JP4987130B2 - Ball tank equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball tank device that accepts discharged balls discharged from a gaming machine and returns the discharged balls to a ball collecting basket, and more specifically, a ball tank that can be returned without clogging the discharged balls. Relates to the device.

  Conventionally, a pachinko ball (i.e., a pachinko machine or the like) that is arranged in parallel so as to correspond to the pachinko machine and is discharged from the pachinko machine (i.e., a pachinko machine) The ball tank device that receives and returns the discharged balls), a ball collection basket that is arranged so as to be inclined downward from the left and right ends in the longitudinal direction of the game island toward the center and collects pachinko balls returned from the ball tank device, And a ball polishing and lifting device that is disposed in the center of the amusement island and that polishes and lifts pachinko balls collected by a ball collecting basket.

  Here, in the ball tank device, the pachinko ball dropped and discharged from the pachinko machine is received by the tank body, the accepted pachinko ball is guided by the return chute and returned from the ball return port, and the returned pachinko ball is The pachinko balls counted by the ball counter are returned from the bellows-shaped ball return tube and collected by a ball collecting basket. However, if the gap between the ball return tube and the ball collection basket is narrow, the pachinko balls may be clogged, and the ball collection basket that is inclined downward is located at a high position, especially near the left and right ends in the longitudinal direction of the game island. Therefore, the gap between the two needs to be as wide as possible.

  Therefore, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, the conventional ball tank device is detachably provided with a separate return chute that returns the pachinko balls from either the right side or the left side of the ball tank device, and selects either of them. The pachinko balls were distributed to either the left or right by the attached return chute and returned.

  Specifically, for example, when the pachinko machine is located near the left end of the amusement island, a return chute for returning the right side to return the pachinko balls discharged to the ball tank device is attached, and conversely the pachinko machine Is located near the right edge of the amusement island, by attaching a return chute for returning left pachinko balls discharged to the ball tank device from the left side, the gap between the ball return tube and the ball collection basket Was taken as wide as possible and returned without clogging pachinko balls.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-1555034

  However, in the conventional ball tank device, the return chute for returning the right side and the return chute for returning the left side are incompatible separate members. For example, when a game hall orders a large number of ball tank devices. It is necessary to place an order after knowing exactly how many return chutes are required for each of the left and right, and if the wrong quantity of left and right return chutes is ordered, There was a problem that it was necessary to reorder again because of incompatibility.

  The present invention has been made based on such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ball tank device that can return and return discharged balls from any direction without clogging the discharged balls. Is to provide.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. The reference numerals used in the description of the best mode for carrying out the invention and the drawings to be described later are appended in parentheses for reference, but the constituent elements of the present invention are not limited to the appended description.

First invention of the means 1 accepts the discharge ball discharged from the gaming machine, a ball tank device to return the exhaust payout towards the ball collecting trough, the tank body for receiving the discharge ball, the each is provided in the longitudinal direction of both left and right ends of the tank body, and a ball return unit for the discharge ball painting Bei ball return opening for returning towards the ball collecting gutter, a ball return provided in the coin return unit A ball tank device comprising: a ball guiding portion that guides the discharged balls toward one of the ball return ports.

  Specific examples of means for solving the above problems will be described in correspondence with the embodiments of the invention and the notation of the drawings. In the following embodiments, the ball guiding member 15 corresponds to the ball guiding portion. The ball alignment member 53 corresponds to the ball alignment portion, and the alignment member attachment portion 14d corresponds to the first attachment portion. The counter mounting member 52 corresponds to the counter mounting portion, and the mounting member engaging portion 14c corresponds to the second mounting portion. A main body engaging claw 14e 'corresponds to the tank main body mounting portion. The counter mounting member 52 'corresponds to the other counter mounting portion, and the mounting member engaging hole 10h' corresponds to the third mounting portion.

First, according to the ball tank apparatus according to the means 1, the pachinko from any selected ball return port among the ball return ports respectively provided on the left and right ends in the longitudinal direction of the tank body by the action of the ball guiding unit. The balls can be sorted and returned, and can be returned without clogging the discharged balls. Therefore, for example, even when a game hall orders a large amount of ball tank devices, it is sufficient to order only one quantity of one kind of ball tank device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a ball tank apparatus. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the tank body, the internal support legs, the external support legs, and the support base. FIG. 3A is a partial plan view showing the tank body, and FIG. 3B is a front view thereof. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the ball guiding member, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional side view showing the mounting state of the ball guiding member. Fig.5 (a) is a perspective view showing a counter attachment member, FIG.5 (b) is a cross-sectional side view showing the attachment state of this counter attachment member. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the ball alignment member. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the mounting state of the ball guiding member, the counter mounting member, and the ball alignment member when the pachinko ball is returned to the right side. FIG. 8 is a front view showing the mounting state of the ball guiding member, the counter mounting member, and the ball alignment member when the pachinko ball is returned to the left side. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a tank body and a ball return chute according to a modification. FIG. 10A is a partial plan view showing the mounting state of the ball return chute, the counter mounting member, and the ball alignment member when the pachinko ball is returned to the right side in the tank body according to the modification. 10 (b) is a front view of the same. FIG. 11A is a partial plan view showing the mounting state of the ball return chute, the counter mounting member, and the ball alignment member when the pachinko ball is returned to the left side in the tank body according to the modification. 11 (b) is a front view of the same. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the internal support leg. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an external support leg. FIG. 14 is a sectional plan view showing the ball tank apparatus. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional front view showing the ball tank apparatus. FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional right side view showing the ball tank apparatus. 17A is a perspective view showing a scale and a mark for moving in the left-right direction, and a scale and mark for moving in the up-down direction, and FIG. 17B is a right side view showing the scale and the mark for moving in the front-rear direction. It is.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a pachinko machine 3 using a pachinko ball as a game medium will be described as an example of the gaming machine. In the following, as shown in FIG. 1, the ball collecting basket 5 side is the front, the pachinko machine 3 side is the rear, the width direction of the pachinko machine 3 (ie, the longitudinal direction of the amusement island) is the left-right direction, and the height direction. Is called the vertical direction, and the depth direction is called the front-back direction.

[1. Configuration of ball tank device]
First, the structure of the ball tank apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the ball tank apparatus 1 accepts pachinko balls (that is, discharged balls) discharged from the pachinko machine 3, and returns the discharged balls to the ball collecting basket 5 as shown in FIG. And a tank unit main body 10 ′ according to the modification shown in FIG. 9 are included. In the following, the ball tank apparatus 1 including the tank body 10 is mainly described, and the ball tank apparatus including the tank body 10 ′ according to the modification is different from the ball tank apparatus 1 including the tank body 10. Only the point will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ball tank device 1 is used by being attached to an installation base 2 inside the amusement island. Here, the installation table 2 is a table having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of pachinko machines 3 are attached in parallel to the surface side of the installation table 2 in the longitudinal direction. A ball discharge port 4 is provided in the approximate center of the back surface of the pachinko machine 3. Further, a support base 40 (described later) is fixed with a screw or the like behind the center of each pachinko machine 3 on the upper surface of the installation base 2 so that the tank body 10 (or 10 ') faces the ball outlet 4 and is long. A plurality of ball tank devices 1 are mounted in parallel across the direction. Further, at a position lower than the installation base 2 inside the amusement island, a ball collection basket 5 is provided which is disposed so as to be inclined downward from the left and right ends in the longitudinal direction toward the center.

