JP4781100B2 - Game machine ball storage equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball storage device for a gaming machine in which a ball amount detection mechanism is appropriately attached to a tank structure.

The ball storage device of the gaming machine has a ball volume detection mechanism in the tank structure, the ball is stored in the tank structure from the ball supply mechanism of the gaming machine installation structure called an island, and the ball detection lever of the ball volume detection mechanism In a state where the ball stored in the tank structure is pushed and moved, the storage amount of the ball in the tank structure decreases as the ball is paid out to the player from the tank structure, and the ball is detected from the ball. The force acting on the lever decreases, the ball sensing lever returns to its original position, the detector outputs a signal indicating that the storage amount of the ball has decreased, to the control device, and the control device becomes a hall computer that manages the business of the amusement store A supply signal is output, the hall computer drives the ball supply mechanism, and the ball supply mechanism supplies the ball to the tank structure. In addition to the function for outputting a replenishment signal to the hall computer, the ball quantity detecting mechanism has a function for outputting a ball-out signal for stopping the game to the control device when the storage amount is reduced than the above. The ones provided are also known. However, when an external force perpendicular to the operation direction of the ball sensing lever with respect to the detector acts on the ball sensing lever, there is a drawback that the ball sensing lever is easily detached.
JP-A-5-228240 JP 2001-204933 A

  The problem to be solved by the invention is that when an external force perpendicular to the operation direction of the sphere sensing lever with respect to the detector acts on the sphere sensing lever, the sphere sensing lever is easily detached.

  A ball storage device for a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a tank structure and a ball quantity detection mechanism, and the tank structure includes a ball storage unit, a side wall, a ball break detection cutout, a supply detection cutout, and a protrusion. The storage part is configured as a box-shaped room that opens upward to store a sphere, the side wall is configured as a wall surrounding the sphere storage part, and the ball breakage detection cutout part and the supply detection cutout part are provided separately on the side wall, and a protrusion Is constituted by a side wall located between a ball breakage detection cutout and a replenishment detection cutout, and the ball amount detection mechanism includes a mechanism housing, a ball breakage detector, a replenishment detector, a ball breakage detection lever, and a supply detection lever. The housing includes a detector housing portion, a ball breakage detection hole, a replenishment detection hole, a ball breakage detection support portion, and a replenishment detection support portion. The detector housing portion is configured as a dent from the lower surface of the mechanism housing to the upper interior. The cut detection hole is The replenishment detection hole is formed at a position different from the ball breakage detection hole at a position different from the ball breakage detection hole. It is configured as a recess and a groove that penetrates the lower part and the outside of the detector housing and the mechanism housing, and the ball breakage detection support portions are located on both sides in the left-right direction of the ball breakage detection hole and protrude upward from the mechanism housing to make a relative heel. The replenishment detection support parts are positioned on both sides of the replenishment detection hole in the left-right direction, projecting upward from the mechanism housing, and facing relative to each other, and the ball breakage detector and the replenishment detector are housed in the detector housing and attached to the mechanism housing. The ball breakage detection lever is disposed between the ball breakage detection support portions which are opposed to each other, and is rotatably mounted on the ball breakage detection support portion so that the ball breakage detector can be operated. Detection support The ball breakage detection support part is mounted on the tank structure so that the ball breakage detection support part is rotatably mounted on the replenishment detection support part and disposed between the parts. The gap between the ball breakage detection support part and the side wall and the gap between the ball breakage detection support part and the protrusion are located between the ball breakage detection support part and the ball breakage detection lever. The replenishment detection support part is disposed in the replenishment detection cutout part so as to face the side wall and the protrusion, and the interval between the replenishment detection support part and the side wall and the replenishment detection support part. The main feature is that the distance between the protrusion and the protrusion is set smaller than the fitting dimension in which the supply detection support portion and the supply detection lever are rotatably attached to each other.

  In the ball storage device of the gaming machine according to the present invention, when the ball amount detection mechanism is attached to the tank structure, the ball breakage detection support portion is disposed in the ball breakage detection notch portion and faces the side wall and the protrusion, The opposing distance between the detection support part and the side wall and the opposing distance between the ball breakage detection support part and the protrusion are set smaller than the fitting dimensions for attaching the ball breakage detection support part and the ball breakage detection lever to each other in a rotatable manner. Therefore, even when an external force acts on the ball detection lever from a direction orthogonal to the operation direction of the ball breakage detection lever with respect to the ball breakage detector, the ball breakage detection lever is pushed outward by the ball breakage detection lever. The detection support part is received by the side wall and the protrusion, and there is an advantage that the ball breakage detection lever is appropriately supported by the ball breakage detection support part without falling off the ball breakage detection support part, and the supply detection support Is disposed in the supply detection notch and faces the side wall and the projection, and the interval between the supply detection support portion and the side wall and the interval between the supply detection support portion and the projection face the supply detection support portion and the supply detection lever. Since it is set smaller than the fitting dimensions that are attached to each other so as to be rotatable, external force acts on the replenishment sensing lever from the direction orthogonal to the operation direction of the replenishment sensing lever with respect to the replenishment detector, and the replenishment detection support part is outside the replenishment sensing lever. Even when the supply detection support part is spread out, there is an advantage that the supply detection support part is received by the side wall and the protrusion, and the supply detection lever is appropriately supported by the supply detection support part without falling off the supply detection support part.

