JP4948951B2 - Giveaway machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize dispenser that dispenses prizes stored therein, and in particular, the number of prizes stored can be increased without becoming too large in the width direction, and the stability of each mechanism is improved. In addition, the present invention relates to a prize dispenser that can reduce costs.

  For example, in a gaming facility such as a pachinko store, a prize dispenser is provided for paying out a prize to the player in accordance with the number of game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player. As such a prize dispenser, those shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known.

  In the prize dispenser disclosed in Patent Document 1, eight payout units are arranged in one row. Each payout unit is composed of one cassette for storing a plurality of prizes in a stacked state. When a prize having a thickness of 3 mm is stored in this cassette, the number of prizes stored in each cassette is, for example, 100 sheets. For this reason, the number of prizes stored in the entire prize dispenser is, for example, 800.

  In the prize dispenser disclosed in Patent Document 2, a plurality of cassettes for storing a plurality of prizes in a stacked state are provided in series in the front-rear direction per lane, and a prize take-out means is selected from the plurality of cassettes in each lane. The prize in the lowermost layer is taken out from the one cassette and transported to the prize payout exit. In this prize dispenser, the selected cassette and the prize take-out means are relatively moved between a position where the prize take-out means is close to and a position where the prize take-out means is not close to the lowest prize stored in the cassette. It is supposed to let you. Specifically, when paying out the prize in the cassette to the player, the cassette storing the prize to be paid out is selectively lowered so that the prize stored in the cassette and the prize take-out means are close to each other. As a state, the prize in the cassette is fed out by the prize taking-out means.

Japanese Patent No. 2722396 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-21686

  However, there are various problems with conventionally known prize dispensers. For example, in a prize dispenser in which a plurality of lanes (for example, 8 lanes) are arranged in one row as shown in Patent Document 1, the number of prizes stored is increased. In this case, there is a problem in that the payout unit has to be increased in the width direction, and the prize dispenser becomes too large in the width direction, and the prize dispenser itself cannot be made compact. In addition, when a prize dispenser having such a large width is used, there is a problem in that it is troublesome for a player to receive a prize thrown out.

  Further, according to the prize dispenser as shown in Patent Document 2, the prize dispenser can be made relatively small in width by arranging a plurality of cassettes in series per lane. However, since only one prize can be paid out simultaneously in each lane, there is a problem that the payout speed becomes slow. In addition, when switching the cassette from which a prize should be taken out in each lane, it is necessary to move the cassette and the prize taking-out means in the vertical direction, resulting in a problem of time loss. Specifically, for example, when switching from a state in which a prize is fed out from a cassette on the front side in a certain lane to a state in which it is fed out from a cassette on the rear side that stores other types of prizes, After the prize payout operation is completed, it is necessary to temporarily stop the prize take-out means, raise the cassette on the front side and lower the cassette on the rear side, and then re-drive the prize take-out means, resulting in a large time loss. End up. In particular, when a large number of prizes are stored in the cassette, the weight of these prizes increases, making it difficult to control when moving the cassette up and down, especially if the prize dispenser has been used for many years. There is a problem that the accuracy of control of the vertical movement of the cassette is deteriorated due to aging fatigue.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and by providing a plurality of cassettes in each lane and installing a transport mechanism for each cassette, it is possible to obtain a prize without becoming too large in the width direction. The number of stored sheets can be increased, and the stability of each component can be improved and the cost can be reduced by enabling the giveaway to be paid out without moving both the cassette and the transport mechanism. It is to provide a gift dispenser that can be used.

The present invention is a storage unit in which a plurality of cassettes in which a plurality of prizes are stored in a stacked state and from which the lowest prize can be taken out are arranged in series in the front-rear direction. Storage units whose height levels are different from each other, a gift temporary storage unit for temporarily storing a prize taken out from each cassette of the storage unit, and a corresponding unit for each cassette below the storage unit. A prize transport unit composed of a plurality of transport mechanisms provided, each of which includes a prize transport unit that transports the lowest prize in the cassette corresponding to each transport mechanism to the prize temporary storage unit ; Each transport mechanism of the prize transport section is installed so as to extend from the prize take-out position immediately below the corresponding cassette to the prize temporary storage section. And a guide plate having a through-groove extending in the longitudinal direction, and an endless shape that circulates so as to pass through the vicinity of the prize take-out position and the vicinity of the prize temporary storage portion below the cassette below the guide board. A circulation belt and an extrusion member attached on the outer surface of the circulation belt, which can pass through a through-groove of the guide plate and protrude above the guide plate. An extruding member for extruding the lowermost prize stored only in the cassette corresponding to the above, from the inside of the cassette, and transporting the extruded prize to the prize temporary storage unit while sliding on the guide plate; And the height level of the guide plate of the transport mechanism corresponding to the cassette on the front side is the rear side. The height of the guide plate of the transport mechanism corresponding to the cassette is higher, and the height of the push member of the transport mechanism corresponding to the front cassette is the same as that of the rear cassette. A prize dispenser characterized in that it is larger than the height of the extrusion member of the corresponding transport mechanism .

According to such a prize dispenser, a prize having a plurality of transport mechanisms which are arranged in a series in the front-rear direction in each storage unit so as to extend to the prize temporary storage portion corresponding to each cassette. By installing a transport unit, the number of prizes stored can be reduced without the width of the prize dispenser being too large compared to a prize dispenser in which a plurality of lanes are arranged in a row so that the cassettes are continuous in the width direction. Can be increased. Moreover, since the prize can be paid out while switching the cassette without moving both the cassette and the transport mechanism, the stability of each component can be improved and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since a plurality of circulation belts are installed corresponding to each cassette, even if an abnormality such as a failure occurs in one circulation belt, the occurrence of trouble that all the conveyance mechanisms are stopped is suppressed. be able to.

