

That is, according to the fourth invention, the slide block that is slidable along the movement direction of the reciprocating drive unit, the guide unit that guides the sliding of the slide block, and the long hole of the slide block are engaged. Since the crank mechanism can be formed with the crank arm, the crank mechanism that converts the rotational driving force of the electric motor into the driving force in the linear direction has a simple structure. From this point also, the structure of the entire arm unit is simple. Can be a thing.
(Effect of the fifth invention )
According to the fifth invention, in addition to the effect of any Kano invention from the first described above up to the fourth, the following effects.

That is, according to the fifth invention, since the end of the coil spring is hooked on each of the driven part and the reciprocating drive part, the coil spring can be easily replaced and each arm can be replaced. Since the driven part and the reciprocating drive part are separately provided, if a plurality of types of coil springs having different elastic moduli are provided as described above, the holding force of the arm can be changed by replacing the coil springs with different elastic moduli. It can be adjusted separately.
(Effect of the sixth invention )
According to the sixth invention, in addition to the effects of any Kano invention from the first described above up to the fourth, the following effects.

That is, according to the sixth invention, the reciprocating drive portion is provided with a plurality of latching portions, and among these latching portions, the end portion is switched from one latching portion to another latching portion. Thus, the stepwise adjustment of the elastic force can be performed, so that it is not necessary to replace the coil spring when adjusting the holding force of the arm, and the adjustment of the holding force of the arm can be further facilitated. .

Hereinafter, an embodiment which is the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 show this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire crane game machine according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view showing an arm unit according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an internal mechanism of the arm unit according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view showing a support mechanism according to this embodiment, FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view showing a stopper mechanism according to this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a drive according to this embodiment. It is an enlarged front view which shows a mechanism.
(Outline of crane game machine 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the crane game machine 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with two crane apparatuses each having an arm unit 3 in a housing 2 formed in a substantially hexahedron box shape. ing.

In addition, the crane game machine 1 performs the lottery for selecting the game mode provided with multiple types first, when starting a game. Specifically, as a plurality of types of game modes, a normal game mode in which a normal crane game is performed, a power-up game mode in which the holding power of the arm unit 3 is strengthened, and an arbitrary arm during a predetermined time Three game modes of a free play mode in which the unit 3 can be operated are prepared, and one of the three game modes is selected by an internal lottery of the crane game machine 1 immediately after the start of the game.

The casing 2 of the crane game machine 1 has a base portion 4 whose upper surface is a mounting surface 4A for placing prizes, and a transparent case portion 5 that covers the upper portion of the base portion 4.

The inside of the transparent case portion 5 is a prize storage room 5A as a prize storage area capable of storing a large number of prizes. The ceiling portion 5B of the transparent case portion 5 is provided with a sliding mechanism (not shown) that moves the arm unit 3 in the width direction and the depth direction, and a lifting mechanism (not shown) that moves the arm unit 3 up and down. ing. The arm unit 3 is provided so as to be movable with respect to the prize storage chamber 5A, which is a prize storage area, by these sliding mechanism and lifting mechanism.
On the other hand, the front surface 4B of the base portion 4 is formed with a hook-shaped protruding portion 10 that extends in the width direction along the upper edge and protrudes forward. The upper surface of the projecting portion 10 is an operation panel 12 for operating the two crane devices described above.

At the left end of the operation panel 12, there is provided an operation device 6A for operating the arm unit 3A on the left side in the figure with the position in the vicinity thereof as the home position.
The operation device 6A includes a push button device 7A, 7B that can be used when the normal game mode or the power-up game mode is selected, and a lever device 7C that can be used when the free play mode is selected. It has become.
The push button device 7A performs an operation for moving the arm unit 3A along the width direction of the crane game machine 1. The push button device 7B performs an operation for moving the arm unit 3A along the depth direction of the crane game machine 1.

