JP4509194B2 - Game ball processor - Google Patents

Description

  In the present invention, a gaming machine island is configured by arranging a plurality of gaming machines in parallel, and a lower storage tank for storing gaming balls overflowing from the upper part of the gaming machine island is installed at the lower part of the gaming machine island. The present invention relates to a game ball processing apparatus for processing an out game ball discharged from the game.

  As a conventional gaming machine island, the ball discharge pipe of each pachinko machine on the gaming machine island is faced to the transfer rod, and the transfer tube reaching the high place is connected to the transfer rod, and the total length of the transfer rod and the transfer tube is increased. A spiral wire ring that can be rotated is inserted, and the pachinko ball that has fallen into the transfer rod from the discharge tube of the pachinko machine is transferred to the lifting tube that communicates with the transfer rod by the spiral wire ring that rotates by the rotation of the motor. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a storage tank is provided in the lower part of the gaming machine island, a V-shaped chute is arranged so as to pass through the hollow part of the storage tank, the V-shaped chute is inclined toward the mini lift, and the out-game ball of the pachinko machine is Some are returned to the V-shaped chute. The storage tank is a box having a rectangular cross section, and the center of the ceiling wall 20A is open along the longitudinal direction. A partition wall extends from the opening edge toward the inside of the storage tank so as to surround both ends of the V-shaped chute in the width direction with a predetermined interval. A hollow portion is formed by the V-shaped chute and the partition walls at both ends thereof (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 51-74736 A JP-A-10-57584

  However, in the technology according to Patent Document 1, if a lower storage tank for storing pachinko balls overflowing at the upper part of the gaming machine island is provided at the lower part of the gaming machine island, the above-mentioned lower storage tank is located above the lower storage tank. If the transfer rod is arranged, the transfer rod becomes an obstacle, and it becomes difficult to flow the pachinko balls into the lower storage tank located below the transfer rod, and it is substantially stored along the transfer rod in the lower storage tank. There is a problem that a non-storage area that cannot be generated occurs, and the storage area of the storage tank is substantially reduced.

  Moreover, in the technique which concerns on patent document 2, the hollow part in a storage tank is an area | region including the space between the partition walls of the both ends which are not only the space which a V-shaped chute occupies but the upper space of a V-shaped chute, Since the area is a non-storage area that cannot store spheres, the substantial storage area of the storage tank is greatly reduced, and in order to secure a substantial storage area, the storage tank can be deepened or the storage tank can be Since it is necessary to extend in the longitudinal direction, there is a problem in that it becomes an obstacle when the storage tank is made thin or small. In addition, the balls counted by the ball counter, that is, the dirty balls used by the player and the balls that have not flowed into the replenishment basket (balls that have already been polished by the polishing machine) are mixed by a mini-lift before being sent to the polishing machine. As a result, there has been a problem that the load of polishing and lifting becomes large.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a conventional problem. From each gaming machine, the flow path pipe passes through the lower storage tank or by the side of the lower storage tank, and below the lower storage tank. The lower storage tank is processed so that the game ball is not processed above or in the lower storage tank but is processed below the lower storage tank so that the storage area of the lower storage tank is not substantially reduced. For example, when the lifting device is a polishing lifting device that lifts the game ball while polishing the game ball, the dirty out game ball used by the player is given the highest priority. It aims at providing the game ball processing apparatus which can drive | operate a lifting apparatus efficiently by transferring to.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the invention of the next section.
[1] A plurality of lower storage tanks (70) for storing game balls overflowing from the upper part of the gaming machine island (10) in which a plurality of gaming machines (20) are arranged side by side are provided in the gaming machine island (10). And out-game balls discharged from the respective gaming machines (20) to the central part of the gaming machine island (10) are transported to the upper storage tank (31) at the upper part of the gaming machine island (10). A lifting device (30) is installed,
Below the outer side of the lower storage tank (70), the out-game balls discharged from the respective gaming machines (20) are given the highest priority to the lifting device (30) and are substantially horizontal by the driving bodies (81, 82). A game ball processing device in which a guide passage (83) of a game ball moving device (80) forcibly transporting in a direction by power is arranged,
A control means (100) for centrally managing the supply and collection of game balls on the gaming machine island (10) is provided, and the control means (100) allows opening / closing means (90) in the lower storage tank (70). By being controlled, the game ball in the lower storage tank (70) flows into the game ball moving device (80),
When the opening / closing means (90) is in the closed state, the driving body (81, 82) of the game ball moving device (80) is operated at a low speed,
When the game ball in the upper storage tank (31) becomes lower than a predetermined storage level, the one with the oldest opening history is opened in the opening / closing means (90), and when the opening / closing means (90) is opened, The driving body (81, 82) of the game ball moving device (80) is driven from a low speed to a high speed,
The game machine (20) includes a channel pipe (27) for guiding the out-game balls discharged from the game machine (20) to the guide passage (83), and one end side of the channel pipe (27) is connected to each game machine (20). It connects with the out game ball collection | recovery device (201) which collects the out game ball discharged | emitted from, and penetrates the inside of the said lower storage tank (70) to the up-down direction through the other end side of the said flow-path pipe (27). The game ball moving device (80) is connected to holders (83c) provided on both side walls of the guide passage (83), and flows out through each flow pipe (27) regardless of the control of the opening / closing means (90). A game ball processing device, wherein a game ball is directly introduced into the guide passage (83) of the game ball moving device (80).