  1 to 7 show the best mode for carrying out the invention. FIG. 1a shows the appearance of a ball storage device 1 of a gaming machine. FIG. 1 b shows a plane in which the ball quantity detection mechanism 4 is attached to the tank structure 2. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a structure in which the ball amount detection mechanism 4 is attached to the tank structure 2. 3 shows an exploded view of the mechanism housing 28, the ball breakage detector 29, the replenishment detector 30, and the detector base 68 in the ball quantity detection mechanism 4. FIG. FIG. 4 shows the mechanism housing 28, the ball break detector 29, the replenishment detector 30, and the detector base 68 in the ball amount detection mechanism 4 assembled from below. FIG. 5 shows the operation of the ball quantity detection mechanism 4 when the force from the ball is not acting on the ball breakage detection lever 31 or the replenishment detection lever 32. 6 shows that when a force larger than the weight of the ball breaker weight 52 acts on the ball breakage detection lever 31 or when a force larger than the weight of the supply weight 61 acts on the supply detection lever 32 from the ball. The operation of the ball amount detection mechanism 4 in the case of FIG. 7 shows a back surface in which a ball payout device 92 including the ball amount detection mechanism 4 is attached to the gaming machine frame 93. In this specification, the directions of “front”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower” indicate that the ball storage device 1 is in the state of FIG. It is the direction specified when placed and viewed from the front side indicated by arrow A. “Table” and “front” are in the same direction. “Back” and “back” are in the same direction.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the ball storage device 1 of the gaming machine will be described. As shown in FIG. 1a, the ball storage device 1 of the gaming machine includes a tank structure 2, a ball payout mechanism 3, a ball amount detection mechanism 4, and a relay board 5. The tank structure 2 includes a sphere storage unit 7, a substrate storage unit 8, a sphere take-in unit 9, and a side wall 10. The arrangement of the sphere storage unit 7 and the substrate storage unit 8 is such that the sphere storage unit 7 is on the rear side and the substrate storage unit 8 is on the front side. The ball storage unit 7 is configured as a box-shaped room opened upward for storing a ball called a pachinko ball discharged from the ball supply mechanism of the gaming machine installation structure. The bottom surface of the bottom wall of the sphere storage unit 7 that comes into contact with the sphere forms a slope in which the sphere flows from the periphery of the sphere storage unit 7 toward the sphere dispensing mechanism 3. The ball take-in portion 9 is a portion for taking in a ball to be paid out, and is positioned on the right side of the ball storage portion 7 and is formed in a shape that is recessed in a semicircle downward from the bottom surface of the ball storage portion 7. The side wall 10 is a wall surrounding the sphere storage unit 7.

  The ball dispensing mechanism 3 is attached to the right side wall of the tank structure 2 and includes a mechanism housing 12, a ball dispensing motor 13, and a ball dispensing rotator 14. The mechanism housing 12 has a box shape whose left side is open. The ball payout motor 13 is constituted by a step motor and is attached to the inside of the mechanism housing 12. An output shaft such as a motor shaft of the ball dispensing motor 13 is disposed on the left opening side of the mechanism housing 12. The ball dispensing rotary body 14 includes a spiral body 15 on a linear round bar. The spiral body 15 protrudes in a spiral shape radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the round bar at intervals that separate the spheres one by one in a direction parallel to the axis extending in the left-right direction of the round bar. The ball dispensing rotator 14 is rotatably mounted inside the mechanism housing 12 and is rotatably coupled to the output shaft of the dispensing motor, or is coaxially coupled to the output shaft of the dispensing motor. And the part which protrudes to the left side from the mechanism housing | casing 12 of the ball | bowl delivery rotating body 14 penetrates the right side wall of the tank structure 2 from the right outer side of the tank structure 2, is inserted in the inside of the ball | bowl taking-in part 9, and is tapped. A ball screw mechanism 3 is attached to the right side of the tank structure 2 by a set screw 16 such as a screw passing through the mechanism housing 12 from the outside of the mechanism housing 12 and being fastened to the right side wall of the tank structure 2. When the ball paying mechanism 3 is attached to the tank structure 2 and the ball is put in the ball storage unit 7 as described above, the ball paying motor 13 rotates the ball paying rotary member 14 in one direction, whereby the spiral 15 Separates the balls one by one in the axial direction extending in the left-right direction of the ball dispensing rotating body 14 and dispenses the balls from the ball storage unit 7 to the lower side of the ball dispensing mechanism 3.