The lever device 7C can move the arm unit 3A arbitrarily in both the width direction and the depth direction of the crane game machine 1.
Here, an outlet 8A for taking out prizes is provided immediately below the arm unit 3A arranged at the home position. Also, below the operating device 6A, a prize payout exit 9A communicating with the outlet 8A is provided.
If the arm unit 3A is operated by the operation device 6A, the prize gripped by the arm unit 3A is conveyed to the home position, and if the conveyed prize can be dropped into the outlet 8A, the prize is sent to the player from the prize payout exit 9A. In other words, the player can receive the prize through the prize payout exit 9A.

At the right end of the operation panel 12, an operation device 6B for operating the arm unit 3B on the right side in FIG.
Since the operation device 6B has the same configuration as the operation device 6A, detailed description thereof is omitted. An outlet 8B for taking out a prize is provided just below the arm unit 3B arranged at the home position on the operation device 6B side, as with the operation device 6A side. Also, below the operating device 6B, a prize payout opening 9B communicating with the outlet 8B is provided.
If the operating device 6B is used to operate the arm unit 3B, the prize gripped by the arm unit 3B can be transported to the home position, and the delivered prize can be dropped into the outlet 8B, the prize as with the operating device 6A side. Is paid out to the player from the prize payout exit 9B, in other words, the player can receive the prize through the prize payout exit 9B.

(Arm unit 3)
As shown in FIG. 2, the arm unit 3 grips a prize with a pair of arms 30 that can be opened and closed. Further, a full-color compatible liquid crystal display device 31 is provided in front of the arm unit 3. The liquid crystal display device 31 displays a result of a lottery performed to select a game mode.
As shown in FIG. 3, the arm unit 3 is formed in a vertically long rectangular frame shape and includes a unit base 32 as a unit base that supports the liquid crystal display device 31 from the back side. The unit base 32 is formed with a support mechanism 40 that supports a pair of arms 30 so as to be able to swing, and a drive mechanism 50 that drives the arms 30 to swing.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pair of arms 30 are opened and closed by a driving force of an electric motor 51, which will be described later, and are bent into an L shape as a whole so that the tip portions of the arms 30 abut each other when closed. ing. A claw portion 33 formed by cutting a flat plate-like member into a hook shape is provided at the distal end portion of each arm 30.
As shown in FIG. 4, a locking pin 34 protruding from the side surface is formed at the base end portion of the arm 30. Corresponding to such a locking pin 34, the unit base 32 is provided with a guide long hole 35 extending in the vertical direction in FIG. The locking pin 34 is a driven portion that receives the driving force of the electric motor 51 described above, is guided by a guide slot 35 provided in the unit base 32, and is movable along the vertical direction in FIG. Yes.

In addition to the locking pin 34, a bearing long hole 36 extending along the extending direction of the arm 30 is formed in the base end portion of the arm 30. The long bearing hole 36 is located near the locking pin 34 and closer to the tip of the arm 30 than the locking pin 34.
(Support mechanism 40)
The support mechanism 40 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the unit base 32, and supports the arm 30 with a support shaft 41 inserted through the bearing long hole 36 of the arm 30.
In the above, the support mechanism 40 that supports the arm 30 with the support shaft 41 inserted through the bearing long hole 36 of the arm 30 is a support point that supports the arm 30 when the arm 30 swings. The distance between the support shaft 41 and the locking pin 34 can be changed. Specifically, when the arm 30 is closed, the distance between the support shaft 41 and the locking pin 34 is longer than when the arm 30 is open.

Further, the arm 30 is swung by reciprocatingly driving the locking pin 34 along the linear direction. At this time, the arm 30 swings so that the tip of the claw portion 33 draws a large arc, in other words, a substantially linear locus.
(Stopper mechanism 60)
Further, in the vicinity of the lower end of the unit base 32, as shown in FIG. 3, the locking pin 34 of the arm 30 is engaged to adjust the closed position of the arm 30, in other words, the rotation stop position of the arm 30 in the closed state. A stopper mechanism 60 for stopping is provided.
The stopper mechanism 60 will be described in detail. The stopper mechanism 60 is attached to the unit base 32 and slidable along the longitudinal direction of the guide slot 35 as shown in FIG. A base 61 is provided.