  In the prize dispenser of the present invention, two cassettes are provided in the storage unit so as to be arranged in the front-rear direction, and the length of the circulation belt of the transport mechanism corresponding to the rear cassette is the transport mechanism corresponding to the front cassette. The number of push-out members of the transport mechanism corresponding to the rear cassette is twice the number of push-out members of the transport mechanism corresponding to the front cassette. It is preferable. As a result, for each prize stored in each cassette, when the speeds of the circulation belts are substantially the same, the number of transported to the prize temporary storage unit in a certain time can be made substantially the same. The workability can be further improved.

  According to the prize dispenser of the present invention, the number of prizes stored can be increased without becoming too large in the width direction, and the stability of each component can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a prize dispenser according to the present invention.
Among these, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prize dispenser in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the prize dispenser shown in FIG. 1 when a main body door is opened. . 3 is a perspective view showing a state when the shutter mechanism is opened for the prize dispenser shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the prize dispenser shown in FIG. FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the prize dispenser shown in FIG. 1, the cassette accommodated in the casing, and the prize transport unit.

  First, the outline of the gift dispenser 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the prize dispenser 1 includes a housing 10 and a main body door 12 that is provided at the top of the housing 10 and can be opened and closed. FIG. 1 shows a state of the prize dispenser 1 when the main body door 12 is closed, and FIG. 2 shows a state of the prize dispenser 1 when the main body door 12 is open. The main body door 12 is opened and closed when the cassettes 30a and 30b (described later) of the prize storage unit 30 are attached to and detached from the housing 10, and the main body door 12 has an open / close detection sensor (see FIG. (Not shown) is attached.

  On one side surface of the housing 10 (the right side surface in FIG. 5), an operation unit 14 for an employee to perform operations such as warehousing, aggregation, and setting, and information necessary for the employee including a monochrome LCD, Specifically, a store-side display unit 16 on which the number of prizes P to be paid out, error guidance, setting contents, and the like are displayed is provided. On the other hand, on the other side surface (the left side surface in FIG. 5) of the housing 10, for example, a color LCD is displayed and information necessary for the player, specifically, the number of payouts of the prize P, the amount, etc. are displayed. A customer-side display unit 18 is provided. In the present specification, the “front side” of the gift dispenser 1 refers to the customer side display unit 18 side (left side in FIG. 5), and the “rear side” refers to the store side display unit 16 side (FIG. 5). On the right side).

  Further, an openable / closable maintenance door 26 is provided on the front side (left side in FIG. 5) of the housing 10 in the prize dispenser 1. The maintenance door 26 is used by an employee to check the inside of the housing 10 when a jam of the prize P occurs in the housing 10. The prize dispenser 1 in FIG. 1 shows a state when the maintenance door 26 is closed, while the prize dispenser 1 in FIG. 4 shows that the maintenance door 26 is opened and the upper shutter portion 24a of the shutter mechanism 24 is downward. The state when moved is shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, a prize storage unit 30 is provided inside the housing 10 of the prize dispenser 1. The prize storage unit 30 is composed of a plurality of, for example, two cassettes 30a and 30b from which a plurality of prizes P can be stored in a stacked state and the lowest prize P can be taken out. In the prize storage unit 30, the cassettes 30a and 30b are arranged in series in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5), and the cassettes 30a and 30b are detachable from the housing 10. Yes. Here, the height level of the prize P in the lowest layer in each cassette 30a, 30b is different from each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the prize P in the lowermost layer in the cassette 30a on the front side (left side in FIG. 5) is the prize in the lowermost layer in the cassette 30b on the rear side (right side in FIG. 5). The cassettes 30 a and 30 b are arranged in the housing 10 so as to be higher than P.
As shown in FIG. 2, such a prize storage unit 30 is provided, for example, in seven lanes (seven rows) along the width direction of the prize dispenser 1 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5) ( Therefore, a total of 14 cassettes are provided). Details of the configuration of the prize storage unit 30 will be described later.

  In the housing 10 of the prize dispenser 1, below the prize storage unit 30, the prize P stored in each cassette 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30 is stored in the prize temporary storage unit 28 (described later). A prize transport unit 40 for directly transporting each one is provided. Details of the configuration of the prize transport unit 40 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the prize temporary storage unit 28 is a part in which the prize P sent from the prize storage unit 30 is temporarily reserved. The prize P temporarily held in the prize temporary holding section 28 can be accessed by the player from the outside. A shutter mechanism 24 is provided above the gift temporary storage unit 28 so as to cover the gift temporary storage unit 28. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the shutter mechanism 24 includes an upper shutter portion 24a and a lower shutter portion 24b. The shutter mechanism 24 covers a prize temporary storage section 28 and prevents a prize P from being taken out from the prize temporary storage section 28 (see FIG. 1). It can be reciprocated between a delivery allowable position (see FIG. 3) that is retracted in the upper right direction) and allows the prize P to be taken out from the prize temporary storage unit 28. The shutter mechanism 24 is provided with an open / close detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the open / closed state of the shutter mechanism 24. Details of the configuration of the shutter mechanism 24 will be described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, inside the housing 10 of the prize dispenser 1, a command signal is given to each component of the prize dispenser 1 to control these components, specifically, the prize P A control unit 20 that controls the payout, display, communication, and the like, and a power supply unit 22 that supplies power to each component of the prize dispenser 1 are incorporated.