  Also, the ball tank device 1 has ball return ports 13R and 13L (or tank portion main body 10 ′ as shown in FIG. 9) for returning the discharged balls received by the tank portion main body 10 toward the ball collecting basket 5. Are provided with ball return ports 13R ′, 13L ′) for returning the discharged balls received to the ball collecting basket 5. If there is no particular distinction between a plurality of ball return openings, they are simply referred to as “ball return openings 13” (or “ball return openings 13 '”).

  Further, the ball tank device 1 is provided with a counter mounting member 52 (or 52 '), which will be described later, and a ball alignment member 53. A box-shaped ball counter 50 for counting discharged balls returned from the ball return port 13 is attached to the counter mounting member 52 (or 52 ′). A bellows-shaped ball return pipe 51 for dampening the momentum of the passing pachinko balls is suspended.

  In this amusement island, pachinko balls flow as follows. First, the pachinko balls launched by the launching device of the pachinko machine 3 are driven into the game area of the pachinko machine 3 and taken into a winning opening or an out port provided in the game area. Next, the winning ball taken into the winning opening is dropped and discharged from the ball discharging port 4 of the pachinko machine 3 through a winning ball processing device that performs a process for paying out a prize ball. Further, the out ball taken into the out port is dropped and discharged from the ball discharge port 4 of the pachinko machine 3 as it is.

  Next, the pachinko balls dropped and discharged from the ball discharge port 4 (that is, discharged balls = winning balls + out balls) are received by the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) of the ball tank device 1, and the received pachinko balls are The pachinko balls returned and returned from the ball return port 13 are counted by the ball counting machine 50, and the counted pachinko balls are returned from the ball return tube 51 and collected by the ball collection basket 5.

  Then, the pachinko balls collected by the ball collecting basket 5 are polished and lifted by a ball polishing and lifting device (not shown) arranged at the center of the amusement island, and the pachinko machine 3 and a ball lending machine (shown) as required. Outside).

  In the gaming machine such as the pachinko machine 3, the discharge position of the discharged ball is different depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, the ball tank device 1 is attached to the installation base 2 or the gaming machine attached to the installation base 2 is different. When replacing with a manufacturer's one, the mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') that is the receiving position of the discharged ball can be adjusted according to the position of the ball discharge port 4 that is the discharging position of the discharged ball. There is a need.

  Therefore, in this ball tank apparatus 1, the position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') is adjusted by moving the tank body 10 (or 10') itself in three directions: left and right, up and down, and front and rear. Is possible. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the ball tank apparatus 1 mainly includes four parts of a tank body 10 (or 10 ′), an internal support leg 20, an external support leg 30, and a support base 40, of which Between two adjacent parts (that is, between the support base 40 and the external support leg 30, between the external support leg 30 and the internal support leg 20, and between the internal support leg 20 and the tank body 10 (or 10 ')). ), The position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) is adjusted in the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the front-rear direction.

  In addition, each component which comprises the ball tank apparatus 1 including these four components is shape | molded by the shape mentioned later with a hard synthetic resin etc., for example. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

[1-1. Configuration of tank body]
First, with reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 8, the tank part main body 10 and the structure relevant to it are demonstrated. The tank body 10 receives the balls discharged from the pachinko machine 3, and as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the upper surface is open here and has a horizontally long rectangular shape in plan view, And a bottomed container having a dish-like bottom plate.

  The recessed portion of the tank body 10 is a receiving portion 10a that receives the discharged balls. The inner bottom surface of the tank body 10 is inclined downward from the end of the tank body 10 toward the center as shown in FIG. 15, and from the rear of the tank body 10 as shown in FIG. The discharged balls received by the receiving portion 10a roll by their own weight and flow down toward a notch portion 10b described later.

  The tank body 10 has an inner bottom surface provided with three elastic plate mounting holes 10g having a reverse convex shape in plan view, and an elastic plate (not shown) such as a rubber sheet is attached to the elastic plate. It is laid and attached to the hole 10g to prevent the discharged ball from jumping up or generating an impact sound when receiving the discharged ball.

  As shown in FIG. 15, two plate-like fixed protrusions 10c, 10d, and 10e are sequentially provided on the lower surface of the tank body 10 so as to protrude vertically downward in the front-rear direction. . Here, the front and rear engaged portions for controlling the movement of the tank body 10 in the front-rear direction are provided in the fixed protrusions 10 c and 10 d in the front-rear direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17B, the front and rear guide grooves 11 that are rectangular in a side view and that constitute the front and rear engaged portions are formed in the fixed protrusion 10c over a predetermined range in the front and rear direction. Are drilled horizontally. A scale 80 for moving in the front-rear direction, which will be described later, is engraved horizontally outward in the front-rear direction on the fixed protrusion 10c. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a sawtooth rack 12 in a plan view that constitutes the front and rear engaged portions is provided on the fixed protrusion 10 d so as to extend horizontally inward in the front-rear direction. The teeth of the rack 12 are formed in an equilateral mountain shape. The fixed protrusion 10e is placed and supported on a placement support piece 24 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a notch 10 b is provided at the center of the front wall of the tank body 10 to allow the discharged balls received by the tank body 10 to flow toward a ball return portion 14 described later. ing. In addition, positioning notches 10f and 10f for fitting positioning protrusions 15f of a ball guiding member 15 described later are provided on both the left and right sides of the notch 10b on the front wall of the tank body 10.

  Further, in front of the tank body 10, there is a ball return section 14 provided with a plurality of ball return ports 13 </ b> R and 13 </ b> L for returning the discharged balls toward the ball collection basket 5 along the longitudinal direction of the tank body 10. Is provided. This ball return portion 14 has a front wall that has a mountain shape in front view, a rear wall that has a valley shape in front view, a side wall that continues to the front wall and the rear wall below the rear wall, and a bottom plate. This is a part provided integrally with the tank body 10 and to which a ball guiding member 15 described later is attached.

  The front wall of the ball return portion 14 is provided with positioning notches 14a and 14a for fitting positioning protrusions 15f of a ball guiding member 15 described later at positions facing the positioning notches 10f and 10f. ing. Further, the rear wall of the ball return unit 14 is continuous from the lower edge of the tank unit body 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the gap between the front wall and the rear wall in the front-rear direction is such that the ball guiding member 15 can be fitted exactly and only one pachinko ball can pass through. Is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the ball return portion 14 is provided with a plurality of ball return ports 13R and 13L on the left and right ends in the longitudinal direction (that is, on the left and right ends of the tank body 10 or in the vicinity thereof). ing. This ball return port 13R is a ball return port for returning right side for returning pachinko balls from the right side, and the ball return port 13L is a ball return port for returning left side for returning pachinko balls from the left side. is there.

  The bottom plate of the ball return unit 14 is provided with a plurality of dust drop openings 14b (seven in this case) in an intermittent manner, and the other part of the bottom plate is a mounting unit 14e. As shown also in FIG. 6, this mounting part 14e is formed in the position where the support part 15c of the ball | bowl guide member 15 mentioned later attached to the ball return part 14 is mounted, and FIG.7 and FIG. As shown also in FIG. 8, it forms in the left-right symmetric position so that it can respond | correspond when it changes the direction and the ball | bowl guide member 15 is attached.