Next, the operation of the invention described in the above section will be described.
According to the gaming ball processing apparatus described in [1], the gaming balls overflowing from the upper part of the gaming machine island (10) flow to the lower part of the gaming machine island (10) and are stored in the lower storage tank (70). Moreover, since the flow path pipe (27) is extended from the respective gaming machine (20) side through the lower storage tank (70) and below the lower storage tank (70), each gaming machine (20 ) Can be led to the lower part of the lower storage tank (70) with the highest priority by the flow path pipe (27).

  There is no need to arrange a passage for processing out game balls above the lower storage tank (70), and game balls overflowing from the upper part of the gaming machine island (10) It flows into the entire area of the storage tank (70), and there is no non-storage area that is difficult to flow into the lower storage tank (70) and cannot be substantially stored, and the storage area of the lower storage tank (70) is reduced. It will not substantially decrease. Even when the flow path pipe (27) is passed through the lower storage tank (70), the non-reserving area of the lower storage tank (70) occupied by the flow path pipe (27) is not wide. The lower storage tank (70) is not substantially reduced.

  In addition, a flow path pipe (27) for flowing out game balls is extended from each game machine (20) side, and the front end side of the extended flow path pipe (27) is connected to the game ball moving device (80 ) Guide passage (83). Since the guide passage (83) is arranged below the lower storage tank (70), the flow path pipe (27) passes through (through) the lower storage tank (70) and is connected to the guide passage (83). ing. As a result, all of the out-game balls flow into the guide passage (83) without omission, and the out-game balls are forcibly conveyed by the drive body (81, 82) in the substantially horizontal direction by power. Thus, the highest priority can be given to the lifting device (30).

Furthermore, the supply and collection of game balls on the gaming machine island (10) is centrally managed by the control means (100). The control means (100) controls the opening / closing means (90) in the lower storage tank (70), so that the game balls in the lower storage tank (70) flow into the game ball moving device (80). It becomes like this.
Here, when the opening / closing means (90) is in the closed state, the driving bodies (81, 82) of the game ball moving device (80) are operated at a low speed. When the game balls in the upper storage tank (31) become lower than a predetermined storage level, the one with the oldest opening history is opened in the opening / closing means (90), and the opening / closing means (90) is opened. The driving bodies (81, 82) of the game ball moving device (80) are operated from a low speed to a high speed.

  According to the game ball processing apparatus of the present invention, the flow path pipe for guiding the out game balls discharged from each gaming machine passes through the lower storage tank in the vertical direction, and is directly below the lower storage tank. The game balls overflowing from the upper part of the gaming machine island are connected to a guide passage that is arranged separately and connected to a guide passage that forcibly conveys the out-game balls by a drive body in a substantially horizontal direction. The pipe flows into the entire area of the lower storage tank without making the pipe an obstacle, and the storage area of the lower storage tank is not substantially reduced. Thereby, a lower storage tank can be made thin and small.

In addition, the supply / recovery of game balls on the gaming machine island is centrally managed by the control means, and the control means controls the opening / closing means in the lower storage tank so that the game balls in the lower storage tank are It flows into the game ball moving device.
Here, when the opening / closing means is in the closed state, the driving body of the game ball moving device is operated at a low speed. When the game ball in the upper storage tank becomes lower than a predetermined storage level, the one with the oldest release history is opened in the opening / closing means, and when the opening / closing means is opened, the driving body of the game ball moving device Will be driven from low speed to high speed.