Next, details of each component of the prize dispenser 1 as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, details of the configuration of the prize storage unit 30 and the prize transport unit 40 of the prize dispenser 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the prize transport unit 40, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower half portion of the prize transport unit 40 shown in FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of each cassette 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the details of the configuration of the prize P stored in the prize dispenser 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the prize transport unit 40, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory front view of the prize transport unit 40 shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from the left (front of the apparatus). FIG. 12 is a top view for explanation when the premium transport unit 40 shown in FIG. 10 is viewed from above.

  As shown in FIG. 8, each cassette 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30 is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing, and the prize P is stored in a stacked state in the casing. The prize P is made of a plate as shown in FIG. 9, and a non-contact IC tag I is provided therein. The prize P stored in a stacked state in the casings of the cassettes 30a and 30b is applied with a force from above by, for example, a weight (not shown) and pressed downward.

  A handle 32 is attached to the upper surface of the casing of each cassette 30a, 30b, and an employee can carry the cassette 30a, 30b by holding the handle 32. Further, at the lower part of each cassette 30a, 30b, the side wall 30p is provided so as to extend below the front wall 30q, and a prize outlet 38 is constituted by a step portion between the side wall 30p and the front wall 30q. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a pair of left and right bottom surface members 36 are formed on the lower inner edge of the side wall 30p so that the prize P can be fed forward one by one from the prize feed outlet 38 without dropping downward. Has been. The front wall 30q is a lid that can be removed from the housing, and is removed when a prize is loaded or when a prize is collected.

  Further, an erroneous insertion preventing member 34 is provided on the front wall 30q of each cassette 30a, 30b. A plurality of through holes are formed in the erroneous insertion preventing member 34. Depending on the type of the prize P to be stored in each cassette 30a, 30b, some of the plurality of through holes are blocked. It is closed by a member (for example, a slide plate). On the other hand, in the case 10 of the gift dispenser 1, the portions where the cassettes 30a and 30b are to be stored correspond to the through holes of the erroneous insertion preventing members 34 of the cassettes 30a and 30b. A protrusion (not shown) that penetrates the hole is provided. The number of protrusions provided in the housing 10 is set according to the type of the prize P to be stored in each of the cassettes 30a and 30b. When 30a and 30b are accommodated in the housing 10, the protruding portion hits the closing member that closes the through hole, and the cassettes 30a and 30b cannot be normally accommodated in the housing 10. . As a result, the employee notices that cassettes 30a and 30b having different types of prizes P are stored in the housing 10 by mistake.

  As shown in FIGS. 7, 10, etc., the prize transport unit 40 is composed of two transport mechanisms 40 a, 40 b provided respectively corresponding to the cassettes 30 a, 30 b below the prize storage unit 30. Each transport mechanism 40a, 40b transports the prize P at the lowermost layer of only the corresponding cassette 30a, 30b to the prize temporary storage unit 28. Specifically, the transport mechanism 40a transports the lowermost prize P among the prizes P stored only in the front cassette 30a to the prize temporary storage unit 28, and the transport mechanism 40b transfers only the rear cassette 30b. Of the stored prizes P, the lowest prize P is conveyed to the prize temporary storage unit 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 to 12, the transport mechanism 40a includes a guide plate 48a installed so as to extend from the prize take-out position directly below the cassette 30a on the front side to the prize temporary storage unit 28, and the guide board. Below 48a, an endless circulation belt 42a that circulates so as to pass through the vicinity of the prize take-out position directly below the cassette 30a and the vicinity of the prize temporary storage section 28, and for stretching the circulation belt 42a A pair of pulleys 44a and a drive motor 46a that circulates and moves the circulation belt 42a by rotating a rear side (right side in FIG. 10) pulley 44a of the pair of pulleys 44a. Note that the guide plate 48a is omitted in the transport mechanism 40a shown in FIG.

  The guide plate 48a is formed with a through groove extending in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 10). Further, one pushing member 50a is attached on the outer surface of the circulation belt 42a. The pushing member 50a can pass through the through groove of the guide plate 48a and protrude above the guide plate 48a. The pushing member 50a engages with the rear end of the lowermost prize P stored only in the cassette 30a when the circulation belt 42a circulates, and the prize feeding port 38 (see FIG. 8), and the extruded prize P is conveyed to the prize temporary storage section 28 while sliding on the guide plate 48a.

  On the other hand, similarly to the transport mechanism 40a, the transport mechanism 40b has a guide plate 48b installed so as to extend from the prize take-out position directly below the cassette 30b on the rear side to the prize temporary storage unit 28, and below the guide plate 48b. , An endless circulation belt 42b that circulates so as to pass through the vicinity of the prize take-out position directly below the cassette 30b and the vicinity of the prize temporary storage section 28, and a pair of pulleys 44b for stretching the circulation belt 42b And a drive motor 46b that circulates and moves the circulation belt 42b by rotating the pulley 44b on the front side (left side in FIG. 10) of the pair of pulleys 44b. Note that the guide plate 48b is omitted in the transport mechanism 40b shown in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 to 12, the guide plate 48 b of the transport mechanism 40 b is provided separately below the guide plate 48 a of the transport mechanism 40 a. Further, the width of the guide plate 48b is substantially the same as the width of the guide plate 48a. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the circulating belt 42b of the transport mechanism 40b has substantially the same height level as the circulating belt 42a of the transport mechanism 40a, and is arranged adjacent to each other in parallel. Yes. At this time, the length of the circulation belt 42b is approximately twice the length of the circulation belt 42a. Of the pair of pulleys 44b of the transport mechanism 40b, the pulley 44b on the front side (left side in FIG. 10) is arranged in parallel so as to be coaxial with the pulley 44a on the front side of the transport mechanism 40a, while the rear side of the transport mechanism 40b. The pulley 44b (on the right side in FIG. 10) is arranged so as to be separated from the rear side of the pulley 44a on the rear side of the transport mechanism 40a.