  A relay substrate 5 is attached to the bottom wall of the substrate housing portion 8 from above with a set screw (not shown) such as a tapping screw. The relay board 5 intensively connects the wiring of electric parts necessary for paying out the balls, such as the ball payout mechanism 3 and the ball quantity detection mechanism 4, and is connected to the upper surface of a circuit board such as a printed wiring board. In this structure, a plurality of connectors 17 are mounted. The connector 17 is a thin wiring such as a printed wiring attached to the relay substrate 5 and is connected to each other so as to constitute an electric circuit. A motor wiring (not shown) of the ball payout motor 13 is mechanically fitted to one of the connectors 17 through the mechanism housing 12 and connected to be energized. The structure in which the ball amount detection mechanism 4 is attached to the tank structure 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  With reference to FIG. 2, a structure in which the ball amount detection mechanism 4 is attached to the tank structure 2 will be described. The tank structure 2 includes a ball breakage detection cutout portion 19, a supply detection cutout portion 20, a tank side engagement portion 21, a protrusion 22, a ball breakage detection escape portion 23, a supply detection escape portion 24, a lever escape portion 25, and a tank side attachment. Part 26 is provided. The ball breakage detection cutout portion 19, the replenishment detection cutout portion 20, the tank side engagement portion 21, the ball breakage detection escape portion 23, and the replenishment detection escape portion 24 are moved back and forth between the ball storage portion 7 and the substrate housing portion 8 in the side wall 10. It is provided in the part to divide. The ball breakage detection cutout 19 and the supply detection cutout 20 are provided on the side wall 10 so as to be divided into left and right so that the ball breakage detection cutout 19 is located on the left side and the supply detection cutout 20 is located on the right side. The ball breakage detection cutout 19 and the replenishment detection cutout 20 are formed as grooves that are recessed from the upper surface of the side wall 10 into the lower portion and penetrate in the upper and front-rear directions. The protrusion 22 is constituted by the side wall 10 located between the ball breakage detection cutout portion 19 and the supply detection cutout portion 20. The ball breakage detection escape portion 23 is a groove that is recessed in the lower side of the ball breakage detection notch 19 from the upper surface of the lower side of the ball breakage detection notch 19 into the lower side wall 10 and penetrates in the upper and front-rear directions. Composed. The replenishment detection escape portion 24 is configured as a groove in the lower side portion of the replenishment detection cutout portion 20 that is recessed from the upper surface of the lower side portion of the replenishment detection cutout portion 20 into the lower side wall 10 and penetrates in the upper side and the front-rear direction. . The tank-side engagement portion 21 is provided on the side wall 10 so as to be separated from the outer side in the left-right direction with respect to the ball breakage detection cutout portion 19 and the supply detection cutout portion 20. The tank side engaging portion 21 includes a first vertical wall protruding from the side wall 10 toward the substrate housing portion 8, and a second vertical wall protruding parallel to the side wall 10 from the front edge portion of the first vertical wall to the notch portion. The wall and the side wall 10 are configured as a groove that is heeled relative to the left and right and opened upward and toward the notch. The lever escape portion 25 is configured in the bottom wall of the sphere storage portion 7 as a depression downward from the bottom surface. The tank side mounting portion 26 is provided on the bottom wall of the substrate housing portion 8 in a cylindrical shape that protrudes upward from the bottom surface.

  The ball amount detection mechanism 4 includes a mechanism housing 28, a ball break detector 29, a supply detector 30, a ball break detection lever 31, and a supply detection lever 32. The mechanism housing 28 has a box shape with an opening on the lower side, and includes a ball breakage detection hole 34, a supply detection hole 35, a ball breakage detection support part 36, a supply detection support part 37, a mechanism side engagement part 38, a wiring hole 39, The mechanism side attaching part 40 is provided. The ball breakage detection hole 34 and the supply detection hole 35 are recessed upward from the lower surface of the rear wall of the mechanism housing 28 so that the ball breakage detection hole 34 is located on the left side and the supply detection hole 35 is located on the right side. It is comprised in the mechanism housing 28 as a groove | channel penetrated below and the front-back direction. The ball breakage detection support portion 36 supports the ball breakage detection lever 31 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction, and is positioned on both sides of the ball breakage detection hole 34 in the left-right direction and protrudes upward from the mechanism housing 28. The short piece detection shaft 41 is individually provided in a short cylinder so that the round piece detection shaft 41 is coaxially opposed to the left and right surfaces of the broken piece detection support portion 36. The replenishment detection support portion 37 supports the replenishment sensing lever 32 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction, is located on both sides of the replenishment detection hole 35 in the left-right direction, and protrudes upward from the mechanism housing 28. On the surface of the replenishment detection support portion 37 that faces relative to the left and right, the replenishment detection shaft 42 is individually provided in a short cylinder so as to be relatively reciprocally coaxial. The mechanism side engaging portion 38 is provided on the mechanism housing 28 so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction from the rear portion of the mechanism housing 28. The wiring holes 39 are provided in the left and right walls of the mechanism housing 28 as grooves that open downward and in the left-right direction. The mechanism side mounting portion 40 is provided as a through hole in the vertical direction on the upper wall of the mechanism housing 28.