  In addition, a channel pipe for flowing out game balls is extended from each gaming machine side, and the channel pipe passes through the lower storage tank so that all of the out game balls flow into the guide passage without leaking. Thus, the out-game ball can be guided to the lifting device with the highest priority by the guide passage. When the lifting device is a polishing lifting device that lifts the game ball while polishing it, the dirty out game ball used by the player is transferred to the lifting device with the highest priority without accumulating in the lower storage tank. Since it was made to do, an out game ball can be ground efficiently.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 11 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 game balls (pachinko balls) on the surface of the game 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.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower part of the gaming machine island 10 in the island frame 10 a is a box-shaped frame that is disposed with a lower space between the floor surface by a housing frame 11 erected on the floor. The inside is configured as a lower storage tank 70 that stores 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 10. An island tree 13 extending over the road is erected.

  On the island 13 which is the upper part of the gaming machine island 10, a curtain plate 14 which is divided corresponding to 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.

  A gaming machine 20 and a ball lending machine 21 are juxtaposed on a top plate 12 which is the middle part of the gaming machine island 10. In addition, between the backs of the gaming machines 20 arranged in two rows in the front and back, the 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 10, and the ball lending machine 21. A coin transport device 23 that transports the captured coins to the end of the island in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 10 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.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a gaming 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 10. 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.

  At the center of the gaming machine island 10, the polishing ball for lifting the game ball guided from the lower storage tank 70 at the lower part of the gaming machine island 10 to the upper storage tank 31 at the upper part of the gaming machine island 10. A feeding device (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.

  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 31. 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.

  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.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 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 10 while storing the game balls in the upper part of the game machine island 10. 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.

  Here, the conveyance path 42 and the coil spring 45 that are combined one by one form one set of conveyance units, and a plurality of conveyance units are arranged side by side in a row in the upper part of the gaming machine island 10 so as to be adjacent to each other 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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  That is, the transfer units 41a to 41c are arranged so that the starting ends of the transfer units 41a to 41c are aligned with the polishing and lifting device 30 as a starting point, and are distributed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 10. The replenishing means 50 for replenishing the game machine 20 of each replenishment unit is provided on the end side of .about.41c corresponding to each replenishment unit located near the lower side of each end side.

  Specifically, in FIG. 2, among the three sets installed on the upper half of the gaming machine island 10 on the left half of the gaming machine island 10, the transport unit 41 a having the shortest overall length and the replenishing means 50 on the end side are arranged on the island one side This corresponds to the first supply unit in which a total of eight gaming machines 20 are grouped in two rows in the front and rear, up to the fourth unit counted from the polishing / lifting device 30 toward the island edge.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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 extending in the left-right direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 10 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.

  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.

  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 includes, for example, a proximity sensor such as a photo sensor 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, and the like. On the lower side, the game ball is arranged so as not to come into direct contact.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  In addition, the storage unit 51 includes a lower storage tank at the lower part of the gaming machine island 10 where game balls overflow from the storage unit 51 when the storage unit 51 including the replenishment basket 52 is filled with game balls. The ball inlet (not shown) of the overflow pipe (path) 56 that drops to 70 is communicated.

  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.

  In the overflow pipe 56, when the lower storage tank 70, which is the discharge destination of the game balls, is filled with balls, the game balls are collected from the lower end port 56b to the ball inlet, 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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  Thus, it is possible to know the level of the amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 according to how many of the upper storage detection sensors 33H, 33M, and 33L are continuously turned on and the detection signal is output. it can. The amount of game balls stored in the upper storage tank 31 is transferred to the upper storage tank 31 as in the prior art because the game balls in the upper part of the gaming machine island 10 are transported in a state of being stored by the game ball supply device 40 as well. There is no need to intensively store game balls, and the capacity can be reduced accordingly.

  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.

  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 conveyance units 41a, 41b. ing.

  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.

  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.

  Furthermore, in the lower part of the gaming machine island 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in addition to the lower storage tank 70, a gaming ball for transporting out gaming balls from each gaming machine 20 to the polishing and lifting device 30. A moving device 80 is arranged. The game ball moving device 80 is arranged below the lower storage tank 70 and has a guide passage 83 arranged to give the highest priority to guide the out game balls discharged from each gaming machine 20 to the polishing and lifting device 80. I have. 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.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the out-game ball counter 202 is connected to one end side of a flow path tube 27 through which the out-game ball discharged from the gaming machine 20 flows. The flow path pipe 27 is a bellows pipe having a close coil spring shape. The other end side of the flow channel pipe 27 extends through the gap 12 a between the pair of top plates 12 and the lower storage tank 70 in the vertical direction to the guide passage 83 of the game ball moving device 80. 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.