  Further, similarly to the guide plate 48a, a through groove extending in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 10) is formed in the guide plate 48b. Two extruding members 50b are attached on the outer surface of the circulation belt 42b. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the two pushing members 50 are respectively attached to positions on the circulation belt 42b in opposite phases, and the heights thereof are the same. Each of the pushing members 50b can pass through the through groove of the guide plate 48b and protrude above the guide plate 48b. Each pushing member 50b removes the prize P, which is the lowest layer stored only in the cassette 30b when the circulation belt 42b circulates, from the cassette 30b through the prize outlet 38 (see FIG. 8). The prize P thus pushed is conveyed to the prize temporary storage unit 28 while sliding on the guide plate 48b.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the height from the circulation belt 42b of each pushing member 50b of the transport mechanism 40b is lower than the height from the circulation belt 42a of the pushing member 50a of the transport mechanism 40a. However, the height levels of the circulation belts 42a and 42b are substantially the same, and the prize P in the lowermost layer of the cassette 30a on the front side (left side in FIG. 10) is rear side (in FIG. 10). The right side) cassette 30b is positioned higher than the lowermost prize P, and the guide plate 48a is provided directly above the guide plate 48b. For this reason, the pushing member 50a takes out the prize P stored only in the cassette 30a from the cassette 30a to the outside, and conveys the prize P to the prize temporary storage unit 28 while sliding on the guide plate 48a. On the other hand, the push-out member 50b takes out the prize P stored only in the cassette 30b from the cassette 30b, and conveys the prize P to the prize temporary storage unit 28 while sliding on the guide plate 48b. Note that the lower position of the push-out member 50a serves as a standby position so as not to obstruct the payout of the prize P from the cassette 30b on the rear side. Further, when the prize P is fed out from the cassette 30a on the front side and the cassette 30b on the rear side at the same time, the pushing member 50a circulates and moves with a phase difference such that the pushing member 50a is positioned approximately in the middle between the two pushing members 50b and 50b. .

  Here, the number of the extrusion members 50b of the transport mechanism 40b is not limited to two, and the number is limited as long as it is twice the number of the extrusion members 50a of the transport mechanism 40a. Absent. For example, when the number of extrusion members in the front-side transport mechanism is two, the number of extrusion members in the rear-side transport mechanism is four.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13 to FIG. 16, the details of the configuration of the prize temporary storage unit 28 and the shutter mechanism 24 of the prize dispenser 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the shutter mechanism 24, and is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the shutter mechanism 24 is closed, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing that the shutter mechanism 24 is completely opened. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state at the time. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of the cassettes 30a, 30b and the prize temporary storage unit 28 of the prize storage unit 30, and FIG. 16 shows the arrangement of the prize storage unit 30 and the partition in the layout shown in FIG. It is an enlarged explanatory view for explaining the positional relationship of the plate.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 14, the shutter mechanism 24 covers a prize temporary storage section 28 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 13 and prevents a prize P from being taken out from the prize temporary storage section 28. The prize is temporarily retracted from the temporary gift holding unit 28 and moved back and forth between the delivery allowable position allowing the prize P to be taken out from the temporary gift storage unit 28.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the shutter mechanism 24 includes an upper shutter portion 24a and a lower shutter portion 24b. More specifically, the upper shutter portion 24 a is attached to the tip of an arm 60 that swings about the shutter shaft 52. The lower shutter portion 24 b is attached to the tip of a cam 62 that swings in conjunction with the arm 60 about the shutter shaft 52. A curved rack 58 is attached to the root portion of the cam 62, and a disk-shaped gear 56 meshes with the rack 58. The cam 62 is connected to one end of a spring member 64, and the other end of the spring member 64 is fixed in position within the housing 10. A shutter drive motor 54 is connected to the disc-shaped gear 56.

  When the shutter drive motor 54 rotates the gear 56, the cam 62 rotates about the shutter shaft 52 via the rack 58, and the lower shutter portion 24b moves to the delivery prevention position as shown in FIG. 13 and as shown in FIG. Moves to and from the delivery allowance position. On the other hand, a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) is provided between the cam 62 and the arm 60 in the shutter shaft 52, and when the cam 62 rotates about the shutter shaft 52, the arm 60 has an angular velocity about half that of the cam 62. It is designed to rotate in the same direction. For this reason, when the shutter drive motor 54 rotates the gear 56, the arm 60 also rotates around the shutter shaft 52 via the rack 58 and the cam 62, and the upper shutter portion 24a has a delivery blocking position as shown in FIG. It moves to and from the delivery allowable position as shown in FIG. When the shutter drive motor 54 does not drive, the shutter portions 24a and 24b are maintained at the delivery allowable positions as shown in FIG.

  In this way, by driving the shutter drive motor 54, the upper shutter portion 24a and the lower shutter portion 24b simultaneously move between the delivery preventing position and the delivery allowable position, and at this time, the moving speed of the upper shutter portion 24a. Becomes about half the moving speed of the lower shutter portion 24b. For this reason, the upper shutter portion 24a and the lower shutter portion 24b are located at positions close to each other (delivery allowed position) as shown in FIG. 14, and the lower shutter portion 24b is positioned below the upper shutter portion 24a. It becomes possible to reciprocate between a position (delivery blocking position) that covers the premium temporary storage unit 28 integrally with 24a and 24b.

  Here, when the shutter drive motor 54 rotates the gear 56 in the forward and reverse directions, the rotation speed when the gear 56 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 13 is the counterclockwise rotation of the gear 56 in FIG. 13. It is about half the rotation speed when making it. With such a configuration, the movement speed when each shutter portion 24a, 24b of the shutter mechanism 24 moves from the delivery permission position to the delivery prevention position is approximately the movement speed when moving from the delivery prevention position to the delivery permission position. Half the size. As a result, the speed at which the shutter mechanism 24 closes becomes slow, so the safety of the shutter mechanism 24 can be improved.