  Here, the ball guiding member 15 is an example of a ball guiding unit, and guides the discharged ball toward one of the ball return ports 13 among the plurality of ball return ports 13R and 13L provided in the ball return unit 14. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, here, the ball return portion 14 is detachable, and by changing the mounting mode (specifically, the mounting direction), the discharged balls Is to determine the ball return opening 13 to be returned.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the ball guiding member 15 includes one upright portion 15a that is a base end side plate material and one square bar material that extends from the upright portion 15a toward the distal end side. Inclined portion 15b, a plurality of support portions 15c which are plates extending horizontally from appropriate portions on both left and right sides of inclined portion 15b and then extending downward, and both left and right sides of standing portion 15a Four elastic protrusions 15d extending downward from appropriate locations on both the left and right sides of the lower edge and the inclined portion 15b, and an inverted triangular shape protruding horizontally outward from the tip of each elastic protrusion 15d. It has a locking engagement claw 15e and two positioning protrusions 15f protruding horizontally outward from the upper left and right ends of the upright portion 15a.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the standing portion 15 a is configured such that in the state where the ball guiding member 15 is attached to the ball returning portion 14, the discharged balls that have flowed down from the notch portion 10 b of the tank body 10 are Sufficiently high so as to go to any selected ball return port 13 (for example, ball return port 13R), that is, not to go to an unselected ball return port 13 (for example, ball return port 13L) ( Here, it is formed at a height substantially equal to the height of the ball return portion 14.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the inclined portion 15 b is inclined when the ball discharged from the notch portion 10 b of the tank main body 10 is inclined when the ball guiding member 15 is attached to the ball returning portion 14. The length from the base end side to the tip end side is approximately equal to the length from the notch 10b to the ball return port 13 so as to roll on the portion 15b by its own weight and move toward the selected ball return port 13. Inclined downward with a predetermined inclination angle toward the surface.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the ball guiding member 15 positions the protruding piece 15f on either the left or right side with the tip side directed toward any selected ball return port 13. By fitting into the notches 10f and 14a and engaging the elastic protrusions 15d and the fixing engaging claws 15e with a predetermined dust drop opening 14b, they are fitted and attached inside the ball return portion 14.

  As shown in FIG. 3, mounting member engaging portions 14 c and 14 c are provided on the left and right ends of the front wall of the ball return portion 14 so as to protrude forward from the front wall. This attachment member engaging part 14c is an example of a second attachment part, and is for attaching a counter attachment member 52 to be described later corresponding to each of the ball return ports 13 of the plurality of ball return ports 13R, 13L. Here, the extending portion extending forward from the front wall of the ball return portion 14 and the engaging portion attached to the tip of the extended portion in parallel with being separated from the front wall of the ball return portion 14 It is a bar material that has a concave shape in plan view.

  Here, the counter mounting member 52 is an example of a counter mounting portion, and is used to mount the ball counter 50. As shown in FIG. The back plate 52a presenting, the one lower surface support portion 52b that extends forward from the lower edge of the back plate 52a and supports the lower surface of the ball counter 50, and the left and right edges of the back plate 52a toward the front. Two side support portions 52c that extend and support the left and right side surfaces of the ball counter 50, and a front surface that is provided parallel to the back plate 52a at the tip of each side support portion 52c and that locks the front surface of the ball counter 50 A locking claw 52d, two flexible portions 52e that bend and extend forward from the upper half of the back plate 52a, and an upper edge of each flexible portion 52e. It is provided in parallel with the lower surface support part 52b, and the ball counter 50 An upper surface locking claw 52f for locking the surface, an elastic protrusion 52g extending upward from the back surface of each flexible portion 52e, and a triangular shape protruding horizontally forward at the tip of each elastic protrusion 52g Main body engaging claw 52h.

  Here, the ball counter 50 is inserted from above the counter mounting member 52 in a state in which each flexible portion 52e is expanded by bending left and right, so that the lower surface is supported by the lower surface support portion 52b, and each side surface is The left and right side surfaces are supported by the support portion 52c, the front surface is locked by the front surface locking claws 52d, and the upper surface is locked by the upper surface locking claws 52f by returning the flexible portions 52e, and counting is performed. It is attached to the machine attachment member 52.

  The counter mounting member 52 to which the ball counter 50 is mounted is mounted from below on the mounting member engaging portion 14c corresponding to any selected ball return port 13R or 13L, as shown in FIG. ), The upper end of the back plate 52a is positioned on the back side of the mounting member engaging portion 14c, each elastic protrusion 52g is positioned on the front side of the mounting member engaging portion 14c, and each main body engaging claw 52h is mounted. By being hooked on the upper surface of the engaging portion in the member engaging portion 14c, the member engaging portion 14c is engaged with and attached to the tank portion main body 10. The counter attachment member 52 is positioned and attached so that the ball return port 13 and the ball flow passage (not shown) in the ball counter 50 match.

  As shown in FIG. 3, alignment member attachment portions 14 d and 14 d are provided on the left and right ends of the front wall of the ball return portion 14. The alignment member attachment portions 14d and 14d are an example of a first attachment portion, and are for attaching a ball alignment member 53 to be described later corresponding to each ball return port 13 of the plurality of ball return ports 13R and 13L. Here, in the front wall of the ball return portion 14, the portion between the two grooves formed downward from the upper edge exhibits a shape extending upward from the upper edge. A hole for pivotally supporting a ball alignment member 53 to be described later is formed.

  Here, the ball aligning member 53 is an example of a ball aligning portion, and is for aligning the discharged balls guided toward the ball return port 13. Here, as shown in FIG. It is the bar material formed in the inside of removably. The ball aligning member 53 is provided at the base end, and is provided at the tip 53 a shaft 53 a that pivotally supports the ball aligning member 53 around the horizontal axis. And a weight 53b that maintains the protruding state, and a hook-like portion 53c that is also formed at the distal end and suppresses the flow of the pachinko balls in the protruding state.

  The ball alignment member 53 is mounted from above on the alignment member mounting portion 14d corresponding to any selected ball return port 13R or 13L, and the shaft 53a is inserted into a hole formed in the alignment member mounting portion 14d. By loosely fitting, it is engaged with the attachment member engaging portion 14c and attached to the tank portion main body 10.

  In the ball tank device 1 including the tank body 10 described above, depending on the mounting position of the ball tank device 1, a plurality of ball return ports 13 (here, two ball return ports 13R and 13L) are used. By selecting the ball return port 13, the pachinko balls can be sorted and returned from any selected ball return port 13.

  Specifically, for example, when the pachinko machine 3 is located near the left end of the amusement island (that is, the left end of the amusement island or in the vicinity thereof), as shown in FIG. The mouth counter 15 is selected, and the ball guide member 15 is attached to the ball return portion 14 with the tip side facing the ball return port 13R, and accordingly, the ball counter 50 is positioned so that the ball return pipe 51 is located on the right side. Is mounted on the counter mounting member 52, the counter mounting member 52 is mounted on the right mounting member engaging portion 14c corresponding to the ball return port 13R, and the ball alignment member 53 is aligned on the right side corresponding to the ball return port 13R. By installing the ball tank device 1 attached to the member attaching portion 14d on the installation base 2, the pachinko balls can be returned from the ball return port 13R for returning the right side. Hanging ball return tube 1, it is possible to widen the gap S between the balls collecting trough 5 that inclined downward toward the right, it can return without clogging the pachinko ball.