  The ball break detector 29 and the replenishment detector 30 are attached to the inside of the mechanism housing 28. The broken ball detection lever 31 includes a broken ball vertical piece 44, a broken ball oblique piece 45, a broken ball mounting part 46, a broken ball bearing part 47, a broken ball weight receiving part 48, and a broken ball detection part 49. The spherical piece 44 has a vertically long plate shape. The ball-cut oblique piece 45 protrudes upward from the upper edge of the ball-cut vertical piece 44. The ball-cut ball mounting portion 46 projects rearward and downward from the lower edge of the ball-cut vertical piece 44. The ball-cut bearing portion 47 is provided at the upper edge of the ball-cut oblique piece 45. The ball break bearing portion 47 is provided with a ball break detection bearing hole 50 as a through hole in the left-right direction. The ball-cut weight housing portion 48 is provided on the front obliquely upper portion of the ball-cut bearing portion 47. The ball-cut weight housing portion 48 is provided with a ball-cut weight receiving hole 51 as a recess from the right surface of the ball-cut weight housing portion 48 to the left side. A ball-cut weight 52 is press-fitted into the ball-cut weight receiving hole 51 from the right side of the ball-cut weight storage portion 48 and attached to the ball-cut weight storage portion 48. The ball-cut weight 52 is composed of one sphere. The broken ball detection portion 49 is configured as a single plate that protrudes forward from the front surface of the broken ball vertical piece portion 44 and the front surface of the broken ball piece portion 45.

  The ball breakage detection lever 31 is attached to the mechanism housing 28 as follows. The ball-cut ball mounting portion 46 is directed downward, the ball-cut oblique piece 45 is directed upward, the ball-cut detected portion 49 is directed frontward, and the ball-cut vertical piece 44 is rearward of the mechanism housing 28. After the ball break bearing portion 47 is inserted into the gap between the ball break detection support portions 36 and the ball break detection support portion 36 is pushed and expanded in the left-right direction by the ball break bearing portions 47, as shown in FIG. When the ball breakage detection shaft 41 and the ball breakage detection bearing hole 50 meet each other, the ball breakage detection support portion 36 is restored to the original position, and the ball breakage detection shaft 41 and the ball breakage detection bearing hole 50 are rotatable relative to each other. (See FIG. 1a).

  The supply sensing lever 32 includes a supply vertical piece 53, a supply oblique piece 54, a supply ball mounting part 55, a supply bearing part 56, a supply weight storage part 57, and a supply detected part 58. The supply vertical piece 53 has a vertically long plate shape. The supply slant piece 54 protrudes upward from the upper edge of the supply vertical piece 53. The supply ball mounting portion 55 protrudes rearward and downward from the lower edge portion of the supply vertical piece portion 53. The supply bearing portion 56 is provided at the upper edge portion of the supply oblique piece portion 54. The supply bearing portion 56 is provided with a supply detection bearing hole 59 as a through hole in the left-right direction. The replenishment weight accommodating portion 57 is provided on the front obliquely upper portion of the replenishment bearing portion 56. The supply weight storage portion 57 is provided with a supply weight intake hole 60 as a recess from the right surface of the supply weight storage portion 57 to the left side. A supply weight 61 is press-fitted into the supply weight receiving hole 60 from the right side of the supply weight storage section 57 and attached to the supply weight storage section 57. The supply weight 61 is composed of a single sphere. The replenishment detected portion 58 is configured as a single plate protruding forward from the front surface of the replenishment vertical piece portion 53 and the front surface of the replenishment oblique piece portion 54.

  The replenishment sensing lever 32 is attached to the mechanism housing 28 as follows. The supply ball mounting portion 55 is directed downward, the supply oblique piece portion 54 is directed upward, the supply detected portion 58 is directed forward, and the supply vertical piece portion 53 is disposed rearward of the mechanism housing 28. As described above, after the replenishment bearing portion 56 is inserted into the gap between the replenishment detection support portion 37 and the replenishment detection support portion 37 is expanded in the left-right direction by the replenishment bearing portion 56, the replenishment detection shaft 42 and the replenishment detection bearing are provided. When the holes 59 come into contact with each other, the replenishment detection support portion 37 is restored to its original position, and the replenishment detection shaft 42 and the replenishment detection bearing hole 59 are rotatably attached to each other (see FIG. 1a).