  Further, the delivery allowance position (see FIG. 14) in the shutter mechanism 24 exists above and behind the delivery prevention position (see FIG. 13) (that is, in the upper right direction in FIG. 13). As a result, the player can easily take out the prize P without the shutter mechanism 24 getting in the way when taking the prize P on the prize temporary storage unit 28.

  In addition, a translucent window member (not shown) is attached to one or both of the shutter portions 24 a and 24 b of the shutter mechanism 24. As a result, even when the shutter mechanism 24 covers the prize temporary storage section 28, the player can view the prize P on the prize temporary storage section 28 through this window member. For the player who waits for the completion of the throwing out, it becomes boring and it is easy to check the situation when an accumulation abnormality occurs.

  As described above, the prize temporary storage unit 28 is configured such that the prize P is directly sent from the prize storage unit 30 by the prize transport unit 40 (see FIG. 5 and the like). A prize presence / absence detecting sensor 72 for detecting whether or not a prize P exists on the prize temporary holding section 28 is attached to the prize temporary holding section 28. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a payout exit lamp 74 is attached to each lane on the front side of the housing 10 in the vicinity of the prize temporary storage unit 28. Each payout lamp 74 blinks in blue until the player opens the shutter mechanism 24 and picks up the prize P from the middle of feeding out the prize P in the corresponding lane, and an error occurs during delivery of the prize P When it does, it flashes in red.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, a plurality of substantially rectangular partition plates 70 extending in the vertical direction are arranged in parallel above the prize temporary storage unit 28. These partition plates 70 are arranged so that the prizes P sent from the prize storage units 30 are stacked at predetermined positions on the prize temporary storage unit 28 and are not displaced. These partition plates 70 move in conjunction with the shutter mechanism 24. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, all the partition plates 70 are attached to the back surface of the lower shutter portion 24 b of the shutter mechanism 24. Thus, when the shutter mechanism 24 is in the delivery blocking position, each partition plate 70 can stack and align the prize P sent from each prize storage unit 30 at a predetermined position on the prize temporary storage unit 28. On the other hand, when the shutter mechanism 24 is in the delivery allowable position, each partition plate 70 is retracted from the prize temporary storage section 28, and when the player takes out the prize P on the prize temporary storage section 28, these partitions are separated. The board 70 does not get in the way.

Next, operation | movement of the prize dispenser 1 which consists of such a structure is demonstrated below.
First, before business of a game facility such as a pachinko parlor, for example, an employee takes out the cassettes 30a and 30b of the prize storage unit 30 from the housing 10 and stores the prizes P in a stacked state in these cassettes 30a and 30b. . Specifically, based on information input by the employee through the operation unit 14 of the prize dispenser 1, or based on setting information transmitted from a higher-level machine (not shown) such as a prize management device or a terminal controller, Assignment of the type of the prize P in the cassettes 30a and 30b of the prize storage unit 30 in each lane is set. The employee refers to the set information and, for example, a prize P (large prize) equivalent to 5000 yen with a red mark attached to each of the cassettes 30a and 30b in the first to third lanes. A prize P (middle prize) equivalent to 1000 yen with a blue mark attached to each of the cassettes 30a and 30b in the fourth and fifth lanes, to each cassette 30a and 30b in the sixth and seventh lanes. A prize P (small prize) equivalent to 200 yen with a yellow mark is stored. Here, the same type of prize P is stored in the cassette 30a on the front side and the cassette 30b on the rear side of the same lane, but different types of prize P are stored in the cassette 30a on the front side and the cassette 30b on the rear side. May be stored.

  Then, the employee sets the erroneous insertion preventing member 34 of each cassette 30a, 30b so as to match the type of the stored prize P, and at the place where each cassette 30a, 30b in the housing 10 is to be accommodated. The arranged protrusions are also set to match the type of the prize P. Thus, when the cassette 30a, 30b is accommodated in the housing 10 when the type of the prize P is mistakenly accommodated in the housing 10, the cassette 30a, 30b is normally accommodated in the housing 10. Unable to do so, employees can notice mistakes. In this manner, the employee can accurately store the cassettes 30a and 30b in which the prize P is stored in the housing 10.

  Next, during operation of a gaming facility such as a pachinko parlor, the player counts the acquired gaming media such as pachinko balls with a counter (not shown), and the player acquires a count receipt from the counter. Then, the player brings the count receipt to the prize exchange counter in which the prize dispenser 1 and the prize management device (not shown) connected to the prize dispenser 1 are connected. The employee waiting at the prize exchange counter receives the count receipt from the player and reads the data (the number of balls, etc.) recorded on the count receipt with a bar code reader of the prize management device. Although a counting receipt is used here, a counting card or a storage data card may be used instead of the counting receipt. When a player wishes to exchange game media for a prize P, when an employee presses a predetermined key of the prize management device, the data such as the number of balls recorded in the counting receipt is converted into the number of various prizes P. Then, the conversion result and the payout instruction for the prize P are transmitted from the prize management device to the prize dispenser 1. Specifically, for example, a payout command for paying out 8 large prizes, 3 middle prizes, and 4 small prizes is sent to the prize dispenser 1.