  Further, for example, when the pachinko machine 3 is located near the right end of the game island (that is, the right end of the game island or the vicinity thereof), as shown in FIG. The ball guide member 15 is attached to the ball return portion 14 with the front end side of the ball guide member 15 facing the ball return port 13L, and accordingly, the ball return tube 51 is positioned on the left side (that is, compared with FIG. 7). The ball counter 50 (rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis) is attached to the counter attachment member 52, and the counter attachment member 52 is attached to the left attachment member engaging portion 14c corresponding to the ball return port 13L. In addition, by installing the ball tank device 1 in a state in which the ball alignment member 53 is attached to the left alignment member attachment portion 14d corresponding to the ball return port 13L on the installation base 2, the ball return port for returning the pachinko balls to the left side Return from 13L In that case, since the clearance S between the ball return pipe 51 suspended from the ball counter 50 and the ball collection basket 5 inclined downward toward the left side can be widened, the pachinko balls are clogged. It can be returned without

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, a tank body 10 ′ according to a modification and a configuration related thereto will be described. The tank body 10 'receives the balls discharged from the pachinko machine 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the tank body 10' has an open top surface and a horizontally long rectangular shape in plan view as shown in FIG. And a bottomed container having a dish-like bottom plate in a front view.

  Compared with the tank body 10, the tank body 10 ′ includes the receiving portion 10 a, the notch 10 b, the fixed protrusion 10 c, the fixed protrusion 10 d, the fixed protrusion 10 e, the elastic plate mounting hole 10 g, front and rear While having the guide groove 11 and the rack 12, it does not have the ball return portion 14 provided with the positioning cut 10f and the ball return port 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A, the notch 10b of the tank body 10 ′ is provided with an extending bottom plate in such a manner that the bottom plate extends forward from the front wall. ing. The extended bottom plate is for surely letting the discharged balls received by the tank body 10 'flow down to the ball receiving areas 14R' and 14L 'described later.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 11 (a), chute engagement is performed on both the left and right sides of the notch 10b on the front wall of the tank body 10 'so as to protrude forward from the front wall. Portions 10i ′ and 10i ′ are provided. This chute engaging portion 10i 'is for attaching a ball return chute 14' to be described later, and is a plate material having a concave shape in plan view.

  A ball return chute 14 'is provided in front of the tank body 10' as shown in FIGS. The ball return chute 14 ′ includes ball receiving areas 14 R ′ and 14 L ′ for receiving the discharged balls received in the tank body 10 ′, and a ball return for returning the discharged balls to the ball collecting basket 5. It is provided with mouths 13R ′ and 13L ′ and is detachable from the tank body 10 ′.

  This ball return chute 14 'is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the tank body 10' from the base end communicating with the notch 10b of the tank body 10 '(see FIG. 9). Right side) and has a partition wall 14a 'parallel to the longitudinal direction, and two guide paths 15R' parallel to the front and rear with the partition wall 14a 'as a boundary. 15L ′. The guide path 15R 'is a right-hand return path for returning the pachinko balls from the right side. Similarly, the guide path 15L' is a left-hand return path for returning the pachinko balls from the left side.

  A right return ball return port 13R ′ is provided on the front end portion of the bottom plate of the right return guide passage 15R ′, and similarly, on the left end of the bottom plate of the left return guide passage 15L ′, A ball return opening 13L ′ for return is provided. The widths of the guide paths 15R 'and 15L' are formed such that only one pachinko ball can pass through.

  Further, a ball receiving area 14R ′ for returning the right side is provided on the base end side of the side wall of the right-side return guideway 15R ′, and similarly, on the base end part of the side wall of the left-side return guideway 15L ′. A ball receiving area 14L ′ for returning the left side is provided. The ball receiving areas 14R 'and 14L' are cutouts having a rectangular shape in front view having a width substantially equal to the cutout part 10b of the tank body 10 '.

  The ball return chute 14 'is provided with a plurality of main body engaging claws 14e' which are an example of a tank part main body attaching part for attaching the ball return chute 14 'to the tank part main body 10'. Specifically, on the front wall of the ball return chute 14 ', a pair of left and right body engaging claws 14e' and 14e 'are provided at locations facing the pair of left and right chute engaging portions 10i' and 10i '. Similarly, a pair of left and right main body engaging claws 14e 'and 14e' are provided on the rear wall of the ball return chute 14 '.

  That is, in this ball return chute 14 ′, a plurality of ball receiving areas 14R ′ and 14L ′ (here, two in front and rear) are provided, and the ball receiving areas 14R ′ corresponding to the ball receiving areas 14R ′ and 14L ′. , 14L ′, and ball return openings 13R ′, 13L ′ are provided corresponding to the ball receiving areas 14R ′, 14L ′. The ball receiving areas 14R ′, 14L ′ and the ball return openings 13R ′, 13L ′ are provided. Guide paths 15R ′ and 15L ′ are provided.

  Here, the main body engaging claw 14e ′ is a plate material that extends horizontally from the front wall and the rear wall and then bends and extends downward. The main body engaging claw 14e ′ is a chute engaging member. By engaging with the portion 10i ′ from above, the ball return chute 14 ′ is engaged and attached in front of the tank body 10 ′.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B, the bottom plate of the ball return chute 14 ′ has a tank return body 14 ′ attached to the tank main body 10 ′. The discharged balls that have flowed down from the notch 10b roll down with a predetermined inclination angle from the base end side toward the tip end side so as to roll on the bottom plate due to their own weight toward the ball return port 13 ′. It is formed. A plurality of dust drop openings (not shown) are provided intermittently on the bottom plate of the ball return chute 14 '.

  Further, the partition wall 14a ′ of the ball return chute 14 ′ has a tank portion main body in a state in which the ball return chute 14 ′ is attached to the tank portion main body 10 ′ as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 11 (a). The discharged balls received by 10 ′ are received by the ball receiving area 14 ′ (here, the ball receiving area 14R ′) communicating with any selected ball return opening 13 ′ (for example, the ball return opening 13R ′). That is, the height is sufficiently high so that it is not received by the ball receiving area 14 ′ (here, the ball receiving area 14 L ′) communicating with the unselected ball return opening 13 ′ (for example, the ball return opening 13 L ′). It is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, an alignment member attaching portion 14d 'is provided on the tip end side of the partition wall 14a' of the ball return chute 14 '. The alignment member attachment portion 14d 'is for attaching the ball alignment member 53, and has the same shape as the alignment member attachment portion 14d.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 (b) and 11 (b), on the left and right ends of the extended front wall in which the front wall of the tank body 10 'extends downward, the mounting member engaging hole 10h 'and 10h' are provided. The attachment member engagement hole 10h 'is an example of a third attachment portion, and is for attaching a counter attachment member 52' to be described later corresponding to the position of the ball return port 13 '.

  Here, the counter mounting member 52 ′ is an example of a counter mounting portion, and is for mounting the ball counter 50. Unlike the counter mounting member 52, the counter mounting member 52 ′ is mounted on the back side of the ball counter 50. It is attached from the back side to the attachment member engagement hole 10h ′ corresponding to the position of any selected ball return port 13 ′.

