JP4906105B2 - Banknote transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a banknote transport apparatus that transports banknotes, and more particularly, to a banknote transport apparatus that transports banknotes in the longitudinal direction of a gaming machine island that houses a plurality of gaming machines in parallel.

  In gaming machine islands where pachinko machines and other gaming machines are housed side by side, gaming media rental machines are generally installed near each gaming machine, and banknotes inserted into gaming media rental machines are It is conveyed and stored by the banknote conveying apparatus which has the conveyance path installed along the longitudinal direction to the banknote storage apparatus of an island end.

  The banknote transport apparatus, for example, has a transport belt provided in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, a transport roller provided on the transport belt along the transport belt, and a transport roller that contacts the transport belt. Some units are attached so as to cover the sides of the upper and lower transport guide members to form a transport path, and a transport belt is driven to transport a banknote between the transport belt and the transport roller. Both ends of the transport unit in the transport direction are formed in a comb-like shape, and adjacent transport units are connected to each other by engaging the comb teeth of the adjacent transport unit between the comb teeth ( For example, see Patent Document 1.)

JP-A-3-279141

  In the above apparatus, since the comb units are engaged so that the comb teeth of the adjacent transport unit are fitted between the comb teeth, the transport units are connected to each other. Even when the distance is slightly apart, the amount of overlap between the comb teeth is reduced, but the conveyance path can be configured.

  However, if the interval at the time of connection is widened and the amount of overlap is reduced, a gap is formed between the comb teeth that are lined up and down. There was a thing.

  In addition, since the comb teeth only regulate the position of the adjacent transport unit in the vertical direction, the comb teeth interfere with the flow of bills when the position of the transport unit is shifted in the width direction (thickness direction of the transport path). It was a cause of banknote jams.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a banknote transport apparatus capable of preventing banknote clogging at a connecting portion between transport units.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A plurality of transport units (30) are connected to and attached to the sides of a frame (20a, 20b) erected in the banknote transport direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, and the frame (20a 20b) and a banknote transport apparatus (10) that forms a banknote transport path between the transport unit (30) and transports banknotes along the transport path.
The transport unit (30) includes a first engagement portion (41) at one end and a second engagement portion (42) that engages the first engagement portion (41) at the other end. At the time of connection, the first engaging portion (41) is exposed to the inside of the transport path, and the second engaging portion (42) of the adjacent transport unit (30) is outside the first engaging portion (41). The first engaging portion (41) is provided at an end portion on the transport direction side of the transport unit (30), and is formed to overlap.
Furthermore, the transport unit (30) is slidable in the transport direction, and the interval at the time of connection between adjacent transport units (30) can be adjusted.
The first engaging portion (41) is a protruding portion in which a slit (41a) is formed along the transport direction,
The second engaging portion (42) is a receiving portion in which a depressed portion (42a) for receiving the first engaging portion (41) is formed on a surface facing the inside of the transport path, and the depressed portion ( A rib (42b) is formed in the recessed portion (42a) along the transport direction so as to enter the slit (41a) of the protrusion (41) engaged with 42a). Banknote transport device.

  In the said invention, the 2nd engaging part (42) formed in the other end part of the adjacent conveyance unit (30) outside the 1st engaging part (41) formed in the one end part of the conveying unit (30) The first engagement portion (41) and the second engagement portion (42) are engaged with each other so as to be covered with the transfer path, and the conveyance path is between the first engagement portion (41) and the second engagement portion (42). Is formed at the end of the transport unit (30) on the transport direction side. Thereby, the position shift in the conveyance path width direction in the conveyance unit (30) and the interference to the banknotes by the connection part of the conveyance unit (30) are suppressed, and the banknote clogging at the connection part of the conveyance unit (30) is prevented. The

Moreover, in the said invention, conveyance unit (30) is made to overlap the 2nd engagement part (42) of another conveyance unit (30) on the outer side of the 1st engagement part (41) of a conveyance unit (30). Since it connects, it can make it easy to attach a conveyance unit (30).