  The guide passage 83 is formed in a substantially concave groove cross-sectional shape and has a bottom portion 83a and both side wall portions 83b. Holder members 83c are provided on the side wall portions 83b, and are fixed to the holder members 83c in a state in which the other end side of the flow channel tube 27 is fitted. 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. The inflow stage 83d is arranged so as to be installed between both side walls 83b, and a partition wall that prevents the out-game balls that have flowed in from the flow path pipes 27 on both sides from colliding with each other at the center of the inflow stage 83d. 83e is formed. In addition, the game ball in the lower storage tank 70 flows into the gap between the side wall portions 83 b of the guide passage 83 through the opening / closing means 90. The opening / closing means 90 will be described later.

  The game ball moving device 80 includes a driving body that conveys the out game ball 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. The game ball moving device 80 is also configured such that the control means 100 causes the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 to flow through the opening / closing means 90 and the flowed game balls move to the polishing / lifting device 30. .

  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.

  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. The plurality of belt conveyors 81 and 82 are driven (driven) at a high speed when transporting out game balls and game balls opened and opened by the control means 100 through the opening / closing means 90 in the lower storage tank 70. When only the out-game ball is moved, it is controlled by the control means 100 so as to be driven at a low speed.

  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.

  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. At the center of the bottom 71 of each lower storage tank 70, a discharge port 72 is opened. By opening and closing each discharge port 72, the flow of game balls from the lower storage tank 70 to the game ball moving device 80 is performed. Opening / closing means 90 for controlling each is arranged. The opening / closing means 90 includes a main body case 91 and a shutter member 92 disposed inside the main body case 91. The shutter member 92 discharges the game ball that has entered the inside of the main body case 91 from the discharge port 72 to the outside of the main body case 91 or, conversely, when the shutter member 92 assumes a predetermined posture inside the main body case 91. The main body case 91 is formed so as to remain inside.

  When the game balls in the upper storage tank 31 become lower than a predetermined storage level, the opening / closing means 90 is opened preferentially from the oldest opening operation history among the six opening / closing means 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.

  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. Moreover, since the lower part of the gaming machine island 10 including the lower storage tank 70 is disposed with a lower space between the floor surface, the player can relax with his legs extended. Further, the lighting means 17 for production is arranged along the lower surface side of the lower part of the gaming machine island 10 so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 10.

  Next, based on FIG. 1, FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, an operation of exchanging the exchanged channel pipe 27 disposed inside the gaming machine island 10 for the exchange channel pipe 27 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the flow path pipe 27 penetrates the lower storage tank 70. In addition, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 9, one end portion 27a of the exchangeable flow pipe 27 is connected to the bellows hose 202a extending from the out-game ball counter 202 on the gaming machine 20 side. ing. Further, the other end portion 27b of the exchanged flow pipe 27 is connected to the holder member 83c provided on the both side walls 83b of the guide passage 83.

  In this manner, both end portions 27a and 27b of the exchanged flow channel pipe 27 arranged inside the gaming machine island 10 are removed from the gaming machine 20 side and the guide passage 83 side, respectively. Further, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 9, both end portions 27 a and 27 b of the exchanged flow channel pipe 27 are left outside the gaming machine island 10. Corresponding to this exchanged channel pipe 27, similarly, an exchange channel pipe 27 indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 9 is arranged outside the gaming machine island 10 and replaced with the exchanged channel pipe 27. The pipe body 27 is connected to each other to form a tubular body.

  A pin member 28 shown in FIG. 11 is used to connect the flow channel pipe 27. The center part of the pin member 28 is formed in the large diameter part 28a, and the both ends are each formed in the small diameter part 28b. As shown in FIG. 10, one end portion 27 a of the two flow-path pipes 27 for replacement and replacement is tightly fitted to one small diameter portion 28 b of the pin member 28. Similarly, the other end portions 27b of the two flow channel pipes 27 are tightly fitted.