  In the ball tank device including the tank body 10 ′ according to the modified example described above, the body engagement claw 14e ′ attached to the tank body 10 is selected according to the attachment position of the ball tank device, thereby discharging. The position (in this case, the right side or the left side) of the ball return port 13 ′ where the balls are returned is changed, and the pachinko balls can be sorted and returned from the position of any selected ball return port 13 ′.

  Specifically, for example, when the pachinko machine 3 is located near the left end of the game island (that is, the left end of the game island or the vicinity thereof), the right side is selected as the position of the ball return port 13 ′ as shown in FIG. The ball return chute 14 ′ is attached to the tank body 10 ′ with the tip end side facing the right side so that the cutout portion 10b and the right return ball receiving area 14R ′ communicate with each other. The ball counter 50 is attached to the counter attachment member 52 ′ so that the return pipe 51 is located on the right side, the counter attachment member 52 ′ is attached to the right attachment member engaging hole 10h ′, and the ball alignment member 53 is attached to the counter attachment member 52 ′. By installing a ball tank device mounted on the alignment member mounting portion 14d ′ so as to be able to move in and out of the right-side return guideway 15R ′, the pachinko ball is returned to the right return ball. Return from mouth 13R ' In that case, since the clearance S between the ball return pipe 51 suspended from the ball counter 50 and the ball collection basket 5 inclined downward toward the right side can be widened, the pachinko ball Can be returned without clogging.

  Further, for example, when the pachinko machine 3 is located near the right end of the game island (that is, the right end of the game island or the vicinity thereof), as shown in FIG. The ball return chute 14 ′ is attached to the tank body 10 ′ with the tip of the ball return chute 14 ′ facing left so that the portion 10 b and the ball receiving area 14 L ′ for return on the left side communicate with each other. Is mounted on the counter mounting member 52 ′ so that the counter is located on the left side (ie, rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis compared to FIG. 10). The ball tank device is installed in the mounting member engaging hole 10h ′ and mounted in the alignment member mounting portion 14d ′ so that the ball alignment member 53 can be moved into and out of the left return guide path 15L ′. By installing on stand 2 The pachinko ball can be returned from the ball return port 13L ′ for returning the left side. At that time, the ball return pipe 51 suspended from the ball counter 50 and the ball collection basket 5 inclined downward toward the left side. Can be widened, so it can be returned without clogging pachinko balls.

[1-2. Configuration of internal support legs]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, the internal support leg 20 constitutes a support leg that supports the tank body 10 (or 10 ′). Here, the internal support leg 20 is a rectangular hollow cylinder having an open upper surface and a lower surface. is there. Two L-shaped elastic protrusions 20 a are provided on the left and right peripheral walls at the top of the internal support leg 20 so as to protrude outward. Further, on the left and right peripheral walls in the upper part of the internal support leg 20, a portion between the elastic protrusions 20a and 20a is a plate-like flexible piece 20b. Further, in the left and right peripheral walls of the internal support leg 20, a portion between two grooves formed upward from the lower edge is a plate-like flexible piece 20c. Further, on the front and rear peripheral walls at the upper part of the internal support leg 20, plate-like placement support pieces 24 are provided so as to project horizontally outward.

  The elastic projection piece 20a and the flexible piece 20b are provided with a front / rear engaging portion for controlling the movement of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') in the front / rear direction. Specifically, a front and rear guide claw 21 having a triangular shape in front view that constitutes the front and rear engaging portion is provided at the front end of the elastic protruding piece 20 a so as to protrude horizontally outward so as to engage with the front and rear guide groove 11. ing. The front / rear guide claw 21 is also provided with a mark 81 for moving in the front / rear direction, which will be described later. In addition, a crown-like engagement claw 22 in a plan view that constitutes the front-rear engagement portion is provided on the distal end portion of the flexible piece 20 b so as to protrude horizontally outward so as to engage with the rack 12.

  The flexible piece 20c is provided with a vertical engagement portion that controls the vertical movement of the tank body 10 (or 10 '). Specifically, a vertical engagement guide claw 23 that constitutes a vertical engagement portion protrudes horizontally at the tip of the flexible piece 20c so as to engage with a vertical engagement guide groove 33 described later. ing. The vertical engagement guide claw 23 has a shape that engages with a wide groove 33a to be described later, for example, a base-side wide portion 23a and a distal-side narrow portion 23b are formed in a convex shape in plan view. The vertical engagement guide claw 23 is also engraved with a mark 71 for vertical movement described later. The placement support piece 24 is for placing and supporting the fixed protrusion 10e.

[1-3. Configuration of external support legs]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 13, the external support leg 30 is externally fitted to the internal support leg 20 at the time of assembly, and constitutes a support leg that supports the tank body 10 (or 10 ′). Then, it is a rectangular bottomed cylinder having an open top surface and a raised bottom that is convex in a front view.

  A left and right engaging portion that controls the movement of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) in the left and right direction is provided at the lower portion of the external support leg 30. Specifically, on the front and rear peripheral walls of the external support leg 30, a portion between two grooves formed upward from the lower edge is further extended vertically downward to form a plate-like elastic protruding piece. The left and right guide claws 31 having an inverted triangle shape when viewed from the side constituting the left and right engaging portions are engaged with the left and right guide grooves 41, which will be described later. Projected in the direction. In the center of the peripheral wall before and after the external support leg 30, a mark 61 for lateral movement described later is formed. In addition, a pair of curved plate-like sandwiching pieces 32a projecting vertically downward in the left-right direction at the center of the lower surface of the external support leg 30, and this sandwiching piece 32a is a fitting that forms a left-right engaging portion. A joint recess 32 is provided.

  On the side portion of the external support leg 30, a vertically engaged portion that controls the vertical movement of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) is provided in the vertical direction. Specifically, upper and lower engagement guide grooves 33 constituting the upper and lower engaged portions are formed in the left and right peripheral walls of the external support leg 30 vertically in a predetermined range in the vertical direction. The vertical engagement guide groove 33 has a shape in which a plurality (three in this case) wide grooves 33a and a plurality (two in this case) narrow grooves 33b are alternately arranged in an elevational view (here, “king” "Shaped"). In addition, in the vicinity of the vertical engagement guide groove 33, a scale 70 for moving in the vertical direction, which will be described later, is engraved on the left and right peripheral walls of the external support leg 30 in the vertical direction.

[1-4. Structure of support base]
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 14 to 16, the support base 40 supports the support legs (that is, the internal support legs 20 and the external support legs 30). It is a rectangular bottomed box having a bottom. Screw holes 40a are formed in the upper surfaces of the support base 40 on the left and right sides, and through which screws for attaching the support base 40 to the installation base 2 are inserted.

  On the upper surface of the support base 40, left and right engaged portions for controlling the movement of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') in the left-right direction are provided in the left-right direction. Specifically, left and right guide grooves 41 that are rectangular in a plan view that constitute the left and right engaged portions are formed horizontally on a top surface of the support base 40 in the front and rear directions over a predetermined range in the left and right direction. . Further, on the bottom surface at the center of the support base 40, a fitting convex portion 42 constituting a left and right engaged portion is provided so as to protrude intermittently in the left and right direction. The fitting protrusions 42 are a plurality of (in this case, nine) protrusions 42a that protrude intermittently from the bottom surface of the support base 40 at regular intervals and a connecting piece 42b that connects the protrusions 42a. Consists of. In the vicinity of the left and right guide grooves 41 and the fitting convex portion 42, a scale 60 for moving in the left and right direction, which will be described later, is engraved on the upper surface of the support base 40 in the left and right direction.