Moreover, in the said invention, when adjusting the attachment space | interval of conveyance units (30), if a conveyance unit (30) is slid along a conveyance direction, a protrusion part (41) and a receiving part (42) will be in a connection part. And the depression (42a) is exposed inside the conveyance path. However, even if the bill is transported in this state, the rib (42b) is formed in the depressed portion (42a) along the transport direction, so that the bill is transported on the rib (42b). As a result, the banknote is prevented from being jammed by being caught in the depressed portion (42a) or being caught.

[ 2 ] The second engagement portion (42) transmits light, and the first engagement portion (41) is colored differently from the second engagement portion (42) engaged during connection. The banknote transport apparatus according to [1], wherein

  In the said invention, it can be made easy to visually recognize how long the 1st engaging part (41) of the conveyance unit (30) is engaged with the 2nd engaging part (42).

  According to the banknote transport apparatus according to the present invention, banknote clogging at a connecting portion between transport units is prevented, and smooth banknote transport is realized.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the internal structure of the gaming machine island 2 where the banknote transport apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed, and FIG. 2 is a banknote installed on the gaming machine island 2. FIG. 3 is a top view showing an arrangement state of the transfer device 10 and related devices, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the gaming machine island 2 in the AA ′ section of FIG.

  The gaming machine island 2 accommodates a frame constructed on the floor of the gaming hall on the front and back sides, with a large number of pachinko machines and other gaming machines 3 and gaming media lending machines 4 arranged side by side. ing.

  The gaming medium lending machine 4 plays gaming media such as pachinko balls used in the gaming machine 3 in accordance with the amount of bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 4a at the upper front and coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 4b. It is a device that lends to the person. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, banknotes discharged from the back of each game media lending machine 4 are placed on the upper side between the backs of the game media lending machines 4 installed back to back. A banknote transport device 10 that transports to the banknote storage device 5 arranged in the above is extended along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2. The banknotes are transported through the banknote transport apparatus 10 in a posture in which the short sides are substantially vertical, and fed into the banknote storage apparatus 5.

  A coin transport device that transports coins discharged from the back of each game medium lending machine 4 to a coin storage device 6 disposed at a lower side of the gaming machine island 2 on the lower side between the backs of the game medium lending machines 4. 7 extends along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the banknote transport apparatus 10 and an installation mode thereof. The banknote transport device 10 rotationally drives the endless transport belt 13 and the drive pulley 11 that are circularly crossed between a drive pulley 11 and a driven pulley 12 that are arranged separately at both ends of the gaming machine island 2. And a drive unit 14 for rotating the conveyor belt 13 in the direction of arrow M in the drawing. The drive unit 14 includes a motor, a transmission belt, and the like.

  The conveyor belt 13 is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2 so as to be two stages up and down, and a plurality of conveyor pulleys 32 are arranged close to the conveyor belt 13a along the upper conveyor belt 13a. ing. Each conveyance pulley 32 has a groove that goes around its outer periphery, and a conveyance path is formed between the conveyance belt 13a and the groove of each conveyance pulley 32 to convey the banknotes while being pressed against each other. By driving the transport belt 13 by the driving unit 14, the bill is transported in the direction of the arrow M (transport direction) along the transport path. The conveyance path is formed by connecting a plurality of delivery units 60 (not shown in FIG. 4, refer to FIG. 13) for receiving and joining banknotes from the passage unit G and the game medium lending machine 4.

  FIG. 5 shows the internal structure of the passage unit G in the BB ′ cross section of FIG. The passage unit G includes an upper frame 20a disposed on the upper side of the conveyor belt 13a, a lower frame 20b disposed on the lower side of the conveyor belt 13a, and a conveyor unit attached to both sides of the frames 20a and 20b. 30.