  The mechanism housing 28 to which the ball breakage detection lever 31 and the replenishment detection lever 32 are attached is attached to the tank structure 2 as follows. The mechanism-side engaging portion 38 is positioned so that the ball-struck ball mounting portion 46 and the supply ball mounting portion 55 are positioned closer to the ball storage portion 7 than the side wall 10 and the mechanism housing 28 is positioned closer to the substrate housing portion 8. The tank structure 2 is inserted into the tank side engaging portion 21 from above, the rear edge portion of the ball breakage detection support portion 36 is disposed in the ball breakage detection cutout portion 19, and the ball breakage detected portion 49 is the ball breakage detection escape portion. 23, the rear edge portion of the replenishment detection support portion 37 is disposed in the replenishment detection cutout portion 20, and the replenishment detected portion 58 is disposed in the replenishment detection escape portion 24. Thereafter, a set screw 62 such as a tapping screw is fastened to the tank side mounting portion 26 from above the mechanism housing 28 via the mechanism side mounting portion 40, and the mechanism housing 28 is attached to the tank structure 2. A ball amount detection mechanism 4 is attached to the tank structure 2.

  When the ball amount detection mechanism 4 is attached to the tank structure 2 as described above, the rear edge portion of the ball breakage detection support portion 36 is arranged in the ball breakage detection notch portion 19 as shown in FIG. Opposite the side wall 10 and the protrusion 22. The interval b where the ball break detection support portion 36 and the side wall 10 face in the left-right direction, and the interval b where the ball break detection support portion 36 and the protrusion 22 face in the left-right direction are the ball break detection shaft 41 and the ball break detection bearing hole. 50 is set smaller than the dimension B that fits in the left-right direction. Therefore, an external force is applied from a direction (left and right direction in the best mode) orthogonal to the operation direction of the ball breakage detection lever 31 with respect to the ball breakage detector 29 (the front and rear direction in the best mode). Even when the ball breakage detection support part 36 is pushed outward by the ball breakage detection lever 31, the ball breakage detection support part 36 is received by the side wall 10 and the protrusion 22, and the ball breakage detection shaft 41 and the ball breakage are broken. The fitting with the detection bearing hole 50 is appropriately held without being released, and the ball breakage detection lever 31 is appropriately supported by the ball breakage detection support portion 36 without falling off the ball breakage detection support portion 36. There are advantages.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1 b, the rear edge portion of the supply detection support portion 37 is disposed in the supply detection cutout portion 20 and faces the side wall 10 and the protrusion 22. The interval d where the replenishment detection support portion 37 and the side wall 10 oppose in the left-right direction and the interval d where the replenishment detection support portion 37 and the protrusion 22 oppose in the left-right direction cause the replenishment detection shaft 42 and the replenishment detection bearing hole 59 to move sideways. It is set smaller than the dimension D that fits in the direction. Therefore, an external force acts on the replenishment sensing lever 32 from a direction orthogonal to the operation direction of the replenishment sensing lever 32 relative to the replenishment detector 30 (in the best mode, the front-rear direction). Even when the replenishment detection support portion 37 is pushed outward by the replenishment sensing lever 32, the replenishment detection support portion 37 is received by the side wall 10 and the protrusion 22, and the replenishment detection shaft 42 and the replenishment detection bearing hole 59 are fitted. There is an advantage that the replenishment sensing lever 32 is appropriately supported by the replenishment detection support part 37 without falling off from the replenishment detection support part 37.

  A structure in which the ball breakage detector 29 and the replenishment detector 30 are attached to the mechanism housing 28 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, the mechanism housing 28 includes a detector housing portion 64, a base mounting portion 65, and a base mounting groove 66. The detector accommodating portion 64 is configured as a depression from the lower surface of the mechanism housing 28 to the upper inside. The base mounting portions 65 are provided on both sides of the detector housing portion 64 in the left-right direction, and project forward from the rear side wall surrounding the detector housing portion 64 inside the detector housing portion 64. The base mounting part 65 is also connected to the upper side wall surrounding the detector housing part 64. The base mounting groove 66 is configured as a recess from the surface facing the left and right direction of the base mounting portion 65 to the inside. The left base mounting groove 66 is a groove that opens to the right and downward. The right base mounting groove 66 is a groove that opens to the left and downward. The ball break detector 29 and the replenishment detector 30 are attached to a single detector base 68. The detector base 68 is provided with a ball breakage detection mounting hole 69 and a replenishment detection mounting hole 70 that are divided into right and left and are provided as through holes in the front-rear direction.

  The ball break detector 29 includes a recess 72, a light emitting unit 73, a light receiving unit 74, a mounting foot 75, and a connector 76. The recess 72 is configured as a groove that is recessed from the rear surface of the ball breakage detector 29 to the inside of the front side and penetrates in the rear side and the vertical direction. The light emitting unit 73 forms one side of the recess 72. The light receiving portion 74 forms the other side of the recess 72. The attachment leg 75 includes a hook at the tip of an elastic piece that individually protrudes forward from the four corners on the front side of the ball breakage detector 29. The connector 76 protrudes to the left from the left surface of the ball break detector 29. The broken ball detection wiring 78 corresponding to the broken ball detector 29 is constituted by a covered electric wire. Connectors 79; 80 are provided at both ends of the ball breakage detection wiring 78. The ball breakage detection wiring 78 is connected to the ball breakage detector 29 by the connector 79 being mechanically fitted to the connector 76 and connected to be energized. The ball break detector 29 is attached to the detector base 68 as follows. The mounting leg 75 is inserted into the ball break detection mounting hole 69 from the rear side of the detector base 68, and the hook of the mounting leg 75 protrudes from the ball break detection mounting hole 69 to the front side of the detector base 68 and engages with the detector base 68. As a result, the broken ball detector 29 is attached to the detector base 68 in contact with the rear surface of the detector base 68 (see FIG. 4).