The stopper base 61 is provided with a locking elongated hole 62 corresponding to the guiding elongated hole 35 on the unit base 32 side. The locking elongated hole 62 extends along the longitudinal direction of the guiding elongated hole 35 and is set to have substantially the same size as the guiding elongated hole 35. The locking long hole 62 and the guide long hole 35 are arranged so as to overlap each other when the stopper base 61 is attached to the unit base 32. The locking pin 34 of the arm 30 is inserted into both the locking long hole 62 and the guide long hole 35.
Such a stopper base 61 is adapted to lock the locking pin 34 at the upper end portion in FIG. 5 of the locking long hole 62. When the stopper base 61 is slid downward in FIG. The position of the locking pin 34 that is locked in the locking slot 62 is also moved downward.

In other words, the rotation stop position of the arm 30 in the closed state can be set closer to the rotation stop position of the arm 30 in the open state by sliding the stopper base 61 downward in FIG. It has become.
Here, the unit base 32 is formed with a projecting piece 65 having an insertion hole 64 through which a screw 63 extending in the sliding direction of the stopper base 61 is inserted.
On the other hand, the stopper base 61 is provided with a female screw portion 66 having a female screw hole to be screwed with the screw 63, and a projecting piece 67 for supporting the female screw portion 66. A spring 68 for biasing the stopper base 61 upward in FIG. 5 is interposed between the protruding piece 67 on the stopper base 61 side and the protruding piece 65 on the unit base 32 side.

In the above, the stopper base 61 slides downward in FIG. 5 when the screw 63 is rotated clockwise. On the other hand, when the screw 63 is rotated counterclockwise, the stopper base 61 is moved upward in FIG. It comes to slide to.
The rotation stop position of the arm 30 in the closed state can be brought closer to the rotation stop position in the open state by rotating the screw 63 clockwise, and conversely, the screw 63 is rotated counterclockwise. By operating, it is possible to move away from the rotation stop position in the open state.
(Drive mechanism 50)
As shown in FIG. 6, the driving mechanism 50 converts the rotational driving force generated by the electric motor 51 into a linear reciprocating driving force in the reciprocating motion by the crank mechanism 70, and swings the arm 30 by the reciprocating driving force. It is to be driven.

That is, the unit base 32 includes a slide block storage hole 32A opened on the front surface, an electric motor 51 that generates a rotational driving force as a driving force for swinging the arm 30, and a guide slot 35. A slide block 53 formed with a long hole 52 that is slidable along the longitudinal direction and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the guide long hole 35, and along the longitudinal direction of the guide long hole 35 A guide groove 54 as a guide portion for guiding the sliding of the slide block 53, and a crank arm 55 whose tip is engaged with the long hole 52 while being rotated by the rotational driving force of the electric motor 51 are provided.
Here, a first gear 51A, which is a small-diameter pinion gear, is fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor 51. The first gear 51A is rotatably provided on the unit base 32 and meshes with a second gear 55A having a diameter larger than that of the first gear 51A to reduce the rotational driving force of the electric motor 51 to reduce the second gear 55A. To communicate.

The base end of the crank arm 55 is fixed to the second gear 55A. A roller 55B that can be accommodated in the long hole 52 of the slide block 53 is rotatably attached to the tip of the crank arm 55.
The guide grooves 54 are formed by the guide members 56 and the unit base 32 respectively disposed on both sides of the slide block storage hole 32A. Specifically, the guide member 56 has a stepped portion 56A at one end edge of the side surface facing the unit base 32. Then, the guide member 56 is placed along the periphery of the slide block storage hole 32A, and the stepped portion 56A is fixed to the unit base 32 toward the unit base 32, whereby the stepped portion 56A of the guide member 56 and the unit are fixed. A guide groove 54 is formed between the base 32 and the base 32.

The slide block 53, the roller 55B, and the guide member 56 are made of a synthetic resin having self-lubricating properties such as polyacetal. Thus, when the crank arm 55 is rotated by receiving the rotational driving force from the electric motor 51, the slide block 53 smoothly reciprocates along a predetermined straight line by the rotational driving force of the crank arm 55.
The slide block 53 is integrally provided with a first latch pin 57A and a second latch pin 57B as a reciprocating drive unit that reciprocates along a predetermined straight line. As a result, the sliding direction of the slide block 53 coincides with the reciprocating direction of the first latching pin 57A and the second latching pin 57B. In other words, the slide block 53 includes the first latching pin 57A and the first latching pin 57A. The second latch pin 57B slides along the reciprocating direction.