  When the prize dispenser 1 receives a withdrawal command from the prize management device, the control unit 20 sends a control command to each prize transport unit 40 based on the type and number of the prizes P in the withdrawal command. The prize P is paid out from the cassettes 30a and 30b. Specifically, the prize transport unit 40 in any one of the first to third lanes storing large prizes transports the prize P from each cassette 30a, 30b to the prize temporary storage unit 28, and In parallel, the prize transport units 40 in either one of the fourth and fifth lanes and the sixth and seventh lanes respectively storing the middle prize and the small prize are temporarily held from the cassettes 30a and 30b, respectively. The prize P is conveyed to the section 28. In the standby state, the shutter mechanism 24 is in a closed state.

Here, the transport of the prize P from each cassette 30a, 30b to the prize temporary storage section 28 by each prize transport section 40 will be described in more detail.
When the same type of prize P is stored in the cassettes 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30, the drive motor 46a of the transport mechanism 40a circulates and moves the circulation belt 42a, and at the same time, the drive motor 46b of the transport mechanism 40b 42b is circulated and moved at the same speed as the circulation belt 42a. At this time, the extrusion member 50a attached to the circulation belt 42a is specifically placed between the two extrusion members 50b so that the phase does not overlap with the two extrusion members 50b attached to the circulation belt 42b. Circulation movement of each circulation belt 42a, 42b is performed so that is located.

  When the circulation belt 42a circulates, the pushing member 50a attached to the circulation belt 42a removes the prize P in the lowest layer stored in the cassette 30a on the front side from the cassette 30a. (See FIG. 8) and the extruded prize P is conveyed to the prize temporary storage unit 28 while sliding on the guide plate 48a. At the same time, when the circulation belt 42b circulates, the pushing member 50b attached to the circulation belt 42b causes the prize P in the lowermost layer stored in the rear cassette 30b to be delivered from the cassette 30b. 38. (Refer to FIG. 8.) The prize P is pushed out and conveyed to the prize temporary storage unit 28 while sliding on the guide plate 48b.

  In this way, for example, while the circulation belt 42b makes one round, the circulation belt 42a makes two revolutions, and the pushing member 50a attached to the circulation belt 42a removes the two prizes P from the cassette 30a on the front side. The two extruding members 50b attached to the circulation belt 42b simultaneously convey one prize P (a total of two prizes P) from the cassette 30b on the rear side to the prize temporary storage unit 28. Four prizes P are stacked on the prize temporary storage unit 28. The four prizes P are aligned so that their positions are not displaced by the partition plate 70 attached to the lower shutter portion 24b of the shutter mechanism 24 for each lane.

  On the other hand, when different types of prizes P are stored in the cassettes 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30, or when one of the transport mechanisms 40a, 40b fails, the drive motor 46a of the transport mechanism 40a or Only one of the drive motors 46b of the transport mechanism 40b circulates and moves the corresponding circulation belts 42a and 42b. In this case, the prize P is transported from the one of the cassettes 30a and 30b to the prize temporary storage unit 28.

  When all types and the number of prizes P in the payout command transmitted from the prize management device are sent from the prize storage unit 30 to the prize temporary storage section 28, the control section 20 controls the shutter mechanism 24 to control the shutter mechanism. Open 24. Specifically, the control unit 20 sends a command to the shutter drive motor 54, and the shutter drive motor 54 rotates the gear 56. As a result, the cam 62 rotates about the shutter shaft 52 via the rack 58, and the lower shutter portion 24b moves from the delivery blocking position as shown in FIG. 13 to the delivery permission position as shown in FIG. At the same time, the arm 60 also rotates about the shutter shaft 52, and the upper shutter portion 24a moves from the delivery prevention position as shown in FIG. 13 to the delivery permission position as shown in FIG. As a result, the upper shutter portion 24a and the lower shutter portion 24b are simultaneously moved to a delivery allowance position as shown in FIG. 14, so that the player takes out the prize P placed on the prize temporary storage section 28. Will be able to.

  When the player removes all the prizes P placed on the prize temporary storage unit 28, this is detected by the prize presence / absence detection sensor 72 (see FIG. 3), and the control unit 20 controls the shutter mechanism 24 to detect the shutter. The mechanism 24 is closed. Specifically, the control unit 20 sends a command to the shutter drive motor 54, and the shutter drive motor 54 rotates the gear 56 in the direction opposite to the rotation described above. As a result, the upper shutter portion 24a and the lower shutter portion 24b are simultaneously moved from the delivery allowable position as shown in FIG. 14 to the delivery blocking position as shown in FIG. Here, if the prize P is not picked up by the player even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the shutter mechanism 24 is opened, the prize dispenser 1 or This is notified to the player or employee by issuing an alarm sound in the prize management device. Each payout lamp 74 blinks in blue until the player opens the shutter mechanism 24 and picks up the prize P during the delivery of the prize P in the corresponding lane, and an error occurs during the delivery of the prize P. Flashes in red when occurs.

  As described above, according to the prize dispenser 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of the cassettes 30a and 30b are arranged in series in the front-rear direction in the prize storage unit 30, and each conveyance mechanism 40a of the prize conveyance unit 40 is arranged. , 40b are provided corresponding to the respective cassettes 30a, 30b. For example, the transport mechanism 40a transports the prize P in the lowermost layer of only the corresponding cassette 30a to the prize temporary storage unit 28. As a result, the number of stored prizes P is increased without the width of the prize dispenser 1 being too large compared to a prize dispenser in which a plurality of lanes are arranged in a row so that the cassettes are continuous in the width direction. Can be made. In addition, the prize P can be paid out while switching the cassettes 30a and 30b without moving any of the cassettes 30a and 30b and the transport mechanisms 40a and 40b, thereby improving the stability of each component and reducing the cost. be able to.

  In addition, since a plurality of circulation belts 42a and 42b are provided corresponding to the respective cassettes 30a and 30b, all the conveyance mechanisms 40a and 40b are provided even when, for example, an abnormality such as a failure occurs in one circulation belt 42a. Can be prevented from being stopped.