  The replenishment detector 30 includes a recess 82, a light emitting unit 83, a light receiving unit 84, a mounting foot 85, and a connector 86. The recess 82 is formed as a groove that is recessed from the rear surface of the replenishment detector 30 to the inside of the front side and penetrates in the rear side and the up-down direction. The light emitting unit 83 forms one side of the recess 82. The light receiving portion 84 forms the other side of the recess 82. The attachment foot 85 includes a hook at the tip of an elastic piece that individually protrudes forward from the four corners on the front side of the replenishment detector 30. The connector 86 protrudes from the right surface of the supply detector 30 to the right side. The replenishment detection wiring 88 corresponding to the replenishment detector 30 is constituted by a covered electric wire. Connectors 89; 90 are provided at both ends of the replenishment detection wiring 88. The connector 89 is mechanically fitted to the connector 86 and connected to be energized, whereby the supply detection wiring 88 is connected to the supply detector 30. The replenishment detector 30 is attached to the detector base 68 as follows. A mounting foot 85 is inserted into the replenishment detection mounting hole 70 from the rear side of the detector base 68, and a hook of the mounting foot 85 projects from the replenishment detection mounting hole 70 to the front side of the detector base 68 and engages with the detector base 68. Thus, the replenishment detector 30 is attached to the detector base 68 in contact with the rear surface of the detector base 68 (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the both ends of the detector base 68 on which the ball break detector 29 and the replenishment detector 30 are mounted are inserted into the base mounting groove 66 from below the mechanism housing 28, thereby detecting The instrument base 68 is attached to the base attachment part 65, the ball break detector 29, the replenishment detector 30, and the detector base 68 are stored in the detector housing part 64, and the light emitting part 73 and the light receiving part 74 of the ball break detector 29 are stored. Is disposed in the ball breakage detection hole 34, and the light emitting portion 83 and the light receiving portion 84 of the replenishment detector 30 are disposed in the replenishment detection hole 35. The middle part of the broken ball detection wiring 78 is inserted into the left wiring hole 39, the broken ball detection wiring 78 penetrates the outside of the mechanism housing 28 and the detector housing portion 64, and the connector 80 is arranged outside the mechanism housing 28. Then, it is mechanically fitted into one of the connectors 17 shown in FIG. An intermediate portion of the replenishment detection wiring 88 is inserted into the right wiring hole 39, the replenishment detection wiring 88 penetrates the outside of the mechanism housing 28 and the detector housing portion 64, and the connector 90 is disposed outside the mechanism housing 28. It is mechanically fitted to one of the connectors 17 shown in FIG.

  With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the operation of the ball amount detection mechanism 4 attached to the tank structure 2 will be described. In FIG. 5, when power is supplied to the replenishment detector 30 and the force from the sphere is not acting on the replenishment sensing lever 32, the replenishment weight receiving portion 57 is centered on the replenishment detection shaft 42 depending on the weight of the replenishment weight 61. The supply vertical piece 53, the supply oblique piece 54, and the supply ball mounting portion 55 are rotated around the supply detection shaft 42 by the weight of the supply weight 61. Rotating rearward upward and moving away from the side wall 10 to the rear side, the replenishment detected portion 58 moves away from the detection light L of the replenishment detector 30 in the rearward direction. Accordingly, the supply detector 30 outputs a supply signal as a signal indicating that the storage amount of the ball has decreased to the first stage to a control device outside the figure of the gaming machine, and the control device manages the business of the game store. A replenishment signal is output to the hall computer. As a result, the hall computer drives the supply mechanism of the gaming machine installation structure, and the supply mechanism supplies the ball storage unit 7 with the ball. Further, when electric power is supplied to the ball breakage detector 29 and the force from the ball does not act on the ball breakage detection lever 31, the ball breakage weight receiving portion 48 is caused by the weight of the ball breakage weight 52 to detect the ball breakage detection shaft 41. The ball piece vertical piece 44, the ball piece oblique piece 45 and the ball piece ball mounting portion 46 depend on the weight of the ball piece weight 52. The ball break detection shaft 49 rotates rearward and upward from the side wall 10 to move rearward from the side wall 10, and the ball breakage detection portion 49 moves away from the detection light L from the ball breakage detector 29 in the rearward direction. As a result, the ball breakage detector 29 outputs a ball breakage signal as a signal reduced to the second stage in which the amount of stored balls is further reduced from the amount detected by the replenishment detector 30 to the control device outside the figure of the gaming machine. Then, the control device executes a game interruption process for stopping the ball launch and outputs a ball break signal to a hall computer (not shown) that manages the business of the game shop. As a result, the hall computer performs a notifying process informing the store clerk of the abnormality that the supply of the ball from the supply mechanism to the ball storage unit 7 is not performed.