[1-5. Structure of scale and mark]
As described above, the ball tank apparatus 1 has the scales 60, 70, 80 that can grasp the mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′), and marks 61, 71, 81 indicating the scales. In addition, when these scales and marks are removed from the installation table 2, the scales and the marks are provided at positions where an operator who moves the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) and adjusts the mounting position can visually recognize it. preferable.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, the scale 60 for moving in the left-right direction is displayed on the support base 40 and can grasp the mounting position in the left-right direction of the tank body 10 (or 10 '). Specifically, the scale 60 is engraved on the upper surface of the support base 40 in the vicinity of the left and right guide grooves 41 and the fitting projections 42 in the left-right direction. The scale 60 is a nine-step number “+4, +3, +2, +1, 0, −1, −2, −3, −4” in order from the left side so as to correspond to the positions of the plurality of protrusions 42a. Is displayed in a format in which the center position (here, “0”) of the range in which the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) can move can be grasped.

  On the other hand, the mark 61 for moving in the left-right direction is displayed on the external support leg 30 and indicates the scale 60 as shown in FIGS. Specifically, the mark 61 is engraved as a downward arrow at the center of the peripheral wall before and after the external support leg 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 17A, the scale 70 for moving in the vertical direction is displayed on the external support leg 30 and can grasp the vertical mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′). It is. Specifically, the scale 70 is engraved in the vertical direction on the left and right peripheral walls of the external support leg 30 in the vicinity of the vertical engagement guide groove 33. In this scale 70, three levels of Chinese characters “upper, middle, lower” are displayed in order from the upper side so as to correspond to the positions of the plurality of wide grooves 33a, and the tank body 10 (or 10 ′). Is displayed in a format in which the center position (in this case, “middle”) of the movable range can be grasped.

  On the other hand, the mark 71 for moving in the vertical direction is displayed on the internal support leg 20 and indicates the scale 70 as shown in FIGS. Specifically, the mark 71 is engraved on the vertical engagement guide claw 23 as a horizontal arrow. It is also possible to use the vertical engagement guide claw 23 itself as a mark and omit the mark 71.

  As shown in FIG. 17B, the scale 80 for moving in the front-rear direction is displayed on the tank unit body 10 (or 10 ′) and can grasp the mounting position in the front-rear direction of the tank unit body 10 (or 10 ′). Is something. Specifically, the scale 80 protrudes on the lower surface of the tank body 10 (or 10 '), and is horizontally outward in the front-rear direction on the lower side of the fixed protrusion 10c in which the front-rear guide groove 11 is formed. It is carved in. The scale 80 displays 12 alphabetic characters “A, B, C..., J, K, L” in order from the rear so as to correspond to the position of an arbitrary tooth on the rack 12.

  On the other hand, the mark 81 for moving in the front-rear direction is displayed on the internal support leg 20 and indicates the scale 80 as shown in FIGS. Specifically, the mark 81 is engraved as a downward arrow on the front and rear guide claws 21 on the pachinko machine 3 side.

  By having these scales 60, 70, 80 and marks 61, 71, 81, the operator can easily and accurately grasp the mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′). Further, the tank unit body 10 (or 10 ') is moved in a predetermined direction based on these scales and marks (while viewing, touching, etc.), so that the tank unit body 10 ( Alternatively, the mounting position 10 ') can be easily and accurately grasped, and therefore, the work does not require more time than necessary. The scales 60 and 70 do not necessarily need to be displayed in a format that allows the center position to be grasped. Conversely, the scale 80 may be displayed in a form that allows the center position to be grasped.

[1-6. Assembly of ball tank device]
The ball tank apparatus 1 is configured by assembling the respective components as follows.

  First, as shown in FIG. 16, when the external support leg 30 is pushed into the support base 40, the support base 40 and the external support leg 30 return to the original position after the front and rear elastic protrusions 30a are bent inward. Returning, the left and right guide claws 31 engage with the left and right guide grooves 41, and the fitting recess 32 fits into the fitting protrusion 42. Thereby, the external support legs 30 are placed and supported on the support base 40, and both are assembled so as to be movable in the left-right direction while restraining the movement in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, when the left and right flexible pieces 20 c are bent inward, the external support legs 30 and the internal support legs 20 are pushed into the external support legs 30. The left and right flexible pieces 20c return to their original positions, and the wide portion 23a of the vertical engagement guide claw 23 engages with the wide groove 33a of the vertical engagement guide groove 33. As a result, the outer support leg 30 is externally fitted to the inner support leg 20, and both are assembled so as to be movable in the vertical direction while restraining the movement in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the internal support leg 20 and the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) are elastic left and right elastic pieces when the internal support leg 20 is pushed into the tank body 10 (or 10 ′). After 20a bends inward, it returns to its original position, the front and rear guide claws 21 engage with the front and rear guide grooves 11, and the engagement claws 22 engage with the rack 12. Accordingly, the tank body 10 (or 10 ') is placed and supported on the internal support leg 20, and both are assembled so as to be movable in the front-rear direction while restricting the movement in the left-right direction and the up-down direction.

  Furthermore, in the ball tank apparatus 1 provided with the tank part main body 10, as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, it is the aspect corresponding to any arbitrary ball | bowl return port 13R or 13L selected, and the ball | bowl guide member 15, ball | bowl count In the ball tank apparatus to which the counter mounting member 52 to which the machine 50 is attached and the ball alignment member 53 are respectively attached and the tank unit body 10 ′ according to the modification is provided, as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. The ball return chute 14 ′, the counter mounting member 52 ′ to which the ball counter 50 is mounted, and the ball aligning member 53 are mounted in a manner corresponding to the position of any selected ball return port 13 ′. .

  The ball tank apparatus 1 assembled as described above is installed on the installation base 2 by adjusting the position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') itself and fixing the support base 40 with screws or the like. Attached to. In addition, the order which assembles each said component is arbitrary. The ball tank device 1 may be disassembled in the reverse order of assembly. Since each component is independent in this ball tank apparatus 1, maintenance of each component and component replacement can be performed easily.

  As shown in the figure, each part has a longer engagement portion than an engagement portion, that is, the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) is longer than the internal support leg 20 in the front and rear depths. It is sufficient that the support base 40 is longer than the external support leg 30 in the left and right widths, and other dimensions are arbitrary.

[2. Action of ball tank device]
Next, the operation of the ball tank apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described. In the following, the position adjustment of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') will be described first, and then the receiving and returning of the discharged balls will be described.

[2-1. Adjustment of tank body position]
First, the horizontal adjustment of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') is performed by moving the external support leg 30 with respect to the support base 40 as shown mainly in FIG. This is done by changing the engagement position of the left and right engagement portions with respect to the engagement portion. Specifically, when the operator pushes the external support leg 30 leftward or rightward, the sandwiching piece 32a bends outward and comes off the projection 42a, and the sandwiching piece 32a holds the connection piece 42b while holding the connection piece 42b. The support leg 30 moves, and the clamping piece 32a is fitted to the protrusion 42a at a desired position.