  In addition, in the prize storage unit 30, two cassettes 30a and 30b are provided so as to be arranged in the front-rear direction, and the length of the circulation belt 42b of the transport mechanism 40b corresponding to the rear cassette 30b corresponds to the front cassette 30a. The length of the circulation belt 42a of the transport mechanism 40a is twice the length of the transport mechanism 40a, and the number of push-out members 50b of the transport mechanism 40b corresponding to the rear cassette 30b is equal to that of the transport mechanism 40a corresponding to the front cassette 30a. It is twice the number of the extrusion members 50a. As a result, for the prizes P stored in the cassettes 30a and 30b, when the speeds of the circulation belts 42a and 42b are substantially the same, the number of transported to the prize temporary storage unit 28 for a certain time is substantially the same. Thus, the workability of the prize dispenser 1 can be further improved.

Note that the gift dispenser according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
Next, another embodiment of the gift dispenser according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing the state of the prize dispenser, the cassette accommodated in the case, and the prize transport unit in another embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a prize transport unit in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of a structure. FIG. 19 is a side view for explanation showing the prize transport unit shown in FIG. 17 from the left side, and FIG. 20 is a top view for explanation showing the prize transport unit shown in FIG.
17 to 20, the same parts as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  17 through FIG. 20, the positional relationship between the transport mechanisms 41a and 41b in the free gift transport unit 41 is the same as in FIG. 1 through FIG. 16, and in particular, the transport mechanism 40a of the free gift transport unit 40 shown in FIG. 10 through FIG. The only difference is the point that is different from the positional relationship 40b, and the rest has substantially the same configuration as the prize dispenser 1. Hereinafter, details of the configuration of the prize transport unit 41 of the prize dispenser 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, the prize transport unit 41 includes two transport mechanisms 41 a and 41 b provided below the prize storage unit 30 so as to correspond to the respective cassettes 30 a and 30 b. Each transport mechanism 41a, 41b is configured to transport the prize P at the lowermost layer in the corresponding cassette 30a, 30b to the prize temporary storage unit 28. Specifically, the transport mechanism 41a transports the lowermost prize P among the prizes P stored only in the front cassette 30a to the prize temporary storage unit 28, and the transport mechanism 41b transfers only the rear cassette 30b. Of the stored prizes P, the lowest prize P is conveyed to the prize temporary storage unit 28.

  Here, the transport mechanism 41a including the guide plate 49a, the circulation belt 43a, and the pair of pulleys 45a is generally above the transport mechanism 41b including the guide plate 49b, the circulation belt 43b, and the pair of pulleys 45b. Are spaced apart from each other. That is, the circulation belt 43a of the front-side transport mechanism 41a is positioned above the circulation belt 43b of the rear-side transport mechanism 41b, and the guide plate 49b of the rear-side transport mechanism 41b is located on the front side. It is located below the circulation belt 43a of the transport mechanism 41a. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 19 in particular, the transport mechanisms 41a and 41b transport the prize P to the prize temporary storage unit 28 completely independently of each other. The drive motor 46a of the transport mechanism 41a and the drive motor 46b of the transport mechanism 41b have substantially the same configuration as the drive motors 46a and 46b of the prize dispenser 1 shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, respectively. They are arranged at substantially the same positions as 46a and 46b.

Next, the operation of transporting the prize P from each cassette 30a, 30b to the prize temporary storage section 28 by each prize transport section 41 of the prize dispenser 2 will be described.
When the same type of prize P is stored in the cassettes 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30, the drive motor 47a of the transport mechanism 41a circulates and moves the circulation belt 43a, and at the same time, the drive motor 47b of the transport mechanism 41b 43b is circulated. At this time, it is not necessary to adjust the phase relationship between the pushing member 51a attached to the circulation belt 43a and the two pushing members 51b attached to the circulation belt 43b.

  When the circulation belt 43a is circulated, the pushing member 51a attached to the circulation belt 43a pushes out the prize P in the lowermost layer stored in the cassette 30a on the front side from the inside of the cassette 30a. The pushed prize P is conveyed to the prize temporary storage unit 28 while sliding on the guide plate 49a. At the same time, when the circulation belt 43b circulates, the pushing member 51b attached to the circulation belt 43b pushes the prize P in the lowermost layer stored in the rear cassette 30b out of the cassette 30b. The pushed prize P is conveyed to the prize temporary storage unit 28 while sliding on the guide plate 49b.

  In this way, a plurality of prizes P transported from the cassettes 30 a and 30 b are stacked on the prize temporary storage unit 28. These prizes P are aligned so that their positions are not shifted by a partition plate 70 attached to the lower shutter portion 24b of the shutter mechanism 24 for each lane.

  On the other hand, when different types of prizes P are stored in the cassettes 30a and 30b of the prize storage unit 30, or when one of the transport mechanisms 41a and 41b fails, the drive motor 47a of the transport mechanism 41a or Only one of the drive motors 47b of the transport mechanism 41b circulates and moves the corresponding circulation belts 43a and 43b. In this case, the prize P is transported to the prize temporary storage unit 28 from either one of the cassettes 30a and 30b.

  According to such a prize dispenser 2, the transport mechanism 41a corresponding to the front cassette 30a among the transport mechanisms 41a and 41b of the prize transport unit 41 is more than the transport mechanism 41b corresponding to the rear cassette 30b. Since the arrangement positions of the respective transport mechanisms 41a and 41b are set so as to be spaced apart from each other, the respective transport mechanisms 41a and 41b can be operated independently from each other. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of trouble such that all the transport mechanisms 41a and 41b are stopped due to an abnormality such as a failure in the transport mechanism 41a, and the prize P can be obtained by simultaneously driving the plurality of transport mechanisms 41a and 41b. It becomes possible to more easily shorten the overall feeding time of the.