  The upper frame 20 a is configured by combining a first frame 21 and a second frame 22 joined to the lower side of the first frame 21. The first frame 21 is formed of a lightweight and highly rigid metal material such as an aluminum alloy. The first frame 21 is constructed in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2.

  Second frame 22 is formed of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The second frame 22 extends slightly downward from the lower center of the first frame 21, and then splits into two and extends downward in parallel. Further, the second frame 22 is sandwiched between the two branches and the partition plate 24 extends downward. It has a structure. The partition plate 24 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy or a resin material. The lower end of the partition plate 24 reaches a position slightly separated from the transport belt 13a. Note that the upper frame 20a and the lower frame 20b have the same configuration and are shared, and are disposed upside down with the conveyance belt 13a interposed therebetween.

  The transport unit 30 will be further described with reference to other drawings. 6 is a front view of the transport unit 30, FIG. 7 is a side view of the transport unit 30 on the protruding portion side, FIG. 8 is a side view of the transport unit 30 on the receiving portion side, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the back surface of the transport unit 30 viewed from the receiving unit side. In addition, since the conveyance unit 30 is separable by the protrusion part side and the receiving part side, in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, the protrusion part side is removed and it abbreviate | omits.

  The transport unit 30 includes a plate 31, a transport pulley 32, and a bracket 33 that holds the transport pulley 32. The plate 31 is formed of, for example, a transparent resin material, and the plate 31 is, as shown in FIG. 6, a protruding portion as a first engaging portion that protrudes toward the banknote transport direction M at one end of a rectangular flat plate shape. 41, and a receiving portion 42 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) as a second engaging portion is provided at the other end. As shown in FIG. 5, the plate 31 has a height (length in the Y direction) extending from the first frame 21 of the upper frame 20a to the first frame 21 of the lower frame 20b. The side part is covered and the outer wall of the banknote conveyance path is formed. Four corners of the plate 31 are attached to the frames 20a and 20b by clips 51 and hooks 52 (see FIG. 6). The transport unit 30 is attached to the frames 20a and 20b so as to be slidable in the transport direction.

  The plate 31 is provided with a hole 34 for projecting the transport pulley 32 from the outer side (front side) of the plate 31 to the inner side (back side), which is the side where the transport belt 13a exists (FIG. 5 or FIG. 10). reference). As shown in FIG. 5, the transport pulley 32 is rotatably attached with a rotary shaft 35 in the vertical direction inside a bracket 33 having a U-shaped cross section that is attached to the surface side of the plate 31 so as to face the hole 34. It has been. The conveyance pulley 32 is not directly in contact with the conveyance belt 13 a but is projected to the inside of the plate 31 through the hole 34 to a very close position and is held by the bracket 33.

  The transport pulley 32 is provided with a groove 38 that goes around its outer periphery. The groove 38 has a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG.

  The space between the inner side surface (back surface) of the plate 31 and the second frame 22 (particularly the partition plate 24) and the gap between the transport belt 13a and the transport pulley 32 form a transport path for banknotes. As shown in FIG. 11, the bills K are transported while the upper and lower centers are pressed between the transport belt 13 a and the transport pulley 32.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the protruding portion 41 of the transport unit 30 as viewed from the outer surface. In FIG. 12, the receiving unit 42 side is removed from the transport unit 30 and is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 12, 6, and 7, the protruding portion 41 protrudes from the end of the plate 31 on the conveyance direction M side toward the conveyance destination, and a plurality of slits 41 a along the conveyance direction M are formed. It is formed and divided into a plurality of elongated protrusions 41b having a rectangular cross section. The tip of each protruding piece 41b is tapered in the thickness direction with the outer surface inclined toward the inner surface. The protrusion 41 is colored in a color such as black or red.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the receiving portion 42 is a depressed portion 42 a formed on the inner surface of the plate 31, and the protruding portion of the adjacent transport unit 30 when the transport units 30 are connected to each other. 41 is configured to receive and engage. A plurality of ribs 42b are formed in the depressed portion 42a along the transport direction M so as to enter the slit 41a of the protruding portion 41 engaged with the depressed portion 42a. As shown in FIG. 10, the end portion of the depressed portion 42 a in the transport direction M is inclined so that the depth of the depressed portion becomes gradually shallower. That is, the shape corresponds to the shape of the tip tapered in the thickness direction of the protruding piece 41b shown in FIG. The receiving part 42 is colorless and transparent.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of short ribs 31 b are provided along the conveyance direction M on the inner surface of the plate 31. The upper ends of the ribs 31b and the upper ends of the ribs 42b provided in the depressed portion 42a are set to the same height, and some of the ribs 31b are connected to the ribs 42b.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the rib 41c with a short height is provided also in the inner surface of the protrusion piece 41b of the protrusion part 41 along a conveyance direction. The rib 41c is also set to the same height as the rib 31b of the plate 31.