  In FIG. 6, when power is supplied to the replenishment detector 30 and a force larger than the weight of the replenishment weight 61 is applied to the replenishment sensing lever 32 from the sphere, the force that the replenishment weight storage portion 57 is larger than the weight of the replenishment weight 61. Rotate rearward and upwardly about the replenishment detection shaft 42 and away from the upper surface of the mechanism housing 28, so that the replenishment vertical piece 53, replenishment oblique piece 54, and replenishment ball mounting portion 55 are larger than the weight of the replenishment weight 61. With a large force, the replenishment detection shaft 42 rotates around the front side downward to approach the side wall 10 from the rear side of the side wall 10, and the replenishment detected portion 58 blocks the detection light L of the replenishment detector 30. Accordingly, the replenishment detector 30 outputs a full signal as a signal indicating that the stored amount of the ball is more than the replenishment to the control device (not shown) of the gaming machine, and the control device stops the ball firing. Cancel the suspension process. As a result, the player can play a game using the gaming machine. In addition, when electric power is supplied to the ball breakage detector 29 and a force larger than the weight of the ball breakage weight 52 acts on the ball breakage detection lever 31 from the ball, the ball breakage weight receiving portion 48 is larger than the weight of the ball breakage weight 52. With the greater force, the ball breakage detection shaft 41 is rotated around the rear upper side to move away from the upper surface of the mechanism housing 28, and the ball breaker vertical piece 44, the ball cut oblique piece 45, and the ball cut ball mounting portion 46 are A force larger than the weight of the ball breaker weight 52 rotates about the ball breakage detection shaft 41 downward and forward to approach the side wall 10 from the rear side of the side wall 10, and the ball breaker ball mounting portion 46 is disposed on the lever escape portion 25. The broken ball detection unit 49 blocks the detection light L from the broken ball detector 29. As a result, the ball break detector 29 outputs a full signal as a signal indicating that the amount of stored balls is more than a ball break to a control device (not shown) of the gaming machine, and the control device manages the business of the game store. No signal is output to the hall computer outside the figure.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the ball amount detection mechanism 4 is attached to the tank structure 2, the lower part of the mechanism housing 28 is brought into contact with or close to the bottom wall of the substrate housing portion 8. Therefore, the detector base 68 is supported so as to be held by the upper wall of the mechanism housing 28, the bottom wall of the substrate housing portion 8, and the base mounting portion 65. Therefore, the detector base 68 may be bonded to the base mounting portion 65 with an adhesive. However, even if the detector base 68 is simply inserted or press-fitted into the base mounting groove 66, the detector base 68 has a mechanism. There is an advantage that the ball breakage detector 29 and the replenishment detector 30 are appropriately operated by being appropriately attached to the housing 28.

  With reference to FIG. 7, a structure in which a ball payout device 92 including the ball amount detection mechanism 4 is attached to the back surface of the gaming machine frame 93 will be described. The gaming machine frame 93 of the gaming machine includes a movable frame 95 that can be opened and closed on the front side of the fixed frame 94. The fixed frame 94 is also called an outer frame attached to a gaming machine installation structure called an island of a game store. The movable frame 95 is also referred to as a front frame for attaching parts necessary for a game such as a game board or a control device. The movable frame 95 is centered on the hinge 96 located on the left side, and can be opened on one side so as to open to the front side and close to the rear side on the front side of the fixed frame 94. The movable frame 95 is provided with an opening 97 as a through hole in the front-rear direction. The opening 97 allows a back side component such as a ball guide structure or a control device attached to the back side of the game board to pass from the front side to the back side of the movable frame 95, or a guide rail attached to the front side of the game board, A front part such as a winning part is passed through from the back side of the movable frame 95 to the front side.

  In the ball dispensing device 92, the tank structure 2 is attached to the back surface of the movable frame 95 from the back side of the movable frame 95 with a fixing tool such as a screw so as to be positioned above the opening 97. When the tank structure 2 is attached to the back surface of the movable frame 95, the front side wall of the substrate housing portion 8 in FIG. 1 is disposed on the back surface side of the movable frame 95 in FIG. A guide rod 98 is connected to the lower part of the ball take-in portion 9 of the tank structure 2. The guide rod 98 is attached to the back surface of the movable frame 95 with a fixing tool such as a screw from the back side of the movable frame 95 so that the guide rod 98 is positioned on the right side of the opening 97. Prepare. The balls discharged from the winning ball passage 99 are received by the receiving bowl 101. The receiving rod 101 is attached to the back surface of the movable frame 95 from the back side of the movable frame 95 with a fixing tool such as a screw so as to be positioned below the opening 97. The ball received by the receiving bowl 101 is discharged from the receiving bowl 101 to the receiving tray portion of the dish structure not shown. The dish structure is attached to the front surface of the movable frame 95. The saucer part of the dish structure is a part into which a player uses a ball used for the game. Then, when the player operates the firing operation mechanism provided on the front surface of the dish structure in a state where the ball is present on the tray portion, the ball is attached to the front surface of the movable frame 95 so as to be positioned on the back side of the dish structure. The launching mechanism launches the balls supplied from the tray part one by one toward the inner game area surrounded by the guide rails of the game board. The balls discharged from the ball extraction passage 100 are discharged from the back side of the movable frame 95 to the collection mechanism of the gaming machine installation structure. The balls discharged to the collection mechanism are returned to the supply mechanism of the gaming machine installation structure. By attaching a swivel-type symbol display in place of a game board and a ball take-in mechanism in place of a launching mechanism to the movable frame 95, it can also be applied as a slot machine using a ball in place of a pachinko game machine that uses a ball. .