  Still another embodiment of the gift dispenser according to the present invention will be described below. The prize dispensers 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 20 dispense prizes P to the player side, but the prize dispenser according to the present invention is not limited to such an example. You may become the structure which pays out to the employee side. Specifically, for example, for the prize dispenser 1 as shown in FIG. 5, the positions of the operation unit 14 and the store side display unit 16 and the position of the customer side display unit 18 are exchanged, and the main body door 12 is attached. By changing the direction, a prize dispenser that dispenses the prize P to the employee side is configured.

  Further, the transport mechanism of the prize transport unit is not limited to the one having a circulation belt, and the transport mechanism transports prizes from the corresponding cassettes to the prize temporary storage unit by the traverse cam method. Also good.

  In addition, the number of cassettes and transport mechanisms installed in one lane in the gift dispenser is not limited to two, and three or more cassettes and transport mechanisms are installed in one lane. May be. In this case, the same number of transport mechanisms are provided for each cassette.

It is a perspective view of the prize dispenser in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows an internal structure when the main body door is opened about the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a state when the shutter mechanism is opened about the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state when the maintenance door is opened in an emergency in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the prize delivery machine shown in FIG. 1, the cassette accommodated in the housing | casing, and a prize conveyance part. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the prize conveyance part in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the lower half part in the prize conveyance part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of each cassette in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of a structure of the prize accommodated in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of a structure of the prize conveyance part in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is the front view for description which looked at the prize conveyance part shown in FIG. 10 from the left (apparatus front). It is the top view for description which looked at the prize conveyance part shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the shutter mechanism in the prize payer shown in FIG. 1, Comprising: It is explanatory drawing which shows a state when a shutter mechanism is closed. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state when the shutter mechanism is completely opened about the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of each cassette of a prize storage unit and a prize temporary storage part about the prize dispenser shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is an enlarged explanatory view for explaining the positional relationship between each prize storage unit and the partition plate in the layout diagram shown in FIG. 15. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the prize dispenser in other embodiment of this invention, the cassette accommodated in the housing | casing, and the prize conveyance part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of a structure of the prize conveyance part in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is the explanatory side view which looked at the prize conveyance part shown in FIG. 17 from the left. It is the top view for description which looked at the prize conveyance part shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Prize dispenser 2 Prize dispenser 10 Case 12 Main body door 14 Operation part 16 Shop side display part 18 Customer side display part 20 Control part 22 Power supply part 24 Shutter mechanism 24a Upper shutter part 24b Lower shutter part 26 Maintenance door 28 Premium Temporary holding unit 30 Premium storage units 30a, 30b Cassette 30p Side wall 30q Front wall (lid)
32 Handle 34 Incorrect insertion preventing member 36 Bottom member 38 Premium feed port 40 Premium transport unit 40a, 40b Transport mechanism 41 Premium transport unit 41a, 41b Transport mechanism 42a, 42b Circulation belt 43a, 43b Circulation belt 44a, 44b Pulley 45a, 45b Pulley 46a, 46b Drive motor 47a, 47b Drive motor 48a, 48b Guide plate 49a, 49b Guide plate 50a, 50b Push member 51a, 51b Push member 52 Shutter shaft 54 Shutter drive motor 56 Gear 58 Rack 60 Arm 62 Cam 64 Spring member 70 Partition Plate 72 Premium sensor 74 Discharge lamp P Premium I Non-contact IC tag

Claims (2)

A plurality of storage units that store a plurality of prizes in a stacked state and from which the lowest prize can be taken out are arranged in series in the front-rear direction, and the height level of the lowest prize in each cassette Storage units that are different from each other,
A prize temporary storage unit for temporarily storing a prize taken out from each cassette of the storage unit;
A prize transport unit comprising a plurality of transport mechanisms respectively provided corresponding to the respective cassettes below the storage unit, wherein the prizes in the lowermost layer of only the cassettes corresponding to the respective transport mechanisms are stored in the prize temporary storage unit. A prize transport unit that transports up to
Equipped with a,
Each of the transport mechanisms of the premium transport unit is installed so as to extend from the premium take-out position directly below the corresponding cassette to the temporary gift storage unit, and has a guide plate having a longitudinal groove extending in the longitudinal direction, and the guide plate An endless circulation belt that circulates so as to pass through the vicinity of the prize take-out position directly below the cassette and the vicinity of the prize temporary storage section, and an extrusion member attached on the outer surface of the circulation belt. The lowermost prize that can pass through the through-groove of the guide plate and protrude above the guide plate and is stored only in the cassette corresponding to the circulation movement of the circulation belt is transferred to the cassette. An extruding member that extrudes from the inside to the outside and conveys the extruded prize to the prize temporary storage section while sliding on the guide plate,
About the guide plate of each transport mechanism in the prize transport unit, the height level of the guide plate of the transport mechanism corresponding to the front cassette is higher than the height level of the guide plate of the transport mechanism corresponding to the rear cassette. The height of the pushing member of the conveying mechanism corresponding to the cassette on the front side is larger than the height of the pushing member of the conveying mechanism corresponding to the cassette on the rear side. A gift dispenser characterized by . In the storage unit, two cassettes are arranged in the front and rear, and the length of the circulation belt of the transport mechanism corresponding to the rear cassette is twice the length of the circulation belt of the transport mechanism corresponding to the front cassette. has a size, the number of the pushing member of the transport mechanism which corresponds to the rear side of the cassette claims, characterized in that twice the number of the pushing member of the transport mechanism which corresponds to the front side of the cassette 1. The giveaway machine according to 1 .

Images