  FIG. 13 shows an inner surface in a state where the transport unit 30 is connected. At the time of connection, the protruding portion 41 is located inside the receiving portion 42 of the adjacent transport unit 30, and the protruding portion 41 and the receiving portion 42 are engaged so that the receiving portion 42 covers the protruding portion 41 from the outside. The Specifically, the protrusion 41 is exposed to the inside of the conveyance path when connected, and the receiving portion 42 of the adjacent conveyance unit 30 overlaps the outside of the protrusion 41. Further, of the engaged projecting portion 41 and the receiving portion 42, the one that is on the inner side of the transport path (the projecting portion 41 in this example) is configured to be an end portion on the transport direction M side of each transport unit 30. The

  Thereby, the position shift of the horizontal direction (X direction of FIG. 5 in the width direction of a conveyance path) can be suppressed on the plate 31 surface of the receiving part 42 and the protrusion part 41 in a connection part. Moreover, since the front-end | tip of the protrusion part 41 faces the conveyance direction M, the protrusion part 41 becomes a forward direction with respect to the conveyance direction M of a banknote, and it is hard to catch a banknote on the protrusion part 41, and a banknote jam is prevented. Thus, smooth conveyance of banknotes at the connecting portion is ensured. Further, since the transport units 30 are connected to each other so that the receiving portion 42 of the adjacent transport unit 30 is overlapped on the outside of the protruding portion 41, the transport unit 30 can be easily attached.

  As described above, the transport unit 30 is attached to the upper frame 20a and the lower frame 20b so as to be slidable in the transport direction M, and the interval between the transport units 30 adjacent to each other can be adjusted at the time of connection. ing. When the gaps are connected at a wide interval, the amount of overlap between the protruding portion 41 and the receiving portion 42 is reduced, so that the depressed portion 42a appears before the tip of the protruding portion 41 (the protruding piece 41b). However, since the rib 42b is formed in the depressed portion 42a, the banknote is conveyed on the rib 42b, and the banknote is prevented from being jammed or caught in the depressed portion 42a. As for the protruding portion 41 when the overlap amount is reduced, the gap is only the slit 41a, so that the bill is not jammed or caught.

  In addition, since a plurality of ribs 42b are provided so that the distance between the ribs 42b and the ribs 42b does not become too wide, the width of the protruding portion 41 and the receiving portion 42 as a whole (the height direction of the conveyance path (Y in FIG. 5) While the direction)) is widened to increase the degree of engagement, the exposed depressed portion 42a can be appropriately conveyed while being supported by a plurality of ribs 42b.

  In particular, since the rib 31b of the plate 31, the rib 41c of the protruding portion 41, and the rib 42b formed in the depressed portion 42a continue in the transport direction M at the inner side of the transport path, these ribs 31b and 41c , 42b is smoothly conveyed along the bill.