Here, the crank mechanism 70 is slidable along the reciprocating direction of the latching pins 57A and 57B, which are reciprocating drive parts, and the direction intersecting the reciprocating direction of the latching pins 57A and 57B. Rotating by the rotational driving force of the electric motor 51, the slide block 53 having a long hole 52 extending in the direction, the guide groove 54 for guiding the sliding of the slide block 53 along the reciprocating direction of the latch pins 57A and 57B A crank arm 55 that is driven and has a tip engaged with the long hole 52 is configured.
A plurality of first latch pins 57A and second latch pins 57B are provided for latching the other end of the coil spring 58, one end of which is latched to the latch pin 34 provided on the arm 30 side. It is a latching part. The first latch pin 57A and the second latch pin 57B are provided at positions where the distance from the locking pin 34 is different from each other. As a result, the elastic force of the coil spring 58 can be adjusted stepwise by switching the other end of the coil spring 58 from one of the first latching pin 57A and the second latching pin 57B. .

At this time, the latch pin 34 on the arm 30 side and the first latch pin 57A and the second latch pin 57B on the slide block 53 side are provided so as to reciprocate in substantially the same direction. Further, the locking pin 34 and one of the first locking pin 57A and the second locking pin 57B are connected to each other by a coil spring 58 that is an elastic body that can be expanded and contracted.
In the crank mechanism 70 as described above, the locking pin 34 as a driven portion is provided separately for each arm 30 to be opened and closed. Further, the slide block 53 is provided with a first latching pin 57A and a second latching pin 57B, which are reciprocating drive units, for each arm 30 to be opened and closed. Specifically, two sets of the first latch pin 57 </ b> A and the second latch pin 57 </ b> B are provided according to the pair of arms 30. The arm unit 3 is provided with a number of extension coil springs 58 as elastic bodies corresponding to the number of arms 30, that is, two. Each of the coil springs 58 is locked at one end to a locking pin 34 provided on the corresponding arm 30, and the first and second locking pins 57 </ b> A and 57 </ b> B provided for the corresponding arm 30. The other end is hooked on one side.

Next, the arm closing operation of the arm unit 3 according to this embodiment will be described. In describing the arm closing operation, first, the arm unit 3 in a state in which the pair of arms 30 are fully opened will be described. It is assumed that the end of the coil spring 58 on the slide block 53 side is hooked on the first hook pin 57A.
In the fully open state in which the pair of arms 30 are fully open, the crank arm 55 corresponds to the bottom dead center position in the crank mechanism as shown in FIG. That is, in terms of the short hand of the timepiece, it is arranged at a position indicating the 6 o'clock position. As a result, the slide block 53 is disposed at a position closest to the arm 30, and a fully open state in which the pair of arms 30 is opened 180 degrees is formed. In this fully open state, the coil spring 58 is stretched slightly to generate tension, and is stretched between the locking pin 34 and the first latching pin 57A, so that the arm 30 in the open state is loose. It is designed not to connect.

When the electric motor 51 (not shown in FIGS. 7 to 9) is started in this fully opened state, the crank arm 55 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction, and the slide block 53 is slid in the direction away from the arm 30, The coil spring 58 is pulled, and the locking pin 34 provided on the arm 30 is pushed up via the coil spring 58 to rotate the pair of arms 30 in the closing direction.
Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the tip of the crank arm 55 is rotated to the 9 o'clock position as indicated by the short hand of the watch, the slide block 53 reaches an intermediate position of the full stroke in the reciprocating motion. Then, the arm unit 3 is in a fully closed state in which the tips of the pair of arms 30 are in contact with each other and the arms 30 are completely closed.