  That is, since the outer support leg 30 is fixed to the support base 40 by fitting the fitting recesses 32 into the plurality of fitting projections 42 projecting intermittently, the position adjustment in the left-right direction is gradually performed. Is done. At this time, since the outer support leg 30 moves while the left and right guide claws 31 slide inside the left and right guide grooves 41, the position adjustment in the left and right direction is performed within a predetermined range without shaking in the other direction. Is called. Further, when the operator performs the moving operation while looking at the scale 60 and the mark 61 for moving in the left-right direction, the position is adjusted while grasping the mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ').

  Further, the vertical position adjustment of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') is mainly performed by moving the internal support leg 20 with respect to the external support leg 30 as shown in FIG. This is done by changing the engaging position of the upper and lower engaging portions with respect to the engaged portion. Specifically, when the operator picks the narrow portion 23b and bends the left and right flexible pieces 20c inwardly (see the phantom line), the wide portion 23a is disengaged from the wide groove 33a, and the internal support leg 20 is removed. When moving upward or downward, the inner support leg 20 moves while the narrow portion 23b slides inside the narrow groove 33b. The bending piece 20c returns to the original position (see the solid line), and the wide portion 23a engages with the wide groove 33a.

  That is, the wide support portion 23a of the vertically engaged guide claw 23 in the protruding state engages with the wide groove 33a of the vertically engaged guide groove 33, so that the internal support leg 20 is fixed to the external support leg 30. In addition, the vertical position adjustment is performed. At this time, the inner support leg 20 moves while the upper and lower engagement guide claws 23 slide in the upper and lower engagement guide grooves 33, so that the upper and lower engagement guide claws 23 do not move in the other direction within a predetermined range. Position adjustment is performed. Further, when the operator performs the moving operation while looking at the scale 70 and the mark 71 for moving in the vertical direction, the position is adjusted while grasping the mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ').

  Further, the position adjustment of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) in the front-rear direction is mainly performed as shown in FIG. 16 (supplementally FIG. 14) with respect to the internal support leg 20. And the engagement position of the front / rear engaged portion is changed with respect to the front / rear engaging portion. Specifically, when the worker pushes the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) forward or backward, the flexible piece 20b bends inward and the engaging claw 22 is disengaged from the teeth of the rack 12. The tank body 10 (or 10 ') moves while the engaging claws 22 are sequentially engaged with the teeth of the rack 12, and the engaging claws 22 are engaged with the teeth of the rack 12 at a desired position.

  That is, since the tank main body 10 (or 10 ') moves while the engaging claw 22 engages with the teeth of the sawtooth rack 12, the position adjustment in the front-rear direction is performed stepwise. In addition, since the teeth of the rack 12 are formed in an equilateral mountain shape, the position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') can be easily adjusted in any of the front and rear directions. At this time, the tank body 10 (or 10 ') moves while the front / rear guide claw 21 slides in the front / rear guide groove 11, so that the front / rear direction does not shake in the other direction within a predetermined range. The position is adjusted. Further, when the operator performs the moving operation while looking at the scale 80 and the mark 81 for moving in the front-rear direction, the position is adjusted while grasping the mounting position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ').

  By such an operation, when the worker first attaches the ball tank apparatus 1 to the installation base 2 or replaces the pachinko machine 3 attached to the installation base with one of a different manufacturer, FIG. 14 to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) itself can be moved to the position of the imaginary line at the maximum. Each position can be easily adjusted independently. At this time, if an operation is performed based on the scales 60, 70, 80 and the marks 61, 71, 81 (while looking, touching, etc.), a desired mounting position can be easily and accurately grasped.

[2-2. Acceptance and return of discharged balls]
As described above, the position of the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) itself is adjusted, and as shown in FIG. 1, in the ball tank device 1 attached to the installation base 2, the ball discharge port 4 of the pachinko machine 3 is used. Pachinko balls that are dropped and discharged from the tank (that is, discharged balls) are received by the tank body 10 (or 10 '). Here, the inner bottom surface of the tank body 10 (or 10 ') is inclined downward in a dish shape in the direction from the end to the center of the tank body 10 (or 10') and in the direction from the rear to the front. Therefore, the pachinko balls received by the receiving part 10a roll by their own weight and are smoothly guided toward the notch part 10b.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, when the ball return port 13 </ b> R for the right return is selected in the ball tank device 1 including the tank body 10, the pachinko balls that have flowed down from the notch 10 b are returned as balls. While being regulated by the front wall and the rear wall of the portion 14, it rolls on the inclined portion 15 b of the ball guiding member 15 by its own weight and is guided to the portion of the ball alignment member 53, and is aligned in a row by the action of the ball alignment member 53 described later. Arranged and returned from the ball return opening 13R. In addition, since the direction which goes to the ball return opening 13L for the left side return which is not selected is closed by the standing part 15a, the pachinko ball which flowed down from the notch part 10b does not go to the ball return opening 13L. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, the dust adhering to the pachinko ball falls through the gap of the support portion 15c and the dust drop opening 14b.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, when the ball return port 13L for left side return is selected with the ball tank apparatus 1 provided with the tank part main body 10, the pachinko ball flowed down from the notch part 10b is a ball return part. While being regulated by the front wall 14 and the rear wall 14, it rolls by its own weight on the inclined portion 15 b of the ball guide member 15 and is guided to the portion of the ball alignment member 53, and is aligned in a row by the action of the ball alignment member 53 described later. And returned from the ball return opening 13L. In addition, since the direction which goes to the ball return port 13R for the right side return which is not selected is closed by the standing part 15a, the pachinko ball which flowed down from the notch part 10b does not go to this ball return port 13R. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, the dust adhering to the pachinko ball falls through the gap of the support portion 15c and the dust drop opening 14b.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the right side is selected as the position of the ball return port 13 ′ in the ball tank apparatus including the tank body 10 ′ according to the modification, the pachinko that has flowed down from the notch portion 10b. The balls are received from the ball receiving area 14R ′ for returning the right side, are rolled by their own weight on the bottom plate of the guide path 15R ′ for returning the right side, are guided to the position of the ball aligning member 53, and are described later. Are arranged in a line by the action of and are returned from the ball return port 13R ′ for right return. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10A, the left-side return ball receiving area 14L ′, the guide path 15L ′, and the ball return port 13L ′, which are located on the front side of the partition wall 14a ′, Not used. Moreover, the dust adhering to the pachinko ball passes through the dust outlet (not shown) and falls.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11, when the left side is selected as the position of the ball return port 13 ′ in the ball tank device including the tank unit body 10 ′ according to the modification, the pachinko balls that have flowed down from the notch 10b. Is received from the ball receiving area 14L ′ for returning the left side, and rolls by its own weight on the bottom plate of the guide path 15L ′ for returning the left side, and is guided to the part of the ball aligning member 53. They are arranged in a line by the action and returned from the ball return opening 13L ′ for returning on the left side. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the ball receiving area 14R ′ for right return, the guide path 15R ′, and the ball return port 13R ′ located on the front side of the partition wall 14a ′ are Not used. Moreover, the dust adhering to the pachinko ball passes through the dust outlet (not shown) and falls.