  Further, unlike the comb teeth, the receiving portion 42 is a depressed portion 42a having a bottom portion. Therefore, even if the corner of the banknote that is bent or cut enters the depressed portion 42a avoiding the rib 42b, the corner of the banknote is depressed. The bottom end of the portion 42a hits the end portion of the receiving portion 42 as it advances along the bottom portion, and is pushed back onto the inner wall surface of the plate 31 along the slope of the end portion to prevent the bill from being caught. The

  That is, in the case of a configuration in which the comb teeth are simply engaged and connected as in the conventional case, when the interval at the time of connection is widened and the overlap amount is reduced, the comb teeth arranged between the upper and lower comb teeth There is a case where a gap is formed and a bill is caught so as to pierce the gap. On the other hand, since the depressed portion 42a of the receiving portion 42 has a bottom portion that covers the protruding portion 41 from the outside, the banknote does not fit deeper than contacting the bottom portion. It is transported without being caught.

  Furthermore, since the receiving part 42 which becomes an outer side at the time of connection is colorless and transparent, and the protrusion part 41 which becomes an inner side has a color, how long the protrusion part 41 is engaged with the receiving part 42? It is easy to visually recognize the (overlap amount), and the adjustment work of the connection interval is facilitated.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  The difference from the first embodiment is the shape of the receiving portion 70. Since other parts are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the receiving unit 70 of the transport unit 30B according to the second embodiment. The receiving part 70 has a cylindrical shape with a depth corresponding to the length of the protruding part 41. Specifically, the receiving part 70 is a plurality of cylindrical parts delimited by a partition wall provided at a position corresponding to the slit 41a of the protruding part 41, and a protruding part insertion opening corresponding to each protruding piece 41b. 71 is provided.

  The conveyance units 30B are connected to each other by inserting the protruding portion 41 of one conveyance unit 30B into the receiving unit 70 of the other conveyance unit 30B.

  Also in the transport unit 30B of the second embodiment, the cylindrical receiving portion 70 covers the protruding portion 41 from the outside during connection. In addition, the receiving portion 70 and the projecting portion 41 are located inside the transport path when connected, and the receiving portion 70 is formed at the end of the transport unit 30B on the transport direction M side.

  In 2nd Embodiment, since the protrusion part 41 is inserted in the cylindrical receiving part 70 at the time of a connection, it is in the horizontal direction (width direction of a conveyance path) on the plate 31 surface of the receiving part 70 and the protrusion part 41. Misalignment can be firmly prevented. Moreover, since the receiving part 70 inside is formed in the edge part by the side of the conveyance direction M of the conveyance unit 30B, the reception part 70 becomes a forward direction with respect to the conveyance direction M of a banknote, and a banknote is caught in the reception part 70. It becomes difficult, banknote jam is prevented, and smooth conveyance of a banknote in a connection part is ensured.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiments, and there are changes and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Is included in the present invention.

  Further, in the embodiment, the first engaging portion is configured as the projecting portion, and the second engaging portion is configured as the receiving portion. However, when the second engaging portion is connected, the first engaging portion of the adjacent transport unit is outside. And the one of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion that is inside the conveyance path when connected is provided at the end portion on the conveyance direction side of the conveyance unit. The engaging portion and the second engaging portion may not be in the relationship between the protruding portion and the receiving portion, and may be formed in an arbitrary shape.

  The intervals between the slits 41a and the ribs 42b can be changed as appropriate. The slit 41a and the rib 42b may not be provided. For example, a protruding portion having a width corresponding to one of the protruding pieces 41b shown in FIG. 12 or the like is provided at one end relatively far apart in the vertical direction in the height direction of the plate 31, and the two protruding portions are provided at the other end. Two receiving parts corresponding to the parts may be provided. In this configuration, even if the overlap amount is reduced, the bill can be appropriately supported and conveyed without a rib at the connecting portion.