  As shown by the arrows in FIG. 9, the tubular body connecting the two flow channel tubes 27 is rotated. As a result, the exchange channel pipe 27 is taken out from the gaming machine island 10 to the outside of the gaming machine island 10 and is taken out from the lower storage tank 70. On the other hand, the exchange channel pipe 27 is taken into the gaming machine island 10 from the outside of the gaming machine island 10 and penetrates into the lower storage tank 70.

  As shown in FIG. 9, since the game balls are stored in the lower storage tank 70, the game balls become an obstacle when the replacement channel pipe 27 is passed through the lower storage tank 70. The exchanged flow channel pipe 27 extracted from the tank 70 advances so as to scrape the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 ahead of the replacement flow channel tube 27, and then the replacement flow tube 27 is replaced. Therefore, the game ball does not become a major obstacle, and the replacement channel tube 27 can be easily passed through the lower storage tank 70.

  Thus, if the position of the two flow-path pipes 27 for replacement and replacement are outside the gaming machine island 10 and inside the gaming machine island 10 and are in a mode opposite to the position before the replacement, By removing the member 28 from both end portions 27a and 27b of the two flow pipes 27, the connection of the two flow pipes 27 is removed. The exchange channel pipe 27 enters the lower storage tank 70. Next, both end portions 27a and 27b of the exchange channel pipe 27 are connected to the gaming machine 20 side and the guide passage 83 side, respectively. With the above operation, the exchange of the exchanged channel tube 27 and the exchanged channel tube 27 is completed.

  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 that have been lifted while being polished by the polishing / lifting device 30 extend from the polishing / lifting device 30 to the left and right above the gaming machine island 10. By 40, the gaming machine island 10 is transported in the longitudinal direction and supplied to each gaming machine 20. The balls discharged from the polishing / lifting device 30 are directly introduced into the upper storage tank 31, 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 10.

  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 each gaming machine 20. Along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 10. 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 accordance with the replenishment amount actually required in each gaming machine 20.

  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 and lifting device 30. The game balls are transported in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 10 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 10 are transported as they are.

  In each transport unit 41a, 41b..., When the game ball is transported to the terminal side distributed in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 10, each of the replenishment units located just near the lower side by the replenishment means 50 this time. It is possible to smoothly distribute and supply gaming balls to the gaming machine 20 without using power. That is, the game ball transported to the terminal end side of the transport path 42 with the rotational drive of the coil spring 45 falls from the ball outlet portion (not shown) as it is and is introduced into the storage portion 51.

  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 20 positioned below the game machine ball 52, and the game balls flowing down the replenishment basket 52 pass through the replenishment chute 53 and the 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.

  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.

  In addition, when the storage unit 51 including the pair of supply baskets 52 and 52 is filled with game balls, the overflowing game balls are stacked above the bottom surface of the storage unit 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.

  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.

  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. The out game balls counted by the out game ball counter 202 flow into the game ball moving device 80 through the flow path pipe 27. By connecting the channel tube 27 to the guide passage 83 of the game ball moving device 80, all of the out game balls flowing through the channel tube 27 flow into the guide passage 83 of the game ball moving device 80 without leakage.

  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.

  When the opening / closing means 90 is in the closed state, the belt conveyors 81 and 82 of the game ball moving device 80 are operated at a 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 opening / closing means 90 is opened. Is done. When the opening / closing means 90 is opened, the belt conveyors 81 and 82 are operated from a low speed to a high speed. Since the opening / closing means 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 moving device 80.

  The out game balls flow into the guide passage 83 of the game ball moving device 80 through the flow path pipe 27, so that the out game balls and the game balls in the lower storage tank 70 are not retained, and the outflow game balls are ground. It can be transferred to the feeding 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 means 90 is closed based on the 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.

  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.

  In the above embodiment, each flow pipe 27 extended from each gaming machine 20 is connected to the guide passage 83 through the lower storage tank 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The flow path pipe 27 may be connected to the guide passage 83 through the side of the lower storage tank 70. Also in this case, an annular body is formed by connecting the two flow path pipes 27 for replacement and replacement, and one of the two flow path pipes 27 is connected to the gaming machine island 10 by turning the annular body. Arranged from the inside to the outside, the other of the two channel pipes 27 is arranged from the outside of the gaming machine island 10 to the inside, and then the two channel pipes 27 are disconnected and arranged inside the gaming machine island 10 Further, both end portions 27a, 27b of the replacement flow channel pipe 27 may be connected to the gaming machine 10 side and the guide passage 83 side, respectively.