  The broken ball detection shaft 41 may be formed as a broken ball detection bearing hole, and the broken ball detection bearing hole 50 may be formed as a broken ball detection shaft. The supply detection shaft 42 may be formed as a supply detection bearing hole, and the supply detection bearing hole 59 may be formed as a supply detection shaft.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a ball storage device of a gaming machine, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the assembly of a ball amount detection mechanism to a tank structure (best mode). The exploded perspective view of the attachment structure to the tank structure of a ball quantity detection mechanism (best form). FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a mechanism housing, a ball break detector, a replenishment detector, and a detector base (best mode). The assembly bottom view (best form) of a mechanism housing, a ball break detector, a replenishment detector, and a detector base. The longitudinal cross-sectional view (best form) of operation | movement of a ball quantity detection mechanism. The longitudinal cross-sectional view (best form) of operation | movement of a ball quantity detection mechanism. A back view of the gaming machine (best mode).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sphere storage apparatus 2 Tank structure 4 Ball quantity detection mechanism 7 Sphere storage part 10 Side wall 19 Sphere breakage detection notch part 20 Supply detection notch part 28 Mechanism housing 29 Sphere breakage detector 30 Supply detector 31 Sphere breakage detection lever 32 Supply sense Lever 34 Ball breakage detection hole 35 Supply detection hole 36 Ball breakage detection support part 37 Supply detection support part 64 Detector housing part

Claims (1)

  A tank structure and a sphere amount detection mechanism, the tank structure including a sphere storage unit, a side wall, a sphere break detection notch, a replenishment detection notch and a protrusion, and the sphere storage unit is a box opened upward to store a sphere The side wall is configured as a wall surrounding the ball storage unit, the ball breakage detection notch and the supply detection notch are separately provided on the side wall, and the protrusions are formed on the ball breakage detection notch and the supply detection notch. The ball amount detection mechanism includes a mechanism housing, a ball break detector, a replenishment detector, a ball break detection lever, and a supply detection lever. The mechanism housing includes a detector housing portion, a ball break detection hole, and a ball break detection hole. A replenishment detection hole, a ball breakage detection support part, and a replenishment detection support part are provided, and the detector receiving part is configured as a recess from the lower surface of the mechanism housing to the upper interior, and the ball breakage detection hole is formed from the lower surface of the mechanism housing to the upper interior. Dent and bottom Is formed as a groove penetrating the outside of the detector housing and the mechanism housing, and the replenishment detection hole is recessed from the lower surface of the mechanism housing to the upper inside at a position different from the ball breakage detection hole, and the lower and the detector housing portion and mechanism. It is configured as a groove that penetrates to the outside of the housing, and the ball breakage detection support parts are located on both sides of the ball breakage detection hole in the left-right direction, projecting upward from the mechanism housing, and facing the replenishment detection support part. A ball that is positioned on both sides in the left-right direction and protrudes upward from the mechanism housing and is relatively caged. The ball breakage detector and the replenishment detector are housed in the detector housing and attached to the mechanism housing, and the ball breakage detection lever is relatively ballasted. Rotatingly attached to the ball breakage detection support unit so that the ball breakage detector can be operated by being disposed between the breakage detection support units and disposed between the replenishment detection support units where the replenishment detection levers are opposed to each other. Move the detector The ball breakage detection support portion is disposed in the ball breakage detection notch portion so as to be opposed to the side wall and the protrusion by being rotatably attached to the replenishment detection support portion and the ball amount detection mechanism being attached to the tank structure. The gap between the ball break detection support part and the side wall and the gap between the ball break detection support part and the protrusion are smaller than the fitting dimensions for attaching the ball break detection support part and the ball break detection lever to each other in a rotatable manner. The replenishment detection support part is arranged at the replenishment detection cutout part and faces the side wall and the projection, and the interval between the replenishment detection support part and the side wall and the opposed space between the replenishment detection support part and the projection are the replenishment detection support. A ball storage device for a gaming machine, wherein the ball storage device is set to be smaller than a fitting size in which the portion and the replenishment sensing lever are rotatably attached to each other.

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