  In the embodiment, the receiving portion 42 that is the second engaging portion is colorless and transparent, and the protruding portion 41 that is the first engaging portion is colored, but the receiving portion 42 transmits light, and the protruding portion 41 is connected when connected. What is necessary is just to be made into the color different from the receiving part 42 engaged. That is, when the receiving part 42 is colored and transparent, the protrusion 41 may be a color different from this color, and the protrusion 41 may be transparent or opaque.

  Moreover, although the gaming machine island 2 having the gaming medium rental machine 4 on the front and back surfaces is illustrated, the gaming machine island 2 in which the gaming medium rental machine 4 and the gaming machine 3 are disposed only on one surface is also included in the present invention. The banknote transport apparatus 10 is applicable.

  In addition, in the embodiment, the gaming machine island 2 on which the pachinko machine is installed is illustrated, but the type of gaming machine is not limited to this, and a slot machine or the like may be used.

It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the game machine island in which the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention was installed. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning state in the game machine island of the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and its related apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the game machine island in which the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention was installed in the AA 'cross section of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the construction state of the conveyance belt of the banknote conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a channel | path part unit in the BB 'cross section of FIG. It is a front view which shows a conveyance unit. It is a side view which shows the protrusion part side of a conveyance unit. It is a side view which shows the receiving part side of a conveyance unit. It is a perspective view which shows the receiving part surface side of a conveyance unit. It is a perspective view which shows the receiving part back surface side of a conveyance unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state by which a banknote is conveyed by press-contacting between a conveyance pulley and a conveyance belt. It is a perspective view which shows a protrusion part. It is a front view which shows the state which connected the conveyance unit. It is a perspective view which shows the receiving part surface side of the conveyance unit of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Game machine island 3 ... Game machine 4 ... Game medium lending machine 4a ... Bill insertion port 4b ... Coin insertion port 5 ... Bill storage device 6 ... Coin storage device 7 ... Coin conveyance device 10 ... Bill conveyance device 11 ... Drive pulley 12 ... driven pulley 13 ... transport belt 13a ... transport belt 14 moving in the transport direction 14 ... drive unit 20a ... upper frame 20b ... lower frame 21 ... first frame 22 ... second frame 24 ... partition plates 30, 30B ... transport unit 31 ... Plate 31b ... Rib 32 ... Conveying pulley 33 ... Bracket 34 ... Hole 35 ... Rotating shaft 38 ... Groove 41 ... Protruding part (first engaging part)
41a ... Slit 41b ... Projection piece 41c ... Rib 42 ... Receiving part (second engaging part)
42a ... Depressed part 42b ... Rib 51 ... Clip 52 ... Hook 60 ... Sending unit 70 ... Receiving part 71 ... Projection part insertion port G ... Passage part unit K ... Banknote M ... Transport direction

Claims (2)

A plurality of transport units are connected and attached to a side portion of a frame erected in the banknote transport direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, and a banknote transport path is provided between the frame and the transport unit. In a banknote transport apparatus that forms and transports banknotes along the transport path,
The transport unit includes a first engaging portion at one end and a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion at the other end, and the first engaging portion is connected to the transport path when connected . The second engagement portion of the adjacent transport unit is formed so as to be exposed on the inner side and on the outer side of the first engagement portion, and the first engagement portion on the transport direction side of the transport unit. At the end,
Further, the transport unit is slidable in the transport direction, and the interval at the time of connection between adjacent transport units can be adjusted.
The first engaging portion is a protruding portion in which a slit is formed along the transport direction,
The second engaging portion is a receiving portion in which a depressed portion that receives the first engaging portion is formed on a surface facing the inside of the transport path, and the protrusion of the protruding portion engaged with the depressed portion A banknote transport apparatus , wherein ribs are formed along the transport direction in the depressed portion so as to enter the slit . The bill according to claim 1, wherein the second engaging portion transmits light, and the first engaging portion has a color different from that of the second engaging portion engaged at the time of connection. Conveying device.

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