  In addition, the two flow-path pipes 27 to be exchanged and the exchange-type pipe are connected by being tightly fitted to the small-diameter portion 28b of the pin member 28. However, the flow-path pipe 27 is difficult to be removed from the pin member 28. In order to achieve this, even if a thread groove-like engaging portion is formed in the small diameter portion 28b of the pin member 28 so that the coil wire rod of the flow path tube 27 which is a bellows tube having a close-contact coil spring shape is elastically engaged. Good.

  Further, the guide passage 83 to which each flow channel pipe 27 is connected may be a passage including a holder member 83c to which each flow channel tube 27 is directly connected, as in the above embodiment. 27 may be a passage formed so as to face 27, or may be a passage in which each flow path pipe 27 is directly connected without a member such as the holder member 83c.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the game machine island which installed the game ball processing apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing a gaming machine island in which a gaming ball processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a partially cutaway view of a gaming machine island in which a gaming ball supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a partially broken half-side half of a gaming machine island in which a gaming ball supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed; FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the various sensors provided in the game ball supply apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a game ball moving device according to an embodiment of the present invention broken away at a position near an opening / closing means. It is the front view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the intermediate part of the game ball moving apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the intermediate part of the game ball moving apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a partially enlarged game ball processing apparatus and its vicinity according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the elements on larger scale which show the state which connected the two flow-path pipes for replacement | exchange which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, and replacement | exchange by the pin member. It is a figure which shows the pin member which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) is a side view, (b) is a front view.

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 21 ... Ball lending machine 22 ... Banknote Transport device 23 ... Coin transport device 24 ... Safe 25 ... Premium ball counter 26 ... Premium ball insertion port 27 ... Channel pipe 27a ... One end portion of the channel tube 27b ... Other end portion of the channel tube 28 ... Pin member 28a ... Large diameter portion 28b ... Small diameter portion 30 ... Polishing and lifting device 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 replenishment Apparatus 41 ... Conveyance means 42 ... Conveyance path 43 ... Sphere inlet part 44 ... Sphere outlet part 45 ... Coil spring 46 ... Wire 47 ... Start terminal bracket 48 ... End terminal bracket 49 ... Drive motor 5 Replenishment means 51 ... Reservoir 52 ... Replenishment bowl 53 ... Replenishment chute 54 ... Bellows 55 ... Replenishment ball detection sensor 56 ... Overflow pipe 57 ... Overflow detection sensor 58 ... Prize ball tank 70 ... Lower storage tank 71 ... Bottom 72 ... Discharge port DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 80 ... Game ball moving apparatus 81, 82 ... Belt conveyor 83 ... Guide passage 83a ... Bottom part 83b ... Side wall part 83c ... Holder member 83d ... Inflow stage 83e ... Partition wall 84 ... Driving 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 means 91 ... main body case 92 ... shutter member 100 ... control means 201 ... out game ball collector 202 ... out game ball counter

Claims (1)

A plurality of lower storage tanks for storing game balls overflowing from the upper part of the gaming machine island in which a plurality of gaming machines are arranged side by side are installed in the lower part of the gaming machine island, and A lifting device is installed to lift out game balls discharged from the gaming machine to the upper storage tank above the gaming machine island,
A game ball moving device that forcibly conveys out-game balls discharged from the respective gaming machines to the lifting device forcibly with power in a substantially horizontal direction by a driver below the lower storage tank outside. A game ball processing apparatus in which a guide passage is arranged,
Control means for centrally managing the supply and collection of game balls on the gaming machine island is controlled, and the control means controls the opening and closing means in the lower storage tank, so that the game balls in the lower storage tank are Flow into the game ball moving device,
When the opening and closing means is in the closed state, the driving body of the game ball moving device is driven at a low speed,
When the game ball in the upper storage tank becomes lower than a predetermined storage level, the one with the oldest release history is opened in the opening / closing means, and when the opening / closing means is opened, the driving body of the game ball moving device is Driven from low speed to high speed,
An out-game ball collector for collecting out-game balls discharged from the respective gaming machines on one end side of the flow-path tube, comprising a flow path pipe for guiding the out-game balls discharged from the respective game machines to the guide passage The other end side of the flow path pipe through the lower storage tank in the vertical direction and connected to holders provided on both side walls of the guide passage of the game ball moving device, A game ball processing apparatus, wherein an out game ball flowing through each flow channel pipe regardless of control is directly introduced into a guide passage of the game ball moving device.

Images