  Next, the operation of the ball alignment member 53 in each case will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko balls at the part of the ball alignment member 53 are aligned in a line in a plan view, but may be stacked in two upper and lower stages in an elevation view. In such a case, the leading pachinko ball is restrained by the bowl-shaped portion 53c of the ball alignment member 53 in a protruding state represented by a solid line, but is restrained when the number of pachinko balls increases and the pressing force increases. The leading pachinko ball swings in the retracted state where the ball alignment member 53 is represented by a virtual line, and passes through the portion of the ball alignment member 53. The ball alignment member 53 returns to the protruding state from the retracted state by the weight 53b after the leading pachinko ball has passed, and suppresses the next pachinko ball. Accordingly, the pachinko balls pass through the portions of the ball aligning member 53 one by one by the action of the ball aligning member 53 that moves in and out, so that the pachinko balls are aligned in a row even in an elevational view.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, or FIG. 11, pachinko balls arranged in a row are returned from the selected ball return port 13 or 13 ', and the returned pachinko balls are ball counters. The pachinko balls counted by 50 are returned from the bellows-shaped ball return pipe 51 and collected by the ball collection basket 5. Here, since the clearance S between the ball return pipe 51 and the ball collection basket 5 is sufficiently wide, it can be returned without clogging the pachinko balls.

[3. Variation of ball tank device]
Finally, a modified example of the ball tank apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described.

  First, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the support base 40 supports the external support leg 30 and the internal support leg 20 supports the tank body 10 (or 10 ′) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. On the contrary, the support base can support the internal support legs, and the external support legs can support the tank body. Moreover, it is also possible to comprise so that the engaging part and engaged part which are provided in each component may be reverse.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the lower surface of the support base 40 is formed horizontally has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, when the installation base 2 is inclined in the front-rear direction, the tank It is also possible to configure the lower surface of the support base 40 to be inclined in the front-rear direction in accordance with the inclination of the installation base 2 so that the part main body 10 (or 10 ′) is kept horizontal.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the ball guiding means is the ball guiding member 15 that can be attached to and detached from the ball return unit 14 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the ball guiding means is a ball. A rotating member that can be rotated around a horizontal axis with respect to the return part, and a ball to which discharged balls are returned by rotating the rotating member or guiding a pachinko ball by magnetic force. It is also possible to configure so as to determine the return port 13.

  Further, in the above embodiment, in the ball return chute 14 ′, the ball return port 13R ′ and the guideway 15R ′ for returning right side, and the ball return port 13L ′ and the guideway 15L ′ for returning left side are separately provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the right-side return guidance path 15R ′ and the left-side return guidance path 15L ′ are arranged from the ball receiving areas 14R ′ and 14L ′ to the tip portions. It is also possible to form an integrated passage at a point advanced for a while toward the side, and a single ball return opening is provided on the tip end side of the integrated passage. In other words, the ball return chute 14 ′ does not necessarily include a plurality of ball return openings and a plurality of guide paths.

  In the above embodiment, in the ball return chute 14 ′, the guide path 15R ′ communicating with the right-side return ball receiving area 14R ′ and the left-side return ball receiving area 14L ′ at the partition wall 14a ′. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball receiving area 14R ′ for returning the right side and the ball receiving area 14L ′ for returning the left side are described. For example, when a discharged ball is received from the ball receiving area 14R ′ for returning the right side, the discharged ball is received from the ball receiving area 14L ′ for returning the left side. When the ball receiving area 14L ′ is closed by a closing member so as not to jump out, and when the discharged balls are received from the ball receiving area 14L ′ for returning the left side, the ball receiving area 14R ′ for returning the right side is used. It is also possible payout is configured to close the closing member the 該玉 receiving area 14R 'so as not to jump out. In this case, the closing member for closing the left side and the closing member for closing the right side are common.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the counter mounting member 52 or 52 ′ is attached to and detached from the mounting portion and the mounting position is changed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. It is also possible to configure so that 52 or 52 ′ is slid in the longitudinal direction to change the mounting position.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the direction in which the discharged balls are returned is the right side or the left side and the plurality is “two”, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the discharged balls are in other directions. It can also be configured to be returned. In this case, the plurality is “two or more”.

  Note that the gaming machine is not limited to the pachinko machine 3 that uses a pachinko ball as a game medium, and may be any gaming machine that uses a ball to play a game. For example, a ball game machine such as an arrangement ball or a pinball may be used. It may be a slot machine (so-called pachilot) or the like for playing games.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ball tank apparatus 2 ... Installation stand 3 ... Pachinko machine 4 ... Ball discharge port 5 ... Ball collection bowl 10 ... Tank part main body 10a ... Receiving part 10b ... Notch part 10c ... Fixed protrusion 10d ... Fixed protrusion 10e ... Fixed protrusion Piece 10f ... Positioning cut 10g ... Elastic plate attachment hole 11 ... Front / rear guide groove 12 ... Rack 13R ... Ball return opening 13L (for right return) 13L ... Ball return opening 14 ... Ball return section 14a ... Positioning notch 14b ... Dust dropping port 14c ... Mounting member engaging portion 14d ... Aligning member mounting portion 14e ... Placement portion 15 ... Ball guiding member 15a ... Standing portion 15b ... Inclined portion 15c ... Supporting portion 15d ... Elastic protrusion 15e ... Fixing engagement claw 15f ... positioning protrusion 20 ... internal support leg 20a ... elastic protrusion 20b ... flexible piece 20c ... flexible piece 21 ... front and rear guide claw 22 ... engagement claw 23 ... vertical engagement guide claw 2 3a ... Wide part 23b ... Narrow part 24 ... Placement support piece 30 ... External support leg 30a ... Elastic protrusion 31 ... Left and right guide claw 32 ... Fitting recess 32a ... Holding piece 33 ... Vertical engagement guide groove 33a ... Wide groove 33b ... narrow groove 40 ... support base 40a ... screw hole 41 ... left and right guide groove 42 ... fitting convex part 42a ... projection 42b ... connection piece 50 ... ball counter 51 ... ball return tube 52 ... counter attachment member 52a ... back Face plate 52b ... bottom support 52c ... side support 52d ... front locking claw 52e ... flexible portion 52f ... top locking claw 52g ... elastic protrusion 52h ... main body engagement claw 53 ... ball alignment member 53a ... shaft 53b ... weight 53c ... bowl-shaped part 60 ... scale (for moving in the left-right direction) 61 ... mark for (moving in the left-right direction) 70 ... scale (for moving in the up-down direction) 71 ... mark (for moving in the up-down direction) 80 ... (front-back direction) Scale (for movement) 81 ... ( Mark for moving back and forth S ... Gap 10 '... (According to modified example) Tank body 10h' ... Mounting member engaging hole 10i '... Chute engaging portion 13R' ... (Right return) ball return port 13L '... Ball return port 14' (for left side return) 14 'Ball return chute 14a' ... Partition wall 14d '... Alignment member mounting portion 14e' ... Body engaging claw 14R '... Ball reception area 14L' (for right side return) ... Roll receiving area 15R '(for left return) Taxiway 15L' (for right return) Taxiway 52 '... Counter mounting member

Claims (1)

A ball tank device that accepts discharged balls discharged from a gaming machine and returns the discharged balls to a ball collecting basket,
A tank body for receiving the discharged balls;
Each is provided in the longitudinal direction of both left and right ends of the tank body, and a ball return unit for the discharge ball painting Bei ball return opening for returning towards the ball collecting trough,
Among the ball return ports provided in the ball return unit, a ball guide unit that guides the discharged balls toward one of the ball return ports,
A ball tank apparatus comprising:

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