Here, in the pair of arms 30 that are completely closed and fully closed, the locking pin 34 is locked in the locking long hole 62 provided in the stopper base 61 of the stopper mechanism 60, and the closing direction is further increased. It is designed not to rotate.
Further, the distance between the first latch pin 57A of the slide block 53 arranged at the intermediate position and the latch pin 34 provided on the arm 30 is the same as the first latch pin 57A on the slide block 53 side in the fully opened state. The distance from the locking pin 34 on the arm 30 side is substantially the same. As a result, a tension of almost the same strength as the tension in the fully opened state of the arm 30 can be obtained from the coil spring 58, and the normal gripping force that is the minimum clamping force necessary for clamping the prize is in the fully closed state. It is designed to be given to the arm 30. This normal gripping force is a gripping force of the arm unit 3 in the normal game mode.

If the arm 30 is completely closed but the slide block 53 is still in the intermediate position where it can slide in the closing direction, and the crank arm 55 is further rotated clockwise, the slide block 53 Although being slid and driven from the position upward in FIG. 8, the pair of arms 30 are restrained by the stopper mechanism 60 and do not rotate.
Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the crank arm 55 reaches the top dead center position in the crank mechanism, that is, the position indicating the 12 o'clock position in terms of the short hand of the watch, the slide block 53 moves in the reciprocating motion. Is reached, that is, the farthest position from the arm 30. Then, the distance between the first latching pin 57A on the slide block 53 side and the locking pin 34 on the arm 30 side greatly increases from the distance in the fully open state, and the coil spring 58 generates a large tension. As a result, the arm unit 3 is provided with a strengthened gripping force that is significantly strengthened over the normal gripping force. This strengthened gripping force becomes the gripping force of the arm unit 3 in the power-up game mode.

According to this embodiment as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, the arm 30 is a unit that is a unit base so that the distance between the support shaft 41 that is a support point for supporting the arm and the locking pin 34 that is a driven portion that receives the driving force of the electric motor 51 can be changed. Since it is supported by the base 32, the locus of the tip of the arm 30 during operation of the arm 30 is a large circular arc that is close to a straight line, and the tip of the arm 30 follows the placement surface 4A of the prize storage chamber 5A. Can be moved.
For this reason, even if the arm unit 3 lowered to the lowest position does not rest on the prize, and the tip of the arm 30 in the open state reaches the placement surface 4A of the prize storage chamber 5A, the tip of the arm 30 remains the prize. Since it moves along the mounting surface 4A of the storage chamber 5A, when the arm 30 is moved in the closing direction, the weight of the arm unit 3 hardly applies to the arm 30, and even if the arm unit 3 is heavy, The arm 30 can be securely closed at the lowest position.

Therefore, in order to make the game of the crane game machine 1 more interesting, since the full-color liquid crystal display device 31 is mounted on the arm unit 3, even if the arm unit 3 becomes heavy, the arm 30 is smoothly closed at the lowest position. Even if the full-color liquid crystal display device 31, which is a new device, is attached to the arm unit 3, no problem occurs.
In addition, the locking pin 34 is provided on the arm 30 so that the locking pin 34 and the locking pins 57A, 57B reciprocate on a straight line extending in substantially the same direction, and the locking pin 57A, Since 57B is provided, a stretchable coil spring 58 having an extremely simple shape can be adopted as an elastic body that can be expanded and contracted, and the structure of the entire arm unit 3 can be simplified.

In addition, since the coil spring 58 is attached by locking the end of the coil spring 58 to the locking pin 34 and one of the latching pins 57A and 57B, the coil spring 58 can be easily replaced. Can do. In addition, a plurality of types of coil springs 58 having different elastic moduli are prepared, and the clamping force of the arm 30 can be easily adjusted by replacing the coil springs 58 with other ones having different elastic moduli.
Further, since the bearing long hole 36 formed in the arm 30 and the support shaft 41 inserted through the bearing long hole 36 are formed including the support mechanism 40, a fulcrum (support shaft 41) for supporting the arm 30; The structure of the support mechanism 40 that supports the arm 30 so that the distance from the driven part (the locking pin 34) that receives the driving force of the electric motor 51 can be changed is simplified, and the structure of the entire arm unit 3 is simplified. can do.

Further, the slide block 53 that is slidable along the moving direction of the latch pins 57A and 57B, the guide groove 54 that guides the slide of the slide block 53, and the elongated hole 52 of the slide block 53 are engaged. Since the crank mechanism 70 is formed including the crank arm 55, the crank mechanism 70 for converting the rotational driving force of the electric motor 51 into a linear driving force has a simple structure. The entire structure of 3 can be simplified.
Further, since the locking pin 34, the locking pins 57A and 57B, and the coil spring 58 are provided separately for each arm, the holding force of the arm 30 can be increased by replacing the coil spring 58 with one having a different elastic modulus. It can be adjusted separately.

At this time, the first latch pin 57A and the second latch pin 57B are provided on the slide block 53, and the end of the coil spring 58 is hung from one of the first latch pin 57A and the second latch pin 57B to the other. Since the elastic force of the coil spring 58 can be adjusted step by step, the adjustment of the holding force of the arm 30 is eliminated when the holding force of the arm 30 is adjusted. It can be made easier.
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The deformation | transformation in the range which can achieve the objective of this invention, improvement, etc. are included.
For example, a device newly attached to an arm unit is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, but a display device such as a plasma display device or an organic EL display device, or an automata for production that dances when a prize enters an outlet. A device other than a display device such as a doll) may be used.

Further, the arm unit is not limited to one in which a driven part, a reciprocating driving part, and an elastic body are provided separately for each arm, but as shown in FIG. One each of the part, the reciprocating drive part and the elastic body may be provided.
That is, a connecting pin 34A that rotatably connects the base end portions 30A of the pair of arms 30 is provided as a driven portion, and a hook pin 57C as a reciprocating driving portion is provided at the tip of the crank arm 55, The arm unit 3C may be provided with a coil spring 58 that connects the pin 34A and the latch pin 57C as an elastic body.
Further, the support mechanism is not limited to a support mechanism including a bearing long hole provided in the vicinity of the driven portion formed in the arm, and a support shaft that is inserted through the bearing long hole and supports the arm. First, a roller 37 that contacts the lower surface of the arm 30 and supports the arm 30 in a portion in the vicinity of the connecting pin 34A that is a driven portion, a sub roller 37B that contacts the upper surface of the arm 30, and the roller 37 and the arm 30 In order to maintain the contact, a support mechanism 40A provided with a flange 38 as a guide means for guiding the arm 30 so as not to be detached from the roller 37 may be used.

It is a perspective view showing the whole crane game machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the arm unit which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a front view which shows the internal mechanism of the arm unit which concerns on the said embodiment. It is an enlarged front view which shows the support mechanism which concerns on the said embodiment. It is an enlarged front view which shows the stopper mechanism which concerns on the said embodiment. It is an enlarged front view which shows the drive mechanism which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating operation | movement of the said embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating the operation | movement after FIG. 7 of the said embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating the operation | movement after FIG. 8 of the said embodiment. It is a front view which shows the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Crane game machine 3 Arm unit
5A Freebie storage room as a freebie storage
8A, 8B Exit
30 arms
34 Locking pin as driven part
34A Connecting pin as driven part
36 Bearing hole
40,40A support mechanism
41 Support shaft as support point
51 Electric motor
52 oblong holes
53 Slide block
54 Guide groove as guide
55 Crank arm
57A to 57C Latching pin as a latching part constituting the reciprocating drive
58 Coil springs as elastic bodies
70 Crank mechanism

Claims (1)

A game that includes a plurality of arms that can be opened and closed, an arm unit that is movably provided with respect to a prize storage area, and uses the arm unit to carry a prize placed in the prize storage area to a take-out port. A crane game machine to perform,
An electric motor that generates a driving force for swinging and driving the arm;
In order to receive the driving force of this electric motor, a driven part provided in the arm;
A support mechanism in which a distance between a support point that supports the arm so as to be swingable and the driven portion is changeable, and the arm can swing by a reciprocating motion of the driven portion;
Equipped with a,
A crane game machine , wherein the support mechanism includes a bearing slot formed in the arm and a support shaft that is inserted into the bearing slot and supports the arm .

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